Nano-network electronic conduction in iron and nickel olivine phosphates.
The provision of efficient electron and ion transport is a critical issue in an exciting new group of materials based on lithium metal phosphates that are important as cathodes for lithium-ion batteries. Much interest centres on olivine-type LiFePO(4), the most prominent member of this family. Whereas the one-dimensional lithium-ion mobility in this framework is high, the electronically insulating phosphate groups that benefit the voltage also isolate the redox centres within the lattice. The pristine compound is a very poor conductor (sigma approximately 10(-9) S cm(-1)), thus limiting its electrochemical response. One approach to overcome this is to include conductive phases, increasing its capacity to near-theoretical values. There have also been attempts to alter the inherent conductivity of the lattice by doping it with a supervalent ion. Compositions were reported to be black p-type semiconductors with conductivities of approximately 10(-2) S cm(-1) arising from minority Fe(3+) hole carriers. Our results for doped (and undoped) LiMPO(4) (M = Fe, Ni) show that a percolating nano-network of metal-rich phosphides are responsible for the enhanced conductivity. We believe our demonstration of non-carbonaceous-network grain-boundary conduction to be the first in these materials, and that it holds promise for other insulating phosphates.


Increased sulfation and decreased 7alpha-hydroxylation of deoxycholic acid in ethinyl estradiol-induced cholestasis in rats.
Deoxycholic acid conjugation, transport capacity, and metabolism were compared in control and ethinyl estradiol-treated rats. Control rats were found to have a lower capacity to transport deoxycholic acid than taurodeoxycholic acid, and both were decreased by ethinyl estradiol treatment. During [24-14C]sodium deoxycholate infusion, [14C]biliary bile acid secretion increased, but bile flow did not change significantly in either control or ethinyl estradiol-treated rats. Ethinyl estradiol-treated animals excreted significantly less 14C as taurocholic acid than did control animals, consistent with an impairment of 7alpha-hydroxylation of taurodeoxycholic acid. Ethinyl estradiol treatment did not impair conjugation of deoxycholic acid, but did result in an increase in sulfation of taurodeoxycholic acid from 1.5% in controls to nearly 4.0% (P less than 0.01). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the rat has a poorer tolerance for deoxycholic acid than do certain other species. Furthermore, the rat converts deoxycholic acid, a poor choleretic, to taurocholic acid, a good choleretic. When this conversion is impaired with ethinyl estradiol treatment, sulfation may be an important alternate pathway for excretion of this potentially harmful bile acid.


Translocation(X;Y)(p22.33;p11.2) in XX males: etiology of male phenotype.
Analysis of G-banded prometaphase chromosomes from three XX males revealed extra bands on the distal end of one X short arm. These bands were similar both in size and staining properties to the distal Y short arm of their fathers (in the two cases examined) and also to other chromosomally normal males. The extra material on the abnormal X chromosomes was not C- or G-11 positive in the two cases examined, suggesting that the proximal Y long arm was not present. Previous karyotype-phenotype correlations with structurally altered Y chromosomes provided evidence for localization of male determinants on the Y short arm. The present findings in XX males provide support for more precise localization, to bands p11.2 leads to pter of Y short arm.


Stride frequency derived from GPS speed fluctuations in galloping horses.
Changes in gallop stride parameters prior to injury have been documented previously in Thoroughbred racehorses. Validating solutions for quantification of fundamental stride parameters is important for large scale studies investigating injury related factors. This study describes a fast Fourier transformation-based method for extracting stride frequency (SF) values from speed fluctuations recorded with a standalone GPS-logger suitable for galloping horses. Limits of agreement with SF values derived from inertial measurement unit (IMU) pitch data are presented. Twelve Thoroughbred horses were instrumented with a GPS-logger (Vbox sport, Racelogic, 10 Hz samplerate) and a IMU-logger (Xsens DOT, Xsens, 120 Hz samplerate), both attached to the saddlecloth in the midline caudal to the saddle and time synchronized by minimizing root mean square error between differentiated GPS and IMU heading. Each horse performed three gallop trials with a target speed of 36miles per hour (16.1 ms-1) on a dirt racetrack. Average speed was 16.48 ms-1 ranging from 16.1 to 17.4 ms-1 between horses. Limits of agreement between GPS- and IMU-derived SF had a bias of 0.0032 Hz and a sample-by-sample precision of +/-0.027 Hz calculated over N = 2196 values. The stride length uncertainty related to the trial-by-trial SF precision of 0.0091 Hz achieved across 100 m gallop sections is smaller than the 10 cm decrease in stride length that has been associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury. This suggests that the described method is suitable for calculating fundamental stride parameters in the context of injury prevention in galloping horses.


Immunoaffinity purification of human complement component C9 using monoclonal antibodies.
Five monoclonal antibodies to human C9 were produced. Three of the antibodies had affinities from 1.6 to 3.1 X 10(9) M-1 and 2 were of lower affinity, 0.1 to 0.3 X 10(9) M-1. Four distinct antigenic sites on C9 were detected. The lowest affinity antibody was immobilised on Sepharose 4B and used to isolate C9 from human plasma. A 1200-fold purification was obtained with yield of 30-40%. The purified antigen maintained full cytolytic activity.


Whole-mount smFISH allows combining RNA and protein quantification at cellular and subcellular resolution.
Multicellular organisms result from complex developmental processes largely orchestrated through the quantitative spatiotemporal regulation of gene expression. Yet, obtaining absolute counts of messenger RNAs at a three-dimensional resolution remains challenging, especially in plants, owing to high levels of tissue autofluorescence that prevent the detection of diffraction-limited fluorescent spots. In situ hybridization methods based on amplification cycles have recently emerged, but they are laborious and often lead to quantification biases. In this article, we present a simple method based on single-molecule RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization to visualize and count the number of mRNA molecules in several intact plant tissues. In addition, with the use of fluorescent protein reporters, our method also enables simultaneous detection of mRNA and protein quantity, as well as subcellular distribution, in single cells. With this method, research in plants can now fully explore the benefits of the quantitative analysis of transcription and protein levels at cellular and subcellular resolution in plant tissues.


A Case of Recurrent Isolated Uvula Oedema Secondary to Obesity and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.
A 34-year-old male presented as an emergency with sudden onset globus, stertor and choking whilst asleep. He had similar previous episodes that self-resolved. The patient's observations were all within normal range. On examination, he had a grossly enlarged, non-erythematous uvula and there were no signs of respiratory distress or stridor. He was managed with intravenous dexamethasone and an attempt at needle aspiration of the uvula was made but there was no clinical improvement in the patient's condition. Despite no improvement with therapy, he was monitored overnight for any signs of airway compromise and discharged the following morning. His symptoms completely resolved on follow-up in the otolaryngology clinic a week later. He was diagnosed with Quincke's oedema caused by his obesity and background of obstructive sleep apnoea. We discuss the various aetiologies, assessment, and management of Quincke's oedema.


Purification and characterization of tomato arginine decarboxylase and its inhibition by the bacterial small molecule phevamine A.
Polyamines play essential roles in plant growth and survival. Arginine decarboxylase (ADC), which converts arginine to agmatine, catalyzes the first step in polyamine biosynthesis from arginine. However, few biochemical studies with purified plant ADCs have been conducted to evaluate their catalytic efficiency. Tomato genome encodes two arginine decarboxylases: SlADC1 and SlADC2, which are critical for growth, development, and immune responses against bacterial pathogens. We expressed and purified soluble SlADC1 as a recombinant protein fused with maltose-binding protein tag from E. coli Rosetta 2(DE3) cells. Using the purified fusion protein, we characterized the biochemical properties of SlADC1 in vitro and explored it as a target of the bacterial small molecule phevamine A. We confirmed that the activity of SlADC1 depends on the cofactor pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. SlADC1 is specific toward l-arginine and its kinetic parameters were measured using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method. Phevamine A is a competitive inhibitor of SlADC1 and reduces the activity of SlADC1 at high micromolar concentrations. Our purification and biochemical characterization of SlADC1 sets the stage for inhibition studies of this enzyme.


Correction: Comparative validity of energy expenditure prediction algorithms using wearable devices for people with spinal cord injury.
An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.


Design of the DAVOS Study: Diabetes Smartphone App, a Fully Automatic Transmission of Data From the Blood Glucose Meter and Insulin Pens Using Wireless Technology to Enhance Diabetes Self-Management-A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.
In the treatment of diabetes mellitus, the challenge is to integrate adequate self-management into clinical care. Customization including goal setting, monitoring, and feedback could be achieved through digitization. Digital linking between different devices could simplify and promote self-management. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of diabetes treatment assisted by a digital health application compared with standard diabetes therapy. The DAVOS study is a 6-month-period prospective, multicentric, randomized controlled trial. In total, 154 diabetes patients (age ≥18; treated with insulin) will be recruited and randomized into control group or intervention group. Both groups will receive standard diabetes care. The intervention group will additionally use a diabetes app. HbA1c value will be monitored on three separate defined visits. Primary endpoint is the overall reduction of HbA1c value. Secondary endpoints (eg, usability of the app) will be determined through patient-reported outcome questionnaires. Through enhanced interaction of health care professionals, providers of the app, and patients, the study aims to demonstrate improvement in the self-management of diabetes. As part of the closure management, all patients will be invited to use the examined application after completion of the study. The DAVOS study will be conducted in accordance with the valid version of the present study protocol and the internationally recognized International Conference on Harmonization-Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP) Guidelines. Special attention will be paid to European, national, and regional requirements for the approval, provision, and use of medical devices. The study was registered in the German Register of Clinical Trials (DRKS) with number DRKS00025996.


