The influence of improved glycaemic control with chlorpropamide on microvascular reactivity and nitric oxide synthase activity in diabetic rats.
Hyperglycaemia is a primary cause of vascular complications in diabetes. A hallmark of these vascular complications is endothelial cell dysfunction, which is partly due to reduced production of nitric oxide. The aim of this study was to verify the influence of improved glycaemic control with chlorpropamide on microvascular reactivity, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (e-NOS) expression, and NOS activity in neonatal streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (n-STZ). Diabetes was induced by STZ injection into neonates Wistar rats. n-STZ diabetic rats were treated with chlorpropamide (200 mg kg(-1), 15 days, by gavage). The changes in mesenteric arteriolar and venular diameters were determined in anaesthetized control and n-STZ diabetic rats, before and after topical application of acetylcholine, bradykinin and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). We also assessed e-NOS expression (using polymerase chain reaction after reverse transcription of mRNAs into cDNAs) and NOS activity (conversion of L-arginine to citrulline) in the mesenteric vascular bed of chlorpropamide-treated n-STZ, vehicle-treated n-STZ, and control rats. In n-STZ, chlorpropamide treatment reduced high glycaemic levels, improved glucose tolerance and homoeostatic model assessment (HOMA-beta), and restored NOS activity. Impaired vasodilator responses of arterioles and venules to acetylcholine, bradykinin and SNP were partially corrected by chlorpropamide treatment in n-STZ. We concluded that improved metabolic control and restored NOS activity might be collaborating with improved microvascular reactivity found in chlorpropamide-treated n-STZ.


Vasodilatory activity of human quercitin metabolites.
A large number of studies confirmed antihypertensive effect of quercetin. However, due to its low bioavailability, the mechanism of action has been remaining vague and is not likely associated with its antioxidant effect. This study was designed to determinate if quercetin metabolites might be responsible for the activity. During the in vitro study, the vasorelaxant potency of different quercetin metabolites including small phenolic acids formed by bacterial microflora was tested. Metabolites at concentration 10(-7) to 10(-3) M were tested for relaxation of rat thoracic aorta rings precontracted by phenylephrine. Subsequently the most active structure was selected for in vivo experiments, when the effect on blood pressure and heart rate was monitored after i.v. administration in dose range from 0,2mg/kg to 25mg/kg. The most active structure, 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid, initiated vasorelaxation in concentration of 100nM while quercetin at 500nM. The major quercetin metabolite formed by human enzymes, 3-glucuronide, was almost inactive. During the in vivo study the 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid decreased systolic blood pressure even at dose of 1mg/kg without having an effect on heart rate at this dose. In conclusion, some of quercetin metabolites may have be partly responsible for vasorelaxant activity of orally administered quercetin.


The epidemiology of sleep related breathing disorder in children.
An epidemiological study of sleep obstruction and its orthodontic consequences is under way on a cohort (500) of 4-year-old children. The parents are asked about the child's snoring, sleep apnea, sucking habits, infections and 'genetic clues'. Dental casts have been made from the first 100 children and the group of children who snore are being compared to the non-snorers. A sleep study, a lateral cephalogram and dental casts are done on all snorers in the cohort. Preliminary results show that 6.2% snore every night by age 4 and another 18% when infected. More children use pacifiers among the snorers than in the non-snoring group (60% vs. 35%). Tonsillar angina is 3 times more common in the snorer group and twice as many of their parents have been adenoidectomized (A) and/or tonsillectomized (T). The dental casts show a significant difference in width of the maxilla and length of the mandible. The children are treated for their breathing obstruction with A or A+T. Two years later, the same cohort will be examined again. The prevalence of snoring and sleep apnea among 4-year-olds will be known as will whether and how treatment for breathing obstruction influences facial development.


Fabrication of a gradient AZ91-bioactive glass composite with good biodegradability.
This study used friction stir-back extrusion to fabricate the AZ91 + 3 wt% bioactive glass gradient composite wire. The microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of a material in a simulated body fluid were investigated. Three 2-mm diameter holes with varying hole patterns were drilled in the cross-section of the AZ91 rod to apply 3 wt % bioactive glass to the AZ91 matrix. The results demonstrated that the hole pattern strongly influenced the material's flow in the extruded wire's cross-section. By increasing the distance between the center of the initial rod and the center of the holes, a higher temperature and more uniform distribution of plastic strain are formed during friction stir back extrusion, resulting in uniform distribution of bioactive glass particles and α + β eutectic structure near the surface of composite wires. Introducing bioactive glass particles into the zone near the surface of the AZ91 rod results in the formation of a uniform distribution of bioactive glass particles near the surface and their absence in the central zone of the composite wire. A higher amount of discontinuous β-Mg17Al12 phase and α + β eutectic formed at the grain boundaries by increasing the temperature and plastic strain during friction stir-back extrusion. The crystallographic texture of the AZ91 rod changed from prismatic to basal and pyramidal due to the friction stir-back extrusion method. A gradient AZ91-bioactive glass composite wire with ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and corrosion resistance 58, 64, 62, and 34%, respectively, greater than AZ91 as-cat rod can be produced by inserting bioactive glass powder using a hole drilling method and applying a friction stir back extrusion process.


Virus-specific CD8⁺ T-cells detected in PBMC from horses vaccinated against African horse sickness virus.
African horsesickness (AHS) is an infectious but noncontagious viral disease affecting all species of Equidae. The recall immune response of AHSV naïve horses immunised with an attenuated African horsesickness virus serotype 4 (AHSV4) was characterised using immune assays including ELISPOT, real-time PCR (qPCR) and flow cytometry. The recall immune response detected in PBMC isolated from three inoculated horses showed an upregulation of circulating B lymphocytes that correlated with elevated IL-4 mRNA expression indicative of humoral immunity, but reduced frequency of CD4⁺ cells. In addition to the expected antibody response, an increase in CD8⁺ cells was also detected. Although these CD8⁺ cells may be CTL, the role of these cells in immunity against AHSV still has to be determined.


Contrast-enhanced 3D ultrasonography in minute hepatocellular carcinoma.
The study aimed to clarify whether contrast-enhanced (CE) three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography (US) can depict characteristic hyperstain and washout patterns in minute nodules ≤10 mm of hepatocellular carcinoma (minute HCC), and whether it serves as a potent diagnostic modality. CE 3D US was carried out to depict hyperstain and washout of a solitary nodule ≤10 mm in patients with liver cirrhosis. When both patterns were depicted with success, CE computed tomography (CT) and CE magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were also carried out as part of a comparative study, and then a histological specimen was obtained by needle biopsy. The final diagnosis was based on the histopathological findings and a follow-up on the growth of nodules. All 12 minute nodules exhibiting hyperstain and washout showed evidence of HCC when examined by CE 3D US. The CE CT and CE MRI examinations could depict both of these patterns, characteristic of HCC, in most of the nodules but rather less successfully than CE 3D US. CE 3D US can depict hyperstain and washout patterns in minute HCC and serves as a potent modality for diagnosis.


The effect of left ventricular size on right ventricular hemodynamics in pediatric survivors with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
Outcome status in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is partially dependent on right ventricular (RV) systolic function. In other disease states, ventricular function is impacted by anatomy and physiology of the contralateral ventricle. In HLHS, it is suggested that a relatively larger left ventricular (LV) size may negatively impact RV function because it becomes a "passenger" without providing any systolic or diastolic physiologic benefit. The purpose of this study was to determine whether LV size adversely affects RV systolic function in surviving patients with HLHS. The hospital database was searched for all patients with HLHS and technically adequate echocardiograms born in the last 6 years and who had survived at least the Norwood procedure. LV size was assessed by echocardiographic measurement of LV end-diastolic short-axis and apical area. RV function was assessed by short-axis and apical fractional area change as well as the myocardial performance index (Tei). Measurements were made at up to 4 time points depending on duration of follow-up (1 - pre-Norwood; 2 - pre-Glenn; 3 - pre-Fontan; and 4- post-Fontan). A total of 48 patients were studied. LV size showed sufficient variability in the patient population (1.0-21 cm(2)/body surface area, pre-Norwood). RV function tended to worsen across the time periods but these changes did not reach statistical significance. Regression analysis showed no effect of LV size on RV function before Norwood operation. Significant correlations existed between LV size indices and RV functional indices before Glenn shunt but these were inconsistent in the direction of their effect. Only before Fontan operation did the correlation between LV size and RV function become both consistent and statistically significant; specifically larger LV size correlated significantly with poor RV systolic function (short-axis RV fractional area change vs LV area r = -0.4, P = .03 and RV Tei vs LV area r = 0.5, P = .02). These relationships were not apparent after Fontan operation. In surviving patients with HLHS, larger LV size does not seem to negatively impact RV function before or after Norwood procedure nor does it seem to have an adverse effect on RV function chronically (after Fontan). However, further study with larger population size will be necessary to see whether these findings remain negative and are true for nonsurvivors as well.


The effect of interpersonal relations theory-based motivational interviews on functional remission and insight levels of patients with schizophrenia: A randomized controlled trial.
Using therapeutic techniques and conducting motivational interviews in communication with patients with schizophrenia increases individuals' functional remission, insight, and motivation levels. This single-blind, randomized controlled study examines the effect of Interpersonal Relations Theory-Based motivational interviews on functional remission and insight levels in patients with schizophrenia. The participants of this study were 40 patients with schizophrenia randomly assigned to either the experimental or control groups (20 in each group). The researchers carried out a 6-session Interpersonal Relations Theory-based motivational interview with the participants in the experimental group. Study data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Functional Remission of General Schizophrenia Scale (FROGS), and the Scale for Assessing the Three Components of Insight (SAI). Social Functioning, Health and Treatment, Daily Living Skills, and SAI scores of the individuals in the intervention group were statistically higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05) in the post-intervention and follow-up measures. There was a positive and significant correlation between the post-intervention Social Functioning, Health and Treatment, Daily Life Skills, and total FROGS scores and the SAI score of the individuals in the intervention group (p < 0.05). It was concluded that motivational interviews based on Interpersonal Relations Theory were effective in increasing the insights and functionality of patients with schizophrenia. Psychiatric nurses' practice of motivational interviews based on the therapeutic relationship is considered to increase the quality of care and satisfaction of patients with schizophrenia. It is recommended that this practice be used extensively in clinical practice.


