A Prospective, Open-Label Study to Evaluate Functional Changes Following Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulation of Abdominal Muscle.
Electromagnetic muscle stimulation (EMMS) is an effective, well-tolerated noninvasive body contouring treatment for strengthening, toning, and firming the abdomen. In this study, functional changes following abdominal EMMS treatment wereevaluated. In this prospective, open-label study, adults received 8 abdominal EMMS treatments (2 treatments on nonconsecutive days/week over 4 weeks). Follow-ups occurred 1 month (primary endpoint), 2, and 3 months postfinal treatment. Effectiveness endpoints included improvements from baseline on Body Satisfaction Questionnaire (BSQ; primary endpoint), core strength (timed plank test), abdominal endurance (curl-up test), and Subject Experience Questionnaire (SEQ). Safety was evaluated throughout. Sixteen participants (68.8% female) were enrolled, with a mean age of 39.3 years and a mean BMI of 24.4 kg/m2; 14 participants completed the study per protocol. Mean BSQ scores were significantly improved from baseline (27.9) to the 1-month follow-up (36.6; P < .05). Core strength and abdominal endurance were significantly greater at the 1-, 2-, and 3-month posttreatment time points than at baseline (P < .05). Frequently cited reasons for seeking EMMS treatment included a desire to feel stronger (100%; n = 14/14) and to improve athletic performance (100%; n = 14/14). SEQ responses 3 months posttreatment showed that most participants reported feeling stronger (92.9%) and motivated to receive additional EMMS treatments (100%) and work out to maintain treatment results (100%). The majority of participants (>78%) reported being "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with abdominal treatment 1 month posttreatment. One device- and/or procedure-related adverse event of menstrual cycle irregularity was reported in 1 participant and was mild in severity. EMMS treatment of the abdomen is associated with functional strength improvements and high patient satisfaction.


How ecological and evolutionary theory expanded the 'ideal weed' concept.
Since Baker's attempt to characterize the 'ideal weed' over 50 years ago, ecologists have sought to identify features of species that predict invasiveness. Several of Baker's 'ideal weed' traits are well studied, and we now understand that many traits can facilitate different components of the invasion process, such as dispersal traits promoting transport or selfing enabling establishment. However, the effects of traits on invasion are context dependent. The traits promoting invasion in one community or at one invasion stage may inhibit invasion of other communities or success at other invasion stages, and the benefits of any given trait may depend on the other traits possessed by the species. Furthermore, variation in traits among populations or species is the result of evolution. Accordingly, evolution both prior to and after invasion may determine invasion outcomes. Here, we review how our understanding of the ecology and evolution of traits in invasive plants has developed since Baker's original efforts, resulting from empirical studies and the emergence of new frameworks and ideas such as community assembly theory, functional ecology, and rapid adaptation. Looking forward, we consider how trait-based approaches might inform our understanding of less-explored aspects of invasion biology ranging from invasive species responses to climate change to coevolution of invaded communities.


Synergized regulation of NK cell education by NKG2A and specific Ly49 family members.
Mice lacking MHC class-I (MHC-I) display severe defects in natural killer (NK) cell functional maturation, a process designated as "education". Whether self-MHC-I specific Ly49 family receptors and NKG2A, which are closely linked within the NK gene complex (NKC) locus, are essential for NK cell education is still unclear. Here we show, using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene deletion, that mice lacking all members of the Ly49 family exhibit a moderate defect in NK cell activity, while mice lacking only two inhibitory Ly49 members, Ly49C and Ly49I, have comparable phenotypes. Furthermore, the deficiency of NKG2A, which recognizes non-classical MHC-Ib molecules, mildly impairs NK cell function. Notably, the combined deletion of NKG2A and the Ly49 family severely compromises the ability of NK cells to mediate "missing-self" and "induced-self" recognition. Therefore, our data provide genetic evidence supporting that NKG2A and the inhibitory members of Ly49 family receptors synergize to regulate NK cell education.


Vitamin E supplementation in rats with experimental diabetes mellitus: analysis of myosin-V and nNOS immunoreactive myenteric neurons from terminal ileum.
The effect of vitamin E (1 g/kg body weight) supplementation on myosin-V and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) immunoreactive myenteric neurons from the ileum of diabetic rats was investigated in the present study. Forty animals were divided into the following groups: normoglycemics (N), normoglycemics treated with vitamin E (NE), diabetics (D), and diabetics treated with vitamin E (DE). Quantitative and morphometric analyses were performed. The area of the tertiary plexus was also determined. Diabetes produced a 24% reduction in the number of myosin-V neurons in group D compared with group N, an effect that was accompanied by an increase in the tertiary plexus area (P < 0.05). Neuronal density was 27% higher in group NE than group N (P < 0.05). Nitrergic neuronal density was not altered as a consequence of either diabetes or vitamin E treatment. Myosin-V and nNOS immunoreactive neuronal cell body area increased significantly in group NE. The area of myosin-V and nNOS myenteric neurons also increased in group D. Vitamin E treatment (group DE) increased only the size of nitrergic neurons. The present results suggest that vitamin E elicited a neuroprotective and neurotrophic effect on the natural aging process, but with regard to diabetes, vitamin E supplementation exerted a neurotrophic effect only on nitrergic neurons.


Differential associations of Borrelia species with European badgers (Meles meles) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in western Poland.
European badgers and raccoon dogs and their associated ticks and lice were assayed for the presence of Lyme borreliosis and relapsing fever-group spirochete DNA in western Poland. Analyses of blood, ear-biopsy and liver samples revealed that 25% of 28 raccoon dogs and 12% of 34 badgers were PCR positive for borreliae. Borrelia garinii was the dominant species in raccoon dogs (62.5%), followed by B. afzelii (25%) and B. valaisiana (12.5%). PCR-positive badgers were infected only with B. afzelii. A total of 351 attached ticks was recovered from 23 (82%) of the raccoon dogs and 13 (38%) of the badgers. Using a nested PCR targeting the ITS2 fragments of Ixodes DNA, four Ixodes species were identified: I. ricinus, I. canisuga, I. hexagonus, and one provisionally named I. cf. kaiseri. Ixodes canisuga and I. ricinus prevailed on both host species. The highest infection prevalence was detected in I. ricinus, followed by I. canisuga and I. cf. kaiseri. Borrelia garinii and B. afzelii accounted for 61.6% and 30.1% of the infections detected in all PCR-positive ticks, respectively. Four other Borrelia species (B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. valaisiana, B. lusitaniae and B. miyamotoi) were detected only in I. ricinus from raccoon dogs. Moreover, Borrelia DNA, mostly B. garinii, was detected in 57 (81.4%) of 70 Trichodectes melis lice derived from 12 badgers. The detection of B. afzelii in one-half of PCR-positive biopsies reconfirms previous associations of this species with mammalian hosts, whereas the high prevalence of B. garinii in feeding lice and I. ricinus ticks (including larvae) demonstrates that both carnivores serve as hosts for B. garinii. The lack of B. garinii DNA in the tissues of badgers versus its prevalence in raccoon-dog biopsies, however, incriminates only the latter carnivore as a potential reservoir host.


A search for a DFT functional for actinide compounds.
Actinide chemistry often lies beyond the applicability domain of the majority of modern theoretical tools due to high computational costs, relativistic effects, or just the absence of actinide data for semiempirical method fitting. On the other hand, radioactivity pushes the usage of computational methods instead of experimental ones. Here, we would like to present a novel relPBE functional as an actinide-fitted version of the PBE0 functional.


Effect of Bisoprolol and Atenolol on Left Ventricular Mass in Patients with Essential Hypertension.
A new beta-blocker, bisoprolol, was compared to atenolol for antihypertensive efficacy and ability to cause regression of left ventricular mass. Twenty-eight patients were randomized into this 8-week, double-blind, dose-escalating trial. Echocardiography was performed in 18 of these patients at baseline and after 8 weeks of therapy to determine left ventricular (LV) mass indices. Both drugs caused a reduction in blood pressure, although bisoprolol caused a significantly greater reduction than did atenolol in diastolic pressure (p < 0.05) and a trend toward a greater reduction in systolic pressure (p < 0.096) as measured by cuff. Comparisons showed a significantly greater reduction in mean LV mass indices with bisoprolol than with atenolol (p < 0.05). A new beta-blocker, bisoprolol, was compared to atenolol for antihypertensive efficacy and ability to cause regression of left ventricular mass. Twenty-eight patients were randomized into this 8-week, double-blind, dose-escalating trial. Echocardiography was performed in 18 of these patients (bisoprolol treated = 8, atenolol treated = 10) at baseline and after 8 weeks of therapy to determine left ventricular (LV) mass indices. Both drugs caused a reduction in blood pressure, although bisoprolol caused a significantly greater reduction than did atenolol in diastolic pressure (p < 0.05) and a trend toward a greater reduction in systolic pressure (p < 0.096) as measured by cuff (bisoprolol means: 152.6 plus minus 9.7/102.8 plus minus 2.8 to 134.0 plus minus 10.0/84.4 plus minus 5.6 mm Hg; atenolol means: 158.4 plus minus 13.8/101.4 plus minus 3.5 to 148.0 plus minus 21.4/91.4 plus minus 5.9 mm Hg). Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring results suggested bisoprolol had longer effectiveness at lowering systolic pressure than did atenol. Comparisons showed a significantly greater reduction in mean LV mass indices with bisoprolol (from 110.0 plus minus 212.3 to 101.8 plus minus 22.0 g m(minus sign2)) than with atenolol (116.9 plus minus 25.5 to 121.7 plus minus 22.2 g m(minus sign2)) (p < 0.05). Bisoprolol was safe and efficacious in blood pressure control and significantly better than atenolol in reducing LV mass.


Placement of external ventricular drains and intracranial pressure monitors by neurointensivists.
External ventricular drains (EVDs) and intracranial pressure (ICP) monitors are widely used in the Neurological Critical Care Unit (NCCU) to measure ICP and divert cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). EVDs and ICP monitors have historically been placed by neurosurgeons; however, with recent staffing of NCCUs by neurointensivists, a growing number of EVDs and ICP monitors are being placed by these specialists. Limited data are available concerning the safety or feasibility of such placements by neurointensivists. We present our experience with EVD and ICP monitor placement by a neurointensivist in the NCCU. A retrospective chart review of 29 patients with EVD placement and 7 patients with ICP monitors--all placed by a single neurointensivist--was conducted for patients admitted to the NCCU from August 2005 to January 2008. These findings were compared to published outcomes from neurosurgeon placements. All 29 patients with EVDs remained infection-free, with CSF pleocytosis occurring in one patient (3.4%). All 7 patients receiving ICP monitors remained free from infection. Complications after drain placement occurred in 20.7% (n = 6) of patients, with all six complications being EVD tract hematoma measuring less than 5 cm(3). Patients receiving ICP monitors had no complications. These complication rates are comparable to published rates, which suggest that placement of EVDs and ICP monitors by neurointensivists may be safe and effective. However, small sample size (n = 36) prohibits definitive safety and efficacy conclusions. For this reason, further research analyzing a larger patient sample is warranted.