Pressuromodulation at the cell membrane as the basis for small molecule hormone and peptide regulation of cellular and nuclear function.
Building on recent knowledge that the specificity of the biological interactions of small molecule hydrophiles and lipophiles across microvascular and epithelial barriers, and with cells, can be predicted on the basis of their conserved biophysical properties, and the knowledge that biological peptides are cell membrane impermeant, it has been further discussed herein that cellular, and thus, nuclear function, are primarily regulated by small molecule hormone and peptide/factor interactions at the cell membrane (CM) receptors. The means of regulating cellular, and thus, nuclear function, are the various forms of CM Pressuromodulation that exist, which include Direct CM Receptor-Mediated Stabilizing Pressuromodulation, sub-classified as Direct CM Receptor-Mediated Stabilizing Shift Pressuromodulation (Single, Dual or Tri) or Direct CM Receptor-Mediated Stabilizing Shift Pressuromodulation (Single, Dual or Tri) cum External Cationomodulation (≥3+ → 1+); which are with respect to acute CM receptor-stabilizing effects of small biomolecule hormones, growth factors or cytokines, and also include Indirect CM- or CM Receptor-Mediated Pressuromodulation, sub-classified as Indirect 1ary CM-Mediated Shift Pressuromodulation (Perturbomodulation), Indirect 2ary CM Receptor-Mediated Shift Pressuromodulation (Tri or Quad Receptor Internal Pseudo-Cationomodulation: SS 1+), Indirect 3ary CM Receptor-Mediated Shift Pressuromodulation (Single or Dual Receptor Endocytic External Cationomodulation: 2+) or Indirect (Pseudo) 3ary CM Receptor-Mediated Shift Pressuromodulation (Receptor Endocytic Hydroxylocarbonyloetheroylomodulation: 0), which are with respect to sub-acute CM receptor-stabilizing effects of small biomolecules, growth factors or cytokines. As a generalization, all forms of CM pressuromodulation decrease CM and nuclear membrane (NM) compliance (whole cell compliance), due to pressuromodulation of the intracellular microtubule network and increases the exocytosis of pre-synthesized vesicular endogolgi peptides and small molecules as well as nuclear-to-rough endoplasmic reticulum membrane proteins to the CM, with the potential to simultaneously increase the NM-associated chromatin DNA transcription of higher molecular weight protein forms, secretory and CM-destined, mitochondrial and nuclear, including the highest molecular weight nuclear proteins, Ki67 (359 kDa) and Separase (230 kDa), with the latter leading to mitogenesis and cell division; while, in the case of growth factors or cytokines with external cationomodulation capability, CM Receptor External Cationomodulation of CM receptors (≥3+ → 1+) results in cationic extracellular interaction (≥3+) with extracellular matrix heparan sulfates (≥3+ → 1+) concomitant with lamellopodesis and cell migration. It can be surmised that the modulation of cellular, and nuclear, function is mostly a reactive process, governed, primarily, by small molecule hormone and peptide interactions at the cell membrane, with CM receptors and the CM itself. These insights taken together, provide valuable translationally applicable knowledge.


Sensitive GlaI digestion and terminal transferase PCR for DNA methylation detection.
Highly sensitive and specific detection of DNA methylation is critical for early diagnosis and therapy of cancer. Herein, we propose a novel bisulfite-free PCR assay based on a GlaI methylation specific digestion and terminal transferase (TdT) extension for the detection of methylated DNA with high sensitivity and specificity, denoted as GlaI-TdT methylation PCR. For GlaI-TdT methylation PCR assay, the methylated CpG site is recognized and cut by GlaI selectively firstly, leading to the generation of product with specific free 3' end. The free 3' end can be further extended with TdT and served as template for the followed quantitative PCR. The specificity of GlaI-TdT methylation PCR depends on the specific methylation discrimination of GlaI and the existence of poly-T sequence as the extension of TdT. The sensitivity of GlaI-TdT PCR for methylated DNA can achieve 10 copies/reaction with 10,000 copies unmethylated background. The detection performance of GlaI-TdT methylation PCR was also evaluated using colorectal cancer tissue samples, with the results shown great accordance with standard bisulfite-PCR sequencing. Based on its high sensitivity, high specificity, simple and convenient, GlaI-TdT methylation PCR has the great potential to become a promising and robust bisulfite-free procedure for the detection of DNA methylations.


Hb Gerland [alpha 55(E4)Val-->Ala]: a mutation found on the alpha1-globin gene.
The Hb Gerland [alpha 55(E4)Val-->Ala] mutation has been described in the alpha2-globin gene. We report here the same mutation in the paralogous alpha1-globin gene. This variant was found in a healthy 18-month-old boy of Chinese origin. Abnormal hemoglobin (Hb) fractions were visible on isoelectric focusing (IEF) and cation exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), with elution patterns differing from one system to another. Direct sequencing of the alpha-globin genes revealed a GTT>GCT (Val-->Ala) transversion at codon 55 of the alpha1-globin gene. We propose to name the variant encoded by the alpha1-globin gene Hb Gerland [A1], and the variant that is encoded by the alpha2-globin gene Hb Gerland [A2].


Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma with Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon in a neonate of life- and limb-threatening nature: A case report.
Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma involving whole of a leg in a neonate with Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon causing limb and life-threatening situation has not been reported. One such case and its successful management is presented in this case report. Literature review is made.


Regulation of alphaherpesvirus protein via post-translational phosphorylation.
An alphaherpesvirus carries dozens of viral proteins in the envelope, tegument and capsid structure, and each protein plays an indispensable role in virus adsorption, invasion, uncoating and release. After infecting the host, a virus eliminates unfavourable factors via multiple mechanisms to escape or suppress the attack of the host immune system. Post-translational modification of proteins, especially phosphorylation, regulates changes in protein conformation and biological activity through a series of complex mechanisms. Many viruses have evolved mechanisms to leverage host phosphorylation systems to regulate viral protein activity and establish a suitable cellular environment for efficient viral replication and virulence. In this paper, viral protein kinases and the regulation of viral protein function mediated via the phosphorylation of alphaherpesvirus proteins are described. In addition, this paper provides new ideas for further research into the role played by the post-translational modification of viral proteins in the virus life cycle, which will be helpful for understanding the mechanisms of viral infection of a host and may lead to new directions of antiviral treatment.


Synchronizing biological cycles as key to survival under a scenario of global change: The Common quail (Coturnix coturnix) strategy.
Breeding grounds are key areas for sustaining Common quail (Coturnix coturnix) populations as this species is characterised by short life expectancy that requires high offspring production. Annually, breeding quails make up to three breeding attempts in different places. However, the impact of climate warming on quail phenology is unknown. Here, we use a long-term study (1961-2014) of quail-ringing in Spain and data on variation in rainfall and temperature over the past 86years to evaluate how quails have responded to climate change in recent years. Our aim was to understand how this species is adapting to new farming practices and climate change. Our results suggest that increases in temperature and decreases in precipitation modify quail phenology. In hot years, an advance in mean arrival dates and stay stages but a delay in departure dates was found. However, in rainy years a delay in the mean start of the stay stage occurred. In cloudy areas, our findings show that quails advance their stay periods in hot and dry years and delay them in cold and rainy years. Accordingly, quail movements and breeding attempts are eco-synchronized sequentially in cloudy regions. Our results suggest that quails attempt to overcome the negative impacts of climate change and agricultural intensification by searching for alternative high-quality habitats. This strategy could explain how quail populations maintain viable and sustainable populations despite being legally harvested with regulated hunting.


Electron-microscopic study of silver staining of nucleoli in growing oocytes of rat ovaries.
The nucleoli of dictyate-stage growing oocytes in rat ovaries were examined both with routine electron microscopy and electron microscopy after silver nitrate and ammoniacal silver nitrate (Ag-AS) staining. The nucleoli of the unilaminar follicular oocytes consist of twisted strands of dense fibrillar components, aggregates of granular components, and small fibrillar centers. After Ag-AS staining, silver grains are numerous on the dense fibrillar strands, fewer on the fibrillar centers, and very sporadic on the granular aggregates. The same stainability of three nucleolar components with the Ag-AS method was also confirmed in the nucleoli segregated by actinomycin D. During the transition of growing oocytes from bilaminar to plurilaminar follicle stage, the nucleolar dense fibrillar strands gradually conglomerate and are transformed into large and compact spherules. The stainability of dense fibrillar components with the Ag-AS method was lost along with this nucleolar transformation. These results may provide some new clues on the functional significance of Ag-AS-positive proteins in the nucleoli.


Association Between Work-Related Hyperthermia Emergency Department Visits and Ambient Heat in Five Southeastern States, 2010-2012-A Case-Crossover Study.
The objective of this study is to assess ambient temperatures' and extreme heat events' contribution to work-related emergency department (ED) visits for hyperthermia in the southeastern United States to inform prevention. Through a collaborative network and established data framework, work-related ED hyperthermia visits in five participating southeastern U.S. states were analyzed using a time stratified case-crossover design. For exposure metrics, day- and location-specific measures of ambient temperatures and county-specific identification of extreme heat events were used. From 2010 to 2012, 5,017 work-related hyperthermia ED visits were seen; 2,298 (~46%) of these visits occurred on days when the daily maximum heat index was at temperatures the Occupational Safety and Health Administration designates as having "lower" or "moderate" heat risk. A 14% increase in risk of ED visit was seen for a 1°F increase in average daily mean temperature, modeled as linear predictor across all temperatures. A 54% increase in risk was seen for work-related hyperthermia ED visits during extreme heat events (two or more consecutive days of unusually high temperatures) when controlling for average daily mean temperature. Despite ambient heat being a well-known risk to workers' health, this study's findings indicate ambient heat contributed to work-related ED hyperthermia visits in these five states. Used alone, existing OSHA heat-risk levels for ambient temperatures did not appear to successfully communicate workers' risk for hyperthermia in this study. Findings should inform future heat-alert communications and policies, heat prevention efforts, and heat-illness prevention research for workers in the southeastern United States.


