Berberine suppresses cecal ligation and puncture induced intestinal injury by enhancing Treg cell function.
The gut is hypothesized to be the "motor" of critical illness and plays an important role in the development of sepsis. Berberine (BBR) is an alkaloid compound extracted from herbs, which has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative effects and can be used in intestinal infectious diseases and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). BBR could promote differentiation of Treg cells which play a key role in maintaining intestinal immune homeostasis. However, its effect on sepsis-induced intestinal injury remains poorly understood. This study investigated the effect of BBR on cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced intestinal injury and explained the underlying mechanism. These results showed that BBR treatment decreased the mortality of septic mice, alleviated intestinal injury and reduced serum endotoxin level; at the same time, BBR had a protective effect on CLP-induced lung and liver apoptosis. Meanwhile, BBR treatment increased the proportion of Treg cells and CTLA-4 in Treg cells. Treg cells from BBR treatment mice could decrease the pro-inflammatory response by inhibiting the activation of macrophages, thus exerting a protective effect on CLP-induced intestinal injury, and CTLA-4 mediated cell-cell contact pathway is required for this protective effect.


Case report: Meningitis: a cause of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome?
Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is characterized by thunderclap headache and reversible cerebral arteries vasoconstriction. The pathophysiology remains unclear, but many triggers were reported. We reported two cases of patients with meningitis who developed RCVS confirmed by brain imaging. They presented clinical and CSF features of meningitis that are suspected to be infectious, but no agent was identified. Headache and artery irregularities were resolved with the improvement of CSF. These cases suggest that in the context of meningitis, modification or atypical headaches should lead to brain imaging to rule out RCVS. We hypothesized that CSF inflammation may trigger cerebral arteries vasoconstriction.


Bibliometric analysis of the global research status and trends of the association between Vitamin D and infections from 2001 to 2021.
The objective of this study was the visualization of hot spots and evolving trends in research on the association between vitamin D and infections through the use of bibliometric analysis. Based on 3046 relevant articles collected in the Web of Science Core Collection for the period of 2001-2021, the data were processed using CiteSpace software. GraphPad software was used for some of the graphics. A total of 3,046 literature were retrieved, with an average citation frequency of 27.89 times. The number of published papers in the direction of "Immunology" (453 articles, 14.9%) and "Infectious diseases" (312 articles, 10.2%) is much higher. The United States presents the highest publication count (890, 29.2%) and shows a strong leadership in this field. Country burst shows that since 2015, many developing countries and low-income countries have carried out enthusiastic research in this regard, including China, Pakistan, and Iran. As for institutions, the League of European Research Universities produces a larger proportion of articles (220, 7.2%). In terms of authors, Martineau AR and Camargo CA have the highest number of published articles, contributing 30 (0.99%) and 28 articles (0.92%), respectively. Major studies are supported by the United States Department of Health Human Services funding (394, 12.9%). According to the keyword co-occurrence diagram, the 10 most frequent keywords from 2001 to 2021 are "vitamin D", "infection", "d deficiency", "risk", "association", "expression", "disease", "d supplementation", "vitamin d deficiency", and "children". The top 10 cited articles in 2021 are all related to COVID-19, suggesting it is a hotspot in recent times. Research on the association between vitamin D and infection has grown rapidly since 2012 and is generally developing well. While developed Western countries continue to be leading roles in this field, research trends in developing countries are also very promising. It is demonstrated that the relationship between vitamin D and respiratory infections, especially respiratory viruses and the more recently COVID-19, has received a lot of attention in the last two decades, suggesting that this is the hotspot and frontier of research issue.


Efficacy of high-dose corticosteroid in the early stage of viral acute liver failure.
Acute liver failure (ALF) is a worldwide problem despite its rare incidence because of its extremely high mortality. There are no beneficial therapies except for emergency liver transplantation for ALF. However, in Japan where the problem of a shortage of donor livers still remains, therapies other than transplantation must be further investigated for patients with ALF. Our aim was to elucidate the efficacy of high-dose corticosteroid (CS) in decreasing liver enzyme levels in the early stage of ALF. Thirty-one consecutive Japanese patients with viral ALF in the early stage were prospectively examined for their clinical and biochemical features and treatment responses during 2 weeks after the start of treatment. Nineteen were treated with high-dose methylprednisolone, and 12 having clinical and biochemical backgrounds with no significant difference were treated without CS. The aspartate aminotransferase : alanine aminotransferase ratio became lower in patients treated with CS than in controls (P < 0.05). Fifteen of 19 patients in the CS group and eight of 12 in the control group recovered (P = 0.36). Hepatitis B viral infection and advanced liver damage at the start of treatment were associated with poor prognosis (P < 0.05). Complications during the therapy were not greater in the CS group than control (P = 0.64). The introduction of high-dose CS in the early stage of ALF was effective in suppressing the destruction of hepatocytes. CS-treated patients showed slightly higher survival rates and slightly more improved liver regeneration than controls, although the differences were not statistically significant.


A new combined HIV p24 antigen and anti-HIV-1/2/O screening assay.
It is important to shorten the window period after acute HIV infection in which infected individuals are still antibody-negative, especially in blood donors. Newly developed fourth-generation assays detect antibodies to HIV-1, including subtype O, and to HIV-2 and, simultaneously, p24 antigen of HIV-1. To evaluate this assay for daily routine work we compared it with different third-generation assays using sera from uninfected patients and patients with known HIV infection. The most interesting sera are those drawn during seroconversion from freshly infected patients. Whenever we encounter such a patient with acute HIV infection we store the serum in aliquots at -20 degrees C. Thus, we were able to establish our own seroconversion panel and use it in our laboratory for evaluation of new assays. The new test was shown to be able to detect all chronically HIV-infected individuals and four of six patients during seroconversion although in two of these patients conventional assays for HIV antibodies were still negative. The rate of unspecific reactivities was slightly higher as compared with third-generation assays.


Prevalence and clinicopathological associations of HER2 expression in non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective study in Jordanian patients.
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), a promising therapeutic target, can be mutated, amplified, or overexpressed in different malignancies, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although these alterations showed adverse prognostic effects in many cancers, their clinical significance in NSCLC is controversial. This study primarily assessed the prevalence of HER2 protein expression in NSCLC among Jordanian patients. In addition, the possible association between HER2 protein expression and clinicopathological variables was evaluated. A total of 100 surgically resected NSCLC cases treated at King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) between 2009 and 2021 were examined for HER2 protein expression using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) guidelines for breast cancer were applied to interpret the results with a final score ranging from 0 to 3+, considering a score of 3 + as overexpression. Additionally, a separate subset of patients was tested for HER2 gene mutation. Fisher's exact test was used to assess the association between HER2 scores and the other variables. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival. Of the 100 cases, Her2 overexpression (score 3+) was detected in 2 cases (2%), score 2 + in 10 cases (10%), score 1 + in 12 cases (12%), and score 0 in 76 cases (76%). The two positive cases were one adenocarcinoma and one squamous cell carcinoma; both patients were elderly male smokers. No significant association was identified between Her2 expression and age, gender, smoking, histological subtype, grade, stage, tumor size, and lymph node status. Our findings also showed no association between Her2 expression and survival; however, advanced tumor stages and positive lymph node metastasis were significantly associated with poor overall survival. All cases tested for the Her2 mutation were negative. Her2 overexpression is uncommon in NSCLC among the Jordanian population. However, when the same scoring criteria are used, the rates are similar to other results found in Asian cohorts. Due to our study's relatively small sample size, a larger one is required to investigate the prognostic value and the molecular associations between the different Her2 alterations.


Social Epidemiology of Depression and Anxiety by Gender Identity.
This study investigates depression and anxiety in gender minority (i.e., transgender and/or gender nonconforming) compared with nongender minority (cisgender) young adults. Data were from the Growing Up Today Study, a national cohort of U.S. young adults. A two-step method (maternal-reported natal sex in 1996 cross-classified with participant-reported current gender identity in 2010) was used to identify gender minority and nongender minority respondents (n = 7,831; mean age = 26 years). Differences in past week depressive symptoms and anxious symptoms were examined cross-sectionally by gender identity. Gender minority and nongender minority respondents were compared using age-adjusted logistic regression models. In gender minorities, the prevalence of depressive and anxious symptoms meeting clinical cutoffs was 52% and 38%, respectively, compared with nongender minorities (27% and 30% in females and 25% and 14% in males; p < .01). Gender identity is an understudied social determinant of mental health. Surveillance efforts to monitor mental health disparities should include survey questions to assess gender identity in epidemiologic research. Research and interventions to understand and ameliorate mental health disparities by gender identity are needed.


NMR studies of intracellular sodium ions in amphibian oocytes, ovulated eggs, and early embryos.
23Na NMR, in combination with an anionic paramagnetic shift reagent dysprosium bis(tripolyphosphate), has been used to study intracellular Na+ in Rana oocytes, ovulated eggs, and early cleavage embryos. The technique allows accurate and simultaneous determination of both extracellular space and intracellular Na+ concentration. In prophase-arrested, follicle-enclosed oocytes, only about 17% of the total oocyte Na+ (approximately 40 mmol/kg of cells) was NMR-visible. Homogenizing oocytes in 0.24 M sucrose did not significantly affect the 23Na resonance. About 30% of the total oocyte Na+ was associated with the yolk platelets isolated at room temperature by differential centrifugation. NMR analysis, however, did not yield a detectable 23Na signal from these intact platelets. Thus, while yolk platelets are rich in Na+, this Na+ does not contribute to the oocyte 23Na NMR signal. Denuded oocytes, obtained by removing the follicular epithelium, gained about 10 mmol of total Na+/kg of cells and exhibited a comparable increase in NMR-visible Na+, suggesting the existence of compartments with varying degree of NMR visibility within the oocyte. Partially relaxed 23Na Fourier transform NMR spectra revealed the existence of at least two major intracellular compartments of NMR-visible Na+ with different magnetic environments and relaxation behavior in denuded oocytes. Since platelet Na+ appears to be NMR-invisible, one of the two observed compartments may be the nucleus. Progesterone action on the amphibian oocyte caused measurable changes in NMR-visible Na+. By ovulation (second metaphase), there is a gain in total egg Na+, and the NMR-visible Na+ is also increased. Following fertilization, however, there is some loss of total cell Na+ but, by the 2-4 cell stage, about 70% of the total Na+ becomes NMR-visible. These results indicate that a sizable fraction of the Na+ in follicle-enclosed, prophase oocyte is sequestered and located in NMR-invisible compartments and that changes in NMR-visible intracellular Na+ occur following hormonal and developmental stimuli.


