Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity induced by injected diesel particulate extract vs inhalation of diluted diesel exhaust.
The effects of long-term inhalation of diluted diesel exhaust on aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity (AHH) and cytochrome P-450 content in lung and liver microsomes were investigated in male Fischer-344 rats and compared with repeated parenteral administration of organic solvent extracts of hydrocarbons adsorbed on the diesel particulate surface during the combustion process. The animals were exposed to concentrations of 750 micrograms m-3 or 1500 micrograms m-3 of diesel particulates from a 5.7L GM diesel engine 20 h per day, 5 1/2 days per week for up to 9 months or treated by repeated IP injections of diesel particulate extract (dissolved in corn oil) from the same engine at several dose levels for 4 days. No significant effects of long-term inhalation exposure were observed in liver microsomal AHH activity. A slight decrease in lung microsomal AHH activity was found in rats following 6 months of exposure to diesel exhaust at the particulate concentration of 1500 micrograms m-3. The total mass of particles deposited in the lung during the inhalation exposure was estimated and an equivalent dose of extractable hydrocarbons was administered intraperitoneally; no increase in AHH activity was observed in the lung or liver microsomes. In contrast, 1.4- to 9-fold increases in AHH activity were observed in liver and lung microsomes of rats pretreated by intraperitoneal doses 10-50 times larger than the most conservative estimate of the deposited lung burden. No changes in cytochrome P-450 content were observed in the microsomes of rat liver after inhalation or injection treatment studies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Highly light-tunable memristors in solution-processed 2D materials/metal composites.
Memristors-competitive microelectronic elements which bring together the electronic sensing and memory effects-potentially are able to respond against physical and chemical effects that influence their sensing capability and memory behavior. However, this young topic is still under debate and needs further attention to be highly responding to or remaining intact against physical effects, e.g., light illumination. To contribute to this scenario, using a composite of two-dimensional graphene or MoS2 doped with meso-structures of metal/metal-oxides of Ag, Cu and Fe family, we presented scalable and printable memristors. The memristive behavior shows strong dependency upon light illumination with a high record of 105 ON/OFF ratio observed so far in 2-terminal systems based on two-dimensional materials or metal oxide structures. Moreover, we found that the memristors can remain stable without illumination, providing a novel approach to use these composites for developing neuromorphic computing circuits. The sensing and memristive mechanisms are explained based on the electronic properties of the materials. Our introduced materials used in the memristor devices can open new routes to achieve high sensing capability and improve memristance of the future microelectronic elements.


Dissatisfaction in general practice: what do patients really want?
In 31 general practices in Adelaide, approximately 100 consecutive adult patients aged 15-64 years completed a 21-item questionnaire that related to their dissatisfaction with aspects of the care that was provided in the practice. Fourteen of the practices were "solo" practices, five practices were two-person partnerships and 12 practices involved three or more partners. The 21 items divided naturally into five groups: "architecture", "receptionists", "accessibility", "quality" and "communication". Factor analysis of the responses provided support for the idea that "receptionists", "accessibility" and "communication" were independent issues for the respondents and that "quality" was less discrete and was embedded in a factor which we have labelled "mechanics". For nearly all items, the mean dissatisfaction values for the practices were greatest in the larger practices and least in the two-person practices, with solo practices occupying an intermediate position. The main dissatisfaction related to accessibility and communication. These issues are explored in the light of current trends in the organization of primary medical care.


Tardive dyskinesia: a clinical test of the supersensitivity hypothesis.
Patients with tardive dyskinesia showed no significant difference in CSF HVA when compared with groups of schizophrenic or depressives. CSF cAMP in the tardive dyskinesia group was significantly lower when compared to schizophrenics but not depressives. These results do not support a dopamine-receptor supersensitivity hypothesis in permanent tardive dyskinesia.


Contraceptive use by diabetic and obese women.
Women with chronic medical conditions are at increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, yet contraceptive use by these women has not been well described. The purpose of this study was to describe contraceptive use by diabetic and overweight/obese women compared with women without these conditions. Using cross-sectional data from the 11 states participating in the optional Family Planning Module of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in 2000, we analyzed contraceptive use among 7,943 sexually active women of reproductive age (18-44) who were not trying to conceive. Using logistic regression techniques, we modeled the effect of diabetes and overweight/obesity on contraceptive nonuse, controlling for age, race/ethnicity, marital status, education, income, and health insurance coverage. Contraceptive nonuse was reported by 1,500 (18.9%) of the total sample, 31 (25.8%) diabetic women, 371 (20.0%) overweight women, and 385 (23.4%) obese women. In the multivariable model, obesity was significantly associated with contraceptive nonuse (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-1.55), but there were no significant differences in contraceptive nonuse for diabetic women (adjusted OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.80-1.87) or overweight women (adjusted OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.99-1.31). Older, Black, Hispanic, married, less educated, and women without health insurance were more likely to report contraceptive nonuse. Among women with need for contraception, obese women were more likely to report contraceptive nonuse than normal weight women. Because women with chronic conditions like obesity are at higher risk of pregnancy-related complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes, proper contraceptive use and unintended pregnancy avoidance is a priority.


"Their Whole Lives Are Going To Change": A Photo-Elicitation Study of Rectal Cancer Survivorship.
Rectal cancer survivors experience persistent symptoms, which may lead to unmet needs. This study aimed to explore the rectal cancer survivor experience and identify the impacts of treatment using photo-elicitation. This was a novel study in which patients were instructed to take photographs that showed aspects of life that have been challenging to deal with since undergoing treatment. Participants underwent subsequent qualitative interviews using the photographs as prompts. The study was conducted in a cancer center in a tertiary medical center. Twenty patients were included who underwent curative-intent rectal cancer treatment. Interviews were designed to explore the lived experiences of patients with rectal cancer after treatment. Three major themes with regard to life after rectal cancer and its treatments emerged: physical symptoms, lifestyle changes, and changes over time. Physical symptoms encompassed GI issues, ostomy difficulties, and genitourinary symptoms. Lifestyle changes included those relating to diet, social life, and hobbies as well as major life changes and finances. Finally, patients spoke of improvement during the time of symptoms and impact on daily life. There may be bias because of the homogeneity of our study population, which may not represent the experiences of younger patients, those of lower socioeconomic status, or those who chose not to participate. Our sample was also overrepresented by patients with a complete pathologic response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and excluded individuals with recurrence. Finally, single interviews with each individual at different points from their treatment may have resulted in recall bias. This photo-elicitation study provided rectal cancer survivors with a unique opportunity to share how rectal cancer treatment has impacted their lives beyond traditional metrics such as postoperative complications and long-term survival. In addition to improving preoperative counseling and expectation setting, future efforts should focus on postoperative symptom surveillance and appropriate referral when needed. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/C7. ANTECEDENTES:Los sobrevivientes de cáncer de recto experimentan síntomas persistentes, lo que puede dar lugar a necesidades no satisfechas.OBJETIVO:Explorar la experiencia de los sobrevivientes de cáncer de recto e identificar los impactos del tratamiento mediante el uso de fotoestimulación.DISEÑO:En este nuevo estudio, se instruyó a los pacientes para que tomaran fotografías que mostraran aspectos de la vida que han sido difíciles de manejar desde que se sometieron al tratamiento. Los participantes se sometieron posteriormente a entrevistas cualitativas utilizando las fotografías como estimuladores.ESCENARIO:Centro oncológico en un centro médico terciario.PARTICIPANTES:Veinte pacientes que se sometieron a tratamiento de cáncer de recto con intención curativa.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:Las entrevistas se diseñaron para explorar las experiencias vividas por los pacientes con cáncer de recto después del tratamiento.RESULTADOS:Surgieron tres temas principales con respecto a la vida después del cáncer de recto y sus tratamientos: síntomas físicos; cambios en el estilo de vida; y cambios en el tiempo. Los síntomas físicos abarcaron problemas gastrointestinales, dificultades de las ostomías y síntomas genitourinarios. Los cambios en el estilo de vida incluyeron aquellos relacionados con la dieta, la vida social y los pasatiempos, así como cambios importantes en la vida y las finanzas. Por último, los pacientes hablaron de una mejoría con el tiempo de los síntomas y el impacto en la vida diaria.LIMITACIONES:Puede haber sesgo debido a la homogeneidad de nuestra población de estudio, que puede no representar las experiencias de los pacientes más jóvenes, los de nivel socioeconómico más bajo o los que optaron por no participar. Nuestra muestra también estuvo sobrerrepresentada por pacientes con una respuesta patológica completa después de la quimioterapia neoadyuvante y excluyó a los individuos con recurrencia. Finalmente, las entrevistas individuales con cada paciente en diferentes puntos de su tratamiento pueden dar lugar a que los participantes experimenten un sesgo de recuerdo.CONCLUSIONES:Este estudio de obtención de fotografías brinda a los sobrevivientes de cáncer de recto una oportunidad única de compartir cómo el tratamiento del cáncer de recto ha impactado sus vidas más allá de las métricas tradicionales, como las complicaciones posoperatorias y la supervivencia a largo plazo. Además de mejorar el asesoramiento preoperatorio y el establecimiento de expectativas, los esfuerzos futuros deben centrarse en la vigilancia de los síntomas posoperatorios y la derivación adecuada cuando sea necesario. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/C7.


Application of an infrared thermography-based model to detect pressure injuries: a prospective cohort study.
It is challenging to detect pressure injuries at an early stage of their development. To assess the ability of an infrared thermography (IRT)-based model, constructed using a convolution neural network, to reliably detect pressure injuries. A prospective cohort study compared validity in patients with pressure injury (n = 58) and without pressure injury (n = 205) using different methods. Each patient was followed up for 10 days. The optimal cut-off values of the IRT-based model were 0·53 for identifying tissue damage 1 day before visual detection of pressure injury and 0·88 for pressure injury detection on the day visual detection is possible. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that the risk of pressure injury increased 13-fold 1 day before visual detection with a cut-off value higher than 0·53 [hazard ratio (HR) 13·04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 6·32-26·91; P < 0·001]. The ability of the IRT-based model to detect pressure injuries [area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC)lag 0 days , 0·98, 95% CI 0·95-1·00] was better than that of other methods. The IRT-based model is a useful and reliable method for clinical dermatologists and nurses to detect pressure injuries. It can objectively and accurately detect pressure injuries 1 day before visual detection and is therefore able to guide prevention earlier than would otherwise be possible. What is already known about this topic? Detection of pressure injuries at an early stage is challenging. Infrared thermography can be used for the physiological and anatomical evaluation of subcutaneous tissue abnormalities. A convolutional neural network is increasingly used in medical imaging analysis. What does this study add? The optimal cut-off values of the IRT-based model were 0·53 for identifying tissue damage 1 day before visual detection of pressure injury and 0·88 for pressure injury detection on the day visual detection is possible. Infrared thermography-based models can be used by clinical dermatologists and nurses to detect pressure injuries at an early stage objectively and accurately.


