Potential role of viruses in white plague coral disease.
White plague (WP)-like diseases of tropical corals are implicated in reef decline worldwide, although their etiological cause is generally unknown. Studies thus far have focused on bacterial or eukaryotic pathogens as the source of these diseases; no studies have examined the role of viruses. Using a combination of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and 454 pyrosequencing, we compared 24 viral metagenomes generated from Montastraea annularis corals showing signs of WP-like disease and/or bleaching, control conspecific corals, and adjacent seawater. TEM was used for visual inspection of diseased coral tissue. No bacteria were visually identified within diseased coral tissues, but viral particles and sequence similarities to eukaryotic circular Rep-encoding single-stranded DNA viruses and their associated satellites (SCSDVs) were abundant in WP diseased tissues. In contrast, sequence similarities to SCSDVs were not found in any healthy coral tissues, suggesting SCSDVs might have a role in WP disease. Furthermore, Herpesviridae gene signatures dominated healthy tissues, corroborating reports that herpes-like viruses infect all corals. Nucleocytoplasmic large DNA virus (NCLDV) sequences, similar to those recently identified in cultures of Symbiodinium (the algal symbionts of corals), were most common in bleached corals. This finding further implicates that these NCLDV viruses may have a role in bleaching, as suggested in previous studies. This study determined that a specific group of viruses is associated with diseased Caribbean corals and highlights the potential for viral disease in regional coral reef decline.


The association between hypermetropia and essential hypertension.
To explore the relationship between the refractive state of the eye and high blood pressure in a representative population. Case-control study. Three hundred twenty-one patients with essential hypertension (mean age 53.9 +/- 15.5 years) and 188 age-matched and sex-matched healthy control subjects (mean age 50.9 +/- 7.3 years) from the same regional Health Maintenance Organization were consecutively included for the study (P > .05 for age and sex). The refractive state of the eyes was identified objectively by an autorefractometer and retinoscopic examination, recording the autorefractometer values. Spherical equivalents between -0.50 (included) and +0.50 (included) diopters were regarded as emmetropia. Values below or above this interval were regarded as either myopia or hypermetropia. Mean spherical equivalents of the groups were compared using independent samples t test; distributions of refraction were compared with chi(2) test. The mean spherical equivalent of the patients with essential hypertension was +0.88 +/- 1.34 diopters (range -3.75 to +6.38 diopters), whereas the mean spherical equivalent of the control subjects was -0.26 +/- 1.12 diopters (range -5.00 to +3.38 diopters) (P < .0001). Whereas 61.4% of hypertensive patients were hypermetropic, 18.1% of normotensive patients were hypermetropic (P < .0001). There is a strong association of essential arterial hypertension with hypermetropia, which has not been previously reported. Given the findings of this study, we recommend that patients who have hypermetropia and have had no recent systemic examination should at least have their blood pressure checked.


Adverse event profile differences between rituximab and ocrelizumab: Findings from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting Database.
Rituximab and ocrelizumab are anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies that have shown a marked reduction in multiple sclerosis (MS) inflammatory activity. However, their real-world safety profile has not been adequately compared. To investigate the adverse event (AE) profile of rituximab and ocrelizumab reported to the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database. The FAERS database was filtered by indication (MS) and drug (rituximab or ocrelizumab). Disproportionality analyses including but not limited to reporting odds ratio (ROR) were conducted to identify drug-AE associations. A signal was detected if the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval of ROR (ROR025) exceeded 1. There were 623 and 7948 reports for rituximab and ocrelizumab, respectively. The most frequent AEs with rituximab and ocrelizumab were infusion-related reaction (4.82%) and urinary tract infection (10.52%), respectively. The strongest drug-AE association for rituximab and ocrelizumab were ear pruritus (ROR025: 47.53) and oral herpes (ROR025: 38.99), respectively. Ocrelizumab was associated with an almost two times higher frequency of infections than rituximab (21.93% vs 11.05%, respectively). This study revealed differences in reporting AEs between rituximab and ocrelizumab. Infections were reported more frequently with ocrelizumab. Although speculative, a potentially different or more extensive B-cell depletion by ocrelizumab might explain these findings. Additional pharmacovigilance studies need to be performed to better characterize differences in the AE profile in B-cell-depleting therapies.


Immunologic identification of both plasma and human renal inactive renin as prorenin.
Antibodies were raised against a synthetic tetradecapeptide which is a component of the non-renin portion (prosegment) of human renin precursor. Inactive renin from human kidney and plasma strongly adsorbed to a gel coupled to immunoglobulins purified from such an antiserum. These results suggest that renal and circulating inactive human renins contain in their structure the prosegment of prorenin.


Products of cultured neuroglial cells: II. The production of fibronectin by C6 glioma cells.
The possibility of fibronectin production by C6 glioma cells was examined with assays which require protein synthesis. Proteins produced by C6 cells using radiolabeled amino acid precursors were tested for affinity to collagen by binding to immobilized gelatin. The predominant collagen binding protein made by C6 coelectrophoresed with fibronectin synthesized by control fibroblasts and with the larger of the two proteins in unlabeled fibronectin when applied to polyacrylamide gels with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). In addition, C6 produced a larger collagen binding protein of approximately 270,000 molecular weight. Solubilities in urea solutions of the collagen-binding proteins made by C6 cells and fibroblasts were similar. Immunofluorescence showed fibronectin associated with the C6 cell monolayer, but less abundant than the fibronectin associated with fibroblasts. Results provide evidence for the production of fibronectin by the C6 glioma cell line.


lncRNAs: function and mechanism in cartilage development, degeneration, and regeneration.
With the increasing incidence of cartilage-related diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA) and intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), heavier financial and social burdens need to be faced. Unfortunately, there is no satisfactory clinical method to target the pathophysiology of cartilage-related diseases. Many gene expressions, signaling pathways, and biomechanical dysregulations were involved in cartilage development, degeneration, and regeneration. However, the underlying mechanism was not clearly understood. Recently, lots of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were identified in the biological processes, including cartilage development, degeneration, and regeneration. It is clear that lncRNAs were important in regulating gene expression and maintaining chondrocyte phenotypes and homeostasis. In this review, we summarize the recent researches studying lncRNAs' expression and function in cartilage development, degeneration, and regeneration and illustrate the potential mechanism of how they act in the pathologic process. With continued efforts, regulating lncRNA expression in the cartilage regeneration may be a promising biological treatment approach.


Effect of samh seeds supplementation (Mesembryanthemum forsskalei Hochst) on liver enzymes and lipid profiles of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats.
Thirty streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic of Wistar Albino rats were divided into five groups. The rat groups received different food (natural diet or high fat content diet) supplemented with 10% or 15% of samh seeds for 6 weeks. At the end of the study, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phophatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzymes have been measured in diabetic rats liver. In addition, liver lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TAG), lipid peroxide production malondialdehyde (MDA)) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in have been measured in diabetic rats liver, and the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were also determined. The samh seeds diet supplemented with cholesterol significantly increase (P < 0.05) the levels of liver peroxide production MDA, TC and TG in diabetic rats comparing to the samh diet not supplemented with the cholesterol. However, the samh seeds significantly decrease (P < 0.05) the level of GSH. These data suggest that the samh seeds diet not supplemented with the cholesterol regulated C and TG metabolism and decrease the lipid peroxidation in the diabetic rats.