Point-of-Care Ultrasound and the Septic Prosthetic Hip Joint.
Septic joints can have an insidious onset and are difficult to diagnosis. Diagnosis can be more complicated in the setting of a distant prosthetic joint. Plain films and inflammatory markers are not specific and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not a timely test in the emergency department. Computed tomography (CT) scan is quick and useful to evaluate for bony changes or signs of inflammation, but lacks the details of MRI, and the prosthetic joint may cause significant artifact. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is often used in the pediatric population to evaluate for an effusion when there is a concern for a septic native hip joint and is finding a role in adult emergency medicine to evaluate for an effusion in painful native adult hip joints. Even so, ultrasound is not currently included in diagnostic algorithms for diagnosing prosthetic hip joint infections (PJIs). POCUS is, however, readily available in the emergency department. We present a case where POCUS aided in identifying a periprosthetic synovitis and changed the course of the patient's management from previous physical therapy to an investigation toward the final diagnosis of a septic prosthetic hip joint.


The mechanical properties of the skin epidermis in relation to targeted gene and drug delivery.
A challenge in combating many major diseases is breaching the skin's tough outer layer (the stratum corneum (SC)) and delivering drugs and genes into the underlying abundant immunologically sensitive viable epidermal cells with safe, practical physical technologies. To achieve this effectively and accurately, design information is needed on key skin mechanical properties when pushing into and through epidermal skin cells. We measure these important mechanical properties by penetrating through the intact SC and viable epidermis (VE) of freshly excised murine skin with a NANO-indenter, using custom tungsten probes fabricated with nominally 5 and 2 microm diameters (with nanoscale tips). We show the skin Young's modulus, storage modulus and stress all dramatically decreased through the SC. Also, for a given penetration depth, decreasing the probe size significantly increases the storage modulus. Biological variation in penetrating the skin was shown. These collective findings advance the rational design of physical approaches for delivering genes and drugs within key cells of the VE.


Chronic secretory otitis media.
Of 242 children and teenagers treated surgically for chronic secretory otitis media in 1972, 212 presented for evaluation 5 years later. Although the pure-tone audiometric threshold was 20 dB HL or better in 87.7% of the ears, only 40.6% were judged to be otoscopically normal. The findings at the first myringotomy for insertion of tympanostomy tubes were of no prognostic value for the course of the disease, and the presence of characteristics of middle ear fluid at subsequent myringotomies varied unpredictably. Adenoidectomy performed at an early stage, and in the presence of nasal obstruction, resulted in a significant reduction in the need for re-insertion of tympanostomy tubes.


Decreased fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) is associated with lower IQ and earlier illness onset in patients with schizophrenia.
The purpose of this study was to investigate Fragile X Syndrome (FXS)-related mechanisms in schizophrenia, including CGG triplet expansion, FMR1 mRNA, and fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) levels in lymphocytes. We investigated 36 patients with schizophrenia and 30 healthy controls using Southern blot analysis, mRNA assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). General intellectual functions were assessed with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III, and the clinical symptoms were evaluated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Results revealed that, relative to healthy controls, CGG triplet size and FMR1 mRNA were unaltered in patients with schizophrenia. However, the FMRP level was significantly reduced in patients compared with controls. We found an association between lower FMRP levels, reduced IQ, and earlier illness onset in schizophrenia. Chlorpromazine-equivalent antipsychotic dose did not correlate with FMRP levels. These results raise the possibility of impaired translation of FMR1 mRNA, altered epigenetic regulation, or increased degradation of FMRP in schizophrenia, which may play a role in dysfunctional neurodevelopmental processes and impaired neuroplasticity.


Diagnostic Arthrocentesis for Suspicion of Gout Is Safe and Well Tolerated.
To determine the frequency of adverse events of diagnostic arthrocentesis in patients with possible gout. Consecutive patients underwent arthrocentesis and were evaluated at 6 weeks to determine adverse events. The 95% CI were obtained by bootstrapping. Arthrocentesis was performed in 910 patients, and 887 (97.5%) were evaluated for adverse events. Any adverse event was observed in 12 participants (1.4%, 95% CI 0.6-2.1). There was 1 case (0.1%, 95% CI 0-0.34) of septic arthritis. Diagnostic arthrocentesis is associated with a low frequency of adverse events. Septic arthritis rarely occurs.


Major Shortening of the Patellar Tendon During Septic Two-Stage Knee Arthroplasty Revision Using Static Spacers.
Two-stage septic revision knee arthroplasty (TKA) often results in inferior functional outcome after reimplantation, which might be due to impairments of the extensor mechanism. The aim of the current study was to elucidate possible alterations in extensor mechanisms during septic two-stage revision of TKA treated with a static spacer. This retrospective study included 87 patients (42 women, 45 men, age 64.5 ± 10.5; range, 29-85 years) undergoing septic two-stage TKA revision using a static spacer. The modified Insall Salvati ratio (mISR) was calculated via calibrated true lateral radiographs by two independent orthopedic surgeons before TKA explantation (G0), 6-8 days after TKA removal (G1), one day before TKA reimplantation (G2) and 6-8 days after TKA reimplantation (G3). Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), index C-reactive protein level, and number of previous surgeries were evaluated to identify the possible correlations. Overall, mISR significantly decreased within the first 6 days after index surgery from 1.71 ± 0.41 to 1.63 ± 0.41 (G0 versus G1, P < .001) and showed a further decline within the next 6 weeks to 1.54 ± 0.39 (G1 versus G2, P = .002). Conversely, mISR increased after reimplantation of TKA to 1.6 ± 0.43 (G3 versus G2, P = .08), though it did not regain preoperative baseline levels (G0 versus G3, P < .001). The subgroup with mISR decrease ≥10% experienced patellar tendon shortening of 16% between G0 and G1, 19% between G0 and G2 and up to 20% between G0 and G3. There were weak correlations concerning age (r = -0.240, P = .038), preoperative C-reactive protein level (r = 0.239, P = .04) and patellar tendon shortening. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)was 0.88 concerning radiographic measurement. Septic two-stage TKA revision using static spacers leads to irreversible alterations of the extensor mechanism, specifically a major shortening of the patellar tendon, in one out of 3 patients. II.


Enumeration of small ciliates in culture by flow cytometry and nucleic acid staining.
We developed a fast and simple protocol for accurate quantification of small freshwater ciliates by flow cytometry (FCM). The ciliates were stained with several nucleic acid stains such as TO-PRO-1, YO-YO-1 and PicoGreen, and analysed by a commercially available flow cytometer. The method was tested with cultures of the prostomatid species Urotricha farcta and Balanion planctonicum, including the small cryptophyte Cryptomonas sp. as food. Of the dyes tested, TO-PRO-1 gave the best results. Flow cytometric results agreed well with microscopic counts. Due to its greater speed and accuracy, FCM was superior to light microscopy. FCM was also superior to electronical particle counting and sizing (EPCS). Of particular importance, FCM in combination with TO-PRO-1 staining allowed unequivocal discrimination in cases of overlapping size distributions between the target population (i.e., the ciliate predators) and other particles (the cryptophyte prey, detritus).


Simultaneous imaging of in vivo conductivity and susceptibility.
Approaches for quantitative mapping of electric conductivity and magnetic susceptibility using MRI have been developed independently. The purpose of this study is to present a method to simultaneously acquire information on conductivity and susceptibility and to produce images based on these properties. A 3D multiecho gradient-echo sequence was used. Phase evolution during the multiecho was used to produce quantitative susceptibility maps, while the phase value at zero echo time was retrieved, and used to generates quantitative conductivity maps. Electromagnetic simulations were performed to evaluate the phase distribution due to conductivity variations. Phantom and in vivo data were also acquired to assess the quality of images produced. Simulations demonstrated that phase differences across objects increases with size and conductivity. For an accurate conductivity estimate, the maximum echo time was approximately equal to the true T2* value in order to achieve signal-to-noise ratio maximization. The most accurate susceptibility was obtained when separating phase contribution from conductivity. Phantom and in vivo results showed good quality images representing the electromagnetic properties. A simultaneous quantitative electromagnetic property imaging approach is demonstrated here. The approach not only improves the efficiency of mapping electromagnetic properties, but can also improve the accuracy of susceptibility mapping by separating image phases introduced by conductivity and susceptibility.


Population of Scaptocoris castanea Perty (Hemiptera: Cydnidae) in a crop-livestock integration system.
The population of the brown root stink bug, Scaptocoris castanea Perty, was studied in a crop-livestock integration system. This integrated system consisted of corn crop associated with Brachiaria decumbens pasture at the Unidade de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, in São José do Rio Preto (49°26' W; 20°49' S), state of São Paulo, Brazil. In each plot of the integrated crop-livestock system, which was consisted of six treatments and four replicates, four 0.25 m(2) and 0.30-m-deep samples of soil and roots were taken for analysis. These samples were stratified in 0.10-m layers, in which the number of nymphs and adults of S. castanea were assessed. These evaluations occurred monthly, from November 2008 to April 2009. The number of brown bug nymphs and adults was higher in areas where corn was cultivated for two consecutive years and in plots where pasture was renewed every 2 years. Lower insect population densities were observed in plots that remained as Brachiaria pasture. Therefore, S. castanea population is larger in integrated crop-livestock system (corn crop associated with B. decumbens), with no tillage.


Alginate hydrogel-polyvinyl alcohol/silk fibroin/magnesium hydroxide nanorods: A novel scaffold with biological and antibacterial activity and improved mechanical properties.
In this study, a nanobiocomposite scaffold was fabricated by combining sodium alginate, polyvinyl alcohol, silk fibroin and magnesium hydroxide nanorods. The structural characteristics and properties of the scaffold were identified by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR) and energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX) analyses. To introduce the application, biocompatibility, mechanical properties and biological activity of the scaffold were obtained. The composite was found to have high porosity, no cytotoxicity, excellent cellular adaptation, and most importantly Mg(OH)2 nanorod had antibacterial activity and inhibited the growth of bacteria. In addition, silk fibroin and alginate increased the scaffold strength due to mechanical tests. Hemolytic assay and cell metabolic activity of this novel nanobiocomposite showed that the hemolytic effect was less than 8% and about 92% of cells survived. Due to considerable biological activities and acceptable mechanical properties, the mentioned nanobiocomposite can be considered as a scaffold for possible use in wound dressing, tissue engineering and drug delivery systems.