Reduction of exogenous vasopressin RNA poly(A) tail length increases its effectiveness in transiently correcting diabetes insipidus in the Brattleboro rat.
Magnocellular hypothalamic neurons in Brattleboro rats can accumulate, transport, and translate exogenous [Arg8]vasopressin (AVP) mRNA after injection in the hypothalamo-hypophysial tract in amounts sufficient to reverse transiently the animals' characteristic diabetes insipidus. In the present study, different preparations of hypothalamic RNA extracted from normal rats or synthetic AVP RNA were injected into the lateral hypothalamus of Brattleboro rats. Poly(A)- RNA and poly(A)+ RNA from which tails were removed by RNase H digestion were much more effective than poly(A)+ RNA in expressing AVP in the magnocellular hypothalamic neurons and in raising urine osmolarity. Synthetic AVP RNA lacking a poly(A) tail also produced a very potent dose-dependent diabetes insipidus reversal. Our results suggest that a short or absent poly(A) tail may facilitate the accumulation, transport, or expression of exogenous AVP mRNA by magnocellular neurons.


Dopaminergic innervation of the subthalamic nucleus in the normal state, in MPTP-treated monkeys, and in Parkinson's disease patients.
The existence of a dopaminergic innervation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) has been demonstrated in rats but has remained controversial in primates. The aim of the present study was first to demonstrate the existence of a dopaminergic innervation of the STN in monkeys using tracing methods and then to quantify the loss of dopaminergic fibers in the parkinsonian state in monkeys and humans. Following injection of Fluoro-Gold into the STN of a vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops), retrogradely labeled neurons were found to be scattered in all dopaminergic areas of the mesencephalon. Injection of biotin dextran amine into dopaminergic areas A8 and A9 of two monkeys resulted in anterogradely labeled axons located throughout the whole extent of the STN. Labeled axons that also expressed tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were reconstructed from serial sections. Some terminal axonal arborizations had profuse branching and occupied much of the STN, and others were restricted to small portions of the nucleus. In TH-immunoreactive sections, numerous sparse, fine, and varicose TH-positive fibers were observed in the STN of normal monkeys and humans. Quantification of these TH-positive fibers revealed a 51% loss of TH-positive fibers in MPTP-intoxicated monkeys and a 65% loss in Parkinson's disease patients compared with their respective controls. These findings demonstrate the existence of a dopaminergic innervation of the STN in primates. The loss of dopaminergic innervation in MPTP-intoxicated monkeys and in Parkinson's disease patients may directly affect the activity of STN neurons and could participate in the hyperactivity of the structure.


Niacin Attenuates Pulmonary Hypertension Through H-PGDS in Macrophages.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by progressive pulmonary vascular remodeling, accompanied by varying degrees of perivascular inflammation. Niacin, a commonly used lipid-lowering drug, possesses vasodilating and proresolution effects by promoting the release of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2). However, whether or not niacin confers protection against PAH pathogenesis is still unknown. This study aimed to determine whether or not niacin attenuates the development of PAH and, if so, to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying its effects. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor SU5416 and hypoxic exposure were used to induce pulmonary hypertension (PH) in rodents. We found that niacin attenuated the development of this hypoxia/SU5416-induced PH in mice and suppressed progression of monocrotaline-induced and hypoxia/SU5416-induced PH in rats through the reduction of pulmonary artery remodeling. Niacin boosted PGD2 generation in lung tissue, mainly through H-PGDS (hematopoietic PGD2 synthases). Deletion of H-PGDS, but not lipocalin-type PGDS, exacerbated the hypoxia/SU5416-induced PH in mice and abolished the protective effects of niacin against PAH. Moreover, H-PGDS was expressed dominantly in infiltrated macrophages in lungs of PH mice and patients with idiopathic PAH. Macrophage-specific deletion of H-PGDS markedly decreased PGD2 generation in lungs, aggravated hypoxia/SU5416-induced PH in mice, and attenuated the therapeutic effect of niacin on PAH. Niacin treatment ameliorates the progression of PAH through the suppression of vascular remodeling by stimulating H-PGDS-derived PGD2 release from macrophages.


The effects of type I collagen on bone defects and gene expression changes for osteogenesis: In a rat model.
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of type I collagen on bone defects and on genes specifically for osteogenesis in a rat model. Two millimeter drill hole bone defect was created in the femur of rats. In the experimental group, type I collagen was applied in bone defects whereas in control group defects were left empty. Inflammation, development of connective tissue, osteogenesis, and foreign body reaction parameters evaluated with histologically and genes evaluated by blood samples. In the experimental group, the histopathologically significant change was found in favor of bone healing only at the first week. A significant increase was found in genetic expressions of BMP-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, TGF-βRII, Smad-1, IL-6, BMPR-IA, BMPR-IB, Eng, BMPR-II, c-fos, Cdkn1a, Chrd, Gdf-5, Id-1, PDGF-β, IGF-1, Serpine-1, and TGF-βRI at the first hour. At the first, third, and sixth week, no significant increase was found in any of the gene expressions. Type I collagen is found to be effective in favor of bone healing through increased inflammatory cytokines and expression of BMP genes in the early stages of fracture healing.


Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt procedure complicated by liver capsule perforation. A case report.
A 29-year-old woman in childbed, presented with obstruction hydrocephalus due to a cerebellar spongioblastoma, was treated by ventriculo-peritoneal shunting. The peritoneal spring catheter used in this procedure caused a perforation of the liver capsule. The type and length of a catheter appropriate to such a case are discussed.


Adaptation of subpopulations of the Norway spruce needle endophyte Lophodermium piceae to the temperature regime.
Lophodermium piceae represents the most common Norway spruce needle endophyte. The aim of this study was to find out whether subpopulations of L. piceae in climatically different environments (in which Norway spruce occurs natively) are adapted to local thermal conditions. L. piceae's ability for thermal adaptation was investigated by determining growth rates of 163 isolates in vitro at four different temperatures: 2, 6, 20 and 25 °C. Isolates were obtained between 1995 and 2010 from apparently healthy needles sampled in Finland, Poland, Switzerland, Italy and southeastern Siberia. The sampling sites represent seven climatically distinct locations. Results were evaluated in relation to the age and geographic origin of the isolate, in addition to the highest and lowest average monthly temperature of the sampling location. We found a significant correlation between the growth rate and the age of the isolate at 25 °C. Variation in growth rates between subpopulations was low compared to within subpopulations. Only at 2 °C did statistically significant differences between the average growth rates of subpopulations emerge. These results suggest that L. piceae covers the whole distribution area of Norway spruce but that generally the thermal reaction norm of its subpopulations has not changed according to local temperature ranges, despite high contrast in thermal conditions across this vast area. Therefore, it would appear that the thermal environment is not a crucial factor in assessing the fitness of this fungal species within the native range of Norway spruce.


Bioavailability of orally administered cadmium and lead to the mother, fetus, and neonate during pregnancy and lactation: an overview.
An overview of pathways for bioavailability of cadmium and lead from diet to mother to fetus during pregnancy and to neonate during lactation is presented. Increased uptake and retention of cadmium by the mother during pregnancy and lactation occurs, with sequestration of cadmium in the maternal kidney, liver, placenta and mammary tissue; the fraction of maternal body burden transferred to the young is small. In contrast, a substantial portion of the lead absorbed from the diet by the mother during pregnancy and lactation is transferred to the fetus via the placenta and to the neonate via the milk.


Novel cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitors targeting human lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase (CYP51).
Novel cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitors, a group of pyridylethanol(phenylethyl)amine derivatives, were synthesized. Sterol profiling assay in the human hepatoma HepG2 cells revealed that compounds target human lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase (CYP51). Structure-activity relationship study of the binding with the overexpressed human CYP51 indicates that the pyridine binds within the heme binding pocket in an analogy with the azoles.


Glycogen and other soluble glucans from chytridiomycete and oomycete species.
Dry weight, protein, lipid, and glycogen were determined at various times during cultivation of the Chytridiomycetes, Rhizophydium sphaerotheca and Monoblepharella elongata. M. elongata had relatively stable levels of glycogen, but, in R. sphaerotheca, glycogen levels showed significant changes, particularly in older cultures in which a depletion of glycogen was accompanied by a marked thickening of the cell walls. Glycogen was a significant cellular constituent in both chytridiomycete species. In R. sphaerotheca and M. elongata, respectively, glycogen accounted for as much as 6% and 8.1% of the dry weight. In purified glycogens of both species, only alpha-1,4- and alpha-1,6-linked glucosyl residues were detected and the absorbance spectra of I2-complexes were similar to those of other well characterized glycogens. Purified Rhizophydium glycogen had a beta-amylolysis limit of 43%, and a CL of approximately 12. For the Monoblepharella polysaccharide, the respective values were 45% and 11. In extracts of the Oomycetes, Pythium debaryanum, Mindeniella spinospora, and Apodachlya sp., only beta-1,3- and beta-1,6-linked glucosyl residues were detected. These glucans were not iodophilic nor were they sensitive to alpha-amylase and beta-amylase. The properties of the oomycete polysaccharides suggested that they were similar to the mycolaminarans of Phytophthora spp. Although both investigated chytridiomycete species produced glycogen with typical properties, glycogen was apparently absent in the investigated Oomycetes.


