Viremia as a predictor of absence of serious bacterial infection in children with fever without source.
Most children with fever without source (FWS) require diagnostic laboratory tests to exclude a serious bacterial infection (SBI), often followed by admission and empirical antibiotics. As febrile children with a viral infection are less likely to have a SBI, identifying patients with systemic viral infection could contribute to exclude SBI. We evaluated whether the presence of virus in the blood could be used as a biomarker to rule out SBI. Children < 3 years old with FWS were prospectively enrolled and had real-time (reverse-transcription) PCR performed on the blood for adenovirus, enterovirus, parechovirus, and HHV6. 20/135 patients had SBI, and in 47/135, at least one virus was detected in the blood. Viremia had a higher sensitivity and negative predictive value (90% and 96%) to rule out SBI compared to CRP (65% and 93%) and PCT (55% and 90%). The odds ratio (OR) for the presence of SBI among non-viremic patients was 5.8 (p = 0.0225), compared to 5.5 for CRP ≥ 40 mg/l (p = 0.0009) and 3.7 for PCT ≥ 0.5 ng/mL (0.0093). This remained significant after adjusting for CRP and PCT (OR 5.6 and 5.9, respectively; p = 0.03 for both). Area under the ROC curve for CRP and PCT were 0.754 and 0.779, respectively, but increased to 0.803 and 0.832, respectively, when combined with viremia. The presence of viremia had a better performance than commonly used biomarkers to rule-out SBI and could potentially be used in conjunction with CRP and/or PCT in the evaluation of children with FWS. Larger studies should evaluate the role of point-of-care testing of viruses by (revere-transcription) PCR in the plasma in management algorithms of children with FWS. • Most children with FWS have a viral infection, but up to 15% have a SBI; most require laboratory tests, and many admission and empirical antibiotics. • Children with a viral infection are less likely to have a SBI. • Children with a systemic viral infection are less likely to have an SBI. • Viremia is a better predictor of absence of SBI than commonly used biomarkers and could potentially be used in conjunction with CRP and/or PCT in the evaluation of children with FWS.


[Emergency room transfers for residents of the 16th arrondissement of Paris].
Access to care for the population residing in residential facilities for dependent elderly people (Ehpad), i.e. 600,000 people in France in 2019, is a major public health issue. Description of the characteristics and pathways of the residents of Ehpad transferred to the emergency department (SAU) in the Paris 16th district.


Hypopharyngeal involvement by thyroid cancer.
Direct upper airway infiltration by thyroid neoplasia is a rare occurrence, a unique case of papillary thyroid neoplasia presenting as a pyriform fossa mass is described and the management of these problem patients is discussed, emphasising the controversy between radical and conservative surgery. The possibility that the thyroid tumour resulted from previous radioactive iodine prescribed for thyrotoxicosis is also considered.


On the production of 52gMn by deuteron irradiation on natural chromium and its radionuclidic purity.
The positron emitter 52gMn is used for the Positron Emission Tomography - PET imaging.In this work we investigate the nuclear reactions for production of 52gMn and 54Mn induced by deuteron beams on natural chromium targets at energies up to Ed = 28 MeV using the stacked-foils activation technique. We calculate the thick target yields for 52gMn and for the radionuclidic impurity 54Mn, and we compare the radionuclidic purity of 52gMn with that achievable in proton activation of Cr. The cross-sections of the reactions natCr(d,pxn)51Cr and natCr(d,x)48V are also presented.


Association between Preoperative Urine Culture and Urinary Tract Infection after Spinal Surgery.
This is a retrospective study. This study assessed risk factors accounting for urinary tract infections (UTIs) to determine whether preoperative asymptomatic UTI (aUTI) could be used to predict UTIs in patients after spinal surgery. UTI is a spinal surgery complication that increases the incidence of surgical site infections. However, the risk factors for UTIs after spinal surgery remain unclear. This study included 509 (mean age, 54.5 years; 239 males and 270 females) patients who underwent posterior spine surgery at the department of the current study. First, clean catch urine was collected, after which a urine culture was performed for all patients before surgery. Preoperative detection of the aUTI (>105 colony-forming units/mL) rate was then determined. Subsequently, risk factors for postoperative UTI were evaluated using logistic regression analysis with the following as independent variables: age, sex, obesity, diabetes, spinal cord tumor, the preoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, JOA-bladder function, preoperative urine culture positivity, aUTI, preoperative Escherichia coli detection, the postoperative catheter placement period, instrumentation, number of surgical levels, surgery duration, and blood loss. The preoperative aUTI and postoperative UTI incidences were 8.1% and 4.1%, respectively. Furthermore, multivariate logistic analysis showed that the risk factor for postoperative UTI was preoperative aUTI (odds ratio, 4.234; 95% confidence interval, 1.532-11.702; p=0.005). Preoperative aUTI is a risk factor for UTI in patients after spinal surgery.


Small extracellular vesicles with nanomorphology memory promote osteogenesis.
Nanotopographical cues endow biomaterials the ability to guide cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Cellular mechanical memory can maintain the cell status by retaining cellular information obtained from past mechanical microenvironments. Here, we propose a new concept "morphology memory of small extracellular vesicles (sEV)" for bone regeneration. We performed nanotopography on titanium plates through alkali and heat (Ti8) treatment to promote human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) differentiation. Next, we extracted the sEVs from the hMSC, which were cultured on the nanotopographical Ti plates for 21 days (Ti8-21-sEV). We demonstrated that Ti8-21-sEV had superior pro-osteogenesis ability in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing further confirmed that Ti8-21-sEV promote bone regeneration through osteogenic-related pathways, including the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, focal adhesion, and extracellular matrix-receptor interaction. Finally, we decorated the Ti8-21-sEV on a 3D printed porous polyetheretherketone scaffold. The femoral condyle defect model of rabbits was used to demonstrate that Ti8-21-sEV had the best bone ingrowth. In summary, our study demonstrated that the Ti8-21-sEV have memory function by copying the pro-osteogenesis information from the nanotopography. We expect that our study will encourage the discovery of other sEV with morphology memory for tissue regeneration.


Floating metal phthalocyanine@polyacrylonitrile nanofibers for peroxymonosulfate activation: Synergistic photothermal effects and highly efficient flowing wastewater treatment.
Highly efficient floating photocatalysis has potential applications in organic pollutant treatment but remains limited by low degradation efficiency in practical applications. By introducing the photothermal effect into a peroxymonosulfate (PMS) coupled photocatalysis system, tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) degradation could be significantly enhanced using floating metal phthalocyanine@polyacrylonitrile (MPc@PAN) nanofiber mats. MPc@PAN nanofibers with different metal centers showed similar photothermal conversion performance but different activation energies for PMS activation, resulting in metal-center-dependent synergistic photothermal effects, i.e., light-enhanced dominated, thermal-enhanced dominated, and conjointly light-thermal dominated mechanisms. The porous structures and floating ability of the FePc@PAN nanofibers provided a fast mass transfer process, with higher solar energy utilization and superior photothermal conversion performance than the FePc nanopowders. Meanwhile, the FePc@PAN nanofibers showed excellent TCH removal stability within 10 cycles (>92%) and extremely low Fe ion leaching (<0.055 mg/L) in a dual-channel flowing wastewater treatment system. This work provides new insight into PMS activation via photothermal effects for environmental remediation.


Acute physiological responses to a pyramidal exercise protocol and the associations with skin temperature variation in different body areas.
This study aimed to examine the skin temperature (Tsk) variations in five regions of interest (ROI) to assess whether possible disparities between the ROI's Tsk could be associated with specific acute physiological responses during cycling. Seventeen participants performed a pyramidal load protocol on a cycling ergometer. We synchronously measured Tsk in five ROI with three infrared cameras. We assessed internal load, sweat rate, and core temperature. Reported perceived exertion and calves' Tsk showed the highest correlation (r = -0.588; p < 0.01). Mixed regression models revealed that the heart rate and reported perceived exertion were inversely related to calves' Tsk. The exercise duration was directly associated with the nose tip and calf Tsk but inversely related to the forehead and forearm Tsk. The sweat rate was directly related to forehead and forearm Tsk. The association of Tsk with thermoregulatory or exercise load parameters depends on the ROI. The parallel observation of the face and calf Tsk could indicate simultaneously the observation of acute thermoregulatory needs and individual internal load. The separate Tsk analyses of individual ROI appear more suitable to examine specific physiological response than a mean Tsk of several ROI during cycling.


Correlations between ultrastructural features and contraction rates in rotiferan muscle. I. Preliminary observations on longitudinal retractor muscles in Trichocerca rattus.
The Rotifer Trichocerca rattus has striated longitudinal retractor muscles. These muscles can be divided into two categories: 1. The central and ventral retractor muscles which, after fixation, are found in a supercontracted state: they probably contract very quickly. 2. The lateral retractor muscles which are in a relaxed state after fixation. However, if the animal is mechanically stimulated before fixation, these are also fixed in a contracted state: so, normally, these muscles probably contract more slowly than the first category. In the relaxed state, thin myofilaments of the lateral retractor muscles are folded at the I band level; this a consequence of their compression provoked by the contraction of central and ventral retractor muscles. In muscles of the first type, the thick myofilaments are shorter (less than 2 mu) than in the second type (2.5 mu).


Tabanidae (Diptera) captured on horses in Amazon Forest fragments of the state of Rondônia, Brazil.
Tabanidae is one of the most diverse families of hematophagous dipterans. Tabanids, in general, are mechanical vectors of some pathogens. Given the vector importance and the lack of knowledge of the tabanid fauna in horses in Amazon Forest fragments of the state of Rondônia, this work aimed to determine the season that the different species of horse flies prefer to carryout hematophagy on horses and verify whether the horse fly community remains the same throughout the year. The sampling areas for tabanid captures were in the municipality of Monte Negro, Western Amazon, Brazil. Four new occurrences were recorded for the state of Rondônia: Stenotabanus albilinearis, Tabanus fuscofasciatus, T. macquarti and T. restrepoensis, which increases the number of species for the state to 109. The horse flies were most frequently collected on the hind leg (43.15%) and front leg (31.11%), followed by the belly (7.41%) and the ear (5.18%). In the other anatomical regions, the collection frequency was 13.15% of the remaining individuals.


