Evaluation of Anticancer and Cytotoxic Effects of Genistein on PC3 Prostate Cell Line under Three-Dimensional Culture Medium
Prostate cancer is a major cause of disease and mortality among men. Genistein (GNT) is an isoflavone found naturally in legumes. Isoflavones, a subset of phytoestrogens, are structurally similar to mammalian estrogens. This study aimed to evaluate the anticancer and cytotoxic effects of GNT on PC3 cell line under three dimensional (3D) culture medium. The 3D culture was created by encapsulating the PC3 cells in alginate hydrogel. MTT assay, neutral red uptake, comet assay, and cytochrome C assay were used to study the anticancer and cytotoxic effects of GNT at 120, 240, and 480 μM concentrations. Also, nitric oxide (NO), catalase, and glutathione assay levels were determined to evaluate the effect of GNT on the cellular stress. The culture medium was used as the negative control. GNT reduced the production of cellular NO and increased the production of catalase and glutathione, confirming the results of the NO test. Evaluation of the toxicity effect of GNT at the concentrations of 120, 240, and 480 μM using comet assay showed that this chemical agent induces apoptosis in PC3 cells in a dose-dependent manner. As the level of cytochrome C in PC3 cells treated with different concentrations of GNT was not significantly different from that of the control, GNT could induce apoptosis in PC3 cells through the non-mitochondrial pathway. The findings of this study disclose that the anticancer effect of GNT on PC3 cells under 3D culture conditions could increase the effectiveness of treatment. Also, the cell survival rate is dependent on GNT concentration.


Intraspecific DNA variation in nuclear genes of the mosquito Aedes aegypti.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are an abundant source of genetic variation among individual organisms. To assess the usefulness of SNPs for genome analysis in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, we sequenced 25 nuclear genes in each of three strains and analysed nucleotide diversity. The average frequency of nucleotide variation was 12 SNPs per kilobase, indicating that nucleotide variation in Ae. aegypti is similar to that in other organisms, including Drosophila and the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Transition polymorphisms outnumbered transversion polymorphisms, at a ratio of about 2:1. We examined codon usage and confirmed that mutational bias favours G and C ending codons. Codon bias was most pronounced in highly expressed genes. Nucleotide diversity estimates indicated that substitution rates are positively correlated in coding and non-coding regions. Nucleotide diversity varied from one gene to another. The unequal distribution of SNPs among Ae. aegypti nuclear genes suggests that single base variations are non-neutral and are subject to selective constraints. Our analysis showed that ubiquitously expressed genes have lower polymorphism rates and are likely under strong purifying selection, whereas tissue specific genes and genes with a putative role in parasite defence exhibit higher levels of polymorphism that may be associated with diversifying selection.


5'-Hydrogenphosphonates of anti-HIV nucleoside analogues revisited: controversial mode of action.
The monomeric and symmetrical dimeric 5'-hydrogenphosphonate derivatives of AZT were prepared and evaluated for their inhibitory properties against HIV-1 in several cell lines. The synthesis of the compounds was achieved by reaction of AZT with in situ prepared phosphorus tris(imidazolide) or with phosphonic acid in the presence of pivaloyl chloride. The two title compounds showed in vitro anti-HIV activity similar to (but not better than) that of AZT in three cell lines which were not deficient in thymidine kinase. On the other hand they were inactive in CEM-TK- cells. Pharmacokinetic studies in several media corroborate the assumption that these compounds must not be considered as 'true antiviral agents', but that they act by releasing their nucleoside entity.


Enhancement of curcumin level and hepatoprotective effect in rats through antioxidant activity following modification into nanosized particles.
Developing curcumin into nanosized particles is one of the approaches to overcome the limited use of curcumin. This study aimed to prepare curcumin into nanosized particles to increase the curcumin level in the rat's liver and hepatoprotective effect in rats. Curcumin into nanosized particles formulated using ionic gelation method. Rats were divided into four groups (n = 6): Normal, negative, curcumin, and curcumin modified into nanosized particles were treated with 100 mg/kg body weight orally for 14 days. Hepatic curcumin level was investigated using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, antioxidant activity by malondialdehyde (MDA), and hepatoprotective effect by aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and histopathology. The curcumin level in the rat's liver in the curcumin group was 12.19 ng/mL, and that in those receiving modified into nanosized curcumin was 209.36 ng/mL. The MDA levels in the normal, negative, curcumin, and curcumin modified into nanosized particles groups were 1.88, 4.87, 3.38, and 1.04 nmol/L, respectively. The AST levels in these groups were 57.12, 130.00, 102.13, and 74.28 IU/L, and the ALT levels were 21.63, 61.97, 39.38, and 28.55 IU/L. The liver histopathology scoring showed that curcumin in nanosized particles was better than curcumin in degeneration of fat, lymphocyte infiltration, and necrosis. There was a 17 times increase in curcumin level in the liver of rats treated with curcumin modified into nanosized particles. Curcumin modified into nanosized particles showed more significant improvement as antioxidant and hepatoprotector than curcumin.


Shigella and Enteroinvasive Escherichia Coli.
Shigella and enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) are gram-negative bacteria responsible for bacillary dysentery (shigellosis) in humans, which is characterized by invasion and inflammatory destruction of the human colonic epithelium. Different EIEC and Shigella subgroups rose independently from commensal E. coli through patho-adaptive evolution that included loss of functional genes interfering with the virulence and/or with the intracellular lifestyle of the bacteria, as well as acquisition of genetic elements harboring virulence genes. Among the latter is the large virulence plasmid encoding for a type three secretion system (T3SS), which enables translocation of virulence proteins (effectors) from the bacterium directly into the host cell cytoplasm. These effectors enable the pathogen to subvert epithelial cell functions, promoting its own uptake, replication in the host cytosol, and dissemination to adjacent cells while concomitantly inhibiting pro-inflammatory cell death. Furthermore, T3SS effectors are directly involved in Shigella manipulation of immune cells causing their dysfunction and promoting cell death. In the current chapter, we first describe the evolution of the enteroinvasive pathovars and then summarize the overall knowledge concerning the pathogenesis of these bacteria, with a particular focus on Shigella flexneri. Subversion of host cell functions in the human gut, both epithelial and immune cells, by different virulence factors is especially highlighted.


Rapid synthesis of ethyl cellulose supported platinum nanoparticles for the non-enzymatic determination of H2O2.
Cellulose derivatives are one of the carbohydrate polymers which received a great interest in the construction of nanostructured materials. Particularly, the ethyl cellulose provides an enormous support to the metal nanoparticles. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time report for the simple and rapid synthesis of ethyl cellulose (EC) supported platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) for the determination of non-enzymatic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The PtNPs/EC composite was confirmed by various characterizations such as fourier transform infra-red spectra, energy dispersive X-ray spectra, field emission scanning electron microscope and cyclic voltammetry. Further, the PtNPs/EC composite modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was successfully determined the H2O2 with the linear concentration range from 0.05μM to 2.22mM and the lowest detection limit of 0.01μM. Moreover, the PtNPs/EC/GCE sensor electrode manifested an acceptable sensitivity, selectivity and reproducibility. In addition, we have determined the H2O2 in contact lens solution and human blood serum samples.


Congenital pleural effusion: prenatal ultrasonic diagnosis and therapeutic management.
A case of fetal pleural effusion detected by ultrasound at 33 weeks of gestation is described.


A Diagnostic Conundrum - Small bowel obstruction from undiagnosed endometriosis following uterine perforation.
Uterine perforation is a rare but recognized complication from dilation and curettage, a common therapeutic procedure for obstetric complications and emergencies. Limited cases exist on endometriosis occurring following rupture. Additionally, there are no reported cases of uterine rupture secondary to dilation and curettage leading to new onset endometriosis first presenting as a small bowel obstruction (SBO). A 42-year-old female with recurrent small bowel obstruction was found to have a stricture caused by endometriosis via diagnostic laparoscopy and pathology. Patient had a dilation and curettage for retained products of conception 11 years prior, complicated by uterine perforation. This patient never had a diagnosis of endometriosis prior to her SBO. Patient made an uneventful recovery after small bowel resection with resolving of SBO symptoms. Our case highlights the possibility of endometriosis due to previous uterine rupture as a cause for SBO in an otherwise healthy, female patient of reproductive age. There is a continued need for appropriate documentation of surgical complications on patient charts as well as considering postoperative complications when other etiologies of SBO are less likely. Endometriosis should be considered as a differential in reproductive aged women presenting with a small bowel obstruction, with an increased index of suspicion if the patient has had previous obstetric surgical procedures.


A novel OPA1 mutation in a Chinese family with autosomal dominant optic atrophy.
A large four-generation Chinese family with autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA) was investigated in the present study. Eight of the family members were affected in this pedigree. The affected family members exhibited early-onset and progressive visual impairment, resulting in mild to profound loss of visual acuity. The average age-at-onset was 15.9years. A new heterozygous mutation c.C1198G was identified by sequence analysis of the 12th exon of the OPA1 gene. This mutation resulted in a proline to alanine substitution at codon 400, which was located in an evolutionarily conserved region. This missense mutation in the GTPase domain was supposed to result in a loss of function for the encoded protein and act through a dominant negative effect. No other mutations associated with optic atrophy were found in our present study. The c.C1198G heterozygous mutation in the OPA1 gene may be a novel key pathogenic mutation in this pedigree with ADOA. Furthermore, additional nuclear modifier genes, environmental factors, and psychological factors may also contribute to the phenotypic variability of ADOA in this pedigree.


Of mice and mutations: phenotypic effects of the diabetic db/db and ob/ob mutations on the skull and teeth of mice.
To compare the phenotypic appearance of the skull bones and teeth of wild type C57BL/6J mice with that of diabetic leptin-deficient (ob/ob) and diabetic leptin receptordeficient (db/db) mice used as models for diabetes. Skulls were extracted from the carcasses of mice belonging to wild-type C57B/6J mice, db/db mice on a C57BLKS/J background, and ob/ob mice on a C57B/6J background. After removal of overlying tissue, the skulls and mandibles were then left to dehydrate and examined for phenotypic variations in structure and wear. Bone surfaces of the skulls of wild type mice had a whiter and smoother surface compared with a yellowish colour with a grainy texture in the two mutant strains. The frontal, parietal and occipital bones were translucent in the two mutant strains. Breakages of the zygomatic arches and mandibles were more common in the ob/ob and db/db mice than in the wild type mice. Half of the teeth of the db/db mice and 90% teeth of the ob/ob mice showed considerable wear compared with marginal wear in the wild type mice. These observations suggested that the teeth of the two diabetic mutant strains are exhibiting considerable signs of hypomineralization with increased fragility and decreased bone thickness.


