Studies on performance with aspirin and paracetamol and with the centrally acting analgesics meptazinol and pentazocine.
Effects of aspirin (325 and 650 mg) and paracetamol (500 and 1000 mg), and of the centrally acting analgesics meptazinol (100 and 200 mg) and pentazocine (25 and 50 mg) on visuo-motor coordination and dynamic visual acuity, together with critical flicker fusion, digit symbol substitution, complex reaction time and subjective assessments of mood, were studied from 0.75-2.0 h after ingestion by seven healthy female adults. The study was double-blind and placebo controlled, and triprolidine (10 mg) was used as the active control. No effects of meptazinol and paracetamol on performance were observed. Pentazocine (25 mg) impaired performance on digit symbol substitution (p less than 0.05) and aspirin (650 mg) appeared to have shortened complex reaction time (p less than 0.05). Meptazinol (100 mg) increased the component of mood assessments related to wakefulness (p less than 0.05). Impaired performance with pentazocine may involve opioid receptor activity, while the apparent alerting effect of meptazinol may relate to its cholinergic activity. The possible effect of aspirin on reaction time needs to be confirmed.


Low adoption in women's professional football: teams that used the Nordic Hamstring Exercise in the team training had fewer match hamstring injuries.
The primary objective was to study the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance of the Nordic Hamstring Exercise (NHE) programme in women's elite teams in Europe in the 2020-21 season. The secondary objective was to compare hamstring injury rates between teams that used the NHE programme regularly in team training and teams that did not. Eleven teams participating in the Women's Elite Club Injury Study during the 2020-21 season provided data about injury rates and the implementation of the NHE programme. One team (9%) used the full original NHE programme, and four teams used the programme in the team training during parts of the season (team training group, n=5). Five teams did not use the NHE, or used it only sporadically for individual players, and one team used NHE only for players with a previous or current hamstring injury (no team training group, n=6). The team training group had a lower incidence of hamstring injuries during match-play (1.4 vs 4.0, p=0.028) than the non-team training group while no difference between groups was shown for the hamstring injury incidence in training (0.6 vs 0.7, p=0.502). A low adoption of the NHE programme was reported during the 2020-21 season. However, teams that used NHE for the whole team or most players had a lower hamstring injury incidence at match-play than teams that did not use the NHE or used it for individual players only.


A Combination of Surgical and Chemical Induction in a Rabbit Model for Osteoarthritis of the Knee.
Appropriate animal models of osteoarthritis (OA) are essential to develop new treatment modalities for OA. A combination of surgical and chemical induction could be appropriate for OA models. Rabbit knee OA models developed by surgical induction (anterior cruciate ligament transection [ACLT]), chemical induction (monosodium iodoacetate [MIA] injection), and a combination of both were compared to assess compositional and structural destruction of the knee joint. Twenty-one New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups to induce OA (group 1: ACLT, n = 3; group 2: MIA [3, 6, 9 mg] injection, n = 9; group 3: ACLT + MIA [3, 6, 9 mg] injection, n = 9). In all groups, the Modified Mankin score was significantly higher in the osteoarthritis-induced knee than in the control. Modified Mankin scores were compared by category. The ACLT group was observed to score high in cartilage structure. In the MIA group, chondrocytes and matrix staining showed higher scores, and the ACLT+MIA group scored higher in all categories for cartilage structure, chondrocytes, matrix staining, and tidemark integrity. The ACLT + 3 mg MIA showed definite OA characteristics such as cartilage surface destruction and degeneration of cartilage layers, and the ACLT + 6 mg MIA and ACLT + 9 mg MIA showed more prominent OA characteristics such as cartilage surface destruction, matrix disorganization, and osteophyte formation. The combination of MIA injection and ACLT could be an appropriate method for OA induction in rabbit models.


Above- and below-lesion EMG pattern mapping for controlling electrical stimulation of paraplegics to facilitate unbraced walker-assisted walking.
We describe and evaluate above- and below-lesion EMG control of functional electrical stimulation (FES) in upper motor neuron paraplegics, in order to provide them with a patient-responsive system for walking with a walker support. Control is considered in terms of a combination of above-lesion EMG control and below-lesion response-EMG control. The above-lesion EMG is used to control the activation of limb functions involved in standing up and walking with FES, control being accomplished by analysing raw surface-EMG time-series patterns to discriminate between upper-trunk muscle contraction patterns, which in turn, are correlated with intended lower-limb functions involved in walking, so that natural and instinctive balance changes in paraplegics are controlled by the patient from above the lesion. The below-lesion response-EMG is the EMG produced in response to the FES pulses at the stimulation sites, for adjusting stimulation levels as needed when contractions weaken due to muscle fatigue. Above-lesion EMG is a stochastic (random-like) signal, being a response to unsynchronized motor neuron firings, whereas the below-lesion EMG is a deterministic signal responding to synchronized firings that result solely from the FES pulses. We also discuss the merits and difficulties of EMG control, and evaluate patient performance under such control, noting that FES-activated walking without adequate and patient-responsive control is of very limited use to paraplegics.


Position-related changes in uroflowmetric parameters in healthy young men.
Uroflowmetric measurements are a common procedure in urological examination of patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms and it can be influenced by various factors. In this study, we investigated position-related changes in uroflowmetric parameters and postvoiding residual urine (PVR) volume in healthy young men. Thirty normal healthy male volunteers, whose mean age was 28.6 +/- 0.7 years old were studied and evaluated with uroflowmetry in the standing, sitting, and squatting down voiding positions. Three measurements were obtained for each voiding position and for each man (total 270 urinary flows). PVR were measured by transabdominal ultrasound. The maximum flow rate (Q(max)), average flow rate (Q(ave)), corrected maximum flow rate (cQ(max)), voiding volume (VV), voiding time (VT), and PVR values were compared between the three different voiding positions. The mean Q(max) values for the standing, sitting, and squatting down voiding positions of the patient group were 26.8 +/- 1.3, 31.3 +/- 1.2, 31.0 +/- 1.0 ml/sec, respectively and the mean Q(ave) values were 16.8 +/- 0.6, 18.5 +/- 0.6, 18.6 +/- 0.6 ml/sec, respectively. There were significant differences between voiding positions regarding the Q(max) (P < 0.0001) and Q(ave) (P = 0.0002) values in the patient groups. However, the difference between VT, VV, and PVR in the standing, sitting, and squatting down voiding position of the patient group was not statistically significant. Our results suggest that the urinary flow rates are affected by the voiding position. Therefore, it is important to perform uroflowmetric measurements in the same position.


Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain stem. Anatomico-radiological correlations.
Magnetic resonance imaging of 30 normal volonteers' posterior fossae was performed on a CGR Magniscan machine with a magnetic field strength of 0.5 Tesla. We chose the inversion recovery signal with a Tr of 2,000 ms, a TE of 21 ms and an inverse time of 500 ms. This sequence gives a better definition of the grey matter, the white matter and the CSF. To study the brain stem we suggest 8 horizontal and 3 sagittal sections.


Monitoring trichloroethene remediation at an iron permeable reactive barrier using stable carbon isotopic analysis.
Stable carbon isotopic analysis, in combination with compositional analysis, was used to evaluate the performance of an iron permeable reactive barrier (PRB) for the remediation of ground water contaminated with trichloroethene (TCE) at Spill Site 7 (SS7), F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. Compositional data indicated that although the PRB appeared to be reducing TCE to concentrations below treatment goals within and immediately downgradient of the PRB, concentrations remained higher than expected at wells further downgradient (i.e. >9 m) of the PRB. At two wells downgradient of the PRB, TCE concentrations were comparable to upgradient values, and delta13C values of TCE at these wells were not significantly different than upgradient values. Since the process of sorption/desorption does not significantly fractionate carbon isotope values, this suggests that the TCE observed at these wells is desorbing from local aquifer materials and was present before the PRB was installed. In contrast, three other downgradient wells show significantly more enriched delta13C values compared to the upgradient mean. In addition, delta13C values for the degradation products of TCE, cis-dichloroethene and vinyl chloride, show fractionation patterns expected for the products of the reductive dechlorination of TCE. Since concentrations of both TCE and degradation products drop to below detection limit in wells within the PRB and directly below it, these downgradient chlorinated hydrocarbon concentrations are attributed to desorption from local aquifer material. The carbon isotope values indicate that this dissolved contaminant is subject to local degradation, likely due to in situ microbial activity.


Comparison of toad bladder aldosterone-induced proteins and proteins synthesized in vitro using aldosterone-induced messenger RNA as template.
Using double-labeled isotope techniques, it can be shown that aldosterone induces the synthesis of several proteins in the mitochondria-rich (MR) cells of the toad's urinary bladder. Induced proteins have been identified both in the plasma membrane (mol wt = 170,000, 85,000 and 12,000) and the cytosol (mol wt = 36,000, 12,000 and 6,000) fractions of these mucosal cells. We have also shown that aldosterone (Aldo) induces the synthesis of a class of RNA having the properties of messenger RNA (mRNA). mRNA isolated from Aldo-treated mucosal cells was used as template in a cell-free protein-synthesis system prepared from rabbit reticulocytes. Preparations charged with mRNA from Aldo-treated cells synthesized two proteins that were not labeled when mRNA from control tissues was used as template. The electrophoretic mobility of one of these proteins was similar to an Aldo-induced membrane protein (mol wt = 70,000) found in the intact tissue.


Microsurgical keyhole middle fossa arachnoid cyst fenestration.
Microsurgical keyhole fenestration is a safe and effective surgical procedure for the treatment of middle fossa arachnoid cysts. This procedure can be performed with minimal morbidity through a keyhole craniotomy. Patient selection is crucial, as is knowledge of the surgical anatomy. We provide a detailed description of the technique, with Illustrations of the key aspects of the procedure.


Perivascular Fat and the Microcirculation: Relevance to Insulin Resistance, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Disease.
Type 2 diabetes and its major risk factor, obesity, are a growing burden for public health. The mechanisms that connect obesity and its related disorders, such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension, are still undefined. Microvascular dysfunction may be a pathophysiologic link between insulin resistance and hypertension in obesity. Many studies have shown that adipose tissue-derived substances (adipokines) interact with (micro)vascular function and influence insulin sensitivity. In the past, research focused on adipokines from perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT). In this review, we focus on the interactions between adipokines, predominantly from PVAT, and microvascular function in relation to the development of insulin resistance, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.


