Benckiser's hemorrhage: about an uncommon case report.
Benckiser's hemorrhage is a serious obstetric emergency caused by rupture of one or more umbilical vessels of velamentous insertion, putting the fetus in distress and leading to rapid fetal death through exsanguination in utero. It is an uncommon condition associated with a neonatal mortality rate of 75-100%. This hemorrhage of fetal origin happens most often when the membranes rupture, whether spontaneously or artificially. This is why prenatal diagnosis via ultrasound can only be beneficial and make it possible to schedule a prophylactic caesarean section before the onset of fetal death as well as other adverse perinatal outcomes. We hereby present an uncommon case of a 27-year-old female patient, with no antenatal check-ups, who presented to the emergency department for labor-like pain at a gestational age of 32 weeks. On examination, blood pressure was 140/89mmhg. Shortly after her hospitalization, the patient was experiencing steady vaginal bleeding as well as spontaneous rupture of the membranes. Retroplacental hematoma was suspected. It was then quickly decided to do an emergency caesarean section. It was only at the examination of the placenta that the diagnosis was corrected with the visualization of torn velamentous vessels, allowing immediate resuscitation of the newborn and admission in neonatal intensive care unit for blood transfusions. Detailed prenatal ultrasonography screening for vasa previa in high risk pregnancies prevent the onset of complications related to their rupture. An elective caesarean section should be carried out prior to the onset of labor, most often at 35 weeks of amenorrhea, avoiding rupture of membranes and fetal exsanguination, while taking into consideration the impact of iatrogenic prematurity.


Improved detection of metastases on magnetic resonance images by digital tissue recognition: validation using VX-2 tumor in the rabbit.
To evaluate the ability of a prototype digital tissue recognition (DTR) system to improve the accuracy of detection of metastases on magnetic resonance (MR) images in the rabbit VX-2 tumor model. Multiple MR imaging (MRI) sequences, including pre-contrast and post-contrast enhanced T1-weighted, T2-weighted, proton-density, and fast short inversion time inversion recovery (FSTIR), were acquired for six rabbits implanted with VX-2 adenocarcinoma. For each rabbit, DTR used the MR intensity characteristics of a known tumor site to highlight other areas suspicious for tumor. Three independent veterinary radiologists with extensive experience in animal MRI interpreted the images for tumor both without and with the results of DTR. The conventional and DTR-assisted interpretations were compared to pathology. Using DTR, the radiologists found an average of 13.2% more true positive sites with a 10.3% reduction in false positives compared to unassisted interpretation. The improvement for the radiologists was statistically significant (McNemar's test, P = 0.0004). The agreement between radiologists using DTR was consistently higher than for their conventional interpretations (kappa statistic). Compared with conventional interpretation of MR images, the use of DTR provided a statistically significant improvement in the accuracy of locating more and smaller sites of tumor. This improvement was achieved without the benefit of post-contrast images.


Quantitative determination of the Fusarium mycotoxins beauvericin, enniatin A, A1, B and B1 in pig plasma using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
A sensitive and reliable method was developed for the identification and quantification of beauvericin, enniatin A, A1, B and B1 in pig plasma using liquid chromatography combined with heated electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Sample clean-up consisted of a deproteinization step using acetonitrile, followed by evaporation of the supernatant and resuspension of the dry residue in acetonitrile/water (80/20, v/v). The method was in-house validated: matrix-matched calibration graphs were prepared for all compounds and correlation and goodness-of-fit coefficients ranged between 0.9980 and 0.9995 and between 5.2% and 11.3%, respectively. The within- and between-run precision and accuracy were evaluated and the results fell within the ranges specified. The limits of quantification were 0.1 ng/mL for enniatin A and A1 and 0.2 ng/mL for beauvericin, enniatin B and B1, whereas limits of detection were ≤ 10 pg/mL for all analytes. The method has been applied for the analysis of real plasma samples from one pig that received an oral bolus (0.05 mg/kg BW) of the investigated mycotoxins. At the applied dosage, the results indicated the suitability of the method for use in toxicokinetic studies with enniatins.


Senile plaque neurites fail to demonstrate anti-paired helical filament and anti-microtubule-associated protein-tau immunoreactive proteins in the absence of neurofibrillary tangles in the neocortex.
Although much work has been directed recently towards unravelling the protein chemistry of neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) and senile plaque (SP) components in Alzheimer's disease, the pathogeneses of these lesions remains largely unknown and the problem of their relationship is unresolved. In particular, although paired helical filaments (PHF) have long been documented in SP neurites, we do not know if they are of pathogenetic relevance for the formation of the SP. To investigate the relationship between NFT and SP, we examined antigenic properties of proteins in SP neurites in neocortical tissues of patients with senile dementia of Alzheimer type, in the presence or absence of NFT in the same cortical area. We used two polyclonal antibodies directed against PHF and microtubule-associated protein (MAP)-tau and three monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) (RT97, BF10, 147) to phosphorylated epitopes of human neurofilament polypeptides, as well as the Gallyas silver impregnation method which specifically stains PHF in NFT and neurites. The main finding of our investigations consists in a differential pattern of immunoreactivity of SP neurites depending on the presence or absence of NFT in the neocortex. In the presence of NFT, there were numerous neuropil threads and SP neurites containing Gallyas-positive, as well as anti-PHF- and anti-tau-labelled material. In the absence of NFT in the neocortex there was a striking absence of any Gallyas-positive or PHF- and tau-immunoreactive structure in the cortical neuropil and in SP neurites, irrespective of the maturation stage of the SP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Involvement of a calcium-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase in the maturation of Xenopus laevis oocytes.
It has been described that phosphorylation, and dephosphorylation, of specific proteins is associated with key events of the cell cycle and is likely to be due to activation of kinase(s). From our results, the presence of calcium-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (PKC) was clearly demonstrated in both the cytosolic and particulate fractions of immature Xenopus laevis oocytes and in the cytosolic fraction of mature oocytes. However, it was less active in metaphase II- than in prophase I-arrested oocytes. The enzyme was partially purified by DEAE-cellulose and phenyl-Sepharose chromatography. It was activated in vitro by the tumor-promoting phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) as already described for PKC from other tissues. On the other hand, a calcium-phospholipid-independent histone kinase activity 4-fold higher in metaphase II- than in prophase I-arrested oocytes was detected. The possible role of PKC and phospholipid-independent histone kinase in the maturation process is discussed.


Positioning of earphones and variations in auditory thresholds.
One of the problems observed in pure-tone audiometry tonal has been the variation in test results of a same individual, particularly at frequencies of 4kHz, 6kHz and/or 8kHz. Improper placement of headphones is one of the factors that can cause alterations in results. To compare differences in auditory thresholds using earphones positioned by the examiner and by the worker. Clinical and experimental study conducted in 2009, with 324 workers aged between 19 and 61 years, with a mean of 33.29 years and mean exposure time of 7.67 years. All subjects were familiar with audiometry procedures. Auditory thresholds were obtained at frequencies of 0.25-8kHz, with earphones positioned by the examiners, and at frequencies of 4, 6 and 8kHz, with earphones placed by workers in a comfortable position, following the examiner's instructions. The thresholds obtained in these two situations were compared. The three frequencies exhibited better responses with earphones placed by the workers themselves (p<0.001). At a frequency of 8kHz a greater difference was found (p<0.001), with a mean of 13.89dB and standard deviation of 6.07dB. Earphone placement by the workers themselves under supervision of the examiner results in improved mean auditory thresholds at frequencies of 4, 6 and 8kHz, the last one significantly higher than the other two.


P-FARFAR2: A multithreaded greedy approach to sampling low-energy RNA structures in Rosetta FARFAR2.
RNA (ribonucleic acid) structure prediction finds many applications in health science and drug discovery due to its importance in several life regulatory processes. But despite significant advances in the close field of protein prediction, RNA 3D structure still poses a tremendous challenge to predict, especially for large sequences. In this regard, the approach unfolded by Rosetta FARFAR2 (Fragment Assembly of RNA with Full-Atom Refinement, version 2) has shown promising results, but the algorithm is non-deterministic by nature. In this paper, we develop P-FARFAR2: a parallel enhancement of FARFAR2 that increases its ability to assemble low-energy structures via multithreaded exploration of random configurations in a greedy manner. This strategy, appearing in the literature under the term "parallel mechanism", is made viable through two measures: first, the synchronization window is coarsened to several Monte Carlo cycles; second, all but one of the threads are differentiated as auxiliary and set to perform a weakened version of the problem. Following empirical analysis on a diverse range of RNA structures, we report achieving statistical significance in lowering the energy levels of ensuing samples. And consequently, despite the moderate-to-weak correlation between energy levels and prediction accuracy, this achievement happens to propagate to accuracy measurements.


Substantia nigra dopamine regulates synaptic plasticity and membrane potential fluctuations in the rat neostriatum, in vivo.
The spiny projection neurons of the neostriatum are a site at which dopamine inputs from the substantia nigra converge with excitatory inputs from the cerebral cortex. These two systems interact in certain learning and motor control mechanisms of the brain. We investigated these interactions using intracellular recording from spiny striatal neurons in urethane-anaesthetized rats. We found that acute dopamine depletion was associated with long-term depression of corticostriatal synaptic input. Electrical stimulation of the cortex which mimicked synchronous cortical input to striatal neurons also induced long-term depression of corticostriatal inputs. In intact control animals, but not in dopamine-depleted animals, this depression was prevented or reversed by concomitant stimulation of the substantia nigra. In agreement with previous in vitro studies, our in vivo findings show that long-term depression occurs in the corticostriatal pathway, and in addition show that it is regulated by dopaminergic inputs from the substantia nigra. This form of synaptic plasticity may therefore be important for understanding disturbances of the motor system seen in humans with Parkinson's disease.


