Algae as green energy reserve: Technological outlook on biofuel production.
Depletion of fossil fuel sources and their emissions have triggered a vigorous research in finding alternative and renewable energy sources. In this regard, algae are being exploited as a third generation feedstock for the production of biofuels such as bioethanol, biodiesel, biogas, and biohydrogen. However, algal based biofuel does not reach successful peak due to the higher cost issues in cultivation, harvesting and extraction steps. Therefore, this review presents an extensive detail of deriving biofuels from algal biomass starting from various algae cultivation systems like raceway pond and photobioreactors and its bottlenecks. Evolution of biofuel feedstocks from edible oils to algae have been addressed in the initial section of the manuscript to provide insights on the different generation of biofuel. Different configuration of photobioreactor systems used to reduce contamination risk and improve biomass productivity were extensively discussed. Photobioreactor performance greatly relies on the conditions under which it is operated. Hence, the importance of such conditions alike temperature, light intensity, inoculum size, CO2, nutrient concentration, and mixing in bioreactor performance have been described. As the lipid is the main component in biodiesel production, several pretreatment methods such as physical, chemical and biological for disrupting cell membrane to extract lipid were comprehensively reviewed and presented. This review article had put forth the recent advancement in the pretreatment methods like hydrothermal processing of algal biomasses using acid or alkali. Eventually, challenges and future dimensions in algal cultivation and pretreatment process were discussed in detail for making an economically viable algal biofuel.


The structural and mechanochemical cycle of kinesin.
Kinesin is a microtubule-based motor protein that pulls vesicles or organelles towards the plus end of microtubules. Structural changes in the protein that drive motility are coupled to ATP binding and hydrolysis. Here, we attempt to integrate recent structural and kinetic results into a picture of the mechanochemical cycle of kinesin.


Frequency and associated factors of non-adherence to prenatal care in pregnant women 35 years of age or older in Cauca, Colombia, 2016-2018
To describe the frequency and factors associated with non-adherence to prenatal follow-up in pregnant women 35 years of age or older in the department of Cauca, Colombia, between 2016 and 2018. Cross-sectional, descriptive observational study of records of pregnant women between 35 and 41 years of age affiliated to the Cauca Indigenous Association Health Benefit Plan Management Organization-I (EAPB AIC-I) and registered in the prenatal care program, between 2016 and 2018. Duplicate records and records with incomplete information were excluded. Sociodemographic and clinical variables, as well as program outcomes, were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Odds ratios and their confidence intervals were calculated. In 1016 patients between 35 and 41 years of age, a frequency of 61.3 % of non-adherence to at least six prenatal visits was found. History of abortion (adjusted OR: 0.46; 95 % CI 0.33-0.64) and pregnancy of five or more (adjusted OR: 3,22; IC 95 % 1,50-6,91) were the associated factors. Non-adherence to prenatal care by pregnant women of 35 years or more affiliated to the Cauca EAPB AIC-I is high. Further qualitative studies are needed to examine the cultural and social factors present in these communities that may affect adherence to prenatal monitoring, together with prospective studies to confirm the exploratory analysis of factors associated with non adherence. Insurance organizations in the subsidized regime should be called upon to conduct promotion activities in these communities in order to improve adherence.


Effect of sodium nitroprusside alone and in combination with sodium thiosulfate on the acid-base balance, and on thiocyanate and iron plasma levels in the rabbit.
An infusion of 7.5 mg/kg.h sodium nitroprusside (SNP) produced a fatal cyanide intoxication in conscious rabbits (n=6) after 60.8 +/- 6.7 min (chi +/- S.E.). When, however, the cyanide antidote sodium thiosulfate was infused simultaneously at a rate of 31.25 or 62.5 mg/kg.h, i.e. a molar SNP/thiosulfate ratio of 1:5 or 1:10 respectively, this high dose of SNP was well tolerated. In both concentrations, thiosulfate abolished the development of the severe metabolic acidosis that results from the infusion of toxic doses of SNP alone. In the presence of thiosulfate, the plasma level of thiocyanate rose linearly with the infusion time indicating a rapid detoxification of cyanide released in vivo from SNP, whereas at the end of the infusion of SNP alone no increase in plasma thiocyanate could be measured. No clear advantage of the higher thiosulfate dosage over the lower one could be established. The iron plasma level only rose during the first hour of SNP plus thiosulfate infusions reaching the iron binding capacity of plasma, and then remained stable throughout the experiment. This indicates that the iron plasma level is an unsuitable parameter for the control of SNP therapy. We suggest the simultaneous administration of SNP and thiosulfate at a molar ratio of 1:5 to make SNP a safer drug.


The Clean and Proper Self: The Relevance of Kristeva's Concept of Abjection for Nursing.
Nurses regularly encounter feelings of disgust in practice, from bodily fluids and wounds to the criminal histories of patients. Though these experiences are widespread in nursing practice, there exists a culture in which they are regularly and intentionally ignored by nurses, and have received little attention in the literature. French-Bulgarian philosopher Julie Kristeva described these feelings of disgust within her psychoanalytic concepts of abjection and the clean and proper self. When nurses experience abjection, they work to protect and maintain the boundaries of the clean and proper self. This paper will employ a conceptual analysis to explore the implications of abjection and the maintenance of the clean and proper in nursing practice, with a specific focus on forensic nursing. A literature review of scientific articles and monographs addressing issues of disgust and abjection was conducted. The work of Kristeva provides the theoretical framework for this analysis. The analysis illustrates that nurses erect boundaries between themselves and patients, with significant consequences for patient care. An enactment of rituals to avoid the uncomfortable feelings of abjection and an effort to maintain the clean and proper self is widespread in nursing practice. Acknowledging the presence of abjection in nursing practice, recommendations are given on how to both embrace and overcome this experience.


Myelin basic protein has multiple calmodulin-binding sites.
Myelin basic protein (MBP) has been shown to bind calmodulin (CaM) in a specific Ca(2+)-dependent manner via a primary target sequence at its C-terminus [Protein Sci. 12 (2003) 1507]. Upon deimination of MBP, the nature of the interaction changed significantly, suggesting either a new binding site or different conformers with different affinities for CaM. In order to resolve this issue, we investigated here the CaM-binding properties of N- and C-terminal deletion mutants of MBP using Trp fluorescence spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. We conclude that there is an additional CaM-binding site on MBP in a central segment (we posit murine residues 82-93) that forms an amphipathic alpha-helix.


Marital conflict, divorce, and children's adjustment.
This article summarizes current research on children's adjustment after separation and divorce, and then focuses on the contributions of marital conflict, marital violence, and hostile family environments to children's adjustment during marriage and after divorce. Children living in marriages with frequent and intense conflict are significantly more likely to have substantial adjustment problems before parental divorce and compromised parent-child relationships. These findings suggest that the deleterious effects of divorce per se have been overstated, with insufficient attention paid in the clinical and research literature to the damaging effects of highly troubled marriages on children's adjustment.


[The ethical charter for the elderly in the daily life of GHSIF care providers].
The elaboration of a charter of ethics and support for the elderly, drawn up by Fabrice Gzil, places different notions of care at the center of the care of the elderly for those working in the field at the Groupe hospitalier sud Île-de-France (GHSIF). The 10 points presented are implemented on a daily basis. By highlighting these actions, the charter can be appropriated and brought to life in order to provide support adapted to the collective and individual needs of the elderly patients and residents.


Evolution of acid phosphatase-1 in the genus Drosophilia. Immunological studies.
The enzyme acid phosphatase-1 was partially purified from 10 Drosophila species. Four antisera were produced and the ten enzymes were reacted against each serum. The method used to quantitate the reactions involved the electrophoretic separation of antigen-antibody complexes from uncomplexed enzyme, followed by densitometry of the free enzyme. Immunological distances were used to obtain correlation coefficients for all pairwise combinations of the 10 species. From these correlation coefficients, a dendrogram was constructed which is very similar to one diagramming the presumed phylogenetic relationships of the ten species. In addition, the data indicate acid phosphatase-1 has evolved at different rates in different lineages within the genus. A preliminary estimate of the unit evolutionary period for this enzyme is 3.25 million years. The method of determining immunological distances which was used in this study is compared to the method of microcomplement fixation in the Discussion.


Intra- and interlaboratory variability of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria testing by flow cytometry following the 2012 Practical Guidelines for high-sensitivity paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria testing.
Sutherland et al. recently published the Practical Guidelines for high-sensitivity detection of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) clones by flow cytometry (FCM), containing concise protocols for PNH testing. Using this approach, we studied the intra- and interlaboratory variability observed in a multicenter study in which fresh blood samples containing three clinically relevant PNH clone sizes within the granulocytic, monocytic, and red blood cell (RBC) populations were shipped to each participating center. Coefficients of variation (CVs) for precision/reproducibility analysis ranged from 0.01%/0.02% to 0.48%/0.45% (big clone), from 0.69%/1.52% to 4.24%/5.80% (small-intermediate clone), from 1.47%/3.91% to 15.01% /17.83% (minor clone) for PNH white blood cells (WBCs) and from 0.24%/0.48% to 1.76%/1.83% (big clone), from 0.80%/1.14% to 2.39%/4.45% (small-intermediate clone), from 1.09%/3.36% to 10.54%/10.23% (minor clone) for PNH RBCs, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed excellent performance correlation between centers (r > 0.99), Wilcoxon rank test revealed no statistically significant differences for PNH granulocytes, monocytes, and RBCs (P > 0.05%), Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated good performance agreement for all target PNH clones (mean bias ranging from -1.47 to 0.71). Our results demonstrate very good intra- and interlaboratory performance characteristics for both precision and reproducibility analyses and excellent correlation and agreement between centers for all target PNH clone sizes. Our data confirm the reliability and robustness of the recently published Practical Guidelines approach for high sensitivity PNH testing by flow cytometry and suggest that such an approach represents an excellent basis for standardization of PNH testing by flow cytometry.


Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria, submicroscopic parasitaemia and anaemia in Korogwe District, north-eastern Tanzania.
Asymptomatic malaria infections largely remain undetected and act as a reservoir for continuous transmission. The study assessed the prevalence of submicroscopic asymptomatic malaria infections and anaemia in two rural low (300 m above sea level) and highland (700 m asl) settings of Korogwe District north-eastern Tanzania. A cross-sectional malariometric survey involving individuals aged 0-19 years was conducted in June 2018 in the two rural villages. Venous blood was collected from eligible study participants for estimation of haemoglobin level, detection of malaria by rapid diagnostic test (RDT), quantification of malaria parasitaemia by microscopy, as well as dried blood spot (DBS) for determining submicroscopic infections by PCR targeting the small subunit of the ribosomal ribonucleic acid (ssrRNA) of human Plasmodium. Out of 565 individuals tested, 211 (37.3%) were malaria positive based on RDT, whereas only 81 (14.3%) were positive by microscopy. There was no significant difference in the prevalence between the highland and the lowland village, p = 0.19 and p = 0.78 microscopy and RDT, respectively. Three out of 206 (1.5%) RDT/microscopy negative samples were P. falciparum positive by PCR. Of the 211 RDT and 81 microscopy positive, 130 (61.6%) and 33 (40.7%), respectively, were defined as being asymptomatic. Of the 565 individuals, 135 (23.9%) were anaemic (haemoglobin < 11 g/dL) out of which 5.2% were severely anaemic. The risk of being anaemic was significantly higher among individuals with asymptomatic malaria as compared to those without malaria as confirmed by RDT (AOR = 2.06 (95% CI 1.32-3.20) while based on microscopic results there was no significant differences observed (AOR = 2.09, 95% CI 0.98-4.47). Age and altitude had no effect on the risk of anaemia even after adjusting for asymptomatic malaria. Asymptomatic malaria is associated with an increased risk of having anaemia in the study communities. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions focusing on asymptomatic infections which is an important risks factor for anaemia in the community and act as a source of continued transmission of malaria in the study area.


Potential efficacy of early treatment of acute acoustic trauma with steroids and piracetam after gunshot noise.
The purpose of this randomized study was to evaluate the early effect of the treatment of acute acoustic trauma (AAT) with steroids and piracetam in a sample of 52 young soldiers who were exposed to intense gunfire noise (G3 rifle). These patients were divided into three groups: (1) group A (20 patients) in which the treatment began within the first hour after the AAT, (2) group B (17 patients) in which the treatment started more than 1 h later and less than 16 h after the AAT and (3) group C (15 patients) in which the treatment began after 24 h or more. One month after the treatment onset, 36 (69%) patients of all the groups showed hearing improvement (complete-partial recovery) in the pure tone audiometry. The greater number of patients who showed complete recovery after AAT was noted in group A (65%) compared to group B (23.5%) and C (13.3%). Moreover, in group A, in the final audiogram, the averaged hearing threshold was statistically better (P < 0.001) than that of groups B and C. In spite of the lack of control group, our data demonstrated the possible effectiveness of the immediate onset of treatment of AAT.


Serum iron and transferrin during an exhaustive session of interval training.
Conflicting data have been reported on "sports anaemia" and anaemia during physical training. Most of these results are of studies at rest before or after training. The aim of this investigation was to further study the profiles of serum iron (Se Fe) and transferrin (Se Tr), in 14 physically trained men (28 +/- 6 years) during an exhaustive interval training session. The 45 min Square-Wave Endurance Exercise Test (SWEET) was performed on a cycle ergometer. To the SWEET base, established as a % of individual VO2max, a peak of 1 min at VO2max was added every 5 minutes. Arterial blood samples were taken at rest, during the SWEET at the 14th, 15th, 29th, 30th, 44th and 45th minutes, just before and after the peaks, and at the 15th min of recovery. Lactate, acidity [H+], PaCO2, PaO2, Haematocrit (Hct), Haemoglobin (Hb), Se Fe and Se Tr were measured. After the SWEET, weight loss was 0.89 +/- 0.15 kg. Lactate and serum iron rose progressively at the base levels and at the peaks, while PaCO2 and bicarbonate fell progressively. Hct, [Hb], serum transferrin and [H+] increased significantly at the 14th min of SWEET and thereafter no change was observed. At the 45th min with respect to the value at rest, Se Fe increased as much as +32%, Se Tr +13% and [Hb] +8%. Haemoconcentration could explain the changes in Se Tr but not the total significant increase in Se, Fe, which moreover is not explained by acidosis [H+].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Structure of the 3' hairpin termini of four rodent parvovirus genomes: nucleotide sequence homology at origins of DNA replication.
The nucleotide sequences of the 3' termini of the DNA from four autonomous rodent parvoviruses have been determined. The terminus of each genome exists as a Y-shaped hairpin structure involving 115 or 116 nucleotides. The sequence of this region of DNA is highly conserved and shows no evidence of internal sequence heterogeneity, a characteristic which is observed in the terminal nucleotide sequence of the helper-dependent, adeno-associated viruses (Berns et al., 1978a). The implications of these results with respect to the models of parvovirus DNA replication are discussed.


Obesity-related derangements of coagulation and fibrinolysis: a study of obesity-discordant monozygotic twin pairs.
Coagulation and fibrinolytic activities are under strong genetic control. We studied the effects of acquired obesity, independent of genetic factors on coagulation and fibrinolysis activities in obesity-discordant healthy monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs. Fourteen obesity-discordant (BMI within-pair difference >3 kg/m(2)) and 10 concordant (BMI difference <2 kg/m(2)) MZ twin pairs were identified from the nationwide FinnTwin16 study. Body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), abdominal fat distribution (magnetic resonance imaging), liver fat (magnetic resonance spectroscopy), high sensitivity C-reactive protein, insulin sensitivity (euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp), and a panel of different markers of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis in the fasting state were measured. Strong resemblance was observed in most coagulation factors within all twin pairs, with the intraclass correlations ranging from 0.73 to 0.97, P < 0.03. However, the activities of fibrinogen and FIX, FXI, and FXII, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activities were increased in the obese co-twins (P < 0.05) and strongly correlated with the measures of adiposity, inflammation, and insulin resistance (r = 0.32-0.73, P < 0.05) among the twin individuals. Intrapair differences in fibrinogen and PAI-1 correlated with those in BMI, adiposity, and fasting insulin levels (r = 0.40-0.58, P < 0.05) indicating the independent effect of obesity. Derangements of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis are present already in early adulthood in obese subjects. Acquired obesity, independent of genetic factors, increases the activities of fibrinogen and activities of FIX, FXI, FXII, and PAI-1. This study confirms the mechanisms of simultaneous activities of intrinsic coagulation factors and impaired fibrinolysis predisposing obese subjects to thrombosis.


Safety and efficacy of cryolipolysis for non-invasive reduction of submental fat.
Cryolipolysis has previously received FDA clearance for fat reduction in the abdomen, flanks, and thighs. There is also interest in small volume fat reduction for areas such as the chin, knees, and axilla. This article reports the results of a cryolipolysis pivotal IDE study for reduction of submental fullness. A prototype small volume vacuum applicator (CoolMini applicator, CoolSculpting System, ZELTIQ Aesthetics) was used to treat 60 subjects in the submental area. At each treatment visit, a single treatment cycle was delivered at -10°C for 60 minutes, the same temperature and duration used in current commercially-available cryolipolysis vacuum applicators. At the investigator's discretion, an optional second treatment was delivered 6 weeks after the initial treatment. The primary efficacy endpoint was 80% correct identification of baseline photographs by independent physician review. The primary safety endpoint was monitoring incidence of device- and/or procedure-related serious adverse events. Secondary endpoints included assessment of fat layer thickness by ultrasound and subject satisfaction surveys administered 12 weeks after final cryolipolysis treatment. Independent photo review from 3 blinded physicians found 91% correct identification of baseline clinical photographs. Ultrasound data indicated mean fat layer reduction of 2.0 mm. Patient questionnaires revealed 83% of subjects were satisfied, 80% would recommend submental cryolipolysis to a friend, 77% reported visible fat reduction, 77% felt that their appearance improved following the treatment, and 76% found the procedure to be comfortable. No device- or procedure-related serious adverse events were reported. The results of this clinical evaluation of 60 patients treated in a pivotal IDE study demonstrate that submental fat can be reduced safely and effectively with a small volume cryolipolysis applicator. Patient surveys revealed that submental cryolipolysis was well-tolerated, produced visible improvement in the neck contour, and generated high patient satisfaction. These study results led to FDA clearance of cryolipolysis for submental fat treatment.


Chemical modification of human albumin at cys34 by ethacrynic acid: structural characterisation and binding properties.
Derivatization of the free cys3,4 in human albumin, which is reported to occur under physiological conditions, has been performed in vitro by reaction of the protein with ethacrynic acid. This modification has been investigated by mass spectrometry and circular dichroism. Ethacrynic acid has been proven to bind human albumin either covalently and non-covalently. This post-translational modification does not determine significant changes in the secondary structure of the protein, as shown by the comparable circular dichroism spectra of the native and the modified proteins. Furthermore, the binding properties of the human albumin samples have been investigated by circular dichroism and equilibrium dialysis. The affinity to the higher affinity binding sites does not change either for drugs binding to site I, like phenylbutazone, or to site II, like diazepam, while a small but significant increase has been observed for bilirubin, known to bind to site III. Nevertheless significant decreases of the affinity at the lower affinity binding sites of the modified protein were observed for both drugs binding to site I or to site II.


Electron Transfer Kinetics at Graphene Quantum Dot Assembly Electrodes.
Electrochemical performance of nanostructured carbon electrodes was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry and a simple simulation model. The electrodes were prepared from soluble precursors by anodic electrodeposition of two sizes of graphene quantum dot assemblies (hexabenzocoronene (HBC) and carbon quantum dot (CQD)) onto a conductive support. Experimental and simulated voltammograms enabled the extraction of the following electrode parameters: conductivity of the electrodes (a combination of ionic and electronic contributions), density of available electrode states at different potentials, and tunneling rate constant (Marcus-Gerischer model) for interfacial charge transfer to ferrocene/ferrocenium (Fc/Fc+) couple. The parameters indicate that HBC and CQD have significant density of electronic states at potentials more positive than -0.5 V versus Ag/Ag+. Enabled by these large densities, the electron transfer rates at the Fc/Fc+ thermodynamic potential are several orders of magnitude slower than those commonly observed on other carbon electrodes. This study is expected to accelerate the discovery of improved synthetic carbon electrodes by providing fast screening methodology of their electrochemical behavior.