Dowex anion exchanger-loaded-baker's yeast as bi-functionalized biosorbents for selective extraction of anionic and cationic mercury(II) species.
Dowex anion exchanger-immobilized-baker's yeast [Dae-yeast] were synthesized and potentially applied as environmental friendly biosorbents to evaluate the up-take process of anionic and cationic mercury(II) species as well as other metal ions. Optimization of mass ratio of Dowex anion exchanger versus yeast (1:1-1:10) in presence of various interacting buffer solutions (pH 4.0-9.0) was performed and evaluated. Surface modification of [Dae-yeast] was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared spectroscopy. The maximum metal biosorption capacity values of [Dae-yeast] towards mercury(II) were found in the range of 0.800-0.960, 0.840-0.950 and 0.730-0.900 mmol g(-1) in presence of buffer solutions pH 2.0, 4.0 and 7.0, respectively. Three possible and different mechanisms are proposed to account for the biosorption of mercury and mercuric species under these three buffering conditions based on ion exchange, ion pair and chelation interaction processes. Factors affecting biosorption of mercury from aqueous medium including the pH effect of aqueous solutions (1.0-7.0), shaking time (1-30 min) and interfering ions were se arched. The potential applications of modified biosorbents for selective biosorption and extraction of mercury from different real matrices including dental filling waste materials, industrial waste water samples and mercury lamp waste materials were also explored. The results denote to excellent percentage extraction values, from nitric acid as the dissolution solvent with a pH 2.0, as determined in the range of 90.77-97.91+/-3.00-5.00%, 90.00-93.40+/-4.00-5.00% and 92.31-100.00+/-3.00-4.00% for the three tested samples, respectively.


Monoclonal antibodies to three distinct epitopes on human IgE: their use for determination of allergen-specific IgE.
Three different monoclonal antibodies (MAb) against human immunoglobulin E have been obtained which specifically bind to human myeloma and polyclonal IgE. The antibodies showed high avidities for soluble IgE (0.7 X 10(9) to 3.3 X 10(9) M-1). These MAb defined three distinct epitopes on IgE. A mixture of these antibodies in combination with an 125I-labelled anti-mouse Kappa chain MAb has been used to measure allergen-specific IgE. This determination was performed by a solid-phase radioimmunoassay using allergen extracts coated to either chemically activated paper discs or to polyvinyl chloride wells. This method is 4-10 times more sensitive than other previously reported procedures. A similar technique has also been applied to detect individual allergens in immunoblots of allergen extracts.


Evaluation of the Time-dependent Contamination of Spinal Implants: Prospective Randomized Trial.
Prospective study OBJECTIVE.: To evaluate contamination in spinal implants using a liquid culture medium and the effect of covering an implant set on contamination. Postoperative infection rates increase with the use of spinal implants. Because implant contamination may be an important origin for postoperative infections, investigation, evaluation, and taking required precautions to prevent these contaminations are critical. Patients operated on for various spinal pathologies were randomized. The patients were divided into groups of covered and uncovered implant sets. The screw samples were placed in liquid culture medium immediately after opening the implant set. The implant set in the covered group was immediately covered with a sterile surgical towel. A new screw was taken from the implant set and cultured in the liquid culture medium every 30 minutes. At the end of 24 hours, swabs with samples from the liquid culture medium were used to culture blood agar. At the end of 48 hours, the samples with growth were considered contaminated. Growth started after 30 minutes in the uncovered group, whereas only a single growth was noted after 60 minutes in the covered group. Contamination increased with time in both groups, but more so in the open group. A statistically significant difference in contamination was found between the groups at and after 30 minutes. Contamination increases with time in all implant materials. Contamination rates can be reduced by using simple precautions, such as covering the implant set. Culturing the entire implant samples in liquid culture medium is accepted as a safe and more effective method in evaluating contamination. 2.


Size-dependent territory defense by a damselfish : A determinant of resource use by group-foraging surgeonfishes.
Three adult size classes of the territorial Caribbean dusky damselfish,Stegastes dorsopunicans, are differently distributed with respect to habitat, and with respect to the biomass of filamentous algal turfs in the areas they defend. The density of large individuals is positively correlated with the decalcified dry biomass of these turfs, whereas the densities of medium and small individuals are inversely related to algal biomass. Density of the urchin,Diadema, is also inversely correlated with algal biomass. The high density of large dusky damselfish in sites with algal turfs of relatively high biomass probably results from preferences of dusky damselfish for sites in which algal turfs are thick, and superior abilities of large individuals to defend these sites.Because both rate of attacks and the effectiveness of attacks on territory invaders by dusky damselfish increases with increasing size, sites with relatively high biomass algal turfs are typically better defended than those with lower biomass turfs. Apparently as a result of this, small foraging groups of the blue tang surgeonfish,Acanthurus coeruleus, feed less on high biomass algal turfs than do larger foraging groups, the members of which experience attacks by defending damselfishes less frequently. The relatively low proportionate use of high biomass feeding sites by solitary blue tangs and members of small foraging groups is caused by dusky damselfish. When the density of this damselfish was reduced artificially, use of high biomass algal turfs by solitary blue tangs increased to a level indistinguishable from that of participants in large foraging groups.


Neurovascular structures at risk with percutaneous fixation in tarsometatarsal fusion: A cadaveric study.
First tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint fusion is routinely used for arthritis and deformities. Common fixation methods include a locking plate construct, cross-screws, or combinations of the two. Cross screws have proven effective for union and stability; however, there is a potential for harm to nearby neurovascular structures due to the nature of percutaneous insertion technique. This study assessed risk of damage to the superficial peroneal nerve with percutaneous TMT fusion. Nine fresh-frozen cadaver specimens were included. A medial incision in the internervous plane was made for TMT joint preparation. Two crossed percutaneous wires followed by 4.0 cc screws were placed in the dorsal aspect of the proximal aspect of first metatarsal and in the medial cuneiform. Both were 10-15 mm from the TMT joint line. The dorsal aspect of the foot was dissected and examined for neurovascular interruptions, particularly branches of the superficial peroneal nerve. Results showed a mean distance of 4.33 mm from the proximal pin to the medial branch of the superficial peroneal nerve. The distal pin had a mean distance of 6.44 mm from the medial branch, with one pin 9 mm from the lateral branch. One incident of direct injury to the neurovascular bundle was observed. Preparing the joint from the medial side using a percutaneous approach is less invasive, but presents a relative risk for neuritis. Care should be taken during insertion of the percutaneous screw after TMT joint preparation for fusion. Level V, cadaver study.


The flourishing scholarship of psychosocial oncology viewed across 30 years through the lens of this journal, Psycho-Oncology.
This issue celebrates the 30th anniversary of Psycho-Oncology as a journal, a home for scholarship integrating the psychological, social and behavioural dimensions of cancer. Psycho-oncology developed as an evidence-based discipline to offer an alternative to unproven therapies and to optimise coping and support for patients with cancer and their families. A review of key articles was undertaken for this editorial. Empirical studies have defined the prevalence of morbidity arising from cancer and the acute, longer-term and late effects of its varied treatments. Interventions have been adapted to respond to existential challenges, death anxiety, fear of recurrence, disease progression, palliative care and have been continued into bereavement. Mixed modality treatments have combined psychotropic and psychotherapeutic interventions. Survivorship studies have examined rehabilitation, fertility, sexuality, body image and relational impacts of illness. This journal has helped the discipline to flourish by publishing the innovative outputs of its community of researchers.


Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Children Born to Opioid-Dependent Mothers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Children born to opioid-dependent mothers are at risk of adverse neurodevelopment. The magnitude of this risk remains inconclusive. To conduct a meta-analysis of studies that assessed neurodevelopmental outcomes of children aged 0 to 12 years born to opioid-dependent mothers, compared with children born to nonopioid-dependent mothers, across general cognitive, language, motor, and social-emotional domains. PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar databases. English-language publications between January 1993 and November 2018, including prenatally opioid-exposed and nonopioid-exposed comparison children, reporting outcomes data on standardized assessments. Two reviewers independently extracted data. Pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) were analyzed using random effects models. Risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Across 16 studies, individual domain outcomes data were examined for between 93 to 430 opioid-exposed and 75 to 505 nonopioid-exposed infants/children. Opioid-exposed infants and children performed more poorly than their nonopioid-exposed peers across all outcomes examined, demonstrated by lower infant cognitive (SMD = 0.77) and psychomotor scores (SMD = 0.52), lower general cognition/IQ (SMD = 0.76) and language scores (SMD = 0.65-0.74), and higher parent-rated internalizing (SMD = 0.42), externalizing (SMD = 0.66), and attention problems (SMD = 0.72). Most studies examined early neurodevelopment; only 3 reported school-age outcomes thereby limiting the ability to assess longer-term impacts of prenatal opioid exposures. Children born to opioid-dependent mothers are at modest- to high-risk of adverse neurodevelopment at least to middle childhood. Future studies should identify specific clinical and social factors underlying these challenges to improve outcomes.


Co3O4 nanocrystals/3D nitrogen-doped graphene aerogel: A synergistic hybrid for peroxymonosulfate activation toward the degradation of organic pollutants.
3D porous Co3O4/nitrogen-doped graphene aerogel (NGA) hybrid for heterogeneous activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) was prepared by feasible hydrothermal and freeze-drying methods. The morphology, crystal structure and chemical composition of the catalyst were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectra and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Co3O4/NGA at a high N doping level of 7.6% (in atomic percentage) exhibited excellent catalytic performance for acid orange 7 (AO7) degradation, with almost complete removal within 30 min. Moderate PMS content, higher temperature and lower solution pH conditions would facilitate the decomposition of AO7. The catalyst possesses excellent long-term stability and recycling performance with simple separation and post-treatment approaches. Kinetic model was developed to simulate the transformation of main active radical species and the AO7 oxidation profiles, considering effects of coexisting ions (Cl- and HCO3-). Based on results of electron spin resonance, typical quenching tests and kinetic calculation, sulfate radicals play dominate role in AO7 degradation. Co3O4 nanocrystals and the new active sites created by nitrogen doping into graphene honeycomb network should synergistically contribute to the high degradation efficiency. This work has expanded the possibility of recyclable catalysts design for heterogeneous activation of PMS, with a dual catalytically active center and desirable stability.