Exercise echocardiography versus exercise electrocardiography in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease in hypertension.
In hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD) can be overestimated by stress electrocardiography (ECG) and scintigraphy due to frequent false-positive results. Exercise tests are also limited by an excessive blood pressure increase, and pharmacologic pressure normalization decreases the accuracy of the test. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of exercise echocardiography as an alternative test for CAD detection in hypertension, both before and after adequate blood pressure control. We studied 59 hypertensive and 59 normotensive patients undergoing coronary angiography for chest pain. Upright bicycle exercise ECG and echocardiographic tests were performed in each group in the absence of therapy; in hypertensives, the tests were repeated a day apart after blood pressure normalization with sublingual nifedipine. Significant CAD (lumen narrowing >50%) was detected in 22 hypertensive and 41 normotensive patients. In the two groups, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of exercise echocardiography performed before treatment were not statistically different (95%, 94%, 94% in hypertensives and 82%, 77%, 83% in normotensives, respectively), but were significantly higher than for the exercise ECG test (68%, 70%, and 69%, respectively). After blood pressure lowering, exercise echocardiography sensitivity slightly decreased (91%), whereas specificity (100%) and diagnostic accuracy (96%) did not vary; on the contrary, exercise ECG sensitivity decreased to 45%. Therefore, according to our data, exercise echocardiography can be an accurate test and more reliable than exercise ECG to detect CAD in normotensives as well as in hypertensives. Normalization of blood pressure with nifedipine does not affect its accuracy, but markedly reduces the sensitivity of exercise ECG.


Characteristics of owned dogs in rabies endemic KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa.
Canine rabies has been enzootic in the dog population of the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa since the mid-1970s and has been associated with high rates of human exposures and frequent transmissions to other domestic animal species. Several decades of control efforts, consisting primarily of mass vaccination programs, have previously failed to sufficiently curb rabies in the province. Despite this history of canine rabies, the target canine population has never been extensively studied or quantified. For efficient and effective vaccination campaign planning, the target population must be evaluated and understood. This study reports evaluated observations from survey records captured through a cross sectional observational study regarding canine populations and dog owners in rabies enzootic KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. The objective of this study was to aid government veterinary services in their current and ongoing efforts to eliminate canine rabies in the province by gaining information about the size and distribution of the owned dog population. Thirty-eight percent of the households owned one or more dogs, with rural areas surveyed containing a significantly higher number of owned dogs than urban areas. The mean dog/person ratio for this study was 1:7.7 (range 1:5.4-1:31). The provincial sex ratio was 1.5:1 male to female, with the percentages for male dogs across the communities ranging from 53 to 61.5%. The age structure of this dog population indicates a high turnover rate. Dogs were kept mostly for guarding homes or livestock. Eighty-four percent of dogs had received a rabies vaccine at some point in their lifetime, almost all during a rabies campaign. The study indicates the majority of owned dogs can be handled by at least one member of the household, thus can be made readily accessible for rabies vaccination during a campaign. Characteristics of owned dogs in the province were similar to those studied in other African countries; however, there were remarkable differences in age, sex and husbandry practices compared to dogs in eastern or northern Africa. These geographical differences lend credence to the theory that canine populations are heterogeneous; therefore, target populations should be evaluated prior to intervention planning.


Are patients ready for communication with radiologists? Results of the R2P2 survey.
Patient empowerment requires that patients have enough information to make decisions concerning their own health. If patients are to discuss imaging results with radiologists, they have to know who these medical professionals are and what they do. To examine whether patients understand the role of radiologists, and if particular subgroups are better informed than other ones. Consecutive radiology outpatients in eight radiology centers could complete a web-based or printed questionnaire. Respondents indicated on a five-point Likert scale their level of agreement with 18 statements on the role of radiologists and their preferences concerning contacts with radiologists. Results were rearranged to allow comparison of predetermined subgroups. Dichotomous results were analyzed using χ(2) statistics. A total of 1,146 questionnaires were found eligible for analysis. Results showed confusion as to the question whether radiologists are medically qualified and enjoy all the privileges thereof. Medically qualified or highly educated respondents were modestly better informed. Patients in private practice were better informed than outpatients in hospitals. Patient empowerment requires better understanding of the role of radiologists. Different population subgroups necessitate specific information strategies.


1H and 13C{1H} NMR spectral parameters of sulfur mustards, nitrogen mustards, and lewisites: computing and predicting of reference spectra for chemical identification.
The (1)H and (13)C{(1)H} chemical shifts and (1)H spin-spin couplings of sulfur mustards, nitrogen mustards, and lewisites scheduled in the Chemical Weapons Convention, and those of bis(2-chloromethyl)disulfide, were determined in CDCl(3), CD(2)Cl(2), and (CD(3))(2)CO. Accurate parameters of this kind of series can be used for evaluating the current molecular modeling programs and the chemical shift and coupling constant prediction possibilities of the programs. Several prediction tests were made with commercial programs, and the results are reported here.


Launching a Teaching Academy (Virtually) During a Pandemic: Silver Linings to a Challenge.
The pandemic disrupted our plans to launch a Teaching Academy to formally support medical educators. Moving forward virtually provided a collaborative and supportive network to plan and deliver professional development activities to navigate pandemic challenges. Through sharing and practicing new teaching technologies together, the social connection and engagement with colleagues helped navigate pandemic challenges.


Randomized trial of the Availability, Responsiveness and Continuity (ARC) organizational intervention for improving youth outcomes in community mental health programs.
The primary objective of the study was to assess whether the Availability, Responsiveness and Continuity (ARC) organizational intervention improved youth outcomes in community based mental health programs. The second objective was to assess whether programs with more improved organizational social contexts following the 18-month ARC intervention had better youth outcomes than programs with less improved social contexts. Eighteen community mental health programs that serve youth between the ages of 5 and 18 were randomly assigned to ARC or control conditions. Clinicians (n = 154) in the participating programs completed the Organizational Social Context (OSC) measure at baseline and following the 18-month ARC organizational intervention. Caregivers of 393 youth who were served by the 18 programs (9 in ARC and 9 in control) completed the Shortform Assessment for Children (SAC) once a month for six months beginning at intake. Hierarchical linear models (HLM) analyses indicated that youth outcomes were significantly better in the programs that completed the 18 month ARC intervention. HLM analyses also showed that youth outcomes were best in the programs with the most improved organizational social contexts following the 18 month ARC intervention. Youth outcomes in community mental health programs can be improved with the ARC organizational intervention and outcomes are best in programs that make the most improvements in organizational social context. The relationships linking ARC, organizational social context, and youth outcomes suggest that service improvement efforts will be more successful if those efforts include strategies to improve the organizational social contexts in which the services are embedded.


Drug permeability in 16HBE14o- airway cell layers correlates with absorption from the isolated perfused rat lung.
The permeability of the lung is critical in determining the disposition of inhaled drugs and the respiratory epithelium provides the main physical barrier to drug absorption. The 16HBE14o- human bronchial epithelial cell line has been developed recently as a model of the airway epithelium. In this study, the transport of 10 low molecular weight compounds was measured in the 16HBE14o- cell layers, with apical to basolateral (absorptive) apparent permeability coefficients (P(app)) ranging from 0.4 x 10(-6)cms(-1) for Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-Phe-NH(2) to 25.2x10(-6)cms(-1) for metoprolol. Permeability in 16HBE14o- cells was found to correlate with previously reported P(app) in Caco-2 cells and absorption rates in the isolated perfused rat lung (k(a,lung)) and the rat lung in vivo (k(a,in vivo)). Log linear relationships were established between P(app) in 16HBE14o- cells and P(app) in Caco-2 cells (r(2)=0.82), k(a,lung) (r(2)=0.78) and k(a,in vivo) (r(2)=0.68). The findings suggest that permeability in 16HBE14o- cells may be useful to predict the permeability of compounds in the lung, although no advantage of using the organ-specific cell line 16HBE14o- compared to Caco-2 cells was found in this study.


Agarose-gel electrophoresis for the quality assurance and purity of heparin formulations.
The adulteration of raw heparin (Hep) with a synthetic oversulfated chondroitin sulfate (OSCS) not found in nature produced in 2007-2008 a global crisis giving rise to the development of additional, new and specific methods for its quality assurance and purity. In this study, a simple and sensitive agarose-gel electrophoresis method has been developed for the visualization of OSCS in Hep samples along with other natural glycosaminoglycans possibly present as "process-related impurities", in particular dermatan sulfate (DS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS). Agarose-gel electrophoresis under non-conventional conditions is able to separate OSCS from Hep with its two components, the slow-moving and fast-moving species, DS and CS by performing separation for 15 h (overnight) and under high voltage (100 mA, ∼200 V). Densitometric scanning enabled us to calculate a limit of detection of ∼0.5 μg OSCS with a linear behaviour from 0.1 to 5 μg, comparable to CS/DS. Contaminated samples from Hep manufacturers were analyzed and quantitative data were found comparable to previous studies. Due to its capacity to process many samples in a single run and to the equipment commonly available in laboratories, this analytical method would be suitable for the identification and quantification of contamination by other polysaccharides, in particular OSCS and DS, within Hep preparations and formulations.


Improved magnetostriction in Galfenol alloys by aligning crystal growth direction along easy magnetization axis.
Galfenol (Iron-gallium) alloys have attracted significant attention as the promising magnetostrictive materials. However, the as-cast Galfenols exhibit the magnetostriction within the range of 20-60 ppm, far below the requirements of high-resolution functional devices. Here, based on the geometric crystallographic relationship, we propose to utilize the 90°-domain switching to improve the magnetostriction of Galfenols by tuning the crystal growth direction (CGD) along the easy magnetization axis (EMA). Our first-principles calculations demonstrate that Pt doping can tune the CGD of Galfenol from [110] to [100], conforming to the EMA. Then, it is experimentally verified in the (Fe0.83Ga0.17)100-xPtx (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) alloys and the magnetostriction is greatly improved from 39 ppm (x = 0, as-cast) to 103 ppm (x = 0.8, as-cast) and 188 ppm (x = 0.8, directionally solidified), accompanying with the increasing CGD alignment along [100]. The present study provides a novel approach to design and develop high-performance magnetostrictive materials.