Targeting Bim via a lncRNA Morrbid Regulates the Survival of Preleukemic and Leukemic Cells.
Inhibition of anti-apoptotic proteins BCL-2 and MCL-1 to release pro-apoptotic protein BIM and reactivate cell death could potentially be an efficient strategy for the treatment of leukemia. Here, we show that a lncRNA, MORRBID, a selective transcriptional repressor of BIM, is overexpressed in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is associated with poor overall survival. In both human and animal models, MORRBID hyperactivation correlates with two recurrent AML drivers, TET2 and FLT3ITD. Mice with individual mutations of Tet2 or Flt3ITD develop features of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), respectively, and combined presence results in AML. We observe increased levels of Morrbid in murine models of CMML, MPN, and AML. Functionally, loss of Morrbid in these models induces increased expression of Bim and cell death in immature and mature myeloid cells, which results in reduced infiltration of leukemic cells in tissues and prolongs the survival of AML mice.


Peripheral nerve grafts lacking viable Schwann cells fail to support central nervous system axonal regeneration.
Peripheral nerve grafts were implanted bilaterally into the diencephalon of adult hamsters. One graft segment contained both viable Schwann cells and their basal lamina tubes. The Schwann cell population in the second graft segment was killed by freezing prior to implantation. Seven weeks after graft implantations, the extracranial end of each graft segment was exposed, transected and labelled with a fluorescent tracer substance. One week after the labelling procedure each animal was perfused and the diencephalon and midbrain were examined. Ultrastructural analyses of both types of graft demonstrated the persistence of the Schwann cell-derived basal lamina tubes. Retrogradely labelled neurons were found in all cases in which an intact graft remained in place for two months, but were seen in only one case with a frozen graft. Large numbers of myelinated and unmyelinated axons were seen within the intact grafts, but no axons were found in the previously frozen grafts. These results indicate that lesioned CNS axons are able to regenerate vigorously when provided with an environment which includes viable Schwann cells. But, CNS axons regenerate less well, if at all, when Schwann cells are absent. Further, it appears that Schwann cell-derived basal lamina tubes, when isolated from their parent cells, are insufficient to initiate or sustain CNS axonal regeneration.


A comprehensive molecular interaction map for Hepatitis B virus and drug designing of a novel inhibitor for Hepatitis B X protein.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a leading source of liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In this study, we use computation methods in order to improve our understanding of the complex interactions that occur between molecules related to Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Due to the complexity of the disease and the numerous molecular players involved, we devised a method to construct a systemic network of interactions of the processes ongoing in patients affected by HBV. The network is based on high-throughput data, refined semi-automatically with carefully curated literature-based information. We find that some nodes in the network that prove to be topologically important, in particular HBx is also known to be important target protein used for the treatment of HBV. Therefore, HBx protein is the preferential choice for inhibition to stop the proteolytic processing. Hence, the 3D structure of HBx protein was downloaded from PDB. Ligands for the active site were designed using LIGBUILDER. The HBx protein's active site was explored to find out the critical interactions pattern for inhibitor binding using molecular docking methodology using AUTODOCK Vina. It should be noted that these predicted data should be validated using suitable assays for further consideration.


X-ray computed tomography datasets for forensic analysis of vertebrate fossils.
We describe X-ray computed tomography (CT) datasets from three specimens recovered from Early Cretaceous lakebeds of China that illustrate the forensic interpretation of CT imagery for paleontology. Fossil vertebrates from thinly bedded sediments often shatter upon discovery and are commonly repaired as amalgamated mosaics grouted to a solid backing slab of rock or plaster. Such methods are prone to inadvertent error and willful forgery, and once required potentially destructive methods to identify mistakes in reconstruction. CT is an efficient, nondestructive alternative that can disclose many clues about how a specimen was handled and repaired. These annotated datasets illustrate the power of CT in documenting specimen integrity and are intended as a reference in applying CT more broadly to evaluating the authenticity of comparable fossils.


Melatonin inhibits nitrate tolerance in isolated coronary arteries.
(1) The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that melatonin inhibits nitrate tolerance in coronary arteries. (2) Rings of porcine coronary arteries were suspended in organ chambers for isometric tension recording. Nitrate tolerance was induced by incubating the tissues with nitroglycerin (10(-4) M) for 90 min, followed by repeated rinsing for 1 h. Control rings that had not been exposed previously to nitroglycerin, but were otherwise treated identically, were studied simultaneously. The rings were contracted with U46619 (1-3 x 10(-9) M) and concentration-response curves to nitroglycerin (10(-9)-10(-4) M) were obtained. (3) Nitrate tolerance was evident by a 15- to 20-fold rightward shift in the concentration-response curve to nitroglycerin in rings with and without endothelium exposed previously to the drug for 90 min. Addition of melatonin (10(-9)-10(-7) M) to the organ chamber during the 90-min incubation period with nitroglycerin partially inhibited nitrate tolerance in coronary arteries with intact endothelium; however, melatonin had no effect on nitrate tolerance in coronary arteries without endothelium. (4) The effect of melatonin on nitrate tolerance in coronary arteries with endothelium was abolished by the melatonin receptor antagonist, S20928 (10(-6) M). In contrast to melatonin, the selective MT(3)-melatonin receptor agonist, 5-MCA-NAT (10(-8)-10(-7) M), had no effect on nitrate tolerance in coronary arteries. (5) The results demonstrate that melatonin, acting via specific melatonin receptors, inhibits nitrate tolerance in coronary arteries and that this effect is dependent on the presence of the vascular endothelium.


Reverse structure of carnosine-induced sedative and hypnotic effects in the chick under acute stress.
In the central nervous system, beta-alanine is thought to act as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, but the role or precise mechanism of beta-alanine in the brain has not been clearly defined. beta-Alanine is found in high levels in the chicken brain as a component of the dipeptides carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) and anserine, or as a free amino acid. We focused on the position of beta-alanine, i.e., at the carboxyl terminus. In Experiment 1, the central effects of glycyl-beta-alanine, L-histidyl-beta-alanine and L-valyl-beta-alanine were compared with a saline control in chicks. L-Histidyl-beta-alanine significantly induced sedative and hypnotic effects. In Experiment 2, the effects of carnosine, its reverse (L-histidyl-beta-alanine), and their combination were investigated. Central carnosine-induced hyperactivity while reverse carnosine-induced hypoactivity, and the behaviors were intermediate following the combination of the two peptides. Finally, the central effect of reverse carnosine was compared with beta-alanine alone and L-seryl-beta-alanine in Experiment 3. Reverse carnosine showed similar effects to beta-alanine. In conclusion, L-histidyl-beta-alanine not only has the reverse structure of carnosine, but also reverse function. Thus, we propose to name reverse carnosine (L-histidyl-beta-alanine) rev-carnosine.


Evaluating the impact of a service fee on patient compliance.
This paper addresses an evaluation of an administrative decision to change the manner in which services were paid for at a Student Health Center (SHC). The impact of the change in payment was observed through monitoring the number of scheduled appointments at the SHC which the patient failed to attend, reschedule, or cancel. The impact was assessed through a comparison of the weekly no-show rates from the year prior to the change in payment practices through the year following the change. A time-series statistical package was used to analyze the no-show data. Collateral measures on the number of students attending the university, staff opinions, and usage of the SHC by different student groups were collected. Evaluations of the impact of administrative decisions on health related behavior were discussed, in addition to a discussion of the usefulness of time-series models for this type of evaluation.


Portable X-ray fluorescence for environmental assessment of soils: Not just a point and shoot method.
Portable XRF is a rapid, mobile, high throughput, and potentially cost effective instrumental analytical technique capable of elemental assessment. It is widely used for environmental assessment of soils in a variety of contexts such as agriculture and pollution both in-situ and ex-situ, to varying levels of success. Portable XRF performance for soil analysis is often validated against wet chemistry techniques but a range of factors may give rise to elementally dependent disparities affecting accuracy and precision assessments. These include heterogeneity, analysis times, instrument stability during analyses, protective thin films, incident X-rays, sample thickness, sample width, analyte interferences, detector resolution, power source fluctuations and instrumental drift. Light elements comprising water and organic matter (i.e. carbon, oxygen) also negatively affect measurements due to X-ray scattering and attenuation. The often-overlooked phenomenon of variability in both soil organic matter and water can also affect soil density (e.g. shrink-swell clays) and thus sample critical thickness which in turn affects the effective volume of sample analyzed. Compounding this, for elements having lower characteristic fluorescence energy, effective volumes of analyses are lower and thus measurements may not be representative of the whole sample. Understanding the effects and interplay between determined elemental concentrations and soil organic matter, water, and critical thickness together with the subtlety of theoretical effective volumes of analyses will help analysts mitigate potential problems and assess the applicability, advantages and limitations of PXRF for a given site. We demonstrate that with careful consideration of these factors and a systematic approach to analysis which we summarize and present, PXRF can provide highly accurate results.


Fatal asthma in children: a nurse managed model for prevention.
In response to the rise in pediatric asthma-related deaths and the absence of guidance in the literature for prevention of such deaths, a nurse managed program was designed to prevent death in children at risk for death from asthma. Published guidelines for identification of children with life-threatening asthma were used to develop a comprehensive health care network designed to provide early, aggressive medical attention and rapid access to care for selected children. The program has been successful in assuring more aggressive and timely intervention for asthma attacks and there have been no deaths from lack of access to appropriate care since the program's inception.


Atractylenolides, essential components of Atractylodes-based traditional herbal medicines: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties.
The rhizome of the plant Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz is the major constituent of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Baizhu, frequently used to treat gastro-intestinal diseases. Many traditional medicine prescriptions based on Baizhu and the similar preparation Cangzhu are used in China, Korea and Japan as Qi-booster. These preparations contain atractylenolides, a small group of sesquiterpenoids endowed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Atractylenolides I, II and III also display significant anticancer properties, reviewed here. The capacity of AT-I/II/IIII to inhibit cell proliferation and to induce cancer cell death have been analyzed, together with their effects of angiogenesis, metastasis, cell differentiation and stemness. The immune-modulatory properties of ATs are discussed. AT-I has been tested clinically for the treatment of cancer-induced cachexia with encouraging results. ATs, alone or combined with cytotoxic drugs, could be useful to treat cancers or to reduce side effects of radio and chemotherapy. Several signaling pathways have been implicated in their multi-targeted mechanisms of action, in particular those involving the central regulators TLR4, NFκB and Nrf2. A drug-induced reduction of inflammatory cytokines production (TNFα, IL-6) also characterizes these molecules which are generally weakly cytotoxic and well tolerated in vivo. Inhibition of Janus kinases (notably JAK2 and JAK3 targeted by AT-I and AT-III, respectively) has been postulated. Information about their metabolism and toxicity are limited but the long-established traditional use of the Atractylodes and the diversity of anticancer effects reported with AT-I and AT-III should encourage further studies with these molecules and structurally related natural products.