Resource allocation in Tomocerus flavescens (Insecta, Collembola): a study with C-14-labelled food.
Individuals of the collembolan species Tomocerus flavescens from a beech wood on limestone near Göttingen (West Germany) were fed with C-14-labelled algae in the laboratory. On an average, T. flavescens exchanged almost all of its endogenous carbon after 3.4 moults. In periods of starvation the interval between two ecdyses increased from 5.2 to 6.1 days (17°C). The assimilation efficiency was determined in three independent ways (carbon use of different algal components; A=C-FU; C=P+R+FU, A=P+R): it ranged from 0.34 to 0.40 (converted to energy values 0.30 to 0.45). It could be raised in phases of high mobility and in periods of food shortage by lowering the gut passage rate. The decrease in feeding activity (demonstrated by gut contents analyses) in case of a detoriation of the food quality and the food availability can be partly compensated in this way. For individuals which did not reproduce, the ratio of production to assimilation was 0.24 (converted to energy values 0.31). T. flavescens showed an increased body growth in connection with reaching sexual maturity. Specific demands of nutritive substances in periods of physiological changes could possibly be compensated by a more efficient resource use as well as by differences in resource allocation. The studied population of T. flavescens was compared both with that of a Danish beech forest and general data from the literature. The production of few eggs rich in energy, the high weight of newly hatched individuals, the high growth as well as the storage of carbon connected with egg production, the comparatively low respiration metabolism and the high amount of energy invested in search for food have to be regarded as an adaptation to the habitat. According to conservative estimates climbing individuals of this species consume 0.83 g of the algal dry mass growing on one beech tree during one summer. T. flavescens mainly uses the ethanol-soluble components of the algae.


Predictors of the Failure of Noninvasive Ventilation in Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure Caused by Severe Acute Pancreatitis: A Prospective Observational Study.
The aim of the study was to identify risk factors associated with the failure of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Patients who received NIV as a first-line therapy because of acute respiratory failure caused by SAP were enrolled. A total of 133 patients were enrolled. Of the patients, 32 (24%) experienced NIV failure. Male sex (odds ratio [OR], 4.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.48-12.22), older age (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08), a higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.03-1.36), and a procalcitonin level greater than 3.8 ng/mL (OR, 6.28; 95% CI, 2.04-19.31) were independently associated with NIV failure. The receiver operating characteristic curves for predicting NIV failure were 0.67, 0.72, and 0.76 tested by age, procalcitonin, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, respectively. From initiation to 24 hours, the patients in the NIV failure group had a higher proportion of Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 14 or less, a higher proportion of pH ≤7.35, and higher respiratory rates than ones in the successful NIV group. One of 4 SAP patients experience NIV failure. Age, sex, disease severity, level of inflammation, and vital signs can be used to predict NIV failure.


The lambda switch: cI closes the gap in autoregulation.
The bacteriophage lambda genetic switch is still yielding surprises. A recent study reveals that a long-range interaction involving proteins bound 2.4 kilobases away from one another on the phage genome mediates negative autoregulation, solving a long-standing puzzle concerning the regulation of lysogeny.


Dual-energy CT iodine overlay improves efficiency of oral contrast leak assessment.
Evaluation for gastrointestinal leak is a frequent imaging indication, and dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) with oral or rectally administered contrast can be used to improve efficiency and diagnostic confidence. To assess the value of the DECT iodine overlay (IO) reconstruction as a stand-alone image set compared to routine CT in assessing oral or rectal contrast leak from the gastrointestinal system. A blinded, retrospective audit study was performed by three readers who each interpreted 50 studies performed for assessment of oral or rectal contrast leak that were acquired using DECT. Each reader independently assessed both the routine CT images and the images of the reconstructed IO for contrast leak in random order with a six-week "wash-out period" between readings. Clinical follow-up provided the reference standard. Readers recorded the presence/absence of a leak, diagnostic confidence, image quality score, and interpretation time for each image set. Pooled data for overall accuracy in identification of a leak increased from 0.81 (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.74-0.87) for routine CT to 0.91 (95% CI=0.85-0.95) with IO, and the area under the curve (AUC) was significantly higher for IO than routine CT (P = 0.015). Readers required significantly less time to interpret IO than routine CT (median improvement of 12.5 s per image using pooled data; P < 0.001) while maintaining diagnostic confidence and perceived image quality. Use of DECT IO reconstructions for identification of oral or rectal contrast leak requires less time to interpret than routine CT with improved accuracy and maintained diagnostic confidence and perceived image quality.


Myocardial reactive hyperemia caused by initial myocardial anoxia during aortic valve replacement.
Reactive hyperemic response of individual coronary arteries and of the whole heart to anoxia during coronary cannulation was investigated in 10 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement. Reactive hyperemic response in man is identical to that reported in experimental investigations. The duration of hyperemic response was dependent on the length of the preceding period of anoxia; the longer the period of anoxia, the more prolonged was the hyperemic response. No significant collateral circulation between the coronary arteries could be demonstrated during prolonged anoxia of an individual coronary artery. Blood flow debt was almost always overpaid, but the repayment percentage decreased with the lengthening of the anoxic period, being 460 percent after a short period of anoxia (less than or equal to 2 minutes), 230 percent after an anoxic period of moderate length (3 to 5 minutes), and only 160 percent after a long period of anoxia (greater than or equal to 7 minutes). The total mean repayment of blood flow debt of the whole heart was 195 percent.


Sensitization of human neutrophil defense activities through activation of platelet-activating factor receptors by ginkgolide B, a bioactive component of the Ginkgo biloba extract EGB 761.
Ginkgolide B (GKB, BN 52021) was described as a platelet-activating factor (Paf) receptor antagonist. However, it is not known whether all GKB biological effects are mediated through Paf receptor antagonism only. To gain insight into the drug mode of action, we investigated here the effects of GKB per se on functional and signaling activities in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Treatment of PMN with GKB (0.5-12 microM) stimulates a rapid and weak production of reactive oxygen species determined by chemiluminescence. ROS production required the activation of protein kinase C (PKC), tyrosine kinases and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase as indicated by inhibitory effects of, respectively, GF 109203X (IC(50) of 0.5 microM), genistein (IC(50) of 0.5 microM) and SB 203580 (IC(50) of 0.2 microM) or SB 202190 (IC(50) of 1.1 microM). GKB stimulated a Pertussis toxin-sensitive PLD activity assessed by the formation of tritiated phosphatidic acid and choline. By contrast, GKB did prevent the Paf-mediated PLD activity and CL response (IC(50) of 2 microM). Interestingly, both GKB and Paf-induced CL response were prevented by selective Paf antagonists such as CV 6209 or WEB 2086 indicating that GKB may directly activate Paf receptors. Finally, GKB potentiated the CL response induced by fMet-Leu-Phe and zymosan. These results show that GKB is the first partial agonist of the Paf receptor described so far capable of priming the polymorphonuclear leukocyte function.