Direct blood group typing of forensic samples using a simple monoclonal antibody assay.
A simple direct test for blood group antigens in samples of blood, dried blood, dried blood associated with fabric, semen, vaginal secretions, saliva and fingerprints is described. This test takes advantage of monoclonal antibodies which have been produced in this laboratory, but which are also becoming available commercially in ever increasing numbers. The test is sensitive and reliable as evidenced by its performance in blind studies of more than 700 blood samples. The test requires no special equipment and can be completed in 4 h. The test is sufficiently versatile that new antibodies can be added to the same test format as they become available.


Infectious disease physician characteristics and prescription of meropenem in the hospital.
Physician characteristics may be correlated with medical treatment decisions and patient outcomes. This study examined the correlations between characteristics of infectious disease (ID) physicians and the use of the restricted antimicrobial meropenem. This was a retrospective cohort study following 27 attending ID physicians for 5 years at a large academic medical center. All inpatient ID clinical encounters between 2013 and 2018 were assessed for physician and patient characteristics, including patient Charlson Comorbidity Index, patient sex, ID service seeing the patient, physician career stage, physician training location, and physician sex. Adjusted and unadjusted odds ratios were calculated for the receipt of meropenem on the same day as an ID clinical note. Between 2013 and 2018, meropenem was administered on the same day as 9046 (11.1%) of 81,787 inpatient ID encounters. After adjustment for patient and practice-specific factors, physician career stage was associated with administration of meropenem. Patients seen by mid-career and late-career ID physicians were more likely to receive meropenem than those seen by early-career physicians (aOR 1.22 95% confidence interval [CI 1.13-1.31 and aOR 1.17 95% CI 1.10-1.25, respectively). ID provider characteristics may help target future antimicrobial stewardship program interventions.


Microscopic analyses of weathered granite in ion-adsorption rare earth deposit of Jianxi Province, China.
Weathered granite of ion-adsorption rare earth elements (REEs) ore collected at Jiangxi Province, China was investigated to identify the minerals abundant in REEs. The analyses of scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) for individual mineral particles of the weathered granite showed that kaolinitic particles formed by K-feldspar weathering contained large amounts of REEs. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM)-EDS analyses revealed that the kaolinitic particles were mainly composed of kaolinite, illite and hematite. The elemental maps by Nano-SIMS for the kaolinitic particle clarified that La and Y are particularly concentrated in illite. The presence of illite presumably contributes to the formation of the REE accumulation zone in weathered granite. Furthermore, in the in-situ desorption experiment, nearly half the REEs (45.5%) remained in the kaolinitic particle after the treatment with 0.5 M ammonium sulfate solution. The desorption ratio of heavy REEs (HREEs: Gd-Lu) (60.4%) was lower than that of light REEs (LREEs: La-Eu) apart from Ce (69.0%). These results suggest that REEs form inner-sphere complexes on the kaolinitic particle. It can be assumed that the inner-sphere complexation suppresses the extraction ratio of REEs from the ores by ion-exchange treatment.


Lipid-based microtubes for topical delivery of amphotericin B.
The self-assembly process is a valuable tool for constructing nano and microstructures. Microtubes (MTs) self-assembled from amphiphiles are novel promising nanomaterials as they have easy self-assembly in aqueous solutions, reproducibility and biocompatibility. The incorporation of amphotericin B (AmB) into lipid microtubes formed from 12-hydroxystearic acid (12HSA) when mixed with ethanolamine in aqueous media was investigated. MTs of several concentrations of lipid material and AmB were prepared. The structure was characterized by phase-contrast microscopy, TEM and SEM. The type of interaction was analyzed by FTIR and DSC. Stability studies were carried out at room temperature and at 4 °C. Loading efficiency of the system was found to be much higher than the drug solubility in water. MTs with 1% of 12HSA and 1 mg/ml of AmB showed to be the most stable formulation. In vitro skin penetration assay showed a flux of 18.20±3.35 μg/cm(2). Amb-loaded MTs in vitro antifungal activity was evaluated and formulation showed similar results to that of AmB deoxycholate showing that AmB retained its antifungal activity in the MTs formulation.


Nitric oxide and nitrous oxide production in anaerobic/anoxic nitrite-denitrifying phosphorus removal process: effect of phosphorus concentration.
Nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous oxide (N2O) production in biological nutrient removal has been studied widely due to the strong negative effects on the environment. Nitrite-denitrifying phosphorus removal (N-DPR), as a significant source of NO and N2O production, has received great attention. However, the mechanism of NO and N2O production at different phosphorus concentrations is not well understood. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of phosphorus concentration on pollutant removal, as well as NO and N2O production during the N-DPR process. The results showed that the phosphorus removal efficiency was improved with the increase of phosphorus concentration, which is caused by the enrichment of denitrifying phosphorus accumulating organisms (DPAOs) at high phosphorus concentration. High NO production was observed at phosphorus concentration of 0.5 mg L-1, which is mainly attributed to the slow recovery of reductase activity and low abundance of DPAOs. The maximal N2O accumulation of 31.45 mg L-1 was also achieved at phosphorus concentration of 0.5 mg L-1. The possible reason is that fewer poly-β-hydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) were synthesized by glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) at low phosphorus concentration, which could intensify the electron competition among different reductases. In addition, free nitrous acid (FNA) inhibition was another significant reason for high N2O production.


Fungi-assisted silver nanoparticle synthesis and their applications.
Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing field because of its wide range of applications in science, nanoscience and biotechnology. Nanobiotechnology deals with nanomaterials synthesised or modified using biotechnology. Fungi are used to synthesise metal nanoparticles and they have vast applications in wound healing, pathogen detection and control, food preservation, textiles, fabrics, etc. The present review describes the different types of fungi used for the biosyntheses of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), along with their characterisation and possible biological applications. AgNPs synthesised by other physical and chemical methods are expensive and have toxic substances adsorbed onto them. Therefore, green, simple and effective approaches have been chosen for the biosynthesis of AgNPs, which are very important because of their lower toxicity and environmentally friendly behaviour. AgNPs synthesised using fungi have high monodispersity, specific composition and a narrow size range. In this regard, among the different biological methods used for metal nanoparticle synthesis, fungi are considered to be a superior biogenic method owing to their diversity and better size control. To further understand the biosynthesis of AgNPs using various fungi and evaluate their potential applications, this review discusses the antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antidermatophytic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, hepatoprotective, cytotoxic, hypotensive, and immunomodulatory activities of these AgNPs. The synthesis of AgNPs using fungi is a clean, green, inexpensive, eco-friendly, reliable, and safe method that can be used for a range of applications in real life for the benefit of human beings.


Diffuse unilateral pediatric arteriopathy: successful treatment with repeated angioplasty.
We report a three-year-old girl exhibiting severe long-segment stenoses and occlusions with diffuse arterial involvement of the upper and lower extremities on the right side. The obstructive lesions, which caused atrophy of the right limb and chronic ulceration of the foot, were treated successfully with repeated percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Obstructive peripheral arterial disease can cause growth retardation of the involved extremity, which can be salvaged by repeated endovascular therapy even in a small growing child.


12-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid upregulates P-selectin-induced tissue factor activity on monocytes.
12-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE), a product of the platelet lipoxygenase pathway, amplifies tissue factor expression by P-selectin-stimulated monocytes in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. The same effect is observed when monocytes are incubated with Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with the P-selectin cDNA. Both 5-HETE and leukotriene C4 are inactive in this system. Furthermore, the effect is not dependent on non-specific monocyte adhesion, since monocytes incubated with CHO cells expressing E-selectin do not express tissue factor, either in the presence or in the absence of 12-HETE. These results show that 12-HETE is a cofactor for the expression of tissue factor by monocytes.


Quantile VAR network evidence for spillover effects and connectivity between China's stock markets, green commodities, and Bitcoin.
Numerous economic and financial crises, particularly the present crisis in the healthcare sector, have pushed major shock spillover channels over stock marketplaces. This research studied how the shock spillover system is affected by three significant factors: Bitcoins, unpredictability, and the China stock market between 2014 and 2021. While much earlier empirical research has looked at risk dispersion in different financial markets, this article will zero in on green markets. This investigation seeks to accomplish something that has never been done before: determine whether or not green commodities, Bitcoin, and uncertainty impact the performance of the China stock market. The following are significant results based on a quantile vector autoregressive (VAR) connection. (i) A static spillover system indicates that information was widely shared across markets during intense market circumstances. (ii) The global green economy and clean energy marketplaces are the primary sources of knowledge spillover in adverse market conditions. This research elucidates the asymmetrical influence of green products, Bitcoin, and market volatility in China. This is vital due to the dynamic nature of international and regional connections. Recent studies have shown that shock spillovers are excellent for cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), uncertainty indices, and global carbon indexes, but bad for most eco-friendly products.