Comparison of placement characteristics using two intraosseous devices in canine and feline cadavers by novice users.
Intraosseous (IO) catheterization enables rapid access to systemic circulation in critical patients. A battery-powered IO device (BPIO) utilized in veterinary practice is reliable in facilitating IO catheter placement. A new spring-powered IO device (SPIO) has been developed for people but has not been tested in veterinary patients. The goal of our study was to compare placement characteristics and flow rates achieved with the BPIO compared to the SPIO in animals when operated by novice users. Six veterinary students performed 72 catheterizations in the humeri and tibias of 12 dog and 6 cat cadavers. The user, cadaver, device, and site of placement were randomized. Flow rates were determined by three-minute infusions. In dogs, overall success rates (50% BPIO, 46% SPIO; p = 0.775) and flow rates based on location were similar between devices. Successful placement was faster on average with the BPIO (34.4 s for BPIO and 55.0 s for SPIO, p = 0.0392). However, time to successful placement between devices was not statistically significant based on location (humerus: 34.7 s for BPIO and 43.1 s for SPIO, p = 0.3329; tibia: 33.3 s for BPIO and 132.6 s for SPIO, p = 0.1153). In cats, success rates were similar between devices (16.7% for BPIO and 16.7% for SPIO, p = 1.000), but limited successful placements prevented further analysis. This is the first study to examine the use of the SPIO in animals, providing preliminary data for future IO studies and potential applications for training in the clinical setting.


Effects of free fatty acids, lysophosphatides and phospholipase treatment on lipid peroxidation of myocardial homogenates and membrane fractions.
The effects of various free fatty acids, lysophosphatides and phospholipase treatments on the enzymatic and the non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation capacities in the heart homogenates and subcellular fractions were studied. The results showed a dose related inhibition of both the enzymatic and non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation with free fatty acids. A significant inhibition occurred as early as at the concentration of 25-50 microM of several fatty acids both in homogenates and in organelle fractions. In general, the inhibition was greatest with cis-unsaturated, long-chain fatty acids. The inhibition was also induced by the pretreatment of the homogenates with phospholipase A2 but not with phospholipase C. The lysophosphatidyl cholines (16:0 and 18:1) had a stimulatory effect on the enzymatic lipid peroxidation capacity at the physiological concentrations. The results show that the stimulatory/inhibitory effect of various lipid amphiphiles on lipid peroxidation is strongly structure linked and the mitochondrial fraction is the most susceptible to the injury induced by lipid amphiphiles.


Diversity and persistence of MRSA and VRE in skilled nursing facilities: environmental screening, whole-genome sequencing and development of a dispersion index.
Environmental contamination with meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) may contribute to patient acquisition. This study assessed diversity and association of MRSA and VRE isolates in an SNF wing, and developed a mathematical index to define the tendency of each strain to persist in rooms and spread horizontally. This was a longitudinal study of MRSA and VRE colonization and contamination among successive patient occupancies in a cluster of nine SNF private rooms over 8 months, characterized by microbiological testing and whole-genome isolate typing. The 'dispersion index' of a strain was defined as the number of rooms in which it was found (including if it was found in the patient), divided by the average number of times it was found consecutively in the same room. MRSA (10 strain types) and VRE (seven types) were recovered from the room or patient in 16.4% and 35.6% of the occupancies, respectively. MRSA showed moderate horizontal spread and several episodes of same-room persistence (three distinct strain types) (overall dispersion index 1.08). VRE showed a high tendency towards horizontal spread/new introductions (overall dispersion index 3.25) and only one confirmed episode of persistence. The emerging picture of high diversity among contaminating strains and high likelihood of room persistence despite terminal cleaning (MRSA) and horizontal spread between rooms (VRE) in this setting calls for improved cleaning practices, heightened contact precautions and, most of all, establishment of individually tailored facility screening programmes to enable informed choices based on local, measurable and actionable epidemiologic parameters.


Vascular development and patterning: making the right choices.
The developing vascular system is regulated by a series of intrinsic and extrinsic signaling interactions that result in the formation and specialization of vessels that circulate blood and lymph around the body. Signaling molecules, such as vascular epithelial growth factors (VEGFs) and angiopoietins, that establish the cellular identity of the endothelial cells in the early embryo also play roles in establishing whether developing vessels will be arterial, venous or lymphatic. Genetic studies in zebrafish and mice have suggested a key role for Notch signaling, downstream of VEGF-A, in specifying arterial versus venous fate, and for VEGF-C and -D, along with the transcription factor, Prox1, in specifying lymphatic fate.


Mac-2 Binding Protein Glycosylation Isomer as a Prognostic Marker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Sustained Virological Response.
Mac2-binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) is a non-invasive marker for assessing liver fibrosis. This was a retrospective study investigating whether M2BPGi predicts recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy in patients with HCC who achieved a sustained virological response (SVR). We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathological factors from 60 patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC after achieving a SVR. We divided all patients into high M2BPGi and low M2BPGi groups and analyzed the clinicopathological and surgical outcomes. High M2BPGi (>1.54, n=23) was significantly associated with lower serum albumin, higher ICGR15, higher Fib-4 index, large blood loss, and worse recurrence-free survival compared to low M2BPGi (≤1.54, n=37). Multivariate analysis identified high M2BPGi and large tumor size as being associated with reduced recurrence-free survival. Multivariate analysis identified lower serum albumin, larger tumor size and higher DCP as associated with reduced overall survival. There was no difference regarding recurrence pattern. Preoperative M2BPGi is a useful biomarker for HCC recurrence after hepatectomy for SVR-HCC.


On the relevant model for the human electrocardiogram: the so called "imaginary cardiac vector hypothesis" - fact or illusion?
This paper evaluates the plausibility of the recently proposed "Imaginary cardiac vector" hypothesis, viz. that the cardiac vector is an imaginary scalar quantity, and thus not a true vector. The arguments presented in favour of this "Imaginary cardiac vector" hypothesis, do not in fact contradict vector theory, and are thus not crucial arguments. The actual values obtained by Einthoven, are examined vectorially, in order to demonstrate that his original analysis was fundamentally vectorial. Theoretical limitations imposed by the simplistic use of the equivalent dipole concept, are discussed.


Risk of acute cerebrovascular events related to low oestrogen oral contraceptive treatment.
To establish if an association exists between use of oral contraceptives (OC) and the occurrence of cerebral arterial thromboembolism, cerebral venous thrombosis and retinal vein/artery thrombosis, we identified all women aged 15-44 years resident in the province of Parma, Italy, who were hospitalized because of a documented cerebral or retinal thromboembolic event during the period 1989-1993. The numbers of users and nonusers of OC were estimated from drug sale data and demographic statistics for the province. There were 21 cases of cerebral arterial thromboembolism during the study period: 10 in OC users and 11 in nonusers, for an estimated incidence rate of 1.70 and 0.35 per 10,000 woman-years OC of use and nonuse, respectively (RR=4.8, 95% CI = 1.8-9.0). Eight cases of cerebral venous thrombosis were observed: 6 in OC users and 2 in nonusers (both in puerperium), for an incidence rate of 1.00 and 0.06 per 10,000 woman-years, respectively (RR=16.7, 95% CI = 3.3-81.4). Finally, 13 cases of retinal vein/artery thrombosis were found: 1 in OC users and 12 in nonusers, for an incidence rate of 0.17 and 0.37 per 10,000 woman-years, respectively (RR=0.46, 95% CI = 0.06-3.7). In our population study the use of low oestrogen OC was associated with an increased risk of cerebral venous thrombosis and ischemic stroke, but not of retinal vein/artery thrombosis.


Antibacterial activity of CuO-Ag Janus like nanoparticles against recombinant strain Escherichia coli.
The toxic action of CuO-Ag Janus particles and a bicomponent mixture of CuO and Ag particles have been studied against a recombinant strain Escherichia coli K12 TG1 with cloned luxCDABE genes of marine bacteria Photobacterium leiognathi 54D10. An original method was used for the preparation CuO-Ag Janus like nanoparticles by simultaneous electrical explosion of twisted Cu and Ag wires in a mixture of argon and oxygen gases. The bioluminescence inhibition on recombinant strain E. coli shows that CuO-Ag Janus NPs were effective. The concentration by 50% (EC50) for CuO-Ag Janus NPs was 0.03 ± 0.001 mg/ml (p < 0.05). The bioactivity of the bicomponent mixture of CuO and Ag NPs (EC50) was 0.25 ± 0.002 mg/ml (p < 0.05). The effective concentration of CuO-Ag Janus NPs against E. coli was comparatively lower than those of bicomponent mixture CuO and Ag against which explains the higher activity of CuO-Ag Janus NPs. The toxicity values of CuO and Ag as monocomponent nanoparticles were 2-32 times lower compared with the bicomponent nanoparticles. A dose-dependent inhibition of bacterial luminescence developed over time was noted. The result of contact E. coli with CuO-Ag Janus particles was 100% suppression of bacterial luminescence from the first minutes of contact occured starting with a content of 2.0 mg/ml and within the next 180 min. The effect of bioactivity prolonged in the final concentration of nanopowder (EC100 = 0.0625 ± 0.002 mg/ml) (p < 0.05). CuO-Ag Janus particles exhibited more pronounced antibacterial activity compared to CuO, Ag nanoparticles and their mechanical mixture.