Comparison of heart failure risk and medical costs between patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with dapagliflozin and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors: a nationwide population-based cohort study.
Dapagliflozin is one of the novel glucose-lowering agents, which has recently been reported to reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure (hHF). The present study aimed to compare the differences between the risk of hHF after using dapagliflozin and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) as second-line drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus using the latest nationwide population data in Korea. Additionally, we aimed to examine the impact of clinical outcomes on direct medical costs in the two groups. The present population-based, retrospective cohort study was conducted using the nationwide claims data between September 01, 2014 and June 30, 2018. New users of dapagliflozin and DPP-4i were identified from the database and the differences in patients' characteristics between the two groups were analyzed using propensity score-weighted analysis. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to estimate the risk of hHF. A simple model was used for the estimation of direct medical costs for 3 years. In total, 23,147 patients in the dapagliflozin group and 237,187 patients in the DPP-4i group were selected for the analysis. The incidence rates of hHF were 3.86 and 6.79 per 1000 person-years in the dapagliflozin and DPP-4i groups, respectively. In the entire study population, the hazard ratio for hHF in the dapagliflozin group compared to the DPP-4i group was 0.58 (95% confidence interval 0.46-0.74), with 0.55 (95% confidence interval 0.41-0.74) among patients with underlying cardiovascular disease and 0.66 (95% confidence interval 0.46-0.95) among patients without underlying cardiovascular disease. The direct medical costs were $57,787 lower in the dapagliflozin group than in the DPP-4i group for 3 years. This study showed that dapagliflozin lowers the risk for hHF and subsequently reduces direct medical costs compared to DPP-4i. The protective effect against hHF was more evident among patients with underlying cardiovascular disease.


Topical epinephrine causes a decrease in density of beta-adrenergic receptors and cathecholamine-stimulated chloride transport in the rabbit cornea.
A single administration, or twice daily administration for 4.5 days, of topical 2% epinephrine to the rabbit eye in vivo causes a 30-40% decrease in the density of beta-adrenergic receptors on membranes prepared from the cornea. Such treatment also causes complete loss of the ability of excised corneas to respond to epinephrine in vitro with enhanced active chloride transport. These findings indicate that stimulation with a high concentration of catecholamine depresses the entire pathway from receptor to physiological response.


The neostriatal mosaic: compartmentalization of corticostriatal input and striatonigral output systems.
The striatum (caudate-putamen) of the basal ganglia in the mammalian forebrain is a mosaic of two interdigitating, neurochemically distinct compartments. One type, the 'patch' compartment, is identified by patches of dense opiate receptor binding, and is enriched in enkephalin- and substance P-like immunoreactivity. The other compartment, the 'matrix', has a high acetylcholinesterase activity, and is shown here to have a dense plexus of fibres displaying somatostatin-like immunoreactivity. The present study demonstrates the two compartments have distinct connections, using a method that concurrently reveals striatal input, output and neurochemical systems in the rat. Patches receive inputs from the prelimbic cortex (a medial frontal cortical area with direct 'limbic' inputs from the amygdala and hippocampus); they also project to the substantia nigra pars compacta (the source of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system). Conversely, the matrix receives inputs from sensory and motor cortical areas; here it is shown to project to the substantia nigra pars reticulata (the source of the non-dopaminergic nigrothalamic and nigrotectal system). Also, an intrinsic striatal somatostatin-immunoreactive system is described that may provide a link between the two compartments. The striatal patch and matrix compartments thus appear to be functionally distinct and interactive parallel input-output processing channels.


[Chemical constituents of C-glycosylflavones from Mimosa pudica].
To study chemical constituents of Mimosa pudica of Hainan province. The constituents were separated and purified by column chromatography with macroporous adsorption resin Diaion HP-20, Sephadex LH-20, Toyopearl HW-40, MCI Gel CHP-20, RP-18 and normal phase silica gel. Their structures were identified on the basis of physical and spectral data. Four compounds were isolated and identified as: 7, 8, 3', 4'-tetrahydroxyl-6-C-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl flavone (I); 5, 7, 4'-trihydroxyl-8-C-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-( --> 2)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl flavone (II); 5, 7, 3', 4'-tetrahydroxyl-6-C-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl flavone (III); catcher (IV). Compound I is a new compound and componuds II - IV were isolated from this plant for the first time.


An electronmicroscopic study of the distribution of myelin basic protein in multilayer dispersions of diacylphosphatidylserine.
Although dispersions containing lipid and protein are widely used as model systems to explore the properties of biomembranes, the extent of mixing of the two components has generally not been determined. Here, the distribution of bovine myelin basic protein in dispersions with bovine brain L-alpha-diacylphosphatidylserine (PS) has been examined electronmicroscopically. Dispersions of PS were prepared by hydrating a known amount of dried lipid with buffer or with buffer containing an equal weight of myelin basic protein or lysozyme. The lipid-protein complexes were separated from unbound protein by centrifugation in 0-60% sucrose density gradients. In both systems only a few percent of the protein was unbound and the resultant recombinants, which gave single bands on the gradients, contained about 50% protein by weight. After removal of the sucrose by dialysis the dispersions were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and 1% osmium tetroxide, dehydrated and embedded in epoxy resin. Thin sections cut from these blocks were incubated, after removal of osmium tetroxide, with antiserum raised in rabbits against human myelin basic protein. Excess antiserum was removed and the antigen-antibody complexes on the thin sections were labelled with 13 nm diameter colloidal gold particles stabilized with protein A. The distributions of these gold particles were examined under an electronmicroscope. Comparison of the labelling patterns for PS, PS-lysozyme and PS-basic protein demonstrated specific labelling in the last, and showed the gold particles to be uniformly dispersed. It was concluded that in these dispersions the protein and lipid were intimately mixed at the molecular level.


Effect of alpha-latrotoxin on the frog neuromuscular junction at low temperature.
1. alpha-Latrotoxin (alpha-LTx) was applied to frog cutaneous pectoris muscles bathed at 1-3 degrees C in either Ringer solution, Ca2+-free Ringer solution with 1 mM-EGTA and 4 mM-Mg2+ or Ringer solution plus 4 mM-Mg2+, and its effects on miniature end-plate potential (MEPP) frequency, nerve terminal ultrastructure and uptake of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were studied. 2. Large concentrations (2 micrograms/ml) of alpha-LTx increased MEPP rates to levels above 100/s at all junctions, but the time course of the increases depended upon the divalent cation content of the bathing solution. However, similar numbers of MEPPs (0.3-0.7 x 10(6] were recorded at all junctions during 2 h of secretion. 3. Nerve terminals exposed to alpha-LTx for 2 h lost 60-75% of their synaptic vesicles and were swollen; their presynaptic membranes were deeply infolded and they often contained many large vesicular structures. Terminals in Ringer solution retained the largest number of synaptic vesicles; terminals in Ringer solution plus Mg2+ swelled the least and contained the largest number of coated vesicles. The average number of synaptic vesicles lost was approximately equal to the average number of MEPPs recorded. 4. Few vesicles became loaded with HRP when this extracellular tracer was present in the bathing solution and the muscles were fixed near the peak of secretion. 5. When the terminals were warmed to 20 degrees C, those in the Ca2+-free solution with Mg2+ secreted additional quanta and lost almost all their residual vesicles; those in Ringer solution without Mg2+ secreted few additional quanta and retained most of their residual vesicles. 6. These results suggest that recycling was blocked at these terminals and that for each quantum secreted a vesicle became permanently incorporated into the axolemma.


An ultrasensitive "on-off-on" photoelectrochemical aptasensor based on signal amplification of a fullerene/CdTe quantum dots sensitized structure and efficient quenching by manganese porphyrin.
In this work, an ultrasensitive "on-off-on" photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensor was proposed based on the signal amplification of a fullerene/CdTe quantum dot (nano-C60/CdTe QDs) sensitized structure and efficient signal quenching of nano-C60/CdTe QDs by a manganese porphyrin (MnPP).


Some unsettled problems in behavioral neuroscience research.
The goal of behavioral neuroscience is to map psychological concepts onto physiological and anatomical concepts and vice versa. The present paper reflects on some of the hidden obstacles that have to be overcome in order to find unique psychophysiological relationships. These are, among others: (1) the different status of concepts which are defined in the two domains (ontological subjectivity in psychology and ontological objectivity in physiology); (2) the distinct hierarchical levels to which concepts from the two domains may belong; (3) ambiguity of concepts, because-due to limited measurement resolution or definitional shortcomings-they sometimes do not cover unique states or processes; (4) ignored context dependencies. Moreover, it is argued that due to the gigantic number of states and state changes, which are possible in a nervous system, it seems unlikely that neuroscience can provide exact causal explanations and predictions of behavior. Rather, as in statistical thermodynamics the transition from the microlevel of explanations to the macrolevel is only possible with probabilistic uncertainty.


Ferroportin (SLC40A1) Q248H mutation is associated with lower circulating serum hepcidin levels in Rwandese HIV-positive women.
The Q248H mutation in the gene SLC40A1 which encodes for the cellular iron exporter ferroportin is relatively common in Africa. This mutation has been associated with resistance to hepcidin and therefore we hypothesized that iron-related parameters and the prevalence of opportunistic infections in HIV might be influenced by the Q248H mutation. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 200 HIV-positive women in the Butare University Teaching Hospital in Rwanda. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction enzyme digestion were used to identify the Q248H mutation. Physical examination was carried out and WHO HIV disease stage classification, complete blood count, CD4 count, indirect measures of iron status, serum hepcidin, and C-reactive protein concentrations were determined. The prevalence of ferroportin Q248H mutation was 6%. Subjects with ferroportin Q248H mutation had significantly higher values for serum ferritin (P = 0.001) and significantly lower values for serum hepcidin (P = 0.001) and transferrin (P = 0.01). Among the 12 HIV + Q248H heterozygotes, 8 suffered from at least one opportunistic infection. There was significantly higher prevalence of pulmonary TB (P = 0.01) and Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (P = 0.02) in subjects with ferroportin Q248H mutation. Low hepcidin levels were found in ferroportin Q248H heterozygotes with HIV infection, notwithstanding the absence of anemia and the higher prevalence of some opportunistic infections. Hepcidin seems to be regulated in a different way in Q248H heterozygotes than is known thus far.