Characterisation of PfCZIF1 and PfCZIF2 in Plasmodium falciparum asexual stages.
Plasmodium falciparum exerts strong temporal control of gene expression across its lifecycle. Proteins expressed exclusively during late schizogony of blood stages, for example, often have a role in facilitating merozoite invasion of the host red blood cell (RBC), through merozoite development, egress, invasion or early establishment of infection in the RBC. Here, we characterise P. falciparum C3H1 zinc finger 1 (PfCZIF1, Pf3D7_1468400) and P. falciparum C3H1 zinc finger 2 (PfCZIF2, Pf3D7_0818100) which we identified as the only C3H1-type zinc finger proteins with peak expression at schizogony. Previous studies reported that antibodies against PfCZIF1 inhibit merozoite invasion, suggesting this protein may have a potential role during RBC invasion. We show using C-terminal truncations and gene knockouts of each of Pfczif1 and Pfczif2 that neither are essential for blood stage growth. However, they could not both be knocked out simultaneously, suggesting that at least one is needed for parasite growth in vitro. Immunofluorescence localisation of PfCZIF1 and PfCZIF2 indicated that both proteins occur in discrete foci on the periphery of the parasite's cytosol and biochemical assays suggest they are peripherally associated to a membrane. Transcriptomic analyses for the C-terminal truncation mutants reveal no significant expression perturbations with PfCZIF1 truncation. However, modification of PfCZIF2 appears to modify the expression for some exported proteins including PfKAHRP. This study does not support a role for PfCZIF1 or PfCZIF2 in merozoite invasion of the RBC and suggests that these proteins may help regulate the expression of proteins exported into the RBC cytosol after merozoite invasion.


Phylogeography of the cosmopolitan fungus Aspergillus flavus: is everything everywhere?
Aspergillus flavus is one of the most common fungal eukaryotes on the planet. It is notorious for production of aflatoxins, for causing aspergillosis in humans and animals, and as an opportunistic pathogen of animals and plants. Its role in marine habitats is unclear. Until now, little phylogeographic structure has been detected for the species, except at very local scales, and it appears to fit the classic dictum of microbial biogeography: Everything is everywhere. Here we use genetic relationships among isolates to determine phylogeographic structure, mating types, and differences in preferences for: marine vs. terrestrial habitats, various substrates, and clinical vs. nonclinical environments. Phylogenetic relationships among isolates were estimated using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) and mating types were determined for a worldwide sample of A. flavus isolates from diverse substrates and geographic locations. All isolates composed a single population, with no significant differentiation of marine vs. terrestrial isolates, clinical vs. environmental isolates, or association with substrate or geographic origin. There was evidence for local dominance of a single clade, probably clonal in origin and short-lived. The proportion of mating types was 1:1, supporting the hypothesis of recombination in natural populations. However, a high proportion of clinical isolates were MAT1-1 (85%), suggesting that a gene linked to the MAT1-1 idiomorph could play a role in pathogenicity. This study suggests that a more appropriate description of the phylogeography of A. flavus is 'everything is everywhere, but not all the time.'


Streaming by case complexity: evaluation of a model for emergency department Fast Track.
To evaluate a patient flow streaming system within a teaching hospital's ED, using functional principles to separate patients into two streams on the basis of complexity rather than acuity, severity or disposition. The project used conceptual principles, such as patient complexity and 'lean thinking' theory, to create a new Fast Track patient stream, which was separately resourced. Data collected before and after implementation of the Fast Track system were analysed to evaluate the system. Following implementation of the system, significant improvements were observed in several key ED performance indicators. Mean waiting time was reduced from 55 to 32 min, mean treatment time was reduced from 209 to 191 min, compliance with New South Wales Department of Health waiting-time benchmarks increased from 59% to 77% and the percentage of patients who did not wait to complete their treatment halved from 6.2% to 3.1%. Key features in the success of the system included use of dedicated senior staff for Fast Track patients, and quarantining of clinical resources. The ED aiming to improve their waiting times and throughput should consider using complexity as a key criterion for triaging patients into separate streams. A low-complexity patient stream in the ED provides an ideal focus for advanced nursing practice.


A Facile Strategy to Prepare Dendrimer-stabilized Gold Nanorods with Sub-10-nm Size for Efficient Photothermal Cancer Therapy.
Gold (Au) nanoparticles are promising photothermal agents with the potential of clinical translation. However, the safety concerns of Au photothermal agents including the potential toxic compositions such as silver and copper elements in their structures and the relative large size-caused retention and accumulation in the body post-treatment are still questionable. In this article, we successfully synthesized dendrimer-stabilized Au nanorods (DSAuNRs) with pure Au composition and a sub-10-nm size in length, which represented much higher photothermal effect compared with dendrimer-encapsulated Au nanoparticles due to their significantly enhanced absorption in the near-infrared region. Furthermore, glycidol-modified DSAuNRs exhibited the excellent biocompatibility and further showed the high photothermal efficiency of killing cancer cells in vitro and retarding tumor growth in vivo. The investigation depicted an optimal photothermal agent with the desirable size and safe composition.


A simple rapid process for semi-automated brain extraction from magnetic resonance images of the whole mouse head.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a well-developed technique in neuroscience. Limitations in applying MRI to rodent models of neuropsychiatric disorders include the large number of animals required to achieve statistical significance, and the paucity of automation tools for the critical early step in processing, brain extraction, which prepares brain images for alignment and voxel-wise statistics. This novel timesaving automation of template-based brain extraction ("skull-stripping") is capable of quickly and reliably extracting the brain from large numbers of whole head images in a single step. The method is simple to install and requires minimal user interaction. This method is equally applicable to different types of MR images. Results were evaluated with Dice and Jacquard similarity indices and compared in 3D surface projections with other stripping approaches. Statistical comparisons demonstrate that individual variation of brain volumes are preserved. A downloadable software package not otherwise available for extraction of brains from whole head images is included here. This software tool increases speed, can be used with an atlas or a template from within the dataset, and produces masks that need little further refinement. Our new automation can be applied to any MR dataset, since the starting point is a template mask generated specifically for that dataset. The method reliably and rapidly extracts brain images from whole head images, rendering them useable for subsequent analytical processing. This software tool will accelerate the exploitation of mouse models for the investigation of human brain disorders by MRI.


Radiometric-high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for nicotine and twelve of its metabolites.
A sensitive, reproducible radiometric-high-performance liquid chromatographic assay has been developed to measure concentrations of nicotine and twelve of its metabolites in biological fluids. Following administration of nicotine ([2-14C]pyrrolidine) to rats, the assay was used in a pharmacokinetic investigation.


The Schizosaccharomyces pombe AlkB homolog Abh1 exhibits AP lyase activity but no demethylase activity.
2-Oxoglutarate (2OG) and iron (Fe(II)) dependent dioxygenases catalyze a wide range of biological oxidations, including hydroxylation and demethylation of proteins and nucleic acids. AlkB from Escherichia coli directly reverses certain methyl lesions in DNA, and defines a subfamily of 2OG/Fe(II) dioxygenases that has so far been shown to be involved in both nucleic acid repair and modification. The human genome encodes nine AlkB homologs and the function of most of these is still unknown. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has two AlkB homologs and here we have addressed the function of one of these, Abh1, which appears not to possess a classical AlkB-like repair activity. No enzymatic activity was found toward methylated DNA or etheno adducts, nor was the yeast abh1- mutant sensitive toward alkylating agents. Interestingly, heterologous expression of E. coli AlkB protected the fission yeast cells from alkylation induced cytotoxicity, suggesting that S. pombe lacks systems for efficient repair of lesions that are AlkB substrates. Further, we show that Abh1 possesses an unexpected DNA incision activity at apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites. This AP lyase activity did not depend on 2OG and Fe(II) and was not repressed by dioxygenase inhibitors. Survival and complementation analyses failed to reveal any biological role for AP lyase cleavage by Abh1. It appears that in vitro AP lyase activity can be detected for a number of enzymes belonging to structurally and functionally unrelated families, but the in vivo significance of such activities may be questionable.


Acceptance, commissioning and quality assurance of the MRIdian®: Site experience and three years follow-up.
This study presents the methodology and results of the acceptance and periodical quality controls on the MRIdian®. The impact of the magnetic field on other machines was investigated by controlling nearby linacs dose profiles. The image quality of the 0.345T MR scanner was evaluated, also assessing the integrated linear accelerator influence. The photon beams lateral and depth dose profiles were measured in motorized water tanks, along dose rate and output factors, and compared to Monte Carlo (MC) calculations. The isocenter position, gantry angles and multi-leaf collimator (MLC) position were controlled using film dosimetry. Gating latency and dosimetric accuracy were controlled with a dynamic phantom. The magnetic field had no significant impact on other nearby linacs. Image quality was within tolerances and did not vary over time. Dose profiles measured showed good agreement with MC data, with maximum differences of 1.3% in-field. Output factors were within 0.8% of calculated values. Imaging and radiative isocenter matched within 0.9±0.4mm over all monthly controls. Gantry rotation was precise within -0.1±0.2°, with an isocenter variation of 1.4±0.3mm diameter. The average MLC position was within 0.4±0.1mm of theoretical value. Finally, the gating latency was 0.14±0.07sec and the gated dose within 0.3% of base value. All results are within the tolerances fixed by ViewRay® and show low variations over 2 years, comforting the use of small margins and gating for high-dose adaptive treatments.


Functional expression of constitutive nitric oxide synthases regulated by voltage-gated Na+ and Ca2+ channels in cultured human astrocytes.
We report the functional characterization of constitutive nitric oxide synthase(s) (NOS) such as neuronal and endothelial NOS in cultured human astrocytes. Exposure of cultured human astrocytes to 1 microM veratridine or 50 mM KCl produced a pronounced increase in a calmodulin-dependent NOS activity estimated from cGMP formation. The functional expression of voltage-gated Na(+) channel, which is estimated by the response to veratridine, appeared to be earlier (at second day in culture) than that of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels, which are estimated by the response to the KCl stimulation (at fourth day in culture). The KCl-evoked NO synthesis was totally reversed by L-type Ca(2+) channel blockers such as nifedipine and verapamil, but not by omega-conotoxin GVIA, an N-type Ca(2+) channel blocker, or omega-agatoxin IVA, a P/Q-type Ca(2+) channel blocker. In addition, verapamil abolished the KCl-induced increase in the intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration. RT-PCR analysis revealed that mRNA for neuronal and endothelial NOS was expressed in human astrocytes. In addition, Western blot analysis and double labeling of NOS and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) showed that cultured human astrocytes expressed neuronal NOS and endothelial NOS as well as the alpha(1) subunit of Ca(2+) channel. These results suggest that human astrocytes express constitutive NOS that are regulated by voltage-gated L-type Ca(2+) channel as well as Na(+) channel.