Lipid-Coated Gold Nanoparticles Functionalized by Folic Acid as Gene Vectors for Targeted Gene Delivery in vitro and in vivo.
Lipid-based nanoparticles as gene vectors have attracted considerable attention for their high gene transfection efficiency and low cytotoxicity. In our previous work, we synthesized gold nanoparticles/dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DODAB)/dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) (GDD) as anionic lipid- and pH-sensitive gene vectors. To further realize targeted gene transfection, a series of gold nanoparticles/DODAB/DOPE/DOPE-folic acid (DOPE-FA) with various ratios of DOPE-FA were prepared and termed as GFn (for which n=1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, or 10.0 %). The gene transfection efficiency mediated by GF2.5 can reach about 85 % for MCF-7 (FA-receptor-positive cells), higher than those of the negative control (GDD, 35 %) and positive control (Lipofectamine 2000, 65 %). However, GF2.5 does not further promote gene transfection into A549 (FA-receptor-negative cells). The higher gene transfection efficiency for MCF-7 cells can be attributed to enhanced cellular uptake efficiency mediated by the FA targeting ability. Furthermore, GF2.5 was also found to accumulate at the specific tumor site and showed enhanced in vivo gene delivery ability. In addition, no significant harm was observed for the main tissues of the mice after treatment with GF2.5. Therefore, GF2.5, with the targeting ability and improved transfection efficiency, shows promise for its utility in gene therapy for tumor cells that overexpress FA receptors. We believe the results of this study will find more broad applications in gene therapy.


Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer function of Engleromyces goetzei Henn aqueous extract on human intestinal Caco-2 cells treated with t-BHP.
High body mass index (high BMI, obesity) is a serious public health problem, and "obesity-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer" have become modern epidemic diseases. We carried out this study to explore a functional beverage that may protect against obesity-induced diseases. The Engleromyces goetzei Henn herbal tea is such a candidate. For this study, we carried out LC-MS analysis of E. goetzei Henn aqueous extract (EgH-AE); then used the Caco-2 cell line for the model cells and treated the cells with t-BHP to form an oxidative stress system. An MTT assay was used for testing the biocompatibility and cytoprotective effects; reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde determination was used for evaluating the antioxidative stress effect; TNF-α and IL-1β were used for observing the anti-inflammatory effect, and 8-OHdG for monitoring anticancer activity. The results of this study demonstrate that the EgH-AE has very good biocompatibility with the Caco-2 cell line and has good cytoprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. It is clear that EgH-AE, a kind of ancient herbal tea, may be used to develop a functional beverage that can be given to people with a high BMI to protect against obesity-induced diseases.


Acute effects on pulmonary haemodynamics of nifedipine in adult patients with cystic fibrosis.
Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction is considered to be the primary cause of pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale in adult patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The acute effect on pulmonary haemodynamics of a single sublingual dose of nifedipine 20 mg has been studied in 9 adult patients with CF. Nifedipine significantly attenuated the rise in mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance induced by inhalation of a 13% oxygen gas mix. It also slightly reduced baseline pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance and lowered pulmonary artery hypertension in the patients. Oxygen delivery was unchanged. Nifedipine is potentially useful for the treatment of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in patients with CF.


Binuclear Cells in the Lactating Mammary Gland: New Insights on an Old Concept?
In a recent paper (Rios et al. Nat Commun. 7:11400, 2016), it was reported that polyploid cells are frequent in lactating mammary tissues. This phenomenon was observed in mammary tissue sampled from five separate mammalian species. According to that report, these binucleated cells occur late in pregnancy and early in lactation. Unfortunately, this paper did not mention a number of earlier observations and findings that remain pertinent to this day (Banerjee et al. Life sciences Pt 2: Biochemistry, general and molecular biology. 10(15):867-77, 1971; Banerjee MR, Wagner JE. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 49(2):480-7, 1972). In these classical experiments, the authors demonstrated in vivo that DNA synthesis continued without commensurate cell division during late pregnancy and lactation, and that this DNA synthesis was imperative for functional differentiation of the mammary epithelium. Later studies showed that DNA synthesis was indispensable to the induction of milk protein production in explant cultures of mammary tissue from unprimed, nulliparous mice. This dependence on DNA synthesis in mammary explant cultures stimulated by lactogenic hormones was found to be dispensable following a single pregnancy. The absolute requirement for DNA synthesis in nulliparous mouse mammary explants stimulated to synthesize milk protein in vitro has remained unexplained, as has the need for DNA synthesis prior to the onset of lactation. From a historical perspective, it is more likely that binuclear secretory cells in the lactating mammary gland are a consequence of the DNA synthesis requirement for lactation, rather than an essential element.


Clinical features and brain MRI volumetric changes in anti-mGluR5 encephalitis.
Anti-metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) encephalitis is a rare and under-recognized autoimmune encephalitis. This study is conducted to characterize its clinical and neuroimaging features. Twenty-nine patients with anti-mGluR5 encephalitis (15 new cases identified in this study and 14 previously reported cases) were included in this study and their clinical features were characterized. Brain MRI volumetric analysis using FreeSurfer software was performed in 9 new patients and compared with 25 healthy controls at both early (≤6 months of onset) and chronic (>1 year of onset) disease stages. The common clinical manifestations of anti-mGluR5 encephalitis included cognitive deficits (n = 21, 72.4%), behavioral and mood disturbances (n = 20, 69%), seizures (n = 16, 55.2%), and sleep disorder (n = 13, 44.8%). Tumors were observed in 7 patients. Brain MRI T2/FLAIR signal hyperintensities were observed predominantly in mesiotemporal and subcortical regions in 75.9% patients. MRI volumetric analysis demonstrated significant amygdala enlargement in both early and chronic disease stages compared to healthy controls (P < 0.001). Twenty-six patients had complete or partial recovery, one remained stable, one died and one was lost to follow-up. Our findings demonstrated that cognitive impairment, behavioral disturbance, seizures, and sleep disorder are the prominent clinical manifestations of anti-mGluR5 encephalitis. Most patients showed a good prognosis with full recovery, even in the paraneoplastic disease variants. The amygdala enlargement in the early and chronic disease stages is a distinct MRI feature, which exploratively offer a valuable perspective for the study of the disease processes.


Superficial Temporal Artery to Anterior Cerebral Artery Hemi-bonnet Bypass Using Radial Artery Graft for Prevention of Complications after Surgical Treatment of Partially Thrombosed Large/Giant Anterior Cerebral Artery Aneurysm.
Partially thrombosed large/giant aneurysm of the anterior cerebral artery is still challenging because this complex aneurysm requires arterial revascularization in the deep operation field. Therefore, direct neck clipping is often impossible. We describe our experiences with extracranial-intracranial bypass as an insurance bypass prior to clipping of partially thrombosed anterior cerebral artery aneurysms, and discuss the microsurgical technique and strategy. Consecutive, single-surgeon experience with the surgical treatment of partially thrombosed anterior cerebral artery aneurysms was retrospectively reviewed. Three cases of partially thrombosed anterior cerebral artery aneurysms, 2 anterior communicating artery aneurysms, and 1 postcommunicating artery (A2 segment of the anterior cerebral artery) aneurysm, presented as mass effect symptoms from giant aneurysms in 2 patients and incidentally discovered aneurysm in one patient. Superficial temporal artery-radial artery graft-anterior cerebral artery hemi-bonnet bypass was performed as an insurance bypass prior to clipping of the partially thrombosed anterior cerebral artery aneurysms. Complete aneurysm obliteration and bypass patency were demonstrated in all 3 patients. No neurological sequelae occurred. Superficial temporal artery-radial artery graft-anterior cerebral artery hemi-bonnet bypass prior to aneurysm dissection can avoid ischemic complication during temporary occlusion and secures permanent revascularization after complete obliteration of partially thrombosed large/giant anterior cerebral artery aneurysm.


Endoureterotomy as the initial management of concurrent ureteropelvic and ureterovesical junction obstruction after failed conservative therapy.
To present the results of our experience with endoureterotomy as the initial management of ureterovesical junction obstruction (UVJO) with coexisting primary or secondary obstruction at the ureteropelvic junction (UPJO) level. A total of 490 children with 561 ureterorenal units were referred to our center for further management of UVJO. Of these, 47 ureterorenal units had concomitant UPJO. All patients underwent endoureterotomy. Patients were monitored by performing clinical examinations, urine culture, ultrasonography, and radionuclide renal scan. Mean procedure time for endoureterotomy was 20 minutes (range, 14-33 minutes). No postoperative complications were observed. With a mean follow-up of 27 months, 39 of the 47 ureters with concomitancy (82.97%) showed resolution of both pathologies after the initial endoureterotomy, and 4 patients experienced resolution after redo endoureterotomy, with an overall success rate of 91.48%. Three ureterorenal units (6.38%) underwent further ureteral reimplantation. Pyeloplasty was performed on 3 ureterorenal units (6.38%), which led to complete resolution in all. Performing initial endoureterotomy for the management of UVJO concomitant with UPJO provides promising results in spontaneous resolution of UPJO and complete resolution or decrease in hydronephrosis and can be proposed as an effective and safe temporizing alternative in selected patients.


Application of the relative wavelet energy to heart rate independent detection of atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and a growing healthcare burden worldwide. It is often asymptomatic and may appear as episodes of very short duration; hence, the development of methods for its automatic detection is a challenging requirement to achieve early diagnosis and treatment strategies. The present work introduces a novel method exploiting the relative wavelet energy (RWE) to automatically detect AF episodes of a wide variety in length. The proposed method analyzes the atrial activity of the surface electrocardiogram (ECG), i.e., the TQ interval, thus being independent on the ventricular activity. To improve its performance under noisy recordings, signal averaging techniques were applied. The method's performance has been tested with synthesized recordings under different AF variable conditions, such as the heart rate, its variability, the atrial activity amplitude or the presence of noise. Next, the method was tested with real ECG recordings. Results proved that the RWE provided a robust automatic detection of AF under wide ranges of heart rates, atrial activity amplitudes as well as noisy recordings. Moreover, the method's detection delay proved to be shorter than most of previous works. A trade-off between detection delay and noise robustness was reached by averaging 15 TQ intervals. Under these conditions, AF was detected in less than 7 beats, with an accuracy higher than 90%, which is comparable to previous works. Unlike most of previous works, which were mainly based on quantifying the irregular ventricular response during AF, the proposed metric presents two major advantages. First, it can perform successfully even under heart rates with no variability. Second, it consists of a single metric, thus turning its clinical interpretation and real-time implementation easier than previous methods requiring combined indices under complex classifiers.


