Immediate and one-year outcome of percutaneous intervention of saphenous vein graft disease with paclitaxel-eluting stents.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome after paclitaxel-eluting stent implantation in 40 patients with 52 saphenous vein graft lesions. By Kaplan-Meier estimates, the probability of major adverse cardiac event-free survival for 1 year was 92.5%. A paclitaxel-eluting stent for saphenous vein graft disease appears to be feasible and safe, with a low rate of reintervention at 1 year, but late follow-up is needed to confirm these observations.


Vascular and myocardial effects of mecinarone.
The effects of mecinarone on the contractions induced by noradrenaline, potassium and calcium were studied with the isolated aorta and central artery of the rabbit ear. In our experimental conditions mecinarone was found to act as a competitive antagonist of calcium. It preferentially inhibited the noradrenaline-evoked contraction induced in the rabbit ear artery and had a smaller effect on the extracellular calcium-induced contraction of depolarized arterial smooth muscle. In the isolated guinea pig heart, mecinarone produced a reversible decrease in the rate of rise of the ascendant phase of the action potential without significantly changing the resting potential. In hearts inactivated by depolarisation, mecinarone inhibited the contractions restored by isoproterenol without suppressing the calcium action potential. These results suggest that the mode of action of mecinarone is different from that of verapamil or nifedipine but is comparable to that of chlorpromazine, although mecinarone has no sedative effect.


Effects of lesion conspicuity on visual search in mammogram reading.
The goal of mammography screening is to detect breast cancer at early stages, but because of the complexity of the breast parenchyma and the variability of signs of the disease, many cancers go unreported when initially visible on the mammogram. We compared the visual search strategy used by experienced mammographers in a case set where they examined both the mammogram in which a malignant mass was discovered at screening mammography and the most recent prior mammogram. Four experienced mammographers participated in this experiment. They read a case set of 20 two-view mammograms, of which 15 contained a malignant mass and 5 were lesion-free, in two trials. For each of the cancer cases, two versions were shown to the observers: the one in which the cancer was reported in the clinical practice, called the "current" mammograms, and the most recent prior. Each trial had a balanced mix of current and prior mammograms. In addition, the same set of lesion-free cases was shown to the observers in both trials. The eye movements of the observers were tracked, and visual search parameters such as time to hit the location of the malignant mass, dwell, and mean pupil size in the location of the cancer were collected. Statistical analyses were used to determine whether there were differences between the current and prior mammograms. A total of 66% of the malignant masses in the current mammograms and 57% in the priors attracted some amount of visual attention. From these, 71% yielded a report on the current mammograms, but only 40% on the priors. In the cases where the observer saw the malignant mass, they did so within 2 seconds of image display, regardless of whether the mammogram was current or prior. Most unreported malignant masses attracted some amount of visual attention, but it was in the processing of the information extracted in the location of the lesion that most errors occurred. In our experiment, approximately 70% of the total time used by the observers for visual scan of the cases was spent gathering information to corroborate the hypothesis already formed by the radiologist.


Kinetics and inotropic action of probenecid in guinea-pig heart in vitro.
Probenecid (100-750 microgram . ml-1) was found to inhibit cardiac contraction force in untreated and digoxin-treated (100 microgram . ml-1) isolated right guinea-pig atrium in vitro by a reversible process, without influencing beating frequency. At low concentrations (1.5--60 microgram . ml-1), 14C-probenecid was accumulated into right atrium by an oxygen-dependent process. Correlation between uptake and negative inotropic action of probenecid could not be found.


Analysis of the effect of industrial effluent on pigments, proteins, nucleic acids, and the 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol Hill reaction of rice seedlings.
The effect of an industrial effluent on cellular macromolecular composition and indophenol photochemical activity of isolated chloroplasts of rice (Orvza sativa L. C. V. Mushoori) seedlings have been investigated. Each experiment consisted of two parts. One was the effect of various concentrations and the other was the time-dependent changes induced by the undiluted effluent. The total pigments, proteins, and nucleic acids of rice seedlings declined with an increase in effluent concentration and the time of incubation. The loss in contents of macromolecules like deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), and protein was relatively more marked in the root than in the shoot. RNA and chlorophyll (Chl) contents of the seedlings were found most susceptible to effluent stress. Loss in Hill reaction activity measured as photoreduction of 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol (DCPIP) of isolated chloroplasts could be correlated in a general way with the loss of pigments, proteins and nucleic acids. Diphenyl carbazide- and Mn2+-induced restoration of loss in DCPIP photoreduction suggests that the damage of oxygen evolving systems is the initial site of action of the effluent.


Intracellular Dynamics of Synucleins: "Here, There and Everywhere".
Synucleins are small, soluble proteins expressed primarily in neural tissue and in certain tumors. The synuclein family consists of three members: α-, β-, and γ-synucleins present only in vertebrates. Members of the synuclein family have high sequence identity, especially in the N-terminal regions. The synuclein gene family came into the spotlight, when one of its members, α-synuclein, was found to be associated with Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, whereas γ-synuclein was linked to several forms of cancer. There are a lot of controversy and exciting debates concerning members of the synuclein family, including their normal functions, toxicity, role in pathology, transmission between cells and intracellular localization. Important findings which remain undisputable for many years are synuclein localization in synapses and their role in the regulation of synaptic vesicle trafficking, whereas their presence and function in mitochondria and nucleus is a debated topic. In this review, we present the data on the localization of synucleins in two intracellular organelles: the nucleus and mitochondria.


Suspended graphene devices with local gate control on an insulating substrate.
We present a fabrication process for graphene-based devices where a graphene monolayer is suspended above a local metallic gate placed in a trench. As an example we detail the fabrication steps of a graphene field-effect transistor. The devices are built on a bare high-resistivity silicon substrate. At temperatures of 77 K and below, we observe the field-effect modulation of the graphene resistivity by a voltage applied to the gate. This fabrication approach enables new experiments involving graphene-based superconducting qubits and nano-electromechanical resonators. The method is applicable to other two-dimensional materials.


Secondary cytoreductive surgery for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer.
Thirty patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma who underwent secondary tumor-reductive surgery at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center were studied retrospectively. All had been initially treated by primary reductive surgery and postoperative chemotherapy and had a period of clinical remission of at least 6 months thereafter. Ninety percent of patients had grade 2 or 3 tumors. In 17 (57%), residual tumor volume was reduced to less than 2 cm. There were no postoperative deaths, but 40% of patients suffered postoperative morbidity, mostly prolonged ileus. Median survival after second surgery was 16.3-18 months for patients with residual tumor volume less than 2 cm and 13.3 months for those with residual volume greater than 2 cm (nonsignificant). When the second surgery followed the first by less than 18 months, survival was a median of 13.5 months after the second operation as compared with 19 months when the interval was 18 months or longer (nonsignificant). Twenty-two patients received postsurgical chemotherapy; only 11% of those who were evaluable responded. Although secondary tumor-reductive surgery for recurrent ovarian cancer is technically feasible, in the absence of an efficacious second-line medical therapy, its value is limited.


Enhancing short-term crime prediction with human mobility flows and deep learning architectures.
Place-based short-term crime prediction models leverage the spatio-temporal patterns of historical crimes to predict aggregate volumes of crime incidents at specific locations over time. Under the umbrella of the crime opportunity theory, that suggests that human mobility can play a role in crime generation, increasing attention has been paid to the predictive power of human mobility in place-based short-term crime models. Researchers have used call detail records (CDR), data from location-based services such as Foursquare or from social media to characterize human mobility; and have shown that mobility metrics, together with historical crime data, can improve short-term crime prediction accuracy. In this paper, we propose to use a publicly available fine-grained human mobility dataset from a location intelligence company to explore the effects of human mobility features on short-term crime prediction. For that purpose, we conduct a comprehensive evaluation across multiple cities with diverse demographic characteristics, different types of crimes and various deep learning models; and we show that adding human mobility flow features to historical crimes can improve the F1 scores for a variety of neural crime prediction models across cities and types of crimes, with improvements ranging from 2% to 7%. Our analysis also shows that some neural architectures can slightly improve the crime prediction performance when compared to non-neural regression models by at most 2%.


Detecting temporal lobe seizures in ultra long-term subcutaneous EEG using algorithm-based data reduction.
Ultra long-term monitoring with subcutaneous EEG (sqEEG) offers objective outpatient recording of electrographic seizures as an alternative to self-reported epileptic seizure diaries. This methodology requires an algorithm-based automatic seizure detection to indicate periods of potential seizure activity to reduce the time spent on visual review. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of a sqEEG-based automatic seizure detection algorithm. A multicenter cohort of subjects using sqEEG were analyzed, including nine people with epilepsy (PWE) and 12 healthy subjects, recording a total of 965 days. The automatic seizure detections of a deep-neural-network algorithm were compared to annotations from three human experts. Data reduction ratios were 99.6% in PWE and 99.9% in the control group. The cross-PWE sensitivity was 86% (median 80%, range 69-100% when PWE were evaluated individually), and the corresponding median false detection rate was 2.4 detections per 24 hours (range: 2.0-13.0). Our findings demonstrated that step one in a sqEEG-based semi-automatic seizure detection/review process can be performed with high sensitivity and clinically applicable specificity. Ultra long-term sqEEG bears the potential of improving objective seizure quantification.


Managing the unexpected: Stressors and solutions for challenges experienced by RN-BSN students during an unprecedented global pandemic.
The year 2020 brought the world the Coronavirus and the resulting pandemic. A large contingent of registered nurses (RNs), working as essential workers, were also attending classes in online accelerated programs (OAPs) to earn their BSN degree. Attending school as a working RN, can be stressful. During an active pandemic, it can be overwhelming. This quality improvement project was aimed to identify students' stressors in an online accelerated RN-BSN program, and to use the results to make adjustments in coursework to decrease academic stress while improving student success. A Qualtrics survey was distributed to 1992 active RN-BSN students to identify the student's "biggest challenges or stressors", and 302 students responded listing 1105 stress responses and elaborations. The survey included some academic suggestions by faculty to alleviate course stress. Students commented on the usefulness of suggestions and proposed additional ideas. Compassionate interventions were employed in each core nursing course. After 2 terms a post-intervention survey was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the course interventions employed. A total of 276 students participated in the post-intervention survey, with 778 responses to the employed interventions. Findings show the importance of faculty vigilance in assessing cause for declines in academic performance. Using an inquiring approach and flexibility to adapt coursework while maintaining student learning outcomes is possible and can play a significant role in student success.