PA1 participates in the maintenance of blood-testis barrier integrity via cooperation with JUN in the Sertoli cells of mice.
The blood-testis barrier (BTB) is essential to the microenvironment of spermatogenesis, and Sertoli cells provide the cellular basis for BTB construction. Numerous nuclear transcription factors have been identified to be vital for the proper functioning of Sertoli cells. PA1 has been reported to play important roles during diverse biological processes, yet its potential function in male reproduction is still unknown. Here, we show that PA1 was highly expressed in human and mouse testis and predominantly localized in the nuclei of Sertoli cells. Sertoli cell-specific Pa1 knockout resulted in an azoospermia-like phenotype in mice. The knockout of this gene led to multiple defects in spermatogenesis, such as the disorganization of the cytoskeleton during basal and apical ectoplasmic specialization and the disruption of the BTB. Further transcriptomic analysis, together with Cut-Tag results of PA1 in Sertoli cells, revealed that PA1 could affect the expression of a subset of genes that are essential for the normal function of Sertoli cells, including those genes associated with actin organization and cellular junctions such as Connexin43 (Cx43). We further demonstrated that the expression of Cx43 depended on the interaction between JUN, one of the AP-1 complex transcription factors, and PA1. Overall, our findings reveal that PA1 is essential for the maintenance of BTB integrity in Sertoli cells and regulates BTB construction-related gene expression via transcription factors. Thus, this newly discovered mechanism in Sertoli cells provides a potential diagnostic or even therapeutic target for some individuals with azoospermia.


Pregnancy outcomes with a copper 380 mm2 intrauterine device in place: A retrospective cohort study in Turkey, 2011-2021.
To investigate pregnancy outcomes in patients with pregnancies with a copper 380 mm2 intrauterine device (IUD) in situ at conception. In this retrospective study, we identified patients with pregnancies with a copper 380 mm2 IUD between 2011 and 2021 from the electronic health record system. According to their initial diagnosis, we classified the patients as having nonviable intrauterine pregnancies (IUPs), viable IUPs, or ectopic pregnancies. Among the viable IUPs, we divided the ongoing pregnancies into two subgroups as IUD-removed and IUD-retained. We compared the pregnancy loss (miscarriage before 22 weeks) rates and adverse pregnancy outcomes (at least one of preterm birth, preterm premature rupture of membranes, chorioamnionitis, placental abruption, or postpartum hemorrhage) of IUD-removed and IUD-retained pregnancies. We identified a total of 246 patients with pregnancies with an IUD. We excluded six (2.4%) patients without follow-up data and seven (2.8%) patients with levonorgestrel-IUD and included the remaining 233 (44 [18.9%] ectopic pregnancy, 31 [13.3%] nonviable IUP, and 158 [67.5%] viable IUP) patients. Among the 158 women with viable IUP, 21 (13.3%) underwent abortion, leaving 137 (86.7%) who elected to continue the pregnancy. A total of 54 (39.4%) patients with ongoing pregnancy had the IUD removed. We found a lower rate of pregnancy loss among those who underwent removal (18/54 [33.3%]) compared to those with a retained IUD (51/83 [61.4%], p < 0.001). After accounting for pregnancy loss, adverse pregnancy outcomes remained increased in the IUD-retained group (17/32 [53.1%]) compared to the IUD-removed group (10/36 [27.8%], p = 0.03). Pregnancy in the setting of a copper 380 mm2 IUD is high risk. Our results demonstrate that pregnancy outcomes improve by removal of the copper 380 mm2 IUD. Prior studies have suggested that the removal of the IUD improves outcomes, but all have limitations. Our results from a very large series with care in a single institution provide contemporary evidence to support copper 380 mm2 IUD removal to reduce the risk of both early pregnancy loss and later adverse outcomes.


Social profitableness: pathway to community acceptance of psychiatric patients.
The concept of 'social profitableness' is explicated as a crucial determinant in community acceptance of formerly hospitalized psychiatric patients. Increase emphasis upon patients' capability to provide rewards to citizens as well as to forgo costly deviant behavior is recommended.


CD45RO+TILs: cellular biomarkers for larynx squamous cell carcinoma outcome.
The prognostic importance of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) in the tumor microenvironment of various cancers is increasingly recognized. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the prognostic value of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD45RO + TILs and their relation to histopathological features in larynx squamous cell carcinoma. Formalin-Fixed and Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) samples from 63 primary larynx squamous cell carcinoma patients were immunostained for CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD45RO expression. Positive cells in micrographs from Invasive Margin (IM) and Tumor Center (CT) of tissue specimens counted by ImageJ software and their correlation with disease outcome were analyzed. The expression level of TILs subpopulations was associated with clinicopathological markers as well as Overall Survival (OS) and Disease-Free Survival (DFS). In multivariate analysis, high frequency of CD45RO + cells in IM were confirmed as an independent prognostic marker for DFS (p = 0.007, HR = 4.968) and OS (p = 0.007, HR = 4.957). Similar findings were observed in the multivariate analysis of the combined frequency of CD45RO+cells in IM and CT. TILs are associated with patients clinicopathological features. Also, our findings indicate that CD45RO + TILs are a valuable marker for risk prediction in larynx SCC and could predict patients' outcomes.


Imaging of Stroke in Rodents Using a Clinical Scanner and Inductively Coupled Specially Designed Receiver Coils.
Imaging of small laboratory animals in clinical MRI scanners is feasible but challenging. Compared with dedicated preclinical systems, clinical scanners have relatively low B0 field (1.5-3.0 T) and gradient strength (40-60 mT/m). This work explored the use of wireless inductively coupled coils (ICCs) combined with appropriate pulse sequence parameters to overcome these two drawbacks, with a special emphasis on the optimization of the coil passive detuning circuit for this application. A Bengal rose photothrombotic stroke model was used to induce cortical infarction in rats and mice. Animals were imaged in a 3T scanner using T2 and T1-weighted sequences. In all animals, the ICCs allowed acquisition of high-quality images of the infarcted brain at acute and chronic stages. Images obtained with the ICCs showed a substantial increase in SNR compared to clinical coils (by factors of 6 in the rat brain and 16-17 in the mouse brain), and the absence of wires made the animal preparation workflow straightforward.


Laser Raman study of internally perfused muscle fibers. Effect of Mg2+, ATP and Ca2+.
Raman spectra of an intact muscle fiber and of internally perfused fibers in capillary tubes have been obtained. The use of internal perfusion has insured a good control of the concentration of Ca2+, Mg2+ and ATP. The comparison of the spectra obtained with the two types of fibers shows that the muscle structure is well preserved in capillary tubes. In addition, it appears that the sarcomere length has no significant effect on the Raman spectrum of muscle fibers. Our results on perfused fibers demonstrate that a fiber can be kept in the relaxed state for several hours, then displaying an intact fiber spectrum, when the concentration of ATP, Mg2+ and Ca2+ is maintained at 5, 2 and 0 mM, respectively. Therefore ATP and Mg2+ do not affect the Raman spectrum of muscle fibers. When one of these components is removed, or when Ca2+ is added, contraction occurs and causes major spectral changes. These results are interpreted as being due to strong electrostatic interactions between basic and acidic residues during contraction, and to a change of the alpha-helical content, or of the orientation, of some of the contractile proteins.


The Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of acute pancreatitis in children and adolescents.
Acute pancreatitis (AP) and recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) are conditions, whose incidence is apparently on the rise. Despite the ever-increasing evidence regarding the management of AP in children and adults, therapeutic actions that could potentially affect having a poor prognosis in those patients, especially in the pediatric population, continue to be carried out. Therefore, the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología convened a group of 24 expert pediatric gastroenterologists from different institutions and areas of Mexico, as well as 2 pediatric nutritionists and 2 specialists in pediatric surgery, to discuss different aspects of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of AP and RAP in the pediatric population. The aim of this document is to present the consensus results. Different AP topics were addressed by 6 working groups, each of which reviewed the information and formulated statements considered pertinent for each module, on themes involving recommendations and points of debate, concerning diagnostic or therapeutic approaches. All the statements were presented and discussed. They were then evaluated through a Delphi process, with electronic and anonymous voting, to determine the level of agreement on the statements. A total of 29 statements were formulated, all of which reached above 75% agreement in the first round of voting.


A Vibrio parahaemolyticus T3SS effector mediates pathogenesis by independently enabling intestinal colonization and inhibiting TAK1 activation.
Vibrio parahaemolyticus type III secretion system 2 (T3SS2) is essential for the organism's virulence, but the effectors required for intestinal colonization and induction of diarrhea by this pathogen have not been identified. Here, we identify a type III secretion system (T3SS2)-secreted effector, VopZ, that is essential for V. parahaemolyticus pathogenicity. VopZ plays distinct, genetically separable roles in enabling intestinal colonization and diarrheagenesis. Truncation of VopZ prevents V. parahaemolyticus colonization, whereas deletion of VopZ amino acids 38-62 abrogates V. parahaemolyticus-induced diarrhea and intestinal pathology but does not impair colonization. VopZ inhibits activation of the kinase TAK1 and thereby prevents the activation of MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, which lie downstream. In contrast, the VopZ internal deletion mutant cannot counter the activation of pathways regulated by TAK1. Collectively, our findings suggest that VopZ's inhibition of TAK1 is critical for V. parahaemolyticus to induce diarrhea and intestinal pathology.


Preparation of biotinylated allosamidins with strong chitinase inhibitory activities.
NaIO4 oxidation of allosamidin (1), a strong inhibitor of family 18 chitinases, followed by a coupling with Biotin Hydrazide afforded its mono- and dibiotinylated derivatives, 4 and 6. Reduction of 4 by NaBH4 afforded its reduced form 5. Each of these three biotinylated derivatives maintained strong chitinase inhibitory activity. Especially, 6 inhibited a Trichoderma chitinase as strongly as 1.