An unusual presentation of inhalation injury in a patient with high voltage electrical injury: A case report.
Electrical injuries comprise a minority of burn center admissions but are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This is a case of a patient who suffered high-voltage electrical injury who survived despite developing several sequalae, who had an unusual presentation of inhalation injury complicated by the aspiration of metal screws. This is a 20-year-old male who suffered electrical contact injury, and 45.5% total body surface area (TBSA) burns from electrothermal discharge and subsequent ignition of clothing, whose hospital course was complicated by rhabdomyolysis, compartment syndrome, renal failure, and inhalation injury. After cardiac arrest with successful defibrillation and intubation in the field, he was found to have metallic foreign bodies in his airway. Metal screws were retrieved using rigid bronchoscopy and lower extremity escharotomy was performed for compartment syndrome. He was placed on renal replacement therapy for persistent acidosis and severe rhabdomyolysis. On post-burn day (PBD) 3 he developed severe hypoxia and bronchoscopy showed evidence of inhalation injury. This was treated with protocolized nebulizer treatments, prone-positioning, early tracheostomy, and frequent bronchoscopy. Over his hospital course he required lower extremity amputation and numerous excision and grafting procedures. Ultimately, he exhibited renal and respiratory recovery. He was discharged on PBD 75 to a rehabilitation hospital. This case highlights that electrical injuries are associated with serious sequelae that can be overt or occult. Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for comorbid conditions with electrically injured patients given variable presentations and the need for prompt, aggressive, and complex management.


The Herniosina story continues in the Mediterranean: H.calabra sp. nov. from Calabria and H.erymantha Roháček, new female from the Peloponnese (Diptera, Sphaeroceridae).
A study of recently acquired material of Herniosina Roháček, 1983 (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae: Limosininae) in the Mediterranean subregion revealed a new species, H.calabra sp. nov. (Italy: Calabria: Serre Calabresi Mts) and the first females of H.erymantha Roháček, 2016 (Greece: southern Peloponnese: Taygetos Mts). Herniosinacalabra sp. nov. (both sexes) and the female of H.erymantha are described and illustrated in detail including structures of terminalia, their relationships are discussed and new information on their biology (habitat association) is given. An update of a key to all know species of Herniosina species is presented.


Photic driving response in primary headache: diagnostic value tested by discriminant analysis and artificial neural network classifiers.
The aim of this study was to discriminate migraine patients (MWoA) from tension-type headache (TTH) patients and normals in order to confirm that the photic driving response in the medium frequency range is a marker of migraine and to test the hypothesis that MWoA and TTH are separate disorders based on electrophysiological pattern. We recruited 120 MWoA patients, 64 TTH patients, and 51 healthy controls without any history of headache or of migraine inheritance, according to International Headache Society (IHS) criteria. The classification method was discriminant analysis using both linear discriminant analysis with a stepwise selection of predictors and an artificial neural network classifier (NNs). The mean amplitude of the first harmonic elicited by flash stimulation in the 15-27 Hz range was significantly increased over Fp1, C3, C4, P4, O2, and O1 electrodes in MWoA and TTH patients in comparison with normal subjects. Using both classification methods, only the control subjects were correctly distinguished. When only the patient groups were matched, no significant difference was detectable. The increased brain response to visual stimulation detected in both migraine and TTH suggests a common neuronal dysfunction in the two headache subtypes.


MicroRNA expression profiling analysis in serum for nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosis.
Circulating microRNAs have become reliable sources of non-invasive biomarkers for cancer diagnosis. miRNA expression analysis in blood circulation for the identification of novel signatures might assist the early detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. In the screening stage, the Exiqon miRNA qPCR panel was applied for the selection of candidate miRNAs. Serum samples taken from 208 NPC patients and 238 healthy donors (as normal controls (NCs)) were assigned to into the following three stages (training (30 NPC VS. 30 NCs), testing (138 NPC VS. 166 NCs) and external validation stage (40 NPC VS. 42 NCs)) for further confirmation of differently expressed miRNAs using qRT-PCR. The identified miRNA signatures were further explored in tissue specimens (48 NPC VS. 32 NCs) and serum-derived exosomes samples (32 NPC VS. 32 NCs). Five miRNAs in serum including let-7b-5p, miR-140-3p, miR-192-5p, miR-223-3p and miR-24-3p were found to be significantly up-regulated in NPC patients compared to NCs. The five identified miRNAs were further combined into one panel and the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) for three independent stages were 0.910 (training), 0.916 (testing) and 0.968 (external validation), respectively. miR-192-5p and miR-24-3p were consistently up-regulated in NPC tissues while let-7b-5p and miR-140-3p were conversely down-regulated. In serum-derived exosomes samples, no expression difference was observed between NPC patients and NCs. A five-miRNA signature was identified in serum to be potential biomarkers for NPC detection.


Colorimetric and SERS dual-mode detection of lead Ions based on Au-Ag core-shell nanospheres: featuring quick screening with ultra-high sensitivity.
A novel strategy for colorimetric and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) dual-mode sensing of the lead ions (Pb2+) was established based on gluconate ion (Gluc) modified and 2-Naphthalenethiol (2-NT) tagged Au-Ag core-shell nanoparticles (NPs). Due to the complex formation between adsorbed Gluc and Pb2+, the addition of Pb2+ can induce the aggregation of Gluc/2-NT@Au@Ag NPs. Correspondingly, the aggregated Gluc/2-NT@Au@Ag NPs caused a significant difference in the color and SERS intensity. As a result, such Gluc/2-NT@Au@Ag NPs can achieve the sensing of Pb2+ using both colorimetric and SERS signals as the indicator, which features with wide response range from 10-11 to 10-5 M, rapid screening and high sensitivity (with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.185 pM). Furthermore, such dual-mode sensor was demonstrated not to be responsive to other cations, and facilitate the sensing of real samples in practical environment. With rapid screening ability and outstanding sensitivity, we anticipate that this method would holding great potential for the applications in environmental monitoring.


Does a Person's Autism Play a Role in Their Interactions with Police: The Perceptions of Autistic Adults and Parent/Carers.
This study aimed to describe the impact that autistic characteristics (core features of autism and co-occurring conditions) have on interactions with police. Twelve autistic adults and 19 parent/carers were interviewed about interactions with police in the past 5 years. Using content analysis, it was found that in most (92.3%) interactions, autistic characteristics were described as having a role in the police interaction, either as a causal factor or more commonly by affecting the conduct of the interaction. In the latter case, the impact was associated with negative perceptions of the interaction. By sampling a more representative group across age, gender, functional abilities and context, this study provides insight into factors that underlie many autistic individual's reported dissatisfaction with police interactions.


The perirenal fat thickness was independently associated with serum uric acid level in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Obesity is an important risk factor for hyperuricemia. We aimed to explore the relationship between perirenal fat thickness (PrFT) and paranephric fat thickness (PnFT) and serum uric acid (SUA) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This was a cross-sectional study involving 257 patients with T2DM recruited from Beijing Luhe Hospital from September 2019 to May 2020. The basic and clinical information such as age, gender, duration of diabetes was collected through the medical records. All patients underwent a physical examination including height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, systolic blood pressures and diastolic blood pressure. The venous blood and urine samples were collected to measure SUA, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and glycosylated hemoglobin. PrFT and PnFT were measured via ultrasonography. Pearson correlation test and linear regression analysis were used to analyze the association between PrFT and PnFT and SUA. We found that PrFT and PnFT increased according to the tertiles of SUA level (P = 0.001 and P = 0.009, respectively). In addition, the PrFT and PnFT were positively associated with SUA level (r = 0.25, P < 0.001, r = 0.23, P < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, this association was stronger in males, non-obesity patients and patients with normal renal function. In the multivariate analysis, the PrFT was independently associated with SUA level after adjusting confounding factors. The PrFT was independently associated with SUA level in patients with T2DM.


Crohn's colitis: experience with segmental resections; results in a series of 84 patients.
Colonic Crohn's disease can be treated surgically by total colonic resection or by segmental colonic resection. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of patients treated by segmental colectomy for colonic Crohn's disease. Among 413 patients undergoing operations for Crohn's disease, 84 had a segmental colectomy (cases of terminal ileitis with limited cecal involvement were not included). Postoperative complications, mortality, recurrence, and functional results were studied. Eighty-four patients (51 women, 33 men), with a mean age of 34 years, underwent operation (right segmental colectomy: 55%; left segmental colectomy: 40%; associated right and left colectomy: 5%). A stoma was established in 27 patients (32%). Operative mortality was zero. Twelve patients (14%) had postoperative complications (including six cases of anastomotic leakage). The mean and median followup times were 111 and 104 months, respectively (range: 15 to 276 months) for the 82 patients with followup available. Thirty-six patients had to undergo reoperation, and the mean time to reoperation was 4.5 years. Twenty-six of these patients suffered colonic recurrence and were treated by total colectomy (n = 9) or new segmentary resection (n 17). The only factor that correlated with the risk of recurrence was youth. At the end of the study, 13 patients still had a stoma. Seventy-five percent of the patients without stoma had less than three bowel movements per day, and 80% were fully satisfied or satisfied, There is no evidence of a higher risk of postoperative complications, surgical recurrence, or the requirement of a permanent stoma in patients suffering from colonic Crohn's disease who are treated according to a "bowel-sparing policy" compared with patients treated with more extensive resections published in the literature. Prospective randomized studies are needed to validate this observation.


Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals different signatures of mesenchymal stromal cell pluripotent-like and multipotent populations.
Somatic stem cells are advantageous research targets for understanding the properties required to maintain stemness. Human bone marrow-mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) were separated into pluripotent-like SSEA-3(+) Muse cells (Muse-MSCs) and multipotent SSEA-3(-) MSCs (MSCs) and were subjected to single-cell RNA sequencing analysis. Compared with MSCs, Muse-MSCs exhibited higher expression levels of the p53 repressor MDM2; signal acceptance-related genes EGF, VEGF, PDGF, WNT, TGFB, INHB, and CSF; ribosomal protein; and glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. Conversely, MSCs had higher expression levels of FGF and ANGPT; Rho family and caveola-related genes; amino acid and cofactor metabolism; MHC class I/II, and lysosomal enzyme genes than Muse-MSCs. Unsupervised clustering further divided Muse-MSCs into two clusters stratified by the expression of cell cycle-related genes, and MSCs into three clusters stratified by the expression of cell cycle-, cytoskeleton-, and extracellular matrix-related genes. This study evaluating the differentiation ability of BM-MSC subpopulations provides intriguing insights for understanding stemness.