Retinol dehydrogenases RDH11 and RDH12 in the mouse retina: expression levels during development and regulation by oxidative stress.
RDH11 and RDH12 are closely related retinol dehydrogenases expressed in the retina. RDH12 has been linked to the early-onset retinal dystrophy Leber congenital amaurosis, whereas RDH11 has not been associated with human disease. To understand their physiological roles, the authors investigated their expression during development and their regulation by light-induced oxidative stress in mouse retina. Quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblot analysis were used for quantification of RDH11 and RDH12 during development and oxidative stress. Expression during development was measured between embryonic day (E) 12 and postnatal day (P) 210 (7 months) in C57BL/6 mouse eyes. Expression during light-induced oxidative stress was measured between 2 and 24 hours of exposure to light in BALB/c mouse retina. The RDH11 level was low and remarkably constant during development and oxidative stress. RDH12 expression started at P7 and increased until P30 to approximately sevenfold higher than RDH11. Oxidative stress induced by exposure to constant bright light led to a rapid and significant decrease of RDH12 protein. The low and constant expression of RDH11 suggested a housekeeping function for this enzyme. The onset of RDH12 expression during the maturation of photoreceptor cells suggested a function related to the visual process. The light-induced rapid decrease of RDH12 protein, preceding the decrease of the mRNA, suggested a specific degradation of the protein rather than a regulation of gene expression.


Novel CoOOH-based fluorescent aptasensor for rapid and sensitive detection of sulfamethazine in environmental samples.
Sulfamethazine (SMZ) has been widely used in animal husbandry and exposed to water and soil environments, posing potential threat to human health and ecological environment. Hence, we designed a CoOOH-based aptasensor, the fluorescence resonance energy transfer between FAM-labeled aptamer and CoOOH was used to sensitively and selectively detect SMZ in water and soil environments. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were used to predict binding mechanisms of SMZ and aptamer. Under optimized conditions, the aptasensor exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity with a linear range of 5-40 ng/mL and a limit of detection of 2.43 ng/mL. The recoveries of the aptasensor were 84.6-115.8% in water and soil samples with relative standard deviations below 9%, and the detection results were highly consistent with high-performance liquid chromatography. Therefore, this developed aptasensor was a reliable tool and could be applied to monitoring of SMZ in environmental samples.


Structural and cell surface antigen expression in the rete ovarii and epoophoron differs from that in the Fallopian tube and in endometriosis.
We compared the immunohistochemical profiles of the rete ovarii and endometriosis in order to identify a panel which distinguishes between these structures. The immune profiles of the epoophoron, Fallopian tube and ovarian surface epithelium were also studied. Twenty-four women with no evidence of endometriosis and seven who had endometriosis in the uterine adnexae were studied using nine antibodies to intermediate filament proteins and cell surface markers. None of the structures studied shared an identical profile of immunohistochemical reaction. The immunoprofile of endometriosis showed some similarities to that of the Fallopian tube, but differed from that of the rete ovarii, epoophoron and ovarian surface epithelium A panel including Ca-125, epithelial membrane antigen and the epithelial glycoprotein BerEp4 would permit the distinction between endometriosis and the rete ovarii in problematic cases. The study showed some commonality in reaction between endometriosis and the Fallopian tube which indicates that they may share a common (paramesonephric) origin. There was little commonality in the immunoprofile of endometriosis and the ovarian surface epithelium implying that endometriosis is unlikely to develop as a result of serosal metaplasia.


Fast removal of phenolic compounds from water using hierarchical porous carbon nanofibers membrane.
Water pollution is becoming increasingly serious and seriously endangering human health, especially the direct emissions of phenolic compounds. An integrated sample pre-treatment and derivatization method based on a biopolymers/TEOS-based carbon nanofibers microextraction that allows rapid extraction (5 min), followed by separation and highly sensitive detection of phenolic compounds by gas chromatography‒mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, is described. The developed methodology, coupled with GC-MS, allowed low detection limits (0.03-0.32 ng mL‒1), good linearities (0.5-200 ng mL‒1) and recoveries (73.58-85.76%) to be achieved in a few steps and short time. Based on the high adsorption properties of materials, the on-line removal device of phenolic compounds in water was designed. The elimination rate of phenolic compounds in water was higher than 73.58% at 1 mL min‒1 and three cycles. The elimination strategy for the phenolic compounds is very versatile and is easy to apply.


Effects of intrapericardial administration after catheter drainage on malignant pericardial effusion in non-small cell lung cancer: A real-world study.
Malignant pericardial effusion (MPE) is a serious complication of cancer that can be potentially deadly. It usually occurs in advanced or terminal stages of the disease, and as a result, patients with MPE often have a poor prognosis. There is a limited amount of research available that directly compares the effectiveness and safety of intrapericardial drug administration following pericardial drainage versus catheter drainage alone in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who have MPE. We retrospectively included 86 patients with NSCLC with MPE at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital. Survival and recurrence estimates were determined with the Kaplan-Meier method. We divided the 86 patients with NSCLC into two groups: a pericardial drainage group (34 out of 86, 39.5%) and an intrapericardial administration group (52 out of 86, 60.5%). The response rates were 70.6% and 76.9% (p = 0.510), respectively. The median OS was 132.0 and 234.0 days (p = 0.579), respectively. The median time to recurrent drainage was 43.0 and 104.0 days (p = 0.170), respectively. The incidence of adverse events (AEs) was 44.1% and 61.5% (p = 0.113), respectively. The most frequent AEs were pain (27.9%) and fever (24.4%). Additionally, two patients in the intrapericardial administration group died of cardiac arrest. Compared with catheter drainage alone, intrapericardial medication infusion during catheter drainage did not have significantly different effects. AEs require close monitoring and management.


Plasma serotonin levels and suicidal behavior in adolescents.
To evaluate the relationship between plasma serotonin (p5-HT) levels and psychometric measures in suicidal adolescents vs. controls, 211 adolescents from three sites in Israel were divided into four groups: suicidal psychiatric inpatients (n=35); non-suicidal psychiatric inpatients (n=30); adolescents referred to the emergency room (ER) due to a suicide attempt (n=51); and a community-based control group from 4 high schools in the same catchment areas (n=95). All were interviewed and assessed for violence, aggression, depression, impulsivity, anger, anxiety, and p5-HT. p5-HT levels were significantly lower in the control group compared to all other groups. A significant negative correlation was found between p5-HT level and suicidal behavior severity among the suicidal inpatients. p5-HT did not discriminate between the psychiatric diagnostic categories and was significantly lower in ER violent compared to non-violent subjects. Gender, depression, and anger were associated with suicidal behavior in all four groups. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores together with p5-HT levels discriminated between healthy controls and other groups. p5-HT level in combination with some of the psychometric scales may serve as a safe and inexpensive peripheral marker of psychopathology, and may help to differentiate between sub-populations of suicidal adolescents. The biological mechanism behind the serotonin dysregulation in suicidal adolescents requires further investigation.


Aminopyrine N-demethylase activity in human liver microsomes.
Aminopyrine N-demethylase activity and the contents of cytochrome P-450, cytochrome b5, and NADPH-reductase activity in human liver microsomes from 31 different patients were studied. Our results show the existence of significant interindividual, but not sex- or age-related differences in N-demethylase activity (ranging between 0.52 and 4.42 nmol/min/mg protein), and that these differences are directly correlated with the content of cytochrome P-450 and NADPH-reductase activity, but not with that of cytochrome b5 content, in the samples. In contrast, no differences were found in the Michaelis-Menten constant values for aminopyrine (mean, 2.4 mmol/L) or NADPH (mean, 69 mumol/L), strongly suggesting that interindividual differences could be due to the occurrence of different amounts of the same enzyme, rather than the presence of different enzymes, in the population studied.


One-Pot Acid-Promoted Synthesis of 6-Aminopyrazolopyrimidines from 1H-Pyrazol-5-yl-N,N-dimethylformamidines or 5-Amino-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehydes with Cyanamide.
A convenient and efficient one-pot acid-promoted synthesis of 6-aminopyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine has been developed by treatment of 1H-pyrazol-5-yl-N,N-dimethylformamidines or 5-amino-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehydes with cyanamide (NH2C≡N) in an acid-mediated solution. This synthetic route involves four steps of deprotection, imination, the key acid-promoted heterocyclization, and aromatization. On the basis of optimized studies, methanesulfonylchloride is considered to be the best solvent. Furthermore, the microwave-assisted synthetic technique was also carried out to improve the major product 6-aminopyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines in this method. Moreover, our proposed mechanism was confirmed in this study, which demonstrates that N-[(5-amino-1,3-diaryl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene]cyanamide is the intermediate.


Thioredoxin-1 mediates neuroprotection of Schisanhenol against MPP+-induced apoptosis via suppression of ASK1-P38-NF-κB pathway in SH-SY5Y cells.
Oxidative stress-induced dopaminergic neuronal loss and apoptosis play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), and as a vital antioxidant protein, thioredoxin (Trx) exerts neuroprotection against PD. In this study, we investigated the effect of Schisanhenol (Sal), an active component from a traditional Chinese herb Schisandra rubriflora (Franch.), on MPP+-induced apoptosis and its association with thioredoxin-1 (Trx1) in SH-SY5Y cells. The protein levels of Trx1 and apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western blot, the expression of Trx1 mRNA by real time qPCR, and apoptosis was detected by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Pretreatment with Sal (1 µM, 10 µM, and 50 µM) dose-dependently ameliorated MPP+-induced neuronal injury, confirmed by the improvement of the viability and morphological changes. Sal decreased the apoptosis rate of cells, suppressed the production of DNA ladder and sub-G1 peak, inhibited the Caspase-3 activity and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Sal enhanced the expression of Trx1 both in the protein and mRNA levels. However, the Trx1 inhibitor PX-12 suppressed the protective effects of Sal. In addition, Sal inhibited NF-κB translocation and activation. These results suggest that Sal has a protective effect against MPP+-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells via up-regulation of Trx1 expression and suppression of ASK1-P38-NF-κB pathway.