Durability and Sustainability of Cement and Concrete Composites.
Durability and sustainability are important objectives within the development of cement and concrete composites [...].


The cryoablation of lung tissue using liquid nitrogen in gel and in the ex vivo pig lung.
To examine the efficiency of cryoablation using liquid nitrogen in lung tissue, we measured the size and temperature distribution of the frozen area (iceball) in gel and in the ex vivo pig lungs. Cryoprobes with diameters of 2.4 and 3.4 mm (2.4D and 3.4D, respectively) were used. Three temperature sensors were positioned at the surface of the cryoprobe and at distances of 0.5 and 1.5 cm from the cryoprobe. The ex vivo pig lungs were perfused with 37 °C saline and inflated using ventilator to simulate in vivo lung conditions. In gel, the 2.4D and 3.4D probes made iceballs of 3.9 ± 0.1 and 4.8 ± 0.3 cm in diameter, respectively, and the temperature at 1.5 cm from those probes reached -32 ± 8 and -53 ± 5 °C, respectively. In the pig lung, the 2.4D and 3.4D probes made iceballs of 5.2 ± 0.1 and 5.5 ± 0.4 cm in diameter, respectively, and the temperature at 1.5 cm from these probes reached -49 ± 5 and -58 ± 3 °C, respectively. Liquid nitrogen cryoablation using both 2.4D and 3.4D probes made iceballs that were of sufficient size, and effective temperatures were reached in both gel and the ex vivo pig lung.


[A late onset diagnosis of giant cell arteritis in remission].
Giant-cell arteritis (GCA) is a classical cause of chronical inflammation (CI) in the elderly, causing headaches, scalp hypersensitivity and jaw claudication. We describe a patient with a GCA revealed with a year-long biological inflammation and weight loss. Diagnosis was performed on a systematic temporal artery biopsy showing typical histological features. No treatment was intended as the patient had a spontaneous remission, maintained at one year of follow-up. This case highlights the benefit of a systematic temporal artery biopsy to explore CI and reminds us that GCA may undergo spontaneous remission.


Evidence for signalling by big endothelin-1 via conversion to endothelin-1 in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells.
In this study, signalling by big endothelin-1 (big ET-1) and a role for the phosphoramidon-sensitive endothelin converting enzyme in this signalling was investigated in smooth muscle cells cultured from bovine pulmonary artery. In whole cells, both ET-1 and big ET-1 stimulated inositol phosphate accumulation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The endothelin ET-A receptor antagonist (BQ 123, 1 microM) significantly inhibited stimulation by ET-1 (10 nM) or big ET-1 (100 nM). When cells were pretreated with 100 microM phosphoramidon, the stimulation by big ET-1, but not ET-1 was abolished. In separate experiments, when cells were incubated with exogenous big ET-1, a time-dependent phosphoramidon-sensitive conversion to ET-1 was detected by radioimmunoassay. These results are consistent with the presence of a phosphoramidon-sensitive endothelin converting enzyme on the surface of bovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, which may play a role in regulating signalling by circulating big ET-1.


Kisspeptin preserves mitochondrial function by inducing mitophagy and autophagy in aging rat brain hippocampus and human neuronal cell line.
It has become amply clear that mitochondrial function defined by quality, quantity, dynamics, homeostasis, and regulated by mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis is a critical metric of human aging and disease. As a consequence, therapeutic interventions that can improve mitochondrial function can have a profound impact on human health and longevity. Kisspeptins are neuropeptides belonging to the family of metastasis suppressors that are known to regulate functions like fertility, reproduction, and metabolism. Using SKNSH cell line, hippocampus explant cultures and hippocampus of aging Wistar rat models, we show that Kisspeptin-10 (Kp) induces autophagy and mitophagy via calcium, Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and Unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase (ULK1) signaling pathway that is independent of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Intriguingly, Kp administration in vivo also results in the enhancement of mitochondrial number, complex I activity, and Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) levels. This study uncovers potential effects of Kp in protecting mitochondrial health and as a possible therapeutic intervention to hippocampus associated impairments such as memory, cognitive aging, and other diseases linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.


Sacral extradural arachnoid cyst: a rare cause of low back and perineal pain.
Sacral extradural arachnoid cysts are rare. The clinical and radiological features of this condition are characteristic. One such rare case with low back and perineal pain is presented and the literature is reviewed. This patient presented with pain in the low back and perineal region, which was aggravated by standing, walking and straining. The patient also had numbness in both lower limbs, precipitated by standing and walking. Both the symptoms were relieved by lying down. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a sacral extradural arachnoid cyst. Sacral laminectomy with opening of the arachnoid cyst and ligation of the fistulous tract was done. Postoperatively, there was complete clinical recovery. Though rare, this entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of low back and perineal pain. Surgical treatment is curative.


Rare perivascular epithelial cell tumor of the colon 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging: A case report.
Neoplasms with perivascular epithelioid cell differentiation (PEComas) are mesenchymal tumors that rarely occur in the colon. Here, we report the occurrence of a malignant PEcoma in the colon using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT). A 55-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain for 10 days and a self-induced abdominal mass for 3 days. 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging showed a large hypermetabolic nodule and mass in the right mid-upper abdomen with heterogeneous density and a further increase in metabolism on the delayed scan. PEComa of the colon. Tumor resection was performed. The patient is well after 2 months of treatment, pending further follow-up. Malignant perivascular epithelioid cell tumors originating in the colon are extremely rare, and our report suggests that PEComa should be considered as a differential diagnosis for 18F-FDG gastrointestinal malignancies. Additionally, 18F-FDG PET/CT may play a key role in the staging and extent of lesions in intestinal malignancies.


Subcutaneous ivermectin use in the treatment of severe Strongyloides stercoralis infection: two case reports and a discussion of the literature.
Strongyloides stercoralis infection presents with varying degrees of severity, but it often primarily involves the small bowel. In severe infection and cases of hyperinfection, ileus and small-bowel obstruction may prevent enteral absorption of anthelminthics such as ivermectin. At present there are no parenteral anthelminthics licensed for use in humans. Here, we describe two cases of severe S. stercoralis infection treated with an unlicensed veterinary preparation of subcutaneous ivermectin, and we discuss the published reports of the use of this treatment elsewhere. Both patients were successfully treated with subcutaneous ivermectin, and both recovered completely. Despite the limited published experience of parenteral ivermectin use, there is evidence that it may be a safe and effective treatment for severe strongyloidiasis. However, more data are needed to guide dosing schedules and monitoring for toxicity.


What's new in urologic ultrasound?
Ultrasonography allows providers to noninvasively image an area of interest in real time without the risks of ionizing radiation or nephrotoxic contrast agents. This article present basic concepts of ultrasound along with new advances in ultrasound technology and their applications in small parts evaluation.


Cognitive control enhancement in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and neurotypical individuals.
Cognitive control, which has been localized to the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) based on functional imaging and brain lesion studies, is impaired in patients with ADHD. The present study aims to investigate whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the rIFG might improve cognitive control in ADHD subjects. We hypothesized poorer performance in a cognitive control task, but not in a control language task, in the ADHD subjects. Crucially, following tDCS, we expected the ADHD group to improve their cognitive control. In a double-blind randomized control trial, 42 participants performed the stop signal task (SST) to index their cognitive control level and the language task. Half of them were randomly assigned to the anodal stimulation condition and half to the sham stimulation. The anodal or sham stimulation was applied over the right IFG. Following the stimulation, the participants reset the two tasks to see whether stimulation improved the (predicted) weaker performance in the ADHD group. Stimulation significantly enhanced cognitive control for both groups, with or without ADHD, in the SST task, but no significant stimulation effects were found for the control task. tDCS seems as a promising tool to improve cognitive control in the general population.


Seasonal variation of Sarpa salpa fish toxicity, as related to phytoplankton consumption, accumulation of heavy metals, lipids peroxidation level in fish tissues and toxicity upon mice.
The aim of this work was to investigate for Sarpa salpa the seasonal trend in the food sources, heavy metals bioaccumulation and the oxidative stress in the organs. In addition, the toxicity was assessed by mouse bioassay of extract of the fish's organs collected in autumn, the peak of occurrence of hallucinatory syndrome. The toxicity was further studied for compounds present in epiphyte collected from the sea at the end of spring and in summer that are digested by the S. salpa in these seasons. We observed a higher lipid peroxydation in different tissues of S. salpa compared to the control fish Diplodus annularis. Furthermore, heavy metals accumulation in organs of these fish showed a significant variation between the two species (P < 0.05). The lethal dose (LD50%) determined for crude ciguatoxin (neurotoxins) extracts of viscera, liver, brain and muscle of S. salpa were as follows: 1.217, 2.195, 14.395, 18.645 g/kg mouse, respectively. We noticed a significant correlation (P < 0.05) between the total amount of toxic dinoflagellates and the level of TBARS in the liver, the brain and the muscle, this for all seasons and all sizes. Moreover, the cytotoxic effect observed for epiphytes extract confirms the transfer of toxins originating from toxic dinoflagellates, which live as epiphytes on P. oceanica leaves, to the fish by grazing. Our work indicates that, toxic phytoplanktons and heavy metals accumulation are responsible for the increase of oxidative stress in the organs of S. salpa. Hence, the edible part of S. salpa, especially the viscera and liver, can cause a threat to human health, and consumption should, for this reason, be dissuaded.