Chronic use of Datura stramonium cigarettes and late diagnosis of bullous emphysema in a smoker of marijuana and tobacco.
Unconventional inhaled therapy as a treatment for respiratory diseases became very common during the 19th century. Here, we present the case of a 52-year-old patient who smoked Datura stramonium cigarettes, tobacco cigarettes, and cannabis, with only an early diagnosis of asthma. The patient was admitted to our hospital with acute respiratory syndrome, characterized by worsening dyspnea, cough, and an acute episode of dyspnea and chest tightness. The combined chronic use of both D. stramonium cigarettes and cannabis masks the progression of chronic obstructive lung damage due to tobacco cigarette smoking because of the lack of clinical signs and symptoms.


Study on photocatalytic degradation of several volatile organic compounds.
The gas-phase photolytic and photocatalytic reactions of several aromatics and chlorohydrocarbons were investigated. The experimental results revealed that chlorohydrocarbons like trichloroethylene, dichloromethane and chloroform could be degraded through either photolysis or photocatalysis under irradiation of germicidal lamp, and the elimination rate of chlorohydrocarbons through photolysis was quicker than that through photocatalysis. UV light from a germicidal lamp could directly lead to degradation of toluene but could hardly act on benzene. The photodegradation rate for these volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through photolysis followed an order: trichloroethylene>chloroform>dichloromethane>toluene>benzene>carbon tetrachloride, and through photocatalysis followed: trichloroethylene>chloroform>toluene>dichloromethane>benzene>carbon tetrachloride. Besides, a series of modified TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by depositing noble metal, doping with transition metal ion, recombining with metal oxides and modifying with super strong acid. Activity of these catalysts was examined upon photocatalytic degradation of benzene as a typical compound that was hard to be degraded. It indicated that these modification methods could promote the activity of TiO2 catalyst to different extent. The apparent zero-order reaction rate constant for degrading benzene over SnO2/TiO2 catalyst had the highest value, which was nearly three times as that over P25 TiO2. But it simultaneously had the lowest rate for mineralizing the objective compound. In spite that Fe3+/TiO2 catalyst behaved slightly less active than SnO2/TiO2 for degradation of benzene, the mineralization rate over Fe3+/TiO2 was the highest one among the prepared catalysts.


Elevated plasma total homocysteine levels in hyperinsulinemic obese subjects.
Homocysteine has been associated with the oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Oxidative stress caused by triglycerides and free fatty acids is known to cause insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. On the other hand, insulin resistance may increase homocysteine levels. Since obesity is associated with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, we aimed to study the possible association of homocysteine with hyperinsulinemia in obese subjects. 20 obese male subjects (body mass index >29), aged 33--55 (mean 45 years old) were studied. A fasting blood sample was obtained for the study and the subjects undertook an oral glucose tolerance test with samples taken at 1 and 2 h after glucose. Subjects were divided in two groups according to the fasting insulin levels, < 9 &mgr;U/ml or normoinsulinemic (group 1) and >9 &mgr;U/ml or hyperinsulinemic (group 2). Glucose, insulin, homocysteine, folate, B(12,) total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides levels were determined in fasting blood samples. In oral glucose tolerance test, glucose, insulin and homocysteine levels were measured. Hyperinsulinemic obese subjects (group 2) had higher levels of insulin and glucose at 1 h and 2 h postglucose, compared with group 1. Fasting total homocysteine and triglyceride levels were also increased in this group, whereas folate and B(12) levels were similar in both groups. Fasting homocysteine significantly correlated with fasting insulin (r = 0.6, p <0.01). Homocysteine levels slightly but significantly decreased after glucose loading in normoinsulinemic but not in hyperinsulinemic obese subjects. These results show that higher homocysteine levels are observed in the hyperinsulinemic obese subjects and suggest that homocysteine could play a role in the higher risk of cardiovascular disease in obesity.


The cytological and clinical value of the thyroid "follicular lesion".
The main limitation of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is its limited distinction between neoplastic and benign lesions. We summarize our experience with thyroid nodules that were defined as follicular lesions by comparing the clinical and cytological features of the thyroid follicular lesions that were examined histologically to define the most reliable criteria of malignancy. The medical records of all patients who underwent thyroid aspiration at Rabin Medical Center from 1999 to 2000 were reviewed for a diagnosis of follicular lesion that warranted surgery (N = 58). The cytology and pathology reports of the patients who met these criteria were reviewed and compared with the original reports. The incidence of malignancy in follicular lesions of the thyroid is about 26%. There was a significant correlation between a histologic diagnosis of carcinoma and the cytologic findings of nuclear grooves (P =.041), solid arrangement (P =.019), hypercellularity (P =.01), and hypercellularity to colloid amount ratio (P =.016). Nodular size was predictive of malignancy. No correlation was found between patient age or gender and tendency toward malignancy. The combination of cytological characteristics and the size of the nodule aspirate are predictive values of malignancy. We believe that every follicular lesion should be excised to obtain a definitive histological diagnosis based on capsular or vascular invasion.


Apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptide helix number and helix linker influence potentially anti-atherogenic properties.
We hypothesize that apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) mimetic peptides better mimicking the punctuated alpha-helical repeats of full-length apoA-I are more anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic. This study compares a monomeric apoA-I mimetic helix to three different tandem helix peptides in vitro: 4F (18 mer), 4F-proline-4F (37 mer, Pro), 4F-alanine-4F (37 mer, Ala), and 4F-KVEPLRA-4F [the human apoA-I 4/5 interhelical sequence (IHS), 43 mer]. All peptides cleared turbid lipid suspensions, with 4F being most effective. In contrast to lipid clearance, tandem peptides were more effective at remodeling mouse HDL. All four peptides displaced apoA-I and apoE from the HDL, leaving a larger particle containing apoA-II and peptide. Peptide-remodeled HDL particles show no deficit in ABCG1 cholesterol efflux despite the loss of the majority of apoA-I. Tandem peptides show greater ability to efflux cholesterol from lipid-loaded murine macrophages, compared with 4F. Although 4F inhibited oxidation of purified mouse LDL, the Ala tandem peptide increased oxidation. We compared several tandem 4F-based peptides with monomeric 4F in assays that correlated with suggested anti-inflammatory/anti-atherogenic pathways. Tandem 4F-based peptides, which better mimic full-length apoA-I, exceed monomeric 4F in HDL remodeling and cholesterol efflux but not LDL oxidation protection. In addition, apoA-I mimetic peptides may increase reverse cholesterol transport through both ABCA1 as well as ABCG1 pathways.


CD117 (KIT) is a useful immunohistochemical marker for differentiating porocarcinoma from squamous cell carcinoma.
Distinguishing porocarcinoma from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is clinically significant but can pose a diagnostic dilemma. The present study sought to confirm the diagnostic utility of CD117 immunohistochemistry in distinguishing porocarcinoma from SCC and to examine histologic, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) immunohistochemical and CA19-9 immunohistochemical differences between these tumors. Immunostaining with anti-CD117, anti-CEA and anti-CA19-9 antibodies was performed for 22 porocarcinomas and 31 SCCs. The extent of CD117, CEA and CA19-9 staining was classified as negative (<1%), rarely positive (1-4%), focally positive (5-29%) or diffusely positive (30-100%). CD117 staining intensity was semi-quantitatively graded as weak, moderate or strong. All (100%) porocarcinomas were positive for CD117, with mainly focal (8/22) or diffuse (11/22) and moderate (9/22) to strong (8/22) staining. In contrast, only 6 of 31 SCCs (19.4%) expressed CD117 focally, and this expression was limited to the basal layer of the tumor in four cases. CEA immunostaining highlighted the lumina of all 22 porocarcinomas; however, CEA expression was not significantly different between porocarcinomas and SCCs (100 vs. 71.0%, respectively). CA19-9 was not expressed in the lumina of 5 of 22 porocarcinomas. Along with CEA, CD117 immunohistochemistry could be helpful in distinguishing porocarcinomas from SCCs.


Accessibility of the three-year comprehensive prevention and control of brucellosis in Ningxia: a mathematical modeling study.
Brucellosis is a chronic zoonotic disease, and Ningxia is one of the high prevalence regions in China. To mitigate the spread of brucellosis, the government of Ningxia has implemented a comprehensive prevention and control plan (2022-2024). It is meaningful to quantitatively evaluate the accessibility of this strategy. Based on the transmission characteristics of brucellosis in Ningxia, we propose a dynamical model of sheep-human-environment, which coupling with the stage structure of sheep and indirect environmental transmission. We first calculate the basic reproduction number [Formula: see text] and use the model to fit the data of human brucellosis. Then, three widely applied control strategies of brucellosis in Ningxia, that is, slaughtering of sicked sheep, health education to high risk practitioners, and immunization of adult sheep, are evaluated. The basic reproduction number is calculated as [Formula: see text], indicating that human brucellosis will persist. The model has a good alignment with the human brucellosis data. The quantitative accessibility evaluation results show that current brucellosis control strategy may not reach the goal on time. "Ningxia Brucellosis Prevention and Control Special Three-Year Action Implementation Plan (2022-2024)" will be achieved in 2024 when increasing slaughtering rate [Formula: see text] by 30[Formula: see text], increasing health education to reduce [Formula: see text] to 50[Formula: see text], and an increase of immunization rate of adult sheep [Formula: see text] by 40[Formula: see text]. The results demonstrate that the comprehensive control measures are the most effective for brucellosis control, and it is necessary to further strengthen the multi-sectoral joint mechanism and adopt integrated measures to prevention and control brucellosis. These results can provide a reliable quantitative basis for further optimizing the prevention and control strategy of brucellosis in Ningxia.


Inhaled nitric oxide therapy in children.
Inhaled nitric oxide therapy improves oxygenation and reduces the need for treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in term newborns with hypoxaemic respiratory failure and persistent pulmonary hypertension. In this review, we summarise the current status of iNO therapy in the newborn and the potential role of iNO in other paediatric populations.