Postural balance strategies during landing at the moment of return-to-sports after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Most athletes that return to sport (RTS) after Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury undergo reconstruction (ACLR) to restore their knee stability. The major concern for RTS is for the patient to be able to perform challenging dynamic tasks whilst adequately stabilizing the knee joint and maintaining their postural balance. Nevertheless, the interaction between knee protective mechanisms (such as knee unloading and knee stabilisation) and postural balance strategies has not yet been comprehensively analyzed. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate landing balance strategies in ACLR athletes at time of RTS. Twenty-one athletes with a unilateral ACLR were tested at the time of RTS while performing a single leg hop for distance on both limbs. Three balance mechanisms that influence the GRF during the landing phase (foot placement, center of pressure (CoP) excursion, counter-rotation of segments) were investigated and compared between the ACL injured and uninjured limb. Interactions between knee protective mechanisms and postural balance strategies were tested using a statistical parametric mapping regression analysis. Results show that CoP excursions in the injured limb increased, as well as ankle joint moment contribution to anterior-posterior (A-P) GRF. Besides, patients presenting reduced knee joint contribution to A-P GRF had to compensate with higher hip joint contribution in order to maintain postural balance. In conclusion, ACLR athletes who at RTS still protect their reconstructed knee are forced to employ compensatory postural balance strategies. Therefore, there is a persistent trade-off between knee protection and postural balance at the moment of RTS.


Primary angiosarcoma of the lung.
Primary angiosarcoma of the lung is a rare disorder with few cases reported in the literature [Patel AM, Ryu JH. Angiosarcoma in the lung. Chest 1993;103:1531-35]. We present a case of primary angiosarcoma of the lung in a 79-year-old woman. Preoperative computed tomographic scan revealed soft tissue nodules surrounded by a halo of ground-glass attenuation, an appearance consistent with hemorrhagic pulmonary nodules [Primack S, Hartman T, Lee KS. Pulmonary nodules and the CT halo sign. Radiology 1994;190:513-15]. Lung biopsy revealed a multifocal malignant neoplasm with areas of hemorrhage. The histologic, cytologic, and immunophenotypic features were characteristic of epithelioid angiosarcoma. This case report contributes to the sparse literature on this disease and provides computed tomographic and pathologic correlation in a patient with hemorrhagic pulmonary nodules.


Two-stage system for micropropagation of several Genista plants producing large amounts of phytoestrogens.
A two-stage method for in vitro propagation of six Genista species from shoot tips was developed. Multiple microshoot cultures were obtained by growing the shoot tip explants on Schenk and Hildebrandt medium supplemented with 9.84 microM 6-(gamma,gamma-dimethylallylamino)-purine and 0.99 microM thidiazuron. The best shoot elongation was achieved on Schenk and Hildebrandt medium containing 4.92 microM indole-3-butyric acid. The rooting of shoots brought best effects (100%) on Schenk and Hildebrandt medium with 2.68 microM 1-naphthaleneacetic acid. HPLC analysis indicated that six-month-old regenerated plants as well as the herb of intact plants produced a rich set of simple flavones (derivatives of luteolin and apigenin) and isoflavones (derivatives of genistein, daidzein, formononetin and biochanin A). Multiple microshoot cultures of all species produced no simple flavones at all. In vitro shoots accumulated selectively a rich group of phytoestrogens in the form of aglucones, glucosides and esters (derivatives of genistein and daidzein). Cultures obtained in vitro synthesized many times more isoflavones than the intact plants. In all shoots which were micropropagated the dominating compound was genistin (e.g. shoots of G. tinctoria--ca 3281.4 mg per 100 g dry weight). Possible influence of tissue differentiation on isoflavone content under in vitro and in vivo conditions is discussed.


Hyper-Reflective Outer Nuclear Layer (HONL) in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease and Sympathetic Ophthalmia.
To describe the optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings of hyper-reflective outer nuclear layer (HONL) in two cases of stromal choroiditis (Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease - VKH, and sympathetic ophthalmia - SO). Case report. Clinical and imaging findings of two patients (37-year-old female with VKH and 34-year-old male with SO) have been described. Both patients showed typical features of the disease with subretinal fluid accumulation and choroidal thickening on OCT. However, OCT of both patients at the initial visit revealed HONL, which was unusual in these conditions. During follow-up, OCT scans revealed thinning and atrophy of the outer retinal layers, irregular thickening of the retinal pigment epithelium, and irregular autofluorescence pattern on autofluorescence imaging. The presence of HONL may serve as a poor prognostic factor in VKH and SO, resulting in thinning and atrophy of the outer retinal layers.


Effect of lambda cyhalothrin on Calothrix sp. (GUEco 1001), an autochthonous cyanobacterium of rice fields of Brahmaputra floodplain.
Pesticide contamination in the rice fields has manifested into a serious global environmental concern. Application of pesticides in the rice fields has deleterious effects on non-target organisms including nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria which help to maintain the rice field fertility. In the present research endeavor, the effect of lambda cyhalothrin (5% EC), a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, has been studied on the growth and pigments content of Calothrix sp. (GUEco 1001), an indigenous strain isolated from rice grown areas of Brahmaputra floodplain. To study the toxic effect of lambda cyhalothrin, the test organism was exposed to varying concentrations of the insecticide i.e., 20 ppm, 40 ppm, 80 ppm, and 160 ppm based upon the determination of LC50 for a period of 20 days. The result obtained in the laboratory showed a progressive decrease in the growth and pigments content by the test organism with increasing concentrations of the lambda cyhalothrin against time dose-dependent manner. At high dose (160 ppm), the test organism showed significant decrease in dry weight biomass (54.5%), chlorophyll-a (68%), carotenoids (38%), phycocyanin (80%), and nitrogen contents (55%) over the control. A little but insignificant stimulatory effect on growth and chlorophyll-a contents was recorded in 20 ppm treatment of the insecticide that, however, was reversed in case of carotenoids and phycocyanin contents.


Spatial orientation of microtubules in contractile fibroblasts in vivo.
Contracting fibrous tissues from skin wounds in pigs, and scars around silicone implants in humans, contained fibroblasts that had multiple bundles of 60--80 A microfilaments with electron-dense bodies, features typical of contractile fibroblasts both in vivo (myofibroblasts) and in vitro. These in vivo fibroblasts contained many 220 A diameter microtubules, which paralleled plasma membrane in these myofibroblasts strongly suggests a bracing or scaffolding function.


Analysis of the efficiency and costs of antifungal prophylaxis and mycological diagnostics in patients undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation: "real life" evaluation.
Antifungal prophylaxis/therapy (AP/AT) raises the cost of allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). Its efficacy, different approaches for AP/AT, diagnostic measures and cost-effectiveness must still be evaluated. In 2010, we conducted a prospective study with 106 consecutive patients receiving an alloHCT analysing AP/AT, choice and costs of diagnostics applied including CT scans, galactomannan (Gal) and β-D-glucan (β-D) testing. Antifungal prophylaxis in 91 patients consisted of fluconazole (FLU) or L-AMB (AmBisome™ 1 or 3 mg/kg/day b.w.), and antifungal therapy had to be initiated in 38 % of the FLU/L-AMB-1-mg patients but in none with L-AMB 3 mg. Empirical AT consisted of L-AMB 1 mg/kg (n = 12) and preemptive AT of L-AMB 3 mg/kg (n = 17) and proved very efficacious with no further antifungal drug escalation in 89.6 %. Mean costs of diagnostic measures were 402 €/alloHCT; however, only 22 % of the CT scans, 4 % of β-D and 3 % of galactomannan testing were positive. We detected one proven, 17 probable and 14 possible fungal infections. Due to the German diagnosis-related group system with additional compensation, all our AP/AT strategies were adequately reimbursed. While clinical symptoms and CT scans are the most commonly used, inexpensive decision-making tools for starting AT, the expensive laboratory diagnostic procedures are ineffective; we have therefore discontinued regular GAL/β-D testing and changed our AP in patients at risk.


Effect of endurance exercise on fibre type composition and muscle weight of reinnervating rat plantaris muscle.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of endurance exercise on the histochemistry and wet weight of the reinnervating rat plantaris muscle. Two groups of young female Wistar rats (6 weeks old), 1 sedentary denervated control (n = 13) and 1 exercised denervated experimental (n = 17), were denervated unilaterally by cutting and resecting the sciatic nerve. To effect reinnervation a skin grafting operation was carried out on the nerve so that the gap caused by resection was bridged. The third group was the sedentary non-denervated normal control (n = 10). A progressive training program of 18 weeks of treadmill running was carried out by the experimental group. Approximately 5 months after denervation, the plantaris muscles were studied histochemically for reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide diaphorase (NADH-D) and mitochondrial alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (alpha-GPD) activities. Fibres were classified as "red", "white", or "intermediate" with NADH-D. Alpha-GPD differentiates "intermediate" from "red" fibre types in case of difficulty in differentiating these fibre types from each other with NADH-D. The weight of the reinnervated plantaris muscle increased significantly after exercise. The exercise did not change the fibre type proportions--including "red" fibre type--in the deep region of the reinnervating plantaris. There were significant differences between normal control and denervated control or experimental groups in histochemical fibre populations in the deep region of the plantaris. The findings of this study suggest that: treadmill running did not increase the oxidative capacity of the deep region of the reinnervating rat plantaris muscle; treadmill training did not damage the reinnervating plantaris.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Chromatin structural changes around satellite repeats on the female sex chromosome in Schistosoma mansoni and their possible role in sex chromosome emergence.
In the leuphotrochozoan parasitic platyhelminth Schistosoma mansoni, male individuals are homogametic (ZZ) whereas females are heterogametic (ZW). To elucidate the mechanisms that led to the emergence of sex chromosomes, we compared the genomic sequence and the chromatin structure of male and female individuals. As for many eukaryotes, the lower estimate for the repeat content is 40%, with an unknown proportion of domesticated repeats. We used massive sequencing to de novo assemble all repeats, and identify unambiguously Z-specific, W-specific and pseudoautosomal regions of the S. mansoni sex chromosomes. We show that 70 to 90% of S. mansoni W and Z are pseudoautosomal. No female-specific gene could be identified. Instead, the W-specific region is composed almost entirely of 36 satellite repeat families, of which 33 were previously unknown. Transcription and chromatin status of female-specific repeats are stage-specific: for those repeats that are transcribed, transcription is restricted to the larval stages lacking sexual dimorphism. In contrast, in the sexually dimorphic adult stage of the life cycle, no transcription occurs. In addition, the euchromatic character of histone modifications around the W-specific repeats decreases during the life cycle. Recombination repression occurs in this region even if homologous sequences are present on both the Z and W chromosomes. Our study provides for the first time evidence for the hypothesis that, at least in organisms with a ZW type of sex chromosomes, repeat-induced chromatin structure changes could indeed be the initial event in sex chromosome emergence.