Impact of primary tumor volume on local control after definitive radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.
The impact of primary tumor volume (pTV) on local control after definitive radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is unclear. Pertinent literature was reviewed to address the impact of pTV on local control after definitive RT for HNSCC. Reproducibility of pTV calculations is probably influenced by interobserver variability and may be reduced by relying on experienced observers. The impact of pTV on local control after definitive RT is probably influenced by primary site. A relatively limited impact of pTV on local control after RT for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) might be attributable to human papillomavirus (HPV) positivity. pTV may be a useful parameter to select patients for treatment with definitive RT, particularly for those with laryngeal SCCs. Patients with high-volume primary cancers, in which the probability of local control with a functional larynx is low, are likely better treated with surgery.


Whole-genome sequencing improves discrimination of relapse from reinfection and identifies transmission events among patients with recurrent Clostridium difficile infections.
Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) represents a significant healthcare challenge. Patients may suffer multiple episodes of CDI with the index strain (relapse) or become infected by another strain acquired nosocomially (reinfection). We aimed to characterize C. difficile isolates causing recurrent CDI at a tertiary referral hospital by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to assess strain similarities at the highest level of genetic resolution and accurately detect relapse, reinfection, and putative strain transmission events. An 18-month prospective study of recurrent CDI was undertaken. Clostridium difficile was cultured from stool samples collected longitudinally from any patients suffering ≥2 clinically defined CDI episodes. Patient demographics and clinical data were recorded, and strain relatedness investigated by both polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based ribotyping and WGS. Nineteen patients were identified with ≥2 clinically defined CDI episodes who cumulatively suffered 39 recurring CDI episodes (58 total episodes). Patients had a median length of stay (LOS) of 144 days and experienced between two and seven CDI episodes. Ribotyping indicated 27 apparent same-strain relapses, five reinfections and the predominance of ribotypes 078 (ST-11) and 020 (ST-2). WGS allowed characterization of relapse with increased certainty and identified emergent within-strain single nucleotide variants (SNVs) with potential functional impact on diverse genes. Shared ribotypes among 14 patients with recurrent CDI suggested 10 possible patient-to-patient transmission events. However, WGS revealed greater diversity at the sub-ribotype level, excluding all but four transmission events. WGS exhibits several advantages over PCR-based ribotyping in terms of its ability to distinguish relapse from reinfection, to identify patient-to-patient transmission events, and to exact fine structure characterization of recurrent CDI epidemiology. This offers the potential for more focused infection prevention strategies to eliminate strain transmission among patients with recurrent CDI.


Influence of research and development, environmental regulation, and consumption of energy on CO2 emissions in China-novel spatial Durbin model perspective.
Global warming continues to be an intimidating factor for environmental protection, and reducing carbon emissions is an effective way to deal with the phenomenon. However, the energy sector is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, investment in environmental regulations and research and development (R&D), is critical for fostering a low-carbon growth model. This study focuses on 30 provinces in China from 2004 to 2019. We used the spatial Durbin model to investigate how the spatial spillover effect of R&D and environmental regulation impacts carbon emissions. In addition, we applied the dynamic threshold panel model to mitigate potential problems of endogeneity. The results reveal that carbon emissions have a considerable spatial correlation in both temporal and spatial dimensions, exhibiting high and low-value accumulation characteristics. Furthermore, the combined effect of R&D intensity, environmental regulation, and energy consumption were found to contribute to the increase in carbon emissions across China's provinces, and they also suggest different influencing mechanisms. The spillover effects of increased carbon emissions in neighboring regions also contribute to the increase in local carbon emissions. The study also found that R&D and stringent environmental regulations measures strongly moderate the link between energy consumption and carbon emissions. In promoting carbon reduction, by breaking the dynamic equilibrium in China, the provincial investment outflow on R&D intensity could be optimized, and the regional levels should focus more on tightening environmental regulatory measures and promoting the development of energy-conserving technologies.


Dynamic evolution and reversibility of single-atom Ni(II) active site in 1T-MoS2 electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution.
1T-MoS2 and single-atom modified analogues represent a highly promising class of low-cost catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, the role of single atoms, either as active species or promoters, remains vague despite its essentiality toward more efficient HER. In this work, we report the unambiguous identification of Ni single atom as key active sites in the basal plane of 1T-MoS2 (Ni@1T-MoS2) that result in efficient HER performance. The intermediate structure of this Ni active site under catalytic conditions was captured by in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy, where a reversible metallic Ni species (Ni0) is observed in alkaline conditions whereas Ni remains in its local structure under acidic conditions. These insights provide crucial mechanistic understanding of Ni@1T-MoS2 HER electrocatalysts and suggest that the understanding gained from such in situ studies is necessary toward the development of highly efficient single-atom decorated 1T-MoS2 electrocatalysts.


Evidence From a Multistate Cohort: Enrollment in Affordable Care Act Qualified Health Plans' Association With Viral Suppression.
Healthcare delivery changes associated with viral suppression (VS) could contribute to the United States' "Ending the HIV Epidemic" (EtHE) initiative. This study aims to determine whether Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) purchased by AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) are associated with VS for low-income people living with HIV (PLWH) across 3 states. A multistate cohort of ADAP clients eligible for ADAP-funded QHPs were studied (2014-2015). A log-binomial model was used to estimate the association of demographics and healthcare delivery factors with QHP enrollment prevalence and 1-year risk of VS. A number needed to treat/enroll (NNT) for 1 additional person to achieve viral suppression was calculated. Of the cohort (n = 7776), 52% enrolled in QHPs. QHP enrollment in 2015 was associated with QHP coverage in 2014 (adjusted PR [aPR], 3.28; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 3.06-3.53) and engagement in care in 2014 (aPR, 1.16; 1.04-1.28). PLWH who were engaged in care (n = 4597) and had QHPs had a higher VS rate than those who received medications from Direct ADAP (86.0% vs 80.2%). QHPs' NNT for an additional person to achieve VS is 20 (14.1-34.5). Starting undetectable (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 1.39; 1.28-1.52) and enrolling in QHPs in 2015 (aRR, 1.06; 0.99-1.14) was associated with VS. Once enrolled in ADAP-funded QHPs, ADAP clients stay enrolled. Enrollment is associated with VS across states/demographic groups. ADAPs, especially in the South and in Medicaid nonexpansion states, should consider investing in QHPs because increased enrollment could improve VS rates. This evidence-based intervention could be part of EtHE.


Vision-related quality of life impairment in an elderly UK population: associations with age, sex, social class and material deprivation.
To describe the prevalence of vision-related quality of life (VR-QOL) impairment in an elderly UK population sample. The survey, using the VCM1 questionnaire, was based on an age- and sex-stratified random population sample of 2783 individuals aged 55 years or over. One thousand eight hundred and forty-six (69.7%) of 2647 eligible subjects responded. One thousand six hundred and eighty-three individuals completed all 10 VCM1 items. Overall the prevalence of a VCM1 score >2.0 ('more than a little' concern about vision) was 4.6% (95% CI = 3.7% to 5.7%), leading to an estimate of more than 550,000 individuals in England with substantial VR-QOL impairment. The prevalence increased with age from 2.1% in the 55-64 year age group to 17.9% in the group aged 85 years and older. The prevalence also increased as social class became lower, from 0 in social class I to 10.2% in social class V, and increased with increasing material deprivation, from 1.2% in the most affluent quintile to 6.8% in the most deprived quintile. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age (p = 0.0001), decreasing social class (p = 0.03) and increasing material deprivation (p = 0.008) were independently associated with VR-QOL impairment (VCM1 score >2.0), whilst gender and means of questionnaire administration were not associated with VR-QOL impairment at the 5% level. The findings suggest a substantial national prevalence of VR-QOL impairment, and are consistent with earlier studies linking ocular disease with social deprivation. Consideration should be given to directing resources more carefully towards groups at higher risk of VR-QOL impairment, in particular the very elderly and socially deprived.


Discovering the deep evolutionary roots of serum amyloid A protein family.
Deep evolutionary origin of the conserved animal serum amyloid A (SAA) apolipoprotein family leading to yet unknown highly similar SAA-like sequences occurring in certain bacterial genomes is demonstrated in this contribution. Horizontal gene transfer event of corresponding genes between gut bacteria and non-vertebrate animals was discovered in the reconstructed phylogenetic tree obtained with maximum likelihood and neighbor-joining methods, respectively. This detailed phylogeny based on totally 128 complete sequences comprised diverse serum amyloid A isoforms from various animal vertebrate and non-vertebrate phyla and also corresponding genes coding for highly similar proteins from animal gut bacteria. Typical largely conserved sequence motifs and a peculiar structural fold consisting mainly of four α-helices in a bundle within all reconstructed clades of the SAA protein family are discussed with respect to their supposed biological functions in various organisms that contain corresponding genes.


Design and development of highly efficient PbS quantum dot-sensitized solar cells working in an aqueous polysulfide electrolyte.
PbS quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) with a photovoltaic conversion efficiency (η) of 5.73% have been fabricated by applying Au/CuS/FTO as a counter electrode (CE), post-annealing the deposited PbS QDs, and introducing the bilayered TiO2 nanostructure as a photoanode.


Keeping Safe: Intra-individual Consistency in Obstacle Avoidance Behaviour Across Grasping and Locomotion Tasks.
Successful obstacle avoidance requires a close coordination of the visual and the motor systems. Visual information is essential for adjusting movements in order to avoid unwanted collisions. Yet, established obstacle avoidance paradigms have typically either focused on gaze strategies or on motor adjustments. Here we were interested in whether humans show similar visuomotor sensitivity to obstacles when gaze and motor behaviour are measured across different obstacle avoidance tasks. To this end, we measured participants' hand movement paths when grasping targets in the presence of obstacles as well as their gaze behaviour when walking through a cluttered hallway. We found that participants who showed more pronounced motor adjustments during grasping also spent more time looking at obstacles during locomotion. Furthermore, movement durations correlated positively in both tasks. Results suggest considerable intra-individual consistency in the strength of the avoidance response across different visuomotor measures potentially indicating an individual's tendency to perform safe actions.