Complexes formed with integrin-α5 and KCNB1 potassium channel wild type or epilepsy-susceptibility variants modulate cellular plasticity via Ras and Akt signaling.
Voltage-gated potassium (K+) channel subfamily B member 1 (KCNB1, Kv2.1) and integrin-α5 form macromolecular complexes-named integrin-α5-KCNB1 complexes (IKCs)-in the human brain, but their function was poorly understood. Here we report that membrane depolarization triggered IKC intracellular signals mediated by small GTPases of the Ras subfamily and protein kinase B (Akt) to advance the development of filopodia and lamellipodia in Chinese hamster ovary cells, stimulate their motility, and enhance neurite outgrowth in mouse neuroblastoma Neuro2a cells. Five KCNB1 mutants (L211P, R312H G379R, G381R, and F416L) linked to severe infancy or early-onset epileptic encephalopathy exhibited markedly defective conduction. However, although L211P, G379R, and G381R normally engaged Ras/Akt and stimulated cell migration, R312H and F416L failed to activate Ras/Akt signaling and did not enhance cell migration. Taken together, these data suggest that IKCs modulate cellular plasticity via Ras and Akt signaling. As such, defective IKCs may cause epilepsy through mechanisms other than dysregulated excitability such as, for example, abnormal neuronal development and resulting synaptic connectivity.-Yu, W., Shin, M. R., Sesti, F. Complexes formed with integrin-α5 and KCNB1 potassium channel wild type or epilepsy-susceptibility variants modulate cellular plasticity via Ras and Akt signaling.


Measurement of tritiated norepinephrine metabolism in intact rat brain.
A procedure for the study of NE metabolism in the intact rat brain is described. The method involves ventriculocisternal perfusion of the adult male rat with artificial CSF containing [3H]NE. Radioactivity in the perfusate associated with NE and its metabolites 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid (DOMA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (DHPG), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid (VMA), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (MHPG), and normetanephrine (NMN) is separated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). After 80 min the radioactivity in the perfusate reaches an apparent steady-state. Analysis of the steady-state samples shows higher activity in the fractions corresponding to DHPG and MHPG than in those corresponding to DOMA and VMA, confirming glycol formation as the major pathway of NE metabolism in rat brain. Pretreatment with an MAO inhibitor (tranylcypromine) results in a marked decrease in the deaminated metabolites DHPG and MHPG and a concurrent increase in NMN. The results indicate this to be a sensitive procedure for the in vivo determination of changes in NE metabolism.


Applied information quality: a framework for thinking about the quality of specific information.
Information quality, considered abstractly, may seem to be a relatively straightforward matter. Information should be accurate, up to date, useful, and attributable to reputable sources. However, determining the quality of a specific piece of information for a specific use is a more complicated process. The concept of applied information quality is defined in this paper as a judgment of information quality (1) made by a specific person or persons, (2) in a specific situational context for use of that information, and (3) based on the characteristics of the information. Each of the three elements of the judgment influences its outcome. Information judgments are made by individuals in the context of their discipline and community of practice. The situational context includes the specifics of the context for use of the information, the questions that the information must address, the strategy for locating potentially relevant information, and the body of information that is retrieved and is available for judgment and use. The paper focuses on the third element of a judgment of information quality--the characteristics of the information on which the judgment is based. These characteristics are grouped for discussion under six metaquestions: What is the information item of interest? How was the focal information created and when? Who is involved with the focal information? From what perspective was the information created and why? What relationships does the focal information have to other information--its antecedents, sources, and other related information? What approval, review, or other filtering processes, if any, has the information gone through? Approaches to improving quality judgments can focus on improving the information itself, improving the channels that organize and deliver information, or improving the individual's ability to judge the quality of information for a specific purpose. These are not mutually exclusive and, probably, all should be pursued. Applied judgments of information quality are ultimately the responsibility of the individuals using information; they need to be supported in this professional activity as they are in the other responsibilities of their professional practice.


Identification of egg-jelly substances triggering sperm acrosome reaction in the newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster.
Our previous studies have shown that the acrosome reaction (AR) occurs in egg-jelly of the Japanese newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster. This is analogous to the substances of echinoderms but distinct from those of many other vertebrates derived from the egg envelope or its derivative, the zona pellucida. To identify the AR-inducing substances in newt egg jelly, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) was generated against the jelly by screening the culture supernatants to find the one that best neutralized the AR-inducing activity of the jelly substance. The mAb specifically reacted to protein bands in the jelly. These proteins, with apparent molecular weights of 122 and 90 kDa, exhibited AR-inducing activity, indicating that they are definitely AR-inducing substances. Western blotting using the mAb indicated that the 122 and 90 kDa proteins are present only in the egg jelly's outermost layer, where AR-inducing activity is known to occur. Both proteins were recognized with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), a lectin that inhibits AR-induction in egg jelly extract. Taken together, these findings indicate that the 122 and 90 kDa proteins are the AR-inducing substances in the egg jelly of C. pyrrhogaster. The WGA recognition of the proteins was lost by N-glycosidase digestion, suggesting that N-linked carbohydrate moieties in these proteins may be responsible for the AR-inducing activity.


Correlation between the structural and functional differentiation of chick embryo cardiomyocytes in cellular aggregates.
In order to establish the possible relation of the structural characteristics acquired by cardiomyocytes and their functional differentiation (spontaneous contractions), a study of the myofibrillogenesis on chick embryo at Hamburger-Hamilton stage 5 was carried out using techniques of dissociation and cellular reaggregation.


Origin and proliferation of astroglia in the immature rat cerebellar cortex. A double label autoradiographic study.
The proliferating astroglia cells of the cerebellar internal granular layer (IGL) were studied by a 3H--14C double label autoradiographic technique in 1 mu thick sections of the resin embedded cerebellum of 6-7 day old rats. It was concluded that the proliferating cells undergo repeated mitotic cycles inside the IGL. Thus claims of their acquisition from the external granular layer could be disproved. Calculated from the ratio of 3H- and 3H + 14C-labelled cells, the length of the S phase was 6 hours.


ACCIDENTAL DUPLICATION: Beyond interstrand crosslinks repair: Contribution of FANCD2 and other Fanconi Anemia proteins to the replication of DNA.
The Publisher regrets that this article is an accidental duplication of an article that has already been published, http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2017.09.006. This duplicate article has therefore been withdrawn. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal.


The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on treatment delay and short-term neurological functional prognosis for acute ischemic stroke during the lockdown period.
Preventive strategies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic may negatively influence the management of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Nowadays, studies have demonstrated that the pandemic has led to a delay in treatment among patients with AIS. Whether this delay contributes to meaningful short-term outcome differences warranted further exploration. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment delay and short-term outcomes of patients with AIS treated with IVT and MT. Patients admitted before (from 11/1/2019 to 1/31/2020) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (from 2/1/2020 to 3/31/2020) were screened for collecting sociodemographic data, medical history information, and symptom onset status, and comparing the effect of treatment delay. The patients treated with IVT or MT were compared for delay time and neurological outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the effect of treatment delay on short-term neurological prognosis. In this study, 358 patients receiving IVT were included. DTN time increased from 50 min (IQR 40-75) before to 65 min (IQR 48-84), p = 0.048. 266 patients receiving MT were included. The DTP was 120 (112-148) min vs. 160 (125-199) min before and during the pandemic, p = 0.002. Patients with stroke during the pandemic had delays in treatment due to the need for additional PPE (p < 0.001), COVID-19 screening processes (p < 0.001), multidisciplinary consultation (p < 0.001), and chest CT scans (p < 0.001). Compared with pre-COVID-19, during the pandemic, patients had a higher likelihood of spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage after IVT (OR: 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03-1.30) and a lower likelihood of mRS scores 0-2 at discharge (OR: 0.90; 95% CI, 0.78-0.99). In logistic regression analysis, high NIHSS score at admission, increasing age, worse pre-admission mRS, large vessel occlusion, admission during the lockdown period, and low mTICI grade after MT were associated with an mRS ≥ 3. The COVID-19 pandemic has had remarkable impacts on the management of AIS. The pandemic might exacerbate certain time delays and play a significant role in early adverse outcomes in patients with AIS.


Interstitial brachytherapy with iodine-125 seeds for low grade brain stem gliomas in adults: diagnostic and therapeutic intervention in a one-step procedure.
To report on iodine-125 (I125) interstitial irradiation in the treatment of low grade brain stem gliomas in adults. Ten patients with well-circumscribed lesions of the brainstem and histological confirmation of low grade glioma treated with stereotactically implanted I-125 seed in our department between 1995 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. In 9 patients the lesion was treated with one I-125 seed and in one patient, 2 spatial separated lesions were implanted, therefore a total of 11 I-125 seeds were implanted. The mean volume of the 11 lesions was 2.76 ml (range: 0.5-7.2 ml), mean activity of the seeds was 6.23 mCi (range: 1.5-11.1 mCi), mean duration of irradiation was 28.5 days (range: 21-41 days) and mean effective dose rate was 9.16 cGy/h (range: 6.2-12 cGy/h). The 30 days perioperative morbidity and mortality rate was 0%. Median follow up was 72.5 month (range 5-168 months). Six of ten patients were free of progression until last follow up. In our experience at the University Clinic in Freiburg Germany, interstitial radiosurgery based on MRI is a safe and effective method to diagnose and treat low grade gliomas of the brain stem. Furthermore randomized studies are needed to confirm the therapeutic impact of this method in comparison to external beam radiation of brain stem gliomas.


Two-electron oxidation of a homoleptic U(iii) guanidinate complex by diphenyldiazomethane.
Reaction of the first homoleptic U(iii) guanidinate complex with diphenyldiazomethane results in two-electron oxidation of U(iii) to U(v) and isolation of a U(v) hydrazido complex. Corresponding U(v) imido, U(v) oxo, and U(iv) azido complexes were also synthesized for structural comparison.


Fly ash effect on improving soil properties and rice productivity in Korean paddy soils.
Paddy soils in Korea generally require the addition of Si to enhance rice productivity. Coal combustion fly ash, which has a high available Si content and alkaline pH, was selected as a potential source of Si in this study. Two field experiments were carried out to evaluate rice (Oryza sativa) productivity in silt loam and loamy sand soils to which 0, 40, 80, and 120 Mg ha(-1) of fly ash were added with 2 Mg ha(-1) Si as a control. Fly ash increased the soil pH and available Si and P contents of both soils. The amount of available B increased to a maximum of 2.57 mg kg(-1), and the B content of the rice plants increased to a maximum of 52-53 mg kg(-1) following the addition of 120 Mg ha(-1) fly ash. The rice plants did not show toxicity effects. The highest rice yields were achieved following the addition of around 90 Mg ha(-1) fly ash. The application of fly ash increased Si, P and K uptake by the rice plants, but did not result in an excessive uptake of heavy metals in the submerged paddy soil. In conclusion, fly ash could be a good supplement to other inorganic soil amendments to improve the nutrient balance in paddy soils.