Palestinian Arab ethnicity is associated with an adverse metabolic phenotype.
Urban-dwelling Palestinians have been shown to have higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and prevalence of diabetes than urban Israelis. Inflammation is implicated in the etiology of these conditions. We hypothesized that increased inflammatory activation, manifested as increased GlycA, a novel biomarker of global inflammation, would be evident in Palestinians. We compared GlycA concentrations between Palestinians and Israelis and assessed the associations of GlycA with anthropometric, health behavioral and clinical variables in a sample of 1674 Palestinians and Israelis aged 25-74, residing in Jerusalem. The main outcome measure was GlycA concentration. GlycA was higher in Palestinians than Israelis (p<0.001). This finding persisted in young Palestinians with normal glucose tolerance. GlycA, total white blood cell count, the triglyceride to HDL-cholesterol ratio and small LDL-cholesterol particles were all significantly higher in Palestinians compared to Israelis across obesity and glucose tolerance categories. Palestinian women had greater GlycA compared to Israeli women and men of both ethnicities. GlycA as well as adverse cardiovascular biomarkers are all higher in Palestinian Arabs than Israeli Jews, even in young healthy adults. This propensity to inflammation may be a driver of the higher risk of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and diabetes observed in this population.


Design of a gold nanoprobe for rapid and portable mercury detection with the naked eye.
A gold nanoprobe that can respond colorimetrically to Hg(2+) is designed and coupled with a power-free PDMS device; the system can be used for rapid and visual detection of low micromolar Hg(2+) in real environmental samples.


Generation of diversity in thymic epithelial cells.
In the thymus, diverse populations of thymic epithelial cells (TECs), including cortical and medullary TECs and their subpopulations, have distinct roles in coordinating the development and repertoire selection of functionally competent and self-tolerant T cells. Here, we review the expanding diversity in TEC subpopulations in relation to their functions in T cell development and selection as well as their origins and development.


Reperfusion of occluded capillary beds in diabetic retinopathy.
To demonstrate the reperfusion of nonperfused capillary beds in diabetic retinopathy. In a retrospective study, we reviewed 292 fluorescein angiograms of 94 eyes of 74 patients (mean age, 52 years; range, 20 to 68 years) with diabetic retinopathy. Fluorescein angiography was performed repeatedly (mean, three times; range, two to eight times) during a mean follow-up period of 2 years (range, 3 months to 12 years). None of the 94 eyes received laser photocoagulation. Reperfusion of occluded capillary beds was observed in 65 (69%) of 94 eyes. Reperfusion was characterized by recanalization in 22 (34%) of the 65 eyes or by intraretinal neovascularization in 54 (83%) of the 65 eyes. The former took place in small nonperfused areas and the latter in larger nonperfused areas. Reperfusion occurred throughout the entire fundus in six of 94 eyes, resulting in resolution of diabetic retinopathy. Reperfused capillary beds with intraretinal neovascularization left vascular remodeling, which was seen as twisted or kinked abnormal vessels. In diabetic retinopathy, occluded capillary beds may be reperfused. Twisted abnormal vessels may represent the reperfusion process through intraretinal neovascularization.


Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization for Subdural Hematoma: An Institutional Cohort and Propensity Score-Matched Comparison with Conventional Management.
The treatment of non-acute subdural hematoma (NASDH) is challenging due to its high recurrence rates and comorbidities of mostly elderly patients. Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) recently emerged as an alternative to surgery in the treatment of NASDH. To describe a single center's experience of MMAE with Onyx for NASDH and compare it to a surgically treated historical cohort. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing MMAE for NASDH from 2019 to 2021. MMAE was performed with ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx). Comparisons were made with a historical cohort from 2010 to 2018 who underwent surgical evacuation only, before and after propensity score matching. Outcomes were assessed clinically and radiographically. We included 44 consecutive patients (55 MMAEs) who underwent MMAE, with a median follow-up of 63.5 days. Twenty-four NASDHs underwent upfront embolization, 17 adjunctive, and 14 for recurrence after prior surgical evacuation, with no significant differences in hematoma and mRS reduction between them. Two patients died during hospitalization and 2 during follow-up, unrelated to the procedure. Mean SDH thickness decreased by 48.3% ± 38.1% (P < 0.001) on last follow-up, which did not correlate with the amount of Onyx injected. Six (13.6%) patients required surgical rescue after embolization. There were no procedure-related complications. The mean modified Rankin Scale (mRS) on admission was 2.8 ± 1.5, which decreased significantly to 1 [1,4] at the last follow-up (P = 0.033). The MMAE (41 hematomas; upfront and adjunctive embolization) and Surgical Evacuation-only (461 hematomas) cohorts were balanced with propensity score mathing. Matching was successful for 41 MMAE and 41 surgical-only hematoma pairs, and only hypertension remained significantly different between the two groups, but there was no significant difference in any outcome. MMAE for NASDH seems safe and effective in appropriately selected patients, non-inferior to surgery, and may become a minimally-invasive alternative. Given our encouraging results, large-scale clinical randomized trials are warranted.


Factors associated with the risk of second primary breast cancer: an analysis of data from the Connecticut Tumor Registry.
To examine further the epidemiology of contralateral primary breast cancer, a case-control analysis, utilizing information available from the Connecticut Tumor Registry, was conducted. Recent cases of second primary breast cancer were compared to control women who had survived a first breast cancer but had not developed a second. Three hundred and thirty eight incident cases of contralateral breast cancer diagnosed between 1979 and 1982 were identified and compared with an equal number of randomly selected controls and 336 controls frequency matched to the cases on the basis of age at initial cancer diagnosis and the calendar time elapsing since that diagnosis. Risk of second primary breast cancer was found to be significantly elevated among women whose initial cancer was lobular carcinoma and during the first year following diagnosis of the initial primary. Additionally, for women initially treated with radiotherapy, risk of a contralateral primary increased for 10-14 years following treatment, after which it declined. Among young women, having never married was protective whereas the opposite was found among older women. These findings and the methods used are discussed in the context of the epidemiology of both contralateral and initial breast primaries.


Actions of barium and rubidium on membrane currents in canine Purkinje fibres.
The actions of Ba2+ and Rb+, two blockers of background K+ conductance, were investigated. Recent studies performed on ungulate Purkinje fibres have suggested that the pace-maker current is an inward current activated by hyperpolarization. This hypothesis is based on the assumption that Ba2+ reduces the inwardly rectifying background K+ conductance without affecting the pace-maker current. Addition of 5 mM-BaCl2 to the bathing Tyrode solution decreases background K+ permeability and eliminates the reversal of the pace-maker current. The reversal reappears on return to Ba2+-free Tyrode solution. 5 mM-BaCl2 also reduces the time-dependent current at pace-maker potentials positive to about -95 mV in 4 mM-K+ Tyrode solution. The pace-maker current in Ba2+ Tyrode solution usually does not have an exponential time course, and often decays non-monotonically. It can take more than two minutes to reach a steady state. The fast initial component of membrane current, which is observed on hyperpolarizing in the pace-maker potential range in Purkinje fibres and which has been called the 'depletion current', is still present in Ba2+ Tyrode solution, but is reduced or eliminated if 10 mM-CsCl is added to the Ba2+ Tyrode solution. The addition of Cs+ is accompanied by an outward shift in membrane current in Ba2+ Tyrode solution. Ba2+ reduces the background K+ permeability in a dose-dependent manner. Addition of between 0.5 and 1 mM-BaCl2 achieves a maximum effect. Raising the amount of BaCl2 above this level reduces the time-dependent current even when no further effect on background permeability is observed. Rb+ substitution for K+ reduces the magnitude of the pace-maker current at potentials positive to -100 mV, eliminates the reversal of the pace-maker current, shifts the activation range to more negative potentials, and decreases the voltage dependence of pace-maker current kinetics. Rb+ addition to Tyrode solution has little effect on pace-maker current magnitude or time course positive to -90 mV, but does shift the reversal to more negative potentials. The available evidence suggests that the pace-maker current in Ba2+ Tyrode solution is an inward current activated by hyperpolarization. However, Ba2+ blocks an unknown fraction of the pace-maker current in a dose-dependent, and possibly voltage-dependent manner. Also, the presence of a slow component of pace-maker decay suggests that the standard Hodgkin-Huxley formalism for the analysis of pace-maker currents is inappropriate.


Paired-pulse afferent modulation of TMS responses reveals a selective decrease in short latency afferent inhibition with age.
Changes in motor cortical excitability were examined in 2 groups of participants, young (18-30 years of age, n = 25) and senior (65-82 years of age, n = 31), using paired-pulse afferent stimulation with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited by TMS at suprathreshold intensity (120% motor threshold) were first recorded in unconditioned trials (TMS alone) and then in conditioned trials, in which TMS pulses were preceded by median nerve stimulation at 3 different interstimulus intervals (ISI; 20, 50, and 200 ms). Conditioning of MEP responses revealed a similar pattern of modulation in the 2 age groups, with 2 periods of inhibition at 20- and 200-ms ISIs, separated by a period in which MEPs tended to return to baseline at a 50-ms ISI. Afferent-induced inhibition at the short interval (i.e., SAI 20-ms ISI), was selectively reduced in seniors, with half of them showing either low or no MEP suppression. Age-associated changes in SAI level were also good predictors of performance on tests of processing speed and dexterity. The selective decrease in SAI exhibited by many seniors is consistent with reported alterations in intracortical inhibition with age. Our observations also highlight the potential value of SAI, as a putative marker of central cholinergic activity, in predicting declines in motor and cognitive function with age.


CI-867, a new broad-spectrum semisynthetic penicillin.
The synthesis and antimicrobial activity of a new semisynthetic penicillin are described. Both in vitro and in vivo, the compound shows promising antibacterial activity when compared with piperacillin and ticarcillin. High activity is shown against Pseudomonas and other Gram-negative bacteria.


Sucuk and pastırma: microbiological changes and formation of volatile compounds.
There is an increasing interest in traditional foods in Turkey like other countries. Sucuk, dry-fermented sausage, and pastırma, a type of dry-cured meat product, are traditional Turkish meat products that are widely consumed. Sucuk is air-dried and neither smoked nor ripened by mold. In spite of increasing use of starter culture in production of sucuk in the industry, traditionally produced sucuk is generally preferred by the consumers because of its sensory characteristics. Pastırma is traditionally processed under natural conditions where air temperature and relative humidity depend on climate and weather conditions. Pastırma differs from other raw cured meat products made from whole pieces of meat in terms of manufacturing process, ingredients, microbial properties and flavor. In this study, microbiological changes and formation of volatile compounds in sucuk and pastırma were reviewed.