Diffuse infantile hemangiomatosis of the ileum presenting with multiple perforations: a case report and review of the literature.
Hemangiomas of the small intestine are rare, accounting for only 0.05% of all intestinal neoplasms (Jarvi et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2008;46:593-597). The jejunum is the most common site of involvement in the small intestine (Levy et al. Am J Roentgenol. 2001;177:1073-1081). Small bowel hemangiomas are most commonly manifested by gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, obstruction, or intussusception. There are very few reported cases in the literature of hemangiomatosis presenting with perforation, and only 1 previously reported case of perforation in the ileum. We present a rare case of a 5-week-old female with diffuse hemangiomatosis of the ileum presenting with multiple ileal perforations and peritonitis.


Oral contraceptive use and the prognosis of breast cancer.
In 471 breast cancer patients the influence of a positive history of oral contraceptive (OC) use on survival was investigated. 297 (63%) patients used OCs during any period of their life and 92 (20%) used them still at the time of diagnosis. Sixty months after diagnosis OC users had a significantly increased overall survival (p = 0.037). Survival rates amounted to 79.5% and 70.3% for OC users and non-users, respectively. The effect persisted after adjustment for other prognostic factors and was mainly attributed to women who had taken OCs four years or longer (p = 0.025). Comparing the survival after a 56 months median follow-up dependent on duration of OC use (never, 1-48 months, > or = 49 months) in subgroups of prognostic factors, the most significant influence on survival was observed among long-term users with tumors more than 2 cm in diameter (p = 0.005), with axillary node-positive tumors (1-3 nodes, p = 0.055/ > or = 4 nodes, p = 0.019), and with tumors of low estrogen receptor (p = 0.015) or progesterone receptor content (p = 0.04). The difference in survival between OC users and non-users cannot be explained by the distribution of prognostic factors investigated (histological type, histological grade, tumor size, lymph node involvement, hormonal receptor content). OC users had an even higher percentage of poorly differentiated tumors (p = 0.003). These results suggest an effect of OC use on tumor biology during the preclinical phase of the disease.


Sexual Activity of Patients Undergoing Testicular Sperm Extraction.
For couples who wish for a baby, sexual activity (through intercourse) is the only way to conceive naturally. However, the sexual activity of men undergoing testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and factors that influence it among affected couples are not clearly understood. To examine sexual activity among infertile men undergoing TESE and to identify factors that influenced it. Married Japanese male patients undergoing TESE were included. Sexual activity during the previous month was surveyed using a questionnaire, and potential predictive factors influencing sexual activity were examined. Two hundred twenty-six married men who answered a questionnaire regarding sexual frequency were reviewed retrospectively. The patient mean age was 35.8 ± 7.5 years (range 23-67) and the mean age of their partners was 32.9 ± 4.5 years (range 23-44). Most couples (n = 193) were in their first marriage, and 33 were remarried. The mean marriage duration was 52.6 ± 42.2 months (range 1-192). Microdissection TESE and conventional TESE were performed for 152 and 74 patients, respectively. Overall, the mean sexual activity during the last month was 3.6 ± 2.6 times (range 0-15). Marriage duration was negatively correlated with the frequency of sexual activity (r = -0.23; P < .01). There were no correlations between sexual activity and patient age, partner age, marriage type (first marriage or remarried), testicular volume, or serum total testosterone concentration. Regression analysis showed that marriage duration (odds ratio = 1.01; 95% CI, 1.003-1.019; P = .009) and testicular volume (odds ratio = 0.94; 95% CI, 0.88-0.99; P = .033) were significant predictors of low sexual activity (0-1 times/month). The sexual activity of patients undergoing TESE was almost the same as reported previously. Patient age, partner age, testicular volume, and serum total testosterone concentration had no correlation with the reported frequency of sexual activity. Taniguchi H, Matsuda T, Nakaoka Y, et al. Sexual Activity of Patients Undergoing Testicular Sperm Extraction. Sex Med 2019;8:30-35.


Continence following electrical stimulation and EMG biofeedback in a teenager with imperforate anus.
A teenage boy with repaired high imperforate anus relied on daily enemas for social continence. After treatment with low intensity transcutaneous electrical stimulation and electromyographic biofeedback home programs, he achieved improved fecal continence requiring only one enema per month.


Adenosine deaminase gene amplification in deoxycoformycin-resistant mammalian cells.
Deoxycoformycin (dCF)-resistant mutants of rat hepatoma, mouse LMTK-, and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells have been isolated and shown to overproduce adenosine deaminase (ADA). The overproduction of ADA was found to be due to ADA-gene amplification in rat and mouse cells but not in CHO cells. Deoxycoformycin-resistant rat hepatoma cells have large HSRs (homogeneously staining regions), mouse cells carry DMs (Double minutes), and CHO cells do not appear to have any gross chromosomal anomalies. When dCF-resistant rat hepatoma and mouse cells are selected by increasing the concentration of the inhibitor in small increments, there is a good correlation between the increase in ADA gene copy number and the increase in the level of expression of ADA, suggesting that all of the amplified genes are equally active in the expression of ADA.


Which pathways must be spared in the injured human spinal cord to retain cardiovascular control?
Cardiovascular abnormalities following spinal cord injury are attributed to autonomic instability caused by a combination of changes occurring within the spinal cord, including loss of descending autonomic control and plastic changes within spinal and peripheral circuits. Previous animal studies have shown that localized disruption of the descending vasomotor pathways results in cardiovascular changes similar to those observed following cord injury. However, the location of these pathways in humans is uncertain. This chapter presents clinical and histopathological findings from individuals with spinal cord injury that associates a common area of white matter destruction with severe cardiovascular symptoms. These data provide evidence that descending vasomotor pathways in the human spinal cord project through the dorsal aspects of the lateral funiculus.


The effect of modafinil on self-esteem in spinal cord injury patients: a report of 2 cases and review of the literature.
We report on 2 cases of the effect of modafinil on the self-esteem of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). The first patient was a 33-year-old man with history of polysubstance abuse and a C6 American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade A injury, who presented for follow-up to the outpatient rehabilitation clinic for depression, decreased motivation, and lowered self-esteem. The patient had tried a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) without success, and reported increasing social and legal stressors. Within 1 month of starting on modafinil, he reported increased self-esteem and motivation, as well as decreased self-consciousness. The second patient was a 36-year-old woman with history of depression and a T11 ASIA grade A injury. She tried various SSRIs for depression and adjustment issues before she was started on modafinil. She lost weight and became more assertive and less self-conscious within 1 month after starting on modafinil. These 2 cases suggest that modafinil should be studied as a therapeutic option for treating lowered self-esteem in patients with SCI.


Modeling of a possible evolutional process from a ribozyme to a catalytic RNP.
A model process for molecular evolution from an RNA enzyme to a catalytic RNA-protein complex (RNP) is proposed. In the model, one RNA-RNA interaction in the enzyme is replaced by an RNA-protein interaction via an intermediary state where the original RNA-RNA and newly introduced RNA-protein interaction co-exist. To test the model, a catalytic RNP was designed and examined by employing the Tetrahymena ribozyme.


Synthesis of a two-dimensional organic-inorganic bismuth iodide metalate through in situ formation of iminium cations.
(Me2C[double bond, length as m-dash]NMe2)Bi2I7 represents a new layered organic-inorganic iodido bismuthate. It displays an unprecedented anion topology, a low band gap and good stability. Advanced electronic structure analysis finds the II interactions to be decisive for the compound's structural and electronic properties.


Antigenic relationship between Chang liver cells and human hepatocytes.
Using monospecific antisera against human liver specific protein (LSP) it could be demonstrated that Chang liver cells bear LSP on their membranes. Chang liver cells can therefore be used as in vitro system to study immune reactions against LSP in human inflammatory liver diseases.


Is there an association between oral hygiene and head and neck cancer?
PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library and Embase were utilised as databases from inception till November 2021. The inclusion criteria consisted of cohort and case-control studies published in the English language, which dealt with diagnosed cases of head and neck cancer reporting survival, oral hygiene and comparative data. Studies pertaining to animal experiments along with case reports, conference proceedings, reviews, letters, editorials, errata and protocols were excluded. Data such as publication year, authors' names, country, sources, study groups, age, gender, participant number, education, alcohol, tobacco, study quality, cancer site and outcomes were extracted for each included study. A modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was utilized to evaluate the quality of these studies. A total of forty-four studies were included, of which forty were case-control and four were cohort in nature. These comprised of a total of 52,863 patients of which 33,000 were devoid of head and neck cancer (HNC) while, 19,863 had a confirmed diagnosis of HNC. Oral hygiene and HNC were found to be associated. Poor oral hygiene was concluded to be associated with HNC and the subsites thereof.


What criteria affect a patient's choice of catheter for self-catheterization?
The aim was to determine which criteria are most influential in guiding the patient's choice of catheter during clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC) education. A questionnaire exploring five traits (catheter design, catheter length, the comfort of use, nurse's explanations, and how easy it was to carry and dispose of the catheter) was administered to all patients who succeeded in performing CISC. The patients had to report the criterion that most influenced their choice, and rate the importance of each criterion from 1 to 4 on a Likert scale (strongly disagree, somewhat disagree, somewhat agree, strongly agree). The study assessed the impact that age, sex, etiology, dependency, motor or sensory upper limb deficiency, and position required to perform CISC may have had on the importance of the different criteria. Seventy-three patients were included (mean age, 50.9 ± 14.3 years). The most important criterion was the nurse's explanations (44%), followed by comfort of handling (32%), the discreet aspect of carrying the catheter (15%), and catheter length (7%). The esthetic aspect was not important for 34% of patients, whereas all the other criteria were important for at least 82% of patients. The comfort of handling was more often a priority for those with motor or sensory upper limb disorders (P < .01). The other characteristics of the patients did not impact the way they prioritized the criteria. These results highlight the importance of extensive training for nurses involved in CISC education, as their explanations have the greatest impact on the patient's choice of the catheter.