The Development of a Telemedicine Planning Framework Based on Needs Assessment.
Providing equitable access to healthcare services in rural and remote communities is an ongoing challenge that faces most governments. By increasing access to specialty expertise, telemedicine may be a potential solution to this problem. Regardless of its potential, many telemedicine initiatives do not progress beyond the research phase, and are not implemented into mainstream practice. One reason may be that some telemedicine services are developed without the appropriate planning to ascertain community needs and clinical requirements. The aim of this paper is to report the development of a planning framework for telemedicine services based on needs assessment. The presented framework is based on the key processes in needs assessment, Penchansky and Thomas's dimensions of access, and Bradshaw's types of need. This proposed planning framework consists of two phases. Phase one comprises data collection and needs assessment, and includes assessment of availability and expressed needs; accessibility; perception and affordability. Phase two involves prioritising the demand for health services, balanced against the known limitations of supply, and the implementation of an appropriate telemedicine service that reflects and meets the needs of the community. Using a structured framework for the planning of telemedicine services, based on need assessment, may help with the identification and prioritisation of community health needs.


Ponto-geniculo-occipital (PGO) burst neurons: correlative evidence for neuronal generators of PGO waves.
A newly discovered class of neurons, ponto-geniculo-occipital (PGO) burst neurons, has PGO wave relationships of phase-leading, stereotyped discharge bursts, and the highest reported discharge specificity and coherence; these neurons thus fulfill correlative criteria for output generator neurons for PGO waves. The PGO burst neurons are recorded in a discrete dorsal brainstem area in apposition to the brachium conjunctivum.


Assessment of proliferative activity of canine dermal mast cells by bromodeoxyuridine and proliferating cell nuclear antigen labelling.
Cutaneous mast cells from skin biopsies of three healthy dogs and three dogs with atopic dermatitis were assessed for their proliferative potential using bromodeoxyuridine and proliferating cell nuclear antigen labelling. Mast cells isolated from the skin of two healthy dogs were also studied using bromodeoxyuridine labelling. Mast cells in skin biopsy specimens and mast cells isolated from the skin of healthy dogs did not incorporate bromodeoxyuridine. Two mast cells expressing proliferating cell nuclear antigen were seen around two superficial vessels in the dermis of one atopic dog. Epidermal cells, glandular epithelial cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells incorporated bromodeoxyuridine and showed positive staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen. These results suggest that canine mature mast cells do not proliferate in the dermis.


Antiferromagnetic half-skyrmions electrically generated and controlled at room temperature.
Topologically protected magnetic textures are promising candidates for information carriers in future memory devices, as they can be efficiently propelled at very high velocities using current-induced spin torques. These textures-nanoscale whirls in the magnetic order-include skyrmions, half-skyrmions (merons) and their antiparticles. Antiferromagnets have been shown to host versions of these textures that have high potential for terahertz dynamics, deflection-free motion and improved size scaling due to the absence of stray field. Here we show that topological spin textures, merons and antimerons, can be generated at room temperature and reversibly moved using electrical pulses in thin-film CuMnAs, a semimetallic antiferromagnet that is a testbed system for spintronic applications. The merons and antimerons are localized on 180° domain walls, and move in the direction of the current pulses. The electrical generation and manipulation of antiferromagnetic merons is a crucial step towards realizing the full potential of antiferromagnetic thin films as active components in high-density, high-speed magnetic memory devices.


The association between health-related factors, physical and mental diseases, social activities, and cognitive function in elderly Koreans: a population-based cross-sectional study.
The purpose of this study was to verify the association of cognitive function with health-related variables, diseases, and social activities. Data from the 2016 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging were analyzed. The participants of that study were 5678 adults aged 60 years or older living in 17 major Korean regions nationwide. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that gender, age, education, marital status, depressive symptoms, body mass index, regular exercise, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, hand grip strength, and social activities were all significantly associated with cognitive function in elderly Koreans. However, socioeconomic status, diabetes, smoking, alcohol consumption, attendance at school reunions, volunteer work, and participation in political or civic organizations had no impact on cognitive function. First, the results indicated that men had better cognitive function than women; likewise, married individuals and those with a higher level of education also had better cognitive function. As age increased, cognitive function declined. Second, higher body mass index was related to poorer cognitive function, whereas regular exercise was positively associated with better cognitive function. In addition, higher activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living scores were associated with poorer cognitive function. Third, depressive symptoms were negatively associated with cognitive function. Finally, religious activities, social activities, and participation in leisure activities, cultural events, and sports were associated with better cognitive functioning. The possibility of reverse association exists between some of the variables (e.g. religious activity and cognitive function), and it is necessary to verify this possibility through a longitudinal study. The biggest limitation is that this is a cross-sectional study, which made it unfeasible to investigate the causal pathways. This study suggests that regularly exercising and attending social activities each help to improve cognitive function in the elderly.


Clinicopathological analysis of T2-FLAIR mismatch sign in lower-grade gliomas.
T2-FLAIR mismatch sign is known as a highly specific imaging marker of IDH-mutant astrocytomas. This study was intended to clarify what the T2-FLAIR mismatch sign represents by pathological analysis of lower-grade gliomas rediagnosed in accordance with the WHO 2016 classification. We retrospectively analyzed the records of 64 patients diagnosed with WHO grade II and III diffuse gliomas between June 2009 and November 2018. T2-FLAIR mismatch sign was found in 10 (45%) out of 22 patients with IDH-mutant astrocytoma, 1 (5%) out of 20 with oligodendroglioma, and 1 (5%) out of 22 with IDH-wild-type astrocytoma. T2-FLAIR mismatch sign as a marker of IDH-mutant astrocytomas showed positive predictive value of 83%. Among 22 patients with IDH-mutant astrocytomas, microcystic change was found in eight, of which seven showed T2-FLAIR mismatch sign. Microcystic change was significantly associated with T2-FLAIR mismatch sign (P < 0.01). From multi-sampling in a patient, abundant microcysts were observed upon HE staining of specimens from the T2-FLAIR mismatched region, while microcysts were hardly observed from the T2-FLAIR matched one. All three protoplasmic astrocytomas among our IDH-mutant astrocytomas presented T2-FLAIR mismatch sign. In conclusion, T2-FLAIR mismatch sign may reflect microcyst formation in IDH-mutant astrocytomas and be common in IDH-mutant protoplasmic astrocytoma.


Programming cell-surface signaling by phase-separation-controlled compartmentalization.
The landscape of cell-surface signaling is formidably complex. Robust tools capable of manipulating the spatiotemporal distribution of cell-surface proteins (CSPs) for dissecting signaling are in high demand. Some CSPs are regulated via multivalency-driven liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Employing the robustness and versatility of LLPS, we decided to engineer LLPS-based tools for precisely manipulating CSPs. We generated membrane-tethering LLPS systems by fusing multivalent modular phase-separation scaffold pairs with CSP binders. Phase separation of the scaffold pairs, concomitant compartmentalization of CSPs on membranes, and cluster-dependent signaling outputs of CSPs require membrane recruitment of one or both scaffolds. We also engineered orthogonal phase-separation systems to segregate CSPs into mutually exclusive compartments. The engineered phase-separation systems can robustly cluster individual CSPs, co-cluster two or more CSPs, or segregate different CSPs into distinct compartments on cell surfaces. These tools will enable the dissection of complicated cell-signaling landscapes with high precision.


Choline and acetylcholine metabolism in slice cultures of the newborn rat septum.
The incorporation of [3H]choline into acetylcholine and other choline-containing compounds was investigated in slice cultures of the septal area of newborn rats. At choline concentrations in the range of the high affinity transport mechanism (0.1-1 microM) most of the labeled choline was incorporated into phosphorylcholine, followed by lipids, acetylcholine and the free choline pool. Hemicholinium-3 (1-10 microM) lead to a marked decrease of acetylcholine synthesis, whereas choline accumulation or phosphorylcholine synthesis were not decreased. Both basal and K+-induced release of acetylcholine were Ca2+ dependent. The efflux of choline was not stimulated by high K+. When choline was absent from the incubation medium, the slices were able to liberate significant amounts of the [3H]choline previously incorporated into phospholipids, and were also able to synthesize some acetylcholine. In choline-free medium, acetylcholine synthesis was greatly enhanced by depolarization. During the period in culture, there was a decrease of the incorporation rate of [3H]choline into phosphorylcholine and an increase of the incorporation rate into acetylcholine. The tissue structure was well preserved after several weeks in culture. After staining for acetylcholinesterase, the cholinergic neurons in the cultures showed a similar morphology to that seen in situ. The main conclusions of the present study are: cholinergic neurons in slice cultures develop and behave in a manner which is very similar to their in situ counterparts; the main divergence from previous studies of choline metabolism in tissue culture is the substantial incorporation rate of choline into acetylcholine at choline concentrations in the range of the high affinity uptake mechanism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Human metapneumovirus in infants and young children in Thailand with lower respiratory tract infections; molecular characteristics and clinical presentations.
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a recently identified Paramyxovirus. The clinical features and molecular characteristics of hMPV in Asian populations have so far remained obscure. The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence of hMPV in infants and young children presented with acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI) and to identify the molecular characteristics and clinical presentations. There were 236 nasopharyngeal secretions (NPs) collected from infants and children presented with ALRI at King Chulalongkorn Memorial hospital between March 2001 and September 2003. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) applying specific primers was done to identify hMPV and hRSV. Phylogenetic analysis of hMPV N, F and L genes was also performed. Of the 220 (236) infants and young children tested, positive results were found in 12 specimens (5.4%). The mean age of children with hMPV infections was 22+/-11 months. They mostly presented with fever with cough (100%) and upper respiratory tract symptoms (10/12, 83%). Eleven of twelve infants (92%) were hospitalized. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis identified two distinct lineages of hMPV. Our results demonstrated the prevalence, molecular characterization and clinical spectrum of hMPV infection in infants and young children presented with lower respiratory tract infections in Thailand.


A combined horseradish peroxidase and Golgi study on the afferent connections of the ventrobasal complex of the thalamus in the cat.
Afferent connections to the ventrobasal complex (VB) of the thalamus were studied by means of retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and by the Golgi-method. After HRP-injection into the VB, peroxidase-positive cells were observed contralaterally in the dorsal column nuclei (DCN), in the trigeminal nuclei and in the lateral cervical nucleus (LCN), and ipsilaterally in the somatosensoty I (SI) and II (SII) cortical areas. Labeled cells of different shape and size were compared with neurons impregnated by the Golgi-technique. On tn size and shape even within one region and that they correspond to the relay or efferent neurons observed in the Golgi-material.