Irradiation in relapsing carcinoma of the prostate.
Radiation therapy plays a major role in the management of patients with either locally recurrent or metastatic carcinoma of the prostate. In 23 patients with isolated postprostatectomy local recurrences treated with doses of 60-65 Gy, 17 (74%) had tumor control, and 45% survived relapse-free for 5 years after treatment of the recurrence. Pelvic irradiation has been used to treat patients with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels after radical prostatectomy. This was tried, and 17 of 24 patients (70%) showed a significant decrease in PSA levels after irradiation, in five without subsequent elevation. Two of the seven patients with elevated PSA levels later had distant metastases. Local irradiation has been reported to yield excellent relief of symptoms in 100% of patients with hematuria, 80% with urinary outflow obstruction, and 50-70% with ureteral obstruction or pelvic pain secondary to locally advanced prostatic carcinoma. Reirradiation, particularly with brachytherapy (in preliminary studies combined with hyperthermia) has been used in the management of postirradiation prostatic recurrences with satisfactory tumor regression in approximately 75% of patients. The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) reported on the palliative effects of external irradiation on patients with bony metastasis. Approximately 54% of such patients had complete relief, and 29% had partial relief of bone pain. However, the retreatment rate of the bony metastasis was lower in the patients receiving higher doses. In a RTOG protocol in which all patients received local irradiation for osseous metastases, 77 were randomized to receive elective hemibody irradiation and 69, local treatment only. The frequency of additional treatment at 1 year was lower in the hemibody irradiation group (54% versus 78%). Occasionally, brain, mediastinal, or liver metastasis can be treated with irradiation. Radioactive phosphorus-32 or strontium-89 has been administered for disseminated bony metastasis with improvement of bone pain in approximately 70-80% of treated patients. The role of irradiation in the treatment of spinal cord compression is discussed. Significant improvement of neurologic function has been reported in 36-60% of the patients, depending on severity of deficit and promptness in instituting emergency treatment.


Technetium species induced in maize as measured by phosphorimager.
Leaves of plants have the ability to accumulate the long-lived fission product (99)Tc. In the present work, an attempt was made to separate and characterize technetium species formed in maize grown on soil contaminated with Tc(VII)O(4)(-) solution. Data obtained from selective extraction, a Phosphorimager and liquid scintillation were employed.


Quantitation of C3 nephritic factor of alternative complement pathway by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
We have developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the quantitation of C3 nephritic factor of the alternative pathway of complement (NeFA). Incubation of the NeFA-positive serum (patient KS serum) with normal human serum (NHS) in Mg-EGTA resulted in the formation of C3-B-IgG complex. No complex was formed in EDTA. At first this was detected as three types of complexes: C3-IgG, B-IgG and B-C3, by the combination of antibodies. The reaction mixture in Mg-EGTA was filtered through an ACA 22 column, from which the complexes were eluted in the same part as the first protein peak. When IgG purified from KS serum was incubated with NHS in Mg-EGTA, B-C3 complex increased in proportion to the dose of IgG. These results indicated that only one kind of complex consisting of IgG, C3 and B (IgG-C3-B) was generated by the addition of NeFA to NHS. Serum NeFA could be quantified as the titer of B-C3 complex formed after its incubation with NHS in Mg-EGTA. Using the ELISA method, NeFA was positive in five out of six patients with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) type II and in only one of 17 with MPGN type I. Titers obtained by the new method were in good accordance with those by C3 conversion and C3bBb stabilization assays for NeFA, and the new method was more exact and simple than the conventional methods.


Distrust in health care and cultural factors are associated with uptake of colorectal cancer screening in Hispanic and Asian Americans.
There are racial/ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, including lower uptake rates among Hispanic Americans (HAs) and Asian Americans (AAs) relative to non-Hispanic white Americans. The objective of this study was to explore pathways associated with the use of health services and to characterize multifaceted associations with the uptake of CRC screening among HAs and AAs. Data were obtained from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2012-2013). Participants included HA (n = 3731) and AA (n = 1345) respondents ages 50 to 75 years who met CRC screening recommendations. A modified Andersen behavioral model was used to examine pathways that lead to CRC screening uptake, including predisposing characteristics (education, economic, and cultural factors), health insurance, health needs (perceived health status and several comorbidities), and health provider contextual factors (access to care, perceived quality of health services, and distrust in health care). Structural equation modeling was used to examine the models for HAs and AAs. In the HA model, cultural factors (standardized regression coefficient [β] = -0.04; P = .013) and distrust in health care (β = -0.05; P = .007) directly and negatively affected CRC screening. Similarly, cultural factors (β = -0.11; P = .002) negatively affected CRC screening in the AA model, but distrust in health care was not significant (P = .103). In both models, perceived quality of health services was positively associated with CRC screening uptake and mediated the negative association between cultural factors and CRC screening. Access to care was not associated with CRC screening. Correlations between CRC screening and associated factors differ among HAs and AAs, suggesting a need for multilevel interventions tailored to race/ethnicity. The current findings suggest that facilitating access to care without improving perceived quality of health services may be ineffective for increasing the uptake of CRC screening among HAs and AAs. Cancer 2018;124:335-45. © 2017 American Cancer Society.


Virulence and thrombocyte affectation of two Aspergillus terreus isolates differing in amphotericin B susceptibility.
Aspergillus terreus-induced invasive infections exhibit high lethality, partly due to the intrinsic resistance for amphotericin B (AmB). We compared the virulence and pathogenesis of an AmB-resistant isolate of A. terreus (ATR) with that of a rare variant showing enhanced sensitivity for AMB (ATS). The modifications that result in enhanced AmB sensitivity of isolates are not associated with reduced virulence in vivo; instead, the ATS-infected mice died even faster than the ATR-infected animals. Since A. terreus enters the blood stream in most patients and frequently induces thrombosis, we studied a putative correlation between virulence of the two A. terreus isolates and their effect on thrombocytes. Those mice infected with the more virulent ATS isolate had lower thrombocyte numbers and more phosphatidylserine exposure on platelets than ATR-infected mice. In vitro experiments confirmed that ATS and ATR differ in their effect on thrombocytes. Conidia, aleurioconidia and hyphae of ATS were more potent than ATR to trigger thrombocyte stimulation, and thrombocytes adhered better to ATS than to ATR fungal structures. Furthermore, ATS secreted more soluble factors that triggered platelet stimulation than ATR. Thus, it might be suggested that the capacity of a fungal isolate to modulate thrombocyte parameters contributes to its virulence in vivo.


PC12 cells as a model for studies of regulated secretion in neuronal and endocrine cells.
Pheochromocytoma-derived cell lines such as PC12 cells maintain a differentiated neuroendocrine phenotype and have been widely used as a convenient model system for a wide variety of cell biological studies on neurotrophin action, monoamine biogenesis, protein trafficking, and secretory vesicle dynamics. This chapter reviews a number of methods that are useful for studies of the regulated dense core vesicle secretory pathway. This includes protocols for maintaining cells and preserving their phenotype. A variety of assays are discussed for monitoring secretion in intact or permeable cells and in transfected cells. Specific methods for immunocytochemical studies in permeable cells are discussed. Finally, protocols for high-efficiency PC12 cell transfections and the isolation of stably transfected cell lines are provided.


Vascularized free fibula flap oral rehabilitation using tissue engineered mucosa: Report of 3 cases.
The aim of this report is to introduce the use of the dermal substitute Integra® in the context of free fibula flap prelamination for mandibular reconstruction. Three cases of mandibular reconstruction with prefabricated and Integra-prelaminated vascularized fibula flaps are reported in this article. The patients reported in this case series presented with the following tumours: an extensive cemento-ossyfying fibroma, a multicystic ameloblastoma and an extensive calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumour. Virtual three-dimensional (3D) planning and 3D-printed cutting guides were used for the mandibulectomies, the flap harvest and the positioning of the implants. The dermal substitute Integra was used for prelamination instead of skin grafts. Treatment of all 3 patients was performed in two stages; the first consisted of the fibula prefabrication (dental implant insertion) and prelamination, and the second consisted of tumor resection and reconstruction with the vascularized implant-bearing fibula flap. Integra was shown to be able to generate complete mucosa-like tissue over the fibula flaps and in the peri-implant areas. The patients have been followed up for 1, 3 and 7 years, respectively, with satisfactory prosthetic, functional and aesthetic results. None of the patients developed peri-implant disease. It was observed that prelamination with the dermal substitute Integra leads to development of mucosal lining with clinical features similar to oral mucosa. In this report of three cases, use of Integra as part of the prelamination and prefabrication process, instead of skin grafts, appears able to clinically generate mucosal lining with avoidance of skin grafts.


Is Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes Latency Influenced by Single Versus Multiple Agent Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Group B Streptococcus Positive Women Delivering Preterm?
To evaluate the influence of antibiotic regimen on the duration of latency (time from preterm pre-labour rupture of membranes [PPROM] to delivery) and significant infectious neonatal morbidity from rupture of membranes to delivery < 37 weeks' gestational age in women known to be group B Streptococcus (GBS) positive. We obtained data from the Nova Scotia Atlee Perinatal Database. In a retrospective, cohort, population-based study, we included pregnancies complicated by PPROM but excluded pregnancies in this group requiring immediate delivery. The cohort was categorized by antibiotic regimen (single vs. multiple agents) and we compared latency and adverse neonatal outcomes according to antibiotic regimen used. Summary characteristics were compared using chi-square analysis with significance < 0.05. Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and mean differences for all outcomes and to account for confounding variables. From 1988 to 2011, the potential study population was 119 158 pregnancies. In total, 3435 deliveries were identified to be PPROM (3%). Of these, 303 mother-baby pairs (9%) were known to be GBS positive by urine or swab culture. Adjusted comparisons of latency and neonatal sepsis showed no difference according to antibiotic regimen (P > 0.05). The 2013 SOGC guideline on GBS prophylaxis recommends antibiotic therapy in women with PPROM for both latency and prevention of GBS-related neonatal sepsis. This clinically relevant evaluation in a select preterm group demonstrated that type of antibiotic regimen did not influence either latency with PPROM and GBS positive culture or rates of neonatal sepsis. Ongoing evaluation of serious neonatal outcomes is essential in view of this new recommendation.