Structural heterogeneity of the human Ia molecular pool as detected by cross-reacting mouse monoclonal antibodies.
Three monoclonal antibodies (Mab), H39.49.5, H40.242.3, and H40.164.3, produced in an A.TH anti-A.TL system and reacting with determinants expressed either on I-Ak, on I-Ek, or on I-Ak and I-Ek molecules, respectively, have been used to analyze, at the structural level, the molecules of the human Ia pool against which they cross-react. The results indicate that the human Ia pool can be dissected out by the use of the A.TH anti-A.TL Mab in distinct families, which display structural variations not only among each other but also with respect to the previously defined NG1 and NG2 Ia subsets. In two distinct Ia pools analyzed (from Raji cells: HLA-DR 3,W6, and from LG-2 cells: HLA DR 1,1), the three A.TH anti-A.TL cross-reacting antibodies recognized molecules in which the allelic polymorphism was confined to the beta subunits. Moreover, within the same Ia pool, the alpha subunits as well as the beta subunits were shown to be different from each other. These results are discussed in the context of the present knowledge of the heterogeneity of the human Ia pool and of the possible similarity between gene products of the mouse H-2-I region and the human HLA-D counterpart.


Formation of hybrid films from perylenediimide-labeled core-shell silica-polymer nanoparticles.
We prepared water-dispersible core-shell nanoparticles with a perylenediimide-labeled silica core and a poly(butyl methacrylate) shell, for application in photoactive high performance coatings. Films cast from water dispersions of the core-shell nanoparticles are flexible and transparent, featuring homogeneously dispersed silica nanoparticles, and exhibiting fluorescence under appropriate excitation. We characterized the film formation process using nanoparticles where the polymer shell has been labeled with either a non-fluorescent N-benzophenone derivative (NBen) or a fluorescent phenanthrene derivative (PheBMA). We used Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from PheBMA to NBen to follow the interparticle interdiffusion of the polymer anchored to the silica surface that occurs after the dried dispersions are annealing above the glass transition temperature of the polymer. By calculating the evolution of the FRET quantum efficiency with annealing time, we could estimate the approximate fraction of mixing (fm) between polymer from neighbor particles, and from this, the apparent diffusion coefficients (Dapp) for this process. For long annealing times, the limiting values of fm are slightly lower than for films of pure PBMA particles at similar temperatures (go up to 80% of total possible mixing). The corresponding diffusion coefficients are also very similar to those reported for films of pure PBMA, indicating that the fact that the polymer chains are anchored to the silica particles does not significantly hinder the diffusion process during the initial part of the mixing process. From the temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficients, we found an effective activation energy for diffusion of Ea=38 kcal/mol, very similar to the value obtained for particles of the same polymer without the silica core. With these results, we show that, although the polymer is grafted to the silica surface, polymer interdiffusion during film formation is not significantly decreased by the silica core. This explains the excellent properties of the photoactive high performance coatings formed from the core-shell nanoparticles.


Separation of visual and motor workspaces during targeted reaching results in limited generalization of visuomotor adaptation.
Separating visual and proprioceptive information in terms of workspace locations during reaching movement has been shown to disturb transfer of visuomotor adaptation across the arms. Here, we investigated whether separating visual and motor workspaces would also disturb generalization of visuomotor adaptation across movement conditions within the same arm. Subjects were divided into four experimental groups (plus three control groups). The first two groups adapted to a visual rotation under a "dissociation" condition in which the targets for reaching movement were presented in midline while their arm performed reaching movement laterally. Following that, they were tested in an "association" condition in which the visual and motor workspaces were combined in midline or laterally. The other two groups first adapted to the rotation in one association condition (medial or lateral), then were tested in the other association condition. The latter groups demonstrated complete transfer from the training to the generalization session, whereas the former groups demonstrated substantially limited transfer. These findings suggest that when visual and motor workspaces are separated, two internal models (vision-based one, proprioception-based one) are formed, and that a conflict between the two disrupts the development of an overall representation that underlies adaptation to a novel visuomotor transform.


Prospective validation of the Baylor bleeding score for predicting the likelihood of rebleeding after endoscopic hemostasis of peptic ulcers.
Endoscopic therapy is effective in securing hemostasis for bleeding ulcers, but bleeding recurs in 10% to 30% of patients. Prospective identification of patients at increased risk for rebleeding is requisite to reducing rebleeding rates. We previously developed a three-component scoring system that identifies patients at increased risk for rebleeding. In the present study, we prospectively validated our scoring system. Forty-seven men ranging in age from 23 to 95 years in whom endoscopic therapy for bleeding ulcers was successful were studied. Patients with pre-endoscopy scores greater than 5 or postendoscopy scores greater than 10 were stratified as high-risk, and patients with pre-endoscopy scores of 5 or less and post-endoscopy scores of 10 or less as low-risk. Twenty-six patients were categorized as high-risk and 19 as low-risk. All patients were followed until discharged from the hospital. The rebleeding rate for high-risk patients was 31% (8 of 26), compared with 0 for low-risk patients (p < .05). We conclude that our scoring system accurately predicts patients at increased risk for rebleeding after successful endoscopic therapy of bleeding ulcers.


Do trees have constant branch divergence angles?
Many herbaceous plants feature remarkably regular arrangements of lateral organs along the central axis. These phyllotactic patterns are generated by a constant divergence angle between successive buds (or whorls thereof) that first appears at the shoot apircal meristem and is maintained across later ontogentic stages when it can be observed at the macroscopic scale. Do the branches along a tree trunk exhibit similar patterns? Here we use branch skeleton data derived from terrestrial laser scans to empirically estimate the distributions of the divergence angles between successive branches along the trunks of mature European beech, Norway spruce, and Scots pine trees. We find that rather than clustering around a particular value, species-specific branch divergence angles feature statistical properties characteristic of a uniform distribution. We hypothesise this to be the result of the stochasticity in bud development and branch shedding, and provide a rigorous mathematical proof that even when the divergence angle between successive lateral buds is constant, the observed distribution of branch divergence angles will approximate a uniform distribution if bud mortality and branch shedding rates are high.


Interleukin (IL)-4 -590C>T polymorphism is not associated with the susceptibility of gastric cancer: An updated meta-analysis.
Gastric cancer (GC) is a common cancer affecting patients around the world. The pathogenesis of gastric cancer has not been understood completely. Genetic mutations and the inflammation induced by Helicobacter pylori (HP) seem to play important roles. The cytokine Interleukin-4 (IL-4) has effects in inflammation, allergies and cancer including GC. The association of IL-4 -590 C>T polymorphism and gastric cancer has been studied in different populations with inconsistent results. Here, we report this meta-analysis showing that the polymorphism of IL-4 -590C>T might not be associated with the GC susceptibility in both Asian and Caucasian populations.


Effect of phenobarbital on the disposition of intravenous theophylline.
The disposition of intravenous doses of theophylline was determined in normal male subjects before and after treatment with phenobarbital 2 wk. Although there was some variation in disposition of the 2 drugs, there were no significant effects of phenobarbital on theophylline kinetics. We conclude that theophylline dosage need not be altered during concomitant administration of phenobarbital.


123I radioiodinated antibody imaging of occult ovarian cancer.
A monoclonal antibody HMFG2 labeled with iodine 123 (123I) was given to a patient who had ovarian cancer. The scan taken 18 hours after administration of the antibody demonstrated the presence and the position of residual tumor in the pelvis that was not previously detected by ultrasonography and computerized tomography (CT) scanning. The presence of tumor was confirmed by surgery and histologic as well as immunoperoxidase examination of resected tissues. The tumor mass found was less than 0.8 cm in diameter. It is concluded that, in the search for residual or early ovarian cancer in the pelvis, monoclonal antibody scanning using 123I-labeled HMFG2 can complement ultrasonography and CT scanning.


Tim-3 alters the balance of IL-12/IL-23 and drives TH17 cells: role in hepatitis B vaccine failure during hepatitis C infection.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination is recommended for individuals with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection given their shared risk factors and increased liver-related morbidity and mortality upon super-infection. Vaccine responses in this setting are often blunted, with poor response rates to HBV vaccinations in chronically HCV-infected individuals compared to healthy subjects. In this study, we investigated the role of T cell immunoglobulin mucin domain-3 (Tim-3)-mediated immune regulation in HBV vaccine responses during HCV infection. We found that Tim-3, a marker for T cell exhaustion, was over-expressed on monocytes, leading to a differential regulation of IL-12/IL-23 production which in turn TH17 cell accumulation, in HCV-infected HBV vaccine non-responders compared to HCV-infected HBV vaccine responders or healthy subjects (HS). Importantly, ex vivo blockade of Tim-3 signaling corrected the imbalance of IL-12/IL-23 as well as the IL-17 bias observed in HBV vaccine non-responders during HCV infection. These results suggest that Tim-3-mediated dysregulation of innate to adaptive immune responses is involved in HBV vaccine failure in individuals with chronic HCV infection, raising the possibility that blocking this negative signaling pathway might improve the success rate of HBV immunization in the setting of chronic viral infection.