The current landscape of nutrition care in oesophageal and gastric cancer - insights from the national oesophagogastric nutrition audit (NONA) survey.
Specialist nutritional support is important during treatment for oesophagogastric (OG) cancer yet current practice remains unstandardised across the UK. The National Oesophagogastric Nutrition Audit (NONA) aimed to describe the current landscape of OG dietetic services in the UK and Ireland, with a specific focus on resource allocation, barriers to dietetic support, and the provision of support throughout the cancer pathway. Tertiary cancer units, secondary care, and community services across the UK and Ireland were invited to complete a 28-point electronic questionnaire. Team leaders and senior specialist OG dietitians were the target respondents. All data points were peer-reviewed, piloted, and revised by the NONA steering committee before distribution. Data points covered a range of areas related to resources, skill mix, provision of support throughout the cancer pathway, and involvement with national audit and research. Complete responses were received from 50 individual units (tertiary surgical units, n = 35 and tertiary oncology units, n = 10). Secondary care and community services were underrepresented (n = 5). Of the units proving tertiary cancer care, the majority (77%) agreed or strongly agreed they were able to provide adequate nutritional care in the post-operative period. However, confidence dropped significantly in the early diagnostic phase and in the neoadjuvant period, with 52% and 67% of tertiary units disagreeing that they could provide adequate dietetic support during these parts of the cancer pathway, respectively. Inadequate funding, understaffing, and the prioritisation of inpatients were commonly reported barriers. There was significant variation in practice regarding nutritional assessment, service structure, and staffing resource allocation across specialist units. The NONA survey provides a 'real-world' landscape of nutritional care for patients with OG cancer. Lack of funding, resource, and evidence-base may explain the variation seen in services provided across the UK. Further research and consensus is required to help standardise nutritional care, guide service specification, and improve nutritional outcomes for patients with OG cancer.


A novel rearrangement of the human fetal globin genes leading to a six gamma-globin gene haplotype.
Haematological as well as gene mapping data are reported for three members of a Portuguese Caucasian family with high G(gamma)-globin levels. A gamma-globin gene sextuplication of the G(gamma)AG(gamma)AG(gamma)AG(gamma)AG(gamma)A(gamma) type was present in the proband and her father. Comparison of gene mapping data with quantitative results of fetal haemoglobin (HbF) analysis provided an explanation for the extremely high G(gamma)-globin levels (> 90%) in the HbF from the two mentioned individuals. This rearrangement, for which a generation mechanism is proposed, is the first gamma-globin gene sextuplication described in the literature.


Phosphoinositide-binding peptides derived from the sequences of gelsolin and villin.
The polyphosphoinositides phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate (PIP) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) inactivate the actin filament-severing proteins villin and gelsolin and dissociate them from monomeric and polymeric actin. A potential polyphosphoinositide- (PPI) binding site of human plasma gelsolin regulating filament severing has been localized to the region between residues 150-169 and to the corresponding region in villin which occurs in the second of six homologous domains present in both proteins. Synthetic peptides based on these sequences bind tightly to both PIP and PIP2, in either micelles or bilayer vesicles, compete with gelsolin for binding to PPIs, and dissociate gelsolin-PIP2 complexes, restoring severing activity to the protein. These peptides also bind with moderate affinity to F-actin, suggesting that inactivation of the severing function of the intact proteins by PPIs results from competition between actin and PPIs for a critical binding site on gelsolin-villin. The PPI-binding peptides contain numerous basic amino acids, but their effects on PPIs are far greater than those of Arg or Lys oligomers, a highly basic peptide derived from the calmodulin-binding site of myristoylated, alanine-rich kinase C substrate protein, or the 5-kDa actin-binding protein thymosin beta-4, suggesting that specific aspects of the primary and secondary structure of these basic peptides are important for their interaction with the acidic headgroups of PPIs. In addition to elucidating the structure of PIP2-binding sites in gelsolin, the results describe a sensitive assay for phosphoinositide-binding molecules based on their ability to prevent inhibition of gelsolin function.


Diffusion-weighted MR neurography for the assessment of brachial plexopathy in oncological practice.
To evaluate diffusion-weighted MR neurography (DW-MRN) for visualizing the brachial plexus and for the assessment of brachial plexopathy. 40 oncological patients with symptoms of brachial plexopathy underwent 1.5 T MRI using conventional MR sequences and unidirectional DW-MRN. The images were independently reviewed by two radiologists. Anatomic visualization of the brachial plexus was scored using a 5 point scale on conventional MR sequences and then combined with DW-MRN. A brachial plexus abnormality was also scored using a 5 point scale and inter-observer agreement determined by kappa statistics. Diagnostic accuracy for brachial plexopathy assessed by conventional MRI alone versus conventional MRI combined with DW-MRN was compared by ROC analysis using reference standards. DW-MRN significantly improved visualization of the brachial plexus compared with conventional MRI alone (P<0.001). When assessing brachial plexopathy, inter-observer agreement was moderate for conventional MRI (kappa=0.48) but good for conventional MRI with DW-MRN (kappa=0.62). DW-MRN combined with conventional MRI significantly improved diagnostic accuracy in one observer (P<0.05) but was similar in the other observer. DW-MRN improved visualization of the brachial plexus. Combining DW-MRN with conventional MRI can improve inter-observer agreement and detection of brachial plexopathy in symptomatic oncological patients.


Positive or negative emotion induced by feeding success or failure can affect behaviors, heart rate and immunity of suckling calves.
This study investigated behavioral and physiological responses of suckling calves to either positive or negative situations. Twelve healthy female suckling Holstein calves at approximately 30 days of age were randomly selected and allocated to two groups: a) a positive situation (POS) group that received a feed reward and b) a negative situation (NEG) group that experienced food frustration. Behavior, heart rate (HR), and immune parameters were measured during the emotion-inducing periods and analyzed via ANOVA. The results indicated that the POS calves showed significantly increased locomotive play but decreased self-grooming, head shaking, and tongue-rolling behaviors as compared to the NEG counterparts (p < .05). The NEG calves had the highest HR (p < .01) after negative emotion induction. Salivary cortisol (S-CORT) level significantly increased following both positive and negative emotional induction (p < .05). In humoral immunity, serum concentrations of IgA were not significantly affected by either the positive or negative situation (p > .05), but the salivary SIgA level of the POS calves was higher than that of the NEG group (p < .01). Serum IL-2 and IL-3 levels in the POS calves were significantly higher than those of the NEG group (p < .01). However, the serum TNF-α level in the POS group was significantly lower than in the NEG group (p < .05). The results suggest that hunger satiation or food frustration may induce different behavioral and physiological responses in suckling calves, presenting an interesting set of reactions appropriate in response to the emotional situations elicited by this short-term stimulus.


Learning the stress-strain fields in digital composites using Fourier neural operator.
Increased demands for high-performance materials have led to advanced composite materials with complex hierarchical designs. However, designing a tailored material microstructure with targeted properties and performance is extremely challenging due to the innumerable design combinations and prohibitive computational costs for physics-based solvers. In this study, we employ a neural operator-based framework, namely Fourier neural operator (FNO), to learn the mechanical response of 2D composites. We show that the FNO exhibits high-fidelity predictions of the complete stress and strain tensor fields for geometrically complex composite microstructures with very few training data and purely based on the microstructure. The model also exhibits zero-shot generalization on unseen arbitrary geometries with high accuracy. Furthermore, the model exhibits zero-shot super-resolution capabilities by predicting high-resolution stress and strain fields directly from low-resolution input configurations. Finally, the model also provides high-accuracy predictions of equivalent measures for stress-strain fields, allowing realistic upscaling of the results.


Electrospun nanofiber cloud for ultrafast solid phase micro-extraction of trace organics in water samples.
In order to achieve ultrafast solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) of trace organics in water samples, the robust polyimide/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PI/PVP) composite nanofiber was prepared by electrospinning. Unlike the nonwoven electrospun membrane bulk widely used for SPME, the hydrophilic PI/PVP nanofibers here can be easily dispersed into and recovered from water sample like a cloud, so nanofiber cloud SPME (NC-SPME) was proposed in this work. The extraction performance of the NC-SPME method was evaluated using phthalates and organochlorine pesticides as model analytes. The extracted analytes were then desorbed by acetone and eventually quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The extraction equilibrium was reached in 30 s for most of the phthalates and 2 min for organochlorine pesticides. While for bar-SPME, the equilibrium time was much longer than 2 h. At the extraction time of 5 min, the recoveries of phthalates and organochlorine pesticides were more than 34% and 52% by the NC-SPME method while they were less than 15% and 10% respectively by the bar-SPME method. In a word, the NC-SPME method presented significant advantages such as fast equilibrium and high recoveries compared to bar-SPME. For the phthalates analysis of real samples by NC-SPME, 5 mL of water sample was used for a 5-min extraction, linear range covered 1-2 orders of magnitude with correlation coefficients (r) higher than 0.99 and limits of detection (LODs) at ng/L levels for all of the tested water samples. This method will be useful for the rapid micro-extraction of other kinds of organics in water samples even biological fluid samples due to the stable composition, ultra-hydrophilic surface of PI/PVP nanofiber, and the biocompatible nature of PVP.


Aminopeptidase A is a functional target in angiogenic blood vessels.
We show that a membrane-associated protease, aminopeptidase A (APA), is upregulated and enzymatically active in blood vessels of human tumors. To gain mechanistic insight, we evaluated angiogenesis in APA null mice. We found that, although these mice develop normally, they fail to mount the expected angiogenic response to hypoxia or growth factors. We then isolated peptide inhibitors of APA from a peptide library and show that they specifically bind to and inhibit APA, suppress migration and proliferation of endothelial cells, inhibit angiogenesis, and home to tumor blood vessels. Finally, we successfully treated tumor-bearing mice with APA binding peptides or anti-APA blocking monoclonal antibodies. These data show that APA is a regulator of blood vessel formation, and can serve as a functional vascular target.


Prospective Randomized Comparison of the Effectiveness of Radiation Therapy and Local Steroid Injection for the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis.
The purpose of this study was to conduct a randomized trial of radiation therapy for plantar fasciitis and to compare radiation therapy with local steroid injections. Between March 2013 and April 2014, 128 patients with plantar fasciitis were randomized to receive radiation therapy (total dose of 6.0 Gy applied in 6 fractions of 1.0 Gy three times a week) or local corticosteroid injections a 1 ml injection of 40 mg methylprednisolone and 0.5 ml 1% lidocaine under the guidance of palpation. The results were measured using a visual analog scale, a modified von Pannewitz scale, and a 5-level function score. The fundamental phase of the study was 3 months, with a follow-up period of up to 6 months. The median follow-up period for all patients was 12.5 months (range, 6.5-18.6 months). For the radiation therapy patients, the median follow-up period was 13 months (range, 6.5-18.5 months), whereas in the palpation-guided (PG) steroid injection arm, it was 12.1 months (range, 6.5-18.6 months). After 3 months, results in the radiation therapy arm were significantly superior to those in the PG steroid injection arm (visual analog scale, P<.001; modified von Pannewitz scale, P<.001; 5-level function score, P<.001). Requirements for a second treatment did not significantly differ between the 2 groups, but the time interval for the second treatment was significantly shorter in the PG steroid injection group (P=.045). This study confirms the superior analgesic effect of radiation therapy compared to mean PG steroid injection on plantar fasciitis for at least 6 months after treatment.