A pediatric case report and literature review of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type1.
Early-onset facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is defined as facial weakness before the age of 5 and shoulder weakness before the age of 10. Early-onset facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is relatively rare in the clinic. This onset is relatively early, the symptoms are serious, and it is likely to be accompanied by retinal vascular disease, sensorineural deafness, epilepsy and other extramuscular multisystem diseases. We report the clinical characteristics of 2 patients with early-onset facial and shoulder brachial muscular dystrophy to improve clinicians' understanding of this particular condition. We report 2 pediatric patients with FSHD type 1. Patient 1 is an 11-year-old boy with reduced facial expression for 9 years and proximal muscle weakness for 6 years. Patient 2 is a 4-year and 6-month-old girl with developmental delay for 3 years and facial weakness for 1 year. According to the clinical manifestations and molecular genetic testing (such as Southern blot analysis), the patients were diagnosed with early-onset FSHD1. The patients received cocktail therapy (vitamin B1 tablets, vitamin B2 tablets, vitamin B6 tablets, vitamin C tablets, vitamin E tablets, idebenone tablets, etc.) to improve their muscle metabolism. Both patients' condition did not improve after being given cocktail treatment. According to a recent follow-up, the symptoms of facial weakness and proximal muscle weakness were aggravated. Early-onset FSHD presents early and has frequent systemic features, and it is a severe subtype of FSHD. Early identification and genetic diagnosis should be performed to improve patient prognosis.


Metabotropic glutamate receptors, transmitter output and fatty acids: studies in rat brain slices.
1. The effects of (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (1S,3R-ACPD), a non-selective agonist of the metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), have been studied in rat cortical and striatal slices by measuring the depolarization-induced output of D-[3H]-aspartate (D-[3H]-Asp) and of [3H]-glutamate ([3H]-Glu), neosynthesized from [3H]-glutamine. 2. In cortical slices, 1S,3R-ACPD potentiated the depolarization-induced (KCl, 30 mM) output of both D-[3H]-Asp and [3H]-Glu. The potentiation, obtained at 300 microM 1S,3R-ACPD was 65 +/- 6% for D-[3H]-Asp and 56 +/- 10% for [3H]-Glu. Conversely, in striatal slices, 1S,3R-ACPD reduced the depolarization-induced transmitter output. The reduction, obtained at 300 microM of the agonist, was 60 +/- 8% for D-[3H]-Asp and 50 +/- 5% for neosynthesized [3H]-Glu. 3. Bovine serum albumin (BSA, 15 microM), which is able to bind locally produced fatty acids, completely eliminated the potentiating effect 1S,3R-ACPD had on D-[3H]-Asp output from cortical slices. Low concentrations of arachidonic acid (1-10 microM) or of oleic acid (1-10 microM) added to BSA-containing perfusion medium, restored this potentiating effect. BSA, however, had no effect on the inhibitory action of 1S,3R-ACPD in striatal slices. 4. Bromophenacyl bromide (100 microM), an inhibitor of phospholipase A2, and RG80267 (100 microM), an inhibitor of diacylglycerol lipase, have been shown to inhibit fatty acid production. These compounds prevented the potentiating effect of 1S,3R-ACPD on D-[3H]-Asp-output in cortical slices. 5. Indomethacin (100 microM), an inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenases, plus nordihydroguaiaretic acid (100 microM), an inhibitor of lipoxygenases, increased D-[3H]-Asp output in cortical slices perfused with BSA-containing medium. 6. These experiments suggest that the mGluR-mediated potentiation of transmitter output requires the availability of unsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic or oleic acids, in cortical slices. In contrast, the mGluR-induced inhibition of transmitter output is not dependent upon fatty acid availability in striatal slices. The requirement of both unsaturated fatty acids and 1S,3R-ACPD in the facilitation of transmitter exocytosis may play an important role in the regulation of synaptic plasticity.


The septal ontogeny, germination and electron microscopy of Microsporum gypseum macroaleurioconidia.
Microsporum gypseum strains obtained from human and animal cases of dermatophytosis were used to study the septal ontogeny, the germination, and the electron microscopy of the macroaleurioconidia, which are produced so abundantly by this organism. It was found that the number of septa in a macroaleurioconidium depends upon the stage of development, and that their order of formation remains relatively constant. The macroaleurioconidial cell wall proved to be impressive on electron microscopy. The use of a wetting agent (Tween 80) and negative pressure proved necessary for adequate fixation. Poor penetration of the fixing agent is attributable to the electron-dense encrustations over the entire surface of the macroaleurioconidium.


Gammaproteobacteria mediating utilization of methyl-, sulfur- and petroleum organic compounds in deep ocean hydrothermal plumes.
Deep-sea hydrothermal plumes are considered natural laboratories for understanding ecological and biogeochemical interactions. Previous studies focused on interactions between microorganisms and inorganic, reduced hydrothermal inputs including sulfur, hydrogen, iron, and manganese. However, little is known about transformations of organic compounds, especially methylated, sulfur-containing compounds, and petroleum hydrocarbons. Here, we reconstructed nine gammaproteobacterial metagenome-assembled genomes, affiliated with Methylococcales, Methylophaga, and Cycloclasticus, from three hydrothermal ecosystems. We present evidence that these three groups have high transcriptional activities of genes encoding cycling of C1-compounds, petroleum hydrocarbons, and organic sulfur in hydrothermal plumes. This includes oxidation of methanethiol, the simplest thermochemically-derived organic sulfur, for energy metabolism in Methylococcales and Cycloclasticus. Together with active transcription of genes for thiosulfate and methane oxidation in Methylococcales, these results suggest an adaptive strategy of versatile and simultaneous use of multiple available electron donors. Meanwhile, the first near-complete MAG of hydrothermal Methylophaga aminisulfidivorans and its transcriptional profile point to active chemotaxis targeting small organic compounds. Petroleum hydrocarbon-degrading Cycloclasticus are abundant and active in plumes of oil spills as well as deep-sea vents, suggesting that they are indigenous and effectively respond to stimulus of hydrocarbons in the deep sea. These findings suggest that these three groups of Gammaproteobacteria transform organic carbon and sulfur compounds via versatile and opportunistic metabolism and modulate biogeochemistry in plumes of hydrothermal systems as well as oil spills, thus contributing broad ecological impact to the deep ocean globally.


Local cellular defenses in influenza-infected lungs.
The functional capacities and surface phenotype of the cells that accumulate in the lungs of hamsters during influenza A virus (PR/8/34) infection were studied to determine the cellular mechanisms that may limit the viral infection in the lung. Nonspecific natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity was augmented early (3 days) after infection in the lung but was undetectable at 6 days postinoculation. Virus-specific cytotoxic cells were detected within populations of mononuclear cells harvested from the lung but not from the hilar lymph node or spleen of influenza-infected hamsters following intratracheal inoculation. In contrast to virus-specific cytotoxic activity which remained locally, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) activity was detected in assays in which cells were used from lung, hilar lymph nodes, or spleen. Depletion studies using rabbit anti-asialo GM1 and newly developed mouse monoclonals WI20 and WI38, which detect surface antigens on hamster T-lymphocyte populations, demonstrated that in the hamster NK cells are asialo GM+, WI20-, WI38-; DTH lymphocytes are asialo GM-, WI20+, WI38-; and cytotoxic T lymphocytes are asialo GM-, WI20+, WI38+. Together these data suggest that antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells can be induced locally within the hamster lung during influenza infection, but that they appear to be unable to circulate systemically, unlike the T cells that mediate DTH. Thus while the lung appears to share some immune responses to local infections with peripheral lymphoid organs, effector cells can be induced to develop locally and may be regulated locally without a mandatory involvement of the systemic immune system.


Smurf1 and Smurf2 mediated polyubiquitination and degradation of RNF220 suppresses Shh-group medulloblastoma.
Sonic hedgehog (Shh)-group medulloblastoma (MB) (Shh-MB) encompasses a clinically and molecularly distinct group of cancers originating from the developing nervous system with aberrant high Shh signaling as a causative driver. We recently reported that RNF220 is required for sustained high Shh signaling during Shh-MB progression; however, how high RNF220 expression is achieved in Shh-MB is still unclear. In this study, we found that the ubiquitin E3 ligases Smurf1 and Smurf2 interact with RNF220, and target it for polyubiquitination and degradation. In MB cells, knockdown or overexpression of Smurf1 or Smurf2 promotes or inhibits cell proliferation, colony formation and xenograft growth, respectively, by controlling RNF220 protein levels, and thus modulating Shh signaling. Furthermore, in clinical human MB samples, the protein levels of Smurf1 or Smurf2 were negatively correlated with those of RNF220 or GAB1, a Shh-MB marker. Overall, this study highlights the importance of the Smurf1- and Smurf2-RNF220 axes during the pathogenesis of Shh-MB and provides new therapeutic targets for Shh-MB treatment.


The long-term influence of isoproterenol (ISO) retard tablets on the course of an acute inflammation.
Rats were exposed for 21 d to Isoproterenol (ISO) applied by subcutaneously implanted retard tablets. ISO causes a rise in the number of lymphocytes at the site of inflammation (injected sephadex) until the tenth day. The reaction of the connective tissue is moderately enhanced. The weight of the salivary glands is constantly elevated,and the weight of the hearts increases in a linear pattern until the end of the experiment. Neither in test nor in control animals is there any correlation between the number of white cells in the blood and their appearance at the site of inflammation.


[Study of hydrogen cyanide activity in various working environment in gold-mining industry].
The study concerned an influence of saline content of liquid phase of crushed ore and presence or absence of solution blending on the process of cyanic hydrogen release in air of working area gold-mining industry.