Immunohistochemical study of progesterone receptors in thyroid gland.
To determine the progesterone receptor status in thyroid gland. This study was based on immunohistochemical staining of formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues, for progesterone receptors, in 50 previously diagnosed cases of various thyroid lesions and surrounding normal thyroid tissue. Out of 50 cases, 8 were nodular goiter, 9 cases of adenoma, 19 papillary carcinoma, 10 follicular carcinoma and four cases were of medullary carcinoma. Surrounding normal tissue was available in 4 non-neoplastic and 21 neoplastic lesions. Overall male patients comprised 20% (10 cases) and females 80% (40 cases). Although a wide range of lesions in both the sexes including wide age range were available, none of our cases were positively stained for progesterone receptors. In contrary to earlier reports by immunohistochemical method using monoclonal mouse anti-PR antibody clone PgR 636, on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded thyroid tissues, the progesterone receptors were not detectable in our human samples. The effect of progesterone on thyroid gland may be an indirect one.


Preoperative Testing for Hip Fracture Patients Delays Surgery, Prolongs Hospital Stays, and Rarely Dictates Care.
To determine how often preoperative testing is requested for geriatric hip fracture patients, to assess the extent to which preoperative testing is associated with delayed surgery, and to measure the frequency with which preoperative testing changes patient management. Retrospective. Academic health system. Two hundred fifty consecutive geriatric hip fracture patients admitted through the emergency department and underwent surgery. Hip fracture surgery. The patients were categorized according to whether additional preoperative tests were requested. For each patient, the times of presentation and surgery were recorded, yielding a "time-to-surgery interval." The results of any tests, the actions resulting from testing, and the length of hospital stay were also noted. Additional preoperative testing was performed for 67 patients (27%). For those patients, the mean time-to-surgery was 73 hours. For the 183 patients who had no testing, the mean time-to-surgery was 37 hours. Moreover, 42 of the 67 patients with testing (63%) had time-to-surgery greater than 48 hours, compared with only 37 of the 183 (20%) patients without testing. The mean length of stay for tested patients was 12.0 days compared with 9.0 days for nontested patients. In only 2 of the 67 tested patients was further care offered based on the test result. Testing was associated with greater time-to-surgery and length of stay. Furthermore, testing rarely influenced management. Patients might be able to have surgery more expeditiously and leave the hospital earlier if testing were deferred. Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.


Time-resolved polarization measurements of porphyrin fluorescence in solution and in single cells.
Porphyrin monomers, dimers and aggregates, which can be differentiated on the basis of their fluorescence lifetimes, are shown to possess different degrees of fluorescence polarization. This opens up new possibilities for microscopic imaging of these individual components in photosensitization and tumour detection. A rough estimate of the size of the porphyrin aggregates is obtained from the data of time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy.


Hypercoagulation assessed by thromboelastography is neither related to infarct size nor to clinical outcome after primary percutaneous coronary intervention.
We investigated the relationship between coagulation assessed by thromboelastography (TEG) and myocardial damage in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We measured platelet activity with TEG-maximum amplitude (TEG-MA) in 233 patients undergoing urgent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Infarct size and myocardial salvage index were evaluated using cardiac magnetic resonance, and the relation of these parameters to posttreatment coagulation was examined retrospectively. Adverse events were adjudicated and related to the coagulation status during the index event. Hypercoagulation was found in 82 (35.2%) patients and was neither correlated to infarct size nor correlated to myocardial salvage index (P = .28 and .65, respectively) or clinical adverse events. Patients who experienced an adverse event during follow-up had a slightly higher TEG-MA value than patients with an event-free follow-up, but this was not statistically significant (68.1 vs 67.3, P = .44). The TEG-MA does not appear to be a sensitive predictor of reperfusion success and prognosis in urgent PCI for STEMI.


Addition of exogenous microbial agents increases hydrogen sulfide emissions during aerobic composting of kitchen waste by improving bio-synergistic effects.
The effect of microbial agents (MA) on hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emissions in the compost is still a controversial issue. This study examined the effects and microbial mechanisms of MA on H2S emissions during the composting of kitchen waste. The results showed that MA addition can promote sulfur conversion to elevate H2S emissions by approximately 1.6 ∼ 2.8 times. Structural equations demonstrated that microbial community structure was the dominant driver on H2S emissions. Agents reshaped the compost microbiome, showing more microorganisms participated in sulfur conversion, and enhanced the connection between microorganisms and functional genes. The relative abundance of keystone species associated with H2S emissions increased after adding MA. Particularly, the sulfite and sulfate reduction processes were intensified, as evidenced by an increasing in the abundance and pathways cooperation of sat and asrA after MA addition. The outcome provides deeper insights into MA on regulating the mitigation of H2S emissions in compost.


Co-existing antibiotics alter the enantioselective dissipation characteristics of zoxamide and drive combined impact on soil microenvironment.
Co-existence of antibiotics (ABX) in soil may expand the environmental harm of pesticide pollution. Our study investigated the combined effects of five antibiotics chlortetracycline (CTC), oxytetracycline (OTC), tetracycline (TC), sulfamethoxazole (SMX), enrofloxacin (ENR) on enantioselective fate of zoxamide (ZXM) and soil health. The results showed that S-(+)-ZXM preferentially dissipated in soil. ABX prolonged dissipation half-life and reduced enantioselectivity of ZXM. Soil was detected to be more acidic after long-term treatment of ZXM and ABX. Lowest soil available N, P, K were found in ZXM + SMX, ZXM + OTC and ZXM + SMX groups at 80 days, respectively. ABX had demonstrated effective promotion of catalase (S-CAT), urease (S-UE) and negative impact on dehydrogenase (S-DHA), sucrase (S-SC) activities. Bacteria Lysobacter, Sphingomonas and fungus Mortierella were identified as the most dominant genera, which possessed as potential microbial resources for removal of composite pollution from ZXM and ABX. SMX and TC, SMX, ENR, respectively, contributed to the alteration of bacteria and fungi community abundance. Soil acidity, available N and enzyme activity showed stronger correlations with bacteria and fungi compared to other environmental factors. Our findings highlighted the interactions between ZXM and ABX from the perspective of soil microenvironment changes. Moreover, a theoretical basis for the mechanism was actively provided.


The impact of treatment on survival roles of a person with a traumatic brain injury.
Over 250 survivors of brain injury were clinically evaluated and a long term care plan developed for each of them. 105 survivors were located and a follow-up questionnaire was administered at least two years later to the survivors and families to evaluate the predictions that were made regarding long-term needs. The study looked at the impact on eight survival roles as defined by WHO and attempted to determine the effectiveness of services, correlating various treatment modalities and services with changes, adjustments, accommodations, achievements, and future goals. Results showed that there is a correlation between some non-traditional therapies (Recreational and Cognitive) and for individuals' future goals in physical independence, mobility, community reintergration and self care. These future goals were not significant for occupational and physical therapies. Also, a less significant correlation was made between paid attendant care and level of outside activities.


Histologic changes in the dog acetabulum following total hip replacement with current cementing techniques.
Histologic changes in the acetabuli of adult dogs were studied following total hip replacement with current cementing techniques. Active bone remodeling was evident throughout the acetabulum by 2 weeks after operation and continued throughout the 6 months of the study, leading to considerable hypertrophy of the trabecular bone of the acetabulum. By 6 months after operation, a thick (average, 0.4 mm), fibrous membrane had formed at the bone-cement interface in 83 of 84 sections examined. Direct apposition of bone to cement was seen only within the 2-mm fixation holes. Formation of a fibrous membrane appears to be intrinsic to the cementing of the acetabular component, perhaps because geometry of the acetabulum precludes effective pressurization of the cement.


Differential expression of CD57 in antigen-reactive CD4+ T cells between active and latent tuberculosis infection.
The development of diagnostic tests that predict the progression of latent tuberculosis infection to active disease is pivotal for the eradication of tuberculosis. As an initial step to achieve this goal, our study's aim was to identify biomarkers that differentiate active from latent tuberculosis infection. We compared active and latent tuberculosis infection groups in terms of the precursor frequency, functional subset differentiation, and senescence/exhaustion surface marker expression of antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells, which were defined as dividing cells upon their encountering with Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis antigens. Among several parameters shown to have statistically significant differences between the two groups, the frequency of CD57-expressing cells could differentiate effectively between active disease and latent infection. Our results suggest that the expression of CD57 in M. tuberculosis-reactive CD4(+) T cells could be a promising candidate biomarker with which to identify individuals with latent tuberculosis infection prone to progression to active disease.


The risk of cardiovascular events based on the Framingham criteria in Adults Living in Mashhad (Iran).
Cardiovascular diseases are a problem in low- and middle-income countries, such as Iran. The present research was performed to identify risk factors contributing to cardiovascular diseases and their distributions among the adult population of Mashhad (Iran) using the Framingham criteria. This cross-sectional population-based study performed in 2015 on 2,976 adults living in Mashhad (Iran) using Stratified cluster-random sampling method. Demographic information was acquired by surveyors in the research team using a checklist and referring to a medical laboratory for laboratory assessments. The 10-year risk of cardiovascular diseases for the participants was calculated using the Framingham criteria and was classified into three classes: low risk (<10%), intermediate risk (10-20%), and high risk (>20%). The analysis was done by SPSS Version 11.5 by using the Independent-samples t-test, Kruskal-Wallis, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). A total of 2,978 participants aged 16-90 participated in our cross-sectional study with an average age of 43.5±14.7 years. Total risk scores among men and women were 7.29±6.3 and 5.8±6.03, respectively. Compared to women, men exhibited a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular diseases (p<0.001). Average heart age among men and women was estimated at 50.37±18.7 and 48.8±17.0 respectively, i.e. significantly older heart age was obtained for men compared to women (p<0.001). According to this study, men are at a great risk of cardiovascular events, so we should develop our screening and educational program especially for this population.