A Finite Element Analysis Model is Suitable for Biomechanical Analysis of Orbital Development.
The authors investigated orbital bone development in congenital microphthalmia (CM) using a three-dimensional finite element analysis model, after the orbital dimension deficiency was improved with a self-inflating hydrogel expander implant.Data of a 2-year-old male CM patient were examined. The orbital structure, eyeball, eye muscles, and self-inflating hydrogel expander were constructed according to computed tomography examination data. The effects of self-expanding spherical hydrogel at various locations in the muscle cone on orbital bone development were examined using 3-mL self-expanding expanders placed at shallow (model 1: 2 mm depth) and deep (model 2: 8 mm depth) muscle cone positions. This model simulated the hydrogel expansion process; the orbital bone biomechanics and radial displacement nephograms were obtained when the hydrogel volume increased 3, 5, 7, and 9 times and analyzed.The orbital bone biomechanics were concentrated at the medial orbital wall center, gradually spreading to the whole orbital wall. Biomechanics and radial displacement of the inferior temporal and lateral distal orbital wall region were the most significant, and were more significant in model 1 than in model 2.Finite element analysis is suitable for the biomechanical analysis of orbital development in CM. The shallow position inside CM patients' muscle cone is the optimal site for hydrogel implantation.


Optimization of entrapment of metronidazole in amphiphilic beta-cyclodextrin nanospheres.
Several aspects of the manufacture of nanospheres containing metronidazole were studied. Nanospheres made of amphiphilic beta-cyclodextrin containing metronidazole were prepared by adding an acetone solution of amphiphilic cyclodextrin to an aqueous solution of metronidazole with or without Pluronic PE/F68 as the surfactant. An optimized formulation with high encapsulation efficiencies and with an appropriate particle size for intravenous administration, was developed. The entrapment of metronidazole was strongly dependent of the method of preparation and drug concentrations. These nanospheres prepared by nanocrystallization are promising carriers for metronidazole in the treatment of hepatic abscess.


Beta-subunit expression is required for cAMP-dependent increase of cloned cardiac and vascular calcium channel currents.
In contrast to vascular smooth muscle (VSM), cAMP-dependent phosphorylation increases L-type voltage dependent Ca(2+)-channel (L-VDCC) activity in heart. To investigate whether this difference depends on the tissue-specific alpha 1-subunit of the L-VDCC or its regulation by other subunits, we used a Xenopus laevis oocyte expression system. Injection of cAMP into oocytes expressing cardiac alpha 1 or VSM alpha 1 alone had no effect on L-VDCC activity. However, cAMP increased L-VDCC activity 2-fold in oocytes co-expressing cardiac alpha 1 or VSM alpha 1 with the skeletal muscle beta-subunit. These results suggest that the presence of the beta-subunit is required for cAMP-mediated increase of L-VDCC activity and that the characteristics of tissue-specific beta-subunits may explain differential regulation of L-VDCC activity.


Thrombolytic and anticoagulation treatment in a rat embolic stroke model.
The effects of pentasaccharide (PENTA), given alone or combined with thrombolysis using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA), on infarct size and clinical outcome were evaluated in a rat embolic stroke model. Ninety-two rats were embolized unilaterally and assigned to: (i). controls, (ii). rt-PA 6 mg/kg, (iii). PENTA 0.5 mg/kg, (iv). PENTA 0.5 mg/kg and rt-PA 6 mg/kg. After 2 days animals were killed, the brains removed and evaluated microscopically. The median infarct size measured in percentage of the affected hemisphere was 25% in the control group, 4% (P < 0.01, Mann Whitney) in group 2, 19% (n.s.) in group 3, and 10% (P < 0.05) in group 4. rt-PA, and rt-PA combined with PENTA also promoted functional recovery. The present study found no effect of 0.5 mg/kg PENTA treatment. Compared with rt-PA treatment alone, 0.5 mg/kg PENTA alone or combined with rt-PA did not significantly increase mortality or tendency for hemorrhage.


A comparative analysis of various developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni with respect to their protein composition.
The protein composition of Schistosoma mansoni was analysed by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide slab gel in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate. A high degree of identity existed between protein patterns obtain from immature and adult parasites of the two sexes. Some stage-and sex-specific components were indentified and their possible origin discussed.


An economic investigation of the dengue incidence as a result of a tailings dam accident in Brazil.
On November 2015, the Fundão Tailings Dam, located at Mariana municipality in Brazil, failed. Besides the deaths and injuries, economic losses, pollution and health problems associated to heavy metals in the water, Brazilian municipalities near the accident experienced an increase in the incidence of dengue. Since dengue fever is an insect-borne disease and the mosquito develops where there is stored water, there must be a relationship between the dam accident and the incidence of the disease. The purpose of this study is to test whether there is a causal relationship between the dam accident in Mariana and the number of dengue cases, number of hospitalizations due to dengue, and dengue outbreak in the municipalities affected by the accident. We find evidence that the accident had a positive and statistically significant impact on dengue indicators (for example, the probability of a dengue outbreak increased in 19%), what makes us call attention to another negative externality of tailings dam accidents.


Pathophysiology of disk-related sciatica. I.--Evidence supporting a chemical component.
Sciatica in patients with disk disease was long ascribed to pressure put on the sciatic nerve root by a herniated disk. However, a role for chemical factors acting in conjunction with this mechanical insult is suggested by a number of clinical observations: disk surgery does not consistently provide pain relief, large disk herniations are not always symptomatic, severe pain may be present in patients without imaging evidence of nerve root compression, the severity of symptoms and neurological signs is not well correlated with the size of the disk herniation, and conservative therapy is often effective. Experimental studies have provided further evidence for a chemical component: disk herniations can undergo spontaneous resorption, the intervertebral disk is immunogenic, and mediators for inflammation have been identified within intervertebral disk tissue. The current pathophysiological theory incriminates proinflammatory substances secreted by the nucleus pulposus (NP). When preexisting or concomitant mechanical injury to a nerve root occurs, these substances can cause nerve root pain. Animal experiments have established that the NP can induce functional and structural nerve root abnormalities in the absence of mechanical compression and that this effect is mediated by substances located at the surface of NP cells. Methylprednisolone, diclofenac, indomethacin, doxycycline, and cyclosporine induce variable inhibition of this effect. Available information points to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) as the main candidate among substances potentially responsible for nerve root pain. Therefore, trials of TNF-alpha antagonists in patients with disk-related sciatica are warranted.


Molecular features of primary hepatic undifferentiated carcinoma.
The clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of primary hepatic undifferentiated carcinoma are poorly defined. It is speculated that primary hepatic undifferentiated carcinoma develops in the setting of preceding primary hepatic carcinoma. We investigated 14 primary hepatic undifferentiated carcinomas through targeted next-generation sequencing and immunohistochemistry. A panel of genes commonly mutated in primary liver carcinomas were examined. We found a similar clinical context as primary hepatic carcinoma, including a high prevalence of chronic viral hepatitis (86%), cirrhosis (57%), and elevated alpha-fetoprotein (29%). Tumors had sheet-like and poorly cohesive growth patterns. Rhabdoid cytomorphology was observed in four samples. Notably, the most common genetic mutations in primary hepatic undifferentiated carcinoma were in the promoter of TERT (n = 8, 57%) and TP53 (n = 8, 57%), which are common in hepatocellular carcinoma. The mutation rate of TP53 was elevated compared with hepatocellular carcinoma. No other typical genetic features of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma were identified, such as an IDH1/IDH2 mutation, FGFR2 fusions, or aberrant BAP1 expression. Furthermore, novel switch/sucrose nonfermenting complex inactivation was found, including SMARCA4/SMARCA2 (n = 1) and PBRM1 deficiency (n = 2). The three tumors demonstrated poorly cohesive histology, including rhabdoid features. High PD-L1 expression (57%) was observed in a majority of the tumors. Primary hepatic undifferentiated carcinoma shares clinical and genetic features with hepatocellular carcinoma but harbors progressive molecular characteristics that may initiate tumor dedifferentation. High PD-L1 expression in primary hepatic undifferentiated carcinoma may be a useful biomarker for potential immunotherapeutic strategies.


The association of socioeconomic and clinical characteristics with health-related quality of life in patients with psoriasis: a cross-sectional study.
This study aimed to determine the socioeconomic and clinical characteristics affecting health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with psoriasis. A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and June 2015 using data obtained via an Internet-based survey completed by a psoriasis patient group in Korea. The survey included items regarding demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics and HRQoL. Patients' HRQoL impairment was classified as severe if their Dermatology Life Quality Index Scores were ≥ 11. Factors influencing HRQoL impairment were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Of the 299 respondents, 161 (53.8%) exhibited severe HRQoL impairment. The Dermatology Life Quality Index scores were significantly associated with gender, annual income, neck psoriasis, psoriasis-related resignation from work, and use of oral and herbal medications. The severity of HRQoL impairment in women was twice that observed in men (odds ratio [OR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-3.80). Patients with psoriasis on the neck exhibited significantly greater HRQoL impairment than those with psoriasis on other areas of their bodies (OR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.20-4.43). With respect to the socioeconomic status, patients who earned > 40 million KRW (approximately 34,000 USD; high-income group) showed less HRQoL impairment compared with those who had lower incomes (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.28-0.80). Patients with severe HRQoL impairment used oral (OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.20-3.44) and herbal (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.04-3.34) medications more often relative to patients with less severe HRQoL impairment. HRQoL in patients with psoriasis was significantly associated with their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and employment status. The presence of psoriasis on exposed areas of the body was significantly associated with patients' HRQoL and employment status. Further research is required to evaluate the impact of psoriasis on patients' productivity.