Urine IL-18, NGAL, IL-8 and serum IL-8 are biomarkers of acute kidney injury following liver transplantation.
AKI is common following liver transplantation and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Biomarkers of AKI have not been well established in this setting but are needed to help guide patient care and facilitate development of novel therapeutics. Serum creatinine, cystatin C, IL-6, and IL-8 and urine IL-18, NGAL, IL-6, and IL-8 were measured before and within 24 hours after liver transplantation in 40 patients. AKI was defined as a ≥50% sustained increase in creatinine above pre-operative values occurring within 24 hours of transplantation and persisting for at least 24 hours. Seven patients met criteria for AKI (17.5%), with mean creatinines of 0.81 mg/dL pre-operatively and 1.75 mg/dL post-operatively. While pre-operative biomarker levels in patients with AKI were similar to those in patients without AKI, differences were seen between the groups with regard to median post-operative serum IL-8 (pg/mL) (242.48 vs. 82.37, p = 0.0463) and urine NGAL (ng/mL) (386.86 vs. 24.31, p = 0.0039), IL-6 (pg/mL) (52 vs. 7.29, p=0.0532), IL-8 (pg/mL) (14.3 vs. 0, p = 0.0224), and IL-18 (pg/mL) (883.09 vs. 0, p = 0.0449). The areas under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were 0.749 for urine IL-18, 0.833 for urine NGAL, 0.745 for urine IL-6, 0.682 for serum IL-6, 0.773 for urine IL-8, and 0.742 for serum IL-8. Post-operative cystatin C was not significantly different between AKI and no AKI groups. Serum IL-8 and urine IL-18, NGAL, IL-6, and IL-8 are elevated in AKI within the first 24 hours following liver transplantation.


Changes in the body composition of monkeys during long-term exposure to high acceleration fields.
Adult, 10-14 kg, male pig-tailed monkeys (Macaca nemestrina) were subjected to continuous centrifugation for 7 months in acceleration fields up to 2.5 g. Several major parameters of body composition, body-fluid distribution, and hematology were evaluated at various levels of high g by in vivo analytical techniques. Statistically significant decreases in total body mass, lean body mass, total body water, extracellular water content and interstitial water content proportional to the level of high g were also demonstrated. Body cell mass, total body fat, dry body mass, lean body solids, and red cell volume did not change significantly. Significant decreases in red cell count, blood hemoglobin level and venous hematocrit value accorded with the plasma volume and red cell volume findings. Total plasma protein concentration did not change significantly. The results indicate a substantial loss of total body mass in the form of body water. The loss apparently occurred from the interstitial spaces of the body in the face of a sizeable increase in plasma volume. Physiological significance of the body composition and fluid distribution changes at high g is discussed and compared to the changes described for astronauts at low g. Current theory of fluid-balance physiology favors the concept that interstitial volume and blood volume are tightly coupled and change in the same direction. However, it appears that the changes which occur where the ambient acceleration field is varied may represent an exception to the general hypothesis for the regulation of the extracellular fluid volume.


Application of the cultured epidermal autograft "JACE(®") for treatment of severe burns: Results of a 6-year multicenter surveillance in Japan.
In the 1970s, Green et al. developed a method that involved culturing keratinocyte sheets and used for treatment of burns. Since then, the take rate of cultured epidermal autograft (CEA) onto fascia, granulation tissue, or allografts has been extensively reported, while that on an artificial dermis in a large case series is not. Moreover, the contribution of CEA to patient survival has not been analyzed in a multicenter study. We conducted a 6-year multicenter surveillance on the application of the CEA "JACE(®") for treatment of burns >30% total body surface area (TBSA) across 118 Japanese hospitals. This surveillance included 216 patients and 718 graft sites for efficacy analysis. The CEA take rate at 4 weeks after grafting was evaluated, and safety was monitored until 52 weeks. In addition, the survival curve obtained in this study and the data obtained from the Tokyo Burn Unit Association (TBUA) were compared. The mean CEA take rates at week 4 were 66% (sites) and 68% (patients), and the rate on the artificial dermis was 65% for 226 sites. CEA application combined with wide split-thickness auto or patch autograft increased the CEA take rate. On comparison with the data obtained from the TBUA, which included data on individuals with burns of the same severity, CEA application was found to contribute to patient survival until 7 weeks after burn. We reported the take rate of CEA based on a 6-year multicenter surveillance. From our results, we found that the application of CEA is a useful treatment for the patients with extensive burns.


Value of three-dimensional T2-weighted turbo spin-echo imaging with tissue-specific variable refocusing flip angle for 3-T magnetic resonance imaging of prostate cancer: comparison with conventional two- and three-dimensional T2-weighted turbo spin-echo imaging.
To investigate the impact of three-dimensional (3D) T2-weighted turbo spin-echo imaging (TSE-T2WI) with tissue-specific variable refocusing flip angle (TS-VRFA) on image quality and prostate cancer (PCa) detection and extraprostatic extension (EPE) evaluation compared to 2D TSE-T2WI and conventional 3D TSE-T2WI with volume isotropic TSE acquisition (VISTA). Image data sets of 40 patients who underwent 3-T MRI before prostatectomy, including multiplane 2D T2WI, 3D T2WI with TS-VRFA and VISTA, and diffusion-weighted images were independently evaluated by two radiologists. The detectability of PCa and EPE of each sequence was assessed using areas by the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis. Image quality measures and contrast ratios (CR) between cancerous lesions and non-cancerous regions for each T2WI were also evaluated. Overall image quality of TS-VRFA was better than that of VISTA and equivalent to 2D. The highest CR was obtained with TS-VRFA (P < 0.05). For both readers, no significances were observed in detectability for PCa detection between three sequences (P > 0.05). For both readers, there were no significant differences in AUC for EPE evaluation between three sequences (P > 0.05). 3D T2 WI using TS-VRFA could potentially replace multiplane 2D T2 WI for prostate cancer diagnosis with better image quality than VISTA.


Ultrathin Pd nanowire as a highly active electrode material for sensitive and selective detection of ascorbic acid.
Nanomaterial modified electrode is useful for catalytic, analytical and biotechnological applications. Herein, a simple and sensitive method for the electrocatalytic detection of ascorbic acid (AA) using ultrathin Pd nanowire (NW) modified glassy carbon electrode is presented. Electrochemical data reveal that Pd NWs can effectively enhance the electron transfer between AA and electrode, and thus reduce the overpotential of AA oxidation. Particularly, the current-time curve shows that the catalytic oxidation current is linearly dependent on AA concentration in the range of 25 μM-0.9 mM with a correlation coefficient 0.9998, and a detection limit of 0.2 μM (S/N=3) is obtained with an excellent reproducibility. What is more, the present Pd NWs-based electrochemical sensing platform can successfully be used as enhanced element for the detection of AA in the practical samples such as human serum and vitamin C beverage with satisfactory results.


Human papillomavirus type 6/11 identified in an epidermoid cyst of the scrotum.
To date, epidermoid cysts associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection have been described mainly in palmoplantar locations, and have involved HPV types 60 and 57. In contrast, HPV-6/11 is a major cause of condyloma acuminatum. Here, we report the case of a healthy 31-year-old man who presented to our clinic with a 1-month history of a 1-cm, reddish-brown, cystic scrotal tumor with a punctum. The lesion was studied histologically, immunohistochemically and by DNA-DNAin situ hybridization. Histology revealed an epidermoid cyst with vacuolated keratinocytes with shrunken nuclei (koilocytes) in the cyst wall. Immunostaining was positive for HPV antigens and in situ hybridization revealed HPV-6/11 DNA in the koilocytes. This is the first report of an HPV-6/11-associated epidermoid cyst in the anogenital skin of an immunocompetent individual.


[The effect of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril on the rates of progression of chronic kidney failure in patients with different degrees of functional kidney disorders].
By a reciprocal of creatininemia the rate of chronic renal failure progression (CRF) was assessed in 14 patients with nephropathy on enalapril treatment. The day dose ranged from 2.5 to 15 mg. In patients with serum creatinin levels from 0.24 to 0.41 mmol/l (group 1) enalapril significantly inhibited CRF progression, as it did in group 2 (serum creatinin levels from 0.47 to 0.68 mmol/l) but 1 patient. In patients with creatinin levels over 0.71 mmol/l, the influence of enalapril on CRF progression rate was insignificant. All the patients exhibited stabilization of arterial hypertension. Proteinuria diminished in groups 1 and 2, while creatinin clearance decreased in groups 1 and 3. It is inferred that enalapril control of renal function in nephropathy patients is efficient only in early CRF.


Microcomputer-controlled laboratory system for field potential experiments.
A microcomputer-controlled laboratory system for hippocampal field potential experiments was constituted. This system realized the quasi-simultaneous processing of execution of stimulation, data acquisition, data display and data analysis by means of a microcomputer for the first time. To attain this quasi-simultaneous processing, a new algorithm for drawing a tangent on the wave-form of the potential was contrived, which enabled rapid analysis of an arbitrary population spike even in the case of generation of double spikes. The system has the following functions: (1) execution of the programmed stimulation paradigm, (2) analog/digital (A/D) conversion of the evoked field potential with a sampling interval of more than 50 microseconds per channel, (3) display of the A/D converted wave-form data on a CRT and storage of the data on a floppy disk, (4) on-line analysis of the population excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) and population spike, (5) more detailed off-line analysis of the field potentials, and (6) output of the wave-form data and measured values through a printer and an X-Y plotter.


Information provision to older patients receiving palliative chemotherapy: a quality study.
Cancer treatment has become increasingly successful. However, prolonging and preserving life has become an important goal of therapy since many patients generally receive palliative chemotherapy. The perception of life changes when patients are informed, that no curative treatment is possible. This raises new dilemmas for patients with incurable cancer, but only sparse information is available about the thoughts of these patients.The aim of this study was to explore how older patients experience the information on absence of curative treatment options. Qualitative interviews were performed in eleven older patients with incurable upper gastrointestinal cancer receiving first-line palliative chemotherapy. Median age was 74 (65-76) years. We used a qualitative approach to collect data through semistructured individual interviews conducted at the hospital or by telephone interviews by an experienced researcher. The thematic analysis was conveyed by Braun and Clarke. The interview findings were grouped around three main themes: hope of being cured, hearing but not comprehending, and desired milestones to reach. Further, it was determined that patients hid their feelings and avoided talking about the disease with the health professionals due to fear of being told the truth. Receiving information about their incurable cancer was an ongoing dilemma for the patients. Following the message, patients shared thoughts about reaching important milestones in life, spending time with their family or hope for a cure to be found.