Peripheral vascular disease - a new vascular disease associated with normal tension glaucoma: a case report.
Normal-tension glaucoma is known as a multifactorial optic neuropathy. A number of lines of evidence suggested that vascular factors played a significant role in the development of normal-tension glaucoma. The mechanisms underlying the abnormal ocular blood flow in normal-tension glaucoma are still not clear. Peripheral vascular disease seems to be associated with glaucoma populations independent of other cardiovascular risk factors. We found this presentation, for the first time, to our knowledge, as another probable vascular abnormality related to our patient with normal-tension glaucoma, although it is necessary to confirm its pathological effect in future studies. Our patient was a 48-year-old Spanish man without any personal and family history of interest except for circulatory problems of the lower limbs with repetitive ulcers at the frontal and lateral aspects of his legs. His chief complaint was vision loss when he came to consult us. In exploration, his best corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes; initial intraocular pressure in the right eye was 14-16 mmHg and in the left eye was 16-18 mmHg, with a mild sclerosis of the lens in slit-lamp examination. No inflammation or pigmented lesion was detected in the anterior chamber. Open angle confirmed by Goldman four quadrants gonioscopy. Funduscopic examination revealed a vertical cup disc ratio of 0.6 in the right eye and 0.8 in the left eye. The patient's neuroretinal rim was normal in the right eye, and superior thinning in the left eye was determined. Examination of the patient's visual field showed inferior mild probable nasal scotoma in the right eye and an inferior deep arcuate scotoma defect in the left eye. His optical coherence tomography examination revealed thinning of the peripapillary nerve fiber layer thickness in the left eye and superior loss of macular retinal ganglion cells in the left eye. Normal intraocular pressure values were measured on the intraocular pressure curve without treatment (maximum value, 18-20 mmHg), discarding higher intraocular pressures measured out of office. Ultrasonic pachymetry measured 515/520 μm, and normal intraocular pressure measured with a PASCAL tonometer ruled out probable corneal biomechanical underestimations. The patient's polysomnography study was normal and excluded sleep apnea syndrome. The patient's serial mean blood pressure was normal, especially in the lower limbs (mean value, 125/70 mmHg), ruling out the possibility of systemic hypotension. Thyroidal and coagulation abnormalities, autoimmune disease, and inflammatory disease were excluded. Normal immunologic study and normal vascular biopsy were observed, as well as normal brain magnetic resonance imaging and a normal carotid vascular study. The primary diagnosis was moderate medium peripheral arterial disease in the lower limbs, which was confirmed by echography after ruling out other probable vascular abnormalities related to normal-tension glaucoma. After ruling out other systemic diseases and vascular abnormalities related to normal-tension glaucoma, we found peripheral arterial disease as a probable vascular abnormality related to normal-tension glaucoma in our patient. To our knowledge, this is the first time such a case has been reported. Thus, further research is needed to determine the relevance of these results to the general population.


Non-blinking (Zn)CuInS/ZnS Quantum Dots Prepared by In Situ Interfacial Alloying Approach.
Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are very important optical nanomaterials with a wide range of potential applications. However, blinking behavior of single QD is an intrinsic drawback for some biological and photoelectric applications based on single-particle emission. Herein we present a rational strategy for fabrication of non-blinking (Zn)CuInS/ZnS QDs in organic phase through in situ interfacial alloying approach. This new strategy includes three steps: synthesis of CuInS QDs, eliminating the interior traps of QDs by forming graded (Zn)CuInS alloyed QDs, modifying the surface traps of QDs by introducing ZnS shells onto (Zn)CuInS QDs using alkylthiols as sulfur source and surface ligands. The suppressed blinking mechanism was mainly attributed to modifying QDs traps from interior to exterior via a step-by-step modification. Non-blinking QDs show high quantum yield, symmetric emission spectra and excellent crystallinity, and will enable applications from biology to optoelectronics that were previously hindered by blinking behavior of traditional QDs.


Modeling and optimization of photovoltaic serpentine type thermal solar collector with thermal energy storage system for hot water and electricity generation for single residential building.
Increasing surface temperature has a significant effect on the electrical performance of photovoltaic (PV) panels. A closed-loop forced circulation serpentine tube design of cooling water system was used in this study for effectively management of the surface temperature of PV panels. A real-time experiment was first carried out with a PV panel with a cooling system at heat transfer fluid (HTF) flow rates of 60 kg h-1, 120 kg h-1, and 180 kg h-1. Based on the experimentation, a correlation for a nominal operating cell temperature (NOCT) and thermal efficiency for collector was developed for experimental validation of useful energy gained, cell temperature, and electric power generation. The developed correlations were validated with the use of electric power electrical power and useful energy gained in photovoltaic serpentine thermal solar collector (PV/STSC) and fitting into the experimental results with a deviation of 1% and 2.5% respectively. Further, with the help of developed correlations, a system was developed in the TRNSYS tool through which an optimization study was performed based on electric and hot water demand. The findings indicated an optimal system with an 8-m2 PV/STSC area, a HTF flow rate of 60 kg h-1, and thermal energy storage (TES) system having a volume and height of 280 l and 0.8 m could meet 91% and 33% of the hot water demand for Ac loads and 78% or DC loads, respectively.


Rupture of rudimentary horn pregnancy at the 15th week of gestation: a case report.
A patient with acute abdomen at 15th week of gestation underwent an emergency laparatomy. A ruptured rudimentary horn pregnancy was diagnosed, and the rudimentary part including the fetus and the accessories was resected. The mother survived without any complications.


In vitro evaluation of diopside/baghdadite bioceramic scaffolds modified by polycaprolactone fumarate polymer coating.
Porous Si-based ceramic scaffolds are widely attracted in biomedical tissue engineering application. Despite the attractive properties of these materials, their weak mechanical properties and high degradability in vitro and in vivo environment can limit their application as biomedical devises. Applying a thin layer of polymer on the surface of porous scaffolds can improve the mechanical properties and control the degradation rate. In this study, we produced new modified scaffolds with polymers coating in order to improved mechanical and biological properties of Si-based ceramics scaffolds. The results showed that applying 6 wt% PCLF polymer on the surface of Bagh-15 wt%Dio scaffolds delayed apatite formation compared to unmodified scaffolds. On the other hand, in the modified scaffolds, apatite formation was observed. The degradation rate of unmodified scaffolds was decreased around 82% after 28 days soaking in PBS solution. Based on the MTT assay and SEM micrographs, the BMS cells were spread and attached well on the surface of the scaffolds, which indicated a good biocompatibility. The results showed that these scaffolds have the potential to be used as a temporary substrate for bone tissue engineering application.


Membrane-bound and solubilized brain 5HT3 receptors: improved radioligand binding assays using bovine area postrema or rat cortex and the radioligands 3H-GR65630, 3H-BRL43694, and 3H-LY278584.
Bovine area postrema tissue was used as a convenient source of tissue for studies of brain 5HT3 receptors. 5HT3 receptor density was determined to be 97 +/- 5 fmol/mg and 124 +/- 10 fmol/mg of protein using the commercially available 5HT3 radioligands, 3H-GR65630 and 3H-BRL43694, respectively. The equilibrium dissociation constants (KD) for 3H-GR65630 and 3H-BRL43694 were 0.5 +/- 0.1 nM and 1.7 +/- 0.3 nM, respectively. The affinities of a series of drugs for the 5HT3 receptor using the two radioligands were essentially identical; the Ki values and order of affinities of agonists and antagonists were very similar to data published in studies on radiolabeling of 5HT3 receptors in rat brain. 3H-LY278584 also labeled 5HT3 receptors in bovine area postrema homogenates with a KD of 3.1 +/- 0.1 nM and a Bmax of 84 +/- 6 fmol/mg. In rat cortical homogenates, 3H-LY278584 produced the most reliable specific signal of 72%, with a KD of 2.6 +/- 0.3 nM and a Bmax value of 10.5 +/- 1 fmol/mg. At 1 nM, 3H-GR65630 or 3H-BRL43694 specific binding represented 28 and 50% of total radioligand binding, respectively. These data in bovine and rat brain tissues indicate that bovine area postrema can be used with 3H-GR65630, 3H-BRL43694, or 3H-LY278584 for drug screening or molecular investigations of the brain 5HT3 receptor: only 3H-LY278584 can be used for studies on the regulation and/or the molecular properties of 5HT3 receptors in rat cortical homogenates. 5HT3 receptors were solubilized from bovine area postrema and characterized using 3H-GR65630.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Nanoporous carbide-derived carbon with tunable pore size.
Porous solids are of great technological importance due to their ability to interact with gases and liquids not only at the surface, but throughout their bulk. Although large pores can be produced and well controlled in a variety of materials, nanopores in the range of 2 nm and below (micropores, according to IUPAC classification) are usually achieved only in carbons or zeolites. To date, major efforts in the field of porous materials have been directed towards control of the size, shape and uniformity of the pores. Here we demonstrate that porosity of carbide-derived carbons (CDCs) can be tuned with subångström accuracy in a wide range by controlling the chlorination temperature. CDC produced from Ti3SiC2 has a narrower pore-size distribution than single-wall carbon nanotubes or activated carbons; its pore-size distribution is comparable to that of zeolites. CDCs are produced at temperatures from 200-1,200 degrees C as a powder, a coating, a membrane or parts with near-final shapes, with or without mesopores. They can find applications in molecular sieves, gas storage, catalysts, adsorbents, battery electrodes, supercapacitors, water/air filters and medical devices.


Selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors: cardiovascular and gastrointestinal toxicity.
The introduction of selective inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase-2 to the marketplace has been much anticipated for several years. It would appear that these compounds have lived up to the expectations of having reduced gastrointestinal toxicity and, at least for some indications, of efficacy similar to that of conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that cyclo-oxygenase-2 plays a very important role in gastrointestinal mucosal defence, particularly in situations in which the mucosa is damaged or inflamed. Moreover, physiological roles for cyclo-oxygenase-2 both in the renal and cardiovascular systems are becoming better recognized. Inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase-2 can lead to peripheral oedema and hypertension, and may promote thrombosis. Indeed, there is recent evidence of increased rates of myocardial infarction in arthritis patients taking a selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor. Use of low-dose aspirin concurrently with use of a selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor may provide some degree of protection against the potential cardiovascular toxicity of the latter but both laboratory and clinical studies suggest that the concomitant use of these two types of drugs results in gastrointestinal ulceration comparable to what is seen with conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These recent results suggest that care must be exercised in the use of selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors by individuals who are at increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke, and the use of low-dose aspirin by these patients may place them at increased risk of gastrointestinal complications.