Apolipoprotein B is associated with CT-angiographic progression beyond low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with coronary artery disease.
Accumulating evidence indicated that apolipoprotein B (apoB) was the principal lipid determinant of coronary artery disease (CAD). Nevertheless, the connection between apoB and angiographic progression of CAD remained undetermined. Five hundred and forty-four CAD patients with twice coronary computed tomography angiography experiences were enrolled. The Gensini scoring system was used to assess angiographic progression. Incident angiographic progression was defined as an annual change rate of the Gensini score of > 1 point. The predictive efficacy of baseline apoB levels for angiographic progression was assessed using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. For comparative purposes, patients were categorized into three groups according to their baseline apoB tertiles. Furthermore, discordance analyses defined by the median were performed to assess the superiority of apoB over lipoprotein cholesterol in predicting angiographic progression of CAD. Angiographic progression was observed in 184 patients (33.8%) during a follow-up period of 2.2-year. The area under the ROC curve was 0.565 (0.522-0.607, P = 0.013). The incidence of angiographic progression was elevated with increasing apoB tertile after adjusting for confounding factors [odds ratio (OR) for the medium apoB tertile: 1.92, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15-3.19, P = 0.012; OR for the high apoB tertile: 2.05, 95%CI:1.17-3.60, P = 0.013]. Additionally, discordance analyses showed that the higher apoB group had a significantly higher risk of CAD progression in the fully adjusted model (all P < 0.05). ApoB could be used as an accurate and comprehensive indicator of angiographic progression in patients with CAD.


Predictors of lung function and its decline in mild to moderate COPD in association with gender: results from the Euroscop study.
There is increasing appreciation of gender differences in COPD but scant data whether risk factors for low lung function differ in men and women. We analysed data from 3 years follow-up in 178 women and 464 men with COPD, participants in the Euroscop Study who were smokers unexposed to inhaled corticosteroids. Explanatory variables of gender, age, starting age and pack-years smoking, respiratory symptoms, FEV(1)%FVC and FEV(1)%IVC (clinically important measures of airway obstruction), body mass index (BMI), and change in smoking were included in multiple linear regression models with baseline and change in post-bronchodilator FEV(1) as dependent variables. Reduced baseline FEV(1) was associated with respiratory symptoms in men only. Annual decline in FEV(1) was not associated with respiratory symptoms in either men or women, and was 55 ml less in obese men (BMI 30 kg/m(2)) than men having normal BMI, an effect not seen in women. It was 32 ml faster in women with FEV(1)%FVC<median than women with less airway obstruction, a larger difference than in men (8 ml per year). It was 17.7 ml/year faster when increasing the daily number of cigarettes by 10 in men only, but not significantly greater than in women. Respiratory symptoms were associated with reduced baseline FEV(1) in men with COPD. In men, obesity was associated with reduced decline and increasing the number of cigarettes smoked with increased decline in lung function. In women more severe airway obstruction was associated with accelerated decline.


Aeromonas culicicola Pidiyar et al. 2002 is a later subjective synonym of Aeromonas veronii Hickman-Brenner et al. 1987.
We re-investigated the taxonomic affiliation between Aeromonas culicicola Pidiyar et al. 2002 and Aeromonas veronii Hickman Brenner et al. 1987, two species that have previously been shown to be closely related on the basis of gyrB and rpoD gene sequencing and amplified fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting. From extended biochemical characterization and fatty acid analysis, it was concluded that A. culicicola did not constitute a unique phenotypic group in the genus Aeromonas but instead clearly fitted the phenotypic description of A. veronii biovar (bv.) sobria. Concordant with the phenotypic results, new DNA-DNA hybridizations revealed reassociation values in the range of 79-88% between the type strains of A. culicicola and A. veronii which indicates that both taxa belong to the same DNA hybridization group. Together with previously reported evidence, we conclude from the new taxonomic data that A. culicicola is a typical member of A. veronii bv. sobria and that its status as a new Aeromonas species is not justified. On the basis of nomenclatural priority, it is therefore proposed that A. culicicola Pidiyar et al. 2002 should be considered as later subjective synonym of A. veronii Hickman-Brenner et al. 1987.


Qualitative-quantitative analysis of multi-mycotoxin in milk using the high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry coupled with the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe method.
High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry coupled with the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe method was established for the qualitative and quantitative detections of 20 mycotoxins in milk. The linear range of this method was 0.01-10 μg/L and the correlation coefficients were all greater than or equal to 0.9933. At three levels of addition, the spiked recoveries ranged from 80.00 to 112.50%, relative standard deviations were 2.67-14.97%, limits of quantitation were 0.02-4.00 μg/kg, and limits of detection were 0.007-1.300 μg/kg. This developed procedure for the identification and quantitation of mycotoxins provided prospective support for quality regulation.


Neural control of ventilation in the shore crab, Carcinus maenas. II. Frequency-modulating interneurons.
1. We have identified a class of nonspiking interneurons which can control the frequency of ventilation in a graded manner. These frequency modulating interneurons (FMis) also receive synaptic inputs in-phase with the ventilatory motor output providing a functional positive feedback loop in the ventilatory system. The class of FMis is composed of three morphologically and physiologically distinct interneurons, FMi1, FMi2 and FMi3. 2. Depolarization of FMi1 increases the rate of ventilation, while hyperpolarization decreases the rate (Fig. 1). This control is restricted to a single ventilatory central pattern generator (CPG), (Fig. 2), although FMi1 sends processes into the neuropils of both hemiganglionic CPGs (Fig. 3). 3. Hyperpolarization of FMi2 increases the rate of both ventilatory CPGs while depolarization of this cell slows and eventually arrests the rhythm (Figs. 5 and 6). FMi2 receives a synaptic input correlated with the motor output of each of the ventilatory CPGs (Fig. 4). During periods of reversed ventilation, this cell is abruptly hyperpolarized and continues to be driven in-phase with the ventilatory motor output (Fig. 7). 4. Hyperpolarization of FMi3 increases the rate of ventilation and depolarization decreases the rate of ventilation produced by both CPGs (Fig. 10). This control of the ventilatory rate by FMi3 is graded (Fig. 11). There is no apparent change in the membrane potential of FMi3 during reversed ventilation and it is morphologically distinct from FMi2. 5. FMi2 and FMi3 may be involved in the switch in ventilatory motor pattern from forward to reversed ventilation. Hyperpolarization of FMi2 and depolarization of FMi3 can elicit bouts of reversed ventilation from both CPGs (Fig. 13). 6. These results suggest that the FM interneurons act in parallel to control the frequency of ventilation and may act as integrating elements between spiking 'command' fibers in the circumesophageal connectives and the nonspiking interneurons of the ventilatory CPG.


Lysosomes contribute to radioresistance in cancer.
Radiotherapy is one of the most widely used methods to treat human tumors. Efficacy is due mainly to the DNA damage it induces. However, tumor cells often develop responsive adaptiveness to radiation treatment to survive, which leads to radioresistance. Many cellular processes, such as DNA damage repair, cell cycle arrest and autophagy, are involved in the development of radioresistance. Few interventions to combat radioresistance exist to date. In recent years, the lysosome has been reported to contribute to chemo- and radioresistance. Although for many years, the lysosome was known as an organelle that degrades waste materials, we now know it is also involved in important signaling pathways regulating cellular homeostasis. Although an increasing number of preclinical studies show that lysosome-related factors promote radioresistance, the role of the lysosome in radioresistance has not been systematically demonstrated. Here, we combine an updated understanding of lysosomes with a review of current studies regarding the role of lysosomes in mediating radioresistance.


Preoperative evaluation of pulmonary function.
Respiratory problems are a major cause of postoperative complications. Detection of the patient with subtle chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is essential to lessen the risk of respiratory complications in the postoperative period. In the patient with known chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, it is important to determine not only whether a lung lesion such as a neoplasm can be completely resected, but also whether the patient's cardiorespiratory reserve is adequate to allow the proposed lung resection. Detection of the patient at increased risk as well as evaluation of the ability to withstand surgery is discussed.


Sizing of nursing staff associated with self-care promotion in a pediatric semi-intensive care unit.
To calculate and compare the nursing staff size associated with self-care promotion at a pediatric semi-intensive care unit. This was a prospective study in which 31 children and their caregivers participated. The nursing workload associated with each participant was evaluated at two different times (first and second hospital stays) using the Nursing Activities Score instrument. The first hospital stay corresponded to self-care promotion. Staff size was calculated according to the nursing hours recommended by the Nursing Activities Score instrument and by Conselho Federal de Enfermagem (COFEN) resolution no. 527/16, in the two hospital stays, and the results were compared. The nursing workload in the first hospital stay (14.6 hours) was higher than the nursing workload in the second stay (9.9 hours) (p < 0.001). The Nursing Activities Score revealed that according to the nursing hours, the nursing staff size corresponded to 26 and 18 professionals in the first and second hospital stays, respectively, and to 15 professionals according to COFEN resolution no. 527/16. The number of personnel responsible for promoting self-care in pediatric semi-intensive care units, according to the nursing hours suggested by the Nursing Activities Score, was higher than that recommended by the existing legislation. This demonstrates the necessity of reconsidering staff size for this healthcare profile.


Low blastocyst formation rates in day-2 fertilized oocytes.
To examine the blastocyst formation rates of day-2 fertilized oocytes. A retrospective study of the outcomes/blastocyst formation of day-2 fertilized oocytes was undertaken. Fertilization rates of day-1 and -2 oocytes by intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection were similar. The development frequencies to four cells were similar. However, the blastulation rates were significantly lower from the day-2 fertilized eggs. The fertilization rates from day-2 conventional in vitro fertilization reinsemination were lower than the fertilization rates of day-1 oocytes. The blastulation rates from day-2 fertilized eggs were also lower than the rates from day-1 fertilized eggs in the in vitro fertilization group. Fertilization is not a good indicator to predict the viability of fertilized oocytes. Day-2 fertilized oocytes had significantly lower blastocyst formation rates than the rates from day-1 fertilized oocytes.