Self-assembling peptide nanofiber as potential substrates in islet transplantation.
Hypoxia and reoxygenation (H/R)-induced damage often happens soon after islets are transplantation. The process of islet isolation and purification causes the rapid onset of hypoxia. We sought to develop a functional scaffold to sustain the structure and function of islets as well as to recover some of the surface molecules damaged during isolation, seeking to improve islet transplantation outcomes. Self-assembling peptide nanofiber (SAPNF), a new type of substrate has been shown to be an excellent biological material for neuronal cell culture and tissue engineering in animals. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of SAPNF on damage to rat islets. Freshly prepared rat islets from male Sprague-Dawley rats were seeded in plates coated with (SAPNF-treated group) or without (control group) SAPNF. The islets were then divided into two groups culture under normoxia for 7 days versus exposure to hypoxia (< 1% O2) for 6 hours followed by reoxygenation for 24 hours. The results showed that SAPNF exhibited improving effects on viability and function of cultured islets, protecting the one from H/R-induced damage. In both groups, the stimulation index of SAPNF-treated groups were about two times the controls. SAPNF treatment decreased apoptotic rates of islet cells. These results suggested the usefulness of SAPNF to maintain the viability and function of rat pancreatic islets. SAPNF may be a potential scaffold for clinical islet transplantation.


Application Effect of Humanistic Care Time Checklist on Nursing Quality of ICU Patients.
We aimed to explore the effect of humanistic care time checklist on nursing quality of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Overall, 230 patients hospitalized in ICU of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China from June 2018 to May 2019 were included in this retrospective study. Overall, 115 patients were included in the control group. Another 115 patients were included in the observation group. The nurses communicated routinely with the patients in the control group, and communicated with the patients in the observation group according to the self-designed humanistic care time checklist. The results of the implementation of humanistic care measures were evaluated by "ICU patients' humanistic care time satisfaction questionnaire". The satisfaction of humanistic care in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Communication between nurses and patients according to the requirements of humanistic care time checklist can improve patients' satisfaction with nursing care.


Chromosomal aberration and sister-chromatid exchange frequencies in peripheral blood lymphocytes of a large human population sample.
In order to assess the potential of cytogenetic determinations on peripheral blood lymphocytes as a means of monitoring human populations subject to low level occupational and environmental exposures to chemical mutagens and carcinogens, accurate baseline data are required. Accordingly, we have determined mean frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and of sister-chromatid exchanges, their variances, and the sources of this variance in a cohort of 353 healthy employees of the Brookhaven National Laboratory. A detailed protocol was adopted for blood sampling, lymphocyte culture, cytogenetic preparation and scoring in order to minimize variation from these potential sources. Scoring was divided between the Oak Ridge and the Brookhaven groups with duplicate scoring sufficient to evaluate and minimize the effect of any differences between laboratories or between individual scorers. In all, the data include 71,950 cells scored for chromosomal aberrations and 16,898 cells scored for sister-chromatid exchanges. The mean unadjusted frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges was 8.29 +/- 0.08/cell. As reported in other studies, cigarette smoking very significantly influenced sister-chromatid exchange frequencies; in our study the mean for smokers was 9.0 +/- 0.2, while that for non-smokers was 8.1 +/- 0.1/cell. The mean frequency was statistically higher in females than in males, regardless of smoking status. On the other hand, age of the subject did not significantly influence sister-chromatid exchange frequencies. Curiously, the subject's total white cell count did influence sister-chromatid exchange frequency. No other source of variation was found. The frequencies of chromosomal aberrations of all types were determined. The frequency of the most common unequivocal chromatid type, the chromatid deletion, was 0.81 +/- 0.05%, that of the most common unequivocal chromosome type, the dicentric, was 0.16 +/- 0.02%. No statistically significant influence was found of age or sex, nor of any other parameter tested, on the frequency of any chromosomal aberration type, with the single exception of long acentric fragments, often "supernumerary", believed to represent X chromosomes precociously separated at the centromere. Such fragments were significantly more frequent in samples from females than those from males, and showed a significant positive regression on age.


Autophosphorylation of gatekeeper tyrosine by symbiosis receptor kinase.
Plant receptor-like kinases (RLKs) share their evolutionary origin with animal interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK)/Pelle family of soluble kinases and are distinguished by having tyrosine as 'gatekeeper'. This position is adjacent to the hinge region and is hidden in a hydrophobic pocket of the catalytic cleft of protein kinases and is therefore least probable to be a target for any modification. This communication illustrates the accessibility of the gatekeeper site (Y670) towards both autophosphorylation and dephosphorylation in the recombinant cytoplasmic domain of symbiosis receptor kinase from Arachis hypogaea (AhSYMRK). Autophosphorylation on gatekeeper tyrosine was detected prior to extraction but never under in vitro conditions. We hypothesize gatekeeper phosphorylation to be associated with synthesis/maturation of AhSYMRK and this phenomenon may be prevalent among RLKs.


Disulfiram suppresses epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration and invasion in cervical cancer through the HSP90A/NDRG1 pathway.
Disulfiram (DSF) has proven to be a promising anti-tumor drug in preclinical studies. However, its anti-cancer mechanism has not yet been elucidated. As an activator in tumor metastasis, N-myc downstream regulated gene-1 (NDRG1) is involved in multiple oncogenic signaling pathways and is upregulated by cell differentiation signals in various cancer cell lines. DSF treatment results in a significant reduction in NDRG1, while down-regulated NDRG1 has a pronounced effect on invading cancer cells, as shown in our previous work. Here, in vitro and in vivo experiments confirm that DSF contributes to regulating tumor growth, EMT, and the migration and invasion of cervical cancer. Furthermore, our results show DSF binds to the ATP-binding pocket in the N-terminal domain of HSP90A, thereby affecting the expression of its client protein NDRG1. To our knowledge, this is the first report of DSF binding to HSP90A. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the molecular mechanism by which DSF inhibits tumor growth and metastasis through the HSP90A/NDRG1/β-catenin pathway in cervical cancer cells. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanism underlying DSF function in cancer cells.


Fetal intracranial tumors: a review of 27 cases.
Fetal intracranial tumors are rare. The diagnosis is generally made on histology after birth. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical and imaging data in a series of fetal intracranial tumors and emphasize the findings that may help approach the diagnosis antenatally. We retrospectively analyzed imaging and clinical findings in 27 cases of fetal intracranial tumors assessed by ultrasound (27/27) and MR imaging (24/27). A histological diagnosis was always obtained. Main diagnoses included 15 germinal tumors (13 teratomas), 4 glial tumors, 2 craniopharyngiomas and 3 hamartomas. Average gestational age at diagnosis was 27 weeks for teratomas, 21 weeks for hamartomas and 34 weeks for glial tumors. All tumors but one were supra tentorial, and the lesion extended in the posterior fossa in two teratomas. A heterogeneous pattern, which was more frequently seen in teratomas, was better visualized by MR than US imaging. In addition, in two cases of teratomas, MR imaging better assessed the extension of the tumor. Teratomas and gliomas are the most frequent brain tumors in the fetus. US and MR imagings appear complementary in the prenatal assessment of these lesions.


Immunohistochemical detection of human herpes virus-8 latent nuclear antigen-1 is useful in the diagnosis of Kaposi sarcoma.
Kaposi sarcoma is a low-grade vascular neoplasm that has been shown by molecular analysis to uniformly express the latent nuclear antigen-1 of human herpes virus 8. Differentiating Kaposi sarcoma from other benign or malignant vascular tumors, as well as other nonvascular spindle cell soft-tissue neoplasms, can be challenging. Thus, detection of human herpes virus 8 in fixed tissues would be diagnostically useful. Recently, a monoclonal antibody to human herpes virus 8 latent nuclear antigen-1 has become commercially available for immunohistochemical analysis. We sought to study the sensitivity and specificity of this antibody in the detection of human herpes virus 8 latent nuclear antigen-1 in Kaposi sarcoma. Fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 21 cases of Kaposi sarcoma, nine cases of spindle cell hemangioma, five cases of cutaneous angiosarcoma, five cases of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, one case of vascular transformation of a lymph node, four cases of pilar leiomyoma, four cases of stasis dermatitis, four cases of pyogenic granuloma, and three cases of spindled melanoma were examined immunohistochemically using the rat monoclonal antibody to human herpes virus 8 latent nuclear antigen-1, open reading frame-73 (Advanced Biotechnologies Inc.). Tissue sections were stained with automated immunostainers (Ventana) using heat-induced epitope retrieval and a standard DAB detection kit (Ventana) modified to detect rat Ab. Strong, diffuse, nuclear staining in >10% of tumor cells was considered a positive result. In all, 21/21 cases of Kaposi sarcoma showed strong, diffuse, nuclear staining for human herpes virus 8 latent nuclear antigen-1 (100%), whereas all cases of spindle cell hemangioma, cutaneous angiosarcoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, vascular transformation of lymph node, pilar leiomyoma, stasis dermatitis, pyogenic granuloma, and spindled melanoma were negative for this antigen. The monoclonal antibody to human herpes virus 8 latent nuclear antigen-1, open reading frame-73, is a highly sensitive and specific marker of human herpes virus 8 infection in paraffin-embedded tissue sections of Kaposi sarcoma. As such, it is an extremely useful tool for differentiating between Kaposi sarcoma and other vascular and nonvascular spindle cell lesions, which do not express human herpes virus 8 latent nuclear antigen-1.