Reduction of Hypertrophic Labia Minora by Posterior-Lateral Wedge Resection with Preservation of the Central Blood Vessels and Nerve Bundle.
The aim of this study was to introduce a new method of labiaplasty. Here, we describe the surgical procedure, outcomes and the advantages of this method. The medical records of 21 patients aged between 20 and 45 years who underwent reduction of the labia minora from February 2015 to June 2017 were reviewed. The procedures performed in these studies used posterior-lateral wedge resection with preservation of the central blood vessels and nerve bundle. All the surgeries were performed successfully, and 21 patients experienced an uneventful postoperative period. A minor dehiscence occurred in one patient, who recovered with no requirement for additional treatment. All of the patients were satisfied with the eventual esthetic appearance. The posterior-lateral wedge resection with preservation of the central blood vessels and nerve bundle is a simple and safe method that is associated with satisfactory outcomes. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .


Neural Correlates of Individual Differences in Speech-in-Noise Performance in a Large Cohort of Cochlear Implant Users.
Understanding speech-in-noise (SiN) is a complex task that recruits multiple cortical subsystems. Individuals vary in their ability to understand SiN. This cannot be explained by simple peripheral hearing profiles, but recent work by our group ( Kim et al. 2021 , Neuroimage ) highlighted central neural factors underlying the variance in SiN ability in normal hearing (NH) subjects. The present study examined neural predictors of SiN ability in a large cohort of cochlear-implant (CI) users. We recorded electroencephalography in 114 postlingually deafened CI users while they completed the California consonant test: a word-in-noise task. In many subjects, data were also collected on two other commonly used clinical measures of speech perception: a word-in-quiet task (consonant-nucleus-consonant) word and a sentence-in-noise task (AzBio sentences). Neural activity was assessed at a vertex electrode (Cz), which could help maximize eventual generalizability to clinical situations. The N1-P2 complex of event-related potentials (ERPs) at this location were included in multiple linear regression analyses, along with several other demographic and hearing factors as predictors of SiN performance. In general, there was a good agreement between the scores on the three speech perception tasks. ERP amplitudes did not predict AzBio performance, which was predicted by the duration of device use, low-frequency hearing thresholds, and age. However, ERP amplitudes were strong predictors for performance for both word recognition tasks: the California consonant test (which was conducted simultaneously with electroencephalography recording) and the consonant-nucleus-consonant (conducted offline). These correlations held even after accounting for known predictors of performance including residual low-frequency hearing thresholds. In CI-users, better performance was predicted by an increased cortical response to the target word, in contrast to previous reports in normal-hearing subjects in whom speech perception ability was accounted for by the ability to suppress noise. These data indicate a neurophysiological correlate of SiN performance, thereby revealing a richer profile of an individual's hearing performance than shown by psychoacoustic measures alone. These results also highlight important differences between sentence and word recognition measures of performance and suggest that individual differences in these measures may be underwritten by different mechanisms. Finally, the contrast with prior reports of NH listeners in the same task suggests CI-users performance may be explained by a different weighting of neural processes than NH listeners.


Clinical effects of stings by sponges of the genus Tedania and a review of sponge stings worldwide.
Contact with sponges (Phylum Porifera) usually results in minimal effects or abrasions, except for species that produce crinitoxins and can cause irritation and dermatitis. There are few reports of sponge stings, mainly in divers or collectors. We report a group of sponge stings from handling flame red/orange sponges on the beach, confirmed to be Tedania anhelans in five cases. All seven patients suffered immediate effects ranging from mild to severe pain, and local inflammation. A 38-year-old female and three children had delayed skin involvement including itchiness, pain, swelling and redness. Blistering and desquamation occurred in the female adult and limited desquamation in one child. Similar delayed effects have been reported in Tedania spp. stings previously.


Congenital anterior subluxation of the distal ulna. A case report.
A healthy 17-year-old girl with painful congenital subluxation of the distal ulna was successfully treated by surgical stabilization of the distal radioulnar joint. This procedure may avoid or delay the need for resection of the distal end of the ulna.


Housing decisions among homeless families involved in the child welfare system.
The present study embedded a qualitative sub-study within a randomized controlled trial of housing services for child welfare-involved families to examine housing decisions made in the face of homelessness and child protection. Participants included a representative sample of caregivers (n = 19) randomized to receive the Family Unification Program - a permanent housing intervention for inadequately housed families under investigation for child abuse or neglect - or child welfare services-as-usual. Qualitative interviews 12 months after randomization assessed housing decision-making processes involved in keeping families safe and stable. Results indicated a push-pull dynamic that constrained housing choices regardless of whether permanent housing was made available. Caregiver housing decisions were constrained by time limitations, affordability, and access to services, while child and family safety was perceived as less important. Findings emphasize the need for housing informed child welfare services to ensure the long-term safety of children in families experiencing homelessness.


Multi-Model Ensemble Deep Learning Method to Diagnose COVID-19 Using Chest Computed Tomography Images.
Deep learning based analyses of computed tomography (CT) images contribute to automated diagnosis of COVID-19, and ensemble learning may commonly provide a better solution. Here, we proposed an ensemble learning method that integrates several component neural networks to jointly diagnose COVID-19. Two ensemble strategies are considered: the output scores of all component models that are combined with the weights adjusted adaptively by cost function back propagation; voting strategy. A database containing 8 347 CT slices of COVID-19, common pneumonia and normal subjects was used as training and testing sets. Results show that the novel method can reach a high accuracy of 99.37% (recall: 0.9981, precision: 0.989 3), with an increase of about 7% in comparison to single-component models. And the average test accuracy is 95.62% (recall: 0.958 7, precision: 0.955 9), with a corresponding increase of 5.2%. Compared with several latest deep learning models on the identical test set, our method made an accuracy improvement up to 10.88%. The proposed method may be a promising solution for the diagnosis of COVID-19.


[Serious events: from statutory requirements to the implementation].
From 2005, PACA area has formed think-tank group a priori risk in the transfusional chain. It has enabled to determine each step of the elementary process and evaluate the frequency, the seriousness and critical effect of the errors. Blood sample and conformity are the most critical points and depend on the vigilance identity. In September 2007, the southern blood bank of France has settled 12 nonconformities levels of blood samples. They send the listing of the nonconformities every month. This listing enables the executive staff to determine the errors and, therefore, to solve them. The regional notification of 2007 to 2008 confirms analysis of the think-tank team. Hence, we were able to list the most serious cases. Public and private hospitals have to notify the serious events and will be bound to evaluate professional practices. These acts will be taken into account by the regional-medical contract.


Biochemical and immunological characterization of structural proteins from retrovirus-D/New England and comparison to Mason-Pfizer monkey virus and permanent human fibroblast virus.
Biochemical and immunological properties of retrovirus-D/New England (here referred as R-D/NE) recently isolated at the New England Regional Primate Research Center, Southborough, Ma, from a rhesus monkey with acquired immune deficiency syndrome were investigated and compared to the prototype type D retroviruses Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (MPMV) and permanent human fibroblast virus (PMFV) isolated from a breast carcinoma of a rhesus monkey and a continuous human cell line, respectively. The polypeptide composition of R-D/NE propagated in a human lymphoid B cell line (Raji cells) has been investigated using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Staining with Coomassie blue and labelling with 14C amino acids revealed seven viral polypeptides with molecular weights of 4,000, 10,000, 12,000, 15,000, 18,000, 27,000, and 80,000 Da which were also shared by MPMV and PMFV. The 80,000 Da protein was shown to be a glycoprotein by incorporation of 3H glucosamine. The 18,000 Da protein was identified as a phosphoprotein of R-D/NE. p18 structural proteins of MPMV and PMFV represent phosphoproteins of their respective viruses as well. All three phosphorylated proteins contain O-phosphoserine as major phosphoamino acid. The comparison of tryptic peptide maps of the major internal structural proteins of R-D/NE, MPMV, and PMFV revealed a striking similarity among p 10/p 12 and p 15. proteins. A minor difference was detected among the tryptic peptide digests of p 4 and p 27 proteins. Antiserum against p 15 of MPMV showed a significantly weaker binding to R-D/NE than to MPMV and PMFV at high dilutions.


Brainstem auditory evoked potentials in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome without central nervous system involvement.
Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune, multisystem exocrinopathy characterized by dysfunction of the exocrine glands. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is estimated to be present in 10-60% patients with pSS. The present study aimed to evaluate brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) in pSS patients without central nervous system involvement, and without otolaryngological abnormalities. Thirty-six pSS patients (35 women, 1 man, mean age 48 years old) and 40 healthy volunteers were investigated. BAEP, brain imaging, laboratory parameters, and clinical neurological and otolaryngological examinations were performed. Abnormal BAEP were recorded in 16.7% patients. The mean wave BAEP I and V latency and mean wave III-V and I-V interpeak latencies were significantly longer in pSS patients than the controls. There were no statistically significant correlations between BAEP parameters and laboratory tests. None of the patients was found having the abnormalities on brain imaging. This study confirms that in pSS patients without clinical central nervous system impairment, auditory pathway disturbances could be found. Disorders of brain bioelectrical activity may be a consequence of ongoing autoimmune process. Key Points • BAEP abnormalities confirmed the clinically observed involvement of the central nervous system in patients with pSS. • Brain bioelectrical activity dysfunctions in pSS patients may be a consequence of ongoing inflammatory and/or immunological processes.


Degenerative arthritis of the carpus associated with congenital hypoplastic thumb.
The case history of a young man with bilteral congenital hypoplastic thumbs and early degenerative arthritis involving the base of the thumb and scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joints is reported. To our knowledge this association has not been previously made. Limited intercarpal arthrodesis and/or trapezium arthroplasty may be required at a relatively early age in patients with thumb dysplasia. We believe the hypoplastic thenar musculature may lead to instability and excessive shear stresses on the radial side of the carpus, causing the early arthritic changes.