2-Hydroxyemodin, an active metabolite of emodin in the hepatic microsomes of rats.
The hepatic microsomes derived from rats transformed emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methyl-anthraquinone), an anthraquinone present in fungal metabolites and constituent of rhubarb, into at least 10 anthraquinoid metabolites. Metabolite d proved to be mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium TA1537 in the absence of activation system. MS, NMR, UV and mutagenicity test analysis revealed that metabolite d was 2-hydroxyemodin (1,2,3,8-tetrahydroxy-6-methyl-anthraquinone) and exhibited mutagenicity in doses of 2-20 micrograms/plate. In addition to this active metabolite, TLC analysis revealed the formation of 4-hydroxyemodin (metabolite a), 5-hydroxyemodin (metabolite b), 7-hydroxyemodin (metabolite d') and others. No mutagenicity of these monohydroxyemodins was demonstrated in the absence of activation system.


Do tradeoffs structure antibiotic inhibition, resistance, and resource use among soil-borne Streptomyces?
Tradeoffs among competing traits are believed to be crucial to the maintenance of diversity in complex communities. The production of antibiotics to inhibit competitors and resistance to antibiotic inhibition are two traits hypothesized to be critical to microbial fitness in natural habitats, yet data on costs or tradeoffs associated with these traits are limited. In this work we characterized tradeoffs between antibiotic inhibition or resistance capacities and growth efficiencies or niche widths for a broad collection of Streptomyces from soil. Streptomyces isolates tended to have either very little or very high inhibitory capacity. In contrast, Streptomyces isolates were most commonly resistant to antibiotic inhibition by an intermediate number of other isolates. Streptomyces with either very high antibiotic inhibitory or resistance capacities had less efficient growth and utilized a smaller number of resources for growth (smaller niche width) than those with low inhibition or resistance capacities, suggesting tradeoffs between antibiotic inhibitory or resistance and resource use phenotypes. This work suggests that life-history tradeoffs may be crucial to the maintenance of the vast diversity of antibiotic inhibitory and resistance phenotypes found among Streptomyces in natural communities.


Differences in net global warming potential and greenhouse gas intensity between major rice-based cropping systems in China.
Double rice (DR) and upland crop-single rice (UR) systems are the major rice-based cropping systems in China, yet differences in net global warming potential (NGWP) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) between the two systems are poorly documented. Accordingly, a 3-year field experiment was conducted to simultaneously measure methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) in oil rape-rice-rice and wheat-rice (representing DR and UR, respectively) systems with straw incorporation (0, 3 and 6 t/ha) during the rice-growing seasons. Compared with the UR system, the annual CH4, N2O, grain yield and NGWP were significantly increased in the DR system, though little effect on SOC sequestration or GHGI was observed without straw incorporation. Straw incorporation increased CH4 emission and SOC sequestration but had no significant effect on N2O emission in both systems. Averaged over the three study years, straw incorporation had no significant effect on NGWP and GHGI in the UR system, whereas these parameters were greatly increased in the DR system, i.e., by 108% (3 t/ha) and 180% (6 t/ha) for NGWP and 103% (3 t/ha) and 168% (6 t/ha) for GHGI.


Risk Factors and Outcomes of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Infection After Liver Transplantation: A Retrospective Study in a Chinese Population.
There is an increasing prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infection after liver transplantation (LT). Improved understanding of the risk factors and outcomes of CRE infections can help us to develop effective preventive strategies and even guide early treatment of high-risk LT patients. This was a retrospective study involving all Chinese adult patients who underwent LT between December 2017 and September 2019 in our center. We analyzed the possible risk factors and outcomes associated with CRE infections in the first 30 days post-LT. A total of 387 patients underwent LT. Among them, 26 patients (6.7%) developed CRE infections within 30 days after transplantation. Patients with CRE infections had significantly lower 30-day and 180-day survival rates (80.8% vs 96.4%, p<0.001; 51.5% vs 92.4%, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis identified that intraoperative blood loss equal to or more than 1500 mL (odds ratio [OR], 3.666; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.407-9.550; p=0.008), CRE rectal carriage within 30 days post-LT (OR, 5.516; 95% CI, 2.113-14.399; p=0.000), biliary complications (OR, 3.779; 95% CI, 1.033-13.831; p=0.045) and renal replacement therapy for more than 3 days (OR, 3.762; 95% CI, 1.196-11.833; p=0.023) were independent risk factors for CRE infections within 30 days post-LT. CRE infections within 30 days post-LT were associated with worse outcomes. Intraoperative blood loss equal to or more than 1500 mL, CRE rectal carriage within 30 days post-LT, biliary complications and renal replacement therapy for more than 3 days were independent risk factors of CRE infections after LT.


Inhibitory effect of 5-fluorouracil on human cytochrome P(450) isoforms in human liver microsomes.
A number of case reports have been described regarding drug interactions with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and co-administered drugs. However, little is known regarding the inhibitory potential of 5-FU on the metabolism of co-administered drugs by cytochrome P(450) (CYP). The aim of the present study was to elucidate the inhibitory effect of 5-FU on CYP isoforms using human liver microsomes. The inhibitory effect of 5-FU on CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2C8, CYP2E1, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 activities was examined with specific probe drugs in human liver microsomes. 5-FU showed little or no inhibitory effect on CYP-catalyzed reactions in human liver microsomal preparations. 5-FU has no inhibitory effect on CYP isoforms or drug metabolism causing drug interaction with 5-FU. The mechanism that causes drug interaction between co-administered drugs and 5-FU may not be related to direct CYP inhibition by 5-FU.


Outcomes of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation for patients with end-stage liver disease.
There have been improving survival trends after in-hospital cardiac arrest for the general population, but there is limited information on the outcomes of hospitalized patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) who undergo cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We aimed to examine survival to hospital discharge after receipt of in-hospital CPR in patients with ESLD using a nationally representative sample. We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 2006 to 2014 to identify adult patients who underwent in-hospital CPR. Using multivariate modelling, we compared survival to hospital discharge for patients with ESLD to those without ESLD. We also compared outcomes of patients with ESLD to patients with metastatic cancer. A total of 177 533 patients underwent in-hospital CPR, of which 1474 (0.8%) had ESLD. Patients with ESLD had lower rates of survival to hospital discharge compared to patients without ESLD (10.7% vs 28.6%, P < 0.01). In multivariate modelling, ESLD was significantly associated with lower odds of survival to hospital discharge after in-hospital CPR (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.28-0.44, P < 0.01). Among survivors of in-hospital CPR, ESLD patients had a significantly lower chance of discharge to home compared to patients without ESLD (3.2% vs 8.0%, P < 0.05). Patients with ESLD also had lower rates of survival to hospital discharge compared to those with metastatic cancer (10.7% vs 15.5%, P < 0.01). Outcomes are poor after in-hospital CPR in patients with ESLD and are worse than for patients with metastatic cancer. The current analysis can be used to inform goals of care discussions for patients with ESLD.


Xeromammography.
Early detection of breast malignancy can insure more effective treatment and a more likely cure. The early detection of cancer of the breast has become the most vital factor in determining successful treatment, arresting the malignancy before it spreads to other organs. Women do not die from breast cancer--it is the cancer's invasion throughout the body and its affect on vital organ systems which ultimately kills the patient. It is, therefore, understandable why the earliest possible detection offers any woman the most favorable prognosis. Evaluation of the female breast using xeromammography techniques provides us with the technical capability of detecting breast cancer at the earliest and, in the majority of women, the most favorable stage. Using today's reduced dose techniques, any proposed risk, hypothetical or real, becomes insignificant.


The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum exports the ATP-binding cassette protein PFGCN20 to membrane structures in the host red blood cell.
PFGCN20 is a member of the ATP-binding cassette family of proteins that is closely related to the yeast translational regulator Gcn20p. We have generated a polyclonal antibody against the N-terminal region of PFGCN20 and studied the cellular localization of PFGCN20 throughout the erythrocytic life cycle of Plasmodium falciparum. PFGCN20 was found to be present at all stages and a pronounced export of PFGCN20 into the erythrocyte was observed in the trophozoite and schizont stages. In the indirect immunofluorescence assay, PFGCN20 was found to display significant colocalization with antigens detected by the monoclonal antibody 41E11. In contrast, there was only a minimal overlap of PFGCN20 localization with EMP2 and HRP2. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated a pronounced accumulation of PFGCN20 in the lumen of the parasitophorous vacuole and deconvolution fluorescence microscopy showed membrane association with selective regions of a tubovesicular network in the red cell. We also observed a concentration of PFGCN20 in electron-dense plaques just underneath the parasite's plasma membrane and an association of PFGCN20 with cytoplasmic vesicular structures within the parasite. The observed export of PFGCN20 and its association with the tubovesicular network in host red cells, may be indicative of the fact that PFGCN20 functions as ATP-binding subunit of an unknown multimeric ABC-transporter. The cytoplasmic localization of PFGCN20 in the parasite, however, suggests that the involvement of PFGCN20 in translational regulation or other cytoplasmic biological functions cannot be ruled out.


Adipose mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomal microRNAs ameliorate polycystic ovary syndrome by protecting against metabolic disturbances.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine and metabolic disorder in women of childbearing age. Adipose mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) secrete cytokines involved in the regulation of metabolism and immunity. However, it remains unclear whether exosomes secreted by AMSCs (AMSC-EXOs) can rescue the polycystic phenotype and metabolic dysfunction in PCOS ovaries. Here, we show that AMSC-EXOs can protect against metabolic disturbances, ameliorate ovarian polycystic, and improve fertility in a rat model of PCOS. AMSC-EXOs inhibited the expression of B-cell translocation gene 2 by transferring miR-21-5p to the livers of rats with PCOS, thus activating the IRS1/AKT pathway and increasing hepatic metabolism. The role of AMSC-EXOs in transferring miRNAs to the liver to improve metabolic dysfunction in PCOS and reproduction by rescuing a non-coding RNA pathway was also discovered. This study provides a theoretical basis for the use of rat adipose stem cells and their secreted exosomes to treat PCOS.