Does percutaneous nephrolithotomy in children cause significant renal scarring?
To determine the frequency of renal parenchymal damage following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in children. Fifty-six children undergoing PCNL in 60 renal units between January 2000 and December 2004 were included in this prospective study, and were subjected to postoperative technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid ((99m)Tc-DMSA). Using a standard questionnaire, demographics, number, size and location of stones, procedure details, outcome as indicated by clearance with PCNL alone or additional procedures, and follow up were documented. Presence of focal renal damage and its association with the PCNL tract were examined. Out of 60 renal units, cortical defects on (99m)Tc-DMSA scan were seen in 10 renal units (17%). In three of these kidneys, the site of focal defect corresponded to the access site for tract formation during PCNL. Two additional kidneys had scarring at multiple sites, one of which corresponded to the access site during PCNL. In the remaining five kidneys no association between focal renal damage and nephrostomy tract site could be ascertained. No association was seen between renal damage and the size of nephroscope used during PCNL. There exists a risk of focal damage to renal parenchyma from the formation of the nephrostomy tract. In our series, focal damage was seen in 5% of patients; this may be an overestimate since preoperative (99m)Tc-DMSA scans were not available for our patients. Meticulous technique is important combined with a smaller nephroscope to minimize renal damage. Long-term follow up of such children is required to assess how many are left with permanent renal scars.


The association of major adverse limb events and combination stent and atherectomy in patients undergoing revascularization for lower extremity peripheral artery disease.
The effectiveness of combined atherectomy and stenting relative to use of each procedure alone for the treatment of lower extremity peripheral artery disease has not been evaluated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term major adverse limb event (MALE) following the receipt of stenting, atherectomy, and the combination of stent and atherectomy. A retrospective cohort of patients undergoing atherectomy, stent, and combination stent atherectomy for lower extremity peripheral artery disease was derived from the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) data set. The primary outcome was MALE and was assessed in the short-term and long-term. Short-term MALE was assessed immediately following the procedure to discharge and estimated using logistic regression. Long-term MALE was assessed after discharge to end of follow-up and estimated using the Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard model. Among the 46,108 included patients, 6896 (14.95%) underwent atherectomy alone, 35,774 (77.59%) received a stent, and 3438 (7.5%) underwent a combination of stenting and atherectomy. The adjusted model indicated a significantly higher odds of short-term MALE in the atherectomy group (OR = 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.16-1.57), and not significantly different odds (OR = 0.93; 95% CI:0.77-1.13) in the combination stent and atherectomy group when compared to stenting alone. With regard to long-term MALE, the model indicated that the likelihood of experiencing the outcome was slightly lower (HR = 0.90; 95% CI:0.82-0.98) in the atherectomy group, and not significantly different (HR = 0.92; 95% CI:0.82-1.04) in the combination stent and atherectomy group when compared to the stent group. Patients in the VQI data set who received combination stenting and atherectomy did not experience significantly different rates of MALE when compared with stenting alone. It is crucial to consider and further evaluate the influence of anatomical characteristics on treatment strategies and potential differential effects of comorbidities and other demographic factors on the short and long-term MALE risks.


Do cobalt and chromium blood metal ion levels normalize after revision of failed metal-on-metal total hip replacements?
Increased cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) serum levels are one reason for revision surgery in metal on metal (MoM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients. Dual mobility liners are a simple revision option; however, they preserve the metal shell and stem and it is therefore not clear if metal ion levels will fully normalize after revision surgery. Between April 2013 and December 2017 25 hips (24 patients) underwent revision from a MoM THA to an off-label dual mobility liner. Five patients were lost to follow-up and one patient refused leaving 18 patients (11 men, 7 female, average age 63.9 years) for pre- and postoperative metal ion level blood tests at a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Fourteen patients were revised for osteolysis, two for elevated metal ion levels and two for fluid or cysts around the femoral or acetabular component. The average preoperative Co and Cr levels were 8.3 µg/l and 5.0 µg/l, respectively. At a minimum follow-up of 2 years (30-95 months), metal ions dropped to 0.8 µg/l. Harris Hip Score (HHS), Hip Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the UCLA activity score improved non-significantly from pre- to postoperative. There was one postoperative complication in the study cohort. One patient with persisting pain required revision surgery to a standard acetabular component during the follow-up period. The off-label use of a dual-mobility liner in the current study resulted in normalization of the metal ion levels suggesting that preserving the cobalt-chromium acetabular component has little impact on ion levels. In addition, dual mobility liners have a low complication and revision rate.


Genetic testing practices for Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A disease.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) is caused by a PMP22 gene duplication. CMT1A has a robust electrical phenotype that can be used to direct genetic testing. We compared specialty CMT center CMT1A diagnosis rates to those of outside physicians. Charts were reviewed for 102 patients with CMT1A seen at a specialty CMT clinic between 2001 and 2009. Nerve conduction studies, family history, date of genetic testing, and type of genetic testing (single gene vs. panel) were collected. Although the specialty clinic ordered more PMP22 duplication testing alone beginning at an earlier year, thereby reducing costs, both the specialty clinic and outside physicians began the decade doing panel testing and ended the decade looking at only PMP22. Specialty centers adapt earlier to changes in testing practice than non-specialty centers. As the landscape of genetic testing changes, the algorithms for testing will also likely change.


Another exciting use for the cantaloupe.
This paper describes an organic model used successfully to demonstrate flexible sigmoidoscopy to family medicine residents. Its advantages include low cost, portability, disposability, and ease with which it induces laughter while its drawbacks are unique and well worth tolerating.


The influence of emergency medical technician glucometry on paramedic involvement.
Rapid glucose testing is a valuable tool for emergency medical services (EMS) patient evaluation and treatment. In most EMS systems, paramedics, but not emergency medical technicians (EMTs), are authorized to use glucometry. To evaluate the influence of EMT glucometry on paramedic involvement in a two-tiered EMS response system. King County, Washington, EMTs underwent training in glucometry to determine blood sugar levels for specific patient presentations. The authors conducted a prospective cohort study of the first 500 EMT uses of glucometry, from October 2003 through March 2004, during which time EMTs recorded their subjective assessments of this additional information on their decisions to involve paramedics. Overall, glucometry results appeared to influence EMT decisions to involve paramedics. Glucometry prompted EMTs to upgrade the triage level and request paramedic evaluation for 5% of patients (n = 22); glucometry caused EMTs to downgrade the triage level, canceling already dispatched paramedics for 5% of patients (n = 23); and glucometry allowed EMTs to function without paramedics when they otherwise would have called for assistance for 11% of patients (n = 52). In an additional 12% of patients (n = 54), paramedic involvement was not actually influenced, but EMTs still indicated that glucometry would have had an effect on triage had paramedics not been present. Use of glucometry by EMTs appears to influence the decision to involve paramedics, potentially enabling more efficient and appropriate triage.


[Use of growth factors in therapy of chronic wounds. Experimental, clinical and financial aspects].
Clinical trials on exogenous application of polypeptide growth factors in chronic wounds have not fulfilled the high expectations derived from results of experimental studies. There is no convincing evidence that growth factors may substitute for good wound care and efficient surgical approaches to wound closure. The ultimate goal of treatment of chronic ulcerations remains reconstitution of a durable skin envelope without unstable scarring. Therefore, optimization of current methods of wound therapy, including reconstructive vascular and plastic surgery and adequate metabolic and wound control, should be employed before any adjuvant growth factor therapy is attempted. As long as efficient and inexpensive therapy of chronic wounds by growth factors has not been demonstrated, empincal growth factor treatment should be rejected on scientific and economic grounds. Current use appears to be reasonable only under a regime of controlled clinical studies comparing growth factor treatment with conventional wound therapy and operative measures according to the rules of "good clinical practice".


Inter- and intraobserver reliabilities and critical analysis of the osteoporotic fracture classification of osteoporotic vertebral body fractures.
The Osteoporotic Fracture Working Group (Spine Division of the German Orthopaedic and Trauma Society) has developed a classification system for osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures, namely the osteoporotic fracture (OF) classification system. The purpose of this study was to determine the inter- and intraobserver reliabilities of the OF classification system for osteoporotic vertebral body fractures (VFs) at a level-one trauma centre. Conventional radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scans of 54 consecutive women who sustained an osteoporotic VF were analysed by six orthopaedic traumatologists with varying levels of experience. The inter- and intraobserver reliabilities of the OF classification system were determined using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Cohen's kappa. The overall interobserver reliability of the OF classification system was good (ICC, 0.62 [0.51, 0.72]). The intraobserver reliability was found to be substantial (overall weighted Cohen's kappa estimate [95% confidence interval {CI}] = 0.74 [0.67, 0.80]) and better when the radiography, MRI, and CT scans were assessed together than when only the radiography and MRI scans were evaluated, although the difference was not significant. The OF classification system is easy to use. It shows good interobserver reliability and substantial intraobserver reliability if diagnostic prerequisites (conventional radiography, MRI, and CT scans) are met.


Serum heme oxygenase-1 measurement is useful for evaluating disease activity and outcomes in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease.
Oxidative stress plays an important role in acute lung injury, which is associated with the development and progression of acute respiratory failure. Here, we investigated whether the degree of oxidative stress as indicated by serum heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is clinically useful for predicting prognosis among the patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease (AE-ILD). Serum HO-1 levels of newly diagnosed or untreated ARDS and AE-ILD patients were measured at diagnosis. Relationships between serum HO-1 and other clinical parameters and 1 and 3-month mortality were evaluated. Fifty-five patients including 22 of ARDS and 33 of AE-ILD were assessed. Serum HO-1 level at diagnosis was significantly higher in ARDS patients than AE-ILD patients (87.8 ± 60.0 ng/mL vs. 52.5 ± 36.3 ng/mL, P < 0.001). Serum HO-1 correlated with serum total bilirubin (R = 0.454, P < 0.001) and serum LDH (R = 0.500, P < 0.001). In both patients with ARDS and AE-ILDs, serum HO-1 level tended to decrease from diagnosis to 2 weeks after diagnosis, however, did not normalized. Composite parameters including serum HO-1, age, sex, and partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood/fraction of inspired oxygen (P/F) ratio for prediction of 3-month mortality showed a higher AUC (ARDS: 0.925, AE-ILDs: 0.892) than did AUCs of a single predictor or combination of two or three predictors. Oxidative stress assessed by serum HO-1 is persistently high among enrolled patients for 2 weeks after diagnosis. Also, serum HO-1 levels at the diagnosis combined with age, sex, and P/F ratio could be clinically useful for predicting 3-month mortality in both ARDS and AE-ILD patients.