Quenching action of monofunctional sulfur mustard on chlorophyll fluorescence: towards an ultrasensitive biosensor.
An ultrasensitive fluorimetric biosensor for the detection of chemical warfare agent sulfur mustard (SM) was developed using its monofunctional analogue. SM is a vesicant and a potent chemical threat owing to its direct toxic effects on eyes, lungs, skin and DNA. This work investigates the quenching action of the analyte on chlorophyll fluorescence as elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry studies suggesting the electrophilic attack of carbonium ion on nitrogens of the porphyrin moiety of chlorophyll. The properties of immobilisation matrix were optimised and scanning electron microscope observations confirmed improvement in pore size of sol-gels by addition of 32 % (v/v) glycerol, a feature enabling enhanced sensitivity towards the analyte. Chlorophyll embedded sol-gel was treated with increasing concentrations of monofunctional SM and the corresponding drop in maximum fluorescence intensity as measured by emission at 673 nm was observed, which varied linearly and had a detection limit of 7.68 × 10(-16) M. The biosensor was found to be 6 orders of magnitude more sensitive than the glass microfibre-based disc biosensor previously reported by us.


Platelets enrich their transcriptome circle.
In this issue of Blood, Alhasan et al report the existence of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in circulating human platelets, thereby revealing yet another facet of their already diverse transcriptome.


Purification and characterization of GTP cyclohydrolase I from Streptomyces tubercidicus, a producer of tubercidin.
GTP cyclohydrolase I catalyzing the first reaction in the biosynthesis of pterin moiety of folic acid in bacteria, was purified from Streptomyces tubercidicus by at least 203-fold with a yield of 32% to apparent homogeneity, using ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-cellulose, Sepharose CL-6B, and hydroxylapatite column chromatography. The molecular weight of the native enzyme was estimated to be 230,000 daltons by gel permeation chromatography. The purified enzyme gave a single band on sodium dodesyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and its molecular weight was apparently 58,000 daltons. These results indicate that the enzyme consists of four subunits with the same molecular weight. The K(m) and Vmax values for GTP of the purified enzyme were determined to be 80 microM and 90 nmol/min (mg protein), respectively. The optimum pH and temperature for the enzyme reaction were pH 7.5-8.5 and 40-42 degrees C, respectively. Coenzyme or metal ion was not required for the enzyme activity. The enzyme activity was inhibited by most divalent cations, while it was slightly activated by potassium ion. In case of nucleotides, CTP, GMP, GDP, and UTP inhibited enzyme activity, among which GDP exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect.


Superior capsular reconstruction using the long head of the biceps to treat massive rotator cuff tears improves patients shoulder pain, mobility and function.
Arthroscopic superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) with the long head of the biceps (LHBT) was performed to restore structural stability, force couple balance, and shoulder joint function. This study aimed to evaluate the functional outcomes of SCR using the LHBT over at least 24 months of follow-up. This retrospective study included 89 patients with massive rotator cuff tears who underwent SCR using the LHBT, met the inclusion criteria and underwent follow up for at least 24 months. The preoperative and postoperative shoulder range of motion (forward flexion, external rotation, and abduction), acromiohumeral interval (AHI), visual analog scale (VAS) score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and Constant-Murley score were obtained, and the tear size, and Goutallier and Hamada grades were also investigated. Compared with those measured preoperatively, the range of motion, AHI, and VAS, Constant-Murley, and ASES scores were significantly improved immediately postoperatively (P < 0.001) and at the 6-month, 12-month, and final follow-ups (P < 0.001). At the last follow-up, the postoperative ASES score and Constant-Murley score increased from 42.8 ± 7.6 to 87.4 ± 6.1, and 42.3 ± 8.9 to 84.9 ± 10.7, respectively; with improvements of 51 ± 21.7 in forward flexion, 21.0 ± 8.1 in external rotation, and 58.5 ± 22.5 in abduction. The AHI increased 2.1 ± 0.8 mm and the VAS score significantly changed from 6.0 (5.0, 7.0) to 1.0 (0.0, 1.0), at the final follow-up. Eleven of the 89 patients experienced retears, and one patient needed reoperation. In this study with at least 24-months of follow-up, SCR using the LHBT for massive rotator cuff tears could effectively relieve shoulder pain, restore shoulder function and increase shoulder mobility to some extent. IV.


The relationship between the oxidative stress and the cardiac hypertrophy in infants of diabetic mothers.
Recently, oxidative stress was suggested to play a role in maternal and fetal complications of diabetic pregnancies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the global oxidant and antioxidant status in infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) via measurement of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS) and to determine their association with the clinical and cardiac manifestations of gestational diabetes on infants. Forty five infants constituted the IDM group, 51 infants born to non diabetic mothers served as the control group. Umbilical cord blood was drawn from IDM and controls for TAC and TOS measurement. Echocardiographic measurements were performed in the first three days of life. Infants of diabetic mother had significantly higher TAC (p=0.024), TOS (p=0.03) and oxidative stress index (OSI, p=0.04) levels compared to controls. Hemoglobin values were correlated to TOS (r=0.310, p=0.03) and OSI (r=0.310, p=0.03). Maternal HbA1c values were also correlated to TOS (r=0.576, p=0.001) and OSI (r=0.606, p<0.001). Systolic and diastolic interventicular septum measurements, and left ventricular mass were also correlated with TOS (r=0.330, p=0.02; r=0.453, p=0.002; r=0.404, p=0.006, respectively) and OSI (r=0.330, p=0.02; r=0.300, p=0.04, r=0.300; p=0.04, respectively). Oxidant-antioxidant balance is disturbed in favor of oxidants in IDM despite compensatory increase in TAC. The degree of oxidative stress is related to the severity of myocardial and hematological involvement in IDM in the first days of life and maternal glycemic control.


An exploration of women's knowledge and experience of perimenopause and menopause: An integrative literature review.
To explore the international literature related to women's knowledge and experience of perimenopause and menopause and to inform future directions for research and individualised healthcare delivery. Menopause is a normal physiological process experienced by most women. Despite this, care and support is fragmented and the implication on women's long-term health is not sufficiently understood. An integrative review of primary research on women's knowledge and experience of perimenopause and menopause. CINAHL, Medline, Wiley Online Library, SCOPUS, PubMed and Google Scholar were searched from 2011 to 2021.Quantitative and qualitative studies written in English exploring women's knowledge and experience of menopause were included. The search strategy for the review complied with PRISMA guidelines. The mixed methods appraisal tool was used to assess quality. Thematic analysis was employed to present a narrative synthesis of the data. A total of 17 studies, comprising 10 quantitative, and seven qualitative studies met the inclusion criteria. The four themes regarding women's knowledge and experience of perimenopause and menopause identified in the literature were as follows: (1) Symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause; (2) Strategies to manage symptoms; (3) Support and information (4) Attitudes, education and health literacy. This integrative review of the international literature highlights that women's knowledge of perimenopause and menopause varies significantly globally and within countries. The experience of perimenopause and menopause for women is heterogenous and influenced by deeply embedded sociocultural patterns. This integrative review has shown that individualised support for women during perimenopause and menopause is critical to ensure the diverse needs of women are suitably addressed. As this was a review of the literature, no patients, service users, caregivers or members of the public were involved in this review.


NOX2 and NOX5 are increased in cardiac microvascular endothelium of deceased COVID-19 patients.
Cardiac injury and inflammation are common findings in COVID-19 patients. Autopsy studies have revealed cardiac microvascular endothelial damage and thrombosis in COVID-19 patients, indicative of microvascular dysfunction in which reactive oxygen species (ROS) may play a role. We explored whether the ROS producing proteins NOX2, NOX4 and NOX5 are involved in COVID-19-induced cardio-microvascular endothelial dysfunction. Heart tissue were taken from the left (LV) and right (RV) ventricle of COVID-19 patients (n = 15) and the LV of controls (n = 14) at autopsy. The NOX2-, NOX4-, NOX5- and Nitrotyrosine (NT)-positive intramyocardial blood vessels fractions were quantitatively analyzed using immunohistochemistry. The LV NOX2+, NOX5+ and NT+ blood vessels fractions in COVID-19 patients were significantly higher than in controls. The fraction of NOX4+ blood vessels in COVID-19 patients was comparable with controls. In COVID-19 patients, the fractions of NOX2+, NOX5+ and NT+ vessels did not differ significantly between the LV and RV, and correlated positively between LV and RV in case of NOX5 (r = 0.710; p = 0.006). A negative correlation between NOX5 and NOX2 (r = -0.591; p = 0.029) and between NOX5 and disease time (r = -0.576; p = 0.034) was noted in the LV of COVID-19 patients. We show the induction of NOX2 and NOX5 in the cardiac microvascular endothelium in COVID-19 patients, which may contribute to the previously observed cardio-microvascular dysfunction in COVID-19 patients. The exact roles of these NOXes in pathogenesis of COVID-19 however remain to be elucidated.


Factors affecting incidence of infanticide and discrimination of related and unrelated neonates in male Mus musculus.
Infanticide by males was examined in two strains (C57B1 and DBA) of the house mouse (Mus musculus). Males that had contact with a female within the previous 2-3 weeks rarely committed infanticide when introduced to the home cage of a female and her 1-day-old neonates, even when the female and neonates were of a different strain and from a different colony. In contrast, 90% of C57B1 males that had no contact with a female for more than 7 weeks killed pups when placed in the female's home cage, and 60% killed when a 1-day-old pup was introduced to the male's home cage. No difference in levels of infanticide occurred when grouped males were compared to isolated males. These results indicate that infanticide is not dependent upon recognition of the pups or the female, but depends on the male's previous exposure to females. Infanticidal behavior is not directly determined by genetic relationship, but the factors that inhibit this behavior reduce the probability that a male will kill his own offspring.