Glycerol monolaurate (GML), a medium-chain fatty acid derivative, ameliorate growth performance, immune function, disease resistance and intestinal microbiota in juvenile hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus♂).
In order to evaluate the effects of glycerol monolaurate (GML) on the growth performance, immunology function, disease resistance and intestinal microbiota for hybrid groupers. Seven levels of GML (0, 600, 1200, 1800, 2400, 3000 and 3600 mg/kg) were added to diets and were noted as the G1 (control group), G2, G3, G4, G5, G6 and G7, respectively. Each experimental diet was fed to triplicate groups of 30 juvenile groupers for 8 weeks. The FBW, WGR and SGR were significantly higher and FCR was significantly lower in the G4 group compared to the G1 group (P < 0.05). Serum immune enzyme activities (ACP, AKP and LZM) rose and then fell and had the highest values in the G4 group (P < 0.05). The expression of TNF-α and IL6 in head kidney was significantly inhibited (P < 0.05), while the expression of TLR22 was increased (P < 0.05). After the Vibrio parahaemolyticus challenge test, ACP and AKP activities were increased in the G4 and G5 groups, while mortality was lower than in the G1 group (P < 0.05). GML significantly modulated the abundance of intestinal microbiota, with the G4 and G5 groups increasing the relative abundance of the Firmicutes and Bacillus, respectively (P < 0.05). The alpha diversity of the G5 group (Sob, Chao1 and ACE) was significantly higher than that of the G1 group (P < 0.05). In summary, the optimal level of GML was 1700 mg/kg according to the regression equation model fitted by the WGR index.


Reticular Fibroblasts Expressing the Transcription Factor WT1 Define a Stromal Niche that Maintains and Replenishes Splenic Red Pulp Macrophages.
Located within red pulp cords, splenic red pulp macrophages (RPMs) are constantly exposed to the blood flow, clearing senescent red blood cells (RBCs) and recycling iron from hemoglobin. Here, we studied the mechanisms underlying RPM homeostasis, focusing on the involvement of stromal cells as these cells perform anchoring and nurturing macrophage niche functions in lymph nodes and liver. Microscopy revealed that RPMs are embedded in a reticular meshwork of red pulp fibroblasts characterized by the expression of the transcription factor Wilms' Tumor 1 (WT1) and colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1). Conditional deletion of Csf1 in WT1+ red pulp fibroblasts, but not white pulp fibroblasts, drastically altered the RPM network without altering circulating CSF1 levels. Upon RPM depletion, red pulp fibroblasts transiently produced the monocyte chemoattractants CCL2 and CCL7, thereby contributing to the replenishment of the RPM network. Thus, red pulp fibroblasts anchor and nurture RPM, a function likely conserved in humans.


American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Disease State Clinical Review: The Clinical Utility of Minimally Invasive Interventional Procedures in the Management of Benign and Malignant Thyroid Lesions.
The objective of this disease state clinical review is to provide clinicians with a summary of the nonsurgical, minimally invasive approaches to managing thyroid nodules/malignancy, including their indications, efficacy, side effects, and outcomes. A literature search was conducted using PubMed and appropriate key words. Relevant publications on minimally invasive thyroid techniques were used to create this clinical review. Minimally invasive thyroid techniques are effective and safe when performed by experienced centers. To date, percutaneous ethanol injection therapy is recommended for recurrent benign thyroid cysts. Both ultrasound-guided laser and radiofrequency ablation can be safely used for symptomatic solid nodules, both toxic and nontoxic. Microwave ablation and high-intensity focused ultrasound are newer approaches that need further clinical evaluation. Despite limited data, encouraging results suggest that minimally invasive techniques can also be used in small-size primary and locally recurrent thyroid cancer. Surgery and radioiodine treatment remain the conventional and established treatments for nodular goiters. However, the new image-guided minimally invasive approaches appear safe and effective alternatives when used appropriately and by trained professionals to treat symptomatic or enlarging thyroid masses.


Patterns in stream fish assemblage structure and function associated with a PCB gradient.
Stream fish assemblage structure and function were examined for significant response along a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) gradient from two PCB-contaminated streams (Clear Creek and Richland Creek watershed) at three locations and a control stream (Little Indian Creek), Indiana, USA. Fish were sampled in the summer months of 1995 and from 1999 to 2002. 51 fish assemblage attributes-including structure (i.e., fish composition) and function (i.e., trophic, reproductive, condition guilds), biomass, and index of biotic integrity (IBI) metric scores-were evaluated for significance according to an increasing PCB gradient. Eight biomass attributes of fish assemblages decreased with increasing PCB concentration: number of species biomass, number of sunfish biomass, percent sunfish biomass, number of sucker biomass, percent sucker biomass, biomass of sensitive species, percent sensitive species biomass, and percent carnivore biomass. Three biomass attributes increased with PCB concentration: percent minnow biomass, percent pioneer species biomass, and percent tolerant species biomass. Seven species composition and relative abundance characters decreased with increasing PCB concentration: number of species; number of darter, madtom, and sculpin; number of darter; number of sunfish; number of sucker; number of sensitive species; and percent individuals as carnivores. Percent individuals as pioneer species increased with increasing PCB concentration. Two IBI metrics, percent individuals as headwater species and number of minnow species, increased as PCB concentrations increased, whereas number of sucker species and percent individuals as pioneer species decreased with increasing PCB concentration class. We observed a direct response between decreased relative abundance and biomass of carnivores and increased relative abundance minnows as the PCB gradient increased. Total IBI score did not detect subtle changes to the fish community that were observed along a PCB gradient, whereas diagnostic analysis of the individual metrics did.


Topical Drug Delivery of Concentrated Cabazitaxel in an α-Tocopherol and DMSO Solution.
Topical chemotherapy approaches are relevant for certain skin cancer treatments. This study observes that cabazitaxel (CTX), a broad-spectrum second-generation taxane cytotoxic agent, can be dissolved in α-tocopherol at high concentrations exceeding 100 mg mL-1 . 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis and molecular dynamics (MD) are used to study this phenomenon. The addition of 30% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to the α-tocopherol/CTX solution improves its working viscosity and enhances CTX permeation through human skin in vitro (over 5 µg cm-2 within 24 h), while no detectable drug permeates when CTX is dissolved in α-tocopherol alone. In a transepidermal water loss assay, the barrier impairment induced by CTX in 30% DMSO in α-tocopherol, but not in pure DMSO, is reversible 8 h after the formulation removal from the skin surface. Antitumor efficacy of the topical CTX formulation is evaluated in nude mice bearing A431 human squamous carcinoma skin cancer xenografts. With topical application of concentrated CTX solutions (75 mg mL-1 ), tumor growth is significantly suppressed compared to lower concentration groups (0, 25, or 50 mg mL-1 CTX). Taken together, these findings show that topical delivery of CTX using a DMSO and α-tocopherol solvent warrants further study as a treatment for skin malignancies.


Persistent CD30 expression by embryonal carcinoma in the treatment time course: prognostic significance of a worthwhile target for personalized treatment.
CD30 is expressed by untreated embryonal carcinoma, supporting the rationale for a targeted approach. However, the reported chemotherapy induced switching off of CD30 noted on immunohistochemistry may affect its therapeutic potential for disease relapse. We evaluated persistent CD30 expression and its prognostic meaning in cases of post-chemotherapy residual disease. Paraffin blocks of surgical samples that yielded nonteratomatous viable cells after 1 or more cisplatin based chemotherapy treatments were retrieved and reassessed by 2 pathologists blinded to the study purpose. Multivariable analysis was done for prespecified factors. A total of 49 cases of pure embryonal carcinoma or mixed germ cell tumor from August 1991 to August 2012 had full clinical data and suitable tissue available for analysis. Of the 35 cases (71.4%, 95% CI 56.7-83.4) with preserved CD30 positivity 14 (40.0%) showed residual disease after a median of 1 regimen (IQR 1-2). Five-year overall survival in CD30 positive and negative cases was 37.0% (95% CI 22.1-61.8) and 50.1% (95% CI 27.9-90.0, p=0.078), while after first line treatment it was 23.2% (95% CI 8.6-62.5) and 47.6% (95% CI 18.8-100, p=0.025), respectively. On multivariable analysis CD30 positivity was a significant prognostic factor for progression-free survival (HR 2.32, 95% CI 1.04-5.19) and overall survival (HR 2.77, 95% CI 1.05-7.29). CD30 was retained even after an intensive pretreatment load, confirming that it is a reliable treatment target. Its expression was associated with a significantly poorer prognosis in multiple relapse/chemoresistant cases and it was an independent prognostic factor for survival.


Multi-technique analysis of precipitable water vapor estimates in the sub-Sahel West Africa.
Precipitable water vapor (PWV) is an important climate parameter indicative of available moisture in the atmosphere; it is also an important greenhouse gas. Observations of precipitable water vapor in sub-Sahel West Africa are almost non-existent. Several Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) sites have been established across West Africa, and observations from four of them, namely, Ilorin (4.34° E, 8.32° N), Cinzana (5.93° W, 13.28° N), Banizoumbou (2.67° E, 13.54° N) and Dakar (16.96° W, 14.39° N) are being used in this study. Data spanning the period from 2004 to 2014 have been selected; they include conventional humidity parameters, remotely sensed aerosol and precipitable water information and numerical model outputs. Since in Africa, only conventional information on humidity parameters is available, it is important to utilize the unique observations from the AERONET network to calibrate empirical formulas frequently used to estimate precipitable water vapor from humidity measurements. An empirical formula of the form PWV=aTd+b where Td is the surface dew point temperature, a and b are constants, was fitted to the data and is proposed as applicable to the climatic condition of the sub-Sahel. Moreover, we have also used the AERONET information to evaluate the capabilities of well-established numerical weather prediction (NWP) models such as ERA Interim Reanalysis, NCEP-DOE Reanalysis II and NCEP-CFSR, to estimate precipitable water vapor in the sub-Sahel West Africa; it was found that the models tend to overestimate the amount of precipitable water at the selected sites by about 25 %.


Blue marine therapy: Sea as a trove of natural anticancer drugs.
The great variability of marine habitats and the species that live there allows the development of organisms with unique characteristics. These represent an excellent source of natural compounds and are therefore interesting in the search for new bioactive molecules. In recent years, many marine-based drugs have been commercialized or are currently under investigation, mainly in the treatment of cancer. This mini-review summarizes the marine-based drugs currently marketed and presents a non-exhaustive list of molecules currently in clinical trials, as monotherapy but also in combination with classical anticancer treatments.