Functional elements in the promoter region of the Aspergillus nidulans gpdA gene encoding glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase.
Analysis of the promoter region of the highly expressed Aspergillus nidulans gpdA gene is described. The nucleotide (nt) sequence of a 1.3-kb region upstream from the ATG was determined. Comparison with promoter regions of other Aspergillus and Neurospora genes revealed several regions of similar sequence. Both random and site-specific mutations were introduced into the promoter region of the gpdA gene, and the resulting mutant promoters were fused to the Escherichia coli lacZ gene. The constructed fusions were introduced into A. nidulans and transformants that contained one copy of these fusions at the argB locus were analysed. beta-Galactosidase assays and primer extension experiments were used to identify sequence elements involved in transcription activation and transcription initiation. Two elements, located around 650 and 250 nt upstream from the major transcription start point (tsp), were identified as transcription activation elements. These elements coincide with regions of putative secondary structure (direct or inverted repeats). A third element, a C + T-rich region directly upstream from the major tsp, was shown to be involved in correct initiation of transcription.


Correlation of age and birth order of parents with chromosomal anomalies in children.
One hundred children with suspected congenital and/or malformation and their parents who reported to SAT hospital, Medical College, Trivandrum, India formed the test group. Fifty children with no obvious anomalies or abnormalities and their parents formed the control group. The criteria for selection of the control was 1) the maternal age at delivery was below 30 years and 2) the parents belong to 1st or 2nd birth order. The chromosomal analysis was carried out in all the subjects using peripheral blood lymphocyte microculture to investigate for any constitutional chromosomal markers and quantitate the mutagen (bleomycin) sensitivity of the chromosomes. All the subjects were evaluated clinically and a complete family history was recorded. Chromosome anomalies were noted in 41 out of the one hundred children and in 4 out of the 200 parents of the test group. No constitutional aberrations were seen either in the parents or in the children of the control group. Bleomycin sensitivity study revealed a high b/c value in 35 children (24 hypersensitive and 11 sensitive) of the test group whereas in the control group the b/c values were low denoting hyposensitivity and very good DNA repair mechanism. This study reveals that the incidence of chromosome aberrations is higher when the age and birth order of parents are higher. A direct correlation was noted with parental order and b/c value. This was also true with the parental age and birth defects.


Fate of aortic graft removal.
Reoperation to remove an aortic graft was performed in 18 patients. The need for removal was infection in the majority. A changing flora was seen in aortic graft infection with gram-negative organisms predominating. Despite a standardized approach with total graft removal, aortic closure, and extraanatomic reconstruction, amputation and mortality rates remain unacceptably high. A new approach to this problem is needed, and further trials with autogenous reconstruction appear warranted.


[Blindness and neurological sequelae following carbon monoxide poisoning: effective treatment with hyperbaric oxygen].
We present two patients who developed visual deterioration due to carbon monoxide poisoning. They were treated with hyperbaric oxygen and recovered not only their vision but also they improved neurological signs and symptoms. We believe that implementation of hyperbaric oxygen, even in a late period of time will be effective in reversing neurological sequelae.


The effect on pregnancy of intrauterine administration of antibodies against two pregnancy-associated murine proteins: murine pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein and murine pregnancy-associated alpha 2-glycoprotein.
Intrauterine administration of 100 arbitrary units (AU) of purified monospecific rabbit anti murine pregnancy specific beta 1-glycoprotein antibodies resulted in the loss of the fetuses in pregnant mice (14 out of 14). By contrast, a similar treatment with 100 AU of rabbit anti murine pregnancy-associated alpha 2-glycoprotein had an effect similar to saline on the outcome of pregnancy. Intravenous administration of 1000 AU of rabbit anti murine pregnancy specific beta 1-glycoprotein during pregnancy in mice had no effect on the outcome of pregnancy.


Higher migraine risk in healthcare professionals than in general population: a nationwide population-based cohort study in Taiwan.
High stress levels and shift work probably trigger migraine in healthcare professionals (HCPs). However, the migraine risk differences between HCPs and the general population is unknown. This nationwide population-based cohort study used Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Physicians (50,226), nurses (122,357), and other HCPs (pharmacists, technicians, dietitians, rehabilitation therapists, social workers, etc.) (45,736) were enrolled for the study cohort, and randomly selected non-HCPs (218,319) were enrolled for the comparison cohort. Conditional logistical regression analysis was used to compare the migraine risks. Comparisons between HCPs and between physician specialties were also done. Physicians, nurses, and other HCPs had higher migraine risks than did the general population (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.672; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.468-1.905, AOR: 1.621; 95 % CI: 1.532-1.714, and AOR: 1.254; 95 % CI: 1.124-1.399, respectively) after stroke, hypertension, epilepsy, anxiety, depression, and insomnia had been adjusted for. Nurses and physicians had higher migraine risks than did other HCPs (AOR: 1.303; 95 % CI: 1.206-1.408, and AOR: 1.193; 95 % CI: 1.069-1.332, respectively). Obstetricians and gynecologists had a lower migraine risk than did other physician specialists (AOR: 0.550; 95 % CI: 0.323-0.937). HCPs in Taiwan had a higher migraine risk than did the general population. Heavy workloads, emotional stress, and rotating night shift sleep disturbances appear to be the most important risk factors. These findings should provide an important reference for promoting occupational health in HCPs in Taiwan.


Risk factor assessment of stroke and its awareness among stroke survivors: A prospective study.
Stroke is the second most common cause of death and major cause of disability worldwide. The objective of this study is to identify the major risk factors and assess the awareness among the stroke survivors. A prospective study was conducted at super specialty hospital, from December 2010 to July 2011. All the stroke patients of the age >25 years with either sex admitted in the hospital were included in the study. In order to assess the awareness among the stroke survivors, questionnaire established on the risk factors for stroke from the previously published studies. A total of 100 patients with stroke or cerebrovascular accident were included in the study. Of 100 patients, 73% patients had ischemic stroke and 26% patients had hemorrhagic stroke. The mean age of the patients was 50 years and the incidence of stroke was predominant in males 73%, followed by females 27. It was observed that 70% of patients were hypertensives, 28% were diabetics, 27% were alcoholics, and 24% of patients had a habit of smoking, followed by others. The knowledge of the risk factors for stroke in stroke survivors was also very low, and the knowledge was varied among the subjects according to their level of educational status. This study reveals that hypertension is the most common risk factor for stroke followed by diabetes, smoking, and dyslipidemia. The awareness of risk factor among stroke survivors was poor.


Functional characterization of the parathyroid hormone 1 receptor in human periodontal ligament cells.
Intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH) exerts anabolic effects on bone and has been approved for osteoporosis therapy. The dual actions of PTH are mediated primarily through the parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH1R). Upon ligand binding, PTH1R activates diverse signaling pathways, including cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA)- and phospholipase C/protein kinase C (PLC/PKC)-dependent pathways. PTH1R has been abundantly studied in bone cells. Knowledge on PTH1R characteristics and physiology in periodontal ligament (PDL) cells is still in its infancy. We characterized PTH1R in PDL cells in terms of its cellular localization, binding affinity, and signal transduction and compared these characteristics to those of MG63 osteoblast-like cells. PTH1R mRNA/protein was identified in PDL and MG63 cells. PTH1R was mainly localized on the plasma membrane, in vesicular structures inside the cell, and, to some extent, in the nucleus of both cell types. Binding characteristics of PTH1R were cell type specific, with PDL cells demonstrating a lower binding affinity. The response of cAMP and active PKC production in MG63 cells was dose dependent with increasing PTH(1-34) concentration, whereas in PDL cells, it was regulated biphasically. However, we observed a cross talk between the cAMP/PKA and PLC/PKC signaling pathways, which were regulated diametrically opposed at a given concentration of PTH(1-34). These data indicate that, albeit the similarity in its subcellular distribution, PTH1R in PDL cells exhibits characteristics different from those in MG63 cells, pointing to the cell type specificity of this receptor. The findings further elucidate the characteristics of PTH action in dental tissues and widen the theoretical basis for the development of anabolic treatment strategies.


Cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) with electronegative ERG: a case report.
Cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) should be suspected in patients who present with visual symptoms such as rapid unexplained visual loss and seeing shimmering lights, with an abnormal ERG. Electronegative ERG responses are not exclusive to melanoma-associated retinopathy (MAR) but may be seen in CAR as well. We describe a patient with CAR who presented with an electronegative ERG. A 67-year old woman, who presented with complaints of seeing shimmering lights, underwent an extensive ophthalmological and electrophysiological examination. Best-corrected visual acuity was 7/10 in the right and 9/10 in the left eye. Goldmann visual fields showed relative central scotomata and concentric narrowing. Slit-lamp and fundus examination were normal as was fluorescein angiography. Rod-specific ERG responses were severely reduced, with electronegative maximal combined rod-cone responses and delayed cone-responses with normal amplitudes. Melanoma-associated retinopathy was suspected. Extensive dermatological and internal evaluation eventually revealed an oat-cell carcinoma in the right lung. The patient died of pneumonia 2 years after presentation.


Computerized tomography in patients with multiple sclerosis.
In 13 of 23 patients with multiple sclerosis, studied with computerized tomography (C.T.) the lateral ventricles were found to be enlarged. In 10 cases sharply demarcated areas of low density were seen in the periventricular region, presumably representing 'plaques'. Cerebral atrophy was more frequent in those patients with a longer duration of the disease, with more exacerbations and with a greater degree of disability. Some areas of low density on C.T. scans correlated with clinical symptoms.


Oh, the things you don't know: awe promotes awareness of knowledge gaps and science interest.
Awe is described as an a "epistemic emotion" because it is hypothesised to make gaps in one's knowledge salient. However, no empirical evidence for this yet exists. Awe is also hypothesised to be an antecedent to interest in science because science is one way to fill those knowledge gaps. Results from four pre-registered studies (N = 1518) indicate that manipulating awe through online (Studies 1a, 1b, and 1c) and virtual reality (Study 2) videos, led to greater awareness of knowledge gaps. Awareness of knowledge gaps was consistently associated with greater science interest and to choosing tickets to a science museum over tickets to an art museum (Study 1b). These effects were not consistently observed on, nor moderated by, other measures related to cognition, religion, and spirituality. However, exploratory analyses showed that science interest was better predicted by positive emotions than by awe. Still, these results provide the first empirical evidence of awe as an "epistemic emotion" by demonstrating its effects on awareness of knowledge gaps. These findings are also extended to the effects of awe on science interest as one possible outcome of awareness of knowledge gaps.