Hyperglycosylated hCG and pregnancy failures.
Considerable evidence indicates that one third of early pregnancy failures, spontaneous abortions and biochemical pregnancies, are due to chromosomal abnormalities, and two thirds are due to inappropriate implantation. These findings led us to investigate the role of hyperglycosylated hCG, an important pregnancy implantation signal, in pregnancy failures. We used urinary hCG determinations to evaluate a total of 127 pregnancies on the day of implantation, as marked by a positive urinary hCG. These included 81 normal term pregnancies, 18 spontaneous abortion pregnancies, and 28 biochemical pregnancies. Of the normal term pregnancies, the mean±standard deviation concentration of hyperglycosylated hCG was 5.4±4.3 mIU/ml equivalents, and the percentage of hyperglycosylated hCG was 88±17%. All term pregnancies produced hyperglycosylated hCG>51%. Of the 18 cases that spontaneously aborted, both the mean hyperglycosylated hCG (1.9±2.0 mIU/ml equivalents) and the percentage of hyperglycosylated hCG (41±33%) were significantly lower than in the normal pregnancy group. Only 4/18 spontaneously aborting pregnancies produced more than 51% hyperglycosylated hCG on the day of implantation. Similarly, of the 28 biochemical pregnancies, both the mean hyperglycosylated hCG (0.63±1.3 mIU/ml equivalents) and the percentage of hyperglycosylated hCG (21±29%) were significantly lower than in the normal pregnancy group. Only 4/28 pregnancies produced more than 51% hyperglycosylated hCG. Low hyperglycosylated hCG concentrations are associated with pregnancy failure. Whether this association is a primary cause of pregnancy failure or is simply a marker for an abnormal conceptus requires further investigation.


A simple method for generating unidirectional surface plasmon polariton beams with arbitrary profiles.
The efficient steering of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) fields is a vital issue in various plasmonic applications, such as plasmonic circuitry. We present a straightforward and efficient method for generating unidirectionally propagating SPP beams with arbitrary amplitude and phase profiles by manipulating Δ-shaped nanoantennas. As an example, a second-order Hermite-Gauss SPP beam is generated with this method. The near-field distribution of the generated SPP beam is experimentally characterized to validate the effectiveness of the method.


Wire electrodes for chronic single unit recording of dopamine cells in substantia nigra pars compacta of awake rats.
Stainless steel wire electrodes of varying sizes and coated with different insulating materials were tested in order to find a flexible fine wire which would allow the recording of small cells in deep structures of the brain in unrestrained, awake rats. Our main interest is to record from cells of substantia nigra pars compacta during locomotion. We found that stress relieved 18 micron stainless steel wire doubly insulated with lacquer and Parylene C provided the impedance, physical size, and flexibility needed to record single units during intense motor behavior.


Improving the comparability of diabetes mortality statistics in the U.S. and Mexico.
The aim of this study was to increase the cross-state comparability of diabetes mortality statistics related in the U.S. and Mexico. We used multinomial logistic regression to estimate the effects of individual and community factors on a death for which diabetes was recorded as one of the multiple contributing causes of death (MCD) being assigned to diabetes as the underlying cause of death (UCD) versus assignment to cardiovascular, other noncommunicable, or communicable diseases. We used the model to estimate state-level diabetes death rates that are standardized in the individual and community factors. Deaths with diabetes as one of the MCD were more likely to be assigned to cardiovascular causes as the UCD if they occurred in hospitals or if an autopsy was performed and if the decedents were from states with higher BMI and systolic blood pressure, were more educated, or had insurance. Adjusting for individual- and community-level factors substantially increased the cross-state correlation of diabetes as the UCD and diabetes as one of the MCD mortality rates. The adjustment also reduced the number of direct diabetes deaths by 10% in the U.S. and by 24% in Mexico. In the U.S., deaths with diabetes as the UCD declined most in Utah, New Mexico, New Jersey, and Louisiana and increased in California and Hawaii. In Mexico, the numbers of adjusted diabetes deaths were smaller than those observed in all states by 3-34%. An additional 126,300 deaths due to ischemic heart disease and stroke in the U.S. and 19,497 in Mexico were attributable to high blood glucose. There is a need to improve the comparability of diabetes cause-of-death assignment, especially in relation to cardiovascular diseases.


Pharmacophore based virtual screening for identification of effective inhibitors to combat HPV 16 E6 driven cervical cancer.
Targeting HPV16 E6 has emerged as an effective drug target for the treatment/management of cervical cancer. We utilized pharmacophore-based virtual screening, molecular docking, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) prediction, and molecular dynamics simulation approach for identifying potential inhibitors of HPV16 E6. Initially, we generated a ligand-based pharmacophore model based on the features of four known HPV16 E6 inhibitors (CA24, CA25, CA26, and CA27) via the PHASE module implanted in the Schrödinger suite. We constructed four-point pharmacophore features viz., three hydrogen bond acceptors (A) and one aromatic ring (R). The common pharmacophore feature further employed as a query for virtual screening against the ASINEX database via Schrödinger suite. The pharmacophore-based virtual screening filtered out top 2000 hits, based on the fitness score. We then applied the high throughput virtual screening (HTVS), standard precision (SP) and extra precision (XP). 1000 compounds were obtained from HTVS docking. Based on the glide score, they were further filtered to 500 hits by employing docking in standard precision mode. Finally, the best four hits and a negative molecule were identified using docking in XP mode. The four lead compounds and a negative molecule were then further subjected to ADME profile prediction by engaging Qikprop module. The ADME properties of the four lead molecules indicate good pharmacokinetic (PK) properties rather than the negative molecule. The binding stability of the HPV16 E6-hit complexes were investigated at a different time scale (100 ns) by using the desmond package and the results were examined using Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD) and Root Mean Square Fluctuation (RMSF) and it revealed the stability of the protein-ligand complex throughout the simulation. Key residues, CYS 51 and GLN 107, also play a crucial role in enhancing the stability of the protein-ligand complex during the simulation. Furthermore, the binding free energy of the HPV16 E6-leads complexes was analyzed by prime which revealed that the ΔGbind coulomb and ΔGbind vdW interactions are crucially contributes to the binding affinity. In order to validate the computational findings, the efficacy of benzoimidazole and benzotriazole were ascertained for regulating ME180 cervical cancer cell survival, migration and ability to release MMP-2.


Participation in a trauma-focused epidemiological investigation may result in sensitization for current health problems.
Participation in health survey research may result in a worsening of self-assessed health status and enhanced service-use by increasing self-awareness of current health status. The present study investigated whether participation in a trauma-focused epidemiological study sensitized participants for health problems irrespective of trauma exposure. A total of 1,019 rescue workers and 453 residents involved in varying degrees in a large scale aviation disaster participated. Data collection took place between December 2000 and April 2003. There were two measurements: one during the epidemiological investigation at a general hospital and one 12 weeks after the first measurement. Follow-up data were gathered in 80% of a randomly selected group of rescue workers and in 62% of the residents. Main outcome measures were: health anxiety, somatic sensitivity, the tendency to be reassured by a physician, psychopathology, post-traumatic stress symptoms, fatigue and quality of life. Both rescue workers and residents reported less reassurance, and increased health anxiety and somatic sensitivity 12 weeks after the investigation compared to the first measurement. Exposure to the aviation disaster was not predictive of these changes in health perception, but higher levels of psychological and physical symptoms at baseline were. Only 0.2-1.6% of the residents and rescue workers indicated at baseline that the investigation had had a very negative impact on their mental and/or physical well-being. No evidence for systematic trends or changes in baseline scores for anxiety about health or subjective complaints during the 15 months inclusion period were found. Participation in an epidemiological study of the long-term sequelae of disaster exposure does not lead to very strong negative reactions in most of the participants, but can result in an increased awareness of somatic sensations, enhancement of health worries and lowered reassurability by physicians, especially in participants with higher levels of psychological and physical symptoms at baseline. Future studies are needed to investigate the temporal stability of these inadvertent and unobtrusive negative consequences.


Mitogen-induced phosphorylation of cytosolic proteins in rabbit T- and B-lymphocytes.
The addition of anti-immunoglobulin (anti-Ig) to purified rabbit B-cells or concanavalin A (Con A) to purified rabbit T-cells within minutes resulted in the phosphorylation of a number of cytosolic proteins. Two-dimensional (2-D) electrophoresis and autoradiography of 32P-labeled cell sonicates was used to identify proteins whose phosphorylation was enhanced by these mitogens. Two proteins, pp58 and pp90, were phosphorylated 1.5 min after addition of anti-Ig to B-cells. Four other proteins, pp60, pp65, pp67 and pp95, were phosphorylated at later times. Three of these proteins were also phosphorylated after addition of Con A to purified T-cells. These phosphoproteins do not correspond to any previously described cytoplasmic proteins. Although all of these phosphoproteins were present in the cytosolic fraction, pp58 may be associated with the cytoskeleton. Protein pp58 is also distinguished from the rest by its absence from 2-D gels run under non-reducing conditions. Treatment of the B-cells with F(ab')2 fragments of anti-Ig stimulated phosphorylation but Fab' fragments did not--indicating that receptor cross-linking is required to induce phosphorylation. Both pp58 and pp90 contained phosphoserine, but neither phosphothreonine nor phosphotyrosine. Quantitatively the 32P-labeling of pp58 was 2.7-fold over background at 10 min after anti-Ig addition. The identification of these phosphoproteins, which may play a role in activational cascades or in cytoskeletal rearrangements, hopefully will help to clarify the interrelationships between cyclic nucleotide dependent and independent kinases in lymphocyte activation.