Socioeconomic differences in service use, payment and receipt of illness-related benefits in the last year of life: findings from the British Household Panel Survey.
Terminal illness presents a financial challenge to many households, but in Britain the situation should be eased by state benefits, such as attendance allowance, which is available to everyone in the last six months of life without means testing. To investigate the use of health and social services, payments and benefit receipt by individuals in differing financial circumstances in the year before death. Analysis of individual level panel data for 1652 community-dwelling decedents from 12 waves of the British Household Panel Study (1991-2003). In the year before death, over 90% of decedents saw their GP, and around one-third spent some time in hospital. More than 80% paid no fees for any services. Over a third of decedents aged over 65 reported financial strain, but only 13.9% of these were receiving attendance allowance. People who felt that they were having financial difficulties were more likely to be frequent attenders in primary care, taking age, health status and other factors into account (adjusted OR=1.9, 95% CI=1.3-2.6, P<0.001). Older age was associated with less use of primary, but not secondary care. Financial strain was common, but benefit uptake low. Primary health care professionals saw nearly all decedents in their last year, and could play an important role in ensuring that the elderly and the less well off are aware of the services and benefits available to them.


Atypical tentorial meningioma 30 years after radiotherapy for a pituitary adenoma.
Although the human central nervous system used to be considered relatively resistant to the carcinogenic action of ionizing radiation, several lines of evidence now document a high incidence of secondary tumors in irradiated patients. The numerous reports of radiation-induced cerebral meningiomas generally distinguish those induced by high-dose radiation from those induced by low-dose radiation. We describe the case of patient who underwent subtotal resection of a chromophobe pituitary adenoma at the age of 18 years, who was successively treated by conventional fractionated radiotherapy with gamma rays emitted by a source of 60Co until a total dose of 41 Gy. Over the next 30 years the patient experienced all the known late effects of radiation, including panhypopituitarism, cranial-nerve deficits (II, III and VI), massive radiation necrosis involving the left cerebral hemisphere and causing right hemiparesis and aphasia and, ultimately, an atypical tentorial meningioma with early recurrence after total resection.


Enhanced bioaccumulation of fluorinated antibiotics in crucian carp (Carassius carassius): Influence of fluorine substituent.
The negative impact of residual fluorinated antibiotics on the ecosystem and human health are of great concern. However, only a few studies have been conducted on the factors that influence the bioaccumulation of fluorinated antibiotics in aquatic organisms. To investigate the effects of fluorine substituent, environmental concentration of antibiotics, and temperature on the bioaccumulation of florfenicol (FLO), thiamphenicol (TAP), ofloxacin (OFX), and pipemidic acid (PPA), crucian carp (Carassius carassius) were exposed to different concentrations of antibiotics and different temperatures for 21 days. The liver exhibited the highest antibiotic concentrations, with 315.4 ± 13.6 ng g-1 wet weight (ww), followed by the bile (279.4 ± 12.4 ng mL-1), muscle (53.1 ± 4.3 ng g-1 ww), and gills (37.1 ± 2.6 ng g-1 ww). The FLO and OFX containing the fluorine substituent were much easier to accumulate in crucian carp compared with their isonomic TAP and PPA, respectively. The fluorine substituent increased the bioaccumulation of the targeted antibiotics in crucian carp. In addition, the lower levels of antibiotics presented higher bioaccumulation potential, but the temperature had little effect on the bioaccumulation. These findings in the present study can provide further insight into the environmental behaviors and ecological risks of fluorinated antibiotics in the aquatic environment.


Immune-related lncRNAs as predictors of survival in breast cancer: a prognostic signature.
Breast cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease, this poses challenges for classification and management. Long non-coding RNAs play acrucial role in the breast cancersdevelopment and progression, especially in tumor-related immune processes which have become the most rapidly investigated area. Therefore, we aimed at developing an immune-related lncRNA signature to improve the prognosis prediction of breast cancer. We obtained breast cancer patient samples and corresponding clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Immune-related lncRNAs were screened by co-expression analysis of immune-related genes which were downloaded from the Immunology Database and Analysis Portal (ImmPort). Clinical patient samples were randomly separated into training and testing sets. In the training set, univariate Cox regression analysis and LASSO regression were utilized to build a prognostic immune-related lncRNA signature. The signature was validated in the training set, testing set, and whole cohorts by the Kaplan-Meier log-rank test, time-dependent ROC curve analysis, principal component analysis, univariate andmultivariate Cox regression analyses. A total of 937 immune- related lncRNAs were identified, 15 candidate immune-related lncRNAs were significantly associated with overall survival (OS). Eight of these lncRNAs (OTUD6B-AS1, AL122010.1, AC136475.2, AL161646.1, AC245297.3, LINC00578, LINC01871, AP000442.2) were selected for establishment of the risk prediction model. The OS of patients in the low-risk group was higher than that of patients in the high-risk group (p = 1.215e - 06 in the training set; p = 0.0069 in the validation set; p = 1.233e - 07 in whole cohort). The time-dependent ROC curve analysis revealed that the AUCs for OS in the first, eighth, and tenth year were 0.812, 0.81, and 0.857, respectively, in the training set, 0.615, 0.68, 0.655 in the validation set, and 0.725, 0.742, 0.741 in the total cohort. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated the model was a reliable and independent indicator for the prognosis of breast cancer in the training set (HR = 1.432; 95% CI 1.204-1.702, p < 0.001), validation set (HR = 1.162; 95% CI 1.004-1.345, p = 0.044), and whole set (HR = 1.240; 95% CI 1.128-1.362, p < 0.001). GSEA analysis revealed a strong connection between the signature and immune-related biological processes and pathways. We constructed and verified a robust signature of 8 immune-related lncRNAs for the prediction of breast cancer patient survival.


Downregulated KLF2 in polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia induces prothrombotic gene expression.
Thromboses are major causes of morbidity and mortality in polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) diseases associated with JAK2V617F mutation. However, the molecular mechanism(s) of increased thrombosis in PV and ET remain unknown. Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) is a transcription factor that regulates expression of genes associated with inflammation and thrombosis; the absence of KLF2 in neutrophils causes thrombosis by inducing tissue factor. We studied the role of KLF2 in regulating prothrombotic gene expression in PV and ET. Neutrophils and platelets KLF2 expression in PV and ET was lower than the controls. Furthermore, in patients with thromboses, KLF2 transcripts were lower in platelets than those without thromboses. JAK2V617F allelic burden was inversely correlated with KLF2 transcript levels, suggesting JAK-STAT pathway may downregulate KLF2 expression. Whole transcriptome analyses of neutrophils and platelets showed that a lower KLF2 expression was associated with an upregulation of KLF2-regulated thrombotic genes. In addition, low KLF2 expression in platelets positively correlated with thrombotic events. In patients with PV and ET, KLF2 expression was induced by pegylated interferon alfa (PegINF-α) but not by hydroxyurea treatments. These data suggest that KLF2 may be a regulator of PV and ET thrombosis and a novel therapeutic target to prevent thrombosis.


An Analysis of 5-Level Version of EQ-5D Adjusting for Treatment Switching: The Case of Patients With Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor T790M-Positive Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Osimertinib.
Treatment switching from control to treatment after disease progression is common in oncology trials. Analyses of survival data typically adjust for this bias, but such adjustments are rarely performed in analyses of patient-reported outcomes. This analysis aimed to examine the impact of adjusting for treatment switching on estimated treatment effects on 5-level version of EQ-5D (EQ-5D-5L) utilities and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). The AURA3 trial (NCT02151981) was a randomized controlled trial comparing osimertinib with platinum-based doublet chemotherapy (standard care) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor mutant- and T790M-positive nonsmall cell lung cancer whose disease has progressed with previous epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. Descriptive analyses were used to compare treatment arms. The primary analysis used a 2-stage least squares instrumental variable regression to estimate treatment effect adjusting for treatment crossover. Time to deterioration, defined from baseline to minimally important deterioration in EQ-5D-5L utility, was assessed using a rank preserving structural failure time model. Intention-to-treat analysis of imputed data showed incremental QALYs for osimertinib of 0.23 at 60 weeks. Accounting for treatment switching increased this to 0.52 in the primary analysis and to 0.63 QALYs in sensitivity analysis at 150 weeks. Time to deterioration analysis showed longer health-related quality of life maintenance with osimertinib, of 12.76 weeks, although this was at the borderline of statistical significance (acceleration factor, ψ = -0.275; 95% confidence interval -0.50 to 0.00). This analysis demonstrates methods to adjust for treatment switching in the analysis of EQ-5D-5L from clinical trials. Failure to account for crossover substantially underestimated the QALY gain for osimertinib.


Diagnostic evaluation of pelvic inflammatory disease.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a serious public health and reproductive health problem in the United States. An early and accurate diagnosis of PID is extremely important for the effective management of the acute illness and for the prevention of long-term sequelae. The diagnosis of PID is difficult, with considerable numbers of false-positive and false-negative diagnoses. An abnormal vaginal discharge or evidence of lower genital tract infection is an important and predictive finding that is often underemphasized and overlooked. This paper reviews the clinical diagnosis and supportive laboratory tests for the diagnosis of PID and outlines an appropriate diagnostic plan for the clinician and the researcher.