X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis inhibits apoptosis and preserves the blood-brain barrier after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Early brain injury following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) strongly determines the prognosis of patients suffering from an aneurysm rupture, and apoptosis is associated with early brain injury after SAH. This study was designed to explore the role of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) in early brain injury following SAH. The expression of XIAP was detected using western blotting and real-time RT-PCR in an autologous blood injection model of SAH. We also studied the role of XIAP in early brain injury and detected apoptosis-related proteins. The results showed that XIAP was significantly up-regulated in the cortex and hippocampus and that XIAP was mainly expressed in neuronal cells following SAH. The inhibition of endogenous XIAP aggravated blood-brain barrier disruption, neurological deficits and brain edema. Recombinant XIAP preserved the blood-brain barrier, improved the neurological scores and ameliorated brain edema. Recombinant XIAP treatment also decreased the expression of cleaved caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9, whereas there was no effect on the expression of p53, apoptosis-inducing factor or cytochrome c. These results show that XIAP acts as an endogenous neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic agent following SAH. The effects of XIAP on early brain injury was associated with the inhibition of the caspase-dependent apoptosis pathway.


Comparison of antifungal and cytotoxicity activities of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles with amphotericin B against different Candida species: In vitro evaluation.
Candida species are known to cause serious fungal infections that produce cutaneous, mucosal, and systemic infections. Nowadays, mortality and morbidity candidiasis in immunocompromised patients have increased. Nanotechnology is a new world-known technology and includes particles ranging from about 1 to 100 nanometers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antifungal and cytotoxicity activities of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) compared to amphotericin B (AmB) on different Candida spp in in vitro conditions. In the present study, susceptibility of different Candida species to TiO2-NPs and ZnO-NPs compared to AmB was determined by broth microdilution (BMD) and agar well diffusion methods. Cytotoxicity of TiO2-NPs and ZnO-NPs and amphotericin B was measured by MTT (3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) assay. The results indicated that the TiO2-NPs and ZnO-NPs showed antifungal activities against pathogenic Candida spp. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of TiO2-NP ranges against Candida spp. were 128-256 µg/mL and 256-512 µg/mL, respectively. The MIC and MFC values of ZnO-NPs were 64-128 µg/mL and 256-512 µg/mL, respectively. However, MICs and MFCs of AmB were 8-16 µg/mL and 16-32 µg/mL, respectively. The MTT assay results showed that the CC50% belonged to ZnO-NPs 706.2 μg/mL, for TiO2-NPs 862.1 μg/mL, and for AmB 70.19 μg/mL, respectively. Our findings showed that TiO2-NPs and ZnO-NPs had antifungal effects against all Candida species, yet the antifungal properties of TiO2-NPs and ZnO-NPs were significantly less than those of AmB. The CC50% of AmB was significantly lower than ZnO-NPs and TiO2-NPs.


Patella bone density is lower in knee osteoarthritis patients experiencing moderate-to-severe pain at rest.
To determine differences in patellar subchondral bone mineral density (BMD) between knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients with differing levels of pain at rest. The preoperative knee of 41 total knee replacement (TKR) patients was scanned using QCT and scored for pain using Western Ontario McMasters Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). 'Pain at rest' was defined as average pain while lying//sitting and nocturnal pain. Participants were divided into groups: 'mild-to-no pain at rest' and 'moderate-to-severe pain at rest'. We used a depth-specific CT-based mapping technique to measure patellar subchondral BMD at depths of 0-2.5 mm, 2.5-5 mm, and 5-7.5 mm from the subchondral surface. Mean lateral and medial facet BMD were compared between groups using MANCOVA. Mean adjusted BMD was lower in participants with 'moderate-to-severe pain at rest' over the total lateral facet at depths of 0-2.5 mm (10% lower, p=0.041), 2.5-5 mm (20% lower, p=0.017), and 5-7.5 mm (25% lower, p=0.004), and over the total medial facet at 2.5-5 mm (22% lower, p=0.033) and 5-7.5 mm (28% lower, p=0.016). In OA patients with 'moderate-to-severe pain at rest', depth-specific density measures demonstrated up to 28% lower lateral and medial subchondral BMD. Patients with high levels of pain at rest may have reduced amounts of native bone prior to TKR.


The use of Laminaria japonica in intracavitary radiation therapy when anesthesia is contraindicated.
Laminaria tents have been used to dilate the cervix for interruption of pregnancy and other intrauterine procedures. Their use is presented in 5 patients with cervical and endometrial carcinoma where general anesthesia was contraindicated. Cervical dilation was sufficient with a single Laminaria to carry out intrauterine and intravaginal instrumentation for radiation therapy with no local or general anesthesia.


ACTH and the stress-induced changes of lysine incorporation into brain and liver proteins.
When mice were subjected to footshock treatment and subsequently injected with [3H] lysine, the cerebral uptake of [3H] lysine, its incorporation into brain protein and the relative radioactivity (RR = protein radioactivity divided by amino acid radioactivity) were all increased. In the liver, footshocked mice showed decreased free lysine radioactivity, and increased protein radioactivity and relative radioactivity compared to quiet mice. The possibility that ACTH mediated these effects was investigated. The injection of saline had no effect in the brain but partially mimicked the footshock responses in the liver. Injections of ACTH 1--24 mimicked the effects of footshock in the brain, and further augmented the saline-induced effect on the RR in the liver. ACTH 4--10 increased the RR of brain protein, but produced no significant change in brain free lysine radioactivity or in any measure in the liver. Pretreatment of mice with the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, did not enhance these effects and diminished the effect of ACTH 4--10 in the brain. ACTH treatment did not alter the profiles of brain polyribosomes. Lysine vasopressin, which is also released during stress, did not alter the incorporation of [3H] lysine into brain or liver protein, except at high doses when it decreased plasma radioactivity. These results suggest that secretion of ACTH at least partially mediates the stress-induced changes of [3H] lysine incorporation into brain and liver proteins, but that it is probably not the only factor involved.


Immunomodulatory effects of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) against chromium (VI) induced immunosuppression.
The present study reports the immunomodulatory effects of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) leaf extract on cellular and humoral immune response by studying delayed-type hypersensitivity response, IL-2, IL-4 and gamma-IFN levels and antibody titres in chromium-induced immunosuppressed animals. Oral feeding of chromium (30 mg/kg bw) significantly inhibited antibody production and S-RBC induced delayed-type hypersensitivity response. Administration of leaf extract (100 mg/kg bw) along with chromium significantly inhibited chromium-induced immunosuppression. To understand the immunomodulatory mechanism of leaf extract, in vitro studies were carried out using rat lymphocytes. Addition of chromium resulted in a significant decrease in lymphocyte size and increased ROS generation. The leaf extract of seabuckthorn significantly inhibited chromium-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and maintained the cell size identical to that of control cells. Chromium treatment markedly inhibited the mitochondrial transmembrane potential by larger lymphocytes in particular, while the leaf extract restored the same significantly. Chromium also inhibited significantly concanavalin A (ConA) induced IL-2, IL-4 and gamma-IFN production in rat lymphocytes. The leaf extract (100 microg/ml) alone stimulated IL-2 and gamma-IFN production even in the absence of ConA and also inhibited chromium-induced decline in IL-2 and gamma-IFN production but it did not change IL-4 production. These observations suggest that the leaf extract of seabuckthorn has significant immunomodulatory activity and specifically activates the cell-mediated immune response.


Effect of K+ ions on kinetic properties of the (Na+, K+)-ATPase (EC 188.8.131.52) of bulk isolated glial cells, perikarya and synaptosomes from rabbit brain cortex.
Progress curves of the enzymatic reactions show that ATPases of bulk isolated glial cells, perikarya and synaptosomes exhibit hysteretic change. Initial velocities of enzyme activities were therefore obtained according to the equation valid for the hysteretic model. The (Na+, K+)-ATPase activities of the same brain fractions were measured before or after NaI treatment. Only glial and synaptosomal enzyme could be adequately extracted by using this procedure. Attempts to purify the (Na+, K+)-ATPase from brain perikarya by NaI extraction were unsuccessful. In order to determine the effect of the K+ ions on enzymic physiological efficiency (phys. eff.; i.e., the ratio Vmax/Kmapp) the variation of (Na+, K+)-ATPase activities from each brain fraction was measured as a function of Mg.ATP2- concentration in the presence of 5 and 20 mM K+ ions. High K+ ion concentrations (20 mM) increased the physiological efficiency of glial enzyme and decreased the same kinetic parameter in neuronal (perikaryal as well as synaptosomal) enzyme preparations. Results are discussed in relation to a possible distribution of distinct enzyme in different brain cell populations as well as a possible role of glial cells in an active regulation of K+ ion extracellular fluid in the CNS.


Improvement in Fitted Filtration Efficiency of N95 Respirators With Escalating Instruction of the Wearer.
Fitted filtration performance of an N95 respirator may benefit from differing levels of instructions. Using a modified Occupational Safety and Health Administration fit test protocol, we measured fitted filtration efficiency for an N95 respirator in 21 screened, healthy participants given 4 levels of escalating instruction: (1) uninstructed (baseline), (2) written/pictorial manufacturer instructions, (3) step-by-step video demonstration, and (4) staff instruction (visual inspection of respirator fit and verbal suggestions to adjust when applicable). Baseline fitted filtration efficiency was not significantly different between participants with or without previous experience of N95 use. Clear improvements in fitted filtration efficiency were observed progressing from baseline (average=86.1%) to manufacturer paper instructions (93.3%), video instructions (97.5%), and post staff intervention (98.3%). Baseline fitted filtration efficiency values were significantly lower than those after video instruction (p<0.037) and staff intervention (p<0.033) sessions. Beyond uninstructed wear or provision of manufacturer instructions, efforts to train and instruct users in proper respirator fit principles with visual feedback are likely to yield benefits to public health outcomes in reducing respiratory exposure during air quality emergencies such as airborne viral outbreaks and wildland fires.