Imiquimod 5% cream is an acceptable treatment option for external anogenital warts in uncircumcised males.
To determine the safety and efficacy of imiquimod (Aldara) 5% cream in the treatment of prepuce-associated warts in uncircumcised males. An open-label study in six UK medical centres with 35 uncircumcised males with prepuce-associated warts treated with imiquimod 5% cream three times per week for up to 16 weeks. Other anogenital warts were also treated. Three times weekly application of imiquimod was found to be safe, with erythema as the most commonly reported local skin reaction. Forty per cent of patients had complete clearance of anogenital warts within 16 weeks. Imiquimod cream at a dosing regimen of three times per week, is effective and has an acceptable safety profile in the treatment of prepuce associated warts and other external anogenital warts in uncircumcised males.


The Bishop Score as a determinant of labour induction success: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
To evaluate the association between the Bishop Score and successful induction. STUDY STRATEGY AND SELECTION CRITERIA: We searched the PubMed and the lists of references of relevant studies to identify reports on the association between Bishop Score and achieving active phase of labour or vaginal delivery. We abstracted crude or adjusted measures of association from studies. Summary odds ratio (OR) and summary hazard ratio (HR), and 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) were obtained by random effects meta-analysis. Study heterogeneity was assessed using the I (2) test. Fifty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Analyses with crude ORs showed that women with higher versus lower Bishop Score were more likely to achieve vaginal delivery either with no time limit for this to occur, or within a certain time interval; the summary ORs according to the Bishop Score cutoff ranged from 1.98 (95 % CI: 1.58-2.48; I (2) = 36.6 %) to 5.48 (95 % CI: 1.67-17.96; I (2) = 0.0 %) and from 2.15 (95 % CI: 1.36-3.40; I (2) = 0.0 %) to 4.22 (95 % CI: 2.48-7.17; I (2) = 11.0 %), respectively. Summary estimates per unit increase in the Bishop Score, based on adjusted ORs, showed a positive association with achieving vaginal delivery, either with no time limit (OR(summary) = 1.33; 95 % CI: 1.13-1.56; I (2) = 66.1 %) or within a certain time interval (OR(summary) = 1.52; 95 % CI: 1.37-1.70; I (2) = 42.4 %). Summary HRs per unit increase in Bishop Score showed an association with induction to vaginal delivery (HR(summary) = 1.28; 95 % CI: 1.21-1.36; I (2) = 0.0 %), but not with induction to active phase (HR(summary) = 1.21; 95 % CI: 0.88-1.68; I (2) = 70.7 %) time interval. Bishop Score seems be a determinant of achieving vaginal delivery and is associated with induction-to-vaginal delivery time interval.


Effect of a web-based fertility preservation training program for medical professionals in Japan.
Our web-based training program called "Educating Medical Professionals about Reproductive Issues in Cancer Healthcare" aims to help healthcare professionals communicate promptly with patients and survivors who are adolescents and young adults, with information pertinent to reproductive health issues such as the risk of infertility and fertility preservation. The study participants were professional healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, midwives, psychologists, laboratory technicians, genetic counselors, and dieticians. Pre- and post- and 3-month follow-up tests consisting of 41 questions were administered to measure changes in knowledge and confidence. The participants also received a follow-up survey that covered confidence, communication techniques, and practice habits. A total of 820 healthcare providers participated in this program. The mean total score from the pre-test to the post-test grew significantly (p < 0.01), and participants' self-confidence increased. In addition, there was a change in the behavior of healthcare providers, who began asking about patients' marital status and parity. Our web-based fertility preservation training program improved knowledge and self-confidence regarding fertility preservation issues among healthcare providers caring for adolescents and young adult cancer patients and survivors.


Increased expression of long noncoding RNAs LOC100652951 and LOC100506036 in T cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis facilitates the inflammatory responses.
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the presence of aberrantly expressed lncRNAs could promote T cell inflammatory responses in patients with RA. The expression levels of 10 potential aberrantly expressed lncRNAs were evaluated in T cells from 39 patients with RA and 17 controls using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The aberrantly expressed lncRNAs were measured in Jurkat cells co-cultured with or without ionomycin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Transfection studies using small interfering RNA (siRNA) were conducted for biological functions, and microarray analysis was performed to search for target genes of specific lncRNAs. We confirmed that the expression levels of LOC100652951 and LOC100506036 were higher in RA T cells compared with controls. RA patients treated with biologic agents had lower expression levels of LOC100652951, and female RA patients had lower LOC100506036 expression levels after multivariate analysis. After activation, the expression levels of LOC100506036, but not LOC100652951, increased in Jurkat cells. Transfection of siRNA targeting LOC100506036 inhibited interferon gamma production and the expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells in activated Jurkat cells. After the microarray analysis with validation, inhibition of LOC100506036 expression by siRNA leaded to the decreased expression of sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 1 (SMPD1). In conclusion, the expression levels of LOC100652951 and LOC100506036 were increased in RA T cells. Treatment with biologic agents could lower the expression of LOC100652951 in RA T cells. LOC100506036 could regulate the expression of SMPD1 and NFAT1 and could contribute to the inflammatory responses in RA.


Protection of guinea pigs against primary and recurrent genital herpes infections by immunization with live heterologous or homologous Herpes simplex virus: implications for a herpes virus vaccine.
Guinea pigs, inoculated intravaginally with HSV type 2 develop a primary and spontaneously recurring genital herpes with clinical symptoms resembling genital herpes in humans. The effect of a previous infection with either HSV type 1 or HSV type 2 on the clinical course of the intravaginal challenge infection was studied. Prior infection with either subtype of HSV moderated considerably the acute disease induced by intravaginal HSV type 2 challenge. No effect was, however, observed on the development of the chronic phase of the challenge infection. The significance of these studies for the possibility of vaccination against recurrent herpes infections is discussed.


Comparison of resting-state spontaneous brain activity between treatment-naive schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Schizophrenia (SZ) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) share many demographic characteristics and severity of clinical symptoms, genetic risk factors, pathophysiological underpinnings, and brain structure and function. However, the differences in the spontaneous brain activity patterns between the two diseases remain unclear. Here this study aimed to compare the features of intrinsic brain activity in treatment-naive participants with SZ and OCD and to explore the relationship between spontaneous brain activity and the severity of symptoms. In this study, 22 treatment-naive participants with SZ, 27 treatment-naive participants with OCD, and sixty healthy controls (HC) underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan. The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo) and degree of centrality (DC) were performed to examine the intrinsic brain activity of participants. Additionally, the relationships among spontaneous brain activity, the severity of symptoms, and the duration of illness were explored in SZ and OCD groups. Compared with SZ group and HC group, participants with OCD had significantly higher ALFF in the right angular gyrus and the left middle frontal gyrus/precentral gyrus and significantly lower ALFF in the left superior temporal gyrus/insula/rolandic operculum and the left postcentral gyrus, while there was no significant difference in ALFF between SZ group and HC group. Compared with HC group, lower ALFF in the right supramarginal gyrus/inferior parietal lobule and lower DC in the right lingual gyrus/calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex of the two patient groups, higher ReHo in OCD group and lower ReHo in SZ group in the right angular gyrus/middle occipital gyrus brain region were documented in the present study. DC in SZ group was significantly higher than that in HC group in the right inferior parietal lobule/angular gyrus, while there were no significant DC differences between OCD group and HC group. In addition, ALFF in the left postcentral gyrus were positively correlated with positive subscale score (r = 0.588, P = 0.013) and general psychopathology subscale score (r = 0.488, P = 0.047) respectively on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) in SZ group. ALFF in the left superior temporal gyrus/insula/rolandic operculum of participants with OCD were positively correlated with compulsion subscale score (r = 0.463, P = 0.030) on the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). The longer the illness duration in SZ group, the smaller the ALFF of the left superior temporal gyrus/insula/rolandic operculum (Rho = 0.-492, P = 0.020). The longer the illness duration in OCD group, the higher the ALFF of the right supramarginal gyrus/inferior parietal lobule (Rho = 0.392, P = 0.043) and the left postcentral gyrus (Rho = 0.385, P = 0.048), and the lower the DC of the right inferior parietal lobule/angular gyrus (Rho = - 0.518, P = 0.006). SZ and OCD show some similarities in spontaneous brain activity in parietal and occipital lobes, but exhibit different patterns of spontaneous brain activity in frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital, and insula brain regions, which might imply different underlying neurobiological mechanisms in the two diseases. Compared with OCD, SZ implicates more significant abnormalities in the functional connections among brain regions.