Prognostic vascular imaging biomarkers in high-grade gliomas: tumor permeability as an adjunct to blood volume estimates.
Despite recent advances in the treatment of high-grade gliomas, overall survival (OS) remains poor, which underlines the importance of searching for and determining prognostic imaging biomarkers. The purpose of our retrospective study was to correlate patient survival with relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and permeability surface area-product (PS) measured using perfusion computed tomography (PCT) in patients with high-grade gliomas. This study was composed of 54 patients with high-grade gliomas (World Health Organization [WHO] grade III, n = 14; WHO grade IV, n = 40) who underwent pretreatment PCT. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were computed to describe OS for patients with high-versus-low PCT parameters, as well as grade III and IV gliomas. Differences in OS between high and low rCBV, PS, and rCBV + PS were significant (P < .001) for all high-grade gliomas. After adjustment for WHO grade, rCBV (P = .041) and rCBV + PS (P = .013) estimates remained significant, whereas PS estimates were not (P = .214). PS estimates showed a statistically significant difference for OS in the grade III glioma group (P = .011), whereas for grade IV gliomas, rCBV estimates were statistically significant (P = .019). rCBV + PS was statistically significant for OS in both grade III (P = .001) and grade IV (P = .004) glioma groups. Blood volume and permeability estimates measured using PCT can help predict survival in patients with high-grade gliomas. Patients with high PCT parameters showed worse OS compared to the patients with low PCT. Both rCBV and rCBV + PS remained statistically significant even after adjustment for WHO grade, suggesting these may be better predictors of OS than histological grade.


Pain in persons with postpolio syndrome: frequency, intensity, and impact.
To describe the frequency, intensity, and impact of pain in persons with postpoliomyelitis syndrome (PPS). Retrospective, cross-sectional survey. Community-based survey. Convenience sample of people with PPS. Not applicable. Overall intensity and duration of pain, pain sites, pain interference, pain treatments, and relief provided by pain treatments. A total of 91% (n=57) of the study participants (N=63) reported pain. The most frequently reported pain sites were the shoulders, lower back, legs, and hips. Participants reported pain intensity to be the greatest in the knees, legs, wrists, lower back, and head. Pain interfered most with sleep and with activities requiring a high level of musculoskeletal involvement. Respondents also reported pain problems that were more severe than those of the general population and than those of a sample of people with multiple sclerosis. Many treatments had been tried previously for pain, but continued use of treatments was reported by relatively few participants at the time of the survey. The findings indicate that pain is a persistent and common problem in persons with PPS, highlighting the need for effective and accessible pain treatments for this population.


Migrating contractions of the afferent and Roux limbs show peristaltic movement independently of each other in conscious dogs after Roux-en-Y reconstruction after distal gastrectomy.
The Roux-en-Y (RY) procedure is used frequently for surgical reconstruction after gastrectomy. However, a minority of patients suffer a serious motility disorder of the Roux and afferent limb postoperatively. We conducted this study to clarify the association between the motility and peristaltic direction of two limbs in conscious dogs. We performed distal gastrectomy on five dogs and implanted seven force transducers on the serosal surfaces of the remnant gastric body and afferent and Roux limbs. We then analyzed the electric signals from these force transducers. Migrating contractions were observed in the two limbs, but not in the gastric remnant body. Migrating contractions in the forward direction propagated independently from the most proximal side in each limb. There was no propagation of contraction across the jejunojejunostomy between the two limbs. Each proximal part of the Roux and afferent limbs has an independent motility pacemaker in conscious dogs after gastrectomy with RY reconstruction.


The effect of the introduction of a nationwide DUR system where local DUR systems are operating--The Korean experience.
Outpatient clinics in Korea usually have local DUR (drug utilisation review) systems, which are integrated with EMRs or health insurance claims submission systems. Whenever, the government announces a list of drug contraindications, each local DUR system loads the list and applies it in practice. In December 2010, a nationwide DUR system was introduced. This study is to investigate the impact of the nationwide DUR system on prescribing practices where local DUR systems are already operating. Between January 2009 and December 2012 the monthly number of drugs per prescription was retrieved from the health insurance claims data warehouse at the Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA). The monthly proportions of 3 DDI (drug-drug interaction) pairs, 6 drug-age contraindications, and 3 drug-pregnancy contraindications from January 2007 to December 2012, at the outpatient clinic level, were also retrieved. An interrupted time series analysis was used for controlling government announcements of drug contraindications. There was no difference in the number of drugs per prescription before and after the introduction of the nationwide DUR system. Most proportions of the 3 DDI pairs, 6 drug-age contraindications, and 3 drug-pregnancy contraindications, were significantly reduced following the government announcement of drug contraindications in the short term and/or long term. The number of drugs per prescription was not related to the nationwide DUR introduction in places where local DUR systems are operating. The introduction of duplicate guidelines, in locations where the guidelines were already well followed, is considered to be the main reason for this. Furthermore, the Doctor's ignorance of alerts, and their continued substitution of regulated drugs, for non-regulated drugs, likely played a role in nullifying the effectiveness of the nationwide DUR system.


Exploring developmental gene toolkit and associated pathways in a potential new model crustacean using transcriptomic analysis.
The crustaceans are one of the largest, most diverse, and most successful groups of invertebrates. The diversity among the crustaceans is also reflected in embryonic development models. However, the molecular genetics that regulates embryonic development is not known in those crustaceans that have a short germ-band development with superficial cleavage, such as Macrobrachium olfersi. This species is a freshwater decapod and has great potential to become a model for developmental biology, as well as for evolutionary and environmental studies. To obtain sequence data of M. olfersi from an embryonic developmental perspective, we performed de novo assembly and annotation of the embryonic transcriptome. Using a pooling strategy of total RNA, paired-end Illumina sequencing, and assembly with multiple k-mers, a total of 25,636,097 pair reads were generated. In total, 99,751 unigenes were identified, and 20,893 of these returned a Blastx hit. KEGG pathway analysis mapped a total of 6866 unigenes related to 129 metabolic pathways. In general, 21,845 unigenes were assigned to gene ontology (GO) categories: molecular function (19,604), cellular components (10,254), and biological processes (13,841). Of these, 2142 unigenes were assigned to the developmental process category. More specifically, a total of 35 homologs of embryonic development toolkit genes were identified, which included maternal effect (one gene), gap (six), pair-rule (six), segment polarity (seven), Hox (four), Wnt (eight), and dorsoventral patterning genes (three). In addition, genes of developmental pathways were found, including TGF-β, Wnt, Notch, MAPK, Hedgehog, Jak-STAT, VEGF, and ecdysteroid-inducible nuclear receptors. RT-PCR analysis of eight genes related to embryonic development from gastrulation to late morphogenesis/organogenesis confirmed the applicability of the transcriptome analysis.


[Blood supply of liver metastasis].
To probe the blood supply of liver metastasis by celiac arteriography, proper hepatic arteriogaphy, pure portal vein perfusion CT. Fifty patients with liver metastasis were examined prospectively by plain CT scan, multiphase enhanced CT scan, celiac arteriography and proper hepatic arteriography, of whom, 23 were examined by pure portal vein perfusion CT during superior mesenteric arterial portography. The imaging manifestations were observed, and the time attenuation curves (TDC)of tumor center, tumor edge, portal vein and normal liver parenchyma were used to calculate liver perfusion with a software of PhotoShop(used in DSA image analysis)and a deconvolution model (CT perfusion software) designed for the dual blood supply. DSA findings: hypervascular 12 cases, hypovascular 38 cases, and ring tumor stain 36 cases. TDC of proper hepatic arteriography showed: the mean peak concentration (K value) in tumor center (67.48+/-11.56)%, the mean peak concentration (K value) on tumor edge (76.23 +/-14.89)%, the mean peak concentration (K value) in normal liver parenchyma (51.42+/-10.26)%; the mean time to peak concentration in tumor center(9.00+/- 1.03) s, and the mean time to peak concentration on tumor edge (10.69+/-2.82) s; TDC of celiac arteriogaphy showed: the concentration of tumor center and tumor edge increased fastly in early stage, then maintained an increasing plateau slowly, in the meanwhile, the concentration of normal liver parenchyma increased slowly and steadily, after 14 s of acquisition, the concentration of tumor center was lower than that of tumor edge and normal liver parenchyma. Mean time to peak concentration of portal vein was(11.84+/-1.81) s. Multiphase enhanced CT scan findings: ring enhancement in artery phase 11 cases; mild ring enhancement in artery phase,continued thick ring enhancement in portal phase 5 cases; no enhancement in artery phase,ring enhancement in portal phase 25 cases; ring enhancement in equilibrium phase 8 cases; no enhancement in artery phase, portal phase and equilibrium phase 1 case. The mean time to peak enhancement of portal vein was(14.33+/-2.23) s, and the mean enhancement peak value (320.00+/-28.78) HU; the densily of normal liver parenchyma increased slowly after contrast medium administration, the mean time to peak enhancement was (22.25+/-3.44) s, and the mean enhancement peak value (110.75+/-16.31) HU. The blood supply of liver metastasis only comes from hepatic artery, and portal vein does not join in the blood supply of liver metastasis.


Electrocardiographic ST-segment elevation in the trauma patient: acute myocardial infarction vs myocardial contusion.
The diagnosis of myocardial contusion in the setting of blunt trauma engenders much discussion and controversy-partly because of the lack of a gold standard for its identification other than histologic findings at autopsy. Furthermore, blunt cardiac trauma represents a spectrum of disorders ranging from transient electrocardiographic change to sudden death from myocardial rupture; hence, no single terminology exists to define such a wide range of scenarios. Here, we present 2 cases of electrocardiographic ST-segment elevation after high-speed motor vehicle crashes resulting in numerous injuries, including blunt chest trauma. Both patients demonstrated electrocardiographic ST-segment elevation, resulting from myocardial contusion and acute myocardial infarction.


Fresh Precut Osteochondral Allograft Core Transplantation for the Treatment of Capitellum Osteochondritis Dissecans.
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the elbow is a disease of unclear etiology that affects young children and adolescents, particularly overhead athletes and gymnasts. Common surgical options include fixation, debridement, loose body removal, and marrow stimulation (microfracture/drilling). For large, deep, and/or uncontained defects, osteochondral autograft transplantation (OAT) has been advocated. However, there are some drawbacks to OAT, particularly related to donor-site morbidity. Fresh osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation avoids the donor-site morbidity associated with OAT and has been shown to be effective for treating capitellar OCD. This Technical Note details a surgical technique of OCA transplantation of the capitellum in an adolescent patient using a fresh precut OCA core. This procedure addresses the cartilage defect and loss of subchondral bone associated with OCD without the drawbacks associated with harvesting an autograft. Furthermore, as the graft is readily available, it avoids delays related to the donor-recipient matching process.