[Presence of interferon in cerebrospinal fluid in nontumoral opsomyoclonic ataxia].
A case of opsoclonus myoclonus ataxia shown not to be due to neuroblastoma was biologically and virologically studied. The presence of interferon was found in the patient's CSF. Its implication in the etiology of cerebellar ataxia is discussed.


Factors affecting short- and long-term survival of patients with acute coronary syndrome treated invasively using intravascular ultrasound and fractional flow reserve: Analysis of data from the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes 2017-2020.
Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and fractional flow reserve (FFR) are invasive procedures increasingly used in treating acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of IVUS and FFR use in patients with ACS in Poland and to assess the safety of these procedures as well as their impact on short- and long-term survival. This retrospective study included 103849 patients enrolled in the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes in 2017-2020. IVUS was performed in 1727 patients, FFR in 1537 patients, and both procedures in 37 patients. The frequency of performing FFR in ACS patients increased over the years from 1.3% to 1.8% (P <0.0001) and IVUS from 1.7% to 2.3% (P <0.0001). In the FFR and/or IVUS group, a similar incidence of stroke, reinfarction, target vessel revascularization, and major bleeding was observed while in-hospital mortality was lower (0% for IVUS + FFR vs. 0.9% for FFR vs. 2.3% for IVUS vs. 3.7 for no procedure; P <0.0001). FFR and IVUS did not affect the 30-day and one-year prognosis. In recent years, the number of FFR and IVUS procedures performed in patients with ACS in Poland has increased. There was lower in-hospital mortality in the FFR and/or IVUS group in ACS patients, and no differences in the incidence of stroke, reinfarction, target vessel revascularization, and major bleeding were observed. Performing FFR and IVUS in ACS patients does not significantly affect 30-day or one-year mortality.


Interpretation of ensemble learning to predict water quality using explainable artificial intelligence.
Algal bloom is a significant issue when managing water quality in freshwater; specifically, predicting the concentration of algae is essential to maintaining the safety of the drinking water supply system. The chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration is a commonly used indicator to obtain an estimation of algal concentration. In this study, an XGBoost ensemble machine learning (ML) model was developed from eighteen input variables to predict Chl-a concentration. The composition and pretreatment of input variables to the model are important factors for improving model performance. Explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) is an emerging area of ML modeling that provides a reasonable interpretation of model performance. The effect of input variable selection on model performance was estimated, where the priority of input variable selection was determined using three indices: Shapley value (SHAP), feature importance (FI), and variance inflation factor (VIF). SHAP analysis is an XAI algorithm designed to compute the relative importance of input variables with consistency, providing an interpretable analysis for model prediction. The XGB models simulated with independent variables selected using three indices were evaluated with root mean square error (RMSE), RMSE-observation standard deviation ratio, and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency. This study shows that the model exhibited the most stable performance when the priority of input variables was determined by SHAP. This implies that on-site monitoring can be designed to collect the selected input variables from the SHAP analysis to reduce the cost of overall water quality analysis. The independent variables were further analyzed using SHAP summary plot, force plot, target plot, and partial dependency plot to provide understandable interpretation on the performance of the XGB model. While XAI is still in the early stages of development, this study successfully demonstrated a good example of XAI application to improve the interpretation of machine learning model performance in predicting water quality.


Autoradiographic labelling of 5-HT3 receptors in the hemi-parkinsonian rat brain.
L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA) is the mainstay treatment for Parkinson's disease, but its effectiveness during early disease is marred by the eventual development of l-DOPA induced dyskinesia. In hemi-parkinsonian rats, the serotonin type 3 (5-HT3) antagonists ondansetron and granisetron alleviated dyskinesia induced by l-DOPA without impeding its anti-parkinsonian action; in parkinsonian marmosets, ondansetron alleviated dyskinesia and enhanced l-DOPA anti-parkinsonian action. Here, we sought to gain insight into the mechanisms governing the anti-dyskinetic action of 5-HT3 antagonists and measured 5-HT3 receptor levels across different brain, using [3H]GR65630 autoradiographic binding. Brain sections were chosen from 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rats exhibiting abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs), as well as l-DOPA-naïve 6-OHDA and sham-lesioned animals. [3H]GR65630 binding increased in the ipsilateral subthalamic nucleus of 6-OHDA-lesioned rats with mild and severe AIMs, (3-fold changes, P < 0.001). [3H]GR65630 binding also increased in the ipsilateral entopeduncular nucleus and thalamus of 6-OHDA-lesioned rats with severe AIMs (75 % and 88 %, P < 0.05). AIMs scores negatively correlated with [3H]GR65630 binding in the ipsilateral dorsolateral striatum and contralateral subthalamic nucleus (P < 0.05). These results suggest that alterations in 5-HT3 mediated neurotransmission may contribute to the pathophysiology of l-DOPA induced dyskinesia.


An Elderly Man with Syncope, Hypoxia, and Confusion: A Case Report and Review of Literature.
Controversies exist regarding the treatment of acute massive pulmonary embolism (PE) with anticoagulation alone or with thrombolytic therapy. Paradoxical embolism in the presence of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a rare but well-known entity and should always be looked for in case of a PE associated with systemic thromboembolism. We report a case of acute sub-massive PE treated with thrombolytic therapy in an elderly gentleman who had a paradoxical embolism and ischemic stroke as a result of a clot traversing through a PFO. We discussed diagnostic modalities, treatment of choice, and associated controversies in management.


Computerized cognitive training restores neural activity within the reality monitoring network in schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia patients suffer from severe cognitive deficits, such as impaired reality monitoring. Reality monitoring is the ability to distinguish the source of internal experiences from outside reality. During reality monitoring tasks, schizophrenia patients make errors identifying "I made it up" items, and even during accurate performance, they show abnormally low activation of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a region that supports self-referential cognition. We administered 80 hr of computerized training of cognitive processes to schizophrenia patients and found improvement in reality monitoring that correlated with increased mPFC activity. In contrast, patients in a computer games control condition did not show any behavioral or neural improvements. Notably, recovery in mPFC activity after training was associated with improved social functioning 6 months later. These findings demonstrate that a serious behavioral deficit in schizophrenia, and its underlying neural dysfunction, can be improved by well-designed computerized cognitive training, resulting in better quality of life.


Sex-dependent changes of hippocampal synaptic plasticity and cognitive performance in C57BL/6J mice exposed to neonatal repeated maternal separation.
The repeated maternal separation (RMS) is a useful experimental model useful in rodents to study the long-term influence of early-life stress on brain neurophysiology. We here investigated the influence of RMS exposure on hippocampal inhibitory and excitatory synaptic transmission, long-term synaptic plasticity and the related potential alterations in learning and memory performance in adult male and female C57Bl/6J mice. Mice were separated daily from their dam for 360 min, from postnatal day 2 (PND2) to PND17, and experiments were performed at PND 60. Patch-clamp recordings in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons revealed a significant enhancement of GABAergic miniature IPSC (mIPSC) frequency, and a decrease in the amplitude of glutamatergic mEPSCs in male mice exposed to RMS. Only a slight but significant reduction in the amplitude of GABAergic mIPSCs was observed in females exposed to RMS compared to the relative controls. A marked increase in long-term depression (LTD) at CA3-CA1 glutamatergic synapses and in the response to the CB1r agonist win55,212 were detected in RMS male, but not female mice. An impaired spatial memory and a reduced preference for novelty was observed in males exposed to RMS but not in females. A single injection of β-ethynyl estradiol at PND2, prevented the changes observed in RMS male mice, suggesting that estrogens may play a protective role early in life against the exposure to stressful conditions. Our findings strengthen the idea of a sex-dependent influence of RMS on long-lasting modifications in synaptic transmission, effects that may be relevant for cognitive performance.


Molecular cloning and cellular expression of crustacean PC2-like prohormone convertase.
PC2 prohormone convertases are enzymes involved in the proteolytic maturation of neuropeptide precursors. In the present work, a cDNA encoding a PC2-like enzyme (OrlPC2) was cloned from crayfish eyestalk ganglia (medulla terminalis) containing the X-organ, a major neuroendocrine center. The predicted 634 amino acid preproprotein exhibits highest sequence identity, especially in the catalytic domain, with PC2s from arthropods and nematodes, and less with mollusc and vertebrate enzymes. It was demonstrated by in situ hybridization on crayfish medulla terminalis sections that OrlPC2 is expressed in a large number of neuron perikarya, including those producing the well known crustacean hyperglycemic hormone.


Unification of catalytic oxygen reduction and hydrogen evolution reactions: highly dispersive Co nanoparticles encapsulated inside Co and nitrogen co-doped carbon.
The Co nanoparticles encapsulated inside Co and nitrogen co-doped carbon catalysts with small particle size and homogenous distribution of Co NPs were elaborately synthesized, which exhibit evidently outstanding activity and stability toward ORR/HER.


Rare peptide segments are found significantly more often in proto-oncoproteins than control proteins: implications for immunology and oncology.
There is some evidence to suggest that peptide segments that are found rarely or never in the host proteome play a role in the immune response to disease-related proteins, both those derived from microbes and those derived from the host itself. We conjecture that this pattern may extend to human proto-oncoproteins. Our hypothesis in this study is that the frequency of rare peptide segments in sets of human proto-oncoproteins is significantly higher than in sets of control proteins, and we show that this is the case. Possible immunological implications of this observation are discussed.


Polymorphisms of TNF microsatellite marker a and HLA-DR-DQ in diabetes mellitus-a study in 609 Swedish subjects.
We explored the importance of the genetic markers microsatellite TNFa, HLA-DR3-DQ2, and DR4-DQ8 in diabetes mellitus. The studied groups comprised autoimmune type 1 (n = 63), nonautoimmune type 1 (n = 35), latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA; n = 54), and nonautoimmune type 2 (n = 340) and these patients were compared to 117 healthy controls. HLA genotyping was done with polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific oligonucleotides. TNFa microsatellites were determined with polymerase chain reaction and fragment size determination. Univariate analysis of these genetic risk factors demonstrated that homozygosity for TNFa2/2 was a significant risk factor for autoimmune type 1 diabetes (odds ratio (OR) = 5.82; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.97-17.2), for autoimmune negative type 1 diabetes (OR = 4.63; 95%CI 1.32-16.2), and for LADA (OR = 3.90; 95%CI 1.21-12.5). Moreover, heterozygosity for HLA-DR3-DQ2/DR4-DQ8 was an important risk factor for autoimmune type 1 diabetes (OR = 16.4; 95%CI 3.60-75) as was DR4-DQ8/x (OR = 2.52; 95%CI 1.27-4.98). Heterozygosity for HLA-DR3-DQ2/DR4-DQ8 was a risk factor also for LADA (OR = 10.0; 95%CI 2.05-48.9). Neither HLA-DR3-DQ2 nor DR4-DQ8 were risk factors for nonautoimmune type 1 or type 2 diabetes. We concluded that heterozygosity for DR3-DQ2/DR4-DQ8 and to some extent homozygosity for TNFa2/2 were risk factors for autoimmune diabetes irrespective of the clinical classification.