Imaging using radiolabelled targeted proteins: radioimmunodetection and beyond.
The use of radiolabelled antibodies was proposed in 1970s for staging of malignant tumours. Intensive research established chemistry for radiolabelling of proteins and understanding of factors determining biodistribution and targeting properties. The use of radioimmunodetection for staging of cancer was not established as common practice due to approval and widespread use of [18F]-FDG, which provided a more general diagnostic use than antibodies or their fragments. Expanded application of antibody-based therapeutics renewed the interest in radiolabelled antibodies. RadioimmunoPET emerged as a powerful tool for evaluation of pharmacokinetics of and target engagement by biotherapeutics. In addition to monoclonal antibodies, new radiolabelled engineered proteins have recently appeared, offering high-contrast imaging of expression of therapeutic molecular targets in tumours shortly after injection. This creates preconditions for noninvasive determination of a target expression level and stratification of patients for targeted therapies. Radiolabelled proteins hold great promise to play an important role in development and implementation of personalised targeted treatment of malignant tumours. This article provides an overview of biodistribution and tumour-seeking features of major classes of targeting proteins currently utilized for molecular imaging. Such information might be useful for researchers entering the field of the protein-based radionuclide molecular imaging.


Monodisperse DNA restriction fragments I. Synthesis and characterization.
We present a convenient and low-cost method to prepare milligram amounts of completely monodisperse DNA restriction fragments in a physico-chemical laboratory setting to study (in part II) the effect of limited flexibility on the concentration dependent sedimentation velocity. Four fragments of 200, 400, 800, and 1600 bp were designed to span a range of 1-11 persistence lengths. The fragments were synthesized by cloning fragments of controlled lengths obtained by PCR into bacterial plasmid DNA. The constructs were amplified in large-scale bacterial cultures from which the fragments were obtained by a modified alkaline lysis procedure and subsequent digestion with EcoRV. A method is presented to isolate the DNA from the digestion mixture using horizontal agarose-slab gels and agarose columns in a home-built preparative gel electrophoresis set-up. We show that a combination of optical absorbance readings, ethidium bromide fluorescence, and hyperchromicity measurements allows assessment of both the purity of the DNA solutions and the fraction of double-stranded DNA.


Moral reframing of messages about mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When communicating about political issues, messages targeted to resonate with the core values of the receiver may be effective, an approach known as moral reframing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we tested the relationships between moral values and mask-wearing in a sample (N = 540) of self-identified liberals, conservatives, and moderates in the United States. Anti-mask attitudes were stronger in conservatives, and were associated with increased concerns for in-group loyalty, national identity, and personal liberty. We then crafted messages about the benefits of mask-wearing framed to resonate with these moral concerns, and in a pre-registered study of N = 597 self-identified U.S. conservatives, tested the effect of moral reframing on anti-mask attitudes and behaviors. Messages framed in terms of loyalty, with appeals to the protection of the community and America, were effective in reducing anti-mask beliefs, compared with unrelated control messages and messages delivering purely scientific information, and these changes in belief persisted for at least 1 week. Exploratory analyses showed that participants who saw loyalty-framed messages reported wearing masks in public more frequently in the subsequent week. This study provides evidence that framing messages about health behaviors in terms of group loyalty may be one productive way of communicating with conservative audiences.


Guanosine and Deoxyinosine Structural Analogs Extracted from Chick Early Amniotic Fluid Promote Cutaneous Wound Healing.
Wound healing is a complex, dynamic process supported by a myriad of cellular events that must be tightly coordinated to efficiently repair damaged tissue. These wounds are a significant socioeconomic burden due to their high prevalence and recurrence, which is why the phenomenon of wounds has also been labeled as a "Silent Epidemic". Most of these wounds become "chronic", with around 15% of them remaining unresolved 1-year post incidence, which results in a prolonged yet avoidable burden to patients, families, and the health system. In this experimental study, we tried to purify the potent components in chick early amniotic fluid (ceAF) and applied these components to the wound healing mechanism. We first subjected ceAF to a series of purifications, including an HPLC purification system along with ion-exchange chromatography technology to purify other potential components. Upon narrowing down, we found two structural analogs: guanosine and deoxyinosine. We performed these components' cell scratch and trans-well migration assays to validate the accurate dosage. We also assessed these components via topical administration on the skin of murine model wounds. For this, we randomly divided C57BL/6 (all black, male, 5 weeks old) mice into groups. The wound model was established through excising the skin of mice and treated the wounds with different fractions of guanosine and deoxyinosine continuously for 8-10 day intervals. Once the healing was complete, the skin was excised to determine the inflammatory response and other biochemical parameters of the healed skin, including epidermal thickness, collagen density, macrophages, and neutrophil infiltration at the wounded site. Quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblot assays were performed to determine active gene expression and protein expression of proinflammatory molecules, growth factors, and cytokines. All these findings support our data indicating the promising healing properties of guanosine and deoxyinosine isolated from ceAF.


Quantified in vitro tibiofemoral contact during bodyweight back squats.
Squats are a common lower extremity task used in strength and conditioning, balance training, and rehabilitation. It is important to understand how slight alterations in lower extremity kinematics during a squat affect the internal joint loading of the knee. This study directly quantified tibiofemoral contact throughout the in vitro simulation of a bodyweight back squat performed two ways: a heel squat (knees in line with toes) and a toe squat (knees anterior to the toes) at peak knee flexion. Three cadaveric right lower extremities were instrumented and positioned into the University of Texas Joint Load Simulator. Kinematics, kinetics, and predicted muscle forces from a 20-year-old athletic male performing the two back squats were used as inputs for the in vitro simulations. The quantified tibiofemoral contact area, peak pressure, net force, and center of pressure location were significantly different between squat types (p > 0.05). Net contact area on the tibial plateau at peak knee flexion was significantly larger in the heel versus toe squat (599 ± 80 mm2 vs. 469 ± 125 mm2; p < 0.05). Peak lateral pressure was significantly higher in the heel versus toe squat (2.73 ± 0.54 MPa vs. 0.87 ± 0.56 MPa; p < 0.05). Results suggest the heel squat generates an even load distribution, which is less likely to affect joint degeneration. Future in vitro simulations should quantify the effects lower extremity kinematics, kinetics, and individual muscle forces have on tibiofemoral contact parameters during common athletic tasks.


The BAF chromatin remodelling complex is an epigenetic regulator of lineage specification in the early mouse embryo.
Dynamic control of gene expression is essential for the development of a totipotent zygote into an embryo with defined cell lineages. The accessibility of genes responsible for cell specification to transcriptional machinery is dependent on chromatin remodelling complexes such as the SWI\SNF (BAF) complex. However, the role of the BAF complex in early mouse development has remained unclear. Here, we demonstrate that BAF155, a major BAF complex subunit, regulates the assembly of the BAF complex in vivo and regulates lineage specification of the mouse blastocyst. We find that associations of BAF155 with other BAF complex subunits become enriched in extra-embryonic lineages just prior to implantation. This enrichment is attributed to decreased mobility of BAF155 in extra-embryonic compared with embryonic lineages. Downregulation of BAF155 leads to increased expression of the pluripotency marker Nanog and its ectopic expression in extra-embryonic lineages, whereas upregulation of BAF155 leads to the upregulation of differentiation markers. Finally, we show that the arginine methyltransferase CARM1 methylates BAF155, which differentially influences assembly of the BAF complex between the lineages and the expression of pluripotency markers. Together, our results indicate a novel role of BAF-dependent chromatin remodelling in mouse development via regulation of lineage specification.


Murine SEC24D can substitute functionally for SEC24C during embryonic development.
The COPII component SEC24 mediates the recruitment of transmembrane cargos or cargo adaptors into newly forming COPII vesicles on the ER membrane. Mammalian genomes encode four Sec24 paralogs (Sec24a-d), with two subfamilies based on sequence homology (SEC24A/B and C/D), though little is known about their comparative functions and cargo-specificities. Complete deficiency for Sec24d results in very early embryonic lethality in mice (before the 8 cell stage), with later embryonic lethality (E7.5) observed in Sec24c null mice. To test the potential overlap in function between SEC24C/D, we employed dual recombinase mediated cassette exchange to generate a Sec24cc-d allele, in which the C-terminal 90% of SEC24C has been replaced by SEC24D coding sequence. In contrast to the embryonic lethality at E7.5 of SEC24C-deficiency, Sec24cc-d/c-d pups survive to term, though dying shortly after birth. Sec24cc-d/c-d pups are smaller in size, but exhibit no other obvious developmental abnormality by pathologic evaluation. These results suggest that tissue-specific and/or stage-specific expression of the Sec24c/d genes rather than differences in cargo export function explain the early embryonic requirements for SEC24C and SEC24D.


Thermoreversible and Self-Protective Sol-Gel Transition Electrolytes for All-Printed Transferable Microsupercapacitors as Safer Micro-Energy Storage Devices.
The safety issue caused by thermal runaway poses a huge threat toward the lifespan and application of high-density electrochemical energy storage devices, especially in the field of micro-energy, such as microsupercapacitors (MSCs). The heat accumulation is difficult to be eliminated, considering the narrow space inside integrated electronic devices attached to the MSC group. Active thermal management is of paramount importance to ensure the normal operation of electronic devices. However, existing one-time thermal protection strategies cannot fully meet current requirements. Herein, we report a promising thermoreversible temperature-responsive electrolyte system, which can shut down the current flow before thermal runaway occurs, thanks to the sol-gel transition of Pluronic [poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(propylene oxide)-block-poly(ethylene oxide)]-based graft copolymer solution. As the temperature rises to 80 °C, the self-protective electrolyte will change from the sol state to gel state. Meanwhile, the internal resistance increases and ionic conductivity decreases gradually as a result of the gelation of the sol electrolyte. The capacity of the energy storage device using the self-protective electrolyte is reduced by about 95%, and the ionic conductivity remains at only 1% at 80 °C compared with the initial value at room temperature, and it can be restored after cooling down. During 20 heating/cooling cycles, the electrochemical performance is substantially stable, demonstrating a potential approach to achieve repeatability and self-protection for micro-energy storage devices according to temperature changes. In addition, we integrated the as-prepared self-protective electrolyte into MSCs via three-dimensional printing technology to design an all-printed transferable micro-energy storage device with the dynamic reversible self-protection behavior, and the thermo-switchable protection mechanism under series and parallel conditions were studied under appropriate temperature window (25-80 °C). The strategy disclosed herein is expected to provide new insights into the new-generation smart MSCs for their wide applications in diverse fields such as microelectronics and wearable devices.