Switching of magnetization by nonlinear resonance studied in single nanoparticles.
Magnetization reversal in magnetic particles is one of the fundamental issues in magnetic data storage. Technological improvements require the understanding of dynamical magnetization reversal processes at nanosecond time scales. New strategies are needed to overcome current limitations. For example, the problem of thermal stability of the magnetization state (superparamagnetic limit) can be pushed down to smaller particle sizes by increasing the magnetic anisotropy. High fields are then needed to reverse the magnetization, which are difficult to achieve in current devices. Here we propose a new method to overcome this limitation. A constant applied field, well below the switching field, combined with a radio-frequency (RF) field pulse can reverse the magnetization of a nanoparticle. The efficiency of this method is demonstrated on a 20-nm-diameter cobalt particle by using the microSQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) technique. Other applications of this method might be nucleation or depinning of domain walls.


Synthesis of silver nanoplates on electrospun fibers via tollens reaction for SERS sensing of pesticide residues.
Silver nanoplates were for the first time synthesized on electrospun chitosan/polyethylene oxide (CS/PEO) fibers via tollens reaction. Ag nanoplates/CS/PEO fibers were used as the SERS-active substrates for quantitative evaluation of 2-naphthylthiol, with an enhancement factor (1.41 ± 0.07) × 106. The SERS-active substrates are flexible, stable, and easy for transportion and preservation, and act as the SERS platform for sensitive detection of the target. Thiram and thiabendazole as the representatives of pesticide residues were identified and detected by the Ag nanoplates/CS/PEO fibers, exhibiting linear response ranges from 10-11 to 10-7 M with a detection limit of 10-11 M. The Ag nanoplates/CS/PEO fibers meet the requirement of thiram detection in practical samples, such as apple, pear, tomato, and cucumber juices. The strategy revealed the feasibility of fabrication of Ag nanoplates on electrospun fibers via tollens reaction and SERS sensing of pesticides in real samples. Ag nanoplates/CS/PEO fibers were fabricated by tollens reaction and electrospinning for SERS sensing of pesticide residues with high sensitivity.


Excellent performance of Pt0 on high nitrogen-containing carbon nanotubes using aniline as nitrogen/carbon source, dispersant and stabilizer.
Novel high nitrogen-containing carbon nanotubes (NC-CNT) (14% N) as catalyst support have been successfully prepared using aniline as a dispersant to CNT and as a source for both carbon and nitrogen coated on the surface of the CNT.


Tandem repeat markers as novel diagnostic tools for high resolution fingerprinting of Wolbachia.
Strains of the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia pipientis are extremely diverse both genotypically and in terms of their induced phenotypes in invertebrate hosts. Despite extensive molecular characterisation of Wolbachia diversity, little is known about the actual genomic diversity within or between closely related strains that group tightly on the basis of existing gene marker systems, including Multiple Locus Sequence Typing (MLST). There is an urgent need for higher resolution fingerprinting markers of Wolbachia for studies of population genetics, horizontal transmission and experimental evolution. The genome of the wMel Wolbachia strain that infects Drosophila melanogaster contains inter- and intragenic tandem repeats that may evolve through expansion or contraction. We identified hypervariable regions in wMel, including intergenic Variable Number Tandem Repeats (VNTRs), and genes encoding ankyrin (ANK) repeat domains. We amplified these markers from 14 related Wolbachia strains belonging to supergroup A and were successful in differentiating size polymorphic alleles. Because of their tandemly repeated structure and length polymorphism, the markers can be used in a PCR-diagnostic multilocus typing approach, analogous to the Multiple Locus VNTR Analysis (MLVA) established for many other bacteria and organisms. The isolated markers are highly specific for supergroup A and not informative for other supergroups. However, in silico analysis of completed genomes from other supergroups revealed the presence of tandem repeats that are variable and could therefore be useful for typing target strains. Wolbachia genomes contain inter- and intragenic tandem repeats that evolve through expansion or contraction. A selection of polymorphic tandem repeats is a novel and useful PCR diagnostic extension to the existing MLST typing system of Wolbachia, as it allows rapid and inexpensive high-throughput fingerprinting of closely related strains for which polymorphic markers were previously lacking.


Profiles of ion beams and plasma parameters on a multi-frequencies microwaves large bore electron cyclotron resonance ion source with permanent magnets.
In order to contribute to various applications of plasma and beams based on an electron cyclotron resonance, a new concept on magnetic field with all magnets on plasma production and confinement has been proposed with enhanced efficiency for broad and dense ion beam. The magnetic field configuration consists of a pair of comb-shaped magnet surrounding plasma chamber cylindrically. Resonance zones corresponding for 2.45 GHz and 11-13 GHz frequencies are positioned at spatially different positions. We launch simultaneously multiplex frequencies microwaves operated individually, try to control profiles of the plasma parameters and the extracted ion beams, and to measure them in detail.


Rapid loss of phosphorus from dying ryegrass roots: the chemical components involved.
Lolium perenne was grown in solution culture with either ample or deficient phosphate supply ('high-P' and 'low-P' plants). The concentration in the roots of phosphorus as water-soluble compounds, phospholipid and insoluble residue was measured. A supplementary experiment showed that the concentration of each component in the roots of low-P plants was similar to that in plants grown in P-deficient soil. The time-course of the decline of each P component was determined in roots detached from the shoot and left hanging in solution. During the three weeks residue P concentration in the roots declined little. In contrast, both types of root lost about three-quarters of their lipid P in the first week. Low-P roots lost little of their water-soluble P. High-P roots contained much more water-soluble P and lost much of it during the first two weeks. By the end of three weeks their water-soluble P content was levelling out at a value similar to that in low-P roots, suggesting a 'non-labile pool'. The rapid loss of lipid P from low-P roots comprised more than half of their total loss, and the possible ecological significance of this is discussed.


Cloning of the mouse gene for D-dopachrome tautomerase.
D-Dopachrome tautomerase converts 2-carboxy-2,3-dihydroindole-5, 6-quinone (D-dopachrome) into 5,6-dihydroxyindole. The amino acid sequence of this protein is 27% identical with that of macrophage migration inhibitory factor, which is known as a cytokine, pituitary hormone, and glucocorticoid-induced immunomodulator. In this study, we isolated and sequenced a 3490 bp-long genomic DNA of mouse D-dopachrome tautomerase that consists of three exons and two introns. By two procedures, 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends and cap site labeling, we determined the transcription initiation site, which is located 46 bp upstream of the translation initiation site. The possible polyadenylation sequence (AATAAA) is located 180 bp downstream of the termination codon. Computer-assisted analysis of the nucleotide sequence revealed a number of regulatory motifs, including multiple sites for Sp1, C/EBP, NF-Y, and USF. Although the precise pathophysiological functions of D-dopachrome tautomerase remain to be elucidated, the present results will contribute not only to elucidation of the mechanism of gene expression, but also to understanding of the molecular function of this protein.


Full-Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy.
Full-endoscopic spine surgery has been developed to decrease approach-related morbidity and provide superior visualization. Using a working channel endoscope, lumbar disc herniations can be approached via two complementary corridors: the transforaminal approach and the interlaminar approach. Indications, contraindications, surgical technique, complications, and outcomes are discussed in this article. Multiple published studies have demonstrated the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of full-endoscopic lumbar discectomies. Emerging evidence suggests that full-endoscopic discectomies result in similar functional outcomes compared with microsurgical technique and are associated with shorter hospital stays, less opioid consumption, and fewer perioperative complications.


Investigations on the carcinogenicity of the artificial sweeteners sodium cyclamate and sodium saccharin in rats in a two-generation experiment.
In a two-generation experiment oral lifelong administration of a 2% and a 5% mixture of sodium cyclamate and sodium saccharin in the feed did not result in carcinogenic effects in Sprague-Dawley rats (70-78 rats/group). In particular, no tumors of the urinary tract were detected, apart from one female rat with a papilloma of the urinary bladder (2% group). A sugar-receiving group, as well as an untreated control group did not yield any unexpected results. Stone formation in the urinary bladder was considerably increased in the group receiving sodium cyclamate and saccharin at 5% concentration.


Cluster of serogroup W invasive meningococcal disease in a university campus.
In France, the expansion of an hypervirulent strain causing serogroup W invasive meningococcal disease (MenW) has been observed since 2015/16. We describe a cluster of three MenW cases, causing two deaths, at the end of 2016 in a university campus, and the vaccination campaign which was consequently organized. Epidemiological and microbiological analyses led a multidisciplinary expertise group to recommend the organization of a mass vaccination campaign using ACWY vaccine targeting more than 30,000 students and staff in the university campus. Individual data on vaccination was collected using the lists of students and staff registered at the university to estimate vaccine coverage. Three MenW cases occurred within a 2-month period among students in different academic courses. All three isolates were identical and belonged to the "UK-2013 strain" phylogenetic branch. The attack rate was 10.8/100,000 students. The vaccination campaign was organized only 15 days after the third case occurred. In total, 13,198 persons were vaccinated. Vaccine coverage was estimated at 41% for students of the university and 35% for university staff. Timely notification of cases to health authorities was essential for the detection of the cluster and the rapid implementation of the vaccination campaign. No further cases occurred in the campus in the year following the vaccination campaign. This episode is the second cluster of MenW caused by the "UK-2013 strain" in a university since 2016.