Indicators and medical tests to identify lower limb swelling causes after total knee arthroplasty: a Delphi study with multidisciplinary experts.
Lower limb swelling after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) hinders surgical effectiveness. The poor results of studies on swelling interventions are due to the lack of a classification of swelling causes through appropriate medical tests. A gold standard is missing. This study aimed to clarify the causes of TKA postoperative swelling and how to identify them through indicators and medical tests by consulting a wide range of experts from multiple disciplines. The Delphi method was used. A first draft of the index was prepared based on a systematic search of the literature. A total of 11 experts from several disciplines were invited to evaluate the rationality of the indicators and suggest modifications. After two rounds of consultation, the experts reached a consensus, and the consultation was stopped. The response rate of the 11 experts was 100%, and the authoritative Cr was 0.896. Kendall's W values for opinion coordination of the two rounds of consultation were 0.262 and 0.226, respectively (P < 0.001). Among the final indicators, there were 4 primary indicators for swelling cause classification (inflammatory response, poor venous return, joint hematoma, muscle damage, and healing), 19 secondary and 19 tertiary indicators. The indications obtained by systematic literature review and multidisciplinary expert consultation are reliable and scientific. Multiple causes of lower extremity swelling after TKA were identified. Blood test indicators can reflect an inflammatory response, suggest poor venous return, and reflect muscle damage and healing progress. Ultrasound scans are needed to identify underlying thrombotic or valvular problems, joint hematomas, and muscle damage. These tests help clinicians and researchers determine the cause of swelling after TKA and take appropriate management.


Comparing mutation calls in fixed tumour samples between the affymetrix OncoScan® array and PCR based next-generation sequencing.
The importance of accurate and affordable mutation calling in fixed pathology samples is becoming increasingly important as we move into the era of personalised medicine. The Affymetrix OncoScan® Array platform is designed to produce actionable mutation calls in archival material. We compared calls made using the OncoScan platform with calls made using a custom designed PCR panel followed by next-generation sequencing (NGS), in order to benchmark the sensitivity and specificity of the OncoScan calls in a large cohort of fixed tumour samples. 392 fixed, clinical samples were sequenced, encompassing 641 PCR regions, 403 putative positive calls and 1528 putative negative calls. A small number of mutations could not be validated, either due to large indels or pseudogenes impairing parts of the NGS pipeline. For the remainder, if calls were filtered according to simple quality metrics, both sensitivity and specificity for the OncoScan platform were over 98%. This applied even to samples with poorer sample quality and lower variant allele frequency (5-10%) than product claims indicated. This benchmarking study will be useful to users and potential users of this platform, who wish to compare technologies or interpret their own results.


Thermal behaviour of chrome shavings and of sludges recovered after digestion of tanned solid wastes with calcium hydroxide.
The thermal behaviour of chrome shavings and of sludges recovered after digestion of tanned wastes with Ca(OH)2 was studied. Ashes obtained after incineration of wastes at various temperatures were analysed by X-ray diffraction and EDX method. The main crystallized phases present in the ash obtained at 600 degrees C are Cr2O3 and NaCl. The diffractograms revealed an increase in the intensities of the chromium oxide peaks and a very notable decrease of the amount of sodium chloride at 1100 degrees C. EDX analysis revealed a total disappearance of the chlorine peak at this temperature. Scanning electron micrographs show that the waste lost its fibrous aspect when the temperature increases. Formation of aggregates was noted after 550 degrees C. Combustion of organic matters and decarbonation phenomenon are the main stages observed on GTA and DTA curves of sludges. These phenomena are, respectively, exothermic and endothermic. The diffractogram of sludges recorded at 550 degrees C, in the presence of a constant oxygen surplus, revealed the presence of CaCrO4 and CaCO3.


Disentangling contributions of demographic, family, and socioeconomic factors on associations of immigration status and health in the United States.
In the United States, immigration policy is entwined with health policy, and immigrants' legal statuses determine their access to care. Yet, policy debates rarely take into account the health needs of immigrants and potential health consequences of linking legal status to healthcare. Confounding from social and demographic differences and lack of individual-level data with sensitive immigration variables present challenges in this area of research. This article used the restricted California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) to assess differences in self-rated health, obesity, and severe psychological distress. Between US-born citizens, naturalised citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPR), undocumented immigrants, and temporary visa holders living in California. Results show that while immigrant groups appear to have poorer health on the surface, these differences were explained predominantly by older age among naturalised citizens and by lower-income and education among LPRs and undocumented immigrants. Favourable family characteristics acted as protective factors for immigrants' health, especially among disadvantaged immigrants. Immigration policy that limits access to healthcare and family support may further widen the health disadvantage among immigrants with less legal protection.


Capillary electrophoresis analysis of glucooligosaccharide regioisomers.
Complex gluco-oligosaccharide mixtures of two regioisomer series were successfully separated by CE. The gluco-oligosaccharide series were synthesized, employing a dextransucrase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-512F, by successive glucopyranosyl transfers from sucrose to the acceptor glucose or maltose. The glucosyl transfer to both acceptors, occurring through the formation of alpha1-->6 linkages, differed for the two series only in the glucosidic bond to the reducing end namely alpha1-->6 or alpha1-->4 bond for glucose or maltose acceptor, respectively. Thus, the combination of the two series results in mixed pairs of gluco-oligosaccharide regioisomers with different degrees of polymerization (DP). These regioisomer series were first derivatized by reductive amination with 9-aminopyrene-1,4,6-trisulfonate (APTS). Under acidic conditions using triethyl ammonium acetate as electrolyte, the APTS-gluco-oligosaccharides of each series were separated enabling unambiguous size determination by coupling CE to electrospray-mass spectrometry. However, neither these acidic conditions nor alkaline buffer systems could be adapted for the separation of the gluco-oligosaccharide regioisomers arising from the two combined series. By contrast, increased resolution was observed in an alkaline borate buffer, using differential complexation of the regioisomers with the borate anions. Such conditions were also successfully applied to the separation of glucodisaccharide regioisomers composed of alpha1-->2, alpha1-->3, alpha1-->4, and alpha1-->6 linkages commonly synthesized by glucansucrase enzymes.


Pesticide residues in estuarine mollusks, 1977 versus 1972--National Pesticide Monitoring Program.
Bivalve mollusks were monitored for residues of 20 organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in spring 1977 in 87 of the 181 estuaries routinely monitored on a monthly basis during 1965--72. DDT, the only pesticide detected in 1977, occurred at low levels in one estuary each on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.


Selective elution of HLA antigens and beta 2-microglobulin from human platelets by chloroquine diphosphate.
To determine whether chloroquine can specifically elute HLA antigens and beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-M) from the platelet surface, quantitative immunofluorescence flow cytometry and monoclonal antibodies were used to show that HLA antigens and beta 2-M were proportionally eluted from the platelet surface without affecting the membrane glycoproteins IIb and IIIa. Second, an autoradiogram of electrophoresed I125-labeled platelets showed that only beta 2-M but not other I125-labeled membrane proteins could be eluted. Although HLA antigens were poorly labeled by I125 and could not be detected on the autoradiogram, the eluted HLA antigens could be detected by anti-HLA monoclonal antibody and immunoblotting techniques. No loss of plasma membrane integrity was observed by transmission electron microscopy after chloroquine treatment of platelets. The results indicate that chloroquine selectively elutes HLA antigens and their noncovalently associated beta 2-M without affecting other integral platelet membrane proteins.


Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 1,6-di-amino-2-oxo-4-(thio-phen-2-yl)-1,2-di-hydro-pyridine-3,5-dicarbo-nitrile.
The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C11H7N5OS, contains two independent mol-ecules (1 and 2). The thio-phene ring in mol-ecule 2 is rotationally disordered (flip disorder) by ca 180° (around the single C-C bond, to which it is attached) over two sites with the site-occupation factors of 0.9 and 0.1. These two orientations of the thio-phene ring in mol-ecule 2 are not equivalent. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by inter-molecular N-H⋯O and N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds into ribbons parallel to (022) along the a axis. Within the (022) planes, these ribbons are connected by van der Waals inter-actions and between the (022) planes by N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. In mol-ecule 1, Hirshfeld surface analysis showed that the most important contributions to the crystal packing are from N⋯H/H⋯N (27.1%), H⋯H (17.6%), C⋯H/H⋯C (13.6%) and O⋯H/H⋯O (9.3%) inter-actions, while in mol-ecule 2, H⋯H (25.4%) inter-actions are the most significant contributors to the crystal packing.


Structural and functional studies on urease from pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan).
Urease is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea, forming ammonia and carbon dioxide, and is found in plants, microorganisms and invertebrates. Although plant and bacterial ureases are closely related at amino acid and at the structural level, the insecticidal activity is seen only in the plant ureases. In contrast, both plant and bacterial ureases exhibit antifungal activity. These two biological properties are independent of its ureolytic activity. However, till date the mechanism(s) behind the insecticidal and fungicidal activity of ureases are not clearly understood. Here we report the crystal structure of pigeon pea urease (PPU, Cajanus cajan) which is the second structure from the plant source. We have deduced the amino acid sequence of PPU and also report here studies on its stability, insecticidal and antifungal activity. PPU exhibits cellulase activity. Based on the structural analysis of PPU and docking studies with cellopentoase we propose a possible mechanism of antifungal activity of urease.


SO3H-functionalized ionic liquid: efficient catalyst for bagasse liquefaction.
Liquefaction is a process for the production of biofuel or value-added biochemicals from non-food biomass. SO(3)H-, COOH-functionalized and HSO(4)-paired imidazolium ionic liquids were shown to be efficient catalysts for bagasse liquefaction in hot compressed water. Using SO(3)H-functionalized ionic liquid, 96.1% of bagasse was liquefied and 50.6% was selectively converted to low-boiling biochemicals at 543 K. The degree of liquefaction and selectivity for low-boiling products increased and the average molecular weight of the tetrahydrofuran soluble products decreased with increasing acidic strength of ionic liquids. Analysis of products and comparative characterization of raw materials and residues suggested that both catalytic liquefaction and hydrolysis processes contribute to the high conversion of bagasse. A possible liquefaction mechanism based on the generation of 3-cyclohexyl-1-propanol, one of the main products, is proposed.