Sonographic evaluation of anterosuperior hip labral tears with magnetic resonance arthrographic and surgical correlation.
The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the sonographic findings compared with magnetic resonance (MR) arthrographic and arthroscopic findings in diagnosis of anterosuperior labral tears of the hip. The Ethics Committees of our institution did not require patient approval or informed consent for this retrospective study. Sixteen symptomatic patients (4 male and 12 female; mean age, 43 years) with sonography, MR arthrography, and arthroscopy were enrolled. At arthroscopy, 11 patients were shown to have anterosuperior labral tears. We evaluated the findings of the anterosuperior acetabular labrum on sonography, with an emphasis on the presence or absence and types of labral tears, and correlated the findings with MR arthrography and arthroscopy. The types of tears were classified into radial flap, radial fibrillated, and longitudinal peripheral (base) tears. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of sonography and MR arthrography. On sonography, 12 of 16 patients (75%) had a correct diagnosis of the presence or absence of an anterosuperior labral tear. On MR arthrography, 14 of 16 patients (88%) had a correct diagnosis of the presence or absence of a tear. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the diagnosis of tears by sonography and MR arthrography were 82%, 60%, and 75% and 91%, 80%, and 88%, respectively. When the arthroscopic results were used as the reference standard, our preliminary study revealed that sonography managed to show anterosuperior labral abnormalities, although it had a lesser diagnostic ability than MR arthrography in diagnosing anterosuperior labral tears. Additional investigations including larger numbers of patients are required to determine whether sonography can be an alternative or adjunctive imaging technique for diagnosis of hip labral tears, especially in patients who decline or are unable to undergo MR arthrography.


Problems with cigarette smoking and attitudes towards the ban of smoking in Shantou, China.
To investigate the extent of cigarette smoking, knowledge of health hazards and attitudes towards the ban of smoking in Shantou, China, as causes for failure to control smoking. Environmental monitoring and population survey. Particulate matter (PM2.5) measurements were conducted in randomly selected public places (restaurants, non-alcoholic drink shops and internet bars) and exposure-related health hazards were evaluated. University students and adult citizens were randomly selected to determine their extent of cigarette smoking, knowledge of health hazards and attitude towards the ban of smoking in public places. The collected data were used to evaluate possible causes and solutions to the smoking problem. From PM2.5 measurements, the average indoor to outdoor concentrations in non-smoking restaurants were 33.4 vs. 30.6 μg/m(3), P > 0.05; average indoor of smoking restaurants was 350.0% higher, P < 0.05; internet bars was 395.7% higher, P < 0.05; and non-alcoholic drink shops was 650.2% higher, P > 0.001. From our survey of 1100 university students: 1) 17.5% and 7.5% were active male and female smokers, respectively; and 2) 57.5% of students would accept a smoke-ban policy. From 502 adult citizens: 1) 27.5% were active male smokers; 2) Approximately 40 and 60% had inadequate knowledge of health hazards from smoking and second-hand smoke exposure; and 3) >90% of them would accept a smoke-ban policy. Our data indicate that failure to ban smoking was not caused by resistance from smokers but inadequate (national and local) government effort to educate the public and to enforce existing policy. The data suggest that development of a citizen-based approach, in collaboration with willing officials, may be highly successful in the control of cigarette smoking in China.


Stereoselective borylative ketone-diene coupling.
In the presence of catalytic Ni(cod)(2) and P(t-Bu)(3), ketones, dienes, and B(2)(pin)(2) undergo a stereoselective multicomponent coupling reaction. Upon oxidation, the reaction furnishes 1,3-diols as the major reaction product.


Who presents satisfied? Non-modifiable factors associated with patient satisfaction among gynecologic oncology clinic patients.
To examine associations between non-modifiable patient factors and patient satisfaction (PS) among women presenting to a gynecologic oncology clinic. This is a cross sectional analysis of patients presenting for surgical management by a gynecologic oncologist at a tertiary care academic medical center. The Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ-18) that measures PS in seven domains of health care was administered. Scores were converted to "satisfied" versus "unsatisfied/equivocal". Demographic and medical factors were obtained from the medical record. Chi-square, t-tests, and multivariable logistic regression were used. 208 patients completed the baseline patient satisfaction questionnaire and the median PSQ-18 score was 70.5 (range: 42-90). Median age was 58years (range: 22-93). Several non-modifiable factors were associated with PS. White patients had higher interpersonal PS than minorities (86% v 65%, p=0.002). The uninsured had lower interpersonal (60% v 86%, p=0.003) and accessibility PS (33% v 67%, p=0.03). Increasing education and less time travelled to care were both associated with higher interpersonal (p=0.03, p=0.05) and accessibility PS (p=0.01, p=0.01). There was no association between clinical factors (BMI, comorbidities, cancer) and PS. In multivariable analysis, the strongest predictor of interpersonal PS was white race while the strongest predictors of accessibility PS were time travelled to care and insurance status. Patient satisfaction scores among patients presenting to a gynecologic oncology clinic are associated with non-modifiable demographic, financial and geographic factors. Pay for performance measures that use summed patient satisfaction scores may penalize hospitals for patient-mix driven differences.


Bacterial infection in prostatodynia.
We investigated a possible bacterial etiology for prostatodynia. We evaluated segmented urine specimens from 22 patients and 16 controls by bacteriological localization studies. Immunological studies were performed on patient and control sera. Nine patients had positive cultures from prostatic secretions. When compared to controls, this novel finding was statistically significant (p < 0.025). Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most common isolates (68%). No humoral (IgG) immune differences were found between patients and controls. In a subset of prostatodynia patients bacteria may have an etiological role. Antibiotic treatment demonstrated clinical efficacy.


Contact glass for use with high power lasers--geometrical and optical aspects. Solution for the angle of the anterior chamber.
A new mirror contact glass for irradiation of pathological structures within the angle of the anterior chamber with high power lasers is described. The new contact glass is distinguished by its optimized optical characteristics. Due to its spherical front surface, tipping movements, as necessary in inspection and aiming manoeuvres, have no significant influence on the focus diameter. That the imaging quality is independent of the contact glass manipulations is seen as essential for laser surgical tasks with high power lasers, since changes in the focus diameter critically affect the power density at the focus and thus the intensity of the microsurgical effects. The increased spatial reliability of the laser-induced microexplosion is thought to be a further merit of the new contact glass.


Functional importance of GLP-1 receptor species and expression levels in cell lines.
Of the mammalian species, only the GLP-1 receptors of rat and human origin have been described and characterized. Here, we report the cloning of the homologous GLP-1 receptors from mouse, rabbit, pig, cynomolgus monkey and chimp. The GLP-1 receptor is highly conserved across species, thus underlining the physiological importance of the peptide hormone and its receptor across a wide range of mammals. We expressed the receptors by stable transfection of BHK cells, both in cell lines with high expression levels of the cloned receptors, as well as in cell lines with lower expression levels, more comparable to endogenous expression of these receptors. High expression levels of cloned GLP-1 receptors markedly increased the potency of GLP-1 and other high affinity ligands, whereas the K(d) values were not affected. For a low affinity ligand like the ago-allosteric modulator Compound 2, expression levels of the human GLP-1 receptor were important for maximal efficacy as well as potency. The two natural metabolites of GLP-1, GLP-1(9-37) and GLP-1(9-36)amide were agonists when tested on a cell line with high expression of the recombinant human GLP-1 receptor, whereas they behaved as (low potent) antagonists on a cell line that expressed the receptor endogenously, as well as cells expressing a moderate level of the recombinant human GLP-1 receptor. The amide form was a more potent agonist than the free acid from. In conclusion, receptor expression level is an important parametre for selecting cell lines with cloned GLP-1 receptors for functional characterization of physiological and pharmaceutical ligands.


Medical education in Atlanta and health care of black minority and low-income people.
In this W. Montague Cobb lecture, the author addresses the status of hospitals for the black minority and the poor in Atlanta, the founding of Morehouse School of Medicine, health care for the disadvantaged, the need for minority health care professionals, and the lack of health insurance among the poor. A greater educational effort is needed to bring about change in the high incidence of homicide, the unhealthy lifestyles, and the disproportionate number of AIDS cases in the black population.


Frequency, Risk Factors, and Outcome of Coexistent Small Vessel Disease and Intracranial Arterial Stenosis: Results From the Stenting and Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis (SAMMPRIS) Trial.
Intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) and small vessel disease (SVD) may coexist. There are limited data on the frequency and risk factors for coexistent SVD and the effect of SVD on stroke recurrence in patients receiving medical treatment for ICAS. To investigate the frequency and risk factors for SVD and the effect of SVD on stroke recurrence in patients with ICAS. A post hoc analysis of the Stenting and Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis (SAMMPRIS) study, a prospective, multicenter clinical trial. Among 451 participants, 313 (69.4%) had baseline brain magnetic resonance imaging scans read centrally for SVD that was defined by any of the following: old lacunar infarction, grade 2 to 3 on the Fazekas scale (for high-grade white matter hyperintensities), or microbleeds. Patient enrollment in SAMMPRIS began November 25, 2008, and follow-up ended on April 30, 2013. Data analysis for the present study was performed from May 13, 2014, to July 29, 2015. Risk factors in patients with vs without SVD and the association between SVD and other baseline risk factors with any ischemic stroke and ischemic stroke in the territory of the stenotic artery determined using proportional hazards regression. Of 313 patients, 155 individuals (49.5%) had SVD noted on baseline magnetic resonance imaging. Variables that were significantly higher in patients with SVD, reported as mean (SD), included age, 63.5 (10.5) years (P < .001), systolic blood pressure, 149 (22) mm Hg (P < .001), glucose level, 130 (50) mg/dL (P = .03), and lower Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores (median, ≥24 [interquartile range, 20-26]; P = .02).Other significant variables were the number of patients with diabetes mellitus (88 of 155 [56.8%]; P = .003), coronary artery disease (46 [29.7%]; P = .004), stroke before the qualifying event (59 [38.1%]; P < .001), old infarct in the territory of the stenotic intracranial artery (88 [56.8%]; P < .001), and receiving antithrombotic therapy at the time of the qualifying event (109 [70.3%]; P = .005). The association between SVD and any ischemic stroke was nearly significant in the direction of a higher risk (18 [23.7%]); P = .07) for patients with SVD. On bivariate analysis, SVD was not associated with an increased risk on multivariable analyses (hazard ratio, 1.7 [95% CI, 0.8-3.8]; P = .20). In addition, SVD was not associated with an increased risk of stroke in the territory on either bivariate or multivariable analyses. Although SVD is common in patients with ICAS, the presence of SVD on baseline magnetic resonance imaging is not independently associated with an increased risk of stroke in patients with ICAS. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00576693.