Post-translational backbone-acyl shift yields natural product-like peptides bearing hydroxyhydrocarbon units.
Hydroxyhydrocarbon (Hhc) moieties in the backbone of peptidic natural products can exert a substantial influence on the bioactivities of the products, making Hhc units an attractive class of building blocks for de novo peptides. However, despite advances in in vitro genetic code reprogramming, the ribosomal incorporation of Hhc units remains challenging. Here we report a method for in vitro ribosomal synthesis of natural-product-like peptides bearing Hhc units. A series of azide/hydroxy acids were designed as chemical precursors of Hhc units and incorporated into the nascent peptide chain by means of genetic code reprogramming. Post-translational reduction of the azide induced an O-to-N acyl shift to rearrange the peptide backbone. This method allows for one-pot ribosomal synthesis of designer macrocycles bearing various β-, γ- and δ-type Hhc units. We also report the synthesis of a statine-containing peptidomimetic inhibitor of β-secretase 1 as a showcase example.


CD8 + T-cell number and function are altered by Shkbp1 knockout mediated suppression of tumor growth in mice.
CD8 + effector cells are highly skilled in immune surveillance and contribute to adaptive immunity against cancer cells. An increasing number of molecular factors affecting T-cell differentiation may alter T-cell function by increasing or decreasing the capacity of the immune system to kill cancer cells. Here, Sh3kbp1 binding protein 1 (Shkbp1), known as CIN85 binding protein or SETA binding protein, was found to be expressed in immune organs and immune cells. Shkbp1 knockout mice presented abnormal red and white pulp structures in spleen. Shkbp1 knockout increased CD8 + T cell number in spleen and enhanced the function of isolated CD8 + T cells from Shkbp1 knockout mice. The subcutaneous melanoma model in Shkbp1 knockout mice showed that tumor growth was inhibited, and the infiltration of CD8 + T cells in tumor tissue was increased. Furthermore, adenoviral therapy targeting Shkbp1 indicated that knockout of Shkbp1 increased CD8 + T cells and inhibited tumor growth. This study provides new insights into the role of Shkbp1 in CD8 differentiation and functions, suggesting that Shkbp1 may be a new, potential target in cancer immunotherapy.


Consumers' willingness to buy functional foods. The influence of carrier, benefit and trust.
The goal of the present study was to examine factors that influence willingness to buy functional foods. Data were collected from a representative mail survey in Switzerland (n=249). Results suggest that consumers are more inclined to buy functional foods with physiological health claims compared with psychological health claims. Health claims were most positively evaluated when attached to a product with a positive health image. Results further show that participants who have trust in the food industry are more likely to buy functional foods compared with participants who do not have trust in the food industry. Older consumers were more interested in functional foods than younger consumers.


Effects of sleep deprivation on event-related fields and alpha activity during rhythmic force production.
The influence of sleep deprivation (SD) on event-related fields and the distribution of power over the scalp of MEG imaged brain activity was studied during acoustically paced rhythmic force production. At the behavioral level, SD resulted in a reduction of the lag (negative asynchrony) between produced forces and acoustic stimuli at higher movement tempos. Principal component analysis of the accompanying MEG activity showed that auditory- and motor-evoked fields were attenuated after SD and revealed an anterior shift of power towards more frontal channels. These results were interpreted in terms of a change of central processing of afferent sensory input due to SD.


Additive effects of beta-alanine and sodium bicarbonate on upper-body intermittent performance.
We examined the isolated and combined effects of beta-alanine (BA) and sodium bicarbonate (SB) on high-intensity intermittent upper-body performance in judo and jiu-jitsu competitors. 37 athletes were assigned to one of four groups: (1) placebo (PL)+PL; (2) BA+PL; (3) PL+SB or (4) BA+SB. BA or dextrose (placebo) (6.4 g day⁻¹) was ingested for 4 weeks and 500 mg kg⁻¹ BM of SB or calcium carbonate (placebo) was ingested for 7 days during the 4th week. Before and after 4 weeks of supplementation, the athletes completed four 30-s upper-body Wingate tests, separated by 3 min. Blood lactate was determined at rest, immediately after and 5 min after the 4th exercise bout, with perceived exertion reported immediately after the 4th bout. BA and SB alone increased the total work done in +7 and 8 %, respectively. The co-ingestion resulted in an additive effect (+14 %, p < 0.05 vs. BA and SB alone). BA alone significantly improved mean power in the 2nd and 3rd bouts and tended to improve the 4th bout. SB alone significantly improved mean power in the 4th bout and tended to improve in the 2nd and 3rd bouts. BA+SB enhanced mean power in all four bouts. PL+PL did not elicit any alteration on mean and peak power. Post-exercise blood lactate increased with all treatments except with PL+PL. Only BA+SB resulted in lower ratings of perceived exertion (p = 0.05). Chronic BA and SB supplementation alone equally enhanced high-intensity intermittent upper-body performance in well-trained athletes. Combined BA and SB promoted a clear additive ergogenic effect.


Characterization of benzodiazepine withdrawal in high- and low-dose dependent psychiatric inpatients.
Fourteen patients with high- (n = 7) and low-dose (n = 7) benzodiazepine (BDZ) dependency presented predominantly with anxious and depressive neurotic symptoms which caused long-term BDZ medication. Their BDZ dependency was characterized by giving preference to the abuse of benzodiazepines with long elimination half-life. Significant enlargement of CSF spaces was only found in high-dose dependent patients. Withdrawal after long-term BDZ medication revealed no differences between high- and low-dose BDZ dependency with respect to onset of withdrawal reaction and the correlation between onset of withdrawal and peak fall of BDZ serum level. The peak of withdrawal was reached 3-4 days later in high-dose BDZ dependent patients compared with those with a low-dose dependency. The peak withdrawal in high-dose dependent patients appeared when the serum BDZ metabolite nordiazepam dropped significantly. No such concomitant appearance of peak withdrawal and drop of serum nordiazepam level could be found in low-dose dependent patients. Specificity and intensity of BDZ withdrawal symptoms were the same for those dependent upon high doses of BDZs and those dependent upon low doses, but a protracted withdrawal was only observed in low-dose BDZ-dependent patients. During the withdrawal period psychopathometric measurements consistently revealed parallel changes in the scores for physical withdrawal symptoms, anxiety and depression. It is not clear whether anxiety and depression are "typical" BDZ withdrawal reactions or represent a "reactivated" state of the psychopathological disturbance which lead to the BDZ dependency. Possible implications for the therapeutical management of BDZ-dependent patients are discussed.


Type 2 immunity-dependent reduction of segmented filamentous bacteria in mice infected with the helminthic parasite Nippostrongylus brasiliensis.
Dynamic interactions between the host and gastrointestinal microbiota play an important role for local and systemic immune homeostasis. Helminthic parasites modulate the host immune response, resulting in protection against autoimmune disease but also increased susceptibility to pathogen infection. The underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. We showed that the type 2 immune response to enteric Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection in mice was associated with altered intestinal mucin and AMP expression and shifts in microbiota composition. Most strikingly, infection reduced concentrations of intestinal segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB), known inducers of T helper 17 cells, and IL-17-associated gene expression. Infected mice deficient in IL-13 or STAT6 did not reduce SFB or IL-17, and exogenous IL-25 replicated the effects of parasite infection in wild type mice. Our data show that parasite infection acts through host type 2 immunity to reduce intestinal SFB and expression of IL-17, providing an example of a microbiota-dependent immune modulation by parasites.


Antiplatelet constituents of garlic and onion.
We have identified three main antiplatelet constituents, namely adenosine, allicin and paraffinic polysulfides in both garlic and onion. Adenosine and allicin both inhibited platelet aggregation without affecting cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid. The trisulfides inhibited platelet aggregation as well as thromboxane synthesis along with induction of new lipoxygenase metabolites. The data indicate that the observed in vivo antiplatelet effects of ingesting onion and garlic are attributable more to the adenosine than to the allicin and paraffinic polysulfide constituents.


Effects of oleic acid and bile salts on canine villous motility.
The effects on canine villous motility of mucosal Tyrodes solution containing oleic acid (10 mM) and/or either taurocholic or cholic acid (15 mM) in the presence or absence of IV atropine (1 mg/kg) was used to assess the neural mediation of the effects of luminal nutrients. Villous motility was measured over 12 min periods by in vivo videomicroscopy of segments of jejunum. Neither bile salt had effects alone but villous motility increased after oleic acid was added to taurocholate and decreased after oleic acid was added to cholate. Villous motility increased when taurocholate and oleic acid were present initially and returned to control levels when removed. Villous motility was not affected by cholate and oleic acid but villous motility decreased when they were removed from the Tyrodes solution. Atropine blocked the increase in villous motility caused by taurocholate and oleic acid. Bile salts can modify the effect of oleic acid on villous motility and a cholinergic step is involved in the stimulation of motility.


Allocating HIV prevention resources: a tool for state and local decision making.
The CDC provides funding for HIV prevention activities and state and local decision-makers must allocate these funds. The implementation of a resource allocation tool designed to facilitate this process that incorporates concepts of efficiency and equity as well as CDC mandates on the use of community planning groups is demonstrated, showing how information obtained from the resource allocation tool can be used to guide the policy analysis. The demonstration uses a simplified example based on data from Florida. The tool quantifies the inherent trade-offs associated with efficiency and equity and allows decision-makers to explore different ways of achieving equity. Given the underlying epidemiological model, results are not necessarily linear so common proportionality assumptions do not hold. However, a sense of equity can be provided by implementing various metrics allowing the policy maker flexibility in their decision process. By quantifying the impact of policy choices in terms of efficiency, cost, and distribution, the resource allocation tool makes the decision process more transparent and permits more informed choices.


Preoperative plasma hyperfibrinogenemia is predictive of poor prognosis in patients with nonmetastatic colon cancer.
The outcomes of colorectal cancer are determined by host factors, including systemic inflammation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of fibrinogen and inflammation-based scores, as markers of the inflammatory response, in colon cancer. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with nonmetastatic colon cancer who underwent curative resection between January 2005 and December 2007. Fibrinogen, albumin, C-reactive protein, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts were measured at the time of diagnosis. Correlations between preoperative plasma fibrinogen levels and clinicopathologic characteristics were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed to identify factors associated with disease-free and overall survival. A total of 624 patients who underwent curative resection for colon cancer were eligible for this study. Mean preoperative plasma fibrinogen levels were 325.24±88.19 mg/dl. Higher preoperative plasma fibrinogen levels were associated with sex (male), old age, poorly/mucinous differentiated tumor, advanced tumor stage, elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, higher modified Glasgow Prognostic Score, and higher neutrophil:lymphocyte and platelet:lymphocyte ratios. In multivariate analysis, elevated plasma fibrinogen level [disease-free survival: hazard ratio (HR) 1.999, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.081-3.695, P=.027; overall survival: HR 3.138, 95% CI 1.077-9.139, P=.036], advanced tumor stage, and higher CEA levels were independently associated with worse disease-free survival and overall survival. None of the inflammation-based scores were significantly associated with survival. Fibrinogen as one of inflammatory markers may be considered a possible prognostic marker in colon cancer.