Practice guidance for diagnosis and treatment of pancreatitis-related splanchnic vein thrombosis (Shenyang, 2020).
Splanchnic vein thrombosis is a severe complication of pancreatitis. To date, no consensus over the management of pancreatitis-related splanchnic vein thrombosis has been established. Based on the consensus of multidisciplinary experts, this practice guidance systematically reviewed the epidemiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, risk assessment and clinical presentations of splanchnic vein thrombosis, and formulated a diagnosis and treatment strategy for providing guidance in clinical practice for this disease.


LINC01119 encapsulated by cancer-associated adipocytes-derived exosomes promotes M2 polarization of macrophages to induce immune escape in ovarian cancer in a 3D co-culture cell-based model.
In the present study, we sought to clarify the role of LINC01119 delivered by cancer-associated adipocytes (CAAs)-derived exosomes (CAA-Exo) and its mechanistic actions in ovarian cancer (OC). The expression of LINC01119 was determined in OC, and the relationship between LINC01119 expression and the prognosis of OC patients was analyzed. Besides, 3D co-culture cell models were constructed using green fluorescent protein-labeled OC cells and red fluorescent protein-labeled mature adipocytes. Mature adipocytes were co-cultured with OC cells to induce CAA. Macrophages treated with CAA-Exo were co-cultured with SKOV3 cells following ectopic expression and depletion experiments of LINC01119 and SOCS5 to detect M2 polarization of macrophages, PD-L1 level, proliferation of CD3+ T cells, and cytotoxicity of T cells to SKOV3 cells. LINC01119 was elevated in the plasma Exo of OC patients, which was related to shorter overall survival in OC patients. LINC01119 expression was increased in CAA-Exo, which could upregulate SOCS5 in OC. Finally, CAA-Exo carrying LINC01119 induced M2 polarization of macrophages to promote immune escape in OC, as evidenced by inhibited CD3+ T cell proliferation, increased PD-L1 level, and attenuated T cell toxicity to SKOV3 cells. In conclusion, the key findings of the current study demonstrated the promoting effects of CAA-Exo containing LINC01119 mediating SOCS5 on M2 polarization of macrophages and immune escape in OC.


DSM-III criteria for alcohol abuse: associations with alcohol consumption behavior.
DSM-III criteria for diagnosing alcohol abuse in a sample of hospitalized alcoholics highly correlated with each other and were poorly correlated with self-reported drinking pattern, quantity, and consequences of alcohol consumption. These findings question the specificity and the construct validity of the DSM-III criteria for diagnosing alcohol abuse.


Modulation of uranium bioaccumulation by hypoxia in the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea: induction of multixenobiotic resistance protein and heat shock protein 60 in gill tissues.
The influence of hypoxia on the bioaccumulation of uranium in the clam Corbicula fuminea was investigated in ecologically relevant conditions. The cellular impact at the gill-tissue level was assessed by analyzing the induction of multixenobiotic resistance protein (MXR) and heat shock protein 60. Analyses were performed at three biological levels. First, at the organism level, uranium induced a significant decrease in the valve open duration under normoxia, but not under hypoxia, in which oxygen drive imposed an increase of the valve open duration. Second, at the tissue level, the uranium bioaccumulation rate in the gills was higher under hypoxia than under normoxia. Third, at the cellular level, MXR was induced by uranium but not by hypoxia. The threshold of tissular uranium concentration triggering MXR induction was between 3 and 5 nmol/g. On the contrary, Hsp60 was induced by hypoxia but not by uranium.


Transapical aortic valve implantation: incidence and predictors of paravalvular leakage and transvalvular regurgitation in a series of 358 patients.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the results when the surgical concept of not accepting intraprocedural paravalvular leakage was applied for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The surgical strategy of conventional aortic valve replacement does not accept paraprosthetic leakage and requires immediate action to eliminate it. However, paravalvular leakage is the major concern after TAVI. A total of 358 patients underwent transapical TAVI with balloon-expandable prostheses. The modified procedural strategy consisted of precise positioning of the prosthesis using a modified TAVI technique and immediate additional intraprocedural treatment to eliminate relevant paravalvular leakage. Balloon redilation of the transcatheter valve was performed in 18 patients (5%), and additional second valves were implanted in 13 (4%). At the end of the procedure, 186 patients (52%) had no paravalvular or transvalvular regurgitation. In the remaining 172 patients, paravalvular leakage was observed in 113 (32%), transvalvular leakage in 47 (13%), and both in 12 (3%). Leakage was trace in 88 patients (25%), mild in 82 (23%), and moderate in 2 (0.6%). Multivariate analysis identified male sex, New York Heart Association functional class IV, and no previous aortic valve replacement as predictors of post-procedural leakage. Cumulative survival was not dependent on post-procedural regurgitation rate. Overall mortality was 5 ± 1% at 30 days, 14 ± 2% at 6 months, 17 ± 2% at 1 year, and 33 ± 4% at 2 years. The modified procedural strategy of transapical TAVI with a balloon-expandable prosthesis was associated with a low incidence of relevant prosthetic regurgitation.


Synthesis and Growth of Green Graphene from Biochar Revealed by Magnetic Properties of Iron Catalyst.
Understanding the mechanism of iron-catalyzed graphitization of biomass is an important step for the large-scale synthesis of green graphene. Although iron is known to be the most active transition metal for the catalytic graphitization of cellulose-derived biochar, the direct effect of the iron molecular structure on the formation of highly graphitic carbon remains elusive. Here, biochar was produced from pyrolysis of iron-impregnated cellulose at three different temperatures (1000, 1400, and 1800 °C). X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements were used to probe changes in biochar nanostructure catalyzed by the inclusion of iron. An increase of pyrolysis temperature led to an increase in the iron particle size and the degree of iron reduction, as well as the formation of larger graphitic carbon crystallite sizes, and these two attributes of iron were seen to positively affect the biochar graphitization usually challenging under 2000 °C.


Stress, inflammation, microbiome and depression.
Psychiatric disorders are mental illnesses involving changes in mood, cognition and behavior. Their prevalence has rapidly increased in the last decades. One of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders is major depressive disorder (MDD), a debilitating disease lacking efficient treatments. Increasing evidence shows that microbial and immunological changes contribute to the pathophysiology of depression and both are modulated by stress. This bidirectional relationship constitutes the brain-gut axis involving various neuroendocrine, immunological, neuroenterocrine and autonomic pathways. The present review covers the most recent findings on the relationships between stress, the gut microbiome and the inflammatory response and their contribution to depression.


Subtle appearance of pelvic endometriosis.
This retrospective study demonstrates an increased documentation of subtle appearances of endometriosis. This documentation was associated with an increased emphasis on excising these lesions for histologic examination. Endometriosis was documented in pink, clear, red, white, and puckered black lesions in 106 (97%) of 109 patients. This included 22 (100%) of 22 patients undergoing laparotomy and 84 (97%) of 87 patients undergoing laparoscopy. Subtle lesions were documented at laparoscopy in 32% of patients in the first 5 months and in 72% of patients in the last 5 months of the study. The increased documentation of these subtle lesions appeared to be related to an increased awareness and anticipation of subtle lesions. The ability to detect such lesions increased with experience and was reinforced by histologic confirmation.


Identification of key genes in sepsis by WGCNA.
When the body damages its own tissues in response to an infection, sepsis develops. Medical treatments are limited. It's important to understand the molecular mechanism behind sepsis pathogenesis and identify potential molecular treatment targets. We made two modules based on how genes work together by using WGCNA analysis. The light-green GSE131761 module and the blue GSE137342 module had the strongest links to sepsis. A gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that most of the genes in the lightgreen module were involved in the inflammatory response, specific granule, and immune receptor activity. Most of the genes in the blue module were significantly more likely to have the GO terms proteasomal protein catabolic process, ubiquitin ligase complex, and ubiquitin-like protein transferase activity. The KEGG analysis showed that the genes in module lightgreen were mostly involved in the TNF signaling pathway, while the genes in module blue were mostly involved in the Prion disease pathway. There were two hub genes that were found. In the end, ANKRD22 and VNN1 were singled out as crucial genes. This study used WGCNA to investigate sepsis-associated susceptibility modules and genes. Our study identified two modules and two key genes as essential components in sepsis etiology, which may improve our understanding of its molecular mechanisms.


Orosomucoid (ORM) typing by isoelectric focusing: description of two new alleles in a German population and thermostability in bloodstains.
The genetic polymorphism of serum orosomucoid (ORM) was studied in 168 unrelated German individuals using isoelectric focusing followed by immunoprinting. Two new alleles, tentatively designated ORM1*14 and ORM2*13, were identified. The method was successfully applied to demonstrate ORM1 types in dried bloodstains. Each type of ORM1 was also correctly determined in bloodstains heated at 130 degrees C for 30 min. The results indicated that ORM1 is a new powerful genetic marker system for the grouping of bloodstains.


Nano-hesperetin enhances the functional recovery and endogenous remyelination of the optic pathway in focal demyelination model.
Our recent report demonstrated that hesperetin (Hst) as a citrus flavonoid, significantly reduces the levels of demyelination in optic chiasm of rats. Previous evidence also indicated that nano-hesperetin (nano-Hst) possesses beneficial impacts in experimental models of Alzheimer's disease and autism. In this study, the effects of nano-Hst on latency of visual signals, demyelination levels, glial activation, and expression of Olig2 and MBP were evaluated in lysolecithin (LPC)-induced demyelination model. Focal demyelination was induced by injection of LPC (1%, 2 μL) into the rat optic chiasm. Animals received oral administration of nano-Hst at dose of 20 mg/kg for 14 or 21 days post LPC injection. Visual evoked potential (VEP) recording showed that nano-Hst reduces the latency of visual signals and ameliorates the extent of demyelination areas and glial activation. Expression levels of the Olig2 and MBP were also significantly increased in nano-Hst treated rats. Overall, our data suggest that nano-Hst reduces the latency of visual signals through its protective effects on myelin sheath, amelioration of glial activation, and enhancement of endogenous remyelination.