Side Effects of Sulfur Dust on the European Grapevine Moth Lobesia botrana and the Predatory Mite Kampimodromus aberrans in Vineyards.
To reduce the impact of synthetic insecticides on human health and the environment, eco-friendly alternatives must be investigated. Knowledge of the side effects on pests and natural enemies of natural products applied to vineyards is very useful. Sulfur dust, which is used in vineyards to control powdery mildew, is investigated in laboratory and field bioassays for its effects on Lobesia botrana egg laying, egg hatching, and larval settlement. In field trials, the efficacy of sulfur dust against the two L. botrana carpophagous generations is compared with that of Bacillus thuringiensis and kaolin, and its side effects on the phytoseiid mite Kampimodromus aberrans are evaluated. In the bioassays, sulfur dust reduced female survival by 43%, egg laying by around 80%, egg hatching by 10%, and larval settlement by 55%. In field trials, sulfur dust caused a significant decrease in the number of L. botrana larval nests of both generations, even though the efficacy was lower than that of B. thuringiensis. No negative effects of sulfur dust on the predatory mite population density was observed. On the basis of these results, in the context of Integrated Pest Management strategies in vineyards, the activity of sulfur dust against L. botrana could be exploited by timing its application to the beginning of egg laying.


Preliminary report of a new concept in the pharmacological treatment of erectile impotence using an implantable drug delivery system.
A new approach in the treatment of erectile impotence by means of pharmacologically induced erections using a totally implantable drug delivery system is described. This method allows administration of the appropriate drug at a site remote from the penis, thereby overcoming the pain and discomfort associated with direct intrapenile injection.


lncRNA DSCAM-AS1 downregulates miR-216b to promote the migration and invasion of colorectal adenocarcinoma cells.
It has been reported that lncRNA DSCAM-AS1 plays an oncogenic role in breast cancer. In the present study we explored the role of DSCAM-AS1 in colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRA).Methods: Gene expression was analyzed by qPCR and Western blot. Overexpression experiments were performed to analyze gene interactions. Transwell assays were performed to analyze cell invasion and migration. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was performed to analyze DNA methylation. It was observed that DSCAM-AS1 was upregulated in the primary tumor tissues than in paired non-tumor tissues (within 2 cm around tumors) and was further increased with tumor metastasis. miR-216b was downregulated in primary tumor and further downregulated with tumor metastasis. miR-216b was inversely correlated with DSCAM-AS1 in tumor tissues, but not in non-tumor tissues. In cells of CRA cell lines, DSCAM-AS1 overexpression resulted in the downregulation of miR-216b, while miR-216b overexpression did not significantly affect DSCAM-AS1. DSCAM-AS1 overexpression did not significantly affect cancer cell proliferation but promoted cell migration and invasion. miR-216b inhibited cancer cell migration and invasion and significantly reduced the effects of DSCAM-AS1 overexpression. Methylation-specific PCR showed that DSCAM-AS1 overexpression promoted the methylation of miR-216b gene. DSCAM-AS1 may downregulate miR-216b to promote the migration and invasion of CRA cells.


Quantitative evaluation of high-resolution features in images of negatively stained Tobacco Mosaic Virus.
This study investigates the causes of the apparent differences between the optical diffraction pattern of a micrograph of a Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) particle, the optical diffraction pattern of a ten-fold photographically averaged image, and the computed diffraction pattern of the original micrograph. Peak intensities along the layer lines in the transform of the averaged image appear to be quite unlike those in the diffraction pattern of the original micrograph, and the diffraction intensities for the averaged image extend to unexpectedly high resolution. A carefully controlled, quantitative comparison reveals, however, that the optical diffraction pattern of the original micrograph and that of the ten-fold averaged image are essentially equivalent. Using computer-based image processing, we discovered that the peak intensities on the 6th layer line have values very similar in magnitude to the neighboring noise, in contrast to what was expected from the optical diffraction pattern of the original micrograph. This discrepancy was resolved by recording a series of optical diffraction patterns when the original micrograph was immersed in oil. These patterns revealed the presence of a substantial phase grating effect, which exaggerated the peak intensities on the 6th layer line, causing an erroneous impression that the high resolution features possessed a good signal-to-noise ratio. This study thus reveals some pitfalls and misleading results that can be encountered when using optical diffraction patterns to evaluate image quality.


Combined genome-centric metagenomics and stable isotope probing unveils the microbial pathways of aerobic methane oxidation coupled to denitrification process under hypoxic conditions.
Obligate aerobic methanotrophs have been proven to oxidize methane and participate in denitrification under hypoxic conditions. However, this phenomenon and its metabolic mechanism have not been investigated in detail in aerobic methane oxidation coupled to denitrification (AME-D) process. In this study, a type of hypoxic AME-D consortium was enriched and operated for a long time in a CH4-cycling bioreactor with strict anaerobic control and the nitrite removal rate reached approximately 50 mg N/L/d. Metagenomics combined with DNA stable-isotope probing demonstrated that the genus Methylomonas, which constitutes type I aerobic methanotrophs, was the dominant member and contributed to methane oxidation and partial denitrification. Metagenomic binning recovered a near-complete (98%) draft genome affiliated with the family Methylococcaceae containing essential genes that encode nitrite reductase (nirK), nitric oxide reductase (norBC) and hydroxylamine dehydrogenase (hao). Metabolic reconstruction of the selected Methylococcaceae genomes also revealed a potential link between methanotrophy and partial denitrification.


Electrochemical synthesis of gold nanostructure modified electrode and its development in electrochemical DNA biosensor.
In this article, gold nanostructure modified electrodes were achieved by a simple one-step electrodeposition method. The morphologies of modified electrodes could be easily controlled by changing the pH of HAuCl(4) solution. The novel nanoflower-like particles with the nanoplates as the building blocks could be interestingly obtained at pH 5.0. The gold nanoflower modified electrodes were then used for the fabrication of electrochemical DNA biosensor. The DNA biosensor fabrication process was characterized by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy with the use of ferricyanide as an electrochemical redox indicator. The DNA immobilization and hybridization on gold nanoflower modified electrode was studied with the use of [Ru(NH(3))(6)](3+) as a hybridization indicator. The electrochemical DNA biosensor shows a good selectivity and sensitivity toward the detection of target DNA. A detection limit of 1 pM toward target DNA could be obtained.