Evaluation of organochlorine compounds in peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and their main prey (Columba livia) inhabiting central Spain.
The population of peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus sbs. brookei) inhabiting the Regional Park of southeastern Madrid (RPSM), Spain, has experienced an increase of unsuccessful pairs (from 15% among a total of 20 pairs in 1995 to 55% among a total of 18 pairs in 2001). Traditionally, this area has been known to be contaminated with organochlorine compounds and toxic metals, which are known to be deleterious to the reproductive system of birds. During the breeding seasons of 2000 and 2001, contaminant residues were measured in unhatched eggs of peregrine falcons and liver of their main prey, to determine if they could be affecting the survival of the population. The most abundant contaminants were ortho-polychlorinated biphenyls (ortho-PCBs), ranging from 202.56 to 3,335.16 ng/g (wet wt) in falcon eggs and from 10.25 to 53.51 ng/g (wet wt) in pigeon livers. In all samples, the 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were detected, although these levels never exceeded 20 pg/g (wet wt). The major contributor to total toxic equivalent quantities (TEQs) were non-ortho-PCBs. Organochlorine levels found in this study may contribute to the entire suite of stressors that are negatively affecting the peregrine population.


Efficacy of Sphincter Control Training (SCT) in the treatment of premature ejaculation, a new cognitive behavioral approach: A parallel-group randomized, controlled trial.
Current evidence suggests that Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT) has a limited role in the contemporary management of premature ejaculation (PE). The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a new CBT for the PE called Sphincter Control Training (SCT) in combination with a masturbation aid device. The present study included 35 patients' that met diagnostic criteria for PE including intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) of ≤2 minutes and had a Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) score ≥11. Participants completed all phases of a randomized controlled clinical study with a parallel group design, which was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Hospital Morales Meseguer of Murcia (Spain).The two treatment groups completed SCT over 7 weeks. The SCT consists of four different exercises and an educational session. Its objective is to provide patients with greater knowledge, awareness, and control of the external urethral sphincter. The only difference between groups was the use of a masturbation aid device called Flip Zero (TFZ-001) from the Japanese company Tenga Co., Ltd. The main measure was the "fold increase" (FI) of the IELT, which was calculated using the geometric mean pre-treatment and post-treatment. In addition, Premature Ejaculation Profile PE was used as a secondary measure. The geometric mean of the measurements corresponding to the 7 weeks of treatment was calculated, and both groups were compared by means of an ANCOVA test, finding a statistically significant difference (F: 10.51, 1; p = .003) in the increase experienced by subjects in the group with the device (GWD) mean = 166.63, SD = 106.54) compared with that experienced by subjects in the group without device (GWtD) (mean = 86.99, SD = 59.98).Using Student's t-test, the Fold increase (FI) corresponding to both groups were compared. The results showed statistically significant differences (p = .008) between the measurements corresponding to the GWtD (1.38 (0.50)) and those relative to the GWD (2.69 (1.81)). The FI in the GWD at the end of the trial allow us to consider this new CBT as a potential and viable PE treatment alternative. No side effects were observed in either treatment group and it required little therapeutic input and no partner involvement. The main limitation of this study is the lack of a 3- to 6-month follow-up of the treatment and placebo control. This SCT exercise program combined with the use of a masturbation device shows promise because has numerous advantages in relation to current recommended treatments in patients with PE.


Selective decrease in low-Mr HMG proteins HMG I and HMG Y during differentiation of mouse teratocarcinoma cells.
We have studied the presence of high-mobility-group (HMG) chromatin proteins in undifferentiated F9 mouse teratocarcinoma cells and F9 cells, which were induced to differentiate by treatment with retinoic acid and dibutyryl-cAMP for 5 days. Acetic acid/urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and reversed-phase HPLC revealed that the induced F9 cells contained 77 and 62% less HMG I and HMG Y, respectively, than their untreated counterparts. The relative amounts of two other low-Mr HMG proteins HMG 14 and HMG 17 remained essentially unchanged and only a minor decrease was observed in the content of one of the high-Mr HMG proteins, HMG 2. The identity of the low-Mr HMG proteins was verified by amino acid analysis or partial sequencing. These results suggest that HMG I and HMG Y are HMG proteins specific for undifferentiated cells.


Giga-seal formation alters properties of sodium channels of human myoballs.
The influence of giga-seal formation on the properties of the Na+ channels within the covered membrane patch was investigated with a whole-cell pipette and a patch pipette applied to the same cell. Current kinetics, current/voltage relation and channel densities were determined in three combinations: (i) voltage-clamping and current recording with the whole-cell pipette, (ii) voltage-clamping with the whole-cell pipette and current recording with the patch pipette and, (iii) voltage-clamping and current recording with the patch pipette. The Hodgkin-Huxley (1952) parameters tau m and tau h were smaller for the patch currents than for the whole cell, and the h infinity curve was shifted in the negative direction. The channel density was of the order of 10 times smaller. All effects were independent of the extracellular Ca2+ concentration. The capacitive current generated in the patch by the whole-cell Na+ current and its effect on the transmembrane voltage of the patch were evaluated. The kinetic parameters of the Na+ channels in the patch did not depend on whether the voltage was clamped with the whole-cell pipette or the patch pipette. Thus, the results are not due to spurious voltage.


Thermal Modulation of MOF and Its Application in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.
The applications of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as sulfur hosts focus on pristine MOFs and their carbonization products for establishing high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). However, the mechanism that modulates the specific nanostructures and the compositions at different treatment temperatures still needs further exploration. In this work, we modulate the pyrolysis products of UiO-66-NH2@rGO (U@rGO) at a predetermined specific temperature by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis and systematically investigate their microstructure and chemical characteristic evolution. The composite processed at 300 °C (U@rGO-P300) results in the rearrangement of an octahedral nanophase into an amorphous material while retaining a large number of functional groups of -NH2 and COO-, which lead to an additional nanostructure interface and a high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 298.4 m2 g-1. Moreover, the newly created abundant suboxidative Zr3+ atom sites serve as the polysulfide anchor and transfer mediator active sites. The assembled LSBs could deliver a capacity of 906.1 and retain 801.7 mA h g-1 after 300 cycles at 1C with a low fading rate of around 0.05% per cycle and an improved rate performance of 619.1 mA h g-1 at 4C. The Li+ diffusion coefficients are significantly increased by 10-60 times. This work provides a simple route to activate the metal sites in the MOF category with a suboxidative state, leading to intriguing and unanticipated properties.


Right Hepatectomy with Vascular and Biliary Reconstruction for a Portal Vein Leiomyosarcoma.
Vascular leiomyosarcomas (LMS) are rare malignant mesenchymal tumors arising from vessel smooth muscle cells. They represent only 2% of soft tissue sarcomas and most commonly (50%) originate from the inferior vena cava.1-3 Portal vein LMS are very rare, and their resection combines en bloc negative margin sarcoma surgery principles and complex liver surgery procedures with vascular reconstructions.3-5 METHODS: This is the case of a 42-year-old female presenting with a moderate cholestasis. Imaging revealed a 3-cm tumor originating from the main portal vein and its right branch while being in contact with both the right hepatic artery and biliary confluence. No metastases were identified. Core needle biopsy confirmed the diagnosis and tumor board decision was surgical resection. The procedure included anatomic right hepatectomy with en bloc resection of the portal vein bifurcation, common bile duct, and biliary confluence. Portal venous reconstruction was performed using an autogenous external iliac vein interposition graft, while biliary reconstruction was performed via a Roux-en-Y end-to-side hepatico-jejunostomy. Duration of surgery was 300 min, and blood loss was 300 ml. Postoperative outcomes were uneventful and patient was discharged on postoperative day 8 with a transient right limb edema. Pathology confirmed R0 resection of a T1N0M0 leiomyosarcoma, Fédération Nationale des Centres de Lutte Contre le Cancer (FNCLCC) grade 2 tumor. Patient was free of disease at 20 months post-surgery. Portal vein leiomyosarcomas are extremely rare. En bloc extensive surgical resection should be proposed to obtain R0 resection, and achieve prolonged survival.4,6,7.


Congenital adrenal hyperplasia. I: Gender-related behavior and attitudes in female patients and sisters.
Thirty-five female patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) were compared to a group of 16 healthy sisters in regard to gender-related behavioral patterns, present attitudes, and plans for the future. A semi-structured interview with the subjects, ages 11 to 41 yr, and their mothers concentrated on four to five age stages. Results of retrospective data from single items as well as from several related composite scales ("interests and behavior," "appearance," "overall scores") revealed significant group differences: Both in mother-assessment and self-assessment, CAH patients showed a "more masculine" orientation than their sisters, but this was far from consistent across all age stages, especially for single items. Unexpectedly, the gender-behavior differences between CAH patients and sisters did not hold for certain items and scales of "social behavior" (e.g., assertiveness, dominance, acceptance in peer groups) and, in contrast to some of the existing literature, also not for "high-energy expenditure." With regard to expectations for the future, CAH patients had less of a "wish to have their own children" and a higher preference for "having a career versus staying at home." Age, socioeconomic status, intelligence, and presence or absence of a sister as possibly intervening psychosocial/demographic factors could not explain the group differences in behavior. Degree of genital masculinization (Prader stages) or "onset and quality" of therapy as measures of pre- and postnatal androgenization, respectively, could also not account for the degree of the "more masculine" orientation in the CAH group. Nevertheless, the overall results are compatible with earlier findings on the masculinizing effects of prenatal androgens on behavior in humans and point to a time period after sexual differentiation of the genitalia and before birth as the most likely one for the effects of prenatal hormones on behavioral masculinization in humans.