Circulating levels of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein in a general Japanese population: effects of age, gender, and physiologic characteristics.
Serum heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) has been widely used as a marker of cardiac myocyte injury. This study was carried out to examine the relationships of H-FABP levels with age, gender, and other physiologic characteristics in a large population of community-dwelling residents. Serum H-FABP levels were measured in 2,099 subjects who received an annual health check-up (age 40-87 years). The relationships between H-FABP and blood pressure, laboratory data, electrocardiogram (ECG) findings, and lifestyle factors were cross-sectionally analyzed. Mean H-FABP values were significantly higher in men than in women. Serum H-FABP levels were increased with aging significantly. Both the multivariate regression and multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that serum H-FABP levels were independently affected by age, body mass index, creatinine clearance, and ECG abnormality score. Serum H-FABP levels were affected by age, gender, obesity, renal function, and ECG abnormality in a large group of volunteers. These effects should be taken into account in determining appropriate reference values for H-FABP. In addition, high serum H-FABP levels may represent latent cardiac injury and have important clinical implications.


Association between hospital mortality and inspiratory airway pressures in mechanically ventilated patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome: a prospective cohort study.
Higher inspiratory airway pressures are associated with worse outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This relationship, however, has not been well investigated in patients without ARDS. We hypothesized that higher driving pressures (ΔP) and plateau pressures (Pplat) are associated with worse patient-centered outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients without ARDS as well as those with ARDS. Using data collected during a prospective, observational cohort study of 6179 critically ill participants enrolled in 59 ICUs across the USA, we used multivariable logistic regression to determine whether ΔP and Pplat at enrollment were associated with hospital mortality among 1132 mechanically ventilated participants. We stratified analyses by ARDS status. Participants without ARDS (n = 822) had lower average severity of illness scores and lower hospital mortality (27.3% vs. 38.7%; p < 0.001) than those with ARDS (n = 310). Average Pplat (20.6 vs. 23.9 cm H2O; p < 0.001), ΔP (14.3 vs. 16.0 cm H2O; p < 0.001), and positive end-expiratory pressure (6.3 vs. 7.9 cm H2O; p < 0.001) were lower in participants without ARDS, whereas average tidal volumes (7.2 vs. 6.8 mL/kg PBW; p < 0.001) were higher. Among those without ARDS, higher ΔP (adjusted OR = 1.36 per 7 cm H2O, 95% CI 1.14-1.62) and Pplat (adjusted OR = 1.42 per 8 cm H2O, 95% CI 1.17-1.73) were associated with higher mortality. We found similar relationships with mortality among those participants with ARDS. Higher ΔP and Pplat are associated with increased mortality for participants without ARDS. ΔP may be a viable target for lung-protective ventilation in all mechanically ventilated patients.


The association of breathing pattern with exercise tolerance and perceived fatigue in women with systemic lupus erythematosus: an exploratory case-control study.
The aims of the study were to (1) to characterize the breathing pattern and work of breathing during peak exercise in patients with SLE; (2) to examine the extent to which the breathing pattern and work of breathing impact the exercise capacity and fatigue. Forty-one women participated in the study (SLE: n = 23, median = 35, range = 21-57 years, control: n = 18, median = 38, range = 22-45 years). Each subject performed a treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise test (a modified Bruce treadmill protocol) ending with volitional exhaustion. Breathing mechanic was characterized by measures of expired minute volume (VE), tidal volume (Vt), respiratory rate (f), work of breathing, and cardiorespiratory fitness was quantified by measures of peak oxygen consumption (VO2) and time to exhaustion. Data presented as median and interquartile range (IQR). Women with SLE had lower Vt {1221 [488.8] mL/min vs. 1716 [453.1] mL; p = .006}, VE {58.9 [18.9] L/min vs 70 [28.1] L/min, p = 0.04} and increased breathing frequency {51.5 [10.8] vs 43.6 [37.8] bpm, p = 0.01} compared to the control group. The time to exhaustion and peak VO2 during the CPET were significantly reduced in those with SLE compared to controls {13.3 [10.2] vs 16.1 [2.2] min; p = 0.004}, {20 [6.1] mL/kg/min vs 26.6 [7] mL/kg/min p < 0.001}, respectively. Differences remained when the analyses were controlled for the observed differences in peak VO2. When the regression model adjusted for the peak VO2, it had been shown that Vt, WOB and f were explained variances in the fatigue severity by 64% [p < 0.001]. The decline in VE and Vt coupled with a decreased peak VO2, and work of breathing may have contributed to low cardiorespiratory fitness and fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.


Trajectory of Gonadal Hormones in Adolescent Males up to 2 Years After Sleeve Gastrectomy.
Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has many metabolic benefits and leads to improvements in testosterone levels, which means improvement in the Leydig cell function of the testis. However, data about the effects of SG on Sertoli cell function (as assessed by inhibin B) are not available. In this preliminary study, we evaluate, for the first time, the effect of SG in adolescents after SG. We evaluate 16 adolescent and young adult males, six of whom underwent SG and followed them for 2 years. We report that Leydig cell function (as assessed by testosterone levels) improved and was associated with degree of weight loss. Sertoli cell function improved only slightly in SG group and did not change compared to the nonsurgical controls, and these changes were not associated with degree of weight loss. Thus, we conclude that larger and long-term follow-up studies are required to evaluate the changes in Sertoli cell function after SG as that is integral to male fertility.Clinical Trial Registration: NCT02557438.


Cataract extraction after retinal detachment surgery.
Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) was done in 31 eyes of 27 patients after previous retinal reattachment surgery with scleral buckling. A posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) was implanted in 21 eyes. No significant modifications in the cataract surgical technique were necessary. Final visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 26 eyes (84%). The complication rate was low. One patient was found to have a retinal detachment (RD) after cataract extraction that probably predated the cataract surgery. No recurrent retinal tears or detachment developed in any patients during an average 24-month follow-up period.


Graphene-based porous materials with tunable surface area and CO2 adsorption properties synthesized by fluorine displacement reaction with various diamines.
A mild, operationally simple and controllable protocol for preparing graphene-based porous materials is essential to achieve a good pore-design development. In this paper, graphene-based porous materials with tunable surface area were constructed by the intercalation of fluorinated graphene (FG) based on the reaction of reactive CF bonds attached to graphene sheets with various amine-terminated molecules. In the porous materials, graphene sheets are like building blocks, and the diamines covalently grafted onto graphene framework act as pillars. Various diamines are successfully grafted onto graphene sheets, but the grafting ratio of diamines and reduction degree of FG differ greatly and depend on the chemical reactivity of diamines. Pillared diamine molecules chemically anchor at one end and are capable of undergoing a different reaction on the other end, resulting in three different conformations of graphene derivatives. Nitrogen sorption isotherms revealed that the surface area and pore distribution of the obtained porous materials depend heavily on the size and structure of diamine pillars. CO2 uptake capacity characterization showed that ethylenediamine intercalated FG achieved a high CO2 uptake density of 18.0 CO2 molecules per nm(2) at 0°C and 1.1bars, and high adsorption heat, up to 46.1kJmol(-1) at zero coverage.


Mutations that substitute serine for glycine alpha 1-598 and glycine alpha 1-631 in type I procollagen. The effects on thermal unfolding of the triple helix are position-specific and demonstrate that the protein unfolds through a series of cooperative blocks.
Cultured skin fibroblasts from two probands with lethal variants of osteogenesis imperfecta synthesized type I procollagen that was posttranslationally over-modified. Analysis of cDNAs and genomic DNAs from the two probands demonstrated that proband I had a single-base mutation that converted the codon for glycine alpha 1-631 to a codon for serine, and proband II had a single-base mutation that converted the codon for glycine alpha 1-598 to a codon for serine. Although the two serine-for-glycine substitutions were separated by only 35 residues, they had markedly different effects on the thermal unfolding of the collagen triple helix as assayed by brief protease digestion. The type I procollagen from proband I (serine alpha 1-631) had an essentially normal temperature for thermal unfolding. In contrast, type I procollagen from proband II (serine alpha 1-598) was cleaved to readily identifiable intermediate fragments of about 630 residues at 20 degrees C. With procollagens from both probands, collagenase A fragments containing the first 775 amino acids of the alpha chain domains had a lowered temperature for thermal unfolding as assayed by brief protease digestion. The collagenase A fragments from proband I were cleaved to intermediates of about 600 amino acids at 36 degrees C and to fragments of about 510 residues at 37 degrees C. The collagenase A fragments from proband II were cleaved to intermediates of about 630 residues at 32 degrees C, to fragments of about 600 residues at 36 degrees C, and to fragments of about 510 at 37 degrees C. The fragments of about 510 residues from both mutated procollagens were more stable to protease digestion than the collagenase A fragments of 775 residues from normal type I collagen. The results demonstrate that the effects of glycine substitutions on the thermal unfolding of type I collagen are highly position-specific. They also provide direct evidence for previous indications that the triple helix of the protein undergoes micro-unfolding of a series of relatively independent "cooperative blocks" in the predenaturation range of temperatures.


Differential regulation of signal transduction pathways in wild type and mutated p53 breast cancer epithelial cells by copper and zinc.
Previous studies have suggested that cells may differ in their response to metal stress. This study was undertaken to investigate the role of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in metal resistance in human breast cancer epithelial cells with different p53 and estrogen receptor status. Exposure to copper and zinc increased Akt phosphorylation with its nuclear localization only in MDA-MB-231 cells with no estrogen receptor and mutated p53. Cyclin D1 expression and cell-cycle progression followed the metal-induced Akt phosphorylation. Treatment with LY294002 abrogated these effects, suggesting the essential role of PI3-kinase. In contrast, in MCF-7 cells with wild type p53 and estrogen receptor, there was no change in Akt activation, while suppression of p53 activity by pifithrin-alpha increased phosphorylation of Akt after the treatment with copper. In MCF-7 cells, the metal treatment increased the phosphorylation of p53 at serine 15, up-regulated p21 expression, and resulted in cell-cycle arrest in G1 phase with apoptosis. These results demonstrate that copper-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells is p53 dependent, whereas the metal resistance in MDA-MB-231 cells may be due to activation of Akt in the absence of a functional p53.