Molten globular characteristics of the native state of apomyoglobin.
Apomyoglobin, myoglobin lacking the haem group, is a natural intermediate in biosynthesis of myoglobin, and has some structural features in common with the haem-containing native state. Unfolding or refolding studies of apomyoglobin have identified a molten globule intermediate at acid pH. We show here that both the native state of apomyoglobin and the molten globule intermediate have highly plastic structures. Substitution of single amino acids on the surface or in the interior of helices in the native protein produce dramatic changes in the helix content and tryptophan emission of apomyoglobin at neutral and acidic pH. The signals from the intermediate and native apomyoglobin correlate closely suggesting that apomyoglobin itself has a molten globule-like character, its structure representing a population of interconverting substates rather than a fixed conformation.


BASH: a tool for managing BeadArray spatial artefacts.
With their many replicates and their random layouts, Illumina BeadArrays provide greater scope fordetecting spatial artefacts than do other microarray technologies. They are also robust to artefact exclusion, yet there is a lack of tools that can perform these tasks for Illumina. We present BASH, a tool for this purpose. BASH adopts the concepts of Harshlight, but implements them in a manner that utilizes the unique characteristics of the Illumina technology. Using bead-level data, spatial artefacts of various kinds can thus be identified and excluded from further analyses. The beadarray Bioconductor package (version 1.10 onwards), www.bioconductor.org


The relationship between gastric cancer cells circulating in the blood and microsatellite instability positive gastric carcinomas.
Cancers characterized by microsatellite instability may be biologically different from their counterparts with stable microsatellite sequences. Circulating cancers cell present in blood prior to surgery may constitute an adverse prognostic finding. To correlate these two phenomena with morphological features and survival in advanced gastric cancer. We examined 76 cases of resected sporadic, advanced gastric cancer by means of routine morphology and a panel of microsatellite markers. Sixty-six cases were screened for presence of cancer cells circulating in blood prior to the surgery using combined morphological and immunocytochemical approach. Twenty-one (27.6%) cases demonstrated microsatellite instability in at least one locus. Among them 11 (14.5%) showed microsatellite instability in more than 30% (4/12) examined loci, and they were therefore designated as replication error positive (RER+). Circulating cancer cells were detected in 2/19 microsatellite instability and in 11/47 remaining cases (difference not significant). The survival of the microsatellite instability cases was significantly better. The presence of circulating cancer cells did not correlate with survival. It is possible that the microsatellite instability status, but not circulating cancer cells, constitutes a prognostic predictive factor in advanced gastric carcinoma. Confirmation of this hypothesis requires continuation of patient follow-up.


An analysis of psychiatric patient attributes in Salford using categorical data models.
Much geographical work about mental illness has been aggregative in nature and, consequently, has ignored variation that might be attributed to individuals. The research reported here is intended to reverse this trend by applying the methods of categorical data analysis to the detailed patient histories contained in the Salford Psychiatric Case Register. The paper begins by reviewing the changing prevalence rates for various diagnoses and types of care in Salford between 1968 and 1986. In the light of this background log-linear data models are fitted to evaluate relationships between service usage and patient age, diagnosis and marital status and residential location at two survey points within the study period. Significant relationships are examined in terms of their temporal stability (such as the diagnosis of schizophrenia and a marital status of single) and instability (the changing role of the community psychiatric nurse) to isolate the main combinations of categories to influence the uptake of psychiatric services.


Delayed neurological sequelae of high-tension electrical burns.
Five patients showed delayed spinal cord damage following high-tension electrical injury. Early specialist care of this complication is necessary and is best carried out in burn units. Our experience shows that recovery may be complete or only partial.


Using the Biomechanical Examination to Guide Therapy.
In trying to explain the myriad of foot deformities and symptoms that have slow onset and/or are considered to be overuse syndromes, clinicians have been trying to develop quantitative examinations to describe the cause of the patient's problems and to better individualize treatment modalities. This type of examination is called a biomechanical examination. This article discusses some of the more common portions of a biomechanical examination of the foot and lower extremity. It will also point out some ways that the information from a biomechanical examination can be applied in clinically treating patients.


Quality of Life Measurement in Dogs and Cats: A Scoping Review of Generic Tools.
Quality of life (QoL) assessment in companion animals is an essential aspect of veterinary medicine that helps guide treatment decisions and ensures optimal animal welfare. Veterinarians and pet owners can use disease-specific or generic QoL assessment tools to evaluate an individual animal's QoL. The aim of this scoping review was to identify and assess published generic QoL assessment tools suitable for use in either dogs or cats. A literature search identified 82 relevant publications, nine of which contained appropriate generic QoL assessment tools in accordance with inclusion and exclusion criteria. Each tool was assessed for evidence of psychometric evaluation including statistical analysis, reliability and validity. Commonly included items were determined to highlight potential important aspects of dog or cat QoL. Five of the nine publications used a statistical method such as factor analysis to determine tool design and structure. Although at least one aspect of reliability and validity was assessed for seven of the tools, none were validated across all measures. Two of the publications contained minimal to no statistical analysis. Common items for both dogs and cats included those regarding activity level, the desire for interaction and appetite. In addition, common items for cats included those regarding mood and grooming. This scoping review identified and evaluated currently available generic QoL assessment tools, providing a reference point for future tool development and validation.


Add-on lacosamide: a retrospective study on the relationship between serum concentration, dosage, and adverse events.
We performed a retrospective study in patients with poorly controlled epilepsy treated with add-on lacosamide (LCM) to investigate the relationship of LCM-related adverse events with LCM serum concentration and weight-dependent dosage. We collected serum concentrations, weight-related dosages, and occurrences of the seven most frequent adverse events according to the randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. Seventy of 131 patients could be sufficiently evaluated. LCM serum concentrations and weight-related dosages in patients with and without typical adverse events did not differ significantly. Closer analysis of the data suggested that dizziness as the leading adverse event occurred significantly more often if LCM was combined with classic sodium channel blockers. There was a significant correlation between LCM serum concentrations and co-medication, so there is still evidence for dependent variables that might have a relevant impact in individual cases. However, our data do not allow definition of a safety range for LCM.


Verbal autopsy methods to ascertain birth asphyxia deaths in a community-based setting in southern Nepal.
The goals of this study were to (1) develop an approach to ascertain birth asphyxia deaths by using verbal autopsy data from a community-based setting in Nepal, and (2) explore variations in birth asphyxia mortality fractions by using different birth asphyxia case definitions and hierarchical classifications. Data were prospectively collected during a cluster-randomized, community-based trial of health interventions on neonatal mortality in Sarlahi, Nepal from 2002 to 2006. To assign cause of death, 4 computer-assigned, symptom-based asphyxia case definitions; Nepali physician classification; and our independent review of verbal autopsy open narratives were used. Various hierarchical classification approaches to assign cause of death were also explored. Birth asphyxia specific mortality ranged from 26% to 54%, depending on the computer case definition used. There was poor agreement between computer and physician classification of birth asphyxia. By comparing computer results, physician results, and our independent ascertainment of cause of death, we identified 246 cases of birth asphyxia (32% of neonatal deaths). Allowing for >1 cause of death, 30% and 42% of asphyxia cases also met criteria for prematurity and serious infection, respectively. When a hierarchy was used to assign a single cause of death, the birth asphyxia proportionate mortality was reduced to 12% when identification of deaths because of congenital anomalies, prematurity, and serious infections preceded birth asphyxia. The use of various verbal autopsy definitions and hierarchical approaches to assign cause of death may substantially affect estimates of birth asphyxia-specific mortality and analyses of risk factors. Verbal autopsy methods need to be standardized and validated to generate accurate global estimates to direct policy and resource allocation in low-middle-income countries.