Spatial attention shifting to emotional faces is contingent on awareness and task relevancy.
The relationship between visual attention and visual awareness has long been hotly debated. There has been limited evidence on whether the neural marker of spatial attention precedes or succeeds that of visual awareness in the processing of emotional faces. The current study aims to investigate the temporal sequence between the electrophysiological signatures of visual awareness (the visual awareness negativity - VAN) and spatial attention (the N2pc), in contexts where emotional faces are task-relevant (Experiment 1) or task-irrelevant (Experiment 2). Fifty-six healthy participants were presented with fearful and neutral faces under different levels of visibility using backward masking. They either performed a face detection task (Experiment 1) or a contrast detection task while ignoring the faces (Experiment 2). Compared to subliminal stimuli, supraliminal stimuli produced more negative ERPs at 170-270 msec and 210-310 msec in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively, identified as the VAN. The P3, a component also frequently considered to reflect awareness, produced a similar effect with larger amplitudes for supraliminal than subliminal stimuli in both experiments. With respect to spatial attention, a significant N2pc was observed in response to fearful faces but only in the supraliminal viewing condition of Experiment 1, in which faces were task-relevant. Crucially, the VAN was found to precede the N2pc in this case. Our results suggest that spatial attention as indexed by the N2pc, is oriented towards fearful faces when they are relevant to participants' task and are consciously processed. Moreover, an early phenomenal stage of awareness, reflected by the VAN, precedes spatial attention shifting to fearful faces.


Laparoscopic surgery in gynaecological oncology.
The use of laparoscopic staging and/or surgery in the field of gynaecological oncology was pioneered in the late 1980s and the first reports were published in the early 1990s. The issue has been initially most controversial, and is still debated, with some justification considering the possible adverse consequences of surgical mismanagement of gynaecologic malignancy. The current literature has been reviewed and updated, concentrating on long-term, and/or comparative studies. Large observational studies have also been included. Recent papers concerning new developments have been selected. A number of papers have confirmed the absence of significant adverse effects on survival after laparoscopic diagnosis or surgery in gynaecological cancers. New developments cover virtually all the basic techniques in cancer surgery, including major exenterative surgery. The use of extraperitoneal technique for aortic dissections is emerging as a new tool. New indications, such as radical vaginal trachelectomy, radical parametrectomy, pelvic sentinel node identification, interval debulking surgery of adnexal malignancies, or the use of pretherapeutic surgical staging of uterine cancers, have been developed in direct relation with the use of laparoscopic techniques. Current available data and worldwide interest clearly demonstrate that laparoscopic techniques must now be part of the armamentarium of the gynaecologic oncologist. Postoperative morbidity and recurrence risk do not seem to be affected. Cost-efficiency of laparoscopic procedures is based on the reduction of hospital stay and recovery time, although operating room time is increased in some procedures. Combined training in gynaecologic oncology and in laparoscopic and/or vaginal surgery is more than ever mandatory to avoid the risk of inadequate staging or management of pelvic malignancies.


Impact of perinatal bisphenol A and 17β estradiol exposure: Comparing hormone receptor response.
Hormonal regulation controls mammary gland (MG) development. Therefore some hormone-related factors can disrupt the early phases of MGs development, making the gland more susceptible to long term modifications in its response to circulating hormones. Endocrine disruptors, such as bisphenol A (BPA), are able to cause alterations in hormone receptor expression, leading to changes in the cell proliferation index, which may expose the tissue to neoplastic alterations. Thus, we evaluated the variations in hormone receptor expression in the MG of 6-month old Mongolian gerbils exposed to BPA and 17β estradiol during the perinatal period. Receptors for estrogen alpha (ERα), beta (ERβ), progesterone (PGR), prolactin (PRL-R), and co-localization of connexin 43 (Cx43) and ERα in gerbils were analyzed, and serum concentrations of estradiol and progesterone were assessed. No alterations in body, liver, and ovary-uterus complex weights were observed. However, there was an increase in epithelial ERα expression in the 17β estradiol (E2) group and in PGR in the BPA group. Although immunohistochemistry did not show alterations in ERβ expression, western blotting revealed a decrease in this protein in the BPA group. PRL-R was more present in epithelial cells in the vehicle control (VC), E2, and BPA groups in comparison to the intact control group. Cx43 was more frequent in E2 and BPA groups, suggesting a protective response from the gland against possible malignancy. Serum concentration of estradiol reduced in VC, E2, and BPA groups, confirming that alterations also impacts steroid levels. Consequently, perinatal exposure to BPA and the reference endogenous estrogen, 17β estradiol, are able to increase the tendency of endocrine disruption in MG in a long term manner, since repercussions are observed even 6 months after exposure.


Effect of oral ibuprofen on patent ductus arteriosus in premature newborns.
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a common finding among premature infants, is conventionally treated by intravenous indomethacin. Intravenous ibuprofen was recently shown to be as effective and to have fewer adverse reactions in preterm infants. If equally effective, then oral ibuprofen for PDA closure would have several important advantages over the intravenous route. This study was designed to determine whether oral ibuprofen treatment is efficacious and safe in closure of a PDA in premature infants. Thirty-three premature group I (study group) were treated with ibuprofen 10 mg/kg administered through a feeding tube. Thirty-three premature group II (control group) receive placebo the two imaging procedures were again performed 24 h after each ibuprofen dose. When the PDA was still hemodynamically significant, as demonstrated by echocardiography, and there was no evidence of deterioration in brain ultrasonography, a second dose of ibuprofen 5 mg/kg (placebo for control) was administered. A third equivalent dose was given after another 24 h if necessary. Cranial ultrasound was repeated 1 week after the last ibuprofen dose and again before discharge from the ward. Hematochemical analysis was preformed daily in the unit during the first days of life. In the study group the rate of PDA closure was 93.9% (31 of 33 cases) while in the control group the rate of PDA closure was 30.3% (10 of 33 cases) with significant difference in between. There was no reopening of the ductus after closure had been achieved. No infant required surgical ligation of the ductus in study group while in the control group 24.2% (8 of 33 cases) were required surgical ligation (Table 2). Twenty-one newborns were treated with 1 dose of ibuprofen, 9 were treated with 2 doses, and the remaining 3 were treated with 3 doses. Oral ibuprofen is an effective and safe alternative to intravenous ibuprofen for PDA closure in premature infants.


Imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma: new approaches to diagnosis.
The currently accepted major diagnostic criteria for identifying hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on dynamic cross-sectional imaging consist of diffuse arterial phase hyperenhancement within the lesion, portal venous or delayed phase washout, and the presence and appearance of a capsule; also included in this criteria is interval threshold growth. Ancillary features such as intralesional fat, blood products, and mosaic architecture also favor a diagnosis of HCC. Tumor in a portal or hepatic vein is a definitive finding for an HCC even if a parenchymal mass is not clearly seen.


Diapause specific gene expression in the eggs of multivoltine silkworm Bombyx mori, identified by suppressive subtractive hybridization.
Molecular mechanism controlling egg diapause remains obscure in silkworm, Bombyx mori. An attempt is made to decipher various molecular events occurring during embryonic diapause in multivoltine silkworm, B. mori. Using suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH), 186 cDNA clones isolated from both diapause and nondiapause eggs were sequenced. Of the sequenced clones, 29 matched with silkbase entries and these identified putative genes were classified into six functional groups such as regulatory, food utilization, stress response, metabolic, ribosomal and transposable elements. Among these genes, twelve belonged to regulatory group while, one taste receptor type 2 member 117 gene was related to food utilization. One heat shock cognate 70 kDa protein and 3 of the ubiquitin family were identified under stress response category. Similarly, four genes were identified as metabolic genes, 3 belonging to chitin family and one propanediol utilization protein. Of the seven genes identified in ribosomal groups, most of them were 60s ribosomal protein subunits. However, one negative regulation of transcription gene identified was a transposable element. The qPCR analysis confirmed the expression of 21 of the above genes, wherein, 6 were upregulated during diapause, 12 during non-diapause, while, 3 remained unchanged.


Brown mushroom symptom expression following infection of an Agaricus bisporus crop with MVX associated dsRNAs.
Mushroom Virus X (MVX) is associated with a range of symptoms observed in mushroom crops. The most prominent symptom in Ireland is the occurrence of 'brown' or 'off-white' mushrooms in white strain crops. The browning symptoms are associated with the presence of four low molecular weight dsRNAs: MVX(0.6), MVX(0.8), MVX(1.8) and MVX(2.0), however viral dsRNAs also occur in non-symptomatic mushrooms. Three virus-infected mushroom cultures containing MVX(1.8) and MVX(2.0) were used to infect experimental crops at different rates and at different times in the crop cycle to test the effect on symptom expression. Mushroom colour was measured by chromometer, and the ΔE value calculated. RT-PCR was used to test for the presence of MVX(1.8) dsRNA in harvested mushrooms. Results indicate that following infection, browning symptom expression is variable both within and between crops. Control mushrooms from 1st and 2nd flush had ΔE values of 7-12, with most being <10. In contrast, 1st flush mushrooms from virus infected treatments had ΔE values of 6-25, with most being >10 while 2nd flush mushrooms had ΔE values similar to controls. Only mushrooms with ΔE > 15 appeared visibly brown or off colour. The transient and inconsistent nature of MVX-associated browning symptoms is discussed.


The Ha-ras polymorphism in myelodysplasia and acute myeloid leukaemia.
We have assessed the possibility that rare allelic variants of the c-Ha-ras-1 locus may be linked to a susceptibility to malignancy [1]. c-Ha-ras-1 genotypes were scored in 41 patients with myelodysplasia (MDS), 51 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and 52 normal subjects. The incidence of rare alleles in the MDS patients was 4.8% and in AML an incidence of 15.7% was found. No rare alleles were found in the normal subjects. We conclude that rare alleles in MDS are not a common predisposing factor.