Safety climate, emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction among Brazilian paediatric professional nurses.
International studies indicate that job satisfaction and burnout interfere with the safety climate and quality of care. However, no evidence of such relationships is available for Brazilian paediatric hospitals. To assess the correlation and predictive effect of emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction on the perception of professional nurses at paediatric hospitals regarding safety climate and quality of care. Cross-sectional correlational design. The study was conducted with registered nurses, technician and assistant nurses from two Brazilian paediatric hospitals over 3 months in 2013-2014 using instruments to assess safety climate, quality of care, job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion. Data related to 267 professional nurses from 15 inpatient wards and 3 intensive care units were analysed. Overall, the respondents exhibited moderate emotional exhaustion, were satisfied with their jobs and considered the quality of care as good. However, the respondents exhibited low concordance as to the positive perception of the safety climate. The variables, emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction, exhibited significant correlations with safety climate and were considered predictive of the latter. Emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction among professional nurses influence the safety climate at paediatric hospitals. Investments to reduce emotional exhaustion and to improve job satisfaction among professional nurses allocated to paediatric hospitals might contribute to the patients' safety.


Metabolites from the leaf extract of Serjania yucatanensis with trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma cruzi.
The bioassay-guided phytochemical investigation of the leaf extract of Serjania yucatanensis, a woody climbing plant endemic to the Yucatan peninsula, led to the identification of a mixture of a triterpene [lup-20(29)-en-3-one] and an oxygenated sesquiterpene (β-caryophyllene oxide), as that responsible for the originally detected trypanocidal activity in the organic crude extract. Results showed that the mixture of lup-20(29)-en-3-one and β-caryophyllene oxide is active against trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi (IC(50) =80.3 μg/mL) and inhibits the egress of trypomastigotes from infected Vero cells (when tested at 100 μg/mL) without being cytotoxic.


Genomic full-length sequence of two HLA-A alleles, A*30:01:01 and A*30:04:01, identified by cloning and sequencing.
Genomic full-length sequences of HLA-A*30:01:01 and A*30:04:01, were identified by cloning and sequencing from two Chinese donors.


Association between neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and thrombosis in antiphospholipid syndrome.
The release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) is the basis of immune-mediated thrombosis. Data on the clinical relevance of NETs in antiphospholipid syndrome-related thrombosis are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the NET regulator proteins PADI4, ELANE, and MPO are associated with thrombosis in APS. A total of 152 thrombotic APS (t-APS) patients and 123 individuals without thrombosis (controls) were included. The following markers of NETs were evaluated: PADI4, ELANE, and MPO gene expression by qPCR and circulating levels of citrullinated histone H3 (H3cit) and myeloperoxidase-DNA complexes (MPO-DNA) by ELISA. The levels of circulating MPO-DNA and MPO mRNA expression and PADI4 mRNA expression were higher in t-APS patients than in controls. The mean differences were 0.05 OD (95% CI 0.01 to 0.09) in MPO-DNA levels, 1.07 AU (95% CI 0.20 to 1.93) for MPO mRNA and 0.20 AU (95% CI 0.03 to 0.36) in PADI4 mRNA fold-change. These differences were more pronounced in triple-positive patients, who had 56% increased levels of MPO-DNA, 44% increased MPO mRNA expression and 69% increased PADI4 mRNA expression compared to controls. Additionally, circulating MPO-DNA levels and MPO mRNA expression were higher in patients with recurrent thrombosis than in patients with incident thrombosis and controls. In recurrent thrombosis, levels of MPO-DNA were 43.8% higher and MPO mRNA expression was 2-fold higher than in controls. Levels of circulating MPO-DNA and PADI4 mRNA expression did not differ substantially between primary and secondary APS. Thrombotic APS was associated with increased NET formation, which was more pronounced among patients with poorer prognosis, such as those with triple antiphospholipid positivity and recurrent thrombosis. Our results provide evidence on the association of NETs and the severity of APS-related thrombosis.


Characterization of a recombinant (-)γ-lactamase from Microbacterium hydrocarbonoxydans.
A (-)γ-lactamase, Mhg, from Microbacterium hydrocarbonoxydans was over-expressed in E. coli and was characterized after purification. The maximum activity was at pH 8.0 and 60°C and the half life of Mhg was ~30 min at 75°C. The enzyme was activated by DTT. The catalytic triad of the (-)γ-lactamase is comprised of residues Ser98, Asp230, and His259 and an oxyanion hole was formed by Tyr32 and Met99 according to the alignment results. Under native conditions, the (-)γ-lactamase consists of two 31 kDa homodimers.


Geranylgeranylacetone limits secondary injury, neuronal death, and progressive necrosis and cavitation after spinal cord injury.
This study evaluates the neuroprotective effects of geranylgeranylacetone (GGA), which is known as an antiulcer agent and more recently as a heat-shock and other neuroprotective protein inducer, on secondary degeneration after spinal cord injury in rats. Crush injuries were produced at the T8 level using an extradural approach. Optimal administration conditions of GGA were established in an initial experiment by evaluating the appearance of lesions 24 h after injury in sections stained with H-E. Then, in a second experiment, animals treated with the optimal condition (600 mg/kg, 24 h before injury and thereafter every 24 h) were allowed to survive for 6 and 24 h and 1, 3, and 8 weeks after injury, and spinal cords were prepared for histological evaluation by staining for H-E for general histopathology and by silver staining for axons. There was a significant reduction (46%) in lesion volume 24 h after injury in animals treated with optimal administration conditions. The increase in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and the accumulation of neutrophils in the damaged segment of the spinal cord 4 h after injury were significantly inhibited in animals that received GGA. Lesion size and cavitation area remained smaller in treated animals throughout the post-injury survival interval. These results suggest that GGA administration significantly reduces the secondary degeneration that would otherwise occur. The mechanism by which GGA exerts its beneficial effect is unknown but may involve reduction of TNF-alpha activation at the injured cord and/or inhibition of inflammation.


Hungry for more: Low resident social engagement is indirectly associated with poor energy intake and mealtime experience in long-term care homes.
Mealtimes in long-term care (LTC) homes provide social engagement and nutritional intake to residents. Psychosocial challenges may detract from the mealtime experience, resulting in low food intake and increased risk of malnutrition. This study explores the independent effects of psychosocial factors on energy intake among LTC residents. Secondary data (Making the Most of Mealtimes [M3]) from residents in 32 Canadian LTC homes were analyzed. Data included 3-day weighed food intake, mealtime care actions taken by staff, loss of appetite, eating challenges, and other resident characteristics. Psychosocial factors (i.e., social engagement, depression, and aggressive behaviours) were measured using standardized scales. The independent effects of psychosocial factors on energy intake were tested using bivariate and linear regression analyses adjusted for loss of appetite, eating challenges, and demographic characteristics. The final sample included 604 residents (mean age = 86.8 ± 7.8 years; 31.8% male). Of the three psychosocial factors, only social engagement was associated with energy intake. Low social engagement was associated with cognitive and functional challenges, malnutrition risk, more task-focused mealtime actions by staff, and lower energy intake. Simple regression analysis revealed that individuals with low social engagement ate 59.6 kcal less per day (95% CI = -111.2, -8.0). This significant association remained when adjusting for loss of appetite, but was no longer significant when adjusting for eating challenges. Low social engagement occurs concurrently with physical and functional challenges among LTC residents, affecting both the nutritional and social aspects of mealtimes. Emphasis on socializing during mealtimes, especially for those with eating challenges (e.g., requiring assistance), may contribute to improved resident appetite and quality of life.


Resilience mediates the association between impulsivity and self-harm in Chinese adolescents.
Existing literature is supportive for the positive connection between impulsivity and self-harm (SH), nevertheless, less is known regarding to the role of resilience in this association. This research primarily explored potential mediation of resilience in the association between impulsivity and SH in a large sample of Chinese adolescents. A population-based cross-sectional survey of 4552 adolescents was conducted in southwest China. A self-administered questionnaire was adopted for data collection from all subjects. The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), the Modified version of Adolescents Self-Harm Scale (MASHS) and the Resilience Scale for Chinese Adolescents (RSCA) were used to measure impulsivity, SH, and resilience, respectively. The associations between impulsivity, resilience, and SH were estimated by using stepwise multivariate Logistic regression models. Mediation of resilience in impulsivity and SH association was evaluated by using path model. The prevalence of SH was 39.1% (95% CI: 34.0%-45.0%) for surveyed adolescents. Impulsivity and resilience were significantly associated with the prevalence of SH. Prominent dose-response association between impulsivity and SH prevalence was further confirmed. Resilience was a salient mediator which accounted for 42.90% of the total impulsivity-SH association. Among all the five dimensions of resilience, goal concentration (23.98%) and emotion regulation (21.94%) showed the strongest mediation. The findings suggest that resilience building intervention strategies, particularly those focusing on improving goal concentration, emotion regulation, and positive perception, could be effective in reducing impulsivity related SH risk among Chinses adolescents.