PharmActa: Personalized pharmaceutical care eHealth platform for patients and pharmacists.
Community pharmacists are critically placed in the patient care chain being an extended frontline within primary healthcare networks across Europe. They are trained to ensure safe and effective medication use, a crucial and responsible role, extending beyond the common misconception limited to just providing timely access to medicines for the population. Technology-wise, eHealth being committed to an effective, networked, patient-centered and accessible healthcare would prove a real asset in this direction by achieving improved therapy adherence with better outcomes and direct contribution to a cost-effective healthcare system. In this work, we present PharmActa, a personalized eHealth platform that addresses key features of pharmaceutical care and enhances communication of pharmacists with patients for optimizing pharmacotherapy. PharmActa empowers patients by providing pharmaceutical care services, such as drug interactions tools, reminders for assisting adhesion and compliance, information regarding adverse drug reactions, as well as pharmacovigilance along with related tools for healthcare management. In addition, it allows the pharmacists to review the medication history in order to provide personalized pharmaceutical care services; thus enhancing their role as healthcare providers. Finally, a mechanism allowing such a system to be interconnected with a developed medical repository following European and International interoperability standards, is also presented. Thus far, the evaluation results presented in this work indicate that PharmActa can be of great benefit to healthcare professionals, especially pharmacists and patients.


Longitudinal associations of serum survivin with the severity and prognosis of community-acquired pneumonia patients.
Survivin is a member of apoptosis inhibitor proteins that evokes cellular proliferation and inhibits apoptosis. However, the role of survivin in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients remains to be firmly established. The aim of this cohort study was to evaluate the correlations of serum survivin with the severity and prognosis of CAP patients. This research included 470 eligible CAP patients. Serum fasting samples were drawn from patients, and serum survivin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Meanwhile, demographic characteristics and clinical information were collected. The prognosis of CAP patients was tracked. Serum survivin gradually decreased with elevated CAP severity scores. Additionally, the correlative analysis suggested that serum survivin was associated with many clinical characteristics. Furthermore, mixed linear and logistic regression models indicated that serum survivin was negatively associated with severity. After adjusting for confounding factors, logistic regression analyses found that lower serum survivin on admission elevated the risks of mechanical ventilation, vasoactive agent usage, longer hospital stays, ICU admission, and even death during hospitalization. Serum survivin in combination with CAP severity scores elevated the predictive capacities for severity and death in CAP patients compared with a single indicator. On admission, there are inverse dose-response associations of serum survivin with severity and poor prognosis in CAP patients, demonstrating that serum survivin may be involved in the pathophysiology process of CAP. Serum survivin may serve as a potential biomarker for disease evaluation and prognosis in CAP patients.


Antinuclear, anticytoplasmic, and anti-Sjogren's syndrome antigen A (SS-A/Ro) antibodies in female blood donors.
A study of 2500 sera from female blood donors between the ages of 20 and 50 years was undertaken to determine the frequency of antinuclear (ANA), anticytoplasmic (ACA), and antimitochondrial (AMA) antibodies. When sera were tested by immunofluorescence (IF) on HEp-2 cells, 15.9 and 1.1% had ANA titers greater than 1/20 and 1/80, respectively. Analysis of these sera for autoantibody specificity showed: 1.5% antinucleolar, 1.0% anti-nuclear matrix, 0.2% anti-mitotic spindle apparatus, and 0.2% anti-primary biliary cirrhosis nuclear antigen. AMA titers of greater than 1/80 were seen in 2.5% and AMA titers greater than 1/160 were seen in 1.0%. None of the sera had anti-double stranded DNA. Testing of an additional 2500 sera for anti-Sjogren's Syndrome antigen A (anti-SS-A/Ro) revealed a frequency of 22/5000 (0.44%) with the highest frequency (0.72%) being in the 45-50 age group and a relatively high frequency (0.58%) in the 20-24 age group.


Pharmacokinetics of Rasagiline in Healthy Adult Chinese Volunteers with Various Genotypes: A Single-Center, Open-Label, Multiple-Dose Study.
Although there is evidence indicating cytochome P450 (CYP) 1A2 is responsible for the metabolism of rasagiline, the role of other CYP isoforms is unclear. This study investigated the pharmacokinetics of rasagiline in adult Chinese healthy volunteers with various CYP genotypes. This single-center, open-label study was conducted in 12 subjects. Fasted subjects received rasagiline 1 mg daily for 7 days. Blood samples were taken to determine plasma concentrations of rasagiline, its major metabolite R-1-aminoindan (AI), and the genotyping of CYP2D6 and CYP2C19. Safety was also assessed. After oral administration, rasagiline was absorbed with a median time to reach maximum concentration (tmax) of 0.5 h. Overall systemic exposure was approximately theefold on day 7 versus day 1. The mean terminal elimination half-life (t½) was nearly doubled on day 7 compared to day 1. AI was rapidly quantifiable in plasma with median t max occurring 1-1.5 h post-dose. Overall exposure to AI on day 7 was approximately twofold higher than on day 1. Overall systemic exposure to AI was approximately four- to sixfold greater than exposure to rasagiline, whereas maximum concentration (C max) was approximately half that of rasagiline. The mean t½ for AI was longer than for the parent drug, and was similar between the sexes and days. Inferred metabolic status did not appear to affect the pharmacokinetics of rasagiline or AI. All adverse events were mild to moderate in severity. Multiple oral administration of rasagiline 1 mg tablet in Chinese healthy adults resulted in similar pharmacokinetics of both rasagiline and AI compared to those previously observed in Caucasians. Rasagiline was safe and well tolerated in Chinese healthy volunteers.


Inter-kingdom conservation of mechanism of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay.
Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a quality control system that degrades mRNAs containing premature termination codons. Although NMD is well characterized in yeast and mammals, plant NMD is poorly understood. We have undertaken the functional dissection of NMD pathways in plants. Using an approach that allows rapid identification of plant NMD trans factors, we demonstrated that two plant NMD pathways coexist, one eliminates mRNAs with long 3'UTRs, whereas a distinct pathway degrades mRNAs harbouring 3'UTR-located introns. We showed that UPF1, UPF2 and SMG-7 are involved in both plant NMD pathways, whereas Mago and Y14 are required only for intron-based NMD. The molecular mechanism of long 3'UTR-based plant NMD resembled yeast NMD, whereas the intron-based NMD was similar to mammalian NMD, suggesting that both pathways are evolutionarily conserved. Interestingly, the SMG-7 NMD component is targeted by NMD, suggesting that plant NMD is autoregulated. We propose that a complex, autoregulated NMD mechanism operated in stem eukaryotes, and that despite aspect of the mechanism being simplified in different lineages, feedback regulation was retained in all kingdoms.


Gastrointestinal tolerability of etoricoxib in rheumatoid arthritis patients: results of the etoricoxib vs diclofenac sodium gastrointestinal tolerability and effectiveness trial (EDGE-II).
A randomised, double-blind study to compare the gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability, safety and efficacy of etoricoxib and diclofenac in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A total of 4086 patients (mean age 60.8 years) diagnosed with RA were enrolled and received etoricoxib 90 mg daily (n = 2032) or diclofenac 75 mg twice daily (n = 2054). Use of gastroprotective agents and low-dose aspirin was allowed. The prespecified primary end point consisted of the cumulative rate of patient discontinuations due to clinical and laboratory GI adverse experiences (AEs). General safety was also assessed, including adjudicated thrombotic cardiovascular event data. Efficacy was evaluated using the Patient Global Assessment of Disease Status (PGADS; 0-4 point scale). Mean (SD; maximum) duration of treatment was 19.3 (10.3; 32.9) and 19.1 (10.4; 33.1) months in the etoricoxib and diclofenac groups, respectively. The cumulative discontinuation rate due to GI AEs was significantly lower with etoricoxib than diclofenac (5.2 vs 8.5 events per 100 patient-years, respectively; hazard ratio 0.62 (95% CI: 0.47, 0.81; p<or=0.001)). The incidence of discontinuations for hypertension-related and oedema-related AEs were significantly higher with etoricoxib (2.5% and 1.1% respectively) compared with diclofenac (1.5% and 0.4% respectively; p<0.001 for hypertension and p<0.01 for oedema). Etoricoxib and diclofenac treatment resulted in similar efficacy (PGADS mean changes from baseline -0.62 vs -0.58, respectively). Etoricoxib 90 mg demonstrated a significantly lower risk for discontinuing treatment due to GI AEs compared with diclofenac 150 mg. Discontinuations from renovascular AEs, although less common than discontinuations from GI AEs, were significantly higher with etoricoxib.


Clinical, cytogenetic and molecular study of a case of ring chromosome 10.
Ring chromosome 10 is a rare cytogenetic finding. Only a few cases with molecular cytogenetic definition have been reported. We report here on a child with a ring chromosome 10, which is associated with prenatal and postnatal growth retardation, microcephaly, dysmorphic features, hypotonia, heart defect, severe pes equinovarus, and bronchial asthma. The chromosomal aberration was defined by chromosome microarray analysis, which revealed two deletions at 10pter (3.68 Mb) and 10qter (4.26 Mb). The clinical features are very similar to those reported in other clinical cases with ring chromosome 10, excluding bronchial asthma, which has not been previously reported in individuals with ring chromosome 10.


Human allogeneic lymphocytes trigger endothelial cell tissue factor expression by a tumor necrosis factor-dependent pathway.
Lymphocyte adhesion to endothelial cells and the extravascular deposition of fibrin are 2 important processes during pathologic situations such as allograft rejection. Tissue factor (TF) expression was therefore measured on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) after coculture with allogeneic lymphocytes (PBLs) by a factor Xa generation assay. When cocultured with PBLs, HUVECs expressed strong procoagulant activity related to the TF/factor VII-dependent pathway, which was enhanced when endothelial cells were treated with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The highest TF activity was measured when 10(5) lymphocytes were incubated with 10(4) HUVECs (ratio 10: 1) for 4 hours, a time-dependent course similar to that obtained with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and direct contact between the 2 cell types was necessary. PBL-induced TF activity was inhibited by cycloheximide or actinomycin D, indicating active protein synthesis that was confirmed by the increase in TF mRNA detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. It was then demonstrated that 1 of the primary signaling pathways leading to endothelial cell TF expression was a rapid initial interaction between membrane TNF expressed on PBLs and the 75-kd TNF receptor, with subsequent involvement of platelet-activating factor and P-selectin. Finally, we showed that the transduction of external signals involving the activation of protein kinase C and protein tyrosine kinases also contributed to the regulation of TF expression.