Uterine venous malformations in the puerperium: 2 Atypical cases and literature review.
Uterine arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is a rare but high-risk cause of uterine bleeding. The clinical management of this condition is challenging, as the ultrasound picture can sometimes be unambiguously interpreted. Moreover, in the puerperium in which acquired AVMs are most frequently formed, it is necessary to discuss the correct management in a multidisciplinary and personalized manner. We present two cases of AVMs developing in the puerperium, both with a vaginal delivery and spontaneous and complete secondment. The symptom of onset was an episode of bright red blood loss in the puerperium, on the 14th and 21st postpartum days, respectively. Transvaginal ultrasound showed a hypervascularized lesion in the myometrium with turbulent vascular flow, confirmed by transabdominal ultrasound and angiography. To date, there are no guidelines on the management of MAVs. In our cases we opted for a conservative approach, in order to preserve the fertility of the patient. These experiences reported have the purpose of enriching a literature still sparse on the subject and in the future to be able to represent a fulcrum for official recommendations.


Imidazole-pyridine hybrids as potent anti-cancer agents.
In the current investigation, fifteen novel imidazole-pyridine-based molecules were synthesized and tested against cell lines of the lung (H1299) and colon (HCT116) adenocarcinomas by proliferation assay. The results demonstrated that compounds 5a, 5d, 5e, and 5f were the most active (IC50<30 µM). Based on recent literature and the current results, the glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) protein was investigated in-silico as a possible target. The molecular docking and QSAR revealed an excellent binding affinity of the selected imidazole-pyridine compounds to GSK-3β. Notably, GSK-3β protein levels were significantly upregulated in hepatocellular liver carcinoma (LIHCs) tissues and negatively affected patient prognosis. Consequently, the compounds were evaluated on liver cancer cell lines (HepG2, HUH-7, and PLC/PRF/5) by the MTT assay, and 5d showed the highest antitumor activity. This study offers new compounds with interesting biological activity on GSK-3β as a target, exhibiting a potential therapeutic impact for hepatocellular carcinoma patients.


Global exponential stability of nonautonomous neural network models with unbounded delays.
For a nonautonomous class of n-dimensional differential system with infinite delays, we give sufficient conditions for its global exponential stability, without showing the existence of an equilibrium point, or a periodic solution, or an almost periodic solution. We apply our main result to several concrete neural network models, studied in the literature, and a comparison of results is given. Contrary to usual in the literature about neural networks, the assumption of bounded coefficients is not required to obtain the global exponential stability. Finally, we present numerical examples to illustrate the effectiveness of our results.


Is heart rate variability a reliable method to assess autonomic modulation in left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure? Assessment of autonomic modulation with heart rate variability.
Autonomic dysfunction seems to be involved in the progression and prognosis of congestive heart failure. Measurement of heart rate variability (HRV) provides a noninvasive method to obtain reliable and reproducible information on autonomic modulation of heart rate, but there is a difficulty in using HRV as a quantitative estimate of autonomic dysfunction in heart failure. This study was aimed at testing the hypothesis that abnormal modulation of heart rate assessed by power spectrum analysis may be present also in asymptomatic patients with left ventricular dysfunction and progress in patients with overt symptoms of congestive heart failure. HRV was measured in three groups of subjects: Group 1: 30 patients with chronic heart failure; Group 2: 21 patients with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction; and Group 3: 25 healthy volunteers as control group. HRV was evaluated by autoregressive spectral analysis with 600-beat ECG samples, while subjects were quietly recumbent (BSI), in conditions of controlled breathing (15 acts/min) (RSC) and passive orthostatism after tilting (80 degrees) (TLT). Patients in group 1 showed a reduction in the standard deviation of the R-R intervals (SDRR) (p<0.0003) and in the low frequency component (LF) (p<0.0001) compared to normal subjects. Low frequency component was not detectable in 11 patients of group I (p<0.0008). On RSC and TLT, group 1 failed to show any modification in the low frequency and high frequency components (HF) under any stimulation. Group 2 showed no modification at baseline evaluation, no increase in the high frequency component on RSC and in LF during TLT compared to controls (p<0.01 and p<0.0001 respectively). At baseline, group 1 had a lower SDRR (p<0.03) and LF (p<0.0001) vs. group 2, whereas during stimulation the two groups exhibited the same behaviour. In conclusion, reduced heart rate variability is specific for both asymptomatic and symptomatic post-ischemic left ventricular dysfunction. Our results suggest that frequency domain analysis of heart rate variability during a stimulation test allows a more accurate definition of the degree of autonomic control of heart rate.


Detection of some volatile degradation products released during photoexposition of ranitidine in a solid state.
Ranitidine (RAN) is on top of the list of prescribed drugs, due to its popularity as a selective H2-receptor antagonist, which efficiently decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach. RAN is not stable both in a solid state and in a solution, which creates manufacturing problems, requires appropriate storage conditions, and results in a short drug shelf-life. The aim of this work was to study the emission of volatile degradation products generated during photoexposition of ranitidine hydrochloride in a solid state. Significant changes in volatile profile of irradiated RAN were detected using HS-SPME-GC-MS. Sixteen major peaks were noticed on the chromatograms of irradiated ranitidine and the structures of some compounds were elucidated, while the presence of acetaldoxime, thiazole, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide and 5-methylfurfural was confirmed by means of the analysis of the authentic standards.


Correlation of arthroscopy with other diagnostic modalities.
In our experience arthroscopy proved to be the most reliable method of evaluating internal derangement of the knee. Among 96 patients who underwent arthrotomy, the arthroscopic diagnosis was confirmed in 96 per cent. The combined anteromedial, anterolateral, and posteromedial approaches consistently demonstrated all intraarticular disorders. We found the posterolateral approach of little benefit.


BRAF mutation in sporadic colorectal cancer and Lynch syndrome.
The aim of the study was to detect mutations of BRAF oncogene in colorectal cancer and to use this information to identify Lynch syndrome patients. Consecutive cases of primary colorectal cancer (n = 137) were analyzed for MLH1 protein expression using immunohistochemistry (IHC). BRAF V600E mutation was detected by IHC using a specific monoclonal antibody (VE1) and by qPCR. All MLH1 protein-negative cases were subjected to microsatellite instability analysis and MLH1 promoter methylation assay. MLH1 protein expression deficiency and high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) were detected in 18 of the 137 (13.1%) consecutive colorectal cancer specimens. Detection of the BRAF V600E mutation by IHC was 100% sensitive and specific as compared to qPCR, and this mutation was frequently present in the MSI-H group (77.8%; 14/18) and less frequently in the microsatellite-stable group (7.6%; 9/118). All BRAF V600E mutated cases of the MSI-H group presented with a MLH1 promoter methylation (14/14) as detected by methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. When BRAF was wild type in the MSI-H group, only one MLH1 promoter methylation was detected (1/4), and of the remaining three cases without MLH1 methylation, two were identified to harbor an MLH1 mutation consistent with Lynch syndrome. Finally, 11 previously confirmed Lynch syndrome cases were analyzed for BRAF V600E mutation, and all of them were wild type. In conclusion, detection of BRAF V600E in colorectal cancer specimens by IHC is sensitive and specific and may help to identify Lynch syndrome patients.


[Use of the method of double labeling with H3 and C14-thymidine for identification of cells in different periods of interphase].
For the identification of the position of individual cells in G1, S- and G2-periods of mitotic cycle in any heteroploid cell culture, it is suggested to use the Wimber and Quastler radioautographical method of double labeling of cells. It was shown that independent of the basal polidy of the cells by the successive impulse labeling of the cells with H3- and C14-thymidine with the time interval as long as G2 + M, the cells of the G1-period are unlabeled, S-cells are double labeled with C14- and C14 + H3, and G2-cells have only H3-label.


Assessing the co-occurring capability of mental health treatment programs: the Dual Diagnosis Capability in Mental Health Treatment (DDCMHT) Index.
The Dual Diagnosis Capability in Mental Health Treatment (DDCMHT) Index was developed to assess the capability of mental health programs to provide substance abuse and co-occurring treatment services. The DDCMHT is an objective scale rated following a site visit that includes semi-structured interviews with staff at all levels, review of program documents and client charts, and ethnographic observation of the milieu and setting. Using data from 67 mental health programs across six states, this study found that the DDCMHT had excellent total score reliability, variable subscale reliability, high inter-rater reliability (n = 18), and moderate construct validity (n = 22). Results also suggest that many mental health programs are at a relatively low level of capability for the delivery of care to individuals with co-occurring disorders. Results from this important new benchmark measure, the DDCMHT, can be used with programs in implementation planning and with treatment systems, states, or national organizations to guide policy change.


Neonatal liver tumours.
Primary liver tumours are very rare during the neonatal period, but increasing numbers of them are now diagnosed prenatally by routine ultrasound scan. A precise diagnosis is sometimes problematic because of non-specific clinical symptoms, misleading imaging and difficulties with histological interpretation. Benign infantile haemangioendothelioma usually undergoes spontaneous regression, but may be life-threatening due to congestive heart failure and/or consumptive coagulopathy when treatment with resection, embolization or arterial ligation is necessary. Malignant hepatoblastoma may occur in the newborn, and often has to be treated with chemotherapy to achieve resectability. Symptoms are less specific and the prognosis is worse than in older children. Mesenchymal hamartoma is a benign cystic lesion that should be resected whenever possible. Rarely, germ cell tumours occur in the neonatal liver. Benign teratomas have to be resected, while malignant choriocarcinomas may respond to chemotherapy and can be cured in some cases.


Cachexia worsens prognosis in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in Western countries with a poor prognosis (5-year survival rates, 25% in patients after tumor resection with adjuvant treatment; overall, the 5-year survival rate is about 4%; Jemal et al., CA Cancer J Clin, 55:10-30, 2005). Many patients develop a cachectic status during the progression of the disease, and this syndrome accounts for up to 80% of deaths in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Remarkably, there are only a few data available on the impact of cachexia in patients with pancreatic cancer scheduled for tumor resection. Therefore, in this study, 227 consecutive patients with ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas were documented over an 18-month period regarding the prevalence of cachexia and its influence on perioperative morbidity and mortality with a special interest to postoperative weight gain and survival in a prospectively designed database and followed up. In 40.5% of the patients, cachexia was already present at the time of operation. The cachectic patients did present in a worse nutritional status, represented by lower protein, albumins, and hemoglobin levels. Despite no significant differences in tumor size, lymph node status, and CA19-9 levels, the resection rate in patients with cachexia was reduced (77.8% vs. 48.9%) due to a higher rate of metastatic disease in patients with cachexia. The morbidity and in-hospital mortality revealed no significant difference. However, patients with and without cachexia lost weight after operation, and the weight gain started not until 6 months after operation. The survival in patients with cachexia was significantly reduced in patients undergoing tumor resection as well as in palliative treated patients. Cachexia has a significant impact on survival and performance status in palliative patients as well as in patients operated for pancreatic cancer. But tumor-related cachexia is not necessarily dependent on tumor size or load and that metastatic dedifferentiation of the tumor might be a critical step in the development of tumor-associated cachexia.