Comparison of genetically engineered hypoallergenic rBet v 1 derivatives with rBet v 1 wild-type by skin prick and intradermal testing: results obtained in a French population.
Bet v 1, the major allergen in birch pollen, is recognized by more than 90% of patients allergic to birch in northern and central Europe. Immunotherapy is commonly performed with birch pollen extracts. Recently, hypoallergenic derivatives of Bet v 1 (rBet v 1 fragments, rBet v 1 dimer and trimer) were constructed and purified. Our aim was to compare the allergenic activity of wild-type rBet v 1 with recombinant Bet v 1 derivatives (rBet v 1 fragments, dimer and trimer) with potentially reduced anaphylactic activity by skin testing in a French population. Among the 36 birch pollen allergic patients included in the study, 29 were tested by skin prick testing and 30 by intradermal injections with purified monosubstances: rBet v 1 fragments (F1: aa1-74 and F2: aa75-160), Bet v 1 dimer and trimer. Intradermal tests were performed by the end-point intradermal titration method. Eight of the intradermally-tested patients were previously hyposensitized. Tests were performed over a period of 6 months (before, during and after birch pollen season); Bet v 1-specific IgE and IgG4 subclass responses were measured by immunoblotting and ELISA. All patients showed lower reactivity with the modified rBet v 1 allergens, both in skin prick and intradermal tests. In 25 and 23 out of 29 patients the lowest concentration of fragment 1 and 2, respectively, resulting in a positive prick test was 100-fold higher than the lowest concentration of monomer resulting in a positive prick test. For dimer it was 100-fold or more in 25 out of 29 patients, and for trimer it was 100-fold or superior in 26 out of 29 patients. By intradermal testing, the end-point concentration was 160-fold higher for trimer than for monomer in 24 patients and 40-fold higher in five patients. For the two fragments the end-point concentration was 160-fold higher in 20 out of 22 patients. Genetically modified hypoallergenic derivatives of the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1 showed reduced capacity to induce immediate type skin reactions. They may represent candidate molecules for immunotherapy of birch pollen allergy with reduced risk of anaphylactic side-effects.


Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A): concentration in uterine fluid and immunohistochemical localization in the endometrium.
Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) was localized immunohistochemically in the endometrium and measured in uterine fluid of non-pregnant women. The variations of PAPP-A concentrations in uterine fluid during the menstrual cycle paralleled those found in the endometrium. In patients receiving hormone therapy there was a significant correlation between the uterine fluid PAPP-A concentration and the progestogen to oestrogen potency ratio of the hormonal treatment. The presence of PAPP-A in the uterine fluid cannot simply be explained by blood contamination or cell damage. These results are interpreted as indirect evidence for an exocrine as well as an endocrine secretion of PAPP-A by the endometrium which might be influenced by hormones.


Random property allocation: A novel geographic imputation procedure based on a complete geocoded address file.
Allocating an incomplete address to randomly selected property coordinates within a locality, known as random property allocation, has many advantages over other geoimputation techniques. We compared the performance of random property allocation to four other methods under various conditions using a simulation approach. All methods performed well for large spatial units, but random property allocation was the least prone to bias and error under volatile scenarios with small units and low prevalence. Both its coordinate based approach as well as the random process of assignment contribute to its increased accuracy and reduced bias in many scenarios. Hence it is preferable to fixed or areal geoimputation for many epidemiological and surveillance applications.


Mechanism and kinetics of halogenated compound removal by metallic iron: Transport in solution, diffusion and reduction within corrosion films.
A detailed kinetic model comprised of mass transport (ktra), pore diffusion (kdif), adsorption and reduction reaction (krea), was developed to quantitatively evaluate the effect of corrosion films on the removal rate (kobs) of halogenated compounds by metallic iron. Different corrosion conditions were controlled by adjusting the iron aging time (0 or 1 yr) and dissolved oxygen concentration (0-7.09 mg/L DO). The kobs values for bromate, mono-, di- and tri-chloroacetic acids (BrO3-, MCAA, DCAA and TCAA) were 0.41-7.06, 0-0.16, 0.01-0.53, 0.10-0.73 h-1, with ktra values at 13.32, 12.12, 11.04 and 10.20 h-1, kdif values at 0.42-5.82, 0.36-5.04, 0.30-4.50, 0.30-3.90 h-1, and krea values at 14.94-421.18, 0-0.19, 0.01-1.30, 0.10-3.98 h-1, respectively. The variation of kobs value with reaction conditions depended on the reactant species, while those of ktra, kdif and krea values were irrelevant to the species. The effects of corrosion films on kdif and krea values were responsible for the variation of kobs value for halogenated compounds. For a mass-transfer-limited halogenated compound such as BrO3-, an often-neglected kdif value primarily determined its kobs value when pore diffusion was the rate-limiting step of its removal. In addition, the value of kdif might influence product composition during a consecutive dechlorination, such as for TCAA and DCAA. For a reaction-controlled compound such as MCAA, an increased krea value was achieved under low oxic conditions, which was favorable to improve its kobs value. The proposed model has a potential in predicting the removal rate of halogenated compounds by metallic iron under various conditions.


Effects of additional visual oscillation on vection under voluntary eye movement conditions--retinal image motion is critical in vection facilitation.
Horizontal oscillation introduced into a visual inducer can enhance an observer's illusory perception of vertical self-motion induced by a vertically moving optic flow pattern. To examine the effects of increased retinal image motion on the facilitation of vection, vection strength was analysed under various stimulus conditions where the oscillation of the retinal image was determined both by the motion of the visual stimulus and the observer's eye movements. The results indicated that the facilitation of vection was regulated by the oscillation of the visual stimulus on the observer's retina rather than the stimulus oscillation per se. Thus, the current experiment clearly favours the hypothesis that increased retinal image motion plays a critical role in the facilitation of vection.


Prospective evaluation of bowel dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery.
Bowel dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery may significantly affect the quality of life. Our study aimed to estimate the incidence and characterize the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). Prospective evaluation of patients treated with anterior resection for rectal cancer at two hospitals followed for 12 months after ileostomy reversal. The assessment was performed at baseline, after neoadjuvant treatment, and 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after bowel transit reconstruction using several scores (Bristol scale, LARS score, Memorial Sloan Kettering bowel function instrument, Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life, EORTC-QLQ30, and a visual analogue scale). Of 205 patients diagnosed with rectal cancer, 78 were followed for 12 months after the exclusion criteria. "Major LARS" at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months was 55.6%, 47.3%, and 34.6%, respectively. At 12 months, patients experienced significantly less diarrhea, higher LARS score, more percentage of "major LARS," and worse MSK-BFI score compared to baseline. Regarding the quality of life at 12 months, 77.7% of patients with "major LARS" reported impact according to the anchor question of the LARS score; all FIQL subscales were significantly lower; the overall EORTC-QLQ30 score and the functional subscales significantly correlated with the LARS and the MSK-BFI scores. Bowel dysfunction with an impact on the quality of life is common after rectal cancer surgery. The knowledge of the potential consequences of the treatments is essential to be able to provide patients with the best possible information.


Label-free monitoring of antibody-antigen interactions using optical microchip biosensors.
A rapid, label-free optical biosensor system for sensitive monitoring of bio-molecular interactions in real-time is presented. SpectroSens sensor chips are based on integrated planar Bragg gratings sensitive to localised changes in refractive index. Bio-molecule recognition is imparted by functionalisation of the sensing surface with antibodies against targets of interest. In this study, antibodies against selected proteins were oriented with recombinant Protein A/G, which was covalently immobilised to the sensor chip via amine coupling to a glutaraldehyde-activated silane layer. Immunoassays for the detection of rabbit IgG and ovalbumin proteins as model antibody-antigen interaction systems were performed. Binding of complementary antigens to respective antibody-functionalised sensors manifested as changes in wavelength of light reflected from the optical sensors. Quantitative binding kinetics with detection sensitivities in the mid ng/ml range were obtained for both antigens using this planar, two-dimensional surface coating. Data presented demonstrate the suitability of SpectroSens sensors as a valuable tool in life science research and development for monitoring bio-specific interactions, protein concentration determination and antibody selection; the optical integration and analytical characteristics of these sensors suggest that they may find numerous applications in bio-pharmaceutical development and clinical diagnostics.


Zygomatic fractures: Technical modifications for better aesthetic and functional results in older patients.
The zygomaticomaxillary complex, with its intrinsically prominent convexity, is highly vulnerable to injury. In this study, we evaluated a novel combined approach to the reduction and stabilization of frontozygomatic dislocated fractures without aesthetic damage. Ten patients (mean age, 52 years) were referred for complex frontozygomatic dislocated fractures. Five patients underwent a transconjunctival approach without canthotomy in association with a transoral maxillary approach and lateral-rim skin incision, also without canthotomy. The other five patients underwent a traditional subciliary incision at the lower eyelid and a vertical lateral incision at the lateral orbital margin. Orbital floor reconstruction was achieved using two to three fixation points and autologous platelet-rich fibrin (PRF). During the 6-month follow-up, the patients were routinely evaluated using computed tomography. Treatment was successful in all cases; there were no problems at surgery or postoperatively. During follow-up, all patients had satisfactory facial symmetry, no noticeable scar, ectropion, or lower-eyelid drop, and no functional impairment. Aesthetic considerations are an important aspect of treatment planning in patients with orbitozygomatic fractures, because of the importance of the eye and lid areas to facial aesthetics. In our patients, good aesthetic results were achieved using a novel combined approach. In patients with a large orbital floor dislocation, the reconstructive titanium mesh can be covered by autologous PRF membranes to improve vascularization of the surgical site. By preventing aesthetic damage and functional impairment, our conservative approach is of particular utility in older individuals due to age-related tissue laxity.


Strong band renormalization and emergent ferromagnetism induced by electron-antiferromagnetic-magnon coupling.
The interactions between electrons and antiferromagnetic magnons (AFMMs) are important for a large class of correlated materials. For example, they are the most plausible pairing glues in high-temperature superconductors, such as cuprates and iron-based superconductors. However, unlike electron-phonon interactions (EPIs), clear-cut observations regarding how electron-AFMM interactions (EAIs) affect the band structure are still lacking. Consequently, critical information on the EAIs, such as its strength and doping dependence, remains elusive. Here we directly observe that EAIs induce a kink structure in the band dispersion of Ba1-xKxMn2As2, and subsequently unveil several key characteristics of EAIs. We found that the coupling constant of EAIs can be as large as 5.4, and it shows strong doping dependence and temperature dependence, all in stark contrast to the behaviors of EPIs. The colossal renormalization of electron bands by EAIs enhances the density of states at Fermi energy, which is likely driving the emergent ferromagnetic state in Ba1-xKxMn2As2 through a Stoner-like mechanism with mixed itinerant-local character. Our results expand the current knowledge of EAIs, which may facilitate the further understanding of many correlated materials where EAIs play a critical role.