Development of the oculomotor nucleus, with special reference to the time of cell origin and cell death.
The developmental pattern of the oculomotor nucleus from day 7 of incubation through two weeks after hatching was studied in white Peking duck embryos. The neuroblasts comprising the nucleus complete their last phase of DNA synthesis on days 4 and 5 and the anlage first appears on day 7. The various subnuclei become identifiable as distinct cell groups on day 8 or 9. There is a cell migration between the ventral-most portions of the two ventromedial nuclei on days 9 through 11, and as a result a well-developed oculomotor commissure is established between these two subnuclei. The maximum number of cells in the nucleus is present on day 11. There is a normally occurring overall loss of approximately 43% of the cells during ontogenesis. Cell death appears to be random, without any gradient, and virtually all of it occurs between days 11 and 15. Although the duration of cell death is essentially similar in all subnuclei, great variations exist in its magnitude. For example, there is a cell loss of approximately 61% in the accessory nucleus, 38% in the dorsolateral nucleus, 40% in the dorsomedial nucleus and 33% in the ventromedial nucleus. Cell loss in the oculomotor nucleus is compared with that observed in the other two eye-muscle nuclei.


Preparation of high-titre anti-P1 sera for blood typing in man.
For the last 25 years, antisera for testing P1 in man have been obtained by i.v. injections in goats using hydatid cyst fluid from livers of pigs infected by Echinococcus granulosus. Due to the fact that this antigen has become very rare today, efforts have been made by the authors to substitute it by different antigens and to save antigen by modifying the technique of immunisation as well. By this, very high titres up to 1:4096 could be reached after specification absorption.


Trial-based cost-utility comparison of percutaneous myocardial laser revascularisation and continued medical therapy for treatment of refractory angina pectoris.
This study examined from a health service perspective whether percutaneous myocardial laser revascularisation (PMR) plus standard medical management is cost-effective when compared with standard medical management alone in the treatment of refractory angina. This involved a cost-utility analysis using patient-specific data from a single-centre, randomised, controlled trial carried out in the United Kingdom. Of 73 patients diagnosed as having refractory angina and not suitable for conventional forms of revascularisation, 36 were randomised to PMR plus medical management and 37 to medical management alone. We collected costs to the health service of PMR and all secondary sector health care contacts and cardiac-related medication in the 12 months following randomisation. Patient utility, measured using the EuroQol EQ-5D questionnaire, was combined with 12-month survival data to generate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). The mean 12-month cost per patient for PMR was 8,307 pounds, and that for medical management was 1,888 pounds, giving a cost difference of 6,410 pounds. The mean QALY difference favoured PMR at 0.126, giving an incremental cost per QALY of 50,873 pounds. The cost-effectiveness acceptability curve indicates that the probability of PMR being cost-effective over the first 12 months is quite low. Whilst a longer period of follow-up might indicate continued benefit from PMR, which would make the intervention economically more attractive, PMR could not be considered cost-effective based on 1-year follow-up data.


Enhanced arsenic(III) sequestration via sulfidated zero-valent iron in aerobic conditions: Adsorption and oxidation coupling processes.
Sulfidated zero-valent iron (S-ZVI) has shown significant potential for the removal of arsenic(III). However, little attention has been paid to the mechanism of As(III) sequestration enhancement and how the phase transformation for S-ZVI strengthens this process in aerobic conditions. In this work, sulfidated ZVI was created by ball-milling (S-ZVIbm) and liquid-mixing (S-ZVIlm) of ZVI with elemental sulfur(S0) to investigate the performance and mechanisms of As(III) sequestration in air-saturated water. Sulfidation was found to significantly enhance the As(III) removal rate constant, which was 2.8 ∼ 6.7 times (S-ZVIbm) and 3.1 ∼ 17.1 times (S-ZVIlm) higher than that without sulfidation. FeS was identified as the predominant sulfur species in the S-ZVI samples using S K-edge XANES spectra. The enhanced electron transfer and ZVI corrosion after sulfidation were verified via electrochemical tests. XANES and Mössbauer spectra suggested that lepidocrocite(γ-FeOOH) was the predominant corrosion product generated on the ZVI surface with the presence of oxygen, and DFT calculations further confirmed the improved performance of γ-FeOOH for As(III) sequestration. Besides, As(III) oxidation occurred dominantly on the heterogeneous surface rather than in solution, and the As(III) sequestration pathway of adsorption followed by oxidation was proposed. This study provides new insight into the enhanced As(III) sequestration by S-ZVI in aerobic conditions.


Relative numerosity discrimination in the pigeon: further tests of the linear-exponential-ratio model.
This study tested a model of how animals discriminate the relative numerosity of stimuli in successive or sequential presentation tasks. In a discrete-trials procedure, pigeons were shown one light for nf times and then another for nl times. Next they received food for choosing the light that had occurred the least-number of times during the sample. At issue were (a) how performance varies with the interval between the two stimulus sets (the interblock interval) and the interval between the end of the sample and the beginning of the choice period (the retention interval); and (b) whether a simple mathematical model of the discrimination process could account for the data. The model assumed that the influence of a stimulus on choice increases linearly when the stimulus is presented, but decays exponentially when the stimulus is absent; choice probability is given by the ratio of the influence values of the two stimuli. The model also assumed that as the retention interval elapses there is an increasing probability that the ongoing discriminative process be disrupted and then the animal responds randomly. Results showed that increasing the interblock intervals reduced the probability of choosing the last stimulus of the sample as the least-frequent one. Increasing the retention interval reduced accuracy without inducing any stimulus bias. The model accounted well for the major trends in the data.


Survival analyses from the ZEBRA study. goserelin (Zoladex) versus CMF in premenopausal women with node-positive breast cancer.
The Zoladex Early Breast Cancer Research Association (ZEBRA) trial compared the efficacy and tolerability of goserelin (Zoladex) with cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil (CMF) chemotherapy in pre-/perimenopausal women with node-positive early breast cancer. The results of disease-free survival (DFS) analyses have already been published. Here we present an update including data on overall survival (OS) from the ZEBRA trial at a median follow-up of 7.3 years. In patients with oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive tumours, non-inferiority of goserelin versus CMF for OS was shown; goserelin was again shown to be equivalent to CMF for DFS. This updated analysis has demonstrated that the two treatments are also equivalent for distant disease-free survival (DDFS). In patients with ER-negative disease, goserelin was inferior to CMF for DFS, DDFS and OS. This follow-up analysis confirms the previously reported outcomes from the ZEBRA trial and demonstrates that goserelin offers an effective alternative to CMF chemotherapy for adjuvant therapy of premenopausal patients with ER-positive, node-positive early breast cancer.


Provincial clustering and related factors analysis of clinic antimicrobial resistance in China.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is among the biggest and most pressing risks facing healthcare in China and globally. We aimed to describe the current status regarding the distribution of clinic AMR in China through provincial clustering and analyse the related factors. Based on the detection rates of 13 major drug-resistant bacteria in 31 provinces across the country, as reported by the National Bacterial Resistance Surveillance Network in 2019, we carried out a provincial clustering by dividing the conditions of provincial clinical AMR into different groups, and we then examined the potentially related factors, such as the use of antibiotics, economic development status, health service utilization, and health resource allocation. According to the different levels of bacterial resistance, the provinces were clustered into three categories: low, medium, and high detection rates of AMR. The three categories had notable geographic clustering and associations. Economic development status, health service utilization, such as the number of the types of antibacterial drugs (P = 0.025), health resource allocations, such as low licensed pharmacist per 1000 patient visits (P = 0.004) were related to AMR in China. The levels of AMR in public hospitals within the coastal areas of North China and East China were higher than those in other areas. The regions with higher levels of clinical bacterial resistance also had higher levels of health costs, health services volume and utilization, insufficient health resources per time, and higher probability of overuse of antimicrobials. Targeted measures should be taken in these areas to curb the resistance trends.


Fatal errors in set as a cost of dispersal and the influence of intertidal flora on set of barnacles.
Cyprid larvae of Balanus cariosus settle preferentially on slate plates with a biota characteristic of the lower intertidal shore, and the cyprids also prefer plates with more algae. Cyprid larvae of Balanus glandula had the same preferences in two out of three experiments. We conclude that some component of the flora guides both species during settling and metamorphosis. Data on vertical distribution and fecundity of B. glandula show that the preference for the lower shore decreases fitness of B. glandula at the site of the settling experiments and at most other sites sampled in or near the San Juan Islands, though in some restricted habitats in the San Juans and extensive areas in the adjacent regions of Puget Sound a preference for the lower shore is appropriate. Extensive dispersal among sites is possible in the planktonic period of 2 to 4 weeks. This example supports the hypothesis that a cost to large scale dispersal is lower fitness at many sites within a species' range. In this case the cost is through poorer correlation between stimuli guiding choice of habitat and favorability of habitat.


Anticandidal activity of plants used for the treatment of vaginitis in Guatemala and clinical trial of a Solanum nigrescens preparation.
An ethnobotanical survey detected 71 plants used for the treatment of vaginitis by traditional healers, health promoters and midwives. Extracts prepared by maceration of plants in 50% methanol were impregnated on absorbent paper disks and placed over plates with Candida albicans. Eight (11.3%) of these plants showed some degree of inhibition. Solanum nigrescens was chosen for further studies. A cream containing a 50% ethanolic maceration was applied daily to the vagina of female guinea pigs for 15 days and observed for another 15 days. Since no inflammatory changes were observed, this preparation was used for clinical trials. Two groups of 50 non-pregnant women with confirmed C. albicans vaginitis were treated for 15 days, one group with intra-vaginal suppositories containing S. nigrescens maceration and the other with nystatin suppositories. By statistical analysis it was demonstrated that both groups behaved in a similar beneficial way suggesting that this plant may be effective for the treatment of candidal vaginitis.