Comparative Analysis of Protaper and Waveone Systems to Reduce Enterococcus Faecalis from Root Canal System in Primary Molars--An in Vitro Study.
To assess, in vitro, the ability of the ProTaper(™) and WaveOne(™) systems to reduce Enterococcus faecalis contamination in primary molars. Sixty roots of primary molars were contaminated with E. faecalis. Roots were randomly allocated to one of four groups (n=20): ProTaper(™), WaveOne(™), control A, or control B. The files used were S1 and S2/F1 and F2 (ProTaper(™) system) and 25.08 (WaveOne(™) system). In control group A, the root canal was left uninstrumented, whereas in control group B, the root canal was irrigated with NaCl 0.9%. E. faecalis was sampled from the root canal system before and after instrumentation and the Wilcoxon test and Mann-Whitney U were used. There were no differences in E. faecalis counts between pre-instrumentation counts in the ProTaper™ and WaveOne(™) (p>0.05). The ProTaper(™) system led to an 89.36% reduction in E. faecalis burden, versus 78.10% with the WaveOne(™) system (p>0.05). Instrumentation time was shorter with WaveOne(™) (p<0.0001). The ProTaper(™) and WaveOne™ systems were equally effective in reducing Enterococcus faecalis in primary molars. The WaveOne(™) system was associated with shorter instrumentation time.


Transformation of nuclear and plastomic plant genomes by biolistic particle bombardment.
Microprojectile bombardment is a powerful method for the transformation of various organisms and tissues. For plants, the biolistic approach is primarily used for transformation of cereals and other monocotyledons, as well as for dicotyledonous plants shown to be recalcitrant to Agrobacterium-based transformation of organellar genomes, and transformation of plant and algal chloroplasts has recently been reported. In this protocol paper we provide methods for nuclear and plastomic transformation of plants using the biolistic technique.


What microsurgeon, orthopaedic and plastic surgeon should know about bionic hand.
Hand loss is a catastrophic event that generates significant demands for orthopedics and prosthetics. In the course of history, prostheses evolved from passive esthetic replacements to sophisticated robotic hands. Yet, their actuation and particularly, their capacity to provide patients with sensations, remain an unsolved problem. Sensations associated with the hand, such as touch, pain, pressure and temperature detection are very important, since they enable humans to gather information from the environment. Recently, through a synergistic multidisciplinary effort, medical doctors and engineers have attempted to address these issues by developing bionic limbs. The aim of the bionic hands is to replace the amputated hands while restoring sensation and reintroducing hand-motor control. Recently, several different approaches have been made to interface this sophisticated prosthesis with residual neuro-muscular structures. Different types of implants, such as intramuscular, epineural and intraneural, each have their own complementary advantages and disadvantages, which are discussed in this paper. After initial trials with percutaneous leads, present research is aimed at making long-term implantable electrodes that give rich, natural feedback and allow for effortless control. Finally, a pivotal part in the development of this technology is the surgical technique which will be described in this paper. The surgeons' insights into this procedure are given. These kinds of prostheses compared with the classic one, hold a promise of dramatic health and quality of life increase, together with the decrease the rejection rate.


Prothrombin time ratio and other factors associated with bleeding in patients treated with warfarin.
We previously showed that the risk of major hemorrhage in patients with venous thromboembolism treated with warfarin was strongly related to duration of anticoagulant therapy. We here report the results of a more detailed analysis of factors other than duration of warfarin therapy associated with the risk of hemorrhage in these patients. Almost 7% of patients had a major hemorrhage on warfarin and an additional 23.7% had at least one minor bleeding episode. Age, female sex, and congestive heart failure were associated with small increases in the risk of major hemorrhage but not with the risk of minor bleeding. A prothrombin time ratio greater than 2.5 was associated with a fourteen-fold increase in the risk of a major hemorrhage (95% CI 5.1, 42.7), but major hemorrhages occurred in patients on warfarin at all measured values of the prothrombin time ratio. Taken together with the findings from our previous analysis, the study suggests that prevention of bleeding in patients on warfarin would best be accomplished by minimizing the duration of warfarin therapy, by scrupulous monitoring of the prothrombin time ratio, and by considering the "therapeutic range" for the prothrombin time ratio to be somewhat less than 2.0-2.5.


[The adaptation of AV-nodal conduction time on gliding increase and decrease of atrial frequency before and after autonomic blockade (author's transl)].
In 19 patients with healthy AV-nodes the adaptation of the intranodal conduction time (A-H time) to gliding increase and decrease in atrial frequency and to the blockade of the autonomic nervous system was investigated using His bundle electrograms. The measurements were performed during right atrial stimulation with three frequencies, each with a duration of one minute, before and after blockade of the parasympathetic (8 pat.; 1 mg atropine i.v.) and the sympathetic (11 pat.; 0.4 mg Visken i.v.) nervous system. Gliding increase and decrease in atrial frequency results in a staircase pattern of A-H-adaptation in 18 of the patients. The height of the steps was identical in both phases of stimulation in each individual patient. One patient showed functional dissociation of intranodal conduction which was different during increase and decrease of atrial frequency. With parasympathetic blockade the staircase behavior of the A-H time basically remained unchanged with the exception of shorter A-H intervals resulting in lower steps. Atropine abolished the functional dissociation of intranodal conduction; thus the drug might prevent reentrytachycardias due to functional dissociation in the AV-node. Sympathetic blockade lengthens the intranodal conduction time; thus shifting the staircase pattern of the A-H time to higher levels. The results are discussed with respect to the electrophysiological characteristics of AV nodal cells as slow response fibers, and to the changes caused by atrial stimulation, acetylcholine and adrenaline.


Carbon based conductive materials mediated recalcitrant toxicity mitigation during anaerobic digestion of thermo-chemically pre-treated organic fraction of municipal solid waste.
High-temperature thermal pretreatment alone or in conjugation with chemical pretreatment (highly acidic or alkaline) produced recalcitrant compounds, which inhibits the anaerobic digestion (AD) process performance. This study aims to develop a strategy to use carbon-based conductive materials to mitigate the recalcitrant toxicity and enhance the methane generation in the downstream AD. The formation of recalcitrant compounds, mainly the furan derivatives, i.e., furfural and 5-HydroxyMethyl furfurals (5-HMF) during thermo-chemical pretreatment of OFMSW at 150 °C, 175 °C, 200 °C with 3 g/L-NaOH dose, and the alleviation of their inhibitory effects by adding 25 g/L of each of granular activated carbon (GAC) and granular biochar (GBC) during mesophilic AD were studied. The addition of conductive materials resulted in the highest biogas yield of 462 mL/gVSadded (GAC) and 449 mL/gVSadded (GBC) for 175°C-3g/L-NaOH pretreatment, which was >45% higher over control. The highest improvement of >65% in biogas yield was observed for 200°C-3g/L-NaOH pretreatment despite the lower biogas yield. The conductive materials amended digester shows a significant decrease in the 5-HMF and furfurals concertation. The highest reduction in 5-HMF (44%) and furfural (51%) concentrations were observed for 200°C-3g/L-NaOH pretreatment, and 25 g/L GBC amended tests. The score plots from the principal component analysis (PCA) of the characterization of the digestate showed that the data were significant, whereas the loading plots depicted the correlation of different experimental parameters studied (like fate of recalcitrant, biogas yield and other parameters post AD of OFMSW when aided with conductive materials). Application of regression models in all the batch assays depicted that a lag phase of 2-4 days was observed in Modified Gompertz Model (MGM), 4-5 days in Logistic Model (LM) and a rapid hydrolysis was proven with the value of hydrolysis coefficient being between 0.003 and 0.029 from the first-order (FO) model.


Experimentally derived acute and chronic copper Biotic Ligand Models for rainbow trout.
We evaluated the effects of varying water chemistry ([Ca2+]=0.2-3mM, [Mg2+]=0.05-3mM, dissolved organic matter (DOM, natural, from maple leaves)=0.3-10mg of CL-1, pH=5.0-8.5) on the acute (96-h, unfed fish) and chronic (30-d, fed fish) toxicity of waterborne Cu to juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed in flow-through conditions. Acute and chronic Biotic Ligand Models (BLMs) were developed from the obtained toxicity data-sets, using the Visual MINTEQ software. Our results indicate that Cu is predominantly an acute toxicant to rainbow trout, as there were no observable growth effects and the 96-h and 30-d LC50 values were similar, with mortality mostly occurring within the first few days of exposure. Calcium and DOM were greatly protective against both acute and chronic Cu toxicity, but Mg seemed to only protect against chronic toxicity. Additional protection by pH 5.0 in acute exposure and by pH 8.5 in chronic exposure occurred. In the range of conditions tested, the observed 96-h LC50 and 30-d LC20 values varied by a factor of 39 and 27 respectively. The newly developed acute and chronic BLMs explained these variations reasonably well (i.e. within a 2-fold error), except at pH≥8 where the high observed acute toxicity could not be explained, even by considering an equal contribution of CuOH+ and Cu2+ to the overall Cu toxicity. The 96-h LC50 values of 59% of 90 toxicity tests from 19 independent studies in the literature were reasonably well predicted by the new acute BLM. The LC20 predictions from the new chronic BLM were reasonable for 7 out of 14 toxicity tests from 6 independent chronic studies (with variable exposure durations). The observed deviations from BLM predictions may be due to uncertainties in the water chemistry in these literature studies and/or to differences in fish sensitivity. A residual pH effect was also observed for both the acute and the chronic data-sets, as the ratio of predicted vs. observed LC values generally increased with the pH. Additional mechanistic studies are required to understand the influence of pH, Na, and Mg on Cu toxicity to trout. The present study presents the first experimentally developed chronic Cu BLM for the rainbow trout. To the best of our knowledge, it also presents the first acute Cu BLM that is based on a published data-set for trout. These newly developed BLMs should contribute to improving the risk assessment of Cu to fish in freshwater.