An anti-inflammatory role for V alpha 14 NK T cells in Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin-infected mice.
The possible contribution of NKT cells to resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection remains unclear. In this paper we characterized the Valpha14 NKT cell population following infection with Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). BCG infection determined an early expansion of Valpha14 NKT cells in liver, lungs, and spleen, which peaked on day 8 and was sustained until day 30. However, an NK1.1(+) Valpha14 NKT population preferentially producing IFN-gamma predominated at an early stage (day 8), which was substituted by an NK1.1(-) population preferentially producing IL-4 at later stages (day 30). Despite the fact that Valpha14 NKT cell-deficient mice eliminated BCG as did control mice, they had significantly higher numbers of granulomas in liver and lungs. Additionally, while control mice developed organized small granulomas, those in Valpha14 NKT-deficient mice had signs of caseation, large cellular infiltrates, and some multinucleated macrophages, suggesting that Valpha14 NKT cells may actually work as anti-inflammatory cells by limiting excessive lymphocyte influx and tissue pathology. In agreement, we found an increased spontaneous production and mRNA expression of TNF-alpha in liver and lungs of Valpha14 NKT-deficient mice, whose neutralization in vivo by anti-TNF-alpha mAbs consistently reduced the number of granulomas in liver and lungs. Together, our results support a regulatory role for Valpha14 NKT cells in the course of BCG infection through their ability to limit the extent of inflammatory response and point to an important role for this cell subset as a regulator of the balance between protective responses and immunopathology.


Magnetic Solid-Phase Extraction of Fipronil from Aqueous Solution and Eggshells Using Amine-Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles.
Fipronil, as a broad use insecticide, is regulated under directives and standards in many countries since it is classed as Class II moderately hazardous pesticide and Group C possible human carcinogen. In this study, amine coated iron oxide (NH2 -Fe3 O4 ) is used as a new adsorbent with high adsorption capacity in the removal of fipronil from aqueous solution and eggshells.The adsorption performance was studied through batch adsorption under different concentrations of fipronil (10-200 μg/mL), different nanoparticles amount (0.1-1 mg) at different pH (4.5-6.0) and temperature (25-75 °C). Results showed that NH2 -Fe3 O4 nanoparticles (0.1 mg) have excellent adsorption efficiency (97.06 %) at 25 °C, and pH 5.5. It also showed higher adsorption capacity towards fipronil sulfide, fipronil sulfone and fipronil desulfinyl with removal efficiencies of 92.82 %, 86.35 % and 76.24 % from aqueous solution and 97.62 %, 76.97 % and 62.65 % from eggshells, respectively. Fipronil adsorption process on NH2 -Fe3 O4 nanoparticles showed best fitting to Langmuir adsorption isotherm indicating monolayer chemical adsorption by physicochemical interactions spontaneously on homogenous surfaces. Having higher adsorption capacity and reusability NH2 -Fe3 O4 nanoparticles were shown to be effective adsorbents for removal of fipronil from aqueous solution and eggshells.


Revisiting TRPC1 and TRPC6 mechanosensitivity.
This article addresses whether TRPC1 or TRPC6 is an essential component of a mammalian stretch-activated mechano-sensitive Ca(2+) permeable cation channel (MscCa). We have transiently expressed TRPC1 and TRPC6 in African green monkey kidney (COS) or Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and monitored the activity of the stretch-activated channels using a fast pressure clamp system. Although both TRPC1 and TRPC6 are highly expressed at the protein level, the amplitude of the mechano-sensitive current is not significantly altered by overexpression of these subunits. In conclusion, although several TRPC channel members, including TRPC1 and TRPC6, have been recently proposed to form MscCa in vertebrate cells, the functional expression of these TRPC subunits in heterologous systems remains problematic.


1H and 13C assignments of five cembrenes from guggul.
Chemical shift assignments of (1)H and (13)C of five cembrene compounds isolated from the hexane extract of guggul, the resin of Commiphora mukul, are reported. Using (1)H, (13)C, and 2D NMR methods their structures were determined as cembrene (1-isopropyl-4,8,12-trimethyl-cyclotetradeca-2,4,7,11-tetraene), cembrene A (1-isopropenyl-4,8,12-trimethyl-cyclotetradeca-4,8,12-triene), cembrenol (1-isopropyl-4,8,12-trimethyl-cyclotetradeca-3,7,11-trienol), mukulol (1-isopropyl-4,8,12-trimethyl- cyclotetradeca-3,7,11-trienol), and verticillol (4,8,12,15,15-pentamethyl-bicyclo[9.3.1]pentadeca-3,7-dien-12-ol).


Extrapleural, submuscular bars placed by bilateral thoracoscopy--a new improvement in modified Nuss funnel chest repair.
Thoracoscopic Nuss funnel chest repair still has a significant complication rate. Bar dislocation, pneumothorax, pleural effusions, and pericarditis seem to be caused mechanical irritation by the bar. We intended to reduce these problems by further technical modification of the Nuss technique. Of 157 prospectively followed modified Nuss repairs, the last 57 patients had the bars placed in an extrapleural position and fixed by 10 to 14 pericostal sutures under bilateral thoracoscopy. Entirely, extrapleural bar position was feasible in 53 of 57 patients. Four patients had minor holes over one of the bars, predominantly on the left side of the thorax. Pleural effusions, pneumothorax, and pain were greatly reduced, so that we discontinued the so far routine use of bilateral pleural drainages. Extrapleural bar position is feasible in more than 90% of modified Nuss repairs. It reduces pleural secretion and pain, and seems to reduce pneumothorax, pulmonary bar adhesions, and pericardial effusions. The technique is easy and safe, and reduced the incidence of most complications in this early experience of 57 adolescent patients, although no sportive restrictions were imposed at all.


Expression of CS-1 fibronectin precedes monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 production during elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis.
Leucocyte migration within inflammatory skin compartments in allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is the result of a sophisticated multi-step event where multiple molecules are involved. Since non-antigen-specific mechanisms have been described as an early participant in elicitation of ACD, we investigated the kinetics of the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) and the type of infiltrating cells. We compared the time course production of MCP-1/CCL2 with connecting segment-1 (CS-1) fibronectin and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/ CCL17) expression. Biopsies from 10 individuals challenged in their back with the antigen responsible for their contact dermatitis and an irrelevant antigen were taken at different times and histology, immunohistochemistry for CS-1 fibronectin, TARC/CCL17, CD3, CD68, CXCR3, CCR4 and in situ hybridization for MCP-1/CCL2 were performed. At positive antigen stimulated sites expression of MCP-1/CCL2 by basal keratinocytes and isolated cells in dermis started at 10 h. CS-1 fibronectin and TARC/CCL17 expression by blood endothelial cells was found at 2 and 10 h, respectively. This was followed by dermal accumulation of mononuclear cells with a significant increase of CD3+ and CD68+cells. At 48 h, approximately 58% of infiltrating cells were CXCR3+, and 35% CCR4+. We showed evidence of the fact that CS-1 fibronectin expression precedes the production of MCP-1/CCL2 and TARC/CCL17 in the skin of patients with ACD, suggesting that these molecules participate in the early complex process of migrating mononuclear cells during elicitation of ACD.


Closing gaps in medication taking for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease patients among US adults.
The secondary preventive medical remedies used in the U.S. general population, particularly those with numerous co-morbidities, are poorly understood. We aimed to assess health outcomes and the extent of their adherence to guideline-based secondary prevention medications among U.S. coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. We analysed information from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018 on people in the United States aged 18 to 85 who had a personal history of coronary heart disease (CHD). Logistic regression analyses were used to identify characteristics related to healthcare access that were linked with not taking any indicated drugs among CHD and other co-morbidity patients in the U.S. We gathered 4256 CHD patients aged 18 and above. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEIs/ARBs), statins, and antiplatelet medications were taken by 50.94%, 48.26%, 53.41 %, and 19.78% of the population, respectively. Surprising, not received recommended drugs was reached up to 21.12%, and taking all four drugs was only 7.64%. In conclusion, the logistic regression analysis revealed that the chance of not taking prescribed drugs increased with age (18-39), race (Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Black), low income, lack of insurance, and the absence of co-morbidities (hypertension, heart failure, and diabetes mellitus). The gap between the proposed secondary preventative measures and their actual execution remains sizable. In order to achieve 'Healthy Aging', a systematic approach for prevention of CHD is urgently needed.


Single- vs multiple-layer wound closure for flank incisions: results of a prospective, randomised, double-blinded multicentre study.
To compare the incidence of postoperative flank bulges between patients with multiple-layer closure and single superficial-layer closure after retroperitoneal surgery via open flank incision in the SIngle versus MUltiple-LAyer wound Closure for flank incision (SIMULAC) trial. The study was a randomised controlled, patient- and assessor-blinded, multicentre trial. Between May 2015 and February 2017, 225 patients undergoing flank incisions were randomised 1:1 to a multiple-layer closure (SIMULAC-I) or a single superficial-layer closure (SIMULAC-II) group. The primary outcome was the occurrence of a flank bulge 6 months after surgery. Overall, 177 patients (90 in SIMULAC-I, 87 in SIMULAC-II) were eligible for final assessment. The cumulative incidence of a flank bulge was significantly higher in the SIMULAC-II group (51.7%) compared to the SIMULAC-I group [34.4%; odds ratio (OR) 2.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11-3.73; P = 0.02]. Rate of severe postoperative complications (4.4% SIMULAC-I vs 10.3% SIMULAC-II; P = 0.21) or hernia (6.7% SIMULAC-I vs 10.3% SIMULAC-II; P = 0.59) was similar between the groups. There was no difference in pain (visual analogue scale) and the requirement for pain medication at 6 months postoperatively. Quality of life assessed with the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions Questionnaire was higher in the SIMULAC-I group compared to the SIMULAC-II group at 6 months postoperatively, with a (median range) score of 80 (30-100) vs 75 (5-100) (P = 0.012). The overall risk of a flank bulge after flank incision is high. Multiple-layer closure after flank incision should be performed as a standard procedure.