[Pharmacogenic osteoporosis beyond cortisone. Proton pump inhibitors, glitazones and diuretics].
[corrected] There are many drugs which can cause osteoporosis or at least favor its initiation. The effect of hormones and drugs with antihormonal activity, such as glucocorticoids and aromatase inhibitors, on initiation of osteoporosis is well known. In addition, proton pump inhibitors, glitazones and diuretics also influence the formation of osteoporosis. The results of currently available studies on the correlation between proton pump inhibitors, glitazones and diuretics on formation of osteoporosis were evaluated and summarized. Proton pump inhibitors and glitazones increase the risk for osteoporotic fractures. Loop diuretics may slightly increase fracture risk, whereas thiazides were shown to be osteoprotective by reducing fracture probability on a relevant scale. Proton pump inhibitors should not be prescribed without serious consideration and then only as long as necessary. Alternatively, the administration of the less effective H2 antagonists should be considered when possible due to the reduction of acid secretion. Because the long-term intake of thiazides is associated with a clinically relevant reduction in the risk of fractures and they are economic and well-tolerated, prescription can be thoroughly recommended within the framework of differential diagnostic considerations in an appropriate clinical context. The briefly increased risk of falling immediately after starting diuretic therapy is the only point which needs to be considered.


[24-hour oral intake in patients with upper aerodigestive tumors].
A lot of works have shown, alterations in oral intake of micro and macronutrients, in patients with upper aerodigestive tumors. The main aim of our work was to compare the daily intake in a group of patients with upper aerodigestive tumors versus a control group. A group pf 35 patients with upper aerodigestive tumors were studied (8 oral cavity and 27 larynx). A group of 35 subjects were use as control group. In all patients the next parameters were taken; age, sex, smoking and alcohol consumption, type of tumors and a 24 hours oral intake questionnaire. Patients with upper aerodigestive tumors showed a high increase of calories intake (1545.3 +/- 359 cal/day vs 1264.4 +/- 240 cal/day; p < 0.05), carbohydrates intake (177.9 +/- 57.9 g/day vs 135.9 +/- 38.5 g/day; p < 0.05), total fats (58.2 +/- 18.4 g/day vs 45.9 +/- 15.4 g/day; p < 0.05) and saturated fats intake (19.4 +/- 7.7 g/day vs 11.9 +/- 6.1 g/day; p < 0.05). In micronutrients intake differences were detected, a low intake in tumoral patients of vitamin C (59.4 +/- 18.5 mg/day vs 141.5 +/- 83 mg/día; p < 0.05), folic acid (116.5 +/- 56.3 mg/day vs 180.5 +/- 78.5 mg/day; p < 0.05), and vitamin B2 (1.53 +/- 0.5 mg/day vs 23.9 +/- 6.5 g/day; p < 0.05). In minerals intake we detected a low intake in tumoral patients of calcium (702.9 +/- 363 mg/day vs 942.4 +/- 327 mg/day; p < 0.05). Patients with upper aerodigestive tumors take a high amount of calories, saturated fats and carbohydrates, and a low intake of vitamin C, folic, vitamin B12 and calcium.


Analyzing head roll and eye torsion by means of offline image processing.
Ocular torsion is a key problem in the understanding of many visual perceptual effects. However, since it is difficult to record, its integration with other sensorimotor signals is still poorly understood. Unfortunately, eyetracker systems are generally not dedicated to the monitoring of eye torsion. In addition, the classical methods used with video-based systems present some limits in the accuracy of torsion calculation. These limits are especially related to the detection of pupil center and the effects of pupil size changes. This article aims at (1) proposing a solution to analyze ocular torsion together with head roll using EyeLink II or similar equipment, (2) reviewing and adapting classical polar cross-correlation methods in order to improve the accuracy of torsion measurement, (3) providing a lower-cost method compared with the existing ones. Video sequences issued from the EyeLink II host computer monitor were recorded by means of a second computer equipped with a video acquisition card and converted into image sequences. Images were analyzed with algorithms of pupil center detection (median-based algorithm), torsion analysis (adapted polar cross-correlation method which takes into account pupil size variations) and marker tracking (head roll analysis). This method was tested on virtual eye images. Results are discussed with respect to other algorithms found in the literature.


Suicide and increased availability of handguns in the United States.
During the 25 years between 1959 and 1984, the suicide rate in the United States increased from 10.5/100,000 to 12.4/100,000. The increase was confined to those suicides using a firearm, which had reached 58.5% of the total by the end of the period. At the same time, there was a marked increase in the household ownership of handguns (but not of shotguns and rifles). The present study investigates whether the increase in suicide might be due to the increase in the ownership of handguns. Regression analyses showed a strong relationship between handgun ownership and the rate of gun suicides, but not between handgun ownership and the overall rate of suicide. These results support the hypothesis that the rise in handguns has led to an increase in gun suicides, but, they do not permit a choice between two further competing hypotheses: (i) that more people are now committing suicide because there are more handguns available or, (ii) that people who would otherwise have killed themselves in some different way are now using guns. Because of the potential implications for prevention, further study of these issues is needed.


Stimulation of protein synthesis in isolated hepatocytes by somatomedin.
Insulin (1 mU/ml) stimulated the incorporation of 14C-leucine into trichloroacetic acid-precipitable material by isolated hepatocytes from normal and hypophysectomized adult rats and 12-day-old rabbits. Somatomedin (200 ng/ml) purified from human plasma had an insulinlike effect in hepatocytes from hypophysectomized rats and baby rabbits but not from normal rats. This study suggests that, as well as being a site of somatomedin synthesis, the liver may be a target organ for this hormone.


A critical analysis of eating disorders and the gut microbiome.
The gut microbiota, also known as our "second brain" is an exciting frontier of research across a multitude of health domains. Gut microbes have been implicated in feeding behaviour and obesity, as well as mental health disorders including anxiety and depression, however their role in the development and maintenance of eating disorders (EDs) has only recently been considered. EDs are complex mental health conditions, shaped by a complicated interplay of factors. Perhaps due to an incomplete understanding of the etiology of EDs, treatment remains inadequate with affected individuals likely to face many relapses. The gut microbiota may be a missing piece in understanding the etiology of eating disorders, however more robust scientific inquiry is needed in the field before concrete conclusions can be made. In this spotlight paper, we critically evaluate what is known about the bi-directional relationship between gut microbes and biological processes that are implicated in the development and maintenance of EDs, including physiological functioning, hormones, neurotransmitters, the central nervous system, and the immune system. We outline limitations of current research, propose concrete steps to move the field forward and, hypothesize potential clinical implications of this research. Our gut is inhabited by millions of bacteria which have more recently been referred to as "our second brain". In fact, these microbes are thought to play a role in ED behaviour, associated anxiety and depression, and even affect our weight. Recent research has dove into this field with promising findings that have the potential to be applied clinically to improve ED recovery. The present paper discusses what is known about the gut microbiome in relation to EDs and the promising implications that leveraging this knowledge, through fecal microbiome transplants, probiotics, and microbiome-directed supplemental foods, could have on ED treatment.


Serological evidence for chlamydial infection in patients with acute diarrhoea.
Anti-chlamydial antibodies were detected in 25 of 93 patients with diarrhoea in Bangladesh. This first report of evidence for chlamydial infection in this country should stimulate a search for a causal relationship between chlamydiae and prevalent diseases of Bangladesh.


Photosynthetic pathway, chilling tolerance and cell sap osmotic potential values of grasses along an altitudinal gradient in Papua New Guinea.
A total of 22 grass species were examined from 5 sites spanning the altitudinal range 1550-4350 m.a.s.l. The presence of the C3 or C4 photosynthetic pathway was determined from δ13C values and chilling tolerance was assessed on the basis of electrolyte leakage from leaf slices incubated on melting ice. Most of the grasses studied at the lower altitude sites of 1550 m.a.s.l. (annual mean of daily minimum temperature, 14.6° C) and 2600 m.a.s.l. (9.4° C) possessed C4 photosynthesis and were chill-sensitive. The single except ion was Agrostis avenacea, a montane chill-resistant C3 species which occurred at 2600 m.a.s.l. The three species apparently most sensitive to chilling were Ischaemum polystachyum, Paspalum conjugatum and Saccharum robustum, all occurring at 1550 m.a.s.l. At the higher altitude sites of 3280 (5.6° C), 3580 (4.0° C) and 4350 (-0.7°C) m.a.s.l., most of the grasses exhibited C3 photosynthesis and were chill-resistant. However, an Upland population of the C4 species, Miscanthus floridulus was found at 3280 m.a.s.l. which had acquired chill-resistance as confirmed by additional in vivo variable chlorophyll fluorescence measurements. Cell sap osmotic potential values of the upland grasses at altitudes of 3280-4350 m.a.s.l. were lower (-8.1 to -19.8 bars) than values in grasses from 1550 and 2600 m.a.s.l. (-3.9 to -7.5 bars) due mainly to the presence of non-electrolyte osmoticants, which may be involved in frost avoidance mechanism(s).


Effect of controlled redox potential and dissolved oxygen on the in vitro refolding of an E. coli alkaline phosphatase and chicken lysozyme.
The development of efficient purification strategies of recombinant active protein derived from inclusion bodies requires the knowledge of the effect of environmental variables, such as redox potential (RP) and dissolved oxygen tension (DOT), in order to control the protein folding process. However, that information is scarce and only few in vitro studies of the impact of such variables have been reported under constant controlled conditions. In this work, the effect of controlled RP and DOT on the refolding of E. coli alkaline phosphatase (AP) and chicken lysozyme (CL) enzymes were studied. Disulphide bonds of both enzymes were reduced in an instrumented vessel using 2-mercaptoethanol and nitrogen. In the latter case, guanidine hydrochloride was also used to denature the protein. Such conditions caused protein conformational changes, as determined by the intrinsic fluorescence spectra that correlated with a decrease on the activity in both cases. Reduced enzymes were then oxidized, under different constant and predetermined RP or DOT, by manipulating the gas composition in the vessel. Folding kinetics were followed as the recovery of enzyme activity. Results showed that the percentage of recovery and rate of increase of enzymatic activity directly depended on the RP and DOT. A higher folding efficiency was found under controlled DOT compared to controlled RP conditions. These results are useful for establishing protein folding strategies to improve the recovery of active protein from inclusion bodies.