Spontaneous manifestation of dual AV nodal pathways resulting in complex patterns of AV conduction.
Dual intranodal pathways are not uncommonly demonstrated at electophysiological study especially in patients with intranodal re-entrant tachycardias. This type of tachycardia is the most common spontaneous manifestation (albeit indirect) of dual AV nodal pathways. Other forms of spontaneous expression of dual atrio-His conduction are rare. In this report we describe a patient who exhibited complex atrioventricular conduction patterns over two intranodal pathways.


Pathological findings of thyroid nodules after percutaneous laser ablation : a series of 22 cases with cyto-histological correlation.
Ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous laser ablation (LA) of benign thyroid nodules may be a potential alternative to surgery in patients with compressive symptoms, at high surgical risk, or in patients who refuse to undergo surgery. We evaluated the morphological effects of LA procedure on 22 patients and compared the cytological findings before and after LA with the histological features on surgical specimens. Twenty-two (4.9%; 19 women, three men, mean age 53.2 years) out of 452 patients treated with LA for benign thyroid nodules in our Hospital underwent surgery after LA procedure, either because nodule regrowth (treatment failure, n = 17) or indeterminate cytology (Thy3) after LA (n = 5). Morphological findings varied according to the time between LA and surgical intervention. Within 2 months, the area was occasionally cavitated and filled in with dark amorphous material. The inflammatory response was abundant and composed of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages. After 18 months or more since LA, the expected laser-induced histologic changes in thyroid morphology consisted of a well-defined area surrounded by a fibrous capsule and filled in by amorphous material. No significant pathologic features were found in the thyroid tissue adjacent to the treated area. Histological evaluation of thyroid tissues after LA shows that thermal damage is restricted to the ablated area, with no involvement of the nearby parenchyma. Our long-term histopathological findings indicate that LA treatment of benign thyroid nodules is safe, and patients undergoing LA may also be followed up by fine needle aspiration.


(18)F-FDG uptake of the spinal cord was decreased after conventional dose radiotherapy in esophageal cancer patients.
We retrospectively investigated changes of (18)F-fluorodeocyglucose ((18)F-FDG) uptake in the spinal cord, inside and outside the radiation fields, in patients with esophageal cancer before and after conventional dose radiotherapy. A total of 17 consecutive patients with esophageal cancer (16 males, one female; age 50-83 years, mean 67.0 years), who underwent conventional dose radiotherapy and (18)F-FDG PET/CT before and 5.1 months (range 1.6-8.6 months) after the radiotherapy, were retrospectively evaluated. Sixteen patients had esophageal cancer and one patient had esophageal metastasis from thyroid cancer. Mean standardized uptake values (SUVmean) of the cervical, thoracic (inside and outside the radiation fields) and lumbar spinal cord were measured. SUVmean of the thoracic spinal cord inside the radiation field was decreased significantly after radiotherapy compared to those before radiotherapy (p < 0.001). SUVmean of the cervical spinal cord showed the same trend but it was not statistically significant (p = 0.051). SUVmean of the thoracic spinal cord outside the radiation field and the lumbar spinal cord did not differ significantly before and after the radiotherapy (p = 0.146 and p = 0.701, respectively). The results suggest that glucose metabolism of the spinal cord is decreased in esophageal cancer patients after conventional dose radiotherapy.


[Odontoid fractures with a poor final outcome in an elderly patient: presentation of a case and a review of the current literature].
Odontoid fractures are the most common cervical spine fracture in elderly patients, with falls being the most common mechanism of fracture in these patients. The clinical symptoms range from mild neck pain to quadriplegia, or even death. Treatment options include surgical and non surgical therapies, such as cervical collar or halo vest. We present the case of an 87 year-old patient with a history of recurrent falls and progressive loss of strength in all 4 extremities that worsened after a dental revision. The CT scan showed a cervical odontoid fracture, with displacement confirmed on MRI. Conservative treatment with a cervical collar was decided. The patient progressed poorly and died.


Mycelial biomass and intracellular polysaccharides production, characterization, and activities in Auricularia auricula-judae cultured with different carbon sources.
The carbon source, an essential factor for submerged culture, affects fungal polysaccharides production, structures, and activities. This study investigated the impact of carbon sources, including glucose, fructose, sucrose, and mannose, on mycelial biomass and the production, structural characterization, and bioactivities of intracellular polysaccharides (IPS) produced by submerged culture of Auricularia auricula-judae. Results showed that mycelial biomass and IPS production varied with different carbon sources, where using glucose as the carbon source produced the highest mycelial biomass (17.22 ± 0.29 g/L) and IPS (1.62 ± 0.04 g/L). Additionally, carbon sources were found to affect the molecular weight (Mw) distributions, monosaccharide compositions, structural characterization, and activities of IPSs. IPS produced with glucose as the carbon source exhibited the best in vitro antioxidant activities and had the strongest protection against alloxan-damaged islet cells. Correlation analysis revealed that Mw correlated positively with mycelial biomass (r = 0.97) and IPS yield (r = 1.00), while IPS antioxidant activities correlated positively with Mw and negatively with mannose content; the protective activity of IPS was positively related to its reducing power. These findings indicate a critical structure-function relationship for IPS and lay the foundation for utilizing liquid-fermented A. aruicula-judae mycelia and the IPS in functional food production.


Some perspectives on the decision theoretic approach to medical images.
An image often contains information that is not extracted by the human decision maker. This is due to two limitations of the eye-brain system: the existence of a contrast threshold, as with any device that works in the presence of noise (internal or external), and an evolutionary pattern that has not fitted us for viewing noisy scenes, leaving us suboptimal in that regard. Since it is often impossible to overcome these limitations simultaneously--even electronically--multiple displays of the image content must be available to the human viewer, and contrast scale and degree of sharpness/smoothing must be tunable. Our planning must anticipate these requirements, a greater dependence on digital computers for the image manipulation, and the computer's inevitable involvement in the decision process.


Social and economic wellbeing of seafarers across coastal Nigeria amidst Corona virus disease.
One of the industries hit hard by the Corona Virus is the shipping industry. This is because there was serious paucity in the movement of people and goods. This also affected not only the social but also the economic well-being of seafarers. Therefore, this study assessed the social and economic well-being of seafarers across coastal Nigeria, amidst COVID. A cross-sectional research design was deployed, and data was generated through questionnaire administration. Analysis was done using Mann Kendal correlation and K-Wallis tests. Findings indicated COVID-19-induced social challenges included fatigue; and sleeping disorders. Mann Kendal correlation analysis indicated a relationship between COVID-19 and social challenges. Among COVID-19-induced economic challenges were unemployment, sacking, and salary slash. The Kendal relationship between COVID-19 and economic challenges was significant, implying, social challenges encountered by seafarers were related to COVID-19. K-Wallis test outcome for the spatial difference in economic challenges encountered by seafarers was significant. Implying a significant difference in the economic challenges posed by COVID-19 on seafarers in the study area. Based on the findings herein, social engagement programs, and poverty alleviation schemes are among the recommendations advanced for seafarers.


Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as a prognostic index for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
According to pretreatment values of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), 113 consecutive patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were divided into three levels: level 1 (within normal range) with LDH less than 250 U/l; level 2 (moderately increased) with LDH between 250 and 500 U/l; level 3 (highly increased) with LDH more than 500 U/l. LDH was elevated in 46 of 113 patients (41%). Normal values of LDH were associated with a better response to therapy and a longer survival, independent of histological type and clinical stage, with one exception; in stage IV patients conclusions could not be drawn concerning the response to therapy (complete remission occurred only in 8 of 44). Even though level 2 patients behaved slightly better than level 3 patients, no statistical difference has been observed between the two levels. Accordingly, serum LDH can be considered a useful predictor of response to therapy and of survival in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.


Clinical grade expansion of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.
Mesenchymal stem cells or marrow stromal cells (MSCs) represent a multipotent adult cellular population with immunomodulatory functions. In the adult human body, they are present in various niches, but their main source is bone marrow (BM). The regeneration capability of MSCs, their ease to undergo gene modification, as well as their immunosuppressive capacity render them as popular candidates for tissue engineering, gene therapy, and immunotherapy. They exhibit a unique in vitro expansion capacity, which however does not always compensate for the large number of cells required for cellular therapeutic applications. Unfortunately, to date, a uniform worldwide approach to MSC-culture is not available. Thus, in this chapter, we try to describe the optimal conditions for the successful isolation and ex vivo expansion of human MSCs from BM, to be used in all types of cellular therapeutic approaches. Moreover, we describe the methods for identification of their quality in terms of both multilineage potentiality and immunosuppressive ability. Detailed protocols for fetal calf serum selection and other culture parameters that affect the final outcome are described.


Incidence of postthrombotic syndrome in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis.
Postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a chronic condition in the lower extremity that develops after deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The incidence of PTS after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is not well established. We (1) determined the incidence of PTS after DVT in patients undergoing primary THA for osteoarthritis; and (2) determined whether the incidence of PTS was greater in patients with DVT than without. We retrospectively reviewed records of all 1037 patients who underwent primary THA for osteoarthritis during a 4-year period. All patients underwent postoperative screening ultrasound. We identified 21 (2%) patients with a DVT by ultrasound of whom 14 had a minimum 1-year followup (mean, 3.4 years; range, 1.0-6.0 years). PTS was diagnosed if any two of the six clinical signs were documented. Three of 14 patients with DVT had at least two signs consistent with PTS; two of these had a DVT proximal to the soleal arch. Three of 91 randomly matched patients undergoing THA without DVT had at least two signs of PTS. The incidence of developing PTS after THA appeared higher in patients with DVT than in patients without DVT. While we observed a difference between the incidence of PTS after THA in patients with and without DVT, that incidence was based on only three of 1037 patients with DVT after THA. PTS does not appear to be a major complication after DVT in patients undergoing THA. Level III, diagnostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.