Effect of theory-based feature correlations on typicality judgments.
In the present study, we examine what types of feature correlations are salient in our conceptual representations. It was hypothesized that of all possible feature pairs, those that are explicitly recognized as correlated (i.e., explicit pairs) and affect typicality judgments are the ones that are more likely theory based than are those that are not explicitly recognized (i.e., implicit pairs). Real-world categories and their properties, taken from Malt and Smith (1984), were examined. We found that explicit pairs had a greater number of asymmetric dependency relations (i.e., one feature depends on the other feature, but not vice versa) and stronger dependency relations than did implicit pairs, which were statistically correlated in the environment but were not recognized as such. In addition, people more often provided specific relation labels for explicit pairs than for implicit pairs; these labels were most often causal relations. Finally, typicality judgments were more affected when explicit correlations were broken than when implicit correlations were broken. It is concluded that in natural categories, feature correlations that are explicitly represented and affect typicality judgments are the ones about which people have theories.


Optimising pre-operative imaging-surgery intervals for stones.
The NICE guidelines for acute ureteric colic recommend diagnostic imaging, definitive management and definitive care within 24 and 48 h of symptoms and 4 weeks of temporisation, respectively. However, the NHS reality is fraught with long waiting times to definitive treatment, further compounded by a progressively increasing stone burden, paucity of on-site lithotripters and a decrease in non-cancer elective theatre sessions during the COVID-19 pandemic. By the time patients attended the elective surgeries, their reference images (RIs) were often significantly out of date. Scant direction exists on what interval between imaging and surgery invalidates the usefulness of the RIs in providing surgical guidance.This study aimed to evaluate the role of imaging-surgery intervals (ISIs) on upper tract stone negative surgery outcomes and derive a cut-off ISI warranting updated images, with a view to improving efficiency and patient safety. Upper tract stone surgeries were retrospectively assessed. Each renal unit was considered independently in bilateral stones. Cases were grouped into renal/pelvic (referred to as 'RENAL') and URETERIC stones. Data retrieved included the ISI, intra-operative disparity (IOD) between stone-related features on RIs and the surgical findings. Receiver operating curves (ROCs) were used to determine ISI cut-offs more predictive of IODs. Four hundred and twenty-seven surgeries on 174 (40.7%) RENAL and 253 (59.3%) URETERIC stones were appraised. No stones were found intraoperatively in 52 (12.1%) patients. Longer ISIs were associated with IODs, especially with URETERIC stones (p = 0.011, CI95 0.63; 4.84). The derived ROC ISI cut-offs beyond which IODs, including negative surgeries, were more likely were 9 weeks for URETERIC (AUC: 63%, CI95 0.56; 0.70) and 19 weeks (AUC: 58.6%, CI95 0.50; 0.68) for RENAL stones, respectively. There is a need to update reference imaging done more than 9 or 19 weeks before surgery for URETERIC and RENAL stones, respectively.


NOX2-derived hydrogen peroxide impedes the AMPK/Akt-mTOR signaling pathway contributing to cell death in neuronal cells.
Oxidative stress is closely related to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), a typical neurodegenerative disease. NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) is involved in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation. Recently, we have reported that treatment with H2O2 and PD toxins, including 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridin-1-ium (MPP+) and rotenone, induces neuronal apoptosis by inhibiting the mTOR pathway. Here, we show that treatment with 6-OHDA, MPP+ or rotenone induced H2O2 generation by upregulating the levels of NOX2 and its regulatory proteins (p22phox, p40phox, p47phox, p67phox, and Rac1), leading to apoptotic cell death in PC12 cells and primary neurons. Inhibition of NOX2 with apocynin or diphenyleneiodonium, or knockdown of NOX2 powerfully attenuated PD toxins-evoked NOX2 and H2O2, thereby hindering activation of AMPK, inhibition of Akt/mTOR, and induction of apoptosis in neuronal cells. Pretreatment with catalase, a H2O2-scavenging enzyme, blocked the effects of PD toxins on NOX2-dependent H2O2 production, AMPK/Akt/mTOR signaling and apoptosis in the cells. Similar effects were also seen in the cells pretreated with Mito-TEMPO, a mitochondria-selective superoxide scavenger, implying a mitochondrial H2O2-dependent mechanism involved. Further research revealed that ectopic expression of constitutively active Akt or dominant negative AMPKα, or inhibition of AMPK with compound C suppressed PD toxins-induced expression of NOX2 and its regulatory proteins, as well as consequential H2O2 production and apoptosis in the cells. Taken together, these results indicate that certain PD toxins can impede the AMPK/Akt-mTOR signaling pathway leading to neuronal apoptosis by eliciting NOX2-derived H2O2 production. Our findings suggest that neuronal loss in PD may be prevented by regulating the NOX2, AMPK/Akt-mTOR signaling and/or applying antioxidants to ameliorate oxidative stress.


Saliva oestriol, oestradiol, oestrone and progesterone levels in pregnancy: spontaneous labour at term is preceded by a rise in the saliva oestriol:progesterone ratio.
Saliva steroid levels reflect the unbound unconjugated (free, biologically active) plasma hormone levels. Saliva oestriol (E3), oestradiol (E2), oestrone (E1) and progesterone levels were estimated by radioimmunoassay in saliva samples obtained twice a week from 18 weeks gestation until 38 days before delivery and then daily until the spontaneous onset of labour at term from 20 normal pregnant women. The overall percentage increases in the median concentrations of E3, E2, E1 and progesterone were 718, 370, 80 and 214%, respectively, in the last 20 weeks and 149, 82, 24 and 41%, respectively, in the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. The median E3:progesterone ratio rose slowly from 0.65 at 20 weeks before delivery to 1.0 at 5 weeks before delivery and then rapidly to 1.65 one day before the spontaneous onset of labour. There was an increase in the E3:progesterone ratio from less than 1 to greater than 1 before labour in every subject.


Is the supine position associated with loss of airway patency in unconscious trauma patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Airway compromise is a leading cause of death in unconscious trauma patients. Although endotracheal intubation is regarded as the gold standard treatment, most prehospital providers are not trained to perform ETI in such patients. Therefore, various lateral positions are advocated for unconscious patients, but their use remains controversial in trauma patients. We conducted a systematic review to investigate whether the supine position is associated with loss of airway patency compared to the lateral position. The review protocol was published in the PROSPERO database (Reg. no. CRD42012001190). We performed literature searches in PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and British Nursing Index and included studies related to airway patency, reduced level of consciousness and patient position. We conducted meta-analyses, where appropriate. We graded the quality of evidence with the GRADE methodology. The search was updated in June 2014. We identified 1,306 publications, 39 of which were included for further analysis. Sixteen of these publications were included in meta-analysis. We did not identify any studies reporting direct outcome measures (mortality or morbidity) related to airway compromise caused by the patient position (lateral vs. supine position) in trauma patients or in any other patient group. In studies reporting only indirect outcome measures, we found moderate evidence of reduced airway patency in the supine vs. the lateral position, which was measured by the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI). For other indirect outcomes, we only found low or very low quality evidence. Although concerns other than airway patency may influence how a trauma patient is positioned, our systematic review provides evidence supporting the long held recommendation that unconscious trauma patients should be placed in a lateral position.


Psychometric properties and factor structure of the brief Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives among Spanish smokers from the general population.
The brief version of the Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives (B-WISDM) is a well-established instrument to measure the multidimensional nature of nicotine dependence. However, no previous research has assessed its psychometric properties in the Spanish context. The aim of the present study was to analyze the factor structure and measurement invariance across gender of this instrument among Spanish smokers from the general population. This cross-sectional study assessed 480 smokers through an online questionnaire including information on tobacco use and several nicotine dependence measures. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used to assess the factorial structure of the Spanish B-WISDM, its internal consistency, measurement invariance across gender and convergent validity with the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and the Glover-Nilsson Smoking Behavioral Questionnaire (GN-SBQ) scores. Results indicate that the eleven correlated factors solution had a better fit when compared to the other tested models (two correlated factors and two second-order factors with eleven first-order correlated factors solution), remaining such structure invariant across gender. Internal consistency of the scale was high (α = 0.950; dimension α values ranged between 0.657 and 0.921). Overall scores and dimensions of the scale significantly and positively correlated with other nicotine dependence measures (except for Social/Environmental Goads and FTND). This is the first version of the B-WISDM validated to assess nicotine dependence with a multidimensional perspective within the Spanish culture. Results show adequate psychometric properties regarding its factor structure and measurement invariance across gender, supporting its utility to evaluate the motives driving tobacco use among Spanish smokers from the general population.


Usability as a guiding principle for the design of paper-based, point-of-care devices - A review.
Due to their portability, versatility for supporting multiple assay formats, and potential for resulting in low-cost assays, paper-based analytical devices (PADs) are an increasingly popular format as a platform for the development of point-of-care tests. However, very few PADs have been translated successfully to their intended environments outside of academic settings. Often overlooked as a factor that inhibits translation, usability is a vital characteristic of any successful point-of-care test. Recent advancements in PAD design have demonstrated improved usability by simplifying various aspects of user operation, including sample collection, sample processing, device operation, detection, and readout/interpretation. Field testing at various stages of device design can offer critical feedback about device usability, especially when it involves the proposed end-user or other stakeholders. By highlighting advances in usability, we aim to encourage thoughtful and rigorous design at the academic prototyping stage to address one outstanding hurdle that limits the number of PADs that make it from the benchtop to the point-of-care.