Multiplicity of medication safety terms, definitions and functional meanings: when is enough enough?
To identify the terms and definitions used by organisations involved in medication safety and to examine differences in functional meaning using a novel scenario assignment method. Medication safety related terms and definitions were sought from websites of organisations associated with medication safety. The functional meanings of terms and definitions were analysed and compared using a scenario assignment method where each definition found was assessed against four scenarios with a central theme. Medication safety related terms and definitions currently in use, similarities and differences in their functional meanings, and practical implications of the use of these terms and definitions. Thirty three of 160 websites searched were found to have one or more definitions for medication safety related terms. Twenty five different terms with 119 definitions were found. The most frequently defined groups of terms were "adverse event" (8 different definitions), "error" (n = 9), "near miss" (n = 12), "adverse reaction" (n = 8), and "incident" (n = 4). Substantial diversity of functional meanings of definitions was demonstrated using the scenario-assignment method. Of the five groups of frequently defined terms, definitions within the "adverse event", "near miss", and "incident" groups resulted in three functional meanings each, while two functional meanings resulted for "error" and "adverse reaction". The multiplicity of terms, definitions and, most importantly, functional meanings demonstrates the urgent need for agreement on standardisation of nomenclature describing medication related occurrences. This is an essential prerequisite to enable meaningful analysis of incidence data and development of medication safety improvement strategies.


Ca2+-uptake and -release phenomena from cardiac mitochondria under normal and ischemic conditions.
Guinea-pig and dog heart mitochondria were isolated in a KEA-medium. Ca2+-transport across mitochondrial membranes was measured continuously with an Aminco Dual-Wavelength-Spectrophotometer and murexide as a Ca2+-sensitive indicator. Ischemia was produced by cardioplegia at 15 degrees C according to Bretschneider. Guinea-pig heart mitochondria as well as mitochondria from dog heart show a spontaneous Ca2+-release without nonphysiological influence. Addition of 3.5 M Na+ can induce a very quick release of Ca2+ taken up by heart mitochondria. This release is different from that occurring spontaneously. Progressive ischemia results in a marked depression of Ca2+-uptake and spontaneous Ca2+-release.


Health beliefs and reported symptoms among a sample of incarcerated adolescent females.
To understand the health care needs (or perceived needs) of incarcerated female adolescents by comparing their rates of physical complaints, health attitudes, and treatment seeking to a normative sample. A sample (n = 138) of incarcerated girls was administered the Somatic Symptom Checklist, the Illness Attitudes Scales, and the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale to assess lifetime prevalence of physical symptoms, attitudes toward health, treatment-seeking experience, and emotional distress, and allow for comparison with a normative sample. Information regarding length of incarceration, race, and school achievement was obtained from institutional records. A median lifetime prevalence of 12 symptoms for the incarcerated sample differed significantly from the median of six symptoms reported by a normative sample. The symptoms most commonly expressed by the detainees were dizziness, heart pounding, chest pains, and nausea. In both their attitudes toward illness and actual physical complaints, these subjects were more concerned about illness and perceived themselves to be more physically impaired. Self-reported symptoms of depression and illness were positively correlated. Physical complaints were independent of age, race, length of incarceration, or achievement scores. The frequency and variety of somatic complaints, as well as their relationship to emotional distress, among these incarcerated girls highlight the need for integration of physical and mental health services within juvenile facilities.


Evaluation of olive oil mill wastewater toxicity on spinach.
Olive oil mill wastewater (OMW), a by-product of the olive oil extraction process, is annually produced in huge amounts in olive-growing areas and represents a significant environmental problem in Mediterranean areas. We studied the impact of OMW dilutions (1:20 and 1:10) on spinach plants in order to evaluate OMW dilutions as a low-cost alternative method for the disposal of this waste. The effects of OMW dilutions were evaluated on seed germination, shoot and root elongation, biomass production, nutrient uptake and translocation, ascorbic acid content, polyphenols, photosynthetic pigments, and photosynthetic performance of spinach. Plant biomass was more affected than plant height and total chlorophyll; carotenoid and ascorbic acid content progressively decreased with decreasing OMW dilution. Exposure to both OMW dilutions resulted in overaccumulation of total polyphenols, which were negatively correlated to plant biomass and nutrients. Nutrient (Fe, Ca, and Mg) content was insufficient leading to reduced growth. Water use efficiency decreased mainly due to decreased CO(2) assimilation rate rather than to a decline of transpiration rate. Disturbances in photosystem II (PSII) photochemical efficiency could be better envisaged by the ratio between variable fluorescence and initial fluorescence (Fv/Fo), which showed much greater amplitude than the maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm). From the data obtained, it is suggested that 1:20 OMW dilutions are still phytotoxic and that higher OMW dilutions should be used in order to use this waste for the irrigation of spinach plants.


Evaluation of laparoscopic adhesiolysis for the treatment of experimentally induced adhesions in pony foals.
To assess the efficacy of laparoscopic adhesiolysis in the treatment of experimentally induced adhesions in foals. 8 healthy pony foals. Celiotomy was performed and adhesions created at the jejunoileal junction and at sites 0.5 and 1 m proximal to this junction, using a serosal abrasion method. Ten days after celiotomy, exploratory laparoscopy was performed. Laparoscopic adhesiolysis was performed in the treatment group only (4 foals, randomly selected). Thirty days after the exploratory laparoscopy, a final laparoscopic examination was performed, and the foals were euthanatized. The number and characteristics of abdominal adhesions were recorded during laparoscopy 10 and 30 days after celiotomy and during necropsy. At 30 days after celiotomy, the number of adhesions in the control group was significantly higher than the number in the treatment group. In the control group, all adhesions observed during the exploratory laparoscopy were still evident at the final laparoscopy and necropsy. In the treatment group, adhesions did not form again after separation. During final laparoscopy and necropsy, a focal adhesion between the omentum and site of the initial laparoscope portal was observed in 5 of 8 foals. The serosal abrasion model is useful for studying abdominal adhesions in foals. Laparoscopic adhesiolysis was an effective technique to break down experimentally induced adhesions in the early maturation stage of formation in pony foals. Studies are required to investigate prevention of de novo adhesions at the laparoscope portal sites.


New organotropic compounds. Synthesis, characterization and reactivity of Pt(II) and Au(III) complexes with bile acids: DNA interactions and 'in vitro' anticancer activity.
Based on the ability of bile acids to vectorialize the cytostatic activity of other agents, we have designed and synthesized a new series of platinum and gold complexes. These compounds were studied and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, FAB(+)/MS, 1H, 13C and 195Pt NMR, UV-Vis spectroscopy and conductivity measurements in solution, among other techniques. Kinetic studies carried out in aqueous solution and in the presence of different NaCl concentrations: 4 mM (similar to cytoplasmic concentration), 150 mM (similar to plasmatic concentration). The effects on the electrophoretic mobility of the pUC18 plasmid, the DNA denaturation temperature, and ethidium bromide (EtBr) binding to DNA were studied. The complexes are able to inter-react with DNA to inhibit DNA synthesis and hence, to reduce cell proliferation. The complexes were evaluated for in vitro cytostatic activity against human colon adenocarcinoma, mouse hepatoma, human hepatoma, mouse leukemia, etc. The antitumor effect of some of the compounds prepared was similar to that of cisplatin. However, other compounds had lower cytostatic activity. This different behavior can be accounted for by the structure/activity relationship (SAR), although other factors, such as uptake and the different kinetic behavior in solution, may be responsible for these differences.


Structural biology of heme monooxygenases.
Over the past few years the number of crystal structures available for heme monooxygenases has substantially increased. Those most closely related to one another are cytochrome P450, nitric oxide synthase, and heme oxygenase. The present mini-review provides a summary of some recently published work on how crystallography and solution studies have provided new insights on function and especially the oxygen activation process. It now appears that in all three monooxygenases highly ordered solvent in the active site serves as direct proton donors to the iron-linked dioxygen; a requirement for splitting the O-O bond. This is in sharp contrast to the related peroxidase family of enzymes where strategically positioned amino acid side chains serve the function of shuttling protons. The P450cam-oxy-complex as well as various mutants in a complex with either oxygen or carbon monoxide have enabled a fairly detailed picture to be developed on the role of specific amino acids and conformational changes in both electron transfer and oxygen activation.


Implications of the severity of social phobia.
This paper presents a post hoc analysis of a recent large, 12-week, placebo-controlled trial of paroxetine in the treatment of social phobia, which analyzes subgroups of patients classified as suffering from severe (Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale [LSAS] total score > or = 82, n = 85) or moderate (LSAS total score 52-81, n = 78) social phobia. With respect to the reduction in LSAS total score, the paroxetine-placebo difference was greater in patients in the severe subgroup (20.0, P < 0.001) than those in the moderate subgroup (13.7, P < 0.02). Likewise, for the number of patients rated as 'very much' or 'much' improved according to their Clinical Global Impressions improvement scores, the paroxetine-placebo difference was greater in the severe subgroup (34.2%, P < 0.001) than in the moderate subgroup (29.1%, P < 0.02). In conclusion, paroxetine is effective compared with placebo in both moderate and severe social phobia, and the response is more clear cut in patients with more severe symptoms.


Non-medical factors significantly influence the length of hospital stay after surgery for degenerative spine disorders.
Unnecessarily long hospital stays are costly and inefficient. Studies have shown that the length of hospital stay (LOS) for spine surgical procedures is influenced by various disease-related or medical factors, but few have examined the role of socio-demographic/socio-economic (SDE) factors. This was a retrospective analysis of data from 10,770 patients (5056 men, 5714 women; 62 ± 15 years) with degenerative spinal disorders, collected prospectively in an in-house database within the framework of EUROSPINE's Spine Tango Registry. Surgeons completed the Tango surgery form (clinical history, demographics, surgical measures, complications), and patients, a baseline Core Outcome Measures Index. Stepwise linear regression analyses examined SDE predictors of LOS, controlling for potential medical/biological factors. The mean LOS was 7.9 ± 5.2 days. The final model accounted for 42% of variance in LOS, with SDE variables explaining 13% variance and medical/surgical predictors, 29%. In the final model, the SDE factors age and being female were significant independent predictors of LOS, whereas others were either non-significant (insurance status, being of Swiss nationality, being a smoker) or reached only borderline significance (p < 0.1) (BMI). Controlling for all other SDE and medical/surgical confounders, being female was associated with 1.11-day longer LOS (95% CI 0.96-1.27; p < 0.0001). Patients of advanced age and female gender are at increased risk of longer hospital stay after surgery for degenerative spinal disorders. Further studies should seek to understand the reasoning behind the gender disparity, in order to minimise potentially unnecessary costs of prolonged LOS. Targeted preoperative discharge planning may improve the utilisation of hospital resources. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.