The projection of the visual cortex on the Clare-Bishop area in the cat. A degeneration study with the electron microscope.
Following large lesions of the cat visual cortex, the distribution of degenerating terminal boutons in the Clare-Bishop area was studied electron microscopically. Degenerating boutons were found throughout the cortical layers but mostly in layer III (51% of the total number of degenerating boutons) and layer V (24%). A smaller number of boutons were found in layers II (12%) and IV (9%), and very few in layers VI (3%) and I (1%). No degenerating terminals were observed in the upper two-thirds of layer I. Seventy-six per cent of the total degenerating boutons terminated on dendritic spines, 22% on dendritic shafts, and 2% on somata. Some degenerating boutons made synaptic contacts with somata and dendrites of nonpyramidal neurons. For example, one degenerating bouton was observed in contact with an apical dendrite of a fusiform cell. Three examples of dendritic spines, with which degenerating boutons made synaptic contracts, were found to belong to spinous stallate cells. No degenerating boutons were observed making synaptic contacts with profiles that could conclusively be traced to pyramidal cell somata.


Remediation of fomesafen contaminated soil by Bacillus sp. Za: Degradation pathway, community structure and bioenhanced remediation.
Fomesafen is a diphenyl ether herbicide used to control the growth of broadleaf weeds in bean fields. The persistence, phytotoxicity, and negative impact on crop rotation associated with this herbicide have led to an increasing concern about the buildup of fomesafen residues in agricultural soils. The exigent matter of treatment and remediation of soils contaminated with fomesafen has surfaced. Nevertheless, the degradation pathway of fomesafen in soil remains nebulous. In this study, Bacillus sp. Za was utilized to degrade fomesafen residues in black and yellow brown soils. Fomesafen's degradation rate by strain Za in black soil reached 74.4%, and in yellow brown soil was 69.2% within 30 days. Twelve intermediate metabolites of fomesafen were identified in different soils, with nine metabolites present in black soil and eight found in yellow brown soil. Subsequently, the degradation pathway of fomesafen within these two soils was inferred. The dynamic change process of soil bacterial community structure in the degradation of fomesafen by strain Za was analyzed. The results showed that strain Za potentially facilitate the restoration of bacterial community diversity and richness in soil samples treated with fomesafen, and there were significant differences in species composition at phylum and genus levels between these two soils. However, both soils shared a dominant phylum and genus, Actinobacteriota, Proteoobacteria, Firmicutes and Chloroflexi dominated in two soils, with a high relative abundance of Sphingomonas and Bacillus. Moreover, an intermediate metabolite acetaminophen degrading bacterium, designated as Pseudomonas sp. YXA-1, was isolated from yellow brown soil. When strain YXA-1 was employed in tandem with strain Za to remediate fomesafen contaminated soil, the degradation rate of fomesafen markedly increased. Overall, this study furnishes crucial insights into the degradation pathway of fomesafen in soil, and presents bacterial strain resources potentially beneficial for soil remediation in circumstances of fomesafen contamination.


[The pH of the culture medium as a factor regulating the functional properties of thrombocytes].
Thrombin-induced time-dependent alteration of light-transmission was studied in platelet suspensions with varying pH in calcium-free media, and in the presence of calcium ions. It has been shown that thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and preaggregation stage character are determined by the pH-dependent structural and functional state of the platelet membrane systems.


The role of root size and root efficiency in grain production, and water-and nitrogen-use efficiency in wheat.
The root system is the major plant organ involved in water and nutrient acquisition, influencing plant growth and productivity. However, the relative importance of root size and uptake efficiency remains undetermined. A pot experiment was conducted using two wheat varieties with different root sizes to evaluate their capacity for water and nitrogen (N) uptake and their effects on grain production, water-use efficiency (WUE), and N-use efficiency (NUE) under two water treatments combined with three N levels. The leaf water potential and root exudates of changhan58 (CH, small root variety) were higher or similar to those of changwu134 (CW, large root variety) under water/N treatment combinations, indicating that small roots can transport enough water to above the ground. The addition of N improved plant growth, photosynthetic traits, and WUE significantly. There were no significant differences in WUE or grain production between the two cultivars under well-watered conditions. However, they were significantly higher in CH than in CW under water deficit stress. Nitrogen uptake per unit root dry weight, glutaminase, and nitrate reductase activities were significantly higher in CH than in CW, regardless of moisture conditions. Root biomass was positively correlated with evapotranspiration, while the root/shoot ratio was negatively correlated with WUE (P < 0.05) but not with NUE. In a pot experiment, water and N uptake were more strongly associated with resource uptake availability than root size. This may provide guidance in wheat breeding programs for drought-prone regions. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.


Endonasal resection of early stage squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule.
The squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule (SCCNV) is a comparatively rare malignant disease. It occurs in the transition zone at the limen nasi. The choice of treatment for small tumors is a matter of controversy. Due to better cosmetic results, radiation therapy is usually recommended, however some recent reports have suggested that early stage tumors are equally or even more effectively managed by surgery. There was no standardized surgical procedure applied in these studies, though. The goal of our investigation was the retrospective evaluation of patients with a T1 or T2 carcinoma of the nasal vestibule who were treated surgically with an endonasal, endoscope-controlled approach at our ENT clinic between 2008 and 2010. Given the rarity of SCCNV, the 10 included cases represent the largest group of patients with early stage SCCNV treated primarily surgically by an endonasal approach so far. Our study shows that the endonasal resection of an early stage vestibular carcinoma seems adequate as a possible therapy. In the follow-up observation period no local or loco-regional recurrence was observed. The external cosmetic damage and endonasal scarring do not appear to be pronounced even following cartilage resection and were regarded as not seriously disadvantageous.


Cardiovascular and kidney outcomes of combination therapy with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Both sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) have been shown to reduce cardiovascular (CV) event in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, little evidence pertains to the benefits of their combined use. We systematically searched the PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases through July 2022. We selected randomized controlled trials comparing SGLT-2 inhibitors, MRAs, or SGLT-2 inhibitor + MRA combination therapy, with placebo in patients with T2D and CKD. We performed a network meta-analysis to indirectly compare the treatments. The primary outcome was a composite of CV events. Eight studies were selected with 36,186 patients. The primary outcome was significantly improved in the combination therapy group compared with the other groups (RR [95% CI]; vs SGLT-2 inhibitors, 0.76 [0.60; 0.96]; vs MRAs, 0.66 [0.53; 0.82]; vs placebo, 0.58 [0.47; 0.73]). Additionally, the combination therapy was associated with a considerable reduction in the risk of hyperkalemia (RR vs MRA, 0.43 [0.23; 0.79]). Combination of SGLT-2 inhibitors and MRAs potentially reduced CV events compared with SGLT-2 inhibitors or MRAs alone. This combination may be a candidate treatment strategy for patients with T2D and CKD.


Serglycin proteoglycans limit enteropathy in Trichinella spiralis-infected mice.
Serglycin proteoglycans are essential for maturation of secretory granules and for the correct granular storage of cationic proteases in hematopoietic cells, e.g. mast cells. However, little is known about the in vivo functions of serglycin proteoglycans during infection. Here we investigated the potential role of serglycin proteoglycans in host defense after infection with the nematode Trichinella spiralis. Twelve days post infection lack of serglycin proteoglycans caused significantly increased enteropathy. The serglycin-deficient mice showed significantly increased intestinal worm burden, reduced recruitment of mast cells to the intestinal crypts, decreased levels of the mast cell proteases MCPT5 and MCPT6 in intestinal tissue, decreased serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10 and IL-13, increased levels of IL-4 and total IgE in serum, and increased intestinal levels of the neutrophil markers myeloperoxidase and elastase, as compared to wild type mice. At five weeks post infection, increased larvae burden and inflammation were seen in the muscle tissue of the serglycin-deficient mice. Our results demonstrate that the serglycin-deficient mice were more susceptible to T. spiralis infection and displayed an unbalanced immune response compared to wild type mice. These findings point to an essential regulatory role of serglycin proteoglycans in immunity.


Reno-protective effect of linagliptin against gentamycin nephrotoxicity in rats.
Recent studies demonstrated the reno-protective effects of two dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, saxagliptin and sitagliptin, against gentamycin-induced renal injury. However, none of these studies investigated whether renal DPP-4 contributes to the pathogenesis of this nephrotoxicity or not. This prompted us to test this hypothesis and to assess, for the first time, the potential reno-protective effect of linagliptin and whether this action is related or not to DPP-4 inhibition. Lingliptin was chosen since it is mainly excreted through a non-renal pathway and can therefore be used safely in individuals with renal injury. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered gentamycin (100 mg/kg/day, ip for 10 days) alone or combined with linagliptin (3 mg/kg/day, orally for 14 days). Gentamycin was administered once daily during the last ten days of the linagliptin treatment. Linagliptin administration ameliorated gentamycin-induced renal injury and restored renal functional, oxidative, inflammatory, apoptotic and histopathological changes. Furthermore, the current study highlighted the role of increased plasma and renal DPP-4 in the pathogenesis of gentamycin renal insults and showed that the potential reno-protective effect of linagliptin is partly, mediated via inhibition of DPP-4, in addition to other antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic actions. Linagliptin may serve as a beneficial adjutant to reduce gentamycin-induced renal injury.


Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels in follicular fluid from human preovulatory follicles: correlation with serum IGF-I levels.
Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels were measured in both serum and fluid of preovulatory follicles (n = 156) in 43 women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). The mean IGF-I level in follicular fluid (FF) was significantly lower than in serum (0.52 +/- 0.02 IU/L versus 0.66 +/- 0.23 IU/L), and FF levels were significantly correlated with individual serum IGF-I levels as well as with follicular size and FF volume but not with oocyte maturity, granulosa cell appearance, or IVF. This suggests that FF IGF-I levels cannot serve as a clinical indicator for the degree of oocyte/granulosa cell differentiation or a predictor for IVF. Serum IGF-I levels were inversely correlated with the number of human menopausal gonadotropin ampules administered during treatment, suggesting that IGF-I might enhance ovarian gonadotropic stimulation.