In vitro studies on Borna virus. I. The use of cell cultures for the demonstration, titration and production of Borna virus.
Borna virus produces non-lytic infections in a wide spectrum of primary cell cultures and cell lines. The sensitivity and virus yields vary with the different cell systems. Accurate virus titrations can be performed in the RK 13 cell line by counting immunoflourescent microfoci between the 5th and 10th day after infection. Since the virus is not released from the cells and does not spread via the culture medium, the use of a semisolid overlay in unnecessary in virus titrations. The cell line most productive for Borna virus is the CV 1 line. The conditions for optimum virus production include a prolonged cultivation period of at least two weeks with regular changes of medium, and an incubation temperature of 35 degrees C. Harvest of the virus requires thorough disruption of the infected cells, preferably by ultrasonication, since Borna virus seems to be closely associated with cellular structures.


Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor with extensive involvement of the bladder in an adolescent: a case report.
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare lesion of unclear pathogenesis that shows a wide, highly variable spectrum of clinical behavior. We describe the case of a 17-year-old boy with a large IMT that infiltrated the bladder, ileocecal junction, peritoneum and pelvic retroperitoneal space. The tumor was associated with extensive toughening and thickening of the bladder, and, although it showed a tendency for invasive growth, it affected mainly the bladder and adjacent tissue. To the best of our knowledge, this case report is the first to describe an IMT involving the entire bladder and several adjacent pelviabdominal organs. The bladder wall was tough and could hardly be cut by scalpel. Levels of inflammatory response markers such as C-reactive protein fell after surgery.


[Percutaneous transluminal recanalization in a patient with arterial occlusive disease and multiple injuries (author's transl)].
A case of a 66 year old patient with multiple injuries is reported. A combination of conventional trauma treatment and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTR) of a segmented superficial femoral artery occlusion prevented leg amputation. When the patient died 8 weeks later from trauma sequelae the successful recanalization was demonstrated in histopathology investigation. It is concluded that PTR is an ideal accessory to the present therapeutic spectrum in vascular surgery.


Surgery for congenital anomalies of the middle ear with mobile stapes.
In a series of 104 patients with congenital middle ear anomalies operated on from 1964 to 1986, 27 cases were found in which the stapes footplate was mobile and the conductive deafness was due to an anomaly in the remaining part of the ossicular chain. In 8 cases the middle ear anomaly was caused by discontinuity of the ossicular chain owing to congenital malformation. In the other 19 ears, epitympanic fixation of the ossicular chain was observed, whether or not in combination with malformation of the stapes, incus or malleus. Ossicular chain reconstruction produced an improvement of at least 15 dB in 6 of the first 8 cases with discontinuity of the ossicular chain. The mean gain was 31 dB. Epitympanotomy with exposure of the fixed ossicle and if necessary ossicular chain reconstruction led to an improvement of at least 15 dB in 12 of the 19 ears, with a mean gain of 28 dB.


Marital Experiences and Depression in an Arranged Marriage Setting.
Understanding the consequences of marital experiences for individual mental health provides insight into how social relationships shape individual wellbeing. Using newly available, clinically validated diagnostic interviews with more than 10,000 respondents integrated with the longitudinal Chitwan Valley Family Study (CVFS), we assess the associations between marital experiences, intimate partner violence (IPV), and mental health and how they differ by gender in a setting of universal marriage-Nepal. Particularly novel, we integrate measures of arranged marriage, IPV, and marital quality into a single comprehensive analysis of the marital experiences shaping subsequent depression. This study reveals that becoming married can be positively associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) for women. IPV is a strong and independent risk factor for depression, but it only mediates a small portion of the consequences of marriage on depression. Among women, having no say at all in the selection of a spouse is also a strong and independent risk factor for depression, and IPV can only mediate a small portion of the consequences of arranged marriage on depression. We also investigate the associations between the positive (i.e., husband-wife emotional bond) and negative (i.e., spousal criticism and disagreement) dimensions of marital quality and depression. Frequent spousal disagreement significantly increases depression for women, but strong husband-wife emotional bond is not significantly associated with depression. Overall, the associations between marital experiences and mental health should be understood as contingent on both gender and the social contexts of marriage. Depending on these factors, specific marital experiences have the potential to increase transitions to depression, not just protect from depression.


Comparative metabolomics of Phialemonium curvatum as an omnipotent fungus cultivated on crude palm oil versus glucose.
Sugars and triglycerides are common carbon sources for microorganisms. Nonetheless, a systematic comparative interpretation of metabolic changes upon vegetable oil or glucose as sole carbon source is still lacking. Selected fungi that can grow in acidic mineral salt media (MSM) with vegetable oil had been identified recently. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the overall metabolite changes of an omnipotent fungus and to reveal changes at central carbon metabolism corresponding to both carbon sources. Targeted and non-targeted metabolomics for both polar and semi-polar metabolites of Phialemonium curvatum AWO2 (DSM 23903) cultivated in MSM with palm oil (MSM-P) or glucose (MSM-G) as carbon sources were obtained. Targeted metabolomics on central carbon metabolism of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and glyoxylate cycle were analysed using LC-MS/MS-TripleQ and GC-MS, while untargeted metabolite profiling was performed using LC-MS/MS-QTOF followed by multivariate analysis. Targeted metabolomics analysis showed that glyoxylate pathway and TCA cycle were recruited at central carbon metabolism for triglyceride and glucose catabolism, respectively. Significant differences in organic acids concentration of about 4- to 8-fold were observed for citric acid, succinic acid, malic acid, and oxaloacetic acid. Correlation of organic acids concentration and key enzymes involved in the central carbon metabolism was further determined by enzymatic assays. On the other hand, the untargeted profiling revealed seven metabolites undergoing significant changes between MSM-P and MSM-G cultures. Overall, this study has provided insights on the understanding on the effect of triglycerides and sugar as carbon source in fungi global metabolic pathway, which might become important for future optimization of carbon flux engineering in fungi to improve organic acids production when vegetable oil is applied as the sole carbon source.


Multiple imaging modalities in a case of hibernoma.
Hibernoma is a rare hypervascular benign tumour that originate from brown fat. A case of hibernoma of the thigh, examined by xeroradiography, ultrasound, CT and angiography, is reported. The characteristics of this tumour are considered.