The effect of ultrafiltration process on the fate of antibiotic-related microcontaminants, pathogenic microbes, and toxicity in urban wastewater.
Ultrafiltration (UF) was assessed at chemical, microbiological, genetical and toxicological level and in terms of removing specific antibiotic-related microcontaminants from urban wastewater. The UF capacity to remove various antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, ampicillin, ofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, and tetracycline; [A0] = 100 μg L-1) was optimised with respect to the feed recirculation rate (25-50%) and feed/transmembrane pressure (1.5-3/1.5-2.4 bar, respectively). Here, we tested the UF capacity to reduce the cultivable bacteria (faecal coliforms, total heterotrophs, Enterococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), enteric opportunistic pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) load. Moreover, the toxicity towards Daphnia magna and three plant species was investigated. Upon optimisation of UF, the removal of antibiotics ranged from 19% for trimethoprim to 95% for clarithromycin. The concentration of cultivable faecal coliforms in the permeate was significantly reduced compared to the feed (P < 0.001), whereas all the bacterial species decreased by more than 3 logs. A similar pattern of reduction was observed for the ARGs (P < 0.001) and enteric opportunistic pathogens (~3-4 logs reduction). A nearly complete removal of the antibiotics was obtained by UF followed by granular activated carbon adsorption (contact time: 90 min), demonstrating the positive contribution of such combination to the abatement of chemical microcontaminants.


A floating coverage system for digestate liquid fraction storage.
Anaerobic digestion is booming in the nations of Europe. In fact, Italy alone has approximately 500 plants in operation or in some phase of start-up. Previous studies have made evident the potential that lies in digested manure residual biogas. Nevertheless, much of the potential goes unrealized when enormous amounts of digestate are produced, but are then stored in uncovered tanks. This research work designed, constructed, and tested a low-cost digestate storage tank cover system capable of abating CO2eq atmospheric emissions and then recovering the biogas. The experiment, carried out at a 1 MW electric anaerobic digestion plant, demonstrated that collecting the residual biogas from the digested liquid fraction storage tank made it possible to avoid atmospheric emissions of up to 1260t CO2eq annually and to increase the methane yield of the installation by 3%.


Ultrastructural changes in small intestinal epithelium of neonatal pigs infected with pig rotavirus.
The small intestine of piglets orally infected with rotavirus was examined by electron microscopy 18, 24, 48 and 60 hours after infection. At 18 and 24 hours after infection columnar epithelial cells covered the villi. Infected epithelial cells tended to be less electron-dense than uninfected cells and were more numerous at 24 hours after infection. Two types of rotavirus particle were seen, usually within dilated cisternae of the RER: non-enveloped particles measuring 50 to 60 nm and enveloped particles measuring 65 to 75 nm. Non-membrane bound viroplasm containing electron-dense cores was encountered outside the cisternae 18 and 24 hours after infection. Tubular structures measuring 44 to 56 nm were often found in nuclei of infected cells. Single-membraned (44 to 55 nm) and double-membraned tubules (70 to 80 nm) associated with viral manufacture were found in the cytoplasm of infected cells. At 48 and 60 hours after infection a proportion of villous epithelial cells were cuboidal. Virus particles were detected in only a few epithelial cells and nuclear and cytoplasmic tubules were not seen. At all times after infection some infected cells showed a reduction in the number and size of the microvilli comprising the brush border.


Assessing health state utilities for people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in Australia using the EQ-5D-5L, AQoL-8D and EQ-5D-5L-psychosocial instruments.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic condition with a constellation of symptoms presenting as severe and profound fatigue of ≥ 6 months not relieved by rest. ME/CFS affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL), which can be measured using multi-attribute health state utility (HSU) instruments. The aims of this study were to quantify HSUs for people living with ME/CFS, and to identify an instrument that is preferentially sensitive for ME/CFS. Cross-sectional national survey of people with ME/CFS using the AQoL-8D and EQ-5D-5L. Additional questions from the AQoL-8D were used as 'bolt-ons' to the EQ-5D-5L (i.e., EQ-5D-5L-Psychosocial). Disability and fatigue severity were assessed using the De Paul Symptom Questionnaire-Short Form (DSQ-SF). HSUs were generated using Australian tariffs. Mean HSUs were stratified for sociodemographic and clinical factors. Bland-Altman plots were used to compare the three HSU instruments. For the 198 participants, mean HSUs (95% confidence intervals) were EQ-5D-5L: 0.46 (0.42-0.50); AQoL-8D: 0.43 (0.41-0.45); EQ-5D-5L-Psychosocial: 0.44 (0.42-0.46). HSUs were substantially lower than population norms: EQ-5D-5L: 0.89; AQoL-8D: 0.77. As disability and fatigue severity increased, HSUs decreased in all three instruments. Bland-Altman plots revealed interchangeability between the AQoL-8D and EQ-5D-5LPsychosocial. Floor and ceiling effects of 13.5% and 2.5% respectively were observed for the EQ-5D-5L instrument only. ME/CFS has a profound impact on HRQoL. The AQoL-8D and EQ-5D-5L-Psychosocial can be used interchangeably: the latter represents a reduced participant burden.


Enhancement of pseudoconditioning and retardation of escape by low doses of ethanol.
Independent groups of mature Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally with 0.9% NaCl solution or 0.5 g/kg, 1 g/kg or 2 g/kg ethanol prepared from a 30% ethanol solution in 0.9% NaCl. Thirty min later each animal was placed in a two compartment shuttlebox and given 25 trials during which footshock was presented every 60 sec and tones of 8 sec duration were randomly programed. Shock-escape latencies and frequencies of intercompartmental (pseudoconditioned) responses to the tone were measured. The results showed that 1 g/kg and 2 g/kg ethanol significantly retarded escape performance but 2 g/kg ethanol significantly enhanced pseudoconditioning. These findings have implications for the design of experiments concerned with the effects of drugs on learning processes, and for theories of the effects of ethanol on behavior.


A decade of change--risk profiles and outcomes for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting procedures, 1990-1999: a report from the STS National Database Committee and the Duke Clinical Research Institute. Society of Thoracic Surgeons.
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Adult Cardiac Database is the largest voluntary clinical database in medicine. Using this database we examined changes in the risk profile of patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and their outcomes during the decade 1990 to 1999. Trends in 23 preoperative risk factors were tracked for CABG cases during this decade. Using a multivariate logistic risk model, we also determined the degree to which operative risk and risk-adjusted operative mortality changed during this 10-year interval. Between 1990 and 1999, 1,154,486 patient records were harvested by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Adult Cardiac Database for isolated CABG procedures performed at 522 Society of Thoracic Surgeons participant sites in the United States and Canada. Over time, CABG patients were more likely to be older (mean age 63.7 in 1990, 65.1 in 1999), of female gender (25.7% women in 1990, 28.7% in 1999), and have a history of smoking, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, hypertension, stroke, chronic lung disease, New York Heart Association functional class IV, and three-vessel disease (p < 0.0001). Patients' predicted operative risk increased by 30.1%, from 2.6% in 1990 to 3.4% in 1999. Despite higher risk, observed operative mortality decreased by 23.1%, from 3.9% in 1990 to 3.0% in 1999 (p < 0.0001). During the decade, a Medicare-aged subset (n = 629,174) experienced similar increases in risk and declines in mortality. Patients referred for isolated CABG are significantly older, sicker, and have a higher risk than a decade ago. Despite this, CABG mortality rates have declined substantially. These results highlight the excellent progress in the care of CABG patients achieved during the past decade.


Glucose-responsive nanoparticles designed via a molecular-docking-driven method for insulin delivery.
Nocturnal blood glucose regulation was one of the key challenges in diabetic treatments. However, development of the smart insulin complexes with mild and glucose-responsive delivering performances was mostly relied on experience of the senior researchers and numerous confirmation experiments. In this work, a series of bioinspired fatty-acid-modified glucose-responsive insulin-delivering polymeric nanoparticles were designed. The molecular docking technique was utilized to efficiently screen the fatty-acid-derived functional groups. The results provided the basis for polymer functionalization and simplified the optimization experiments. For the optimized formulation (C10MS), insulin-loaded C10MS successfully fulfilled the nocturnal-glycemic-controlling requirement of the diabetic rats with lower occurrence of hypoglycemia than the conventional insulin injection schemes. Such formulation also possessed good biocompatibility with the moderate elimination kinetics in vivo, which matched the demand of bio-safety in the daily treatments. Overall, this work opened up a new path for efficient design of functional polymeric materials.


Changes of neurochemical and electrophysiological indices of rat brain under ethanol intoxication.
It was found that acute ethanol intoxication caused an imbalance of the neurotransmitters in the CNS: accumulation of GABA and serotonin and depletion of catecholamines. Alcohol depression was characterized by suppression of the evoked potentials of the various rat brain structures. Under chronic ethanol intoxication of animals, relative stabilization of the electrophysiological indices of the rat brain activity was observed. This reflects the CNS adaptation to the constant ethanol presence in the blood. This state was also characterized by the relative stabilization of the serotonin system and by the increase of the catecholamine level. Withdrawal of ethanol after prolonged consumption caused accumulation of catecholamines in rat brain, depletion of serotonin and GABA, and increased excitability of the nervous structures. The changes of activity of the GABA- and monoaminergic systems are coupled to manifestation of symptoms of alcohol depression and convulsive reactions during ethanol withdrawal.


Pressure-induced crystallization and densification of amorphized calcium carbonate hexahydrate controlled by interfacial water.
Amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) is widely known as a metastable precursor in the formation of crystalline calcium carbonate biominerals. However, the exact role of water during the crystallization of ACC remains elusive. Here, a novel ACC with high specific surface area and nanopores is synthesized by solvent-induced dehydration and amorphization of crystalline calcium carbonate hexahydrate (ikaite), denoted as I-ACC. Comparing I-ACC and typical spherical ACC (S-ACC) nanoparticles, it reveals that the crystallization pathways of ACC under heating or pressure are not dictated by the total amount of water in ACC as reported, but rather the interfacial water that is released from ACC bulk and adsorbed on the surface of the particles. We show that the crystallization pathways of I-ACC to calcite single crystal with high specific surface area or vaterite can be easily controlled by tuning the release of water during heating. In addition, densely packed pure vaterite can be obtained via pressured-induced transformation of I-ACC at room temperature, which is otherwise difficult to form using S-ACC. These insights contribute to the understanding of the biological control of mineral formation via amorphous precursors and offer new opportunities to bioprocess inspired fabrication of strong bulk material at room temperature.