Bisphosphonate therapy in an infant with generalized arterial calcification with an ABCC6 mutation.
Generalized arterial calcification of infancy (GACI) is a rare genetic disorder with high infantile mortality, described to be due to ENPP1, and less commonly ABCC6 mutations. Bisphosphonate treatment has been described to improve survival in ENPP1-positive GACI patients, but few studies have described bisphosphonate treatment in ABCC6-positive patients. Without therapy, patients will die before 6 months of age. Our patient is now 3 years old, former recipient twin of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Initial fetal echocardiogram at 19 weeks showed calcifications of the ascending aorta and pulmonary artery (PA). She underwent utero laser therapy, and despite resolution of the TTTS, her follow-up scans showed progressive calcification of the aorta and PA. Postnatal echocardiogram showed calcification and supravalvar stenosis of the aorta and PA. CT on day of life 6 showed calcifications in the PAs, aortic arch, and descending aorta. Quantification of valvular calcification can be difficult; in our patient, increasing outflow tract gradient on echocardiogram was used to monitor disease progression. Molecular testing revealed an ABCC6 gene mutation. She was started on weekly IV pamidronate (0.1-0.3 mg/kg/week) on day 8 of life then transitioned to oral etidronate (15-20 mg/kg/day). Given progressive supravalvar aortic and pulmonary stenosis, she underwent surgical repair with patch augmentation of the PA and ascending aorta at 4 months old. She has done well post-operatively, continuing on enteral bisphosphonate therapy with no side effects to date. Her identical twin was confirmed to have the same mutation and remains asymptomatic with no calcifications. Aggressive bisphosphonate therapy should be started as soon as possible in patients with infantile arterial calcinosis due to ABCC6 or ENPP1 mutations. Echocardiographic evaluation can be used to monitor disease progression by arterial gradients. Molecular testing is also essential to evaluate for possible co-morbidities in these patients and pregnancy management for the future.


The Accuracy of Zygomatic Implant Placement Assisted by Dynamic Computer-Aided Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
The present systematic review aimed to investigate the accuracy of zygomatic implant (ZI) placement using dynamic computer-aided surgery (d-CAIS), static computer-aided surgery (s-CAIS), and a free-hand approach in patients with severe atrophic edentulous maxilla and/or deficient maxilla. Electronic and manual literature searches until May 2023 were performed in the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. Clinical trials and cadaver studies were selected. The primary outcome was planned/placed deviation. Secondary outcomes were to evaluate the survival of ZI and surgical complications. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted and meta-regression was utilized to compare fiducial registration amounts for d-CAIS and the different designs of s-CAIS. A total of 14 studies with 511 ZIs were included (Nobel Biocare: 274, Southern Implant: 42, SIN Implant: 16, non-mentioned: 179). The pooled mean ZI deviations from the d-CAIS group were 1.81 mm (95% CI: 1.34-2.29) at the entry point and 2.95 mm (95% CI: 1.66-4.24) at the apex point, and angular deviations were 3.49 degrees (95% CI: 2.04-4.93). The pooled mean ZI deviations from the s-CAIS group were 1.19 mm (95% CI: 0.83-1.54) at the entry point and 1.80 mm (95% CI: 1.10-2.50) at the apex point, and angular deviations were 2.15 degrees (95% CI: 1.43-2.88). The pooled mean ZI deviations from the free-hand group were 2.04 mm (95% CI: 1.69-2.39) at the entry point and 3.23 mm (95% CI: 2.34-4.12) at the apex point, and angular deviations were 4.92 degrees (95% CI: 3.86-5.98). There was strong evidence of differences in the average entry, apex, and angular deviation between the navigation, surgical guide, and free-hand groups (p < 0.01). A significant inverse correlation was observed between the number of fiducial screws and the planned/placed deviation regarding entry, apex, and angular measurements. Using d-CAIS and modified s-CAIS for ZI surgery has shown clinically acceptable outcomes regarding average entry, apex, and angular deviations. The maximal deviation values were predominantly observed in the conventional s-CAIS. Surgeons should be mindful of potential deviations and complications regardless of the decision making in different guide approaches.


Soil microbial community dynamics and assembly under long-term land use change.
We evaluated the bacterial and archaeal community dynamics and assembly in soils under forest, grassland and no-till cropping, using a high-throughput shotgun metagenomics approach. No significant alterations in alpha diversity were observed among different land uses, but beta diversity in grassland was lower than that observed in forest and no-till soils. Grassland communities showed assembly that predominantly followed the neutral model, i.e. high homogenizing selection with moderate dispersion, leading to biotic homogenization. Both no-till and forest soil communities were found to have assembly that predominantly followed a niche model, i.e. low rates of dispersal and weak homogenizing selection, resulting in maintenance of higher beta diversity relative to grasslands, indicating niche specialization or variable selection. Taken together, our results indicate that the patterns of assembly and their governing processes are dependent on the land use employed after deforestation, with consequences for taxa turnover and microbial functional potential.


Anterior prostate fat resection during prostatectomy: a histopathologic review.
A common practice during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is to dissect the anterior prostate space and send this anterior fat sample for histological analysis to assess for the presence of any malignant tissue. Theoretically, this may help with prognostication and oncological control, however, is this a futile process? To determine the incidence of malignant tissue found in the anterior prostate (APF) samples sent for histological review. All RARP patients within a single urology centre over a 2-year period were included. The pathology results of these patients were reviewed and the proportion of patients with APF sent were analysed for presence of lymph nodes and malignant tissue. 657 patients were identified. 358 patients had APF samples reviewed by the histopathologists. 38 (10.6%) samples had lymph nodes identified within the sample. Malignant lymph node tissue was found in one patient (0.3%). Given the yield of malignancy found in APF samples is so small and the financial and time burden on pathology services, this process is not worthwhile.


Pilot randomized controlled trial of a hospital-based substance use treatment and recovery team (START) to improve initiation of medication for alcohol or opioid use disorder and linkage to follow-up care.
We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) to explore whether a hospital inpatient addiction consult team (Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Team [START]) based on collaborative care was feasible, acceptable to patients, and whether it could improve uptake of medication in the hospital and linkage to care after discharge, as well as reduce substance use and hospital readmission. The START consisted of an addiction medicine specialist and care manager who implemented a motivational and discharge planning intervention. We randomized inpatients age ≥ 18 with a probable alcohol or opioid use disorder to receive START or usual care. We assessed feasibility and acceptability of START and the RCT, and we conducted an intent-to-treat analysis on data from the electronic medical record and patient interviews at baseline and 1-month postdischarge. The study compared RCT outcomes (medication for alcohol or opioid use disorder, linkage to follow-up care after discharge, substance use, hospital readmission) between arms by fitting logistic and linear regression models. Of 38 START patients, 97 % met with the addiction medicine specialist and care manager; 89 % received ≥8 of 10 intervention components. All patients receiving START found it to be somewhat or very acceptable. START patients had higher odds of initiating medication during the inpatient stay (OR 6.26, 95 % CI = 2.38-16.48, p < .001) and being linked to follow-up care (OR 5.76, 95 % CI = 1.86-17.86, p < .01) compared to usual care patients (N = 50). The study found no significant differences between groups in drinking or opioid use; patients in both groups reported using fewer substances at the 1-month follow-up. Pilot data suggest START and RCT implementation are feasible and acceptable and that START may facilitate medication initiation and linkage to follow-up for inpatients with an alcohol or opioid use disorder. A larger trial should assess effectiveness, covariates, and moderators of intervention effects.


[Effect of bradykinin on muscular glucose uptake in man (author's transl)].
Glucose metabolism of the human forearm was studied in 4 healthy volunteers by monitoring arterial deepvenous glucose concentration differences and by the determination of muscle blood flow, using 133xenon as a tracer, during 25 min intra-brachial-arterial infusion of bradykinin (13.3 ng per min). During the infusion of the kinine the forearms glucose uptake rose continuously from 0.64 +/- 0.11 micronmoles up to 1.68 +/- 0.22 micronmoles per 100 g x min after 25 min of the infusion (p less than 0.005). The enhancement of glucose uptake was partly due to the prompt small acceleration of muscle blood flow and partly to the continuously increasing glucose extraction of the forearm. From these data it is evident that besides insulin there is another physiological agent able to enhance glucose entry into the muscle cell.


Elevated ferritin is associated with relapse after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for lymphoma.
Elevated serum ferritin is associated with reduced survival following allogeneic transplantation and an increased risk of toxic and infectious complications after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT). We studied 315 patients who underwent ASCT for Hodgkin (HL) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) at our institution in whom pretransplantation ferritin was available to determine its association with survival. On multivariate analysis, a pretransplantation ferritin>685 ng/mL was associated with significantly lower overall (OS; P=.002) and relapse-free survival (RFS; P=.021). Ferritin>685 ng/mL was associated with a higher incidence of relapse (P=.005) and relapse mortality (P<.001), but not of nonrelapse mortality (NRM; P=.23). Similar results were seen when pretransplantation ferritin was analyzed as a continuous variable and by quartiles. Our results indicate the need for studies designed to correlate an elevated ferritin with iron overload and to analyze the benefit of strategies to reduce the extent of iron overload.


Age and hunting success in the brown pelican: influences of skill and patch choice on foraging efficiency.
Age-related differences in the foraging efficiency of piscivorous birds may be the results of differences in foraging skill, patch usage, or both. Brown pelicans were observed while foraging around a small Caribbean island. Areas where the birds fed were subdivided into small, homogeneous subunits (patches), and the bird's foraging success and patch use were noted and analyzed using multivariate techniques. Adult birds were found to be better at capturing prey under all conditions than were juveniles, but the differences were small in some patches. The density of prey and the birds' foraging success influenced the foraging efforts of adult and juvenile pelicans to similar degrees. Both age groups utilized local enhancement in their foraging, but such behavior augmented the foraging success only of juvenile birds. Both age groups often fed in patches where their foraging success was quite low. Such behaviour was much more costly for juvenile than for adult pelicans.


Sudoku of porous, injectable calcium phosphate cements - Path to osteoinductivity.
With the increase of global population, people's life expectancy is growing as well. Humans tend to live more active lifestyles and, therefore, trauma generated large defects become more common. Instances of tumour resection or pathological conditions and complex orthopaedic issues occur more frequently increasing necessity for bone substitutes. Composition of calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) is comparable to the chemical structure of bone minerals. Their ability to self-set and resorb in vivo secures a variety of potential applications in bone regeneration. Despite the years-long research and several products already reaching the market, finding the right properties for calcium phosphate cement to be osteoinductive and both injectable and suitable for clinical use is still a sudoku. This article is focused on injectable, porous CPCs, reviewing the latest developments on the path toward finding osteoinductive material, which is suitable for injection.