Financial impact of surgical site infections on hospitals: the hospital management perspective.
Surgical site infections (SSIs) may increase health care costs, but few studies have conducted an analysis from the perspective of hospital administrators. To determine the change in hospital profit due to SSIs. Retrospective study of data from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2010. The study was performed at 4 of The Johns Hopkins Health System acute care hospitals in Maryland: Johns Hopkins Bayview (560 beds); Howard County General Hospital (238 beds); The Johns Hopkins Hospital (946 beds); and Suburban Hospital (229 beds). Eligible patients for the study included those patients admitted to the 4 hospitals between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2010, with complete data and the correct International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision code, as determined by the infection preventionist. Infection preventionists performed complete medical record review using National Healthcare Safety Network definitions to identify SSIs. Patients were stratified using the All Patient Refined Diagnosis Related Groups to estimate the change in hospital profit due to SSIs. Surgical site infections. The outcomes of the study were the difference in daily total charges, length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission rate, and profit for patients with an SSI when compared with patients without an SSI. The hypothesis, formulated prior to data collection, that patients with an SSI have higher daily total costs, a longer LOS, and higher 30-day readmission rates than patients without an SSI, was tested using a nonpaired Mann-Whitney U test, an analysis of covariance, and a Pearson χ2 test. Hospital charges were used as a proxy for hospital cost. RESULTS The daily total charges, mean LOS, and 30-day readmission rate for patients with an SSI compared with patients without an SSI were $7493 vs $7924 (P = .99); 10.56 days vs 5.64 days (P < .001); and 51.94 vs 8.19 readmissions per 100 procedures (P < .001). The change in profit due SSIs was $2 268 589. The data suggest that hospitals have a financial incentive to reduce SSIs, but hospitals should expect to see an increase in both cost and revenue when SSIs are reduced.


Stimulus-Driven Affective Change: Evaluating Computational Models of Affect Dynamics in Conjunction with Input.
The way in which emotional experiences change over time can be studied through the use of computational models. An important question with regard to such models is which characteristics of the data a model should account for in order to adequately describe these data. Recently, attention has been drawn on the potential importance of nonlinearity as a characteristic of affect dynamics. However, this conclusion was reached through the use of experience sampling data in which no information was available about the context in which affect was measured. However, affective stimuli may induce some or all of the observed nonlinearity. This raises the question of whether computational models of affect dynamics should account for nonlinearity, or whether they just need to account for the affective stimuli a person encounters. To investigate this question, we used a probabilistic reward task in which participants either won or lost money at each trial. A number of plausible ways in which the experimental stimuli played a role were considered and applied to the nonlinear Affective Ising Model (AIM) and the linear Bounded Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (BOU) model. In order to reach a conclusion, the relative and absolute performance of these models were assessed. Results suggest that some of the observed nonlinearity could indeed be attributed to the experimental stimuli. However, not all nonlinearity was accounted for by these stimuli, suggesting that nonlinearity may present an inherent feature of affect dynamics. As such, nonlinearity should ideally be accounted for in the computational models of affect dynamics. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42761-022-00118-5.


Incidence and Clinical Risk of Cement Extravasation in Adult Patients Undergoing Prophylactic Vertebroplasty During Surgical Spine Reconstruction.
To measure the incidence and severity of cement extravasation in adult patients undergoing prophylactic vertebroplasty as part of a spinal reconstruction procedure. Consecutive adult patients treated with prophylactic vertebroplasty during a spinal reconstruction procedure were reviewed over a 46-month period. Patients without a postoperative computed tomography scan were excluded. Spine reconstruction was defined as any procedure involving ≥6 levels of fusion or a 3-column osteotomy. Cement extravasation was graded using a novel grading system. Fisher exact tests were performed to identify independent predictors of cement extravasation. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were met by 34 patients comprising 112 vertebral bodies (VB). All 34 patients (100%) had computed tomography evidence of cement extravasation. Of 112 VBs, 103 (92.0%) demonstrated cement extravasation. Thirteen VBs (11.6%) in 9 patients (26.5%) had cement extending to the vena cava or end-organs or cement causing spinal canal stenosis (grade 4 and 5 extravasation). No permanent clinical sequelae were found in these 9 patients. Upper thoracic vertebrae (C7-T6) had significantly higher rates of grade 4 and 5 extravasation than lower thoracic-lumbar vertebrae (T7-L5) (P = 0.004). Although no patients in this study experienced known long-term consequences of prophylactic vertebroplasty, 26.5% of patients had cement extravasation that threatened end-organs or neural elements. These results prompted us to change our practice from cementing upper thoracic VBs to using hooks instead. Cement injection is associated with serious risks and should be performed selectively. Larger prospective studies are needed to verify these results.


Emulsion stabilization by non-ionic surfactants: the relevance of surfactant cloud point.
The effect of various additives, electrolytes and non-electrolytes, on the cloud point of non-ionic surfactants has been studied. Additives which salt-out the polyoxyethylene chains of the surfactants cause decreased stability of oil-in-water emulsions by decreasing the true hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) of the surfactant; additives such as sodium iodide and propanol salt-in the non-ionic surfactants and result in an increase in the effective or true HLB of the system. The latter additives do not increase the hydration of the polyoxyethylene chains but their effect must be on the structure of water so that the heat of hydration of the chains is altered. Experiments with free films of the aqueous surfactant (Brij 96) show that thinning rates are markedly affected by the additives, but there is little effect on the equilibrium thickness of the films (ca 11 nm). Nonetheless the thickness at the transition from thick film to equilibrium black film decreases with increasing cloud point of the solution indicating increased stability. The importance of structure formation in the liquid film separating the emulsion globules was demonstrated.


Nitrogen Addition Affects Interannual Variation in Seed Production in a Tibetan Perennial Herb.
The variability observed in the annual seed production of perennial plants can be seen as an indication of changes in the allocation of resources between growth and reproduction, which can be attributed to fluctuations in the environment. However, a significant knowledge gap exists concerning the impacts of nitrogen addition on the interannual seed production patterns of perennial plants. We hypothesized that the addition of nitrogen would impact the annual variations in the seed production of perennial plants, ultimately affecting their overall reproductive efficiency. A multiyear field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of varying nitrogen supply levels (e.g., 0, 4, and 8 kg N ha-1 yr-1 of N0, N4, and N8) on vegetative and floral traits, pollinator visitation rates, and seed traits over a period of four consecutive years. The results showed that the N0 treatment exhibited the highest levels of seed production and reproductive efficiency within the initial two years. In contrast, the N4 treatment displayed its highest level of performance in these metrics in the second and third years, whereas the N8 treatment showcased its most favorable outcomes in the third and fourth years. Similar patterns were found in the number of flowers per capitulum and the number of capitula per plant. There exists a positive correlation between aboveground biomass and several factors, including the number of flowers per capitulum, the number of capitula per plant, the volume of nectar per capitulum, and the seed production per plant. A positive correlation was found between pollinator visitation and the number of flowers per capitulum or the number of capitula per plant. This implies that the addition of N affected the maintenance of plant aboveground biomass, flower trait stability, pollinator visitation, and, subsequently, the frequency of seed production and reproductive efficiency. Our results suggest that augmenting the nitrogen content in the soil may have the capacity to modify the inherent variability in seed production that is observed across various years and enhance the effectiveness of reproductive processes. These findings have the potential to enhance our comprehension of the impact of nitrogen addition on the reproductive performance of perennial herbaceous plants and the underlying mechanisms of biodiversity in the context of global environmental changes.


Studies on microplasmodia of Physarum polycephalum V: electrical activity of different types of microplasmodia and macroplasmodia.
Results obtained by three different electrophysiological methods delivered mainly oscillating potentials (independently of the type of organization of Physarum polycephalum) with an average period length of 1 min 21 sec. This value is in good statistical agreement with corresponding data for the periodical oscillation of the shuttle streaming (1 min 47 sec) and coincides also with the radial tensiometric contractile activity (1 min 34 sec). The investigation favours the hypothesis that ion fluxes across the cell membrane and perhaps between intracellular compartments may act as a trigger mechanism for a still unknown oscillator-system which controls cell movement phenomena in the acellular slime molds.


Incidence of central post-stroke pain.
Central post-stroke pain (CPSP) is a neuropathic pain syndrome characterized by constant or intermittent pain in a body part occurring after stroke and associated with sensory abnormalities in the painful body part. This study describes CPSP prospectively during the first year after stroke and characterizes the cerebrovascular lesions and neurological signs associated with the CPSP syndrome. Two hundred and sixty-seven consecutively admitted patients younger than 81 years were examined in the first week, at 1, 6 and 12 months after stroke. Sensibility to touch (cotton wool), temperature (20 degrees C and 40 degrees C), and pinprick was studied using the contralateral face and extremity as control. A CT scan was done 8 (median) days (range: 1-34 days) after stroke. Two hundred and seven (78%) patients surviving at least 6 months who were able to communicate reliably formed the basis of the study. Abnormal sensory signs were found at least once in 87 (42%) patients. CPSP was found in 16 (8%) patients of whom all but 1 patient also had evoked dysesthesia or allodynia. Further 1 patient had persistent evoked dysesthesia but denied pain. CPSP was not related to sex or age. In patients with single acute cerebral lesions there were no relation between size or location of the lesions and the presence of CPSP. The pain was light in 6 (3%) patients and moderate to severe in 10 (5%) patients. The pain quality was usually lacerating or aching. Fifteen (94%) patients had decreased temperature, touch and pain sensibility and 9 (56%) reported allodynia to cold stimulation and another 9 (56%) patients reported this to touch.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)