Responses of guinea-pig lung parenchymal strips to tracheobronchial lavage fluid from horses affected with summer pasture-associated obstructive pulmonary disease.
The response of parenchymal strips from guinea-pig lungs to tracheobronchial lavage fluid (TBLF) collected from 8 normal horses and from 8 affected with summer pasture-associated obstructive pulmonary disease (SPAOPD) was determined. TBLF was collected during the summer (July) and winter (February) seasons. The serum/TBLF urea nitrogen ratio was used to standardize the mediator concentration in the TBLF. Four strips were used from each guinea-pig. The first strip did not receive any antagonist and served as the control. The second, third and fourth strips received antagonists of PGE2, LTD4 and PAF, respectively at 10(-6) mol/L for 30 min. The tissues were then precontracted with a dose of histamine (10(-5) mol/L) and their responses to 1 ml of TBLF were determined. The study showed that TBLF obtained in the summer from unaffected horses produced a significantly greater relaxation than that from the affected horses, whereas TBLF obtained in the winter from unaffected or affected horses did not cause a significantly different degree of relaxation. Among the antagonist-treated strips, only those exposed to the PGE2 blocker showed a significant reduction in the relaxation caused by TBLF obtained in the summer from SPAOPD horses. This suggests that PGE2 is an important mediator present in the summer in the TBLF from horses affected with SPAOPD.


Alterations in ovarian follicular progesterone secretion by elevated exposures to the drinking water disinfection by-product dibromoacetic acid: examination of the potential site(s) of impact along the steroidogenic pathway.
Previous data from our laboratory indicated that the drinking water disinfection by-product, dibromoacetic acid (DBA), when applied in vitro to rat preovulatory follicles at a concentration consistent with blood levels found to disrupt estrous cyclicity, was able to block the stimulated secretion of progesterone. The present experiments focused on establishing a dose-response for such an effect and identifying the point(s)of impact of this compound along the steroidogenic pathway that underlie this suppression. Immature Sprague-Dawley rats were primed with PMSG on day 26 and killed 48 h later. Preovulatory follicles were removed and paired in culture with or without DBA (2-50 microg/ml) to reassess progesterone secretion under hCG-stimulated or baseline conditions. In addition, media supplemented with pregnenolone or 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol (22R-HC) were used to determine the effects of 50 microg/ml DBA on the initial steps leading to progesterone synthesis. Samples taken over the course of 24 h reaffirmed a significant DBA-associated suppression in baseline and stimulated progesterone release, while estradiol secretion was unaffected. This effect was mirrored by a reduction in follicular progesterone content in these DBA groups. The addition of pregnenolone eliminated this decrease, with the DBA-exposed follicles exhibiting a linear increase in progesterone release over the sampling period. The follicular progesterone content at 24 h showed that DBA treatment under pregnenolone supplementation caused marked elevations under both the hCG stimulated and non-stimulated conditions, something not reflected in the release data. Substitution of 22R-HC for pregnenolone eliminated the effect on baseline progesterone release, although the attenuation in stimulated secretion was still present. This suggests both an effect of DBA exposure on mitochondrial cholesterol transport by steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and a possible impact on the receptor or postreceptor events triggered by hCG.


Biogenic synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using olea europaea leaf extract and evaluation of their toxicity activities: An in vivo and in vitro study.
Copper oxide nanoparticles (CUNPs) were synthesized using Olea europaea leaf extract as reducing and protecting agent. The formation of nanoparticles was observed through a color change from yellowish to brownish black. The CUNPs were confirmed with UV-Vis spectrophotometer, which revealed a peak absorbance at 289 nm. The synthesized CUNPs were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TEM. The XRD pattern revealed that CUNPs were crystalline in nature with a diameter around 20 nm. FTIR spectral analysis showed that CUNPs were capped with plant constituents. From SEM and TEM analyses, the CUNPs were generally found to be spherical in shape, and the size range was 20-50 nm. Free radical scavenging potential of CUNPs against DPPH was confirmed by its stable antioxidant effects. In addition, the toxicity of CUNPs in mice was also assessed by body weight and weights of liver, kidneys, spleen, and thymus. The immune response in mice was signaled through an obvious change in spleen and thymus index, with a decrease of ADA enzyme activity in serum, spleen, and thymus after CUNPs treatment. The CUNPs were found to exert cell growth arrest against AMJ-13 and SKOV-3 cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner and induce cell death by apoptosis. Less significant cytotoxic effect was observed in normal dermal fibroblast cells. These findings suggest that CUNPs may have the potential to be anticancer agents. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:218-230, 2018.


AND-ASPEN and ESPEN consensus, and GLIM criteria for malnutrition identification in AECOPD patients: a longitudinal study comparing concurrent and predictive validity.
Malnutrition in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is prevalent and usually assessed by body mass index (BMI), which can lead to misdiagnosis. The subjective global assessment (SGA) is the reference method for this diagnose in hospitalized patients. In the last decade, new tools have emerged Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics-American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition [AND-ASPEN], European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism [ESPEN], and Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition [GLIM]). Therefore, this study aimed to assess the concurrent and predictive validity of these tools in acute exacerbated COPD (AECOPD) patients. Prospective cohort study with hospitalized AECOPD patients. Malnutrition was diagnosed by SGA (reference method), AND-ASPEN, ESPEN, and GLIM consensus. Hospital length of stay (LOS) and mortality were the outcomes evaluated. In 241 patients (46.5% males; 68.3 ± 10.2 years), malnutrition was found in 50.0% by SGA, 54.4% by AND-ASPEN, 20.2% by ESPEN, and 47.8% by GLIM. AND-ASPEN had the best accuracy (AUC = 0.837; 95% CI 0.783-0.841) and concordance (kappa = 0.674) with SGA and it was an independent predictor of prolonged LOS (OR = 1.73; 95% CI 1.01-3.37). ESPEN consensus did not agree with SGA, but was associated with prolonged LOS (OR = 2.57 95% CI, 1.27-5.20). The GLIM had good concordance (kappa = 0.533) and accuracy with SGA (AUC = 0.768; 95% CI 0.701-0.835), but was not associated with outcomes. The AND-ASPEN was the most accurate tool for diagnosing malnutrition in AECOPD patients and was an independent predictor of prolonged LOS.


Antimicrobial drug resistance in porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli of 0-group 149 and non-enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains (104) and 96 non-ETEC, all isolated from herds with piglet diarrhea in 1981 and 1982, were investigated with regard to antimicrobial drug resistance and colicinogeny. Eighty strains (77%) of the ETEC were drug resistant as compared to 66 strains (69%) of the non-ETEC. There were no significant differences between ETEC and non-ETEC in the frequencies of the drug resistance determinants investigated, except for tetracycline, to which 51 (49%) of the former and 30 (31%) of the latter strains were resistant (0.05 greater than P greater than 0.01). Of all strains 116 (58%) were resistant to streptomycin, 93 (47%) to sulphadimidin, 81 (41%) to tetracycline, 20 (10%) to trimethoprim, 14 (7%) to ampicillin, 11 (6%) to neomycin, 6 (3%) to chloramphenicol and none to nitrofurantoin. The frequencies of the different drug resistance determinants correlated well with the total amount of active substance of each drug used in farm animals in Sweden in 1981. Of the ETEC, 97 (93%) were colicinogenic whereas only 13 (14%) of the non-ETEC were colicinogenic.


The response of Primula species to soil waterlogging and soil drought.
The distributions of Primula vulgaris, P. elatior and P. veris in the British Isles are partly dependent on differences in waterlogging and drought tolerance. Comparison of biomass production and root length on soils with different water tables ranked the species in order of increasing waterlogging-tolerance: P. veris < P. vulgaris < P. elatior. P. veris and P. vulgaris were most sensitive to waterlogging during the first three months of growth. Waterloggingtolerance in P. elatior was associated with the ability to maintain an oxygen flux from the roots in anoxic media, which was not present in the other species. Solution culture experiments indicated that poor growth of P. vulgaris on saturated soils was a consequence of anoxia but gave no explanation for the waterlogging-intolerance of P. veris.Maximum photosynthetic rate recovered rapidly in P. vulgaris and P. veris following drought. In P. elatior, however, recovery was slower and associated with the production of new leaf area. Older, wilted leaves senesced rapidly and reduced the overall photosynthetic performance of the plant. Comparison of cumulative water loss on a leaf area basis against the proportion of maximum photosynthetic rate prior to soil drought, ranked the species in order of increasing drought tolerance; P. veris>vulgaris>elatior.The habitats of P. vulgaris and P. elatior are recognisably distinct where the species occur together as a consequence of differences in their drought and waterloggingtolerances. Amongst other factors, the more developed drought tolerance of P. veris enables it to exploit drier, more open, situations.


Serotonin decreases population spike amplitude in hippocampal cells through a pertussis toxin substrate.
Activation of the serotonin1A receptor decreases CA1 population spike amplitude and inhibits forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase in rat hippocampus. Pretreatment of rats with pertussis toxin blocked both responses. Because the electrophysiological and biochemical responses to serotonin were correlated after pertussis toxin treatment, we conclude that both responses are mediated by a common regulatory protein, presumably Gi.


The human blood platelet: its derivation from the red blood cell. II. Instantaneous changes in form in the platelet and red cell. A morphologic study.
The human blood platelet arises from the interior of the red cell instantaneously as blood is either damaged or disturbed. The platelet starts out as a fine granular structure that rather suddenly changes in form and function with the passage of a very small amount of time.