Immunosuppressive MFAP2+ cancer associated fibroblasts conferred unfavorable prognosis and therapeutic resistance in gastric cancer.
To explore the predictive merit of MFAP2+ cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) infiltration for clinical outcomes and adjuvant chemotherapy or immunotherapy responsiveness in gastric cancer (GC). In this study, several independent cohorts were included respectively to dissect the relationship of clinical outcomes, therapeutic responses and tumor microenvironment with different MFAP2+ CAFs infiltration. Drug sensitivity analysis was conducted to predict the relationship between MFAP2+ CAFs infiltration and targeted drug response. Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test were used to compare clinical outcomes of patients with different MFAP2+ CAFs infiltration. High MFAP2+ CAFs infiltration yielded inferior prognosis in terms of overall survival, progress free survival and recurrence free survival in GC. Patients with low MFAP2+ CAFs infiltration were more likely to gain benefit from adjuvant therapy. Moreover, low MFAP2+ CAFs infiltration could predict a promising response to immunotherapy in GC patients. MFAP2+ CAFs with immunosuppressive features were highly relevant to immune evasive contexture characterized by the dysfunction of CD8+ T cells. We found that MFAP2+ CAFs communicated with T cells, B cells and Macrophages through releasing macrophage migration inhibitor factor (MIF), which further suggested that MFAP2+ CAFs might promote therapeutic resistance through regulating T cells dysfunction and M2 macrophages polarization. Immunosuppressive MFAP2+ CAFs constructed an immune evasive tumor microenvironment characterized by incapacitated immune effector cells, consequently predicting inferior clinical outcomes and response on adjuvant therapy and immunotherapy in patients with GC. The potential of immunosuppressive MFAP2+ CAFs as a therapeutic target for GC deserved thoroughly exploration.


Prevention of Weight Regain Following Bariatric Surgery.
Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for patients with severe or moderate obesity; however, long-term studies have identified that weight regain occurs post-operatively among a portion of patients. The underlying factors that influence weight regain following bariatric surgery are multifactorial and include endocrine/metabolic alterations, anatomic surgical failure, nutritional indiscretion, mental health issues, and physical inactivity. The extent and significance of these factors is currently uncertain and likely varies between individuals and the operative procedure performed. Multiple observational and non-randomized studies and a few randomized controlled trials have been reported that focus on improving post-operative weight loss. Across all of the behavioral and group support studies, patients in the treatment groups showed either no benefit or modestly greater weight loss than patients in the control groups. There are no randomized controlled trials that have specifically targeted weight regain. Additional clinical research is needed to identify etiological factors and interventional strategies.


Higher occurrence of childhood cancer in families with germline mutations in BRCA2, MMR and CDKN2A genes.
The contribution of hereditary factors for development of childhood tumors is limited to some few known syndromes associated with predominance of tumors in childhood. Occurrence of childhood tumors in hereditary cancer syndromes such as BRCA1/2 associated breast and ovarian cancer, DNA-mismatch repair (MMR) genes associated hereditary non polyposis colorectal cancer and CDKN2A associated familial malignant melanoma are very little studied. Herein we report the prevalence of childhood tumors (diagnosed<or=18 years of age) in families identified with mutation in the BRCA1/2, MMR and CDKN2A genes. Using pedigrees at the Regional Oncogenetic Clinic at Lund University Hospital, the prevalence of childhood cancer was estimated in families with mutations in the BRCA1 (n=98), BRCA2 (n=43) MMR (MLH1, MSH2 MSH6) (n=31) and CDKN2A (n=15) genes in comparison with population based control families (n=854). Compared with the control group, a significantly higher prevalence of childhood cancer was found in families with mutations in BRCA2 (9.3% vs. 0.8% P=0.001), MMR genes (19.4% vs. 0.8% P<0.001) and CDKN2A (20.0% vs. 0.8% P<0.001), but not in families with BRCA1 mutations (1.0% vs. 0.8% P=0.6). Further analyses showed an increased risk for childhood tumors in families with mutations in BRCA2 (OR 12.4; 95% CI 3.5-44.1), MMR genes (OR 29.0; 95% CI 9.1-92.6), and CDKN2A (OR 30.2; 95% CI 7.0-131.1). This study suggests that the risk for childhood tumors is increased in families with germline mutations in the BRCA2, MMR and CDKN2A genes.


Association between residential greenness and sleep quality in Chinese rural population.
Epidemiological studies on the association of residential greenness with sleep quality are limited in China. This study aims to investigate the association of long-term exposure to residential greenness with sleep quality in rural China. In our study, 27,654 rural residents were selected from 4 counties of Henan Province by a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method. Participants' sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), two satellite-derived vegetation indexes, were used to assess the level of residential greenness. Long-term greenness exposure was defined as the averages of NDVI and EVI during the three years prior to the baseline survey. The relationship between sleep quality and greenness was assessed using the mixed-effect linear regression models. Among 27,654 rural residents, the mean age was 55.89 years (standard deviation, SD = 12.22) and 60.18% of them were female. In the crude model, the PSQI score decreased with per interquartile range (IQR) increase in EVI and NDVI [ΔPSQI score (95% confidence interval, 95%CI): -0.073 (-0.115, -0.030) and -0.047 (-0.089, -0.002)]. After controlling potential confounders, ΔPSQI scores and 95%CIs were -0.055 (-0.095, -0.012) and -0.090 (-0.151, -0.025) associated with per IQR increment in EVI and NDVI. The results of stratified analyses showed the effect of residential greenness on sleep was stronger among males and individuals with higher household income and educational attainment than females and those with lower household income and educational attainment. Moreover, the modification effect of air pollution was observed in the greenness-sleep association. Our study indicated that higher residential greenness was significantly associated with better sleep quality in Chinese rural population, which highlights the significant effect of green space on human health.


Flow cytometry as an estimation tool for honey bee sperm viability.
Flow cytometry is a method to conduct a multiparameter analysis of cells suspended in liquid and passing through a laser beam. Analyses of human and other mammal sperm using this method have already been performed but its application for insect semen is still the subject of investigation. Semen isolated from honey bee Apis mellifera seminal vesicles was dyed using SYBR-14 and propidium iodide (PI). The fluorescence of the SYBR-14 stained cells was analyzed in a green fluorescence channel (FL-1), while the PI fluorescence was analyzed in a red fluorescence channel (FL-3). Living and dead cell populations were separated using a density dot plot and the percentage of each in the sample was calculated. Flow cytometry seems to be an effective tool for assessing the viability of honey bee semen, solving the problems of distinguishing and counting the double-stained cells.


Rheumatoid disease with involvement of the leptomeninges presenting as symptomatic epilepsy.
A case of rheumatoid disease with localised granulomatous involvement of the leptomeninges is described. This meningeal disease apparently caused a symptomatic epilepsy. This is thought to be only the second reported case of rheumatoid granulomatous involvement of the leptomeninges.


Simultaneous oesophagectomy and CABG for cancer and ischaemic heart disease.
We describe a case of simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and oesophagectomy for ischaemic heart disease and oesophageal carcinoma.


The metabolism of dibenz[b,f]-1,4-oxazepine (CR): in vivo hydroxylation of 10,11-dihydrodibenz[b,f]-1,4-oxazepin-11-(1OH)-one and the NIH shift.
Studies of the in vivo metabolism of 10,11-dihydrodibenz[b,f]-1,4-oxazepin-11-(1OH)-one (2) specifically deuteriated at C7 implicate an arene oxide intermediate during the conversion to 7-hydroxy-2 (4) as evidenced by the observation of the NIH shift.