Operant control of turning in circles: a new model of dopaminergic drug action.
Rats were trained, using water reinforcement, to exhibit high rates of rotation (circling) during one-hour daily test sessions. Preferred directions of learned rotation were the same as those determined previously in response to D-amphetamine. Changes in reinforcement parameters elicited predictable changes in rates of learned rotation. The effects of D-amphetamine, apomorphine, haloperidol and methohexital could be readily dissociated indicating that the operant rotation paradigm could likely become a useful behavioral assay of dopaminergic drug action.


Heavy metal concentration in reef-associated surface sediments, Hare Island, Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve (southeast coast of India): The first report on pollution load and biological hazard assessment using geochemical normalization factors and hazard indices.
In this study, reef-associated surface sediment samples were collected from Hare Island in the Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, Bay of Bengal and analyzed for heavy metal concentration. The sediment quality was evaluated based on the geochemical, biological, and ecological hazard indices. The mean concentration of heavy metals in the sediments ranged from 0.02 (Cd) to 26,262.87 mg/kg (Fe). Except for Cd and Hg, all other elements were found to be below the sediment quality guidelines and contamination level. The biological and ecological hazard (BEHI) revealed that most sediment samples (80%) fell under the low-risk category with 9% probability of toxicity to the marine flora and fauna. The overall contamination level of heavy metals in Hare Island suggested that the sediment could be grouped under low-risk category. Hence, this study recommends the need for a routine monitoring program in this region to maintain a clean and sustainable ecosystem in future.


Clinical, radiographic, and electromyographic study of patients with internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint.
Fifteen patients with internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) were examined clinically, radiographically, and electromyographically. Electromyographic recordings were also obtained from 11 subjects without signs or symptoms associated with their TMJs or masticatory musculature. All the patients with internal derangement demonstrated interferences on the ipsilateral side. This was interpreted as the result of disc displacement producing a reduced joint space and, consequently, a decreased vertical dimension on the symptomatic side. Slow opening and closing mandibular movements without clenching could be performed by healthy persons without noticeable EMG activity in the temporalis and masseter muscles. In association with disc displacement, electromyographic activity of the temporalis and masseter muscles occurred when the condyle slid over the posterior band of the disc and could be interpreted as an arthrokinetic reflex caused by distraction. Continuous muscle activity could be provoked by TMJ disc displacement and ceased when the disc position was normalized on mouth opening, only to occur again every time the disc became displaced on mouth closure. Anterior disc displacement without reduction (closed lock) could cause spastic activity in the temporalis muscle on the affected side. Spastic activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles occurring on the same side as a joint with anterior disc displacement hinders or inhibits the condylar movement necessary to achieve reduction.


Coordinating Cell Cycle Remodeling with Transcriptional Activation at the Drosophila MBT.
During the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT), major changes in cell cycle regulation coincide with large-scale zygotic genome activation. In this chapter, we discuss the current understanding of how the cell cycle is remodeled over the course of the Drosophila MZT, and how the temporal precision of this event is linked to contemporaneous alterations in genome-wide chromatin structure and transcriptional activity. The cell cycle is initially lengthened during the MZT by activation of the DNA replication checkpoint but, subsequently, zygotically supplied factors are essential for establishing lasting modifications to the cell cycle.


Will Metaverse become a more exciting place to listen to music streaming for mental health?
In this article, the author provides several points of view regarding some of the advantages of the existence of Metaverse on music streaming, especially as a healing medicine for mental health. It is hoped that it can provide another viewpoint from the five key themes, or a series of criticisms that have been discussed in the previous article.


Regional Hippocampal Atrophy and Higher Levels of Plasma Amyloid-Beta Are Associated With Subjective Memory Complaints in Nondemented Elderly Subjects.
Evidence suggests a link between the presence of subjective memory complaints (SMC) and lower volume of the hippocampus, one of the first regions to show neuropathological lesions in Alzheimer's disease. However, it remains unknown whether this pattern of hippocampal atrophy is regionally specific and whether SMC are also paralleled by changes in peripheral levels of amyloid-beta (Aβ). The volume of hippocampal subregions and plasma Aβ levels were cross-sectionally compared between elderly individuals with (SMC(+); N = 47) and without SMC (SMC(-); N = 48). Significant volume differences in hippocampal subregions were further correlated with plasma Aβ levels and with objective memory performance. Individuals with SMC exhibited significantly higher Aβ1-42 concentrations and lower volumes of CA1, CA4, dentate gyrus, and molecular layer compared with SMC(-) participants. Regression analyses further showed significant associations between lower volume of the dentate gyrus and both poorer memory performance and higher plasma Aβ1-42 levels in SMC(+) participants. The presence of SMC, lower volumes of specific hippocampal regions, and higher plasma Aβ1-42 levels could be conditions associated with aging vulnerability. If such associations are confirmed in longitudinal studies, the combination may be markers recommending clinical follow-up in nondemented older adults.


Event-related potentials in children with specific visual cognitive disability.
Event-related potentials (ERPs) elicited by novel and well memorized non-verbal visual patterns were recorded over the right and left hemispheres from ten children with Specific Visual Cognitive Disability (SVCD) and ten matched Control subjects (C). ERPs of SVCD children were generally longer in latency (particularly N2) and decreased in amplitude (particularly P3) relative to the ERPs of Cs. No hemisphere differences were observed in the SVCD group, while the latency of N2 in the C group tended to be slightly shorter and the amplitude of P3 was significantly larger over the right than over the left hemisphere. The results are discussed in terms of deficits in visual learning and visual pattern analysis. The different hemispheric pattern in SVCD children as compared to Cs is suggested to be a symptom secondary to basic visual cognitive deficits.


Study protocol for a multicenter investigation of reablement in Norway.
Reablement is a promising new rehabilitation model, which is being implemented in some Western countries to meet current and future needs for home-based services. There is a need for further investigation of the effects of reablement among community-dwelling adults in terms of clinical and economic outcomes. This study will investigate the effectiveness of reablement in home-dwelling adults compared with standard treatment in terms of daily activities, physical functioning, health-related quality of life, coping, mental health, use of health care services, and costs. The study is a multicenter controlled trial. In total, 44 Norwegian municipalities will participate, including eight municipalities as a control group. For three municipalities with two zones, one will be assigned to the control group and the other to the intervention group. The experimental group will be offered reablement and the control group standard treatment. The sample will comprise approximately 750 participants. People will be eligible if they are home-dwelling adults, understand Norwegian, and have functional decline. Participants will be assessed at baseline, and after 10 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. The primary outcome will be activity and participation measured by the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. Physical functioning will be measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery and health-related quality of life by the European Quality of Life Scale. Coping will be measured by the Sense of Coherence questionnaire and mental health by the Mental Health Continuum Short Form. Costs will be generated based on registered working hours in different professions. Data analyses will be performed according to intention to treat. Univariate analysis of covariance will be used to investigate differences between the groups at baseline and the end of intervention. The data will be organized into two levels using a multilevel structure, i.e., individuals and municipalities, which will be analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. The working hours data (panel data) will be analyzed with random mixed-effects regression models. The cost-effectiveness of reablement will be evaluated according to the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio and uncertainty will be explored via the bootstrap method. The findings will make an important contribution to knowledge of rehabilitation approaches for community-dwelling adults. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on October 24, 2014, identifier: NCT02273934 .


A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of cognitive behavior therapy for patients with diabetes and depression.
The aim of this meta-analysis was to systematically examine the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for diabetic patients who have comorbid depression and to identify which aspects can be improved through intervention. A systematic literature review was performed using multiple databases. The inclusion criteria included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of CBT that were conducted with diabetes patients with clinically relevant depression. Review Manager version 5.3 was used to obtain pooled results. Ten RCTs, with a total sample size of 998 participants, met the inclusion criteria. Compared with control groups, the CBT groups had statistically significant, long-term improvements in depression (standardized mean differences [SMD]=-0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] (-0.98 to -0.31), P=0.0002), quality of life (SMD=0.29, 95%CI (0.08 to 0.51), P=0.007), fasting glucose (SMD=0.21, 95%CI (0.04 to 0.37), P=0.01) and anxiety (SMD=-0.49, 95%CI (-0.88 to -0.10), P=0.01). No improvements were found in glycemic control or in diabetes-related distress. The results of this meta-analysis showed that CBT can be effective in reducing depression symptoms and fasting glucose in diabetes patients with comorbid depression as well as in improving quality of life and anxiety in the long-term. The results showed that CBT can serve as a promising treatment alternative for diabetes patients with comorbid depression.


The association between antidepressant use and glycemic control in the Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS).
Among people with diabetes, comorbid depression has been associated with suboptimal health outcomes. However, the independent impact of antidepressant use on glycemic control (A1C) has not been well understood. The Southern Community Cohort Study collected self-reported antidepressant use and measured continuous A1C in a sample of racially diverse adults with and without diabetes who visited community health clinics serving low-income families in the southeastern United States (N=2445). Crude and adjusted linear regression models were used to examine the relationships between using specific antidepressant subclasses and continuous A1C. Although use of any single antidepressant subclass was not a significant predictor of A1C level, there was a significant association between using multiple antidepressant subclasses and higher A1C, specifically among individuals with diabetes (standardized effect size=.12, p=.04). Among adults with diabetes, the use of multiple antidepressant subclasses may be a risk factor for suboptimal glycemic control. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the direction of this observation, as the present study was limited by a cross-sectional design and small sample size.