Corrigendum: Efficacy of Intrauterine Perfusion of Cyclosporin A for Intractable Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion Patients With Endometrial Alloimmune Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.737878.].


Phase transitions of alkyl ether analogs of phosphatidylcholine.
The phase-transition temperatures of aqueous dispersions of diester, monoether and diether analogs of phosphatidylcholine were determinmed using transparinaric acid as a fluorescent probe. The diether analog of phosphatidylcholine has a higher phase-transition temperature, whilst the monoether analog has a lower phase-transition temperature than their diester counterpart.


Synthesis and secretion of renin in mice with induced genetic mutations.
The juxtaglomerular (JG) cell product renin is rate limiting in the generation of the bioactive octapeptide angiotensin II. Rates of synthesis and secretion of the aspartyl protease renin by JG cells are controlled by multiple afferent and efferent pathways originating in the CNS, cardiovascular system, and kidneys, and making critical contributions to the maintenance of extracellular fluid volume and arterial blood pressure. Since both excesses and deficits of angiotensin II have deleterious effects, it is not surprising that control of renin is secured by a complex system of feedforward and feedback relationships. Mice with genetic alterations have contributed to a better understanding of the networks controlling renin synthesis and secretion. Essential input for the setting of basal renin generation rates is provided by β-adrenergic receptors acting through cyclic adenosine monophosphate, the primary intracellular activation mechanism for renin mRNA generation. Other major control mechanisms include COX-2 and nNOS affecting renin through PGE2, PGI2, and nitric oxide. Angiotensin II provides strong negative feedback inhibition of renin synthesis, largely an indirect effect mediated by baroreceptor and macula densa inputs. Adenosine appears to be a dominant factor in the inhibitory arms of the baroreceptor and macula densa mechanisms. Targeted gene mutations have also shed light on a number of novel aspects related to renin processing and the regulation of renin synthesis and secretion.


The continued epidemic threat of SARS-CoV-2 and implications for the future of global public health.
A new coronavirus (CoV) called SARS-CoV-2 emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019 as the etiological agent of a viral pneumonia called COVID-19. The global spread of SARS-CoV-2 has been so extensive that the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Below, we discuss the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and provide the historical context, which strongly suggests emerging CoVs provide an immediate threat to global public health and will continue to do so in the future.


Formation of iodo-trihalomethanes, iodo-haloacetic acids, and haloacetaldehydes during chlorination and chloramination of iodine containing waters in laboratory controlled reactions.
Iodine containing disinfection by-products (I-DBPs) and haloacetaldehydes (HALs) are emerging disinfection by-product (DBP) classes of concern. The former due to its increased potential toxicity and the latter because it was found to be the third most relevant DBP class in mass in a U.S. nationwide drinking water study. These DBP classes have been scarcely investigated, and this work was performed to further explore their formation in drinking water under chlorination and chloramination scenarios. In order to do this, iodo-trihalomethanes (I-THMs), iodo-haloacetic acids (I-HAAs) and selected HALs (mono-HALs and di-HALs species, including iodoacetaldehyde) were investigated in DBP mixtures generated after chlorination and chloramination of different water matrices containing different levels of bromide and iodide in laboratory controlled reactions. Results confirmed the enhancement of I-DBP formation in the presence of monochloramine. While I-THMs and I-HAAs contributed almost equally to total I-DBP concentrations in chlorinated water, I-THMs contributed the most to total I-DBP levels in the case of chloraminated water. The most abundant and common I-THM species generated were bromochloroiodomethane, dichloroiodomethane, and chlorodiiodomethane. Iodoacetic acid and chloroiodoacetic acid contributed the most to the total I-HAA concentrations measured in the investigated disinfected water. As for the studied HALs, dihalogenated species were the compounds that predominantly formed under both investigated treatments.


Biliary sludge is formed by modification of hepatic bile by the gallbladder mucosa.
We studied 22 patients with symptomatic microlithiasis to determine whether a contributory role of the gallbladder in the early stage of cholesterol gallstone formation exists. We compared the merits of different methods (ultrasonography and microscopy) and sources (hepatic or gallbladder) of bile samples for diagnosing microlithiasis. Paired hepatic and gallbladder bile samples were studied with polarizing microscopy. Nucleation time, bile salts, phospholipid, cholesterol, cholesterol saturation index (CSI), bilirubin, total protein, albumin and mucin concentration were measured. All patients had abdominal ultrasound examination. With polarizing microscopy as the standard, ultrasonography was positive in 13 patients (59%) and negative in 9 (41%). All gallbladder bile samples were positive for microlithiasis by microscopy. Only one hepatic bile sample was positive (P < .0001). There was a disproportional enrichment of total protein, albumin, and mucin (P < .05) in the gallbladder bile and a conversion of bilirubin diglucuronide to monoglucuronide (P < .01). Gallbladder samples had lower CSI but a faster nucleation time (P < .001), which correlates inversely with CSI, total protein, and mucin concentration. Biochemical composition and physical chemical behavior of hepatic bile are modified during residence in the gallbladder, contributing to sludge formation. Gallbladder bile has a lower calculated CSI, higher deconjugation of bilirubin, protein and mucin concentration and crystals were present. Hepatic bile samples are inappropriate for microscopic detection of microlithiasis.


Cost-Effectiveness of Treatments after Closed Extraarticular Distal Radius Fractures in Older Adults from the WRIST Clinical Trial.
This study performs an economic analysis of volar locking plate, external fixation, percutaneous pinning, or casting in elderly patients with closed distal radius fractures. This is a secondary analysis of the Wrist and Radius Injury Surgical Trial, a randomized, multicenter, international clinical trial with a parallel nonoperative casted group of patients older than 60 years with surgically indicated, extraarticular closed distal radius fractures. Thirty-Six-Item Short-Form Health Survey-converted utilities and total costs from Medicare were used to calculate quality-adjusted life-years and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Casted patients were self-selected and older (p < 0.001) than the randomized surgical cohorts, but otherwise similar in sociodemographic characteristics. Quality-adjusted life-years for percutaneous pinning were highest at 9.17 and external fixation lowest at 8.81. Total costs expended were $16,354 for volar locking plates, $16,012 for external fixation, $11,329 for percutaneous pinning, and $6837 for casting. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for volar locking plates and external fixation were dominated by percutaneous pinning and casting. The ratio for percutaneous pinning compared to casting was $28,717. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis revealed a 10, 5, 53, and 32 percent chance of volar locking plate, external fixation, percutaneous pinning, and casting, respectively, being cost-effective at the willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000 per quality-adjusted life-year. Casting is the most cost-effective treatment modality in the elderly with closed extraarticular distal radius fractures and should be considered before surgery. In unstable closed fractures, percutaneous pinning, which is the most cost-effective surgical intervention, may be considered before volar locking plates or external fixation.


Transpersonal Genetic Effects Among Older U.S. Couples: A Longitudinal Study.
Emerging social genetics research suggests one's genes may influence not just one's own outcomes but also those of close social alters. Health implications, particularly in late life, remain underexplored. Using combined genetic and survey data, this study examined such transpersonal genetic associations among older U.S. couples. Data were from married or cohabiting couples in the 2006-2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, nationally representative of U.S. adults over 50. Measures included a polygenic score for educational attainment, and self-rated health. Analysis was through parallel process latent growth models. Women's and men's genetic scores for education had transpersonal linkages with their partner's health. Such associations were solely with life-course variations and not late-life change in outcomes. Moreover, they were indirect, mediated by educational attainment itself. Evidence also emerged for individual-level genetic effects mediated by the partner's education. In addition to the subject-specific linkages emphasized in extant genetics literature, relational contexts involve multiple transpersonal genetic associations. These appear to have consequences for a partner's and one's own health. Life-course theory indicates that a person is never not embedded in such contexts, suggesting that these patterns may be widespread. Research is needed on their implications for the life-course and gene-environment correlation literature.


Specificity of antibody and helper T-cell responses to the isologous myeloma protein W3129 and its subunits.
The specificity of BALB/c antibodies and Th elicited by BALB/c myeloma protein W3129 (alpha, kappa) and its subunits was studied. Antibodies were detected with RIA and ELISA techniques. Th were demonstrated by their ability to augment a secondary anti-NIP antibody response in a Mitchison type assay of adoptive immunity. The major proportion of antibodies elicited by the complete W3129 was directed to an idiotypic determinant(s) that depended on assembled H + L chains. The determinant(s) was probably located in or near the antibody combining site because binding was hapten-inhibitable. A second minor antibody population bound an idiotypic determinant(s) on VW3129H expressed on isolated H-chain as well as on the complete myeloma protein. A third and very weakly reactive set of antibodies was specific for a C alpha antigenic site(s) which was expressed much more efficiently on free than on assembled alpha-chains. The antibody response to free kappa W3129 was directed to idiotypic determinants that were inaccessible in the complete molecule. By contrast, free kappa W3129 elicited Th that responded to an idiotypic determinant(s) on VW3129K; the determinant(s) was expressed on both the isolated chain and the complete W3129, suggesting that Th responded to an idiotope not recognized by B-cells. Priming with free alpha W3129 failed in four out of five experiments to induce Th that responded to the complete W3129, demonstrating that a major difference existed between VH and VL of W3129 regarding their immunogenicity for Th. Nevertheless, free alpha W3129 did elicit antibody responses that displayed high reactivity with the complete molecule, indicating that certain serologically defined antigenic sites on the surface of W3129 are also expressed on isolated alpha W3129. Thus, certain differences were detected as to the specificities of Th and B-cells for W3129 and its subunits since they recognized separate idiotopes located in the VL- or VH-region, respectively. The pattern of Th recognition of W3129 resembled that of another isologous myeloma protein, M315, but was unlike that of a third, J558, previously described from this laboratory.