HLA-B alleles, high-risk HPV infection and risk for cervical neoplasia in southern Chinese women.
A population-based study was conducted on 256 southern Chinese with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade III (CIN III) or invasive cervical cancer (ICC) and on 258 controls to examine the associations between HLA-B alleles, infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) and the development of cervical neoplasia. HLA-B15 was found to be protective for CIN III/ICC overall (p(corrected) = 0.003), and for HPV52-positive CIN III/ICC (p(corrected) = 0.003). A marginal protective effect of B15 was observed for HPV16-positive CIN III/ICC, but no significant associations were revealed for HPV18- or HPV58-positive cases. None of the HLA-B alleles were found to confer an increased risk for cervical neoplasia. HLA-B15 is common among Asian for whom HPV52, a worldwide uncommon HPV type, also exists in a relatively high prevalence. It would also be worthwhile to assess the association between HLA-B15, HPV52 and cervical cancer in other Asian populations.


Protective potential of misoprostol against kidney alteration via alleviating oxidative stress in rat following exposure to paclitaxel.
The present study investigated the protective effect of misoprostol (MSP) (0.2 mg/kg, oral) against kidney injury caused by paclitaxel (PLX) (2 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) in female Sprague Dawley rats. Twenty-eight 8-week-old rats were used and divided randomly into four equal groups (n = 7): control, MSP, PLX, and PLX+MSP. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level, serum creatinine (Cr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly increased in the PLX group compared to the control group (p < 0.05), while superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT) were decreased (p < 0.05). In the PLX+MSP group, levels of serum Cr, and BUN were significantly decreased than the MSP group (p < 0.05). Further, lower level of MDA, and higher activity of GSH, SOD, and CAT was detected in the PLX+MSP than the PLX group (p < 0.05). In the PLX group, we also found a significant decrease in the total number of glomeruli and the mean volumes of cortex, medulla, and kidney compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Besides, these stereological parameters were improved in the PLX+MSP group than the PLX group (p < 0.05). We speculated that administration of MSP attenuated the toxic effect of PLX on kidney tissue due to its antioxidative and anti-apoptotic efficacy of MSP.


Accelerometer-assessed Physical Activity in Epidemiology: Are Monitors Equivalent?
Accelerometers are increasingly being used to assess physical activity in large-scale surveys. Establishing whether key physical activity outcomes can be considered equivalent between three widely used accelerometer brands would be a significant step toward capitalizing on the increasing availability of accelerometry data for epidemiological research. Twenty participants wore a GENEActiv, an Axivity AX3, and an ActiGraph GT9X on their nondominant wrist and were observed for 2 h in a simulated living space. Participants undertook a series of seated and upright light/active behaviors at their own pace. All accelerometer data were processed identically using open-source software (GGIR) to generate physical activity outcomes (including average dynamic acceleration (ACC) and time within intensity cut points). Data were analyzed using pairwise 95% equivalence tests (±10% equivalence zone), intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and limits of agreement. The GENEActiv and Axivity could be considered equivalent for ACC (ICC = 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.87-0.98), but ACC measured by the ActiGraph was approximately 10% lower (GENEActiv/ActiGraph: ICC = 0.86; 95% CI, 0.56-0.95; Axivity/ActiGraph: ICC = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.50-0.94). For time spent within intensity cut points, all three accelerometers could be considered equivalent to each other for more than 85% of outcomes (ICC ≥0.69, lower 95% CI ≥0.36), with the GENEActiv and Axivity equivalent for 100% of outcomes (ICC ≥0.95, lower 95% CI ≥0.86). GENEActiv and Axivity data processed in GGIR are largely equivalent. If GENEActiv or Axivity is compared with the ActiGraph, time spent within intensity cut points has good agreement. These findings can be used to inform selection of appropriate outcomes if outputs from these accelerometer brands are compared.


Usefulness of cardiac computed tomographic delayed contrast enhancement of the left atrial appendage before pulmonary vein ablation.
Left atrial appendage (LAA) contrast filling defects are commonly found in patients undergoing multidetector cardiac computed tomography (CCT) before catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. Delayed CCT allows quantification of the LAA delayed/initial attenuation ratio and improves accuracy for LAA thrombus detection, which may obviate routine transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before ablation. CCT with contrast-enhanced scans (initial CCT) and with noncontrast-enhanced scans (delayed CCT) was performed in 176 patients. LAA was evaluated for filling defects. LAA apex, left atrial (LA) body, and ascending aorta (AA) attenuations (Hounsfield units) were measured on initial and delayed cardiac computed tomograms to calculate LAA, LA, LAA/LA, and LAA/AA attenuation ratios. LAA, initial LAA/LA, and initial LAA/AA attenuation ratios differed significantly in patients with versus without filling defects on cardiac computed tomogram, those with atrial fibrillation versus normal sinus rhythm, and those with abnormal left ventricular ejection fraction versus larger LA volumes (p <0.05). In 70 patients (40%) who underwent TEE, 13 LAA filling defects were seen on initial cardiac computed tomogram. Two defects persisted on delayed cardiac computed tomogram and thrombus was confirmed on transesophageal echocardiogram. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of initial CCT for LAA thrombi detection were 100%, 84%, 15%, and 100%, respectively. With delayed CCT these values increased to 100%. Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibilities for cardiac computed tomographic measurements were good (intraclass correlation 0.72 to 0.97, kappa coefficients 0.93 to 1.00). In conclusion, delayed CCT provided an increase in diagnostic accuracy of CCT for detection of LAA thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation before ablation, which may decrease the need for routine TEE before the procedure.


Methylated and undermethylated rDNA repeats are interspersed at random in two higher plant species.
The organization of methylated rDNA repeats of radish and pea is described and it is shown that methylated repeats and non-methylated repeats are interspersed one with another. Methylated arrays are not much longer than 100 kb, or about 10 repeat units in length.


Impact of ponderal loss after bariatric surgery on the cardiac structure and function.
Excess weight can cause structural and functional cardiac disorders. The presence of left ventricular hypertrophy in the obese patient is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The major aim of the present study is to know the prevalence of cardiac morphofunctional disorders in obese patients, before and after weight loss due to bariatric surgery (BS). Prospective cohort study of 75 patients with obesity without known heart disease referred to gastric bypass. Anthropometric, analytical and echocardiographic parameters were measured before and after 6 and 12 months after BS. The study included 75 patients (66.6% women, mean age 39.3 [9.7] years and BMI 47.8 [7.1] kg/m2). At 6 and 12 months after BS there was a significant reduction in body weight and an improvement in metabolic, inflammatory and prothrombotic parameters and in cardiovascular risk factors associated with obesity (hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome). Before surgery, cardiac remodeling was present in 62.7%, most frequently in the form of concentric remodeling (38.7%). Diastolic dysfunction occurred in 50.7% of the patients. One year after surgery, the ventricular pattern was normal in 92% of cases and the diastolic function improved significantly. Our results support the negative effect of obesity on cardiac geometry and function and the potential reversibility of these cardiac alterations after marked weight loss due to BS.


Surge of Miller Fisher variant and Guillain-Barré syndrome in two downtown Los Angeles community teaching hospitals.
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and Miller Fisher variant (MFv) cases spiked threefold in Los Angeles, with a high proportion of MFv cases. MFv is underdiagnosed when accompanying neurological symptoms are mild. This report emphasizes the seasonality of GBS and its relation to ganglioside antibodies.


Ability of three desensitizing agents in dentinal tubule obliteration and durability: An in vitro study.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of three desensitizing agents on dentinal tubule obliteration and their durability in use on the dentinal tubules. Sixty specimens were obtained from 30 extracted sound human maxillary first premolars. Each tooth was mesiodistally sectioned to obtain 30 buccal and 30 lingual surfaces, and enamel was removed in order to simulate hypersensitive dentin. Specimens were divided into four groups with 15 specimens each. Group 1 samples were immersed in artificial saliva, Group 2 samples were coated with Vivasens, Group 3 samples were coated with VOCO Admira Protect, and Group 4 samples were coated with Neo Active Apatite suspension. These specimens were examined under scanning electron microscope (SEM) to find out the occluding ability of the respective products. The specimens were brushed to find out their durability for 1 week and 1 month and were examined under SEM. The results were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test. Group 1 differed significantly from the Vivasens, Admira, and Neo Active Apatite groups at 5% level of significance (P < 0.05). The Vivasens group differed significantly from the Admira and Neo Active Apatite groups at 5% level of significance (P < 0.05). The Ormocer-based Admira Protect showed the best results.


Adjuvants.
A number of adjuvants of importance in veterinary vaccines are reviewed. These include mineral salt adjuvants, oil adjuvants, hydrophilic and hydrophobic bloc polymers, hydrocarbons and surface active agents. The current and future applications of these substances and their possible modes of action are discussed. Creation of an adjuvant register by the newly formed European Adjuvant Group should facilitate accumulation of information on adjuvants.


Plasmonic gold nanostars for synergistic photoimmunotherapy to treat cancer.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death and there is an urgent need to improve cancer management. We have developed an innovative cancer therapy named Synergistic Immuno Photothermal Nanotherapy (SYMPHONY) by combining gold nanostars (GNS)-mediated photothermal ablation with checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. Our previous studies have demonstrated that SYMPHONY photoimmunotherapy not only treats the primary tumor but also dramatically amplifies anticancer immune responses in synergy with checkpoint blockade immunotherapy to treat remote and unresectable cancer metastasis. The SYMPHONY treatment also induces a 'cancer vaccine' effect leading to immunologic memory and prevents cancer recurrence in murine animal models. This manuscript provides an overview of our research activities on the SYMPHONY therapy with plasmonic GNS for cancer treatment.


Combined radiological and surgical management of arteriovenous malformation of the lung.
Multiple, bilateral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the lung are diagnostically and therapeutically challenging. In staged procedures over seven days, a 19-year-old woman underwent blocking of the feeding artery to six moderate-sized AVMs in the left lower lobe, embolization of three more AVMs in the left lower lobe, and resection of a large AVM in the right lower lobe through a right-sided thoracotomy. These procedures preserved maximal lung tissue, and one year later the patient is essentially symptom free.