Association between diabetes patients' knowledge about medications and their blood glucose control.
Diabetes mellitus is a common chronic disorder frequently resulting in hyperglycemia and numerous long-term complications. Research has shown that improved glycemic control reduces the rate and number of diabetes-related complications. Evidence suggests that patients who are more knowledgeable about diabetes self-care may be more likely to achieve better glycemic control. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between patients' knowledge about their diabetes medications and their blood glucose control. Patients receiving oral pharmacologic treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus were asked to answer a short questionnaire assessing their knowledge about their medications. Patients were part of an ambulatory care practice in Baltimore, Maryland, that provides primary care medical services to an inner-city, predominantly African American population. A medication knowledge score (number of correct responses to 8 components) was tabulated and correlated to the most recent glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c) (drawn within the previous 90 days). Multivariate models were constructed, with A1c as the outcome and patients' medication knowledge as the independent variable. Potential confounders included in the models were age, sex, education level, number of diabetes medications, and insurance status. Fifty patients were screened for the study; 44 agreed to participate and met inclusion criteria. Patients' diabetes medication knowledge scores ranged between 1 and 7, with a median score of 5. Older patients (65 years and older) and male patients scored lower than their counterparts. There was a strong inverse association between knowledge score and A1c (r=-0.61; P<.001). Glycosylated hemoglobin was one-half unit lower with each one-unit increase in knowledge score among men; among women A1c was 1.6 units lower for each one-unit increase in knowledge score. Patients with greater understanding and knowledge of their diabetes medications demonstrated better glycemic control. This cross-sectional association of medication knowledge and A1c was more pronounced in women than in men.


The Effects of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb, Anemone chinensis Bunge, and Smilax glabra Roxb on Broiler Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Gastrointestinal Tract Microorganisms.
Poultry farming is growing globally, particularly in developing countries, to meet the demands of growing populations for poultry meat and eggs. This is likely to lead to an increase in the use of antibiotics in poultry feed, thus contributing to the development and spread of antibiotic resistance which, poses a serious threat to human and animal health worldwide. One way of reducing this threat is to reduce the use of antibiotics in poultry production by finding effective and sustainable antibiotic alternatives that can be used to support poultry health and productivity. Therefore, this study evaluates the incorporation of three medicinal plants, Anemone chinensis Bunge, Smilax glabra Roxb, and Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb, in poultry feed on production performance, nutrient digestibility, and bacteria in the chicken caecum in a 35-day performance trial with 420-day-old male Ross 308 broilers. Groups of randomly selected chicks received one of six dietary treatments. These included five experimental diets of reduced nutrient specifications as a negative control (NC); with amoxicillin as a positive antibiotic control (PC1); with A. pilosa Ledeb (NC1); with A. chinensis Bunge (NC2); and with S. glabra Roxb (NC3). One other positive control diet contained the recommended nutrient specification (PC2). Weight gain and feed intake were measured weekly and used to calculate the feed conversion ratio as performance parameters. Bacteria were enumerated from chicken caecum using a traditional plating method and selective agar. S. glabra Roxb and A. chinensis Bunge showed comparable effects to amoxicillin with significantly increased weight gain in birds offered these diets, compared to those offered the negative control from days 0 to 35 (p < 0.001). S. glabra Roxb exhibited effects similar to the amoxicillin control group with an improved feed conversion ratio (p < 0.001). In addition, S. glabra Roxb decreased numbers of E. coli and Campylobacter spp. on days 21 (p < 0.05) and 35 (p < 0.01) and increased numbers of lactic acid bacteria comparable to the antibiotic group on days 14 (p < 0.001) and 35 (p < 0.01). The findings of this in vivo trial highlight the potential of S. glabra Roxb and A. chinensis Bunge as beneficial feed material to promote poultry health and productivity in the absence of antibiotics.


Processing of NODULE INCEPTION controls the transition to nitrogen fixation in root nodules.
Legume nodules create an environment for intracellular bacterial symbionts to fix atmospheric nitrogen. The master regulator NODULE INCEPTION (NIN) controls many aspects of nodule initiation, and we demonstrate that it also regulates the transition to nitrogen fixation via proteolytic processing by a signal peptidase complex. Processing of NIN results in a carboxyl-terminal NIN fragment containing the DNA binding motifs, which activates a suite of genes associated with symbiosome development and nitrogen fixation. Similar NIN processing is observed in Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus, implying a conserved mechanism of cell state transition. These findings explain how legume nodules transition to a nitrogen-fixing state and a mechanism by which a single transcription factor can regulate many different developmental processes necessary in the activation and regulation of nitrogen fixation.


Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with and without modified thyrohyoid suspension for obstructive sleep apnea treatment: a randomized clinical trial.
This study aims to compare the efficacy of Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty + Tongue Base Radiofrequency (TB-RF) and Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty + modified thyrohyoid suspension techniques + TB-RF which aimed to suspend base of tongue muscles anteriorly toward thyroid cartilage. This randomized controlled trial study was conducted on 48 cases of confirmed OSA between Jan, 2019 and Aug, 2022. We divided patients into two groups. One group underwent Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty + modified thyrohyoid suspension + TB-RF technique, and another one underwent Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty + TB-RF. Then, Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), mean and lowest O2 saturation, Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), Stanford Subjective Snoring Scale (SSSS), and T90 indexes were evaluated before and after each surgery. The mean ± SD age was 39.4 ± 11.17 years. Of the 48 patients, 79.1% (n = 33) were male and 20.9% (n = 15) were female. AHI and SSSS in the Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty + modified thyrohyoid suspension group were significantly better than Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty group (P-value; 0.010). Though, there was no significant difference in terms of mean saturation, lowest desaturation, ESS, DSST, and T90 scores. The success rate in the Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty + modified thyrohyoid suspension and Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty groups, according to the Sher criteria: a minimum of 50% reduction with a final AHI less than 20, were 75% (18/24) and 41.7% (10/24), respectively. It was significantly higher in the Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty + modified thyrohyoid suspension group (P-value: 0.021). The addition of modified thyrohyoid suspension technique to Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty have better surgical outcomes and more success rate than Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in OSA patients. IRCT: IRCT20190602043791N2. https://en.irct.ir/trial/53365 .


Mutations of a mutS homolog in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.
Recent studies have shown that a locus responsible for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is on chromosome 2p and that tumors developing in these patients contain alterations in microsatellite sequences (RER+ phenotype). We have used chromosome microdissection to obtain highly polymorphic markers from chromosome 2p16. These and other markers were ordered in a panel of somatic cell hybrids and used to define a 0.8 Mb interval containing the HNPCC locus. Candidate genes were then mapped, and one was found to lie within the 0.8 Mb interval. We identified this candidate by virtue of its homology to mutS mismatch repair genes. cDNA clones were obtained and the sequence used to detect germline mutations, including those producing termination codons, in HNPCC kindreds. Somatic as well as germline mutations of the gene were identified in RER+ tumor cells. This mutS homolog is therefore likely to be responsible for HNPCC.


Estradiol reverses the limiting effects of clomiphene citrate on early embryonic development in the in vitro perfused rabbit ovary.
This study examined whether the addition of estradiol (E2) to the perfused rabbit ovary would reverse the deleterious effects of clomiphene citrate (CC) on early embryonic development. Ovaries were perfused with CC (10(-5) M) or CC + E2 (1 to 1000 ng/ml). Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, 50 IU) was added to the perfusate of each ovary. In vitro ovulated ova in cumulus were retrieved and inseminated in vitro. E2 significantly increased the percentage of ovulated ova achieving (1) the 2-cell stage at 36 hours, (2) the morula stage by 84 hours, and (3) the blastocyst stage at 132 hours. The percentage of inseminated ova showing evidence of degeneration was reduced in ovaries treated with E2. These data suggest that CC may exert an antiestrogenic effect on the intrafollicular oocyte, which interferes with postfertilization development.


X-ray diffraction patterns from microtubules and neurofilaments in axoplasm.
Freshly extracted axoplasm from giant axons of the marine fan worm Myxicola infundibulum and the squid Loligo can be pulled into fibres that contain highly oriented cytoskeletal elements suitable for X-ray diffraction. A major advantage of studying axoplasmic components by this technique is that it allows essentially native structures and their interactions to be examined. We describe here the analyses of the X-ray diffraction patterns. We show that in Myxicola the pattern can be explained by diffraction from both neurofilaments and microtubules, whilst in Loligo the pattern arises solely from microtubules. At low resolution, X-ray patterns obtained from dehydrated axoplasmic microtubules resemble strongly the Fourier transforms generated from electron micrographs of negatively stained specimens. Hydration of axoplasmic fibres produced reversible changes in the X-ray pattern intensities, although the layer-line positions were unaltered. On the 4 nm layer-line, the intensity of the J3 reflection was dramatically reduced on hydration, though its position was unchanged. Hydration also affected the J10/J16 reflections, which increased in intensity, though here again the positions of the peaks were little altered. The X-ray patterns from our hydrated fibres resemble those produced by others from fibres of purified microtubules, though in our patterns contrast is generated towards the centre of the wall. We interpret our findings in the light of current ideas about microtubule structure as determined by X-ray diffraction and electron microscope techniques.


Disaster brings new meaning to safety, quality.
CorIduct 'satisfaction rounds' with anxious patients; help answer their questions about well-being of family members. Uselocal law enforcement, other agencies to getstranded staff members to work. Disaster drills pay off when 'the real thing' hits your community.


The insulin-like growth factor II/mannose-6-phosphate receptor : IGF-II/Man-6-P receptor.
Recent evidence from molecular cloning, biochemical and immunological experiments has established that the cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate (Man-6-P) receptor and insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) receptor are the same protein. Although the role of the IGF-II/Man-6-P receptor as a transporter of hydrolytic enzymes in the biogenesis of lysosomes is certain, elucidation of the receptor's structure has not yet provided major insights into the function of IGF-II binding. Mutually exclusive binding of IGF-II and naturally occurring phosphomannosyl ligands to distinct but proximal sites on the receptor suggests that the IGF-II/Man-6-P receptor cannot simultaneously fulfill the functional requirements of both IGF-II and lysosomal enzymes. Does the receptor transduce on intracellular signal in order to mediate the biological effects of IGF-II? If so, then the receptor must interact with an effector molecule, perhaps a G protein, in the mechanism of IGF-II action. Further information from ligand binding and especially mutagenesis experiments will be needed to elucidate the potentially multiple functions of the IGF-II/Man-6-P receptor.