Thyroidal uptake and radiation dose after repetitive I-131-MIBG treatments: influence of potassium iodide for thyroid blocking.
In I-131-MIBG therapy, I-131-iodide can be released from the I-131-MIBG molecule. Hypothyroidism might result from the undesirable irradiation of the thyroid gland. To prevent this, stable iodide such as potassium iodide (KI) is given to oversaturate the thyroid before I-131-MIBG is administered. In the present study, the incidence of hypothyroidism (elevated TSH) was correlated with the thyroidal uptake of I-131 and dose (MIRD dosimetry) after 35 individual treatments in ten patients. Iodine-131-MIBG therapy was performed using a modified dosage of 1.9-11.1 GBq (50-300 mCi) IV. Premedication with KI was done as recommended with a dose of 100 mg KI orally from 2 days before until 4 weeks after I-131-MIBG. The absorbed thyroidal dose amounted to a very variable range of 0.2 (patient # 1) up to 30.0 (patient 3) Gy with 7.1 +/- 7.9 Gy per treatment and 24.1+/- 19.2 Gy per patient (mean+/- SD), despite the same and compliantly taken KI premedication protocol. Up to now, 4/10 or 40% of patients have developed hypothyroidism after a mean follow-up period of 11 months and a mean total administered dose of 18.7 GBq (505 mCi). A trend towards higher thyroidal doses was seen in the hypothyroid patients. This study observes a general high inter- and intra-individual variability in radio-iodide uptake in the thyroid after I-131-MIBG therapy despite KI premedication, as well as possible occurrence of hypothyroidism. A dose-response relationship needs confirmation on a larger cohort of patients to reach statistical value. An alternative thyroid cytoprotection strategy for possible long-term survivors may be considered.


Simian virus 40 and its association with human lymphomas.
Simian virus 40 (SV40) is a potent DNA tumor virus that is known to induce cancer in laboratory animals. The neoplasias induced by SV40 in animal models are brain cancers, mesothelioma, bone cancers, and systemic lymphomas. SV40 oncogenesis is mediated primarily by the viral large tumor antigen, which inactivates the tumor suppressor proteins p53 and pRb family members. Evidence indicates that SV40 is an emergent human pathogen and that a significant excess risk of SV40 is associated with primary human brain cancers, malignant mesothelioma, bone cancers, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Therefore, the major types of tumors induced by SV40 in laboratory animals are the same as those human malignancies found to contain SV40 markers. Experimental and clinical data indicate that SV40 may be functionally important in the development of some of those malignancies. Recently, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies concluded that SV40 infections could lead to cancer in humans under natural conditions (based on moderate strength biologic evidence). This review examines the data implicating SV40 in the pathogenesis of human lymphomas and discusses future directions to define the causative role for SV40 in these malignancies.


Safety and Efficacy of Eltrombopag in Children and Adults with Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Immune thrombocytopenia is an immune condition where antibodies are produced against platelets. Eltrombopag is a thrombopoietin receptor agonist that stimulates and promotes platelet production approved for treating thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia, where other treatments such as corticosteroids, splenectomy or immunoglobulins are inadequate. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the eltrombopag in adults and children with immune thrombocytopenia. We included 7 studies with a total of 765 patients (606 adults and 159 children). We evaluated the number of patients that achieved a post-treatment platelet count equal or above 50x109/L (primary result-target) without the need of rescue treatment for at least 4 weeks. Our data showed that patients who received eltrombopag were almost 4 times more probable in achieving the primary target when compared to patients who received placebo (RR 3.84, 95% CI 2.39 to 6.14; I2 = 46%). The number of patients needed rescue treatment and the number of bleeding incidents were reduced in the group that received eltrombopag when compared to those who received placebo (RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.62; I2 = 40%) (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.89; I2 = 68%). The total number of side effects did not statistically differ between the two groups (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.08; I2 = 14%). Our findings were similar to previously published studies and confirm that eltrombopag is safe and efficient in immune thrombocytopenia. However, more clinical trials are needed in order to enhance our findings.


[Related factors analysis of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leak recurrence after endoscope operation].
To Summarize and analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment of patients with spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, and to explore the related factors of recurrence. Retrospective- ly analyze the clinical data of 58 patients of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea from July 2002 to July 2012, combined with its clinical characteristics, and statistically analyze the related recurrence factors. Fifty-eight cases were accepted the nasal endoscopic repairment of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrheak, follow-up 3 years, 20 cases (34.5%) recurred, 1 case recurred in half a year after operation. In the first year, there were 10 cases recurred. In the second year there were 9 cases recurred, and 1 case recurred in the third year. Through multiariable analysis it was found that higher BMI, empty sella and skull base bone defect were the independent risk factors influencing the recurrence of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea (P < 0.05). The recurrence rate of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea is high, needing long-term follow-up. Higher BMI, empty sella, skull base bone defect are independent risk factors of recurrence of the disease, and the treatment should be individualized.


Genital herpes beliefs: implications for sexual health.
Genital herpes (HSV) is exceedingly common in the United States and women are disproportionally affected. This study aims to describe young women's beliefs about HSV and examine the correlates of those beliefs. A 40-item Herpes Representation measure (HSV-RoSTD) and a demographic questionnaire were administered to a convenience sample of young women. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, t-tests and Pearson's correlations. Four women's health clinics and one large state university. 302 women aged 18-24 years. None. Four dimensions of HSV representations (cause, identity, future perspective, and psychosocial consequences), age and STD testing history. Nearly all (98%) believed that HSV would result in genital sores and 68% believed they could tell if their sexual partner had HSV. Most (89%) understood the longevity of HSV; however, 30% believed that they could take a pill to get rid of the infection, and 15% indicated that it was likely they would die from HSV. Negative beliefs about the psychosocial impact of HSV were common as 95% indicated they would be depressed and 90% indicated concern about sex and partner notification. Those who were younger and those who had never been tested for STDs believed a genital herpes infection is highly symptomatic. Finally, negative beliefs about the psychosocial consequences of HSV were associated with beliefs about HSV being symptomatic, having a negative impact on future health, and being associated with sexual risk behaviors. Young women have misconceptions about HSV, particularly regarding the symptomatology and the role of HSV medication. Noteworthy concerns about the negative psychosocial consequences of an HSV diagnosis were also raised, all of which have implications for young women's sexual health.


Tumor-associated macrophage, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis markers predict prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer patients.
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a critical player in tumor progression, metastasis and therapy outcomes. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are a well-recognized core element of the TME and generally characterized as M2-like macrophages. TAMs are believed to contribute to tumor progression, but the mechanism behind this remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the clinical, angiogenic, and lymphangiogenic significance of TAMs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Utilizing combined immunohistochemistry and digital image analysis, we assessed CD68, CD163, VEGF-A, and VEGF-C expression in 349 patients with NSCLC. Subsequently, the potential association between M2 TAMs and angiogenic VEGF-A and/or lymphangiogenic VEGF-C was evaluated for its prognostic value. Furthermore, the effects of M2 TAMs on angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis were explored via an in vitro co-culture system. CD68 and CD163 expression were found to directly correlate with VEGF-A and/or VEGF-C expression (all p < 0.001). Furthermore, elevated M2 ratio (CD163+/CD68+) was significantly associated with poor overall survival (p = 0.023). Dual expression of M2 ratiohigh and VEGF-Chigh (M2 ratiohighVEGF-Chigh) was correlated with worse overall survival (p = 0.033). Multivariate analysis revealed that M2 ratiohigh [HR (95% CI) = 1.53 (1.01-2.33), p = 0.046] and combined M2 ratiohighVEGF-Chigh expression [HR (95% CI) = 2.01 (1.28-3.16), p = 0.003] were independent predictors of poor overall survival. Notably, we confirmed that M2 macrophages significantly enhanced the protein and mRNA expression of both VEGF-A and VEGF-C, while M1 macrophages induced only mRNA expression of VEGF-A in A549 cells. This study suggests that TAMs are significantly associated with angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, contributing to the progression of NSCLC. Furthermore, elevated M2 ratio, similar to combined high M2 ratio and high VEGF-C expression, is a strong indicator of poor prognosis in patients with NSCLC, providing insight for future TAM-based immunotherapy strategies.


Allergy to Ficus benjamina (weeping fig) in nonatopic subjects.
Occupational allergy to Ficus benjamina (Fb), or weeping fig, occurs in about one in four plant-keepers. Sensitization to this plant occurs in about 3-4% of persons with clear-cut atopy. I now report on four female nonatopic patients with rhinoconjunctivitis who were sensitized only to weeping fig. All four had a positive skin prick test and RAST test to Fb. The identification of a preventable respiratory allergen is of considerable importance for the patient. Inclusion of Fb in the standard prick test panel may therefore be considered. Furthermore, the findings suggest that it may be unwise to choose Fb as an ornamental indoor plant.


Evaluation of low-dose rituximab for the retreatment of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: a non-inferiority randomised controlled trial.
The licensed dose of rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is two doses of 1000 mg given 2 weeks apart. A lower dose has never been specifically studied in patients with an inadequate response to anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents. To compare the efficacy and safety of rituximab repeat treatment with two doses (1000 mg×1 and 1000 mg×2) following initial treatment with 1000 mg×2. We set up an open-label, prospective, multicentre, non-inferiority study comprising a non-controlled period (24 weeks) followed by a randomised controlled period (weeks 24-104) in patients with RA and an inadequate response to anti-TNF agents. All patients received one course of rituximab (1000 mg×2) with methotrexate. At week 24, patients achieving a EULAR response (moderate or good) were randomised to rituximab retreatment at 1000 mg×1 (Arm A) or 1000 mg×2 (Arm B). The primary objective measure was disease activity in 28 joints C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) area under the curve (AUC) over 104 weeks with a non-inferiority margin defined by 20% (444) of the mean DAS28-CRP AUC (mean±SD 2218±967) of the reference data. The intent-to-treat and per-protocol (PP) populations comprised 143 (A/B: 70/73) and 100 (A/B: 51/49) patients, respectively. The adjusted mean difference in DAS28-CRP AUC (PP) was 51.4 (95% CI -131.2 to 234), demonstrating non-inferiority between arms A and B. The overall rituximab safety profile was similar with both retreatment regimens. Following a clinical response to a first course of rituximab in RA at the licensed dose of 1000 mg×2, retreatment with rituximab at 1000 mg×1 results in efficacy outcomes that are non-inferior to those achieved with retreatment at 1000 mg×2. NCT01126541.