Expiratory CT in cigarette smokers: correlation between areas of decreased lung attenuation, pulmonary function tests and smoking history.
The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between cigarette-smoke-related bronchial disease and air trapping as assessed by expiratory high-resolution CT (HRCT) scans. Thirty healthy subjects (11 non-smokers, 7 ex-smokers for > 2 years, 12 current smokers; age range 35-55 years) with a smoking history between 0 and 28.5 pack-years underwent pulmonary function tests (PFT) and HRCT in inspiration and expiration in supine and prone position. The extent of air trapping was scored in ventral and dorsal aspects of the upper, middle and lower lung portions. In 24 subjects (7 non-smokers, 7 ex-smokers, 10 current smokers) areas of focal air trapping were found, and were present significantly more often in dependent lung portions (p < 0.05) compared with non-dependent portions. No significant differences were found between apical and basal lung zones. Scores of focal air trapping were not significantly different between smokers and ex-smokers, but were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in non-smokers and showed a significant (p < 0.0005) correlation with pack-years. The degree of air trapping was also associated with several lung function tests, especially RV, DLCO, FRC, FEV1 and FEV1/VC. Air trapping is seen in smokers with normal PFT and correlates with the severity of the smoking history, independently of current smoking status.


Soundscape and Noise Exposure Monitoring in a Marine Protected Area Using Shipping Data and Time-Lapse Footage.
We review recent work that developed new techniques for underwater noise assessment that integrate acoustic monitoring with automatic identification system (AIS) shipping data and time-lapse video, meteorological, and tidal data. Two sites were studied within the Moray Firth Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for bottlenose dolphins, where increased shipping traffic is expected from construction of offshore wind farms outside the SAC. Noise exposure varied markedly between the sites, and natural and anthropogenic contributions were characterized using multiple data sources. At one site, AIS-operating vessels accounted for total cumulative sound exposure (0.1-10 kHz), suggesting that noise modeling using the AIS would be feasible.


A rapid ultraviolet spectrophotometric procedure for the microdetermination of theophylline (1,3-dimethylxanthine) in plasma or serum.
An ultraviolet spectrophotometric procedure for the microdetermination of theophylline in plasma is described. Theophylline is extracted at pH 5 with chloroform. An aliquot of the solvent is shaken with molar hydrochloric acid and the absorbance of the acid layer determined at 267 nm. The resulting procedure is rapid, reliable, sensitive and virtually specific. It requires 250 microliters sample for a single estimation and has a detection threshold of less than 5 mumol/l.


Newest human herpesvirus (HHV-6) in the Guillain-Barré syndrome and other neurological diseases.
To investigate the presence of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) in patients affected by Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and by other neurological diseases (OND), we examined by indirect immunofluorescence analysis (IFA) the sera and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 28 GBS and 63 OND. Moreover, we tested 150 blood donors (BD) to appreciate the diffusion of HHV-6 infection in the Italian adult healthy population. We found a significantly higher titre of antibody to HHV-6 in the GBS patients compared with OND and BD, although the pathogenicity of the virus is not known.


Composite cathode with low-defect NiFe Prussian blue analogue on reduced graphene oxide for aqueous sodium-ion hybrid supercapacitors.
Although sodium-ion hybrid supercapacitor (Na-ion HSC) has attracted great interest, exploitation of suitable cathode materials for reversible Na+ insertion reaction remains a challenge. Herein, a novel binder-free composite cathode with highly crystallized NiFe Prussian blue analogue (NiFePBA) nanocubes in-situ grown on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was fabricated via sodium pyrophosphate (Na4P2O7)-assisted co-precipitation and the subsequent ultrasonic spraying and chemical reduction. Profiting from the low-defect PBA framework and close interface contact of PBA and conductive rGO, the NiFePBA/rGO/carbon cloth composite electrode exhibits a high specific capacitance of 451F g-1, remarkable rate performance and satisfactory cycling stability in aqueous Na2SO4 electrolyte. Impressively, the aqueous Na-ion HSC assembled with the composite cathode and activated carbon (AC) anode manifests a high energy density of 51.11 Wh kg-1, superb power density of 10 kW kg-1 and the intriguing cycling stability. This work may open a door for scalable fabrication of binder-free PBA cathode material for aqueous Na-ion storage.


High-Dose Chemotherapy with Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Relapsed or Refractory Primary CNS Lymphoma: A Retrospective Monocentric Analysis of Long-Term Outcome, Prognostic Factors, and Toxicity.
High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (HCT-ASCT) is reportedly an effective treatment strategy in relapsed or refractory primary CNS lymphoma (r/r PCNSL); however, only selected patients are eligible for this treatment. We retrospectively analyzed outcome, prognostic factors, and toxicity in 59 patients with r/r PCNSL planned to receive HCT-ASCT at our institution between January 2005 and December 2021 (n = 33 < 65 years; n = 26 ≥ 65 years). Median follow-up was 65 months (95% CI 21−109). Median age was 63 years (range 29−76), median Karnofsky performance score (KPS) was 80 (range 30−100). In the entire cohort of 59 patients, median overall survival (OS) was 14 months (95% CI 0−37). In 50/59 (84.7%) patients who completed HCT-ASCT, median progression free survival (PFS) was 12 months (95% CI 3−21) and median OS 30 months (95% CI 0−87). 1-year, 2-year, and 5-year OS rates of 61.2%, 52.3% and 47.1%, respectively, were observed. Six patients (10.2%) died related to treatment (1 during induction treatment, 5 post HCT-ASCT). Age was not prognostic. On univariate analysis, KPS ≥ 80 (p = 0.019) and complete or partial remission before HCT-ASCT (p = 0.026) were positive prognosticators of OS; on multivariate analysis, KPS (p = 0.043) and male gender (p = 0.039) had an impact on OS. The 5-year OS rate in patients with progressive or stable disease after induction treatment was 32.7%. In summary, HCT-ASCT was effective and feasible in this cohort of r/r PCNSL patients. Clinical state, remission status before HCT-ASCT, and gender influenced survival, whereas age did not influence outcome in this study.


Metabonomics and the gut microbiome analysis of the effect of 6-shogaol on improving obesity.
This study investigated the ability of 6-shogaol to reduce obesity in C57BL/6J mice fed with high-fat diet (HFD). After 12 weeks of 6-shogaol (20, 40, 60 mg/kg/2 days) intervention, obesity related indicators, gut microbiota and metabonomics of mice were analyzed. The obesity degree and blood lipid level of mice treated with 6-shogaol were reduced, and glucose homeostasis was improved, especially in mice treated with low-dose. The intervention of 6-shogaol increased the diversity of gut microbiota and decreased the ratio of Firmicutes and Bacteroides. 6-shogaol also led to changes in metabonomics. There were 5, 4 and 6 different metabolites of 6-shogaol at low, medium and high doses. Among them, Solacauline, PE (22:5 (4Z, 7z, 10z, 13z, 13z, 16z)/14:1 (9z)) and presqualene diphosphate have strong correlation with Akkermansia, Brucella, Odoribacter and Mucispirillum. This study aims to provide a theoretical foundation for clarifying the molecular mechanism of 6-shogaol in improving obesity.


An elastic force-length relation for tympanic membrane implants--a preliminary report.
An elastic force-length relation has been recorded for tympanic membrane implants. A model based on the fibre structure of these materials was used to obtain a value for their elastic modulus for tympanic membrane.


Recruiting Black/African American men for research on prostate cancer prevention.
Black/African American men die of prostate cancer at a greater rate relative to other males. During the period from 1992 to 1998, prostate cancer incidence rates in the United States were 234.2 per 100,000 persons among non-Hispanic black males and 144.6 per 100,000 persons among white males. The reasons for these increased rates of prostate cancer among black males are largely unknown, but increased mortality is associated with late detection. The authors conducted a longitudinal study of black men that investigated prostate cancer prevention behaviors within this population. The purpose of the current article is to identify successful recruitment strategies that were reported by participants in this study of prevention behaviors. Qualitative research methods were used to elucidate men's thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding prostate cancer prevention behaviors and to identify strategies for attracting black men to research programs and retaining them in these programs. Ethnocentric recruitment strategies that were identified included the development of tailored printed materials; the use of targeted locations; and a personalized, participatory approach for engaging potential participants. We contacted 498 black men and enrolled a cohort of 277 non-Hispanic black males (75% of whom were recruited within a 9-week period) in the current study. Unlike other studies that reported difficulty in recruiting African American men, the current study did not encounter such difficulties. The authors attribute their success to culturally attractive Afrocentric materials; cultural sensitivity; a caring, professional, personalized ethnic approach; respect; and participatory involvement of the target population. Nonetheless, the authors did encounter barriers, such as lack of physician interest and lack of trust in quality medical care. These barriers must be overcome before black males can be engaged and retained in research studies on prostate cancer prevention.


Three-dimensional Augmented Reality-guided Robotic-assisted Kidney Transplantation: Breaking the Limit of Atheromatic Plaques.
Robotic-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) has shown solid results as a minimally invasive alternative to the standard open approach (open kidney transplantation [OKT]). However, RAKT is still limited in those cases where the recipient's iliac vessels present atherosclerotic plaques, frequently found in elder patients and in those subjected to long-term hemodialysis. Unlike OKT, where the surgeon can palpate the arterial plaques, in minimally invasive surgery the haptic feedback is missing, making the vascular clamping and arteriotomy unsafe. To employ three-dimensional (3D) imaging reconstruction using augmented reality (AR) to intraoperatively locate the plaques during the crucial steps of kidney transplantation. Our study was conducted according to the Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, and Long-term follow-up (IDEAL) model for surgical innovation. Three-dimensional virtual models were obtained from high-accuracy computed tomography scan imaging and superimposed on the vessels during RAKT using the Da Vinci console software. Three-dimensional AR-guided robotic-assisted kidney transplantation. The correspondence of virtual models with the real anatomy of patients was assessed comparing vessels' and plaques' measures. We tested the possibility of using the AR in the setting of vascular surgery by checking the correspondence of the virtual models to the real vessels. During the accuracy assessment, we investigated the anatomy of the iliac plaques and the capacity of the virtual models to correctly represent them. Finally, we tested the efficacy of the virtual model superimposition on the real vessels with plaques during RAKT in the recipients of living donor grafts. The main limitation consists in training needed to correctly superimpose virtual models on the real field. The employment of 3D AR allowed surgeons to overcome one of the main limitations of RAKT, setting the foundation to expand its indications to patients with advanced atheromatic vascular disease. The use of three-dimensional augmented reality guidance during kidney transplantation (KT) has the potential to "navigate" the surgeon during KT, allowing a safer procedure in patients with atheromatic vascular disease.