Patterns of psychopathological manifestations among ethnic Chinese living in Brazil.
Common mental disorders (CMD) are critical issues in community studies. The 12-item version Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ-12) has not been sufficiently explored for use in Chinese communities around the world. This paper evaluates CMD among ethnic Chinese living in Brazil, by examining its psychometric properties and factorial structure of CHQ-12. For 211 community subjects who completed the CHQ-12, we used the ROC curve analysis to calculate its internal consistency and criterion validity, adopting the interview SCAN as criterion. Principal component analysis was performed. Considerable evidence was found for the internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and item-total correlation of CHQ-12. The best cut-off point was 2/3,which allowed calculating criterion validity: 75%, sensitivity, 71% specificity, 55% PPV, 86% NPV, 28% misclassification rate and area under the ROC curve 0.728 (SE: 0.102, 95% CI: 0.528-0.927). The 3-dimensional structure of CHQ-12 could be described as somatic, depressive and worrying factor, accounting for 47.8% of the total variance. When applied to the Brazilian Chinese community, the CHQ-12 presented comparable psychopathologic pattern, psychometric properties and factorial structure to that of Taiwan.


Effects of the richness of the environment on six different cortical areas of the cat cerebral cortex.
The number and size of neurons and the cortical thickness were determined in areas 17, 18, 3B, 4 gamma, the posteromedial lateral suprasylvian area, and the primary auditive area of cats raised in an enriched and in an impoverished environment. A significant effect on the numerical density of neurons and on the size of the neuronal nuclei can be demonstrated in areas 17 and 18. We suggest that this preferential effect on occipital cortical regions is due to a different gradient of maturation among cortical regions.


Roles of ion channels in EPSP integration at neuronal dendrites.
Many different kinds of voltage-gated ion channels (Na+ channels, K+ channels, Ca2+ channels) exist at neuronal dendrites. Integration of dendritic electric signals (excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs), inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) and action potentials) and/or non-electric signals (Ca2+ and second messengers) occurs in restricted dendritic compartments consisting of spines and adjacent fine dendrites. Voltage-gated ion channels at neuronal dendrites play crucial roles in the integration of dendritic signals. Dendritic signals, in turn, play important roles in the modulation of local dendritic physiological functions (e.g. input-specific synaptic plasticity, long-term potentiation (LTP) and long term depression (LTD)). A combined experimental and theoretical approach is a good way to clarify the biophysical behaviors of dendritic ion channels. Analyses of dendritic ion channels can open the door to a new wave of discoveries about EPSP integration at neuronal dendrites.


Response of gut microbiota and ileal transcriptome to inulin intervention in HFD induced obese mice.
Inulin, as a dietary fiber, exerted prominent anti-obesity effects by modulating gut microbiota. However, the possible relationship and interplay of gut microbiome and function of distal intestine is still unclear now. This study aimed to investigate the possible targets of microbes and the related intestinal genes mediated by inulin. C57 BL/6 male mice were randomly allocated to chow diet (Chow) group, high-fat diet (HFD) group, and HFD supplemented with 3 % inulin (Inulin) group. Compared with HFD treatment, inulin supplementation significantly decreased the body weight, fat deposition, and fasting blood glucose level. In addition, mice treated with inulin had a remarkable alteration in the structure of cecal microbiota and transcriptomic profiling of ileum. In particular, inulin supplementation significantly reversed the HFD induced expression of Bacteroides, Allobaculum and nonrank_f_Bacteroidates_S24-7_group, and reversed the expression of genes belonging to phospholipase A2 (PLA2) family and cytochrome P450 (CYP450) family. In summary, inulin might alleviate HFD-induced fat deposition and metabolic disorders via regulating lipid metabolism of ileum, while the interaction between the sPLA2s and gut microbes might play important roles in the process.


Infectious causes for feline upper respiratory tract disease--a case-control study.
The aim of this case-control study was to investigate the prevalence of microorganisms in group-living cats with clinical signs of upper respiratory tract disease (URTD), in in-contact cats and in cats in groups without URTD problems. Samples were taken from the ventral conjunctival fornix for analysis of feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV), Mycoplasma felis and Chlamydiaceae using a real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. The oropharynx was sampled for bacteriological culture and viral isolation. Specific infectious agents were identified in 11/20 (55%) of the case households, in 7/20 (35%) of the cats with clinical signs and in 3/20 (15%) of the control households, in 3/40 (7.5%) of the cats. Chlamydiae and M felis were only detected from case households, both from cats with URTD and from in-contact cats. The difference in prevalence between case and control households was statistically significant for M felis (P=0.047). The presence of M felis in cat groups was thus associated with clinical signs of URTD.


Cell-to-cell contact mechanism modulates Starmerella bacillaris death in mixed culture fermentations with Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
The use of mixed culture fermentations with selected Starmerella bacillaris and Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains is gaining winemaking attention, mainly due to their ability to enhance particular characteristics in the resulting wines. In this context, yeast interspecies interactions during fermentation have a fundamental role to determine the desired product characteristics, since they may modulate yeast growth and as a consequence metabolite production. In order to get an insight into these interactions, the growth and death kinetics of the abovementioned species were investigated in pure and mixed culture fermentations, using cv. Nebbiolo grape must. Trials were conducted in flasks but also in a double-compartment fermentation system in which cells of the two species were kept separate by a filter membrane. Although the two species had similar growth pattern during the first days of fermentation, Starm. bacillaris died earlier when tested in the flask than in the double-compartment fermentor. The early death of Starm. bacillaris seemed to be not caused by nutrient limitation nor by accumulation of growth inhibitory compounds (which were not measured in the present study). Rather, cell-to-cell contact mechanism, dependent on the presence of viable S. cerevisiae cells, appears to be responsible for the observations made. These results contribute to better understand the factors that influence Starm. bacillaris death during wine fermentations.


Student Pharmacists' Perceptions of a Composite Examination in Their First Professional Year.
To assess first-year (P1) pharmacy students' studying behaviors and perceptions after implementation of a new computerized "composite examination" (CE) testing procedure. Student surveys were conducted to assess studying behavior and perceptions about the CE before and after its implementation. Surveys were completed by 149 P1 students (92% response rate). Significant changes between survey results before and after the CE included an increase in students' concerns about the limited number of questions per course on each examination and decreased concerns about the time allotted and the inability to write on the CEs. Significant changes in study habits included a decrease in cramming (studying shortly before the test) and an increase in priority studying (spending more time on one course than another). The CE positively changed assessment practice at the college. It helped overcome logistic challenges in computerized testing and drove positive changes in study habits.


Induction of expression and co-localization of heat shock polypeptides with the polyalanine expansion mutant of poly(A)-binding protein N1 after chemical stress.
Formation of nuclear inclusions consisting of aggregates of a polyalanine expansion mutant of nuclear poly(A)-binding protein (PABPN1) is the hallmark of oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD). OPMD is a late onset autosomal dominant disease. Patients with this disorder exhibit progressive swallowing difficulty and drooping of their eye lids, which starts around the age of 50. Previously we have shown that treatment of cells expressing the mutant PABPN1 with a number of chemicals such as ibuprofen, indomethacin, ZnSO(4), and 8-hydroxy-quinoline induces HSP70 expression and reduces PABPN1 aggregation. In these studies we have shown that expression of additional HSPs including HSP27, HSP40, and HSP105 were induced in mutant PABPN1 expressing cells following exposure to the chemicals mentioned above. Furthermore, all three additional HSPs were translocated to the nucleus and probably helped to properly fold the mutant PABPN1 by co-localizing with this protein.


Nrf2/ARE is the potential pathway to protect Sprague-Dawley rats against oxidative stress induced by quinocetone.
3-methyl-2-quinoxalin benzenevinylketo-1, 4-dioxide (Quinocetone, QCT) is a newly used veterinary drug which has been proven to promote feed efficiency and growth of animals; however, its potential toxicity can't be ignored. Therefore, the present study was aimed to investigate the nephrotoxicity of QCT and the oxidative stress induced by it. Sprague-Dawley rats (SD rats) were randomly divided into four groups with doses of 2400, 800, 50 and 0mg/kg/day with administration of QCT for 4 weeks. Results proved that QCT could induce nephrotoxicity and this phenomenon had dose dependent manner. Simultaneously, this phenomenon was accompanied by intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, enhanced lipid peroxidation and inhibited antioxidant system, i.e. glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GSH). Additionally, the higher expression of Nrf2 in QCT treated groups illustrated that QCT-induced oxidative stress would be partly mitigated by the induction of phase II detoxifying enzymes via increasing Nrf2 expression.


13C NMR investigation of cholesterol esterification rate in human whole blood.
We have previously used NMR spectroscopy to measure the acyl transfer from phospholipid to cholesterol in human plasma. In the present study we investigated the processes of transfer of cholesterol and exchange of cholesteryl ester between lipoproteins during incubation of human whole blood. The rate of cholesteryl ester increase was much greater during whole blood incubation (86-118, mean = 90 mumol l-1 h-1) compared to plasma incubation (53-93, mean = 57 mumol l-1 h-1). The rate of decrease in unesterified cholesterol was identical to cholesterol ester increase during plasma incubation, but was slower during whole blood incubation, consistent with replenishment by transfer of additional unesterified cholesterol substrate from erythrocyte membranes. The analysis of lipoprotein fractions revealed an increase in cholesteryl ester content of d < 1.063 lipoproteins; the rate of increase was 47-67 with a mean of 58 mumol l-1 h-1. Although this result is comparable with that obtained by other methods, it represents the product of both CETP and beta-LCAT activity. These NMR techniques provide simple and direct assessment of aspects of reverse cholesterol transport and warrant further investigation.


Brugada Syndrome as a Major Cause of Sudden Cardiac Death in Asians.
Brugada syndrome (BrS) is one of the main inherited arrhythmia syndromes causing ventricular fibrillation (VF) and sudden cardiac death in young to middle-aged men, especially in Asians. The diagnosis of BrS is based on spontaneous or drug-provoked type 1 Brugada electrocardiogram. The current reliable therapy for BrS patients with VF history is the implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. As for BrS patients without VF history, how asymptomatic BrS patients should effectively be treated is still uncertain because risk stratification of the BrS is still inadequate. Various parameters and combinations of several parameters have been reported for risk stratification of BrS. The SCN5A gene is believed to be the only gene that is responsible for BrS, and it has been reported to be useful for risk stratification. This review focuses on risk stratification of BrS patients, and focuses specifically on BrS patients of Asian descent.