Unilateral Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Rare Presentation of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis.
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is postulated to be caused due to a multitude of factors, but a definitive cause is seldom found despite extensive investigations. We present a rare case of sudden SNHL in which central venous thrombosis was found on magnetic resonance imaging. The case highlights the importance of neuroimaging in all cases of sudden SNHL before being labelled as "idiopathic" so that targeted therapy can be given.


Dissolved humic substances initiate DNA-methylation in cladocerans.
DNA-methylation is one pathway of epigenetic programming of gene expression and can be responsive to environmental challenges such as methylating agents in the food. Here we report on the DNA-methylation in the cladocerans Daphnia magna and Moina macrocopa exposed to humic substances, ubiquitous biogeochemicals. The methylation of DNA can alter the stress response, presumably including exposure to synthetic xenobiotic chemicals.


Polyunsaturated fatty acids in relation to sperm motility.
The absolute amounts of phospholipid-linked fatty acids of different andrological conditions were analyzed by gas-liquid-chromatography. There was a significant linear correlation between docosahexaenoic acid and the spermatozoal density. Similarly there was a significant correlation between the content of docosahexaenoic acid and the number of motile normal sperm. These findings suggest that the process of lipid peroxidation is probably one of the biochemical causes of the low docosahexaenoic acid content in poorly motile sperm.


Negative impact of growth-hormone deficiency on psychological functioning in dwarfed children and adolescents.
This study compares the psychological findings in three groups of dwarfed children and adolescents, namely those suffering from isolated growth-hormone deficiency, from multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies, and without endocrine disease. The study is based on psychometric data from one multifactorial intelligence test and several personality questionnaires. It was found that growth hormone deficiency had no impact on the psychological variables.


Elaboration of chemotactic substances by alveolar cells: possible mechanisms for the initial neutrophilic response in feline caliciviral pneumonia.
In vitro experiments established that the interaction of feline calicivirus (FCV) with alveolar macrophages and pneumocytes results in the generation of chemotactic factors that produce directed migration of neutrophils in Boyden chambers. Factors were produced independent of immune mechanisms and of discernible serum factors. Lysates of noninfected alveolar macrophages and pneumocytes did not possess chemotactic activity, indicating that chemotactic factors were not preformed in these cells. Noninfected alveolar macrophages also elaborated neutrophil chemotactic factors in culture; however, activity was greater when macrophages were infected with FCV. The results of this study suggested that the neutrophilic response in the peripheral portion of the lung of cats exposed to aerosols of FCV was the result of the elaboration of complete chemotactic factors from FCV-infected alveolar cells.


Investigating the Lexical Representation of Mandarin Tone 3 Phonological Alternations.
Phonological alternations pose challenges for models of spoken word recognition in how surface information is mapped onto stored representations in the lexicon. In the current study, an auditory-auditory priming lexical decision experiment was conducted to investigate the alternating representations of Mandarin Tone 3 in both half-third and third tone sandhi contexts. In Mandarin, a full Tone 3 (213) is reduced to an abridged tone (21) when followed by Tone 1, Tone 2, or Tone 4 (half-third tone sandhi), and Tone 3 is replaced by Tone 2 when followed by another Tone 3 (third tone sandhi). In the half-third sandhi block, disyllabic targets with a half-third (21) or full-third (213) tone FIRST syllable and a Tone 2 (35) or Tone 4 (51) second syllable were preceded by either a half-third prime, a full-third prime, or a control prime. In the third tone sandhi block, third-tone sandhi disyllabic targets with a half-third or full-third SECOND syllable were preceded by either a half-third prime, a full-third prime, or a control prime. Results showed that both half-third and full-third primes elicited significantly faster reaction times relative to the control Tone 1 condition. The size of the facilitation was not influenced by prime condition, target frequency, targets' first syllable tone or targets' second syllable tone. These data suggest that Mandarin T3 may be a more abstract tone and stored as the first syllable for both types of sandhi words.


Autologous IgG antibodies block outgrowth of a substantial but variable fraction of viruses in the latent reservoir for HIV-1.
In untreated HIV-1 infection, rapid viral evolution allows escape from immune responses. Viral replication can be blocked by antiretroviral therapy. However, HIV-1 persists in a latent reservoir in resting CD4+ T cells, and rebound viremia occurs following treatment interruption. The reservoir, which is maintained in part by clonal expansion, can be measured using quantitative viral outgrowth assays (QVOAs) in which latency is reversed with T cell activation to allow viral outgrowth. Recent studies have shown that viruses detected in QVOAs prior to treatment interruption often differ from rebound viruses. We hypothesized that autologous neutralizing antibodies directed at the HIV-1 envelope (Env) protein might block outgrowth of some reservoir viruses. We modified the QVOA to reflect pressure from low concentrations of autologous antibodies and showed that outgrowth of a substantial but variable fraction of reservoir viruses is blocked by autologous contemporaneous immunoglobulin G (IgG). A reduction in outgrowth of >80% was seen in 6 of 15 individuals. This effect was due to direct neutralization. We established a phylogenetic relationship between rebound viruses and viruses growing out in vitro in the presence of autologous antibodies. Some large infected cell clones detected by QVOA carried neutralization-sensitive viruses, providing a cogent explanation for differences between rebound virus and viruses detected in standard QVOAs. Measurement of the frequency of reservoir viruses capable of outgrowth in the presence of autologous IgG might allow more accurate prediction of time to viral rebound. Ultimately, therapeutic immunization targeting the subset of variants resistant to autologous IgG might contribute to a functional cure.


Laboratory evaluation of liver disease.
With respect to liver disease, the primary function of the laboratory is to identify its presence. Tests are not available that permit a specific diagnosis and an accurate prognosis. Several tests should be present in a minimum data base that can help identify hepatobiliary disease. They are ALT, SAP, total serum bilirubin, urine bilirubin, cholesterol, albumin, BUN, glucose, red cell morphology, and urine sediment. It is sometimes possible to tentatively identify whether a disease is primarily hepatocellular or biliary from the pattern of changes that occur in these tests. In addition, an estimate of the severity is sometimes possible when abnormal values are extreme. The keys are to avoid overinterpretation, use serial evaluations, and rely on a liver biopsy when definitive answers are needed. If liver disease is suspected but there are only marginal changes in the routine tests, the more sensitive tests of function, BSP retention and ammonia tolerance, are warranted. In the future, as more knowledge is gained about the responses of ARG, GGT, and ICG retention to naturally occurring diseases, these tests may join or replace some of those currently used. Also, as the ability to accurately and economically measure the various bile acids improves, a sensitive, yet noninvasive, method to detect and define modest changes in hepatobiliary function may result.


The changes of cytoskeletal proteins in plasma of acrylamide-induced rats.
Acrylamide (ACR) is a known industrial neurotoxic chemical that can induce neurodegeneration. Cytoskeletal protein aggregation is a pathological hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders. This study was an initial exploration on cytoskeletal proteins in plasma as potential biomarkers of ACR neurotoxicity. Low and high ACR groups received 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg ACR by intraperitoneal injection in adult Wistar rats and control group received physiological saline. Rats were all killed after 8 weeks to evaluate the levels of neurofilament(NF)-L, NF-M, NF-H, beta-actin, alpha-tubulin, beta-tubulin, tau, MAP2 proteins in plasma using both SDS-PAGE and western blotting. Compared with the control, the levels of NF-L, NF-M, NF-H, beta-actin, tau, MAP2 proteins decreased and the level of alpha-tubulin increased in high ACR group, the levels of alpha-tubulin, beta-tubulin and MAP2 increased in low ACR group. The results suggested that the changes of these proteins might be relevant to the neurotoxicity of ACR. Some of the cytoskeletal proteins in plasma might be used as marker of biological effect in ACR induced neuropathy.


Internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint.
This article discusses several types of internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint. It includes definitions, clinical characteristics, and management options. Nonsurgical and surgical treatment strategies are discussed taking into consideration the latest evidence-based literature.


Charybdotoxin-sensitive K+ channels regulate the myogenic tone in the resting state of arteries from spontaneously hypertensive rats.
1. To determine the possible role of Ca(2+)-activated K+ (KCa) channels in the regulation of resting tone of arteries from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), the effects of agents which interact with these channels on tension and 86Rb efflux were compared in endothelium-denuded strips of carotid, femoral and mesenteric arteries from SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). 2. Strips of carotid, femoral and mesenteric arteries from SHR exhibited a myogenic tone; that is, the resting tone decreased when either the Krebs solution was changed to a 0-Ca2+ solution or 10(-7) M nifedipine was added. 3. The addition of charybdotoxin (ChTX, 10(-9)-10(-7) M), a blocker of large conductance KCa channels, to the resting strips of these arteries produced a concentration-dependent contraction, which was significantly greater in SHR than in WKY. Relatively low concentrations of tetraethylammonium (0.05-5 mM) produced a concentration-dependent contraction which was similar to the ChTX-induced contraction in these strips. 4. The ChTX-induced contractions in SHR were greatly attenuated by 10(-7) M nifedipine and by 3 x 10(-6) M cromakalim, a K+ channel opener. Cromakalim alone abolished the myogenic tone in SHR. 5. The addition of apamin (a blocker of small conductance KCa channels, up to 10(-6) M), or of glibenclamide (a blocker of ATP-sensitive K+ channels, up to 5 x 10(-6) M), to the resting strips failed to produce a contraction. 6. In resting strips of carotid, femoral and mesenteric arteries preloaded with 86Rb, the basal 86Rb efflux rate constants were significantly greater in SHR than in WKY. The addition of 10-7 M nifedipine to the resting strips decreased the basal 86Rb efflux rate constants only in SHR.7. The cellular Ca2+ uptake in the resting state of carotid and femoral arteries from SHR was significantly increased when compared to WKY, and this increase in SHR was significantly reduced by 10-7M nifedipine.8. These results suggest that the ChTX-sensitive KCa channels were highly activated to regulate the myogenic tone in the resting state of carotid, femoral and mesenteric arteries from SHR. The increased Kca channel functions in SHR arteries appeared to be secondary to the increased Ca2' influx via L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in the resting state of these arteries.