Acantholytic dyskeratotic epidermal nevus: a rare histopathologic feature.
Epidermal nevus is a congenital malformation of the epidermis consisting of verrucoid scaly plaques on the skin, often in a linear fashion. Different histologic features have been seen and, at times, acantholytic dyskeratosis has been observed. We report a new case of acantholytic dyskeratotic epidermal nevus. A 3-year-old girl presented, since birth, asymptomatic keratotic scaly lesions on the left hemithorax and left arm that followed Blaschko's lines. Biopsies revealed acanthosis, papillomatosis, hyperkeratosis and focal areas of suprabasal clefting with acantholysis, as well as individual dyskeratotic cells (corps ronds et grains) in the upper layers of the epidermis. In the literature, this histologic feature has been reported twice. Generalized or localized Darier's disease are well-established clinical entities with characteristic histologic features of acantholytic dyskeratosis. Because of the linear clinical appearance and the onset at birth or early childhood, the lesions should be regarded as epidermal nevi and not linear Darier's disease. We report here an additional case of dyskeratotic epidermal nevus, which is a rare histopathologic feature.


Autoantibodies against malondialdehyde-modified LDL are elevated in subjects with an LDL subclass pattern B.
Small low density lipoproteins (LDL) are more susceptible to in vitro oxidation than larger LDL. To study whether this leads to more oxidation of small LDL in vivo, we determined the level of autoantibodies against malondialdehyde-modified LDL (MDA-LDL) in subjects with small or large LDL (LDL subclass pattern B or A) by ELISA. The study group consisted of 92 subjects with coronary heart disease without severe hypercholesterolemia (mean total plasma cholesterol 5.9 +/- 0.8 mM), 46 with an LDL subclass pattern A and 46 with an LDL subclass pattern B. In the subjects with LDL subclass pattern B the titre of autoantibodies of the IgM class against MDA-LDL was 29% higher than in the subjects with LDL subclass pattern A (P < 0.0001). The concentration of the anti-MDA-LDL autoantibodies of the IgM class was 58% higher in the patients with the pattern B than in the patients with the pattern A (P < 0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference in the titre or concentration of autoantibodies of the IgG class between subjects with LDL subclass patterns A and B. Besides plasma triglyceride and HDL cholesterol, the titre and concentration of the IgM autoantibodies were found to be independent predictors of the LDL subclass pattern. These results show that small LDL are associated with higher autoantibody levels than large LDL. Based on the assumption that the level of autoantibodies against MDA-LDL represents the rate of LDL oxidation in vivo, we conclude that in vivo small LDL is more readily oxidised than larger LDL.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Lymphocyte sub-populations and non-Langerhans' cell monocytoid cells in pulmonary Langerhans' cell histiocytosis.
Pulmonary Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (PLCH) is a disease characterized by the occurrence of complex fibro-cellular interstitial lesions dominated by Langerhans' cells (LC), which occurs predominantly in young adult smokers. We undertook this retrospective study to better define the lymphohistiocytic cell populations in PLCH in order to obtain a greater insight into its pathogenesis. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, surgically excised, archival lung tissue from seven patients (two males, five females; average age 34.9 years) was immunostained with a panel of antibodies for lymphohistiocytic markers: CD1a, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD15, CD20, CD56, TIA-1, CD68-PGM1, Mac387, and mast cell tryptase. Double immunolabeling was performed with CD1a/Mac387. Leder cytochemical stain for chloroacetate esterase was also performed. A moderate number of lymphocytes, predominantly T lymphocytes, were scattered diffusely within the lesions. The mean CD4/CD8 ratio was 0.1/1. The CD3/CD8 ratio (1.18/1) substantiated the CD4/CD8 ratio. The CD8 subset was CD56-negative and TIA-1-positive, indicating a cytotoxic T lymphocyte phenotype. CD68-PGM1 was strongly positive in alveolar macrophages (AM) and weakly stained LC. Mac387, a marker of activated macrophages, weakly stained AM, while highlighting other interstitial cells. These interstitial cells appeared not to be LC (substantiated by CD1a/Mac387 dual labeling) or CD68-PGM-1-positive macrophages. Having excluded mast cells (positive with mast cell tryptase) and neutrophils (positive with CD15 and Leder stains), there appeared to be a residual population of non-Langerhans cell monocytoid cells (NLMC), which were Mac 387+, CD68-PGM1-, Mast cell tryptase-, CD15-, and CD1a-. Our results showed a predominance of CD8+, TIA-1+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes among the lymphocyte subsets which appear to interact with LC and AM in PLCH lesions. A small sub-population of NLMC was also present. Further studies are required to better define and to evaluate the role of cytotoxic T cells and NLMC in the pathogenesis of PLCH.


Incidence of mental illness in the aged: unmasking the effects of a diagnosis of chronic brain syndrome.
A combination of three psychiatric screening tests was used to uncover the extent of affective-psychotic symptoms, the indications of "chronic brain syndrome," and the perceptual limitations among two selected populations of elderly persons. It was found that 25% of 48 residents in a home for the aged, and 9% of 45 members in a social club, had four or more affective-psychotic complaints. In the former group, 75% had symptoms of moderate to severe "chronic brain syndrome," versus 7% in the latter group. Among the residents of the home, 10% had serious disturbances as measured by all three tests. The significant number of affective-psychotic symptoms found in this population with extensive manifestations classifiable as "chronic brain syndrome" indicates that this diagnosis should not be allowed to preclude regular psychiatric evaluation of these elderly patients. When a specific diagnosis is established, available treatment modalities should be provided as needed.


Utilization of the least shrew as a rapid and selective screening model for the antiemetic potential and brain penetration of substance P and NK1 receptor antagonists.
Substance P (SP) is thought to play a cardinal role in emesis via the activation of central tachykinin NK1 receptors during the delayed phase of vomiting produced by chemotherapeutics. Although the existing supportive evidence is significant, due to lack of an appropriate animal model, the evidence is indirect. As yet, no study has confirmed that emesis produced by SP or a selective NK1 receptor agonist is sensitive to brain penetrating antagonists of either NK1, NK2, or NK3 receptors. The goals of this investigation were to demonstrate: 1) whether intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of either SP, a brain penetrating (GR73632) or non-penetrating (e.g. SarMet-SP) NK1 receptor agonist, an NK2 receptor agonist (GR64349), or an NK3 receptor agonist (Pro7-NKB), would induce vomiting and/or scratching in the least shrew (Cryptotis parva) in a dose-dependent manner; and whether these effects are sensitive to the above selective receptor antagonists; 2) whether an exogenous emetic dose of SP (50 mg/kg, i.p.) can penetrate into the shrew brain stem and frontal cortex; 3) whether GR73632 (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced activation of NK1 receptors increases Fos-measured neuronal activity in the neurons of both brain stem emetic nuclei and the enteric nervous system of the gut; and 4) whether selective ablation of peripheral NK1 receptors can affect emesis produced by GR73632. The results clearly demonstrated that while SP produced vomiting only, GR73632 caused both emesis and scratching behavior dose-dependently in shrews, and these effects were sensitive to NK1-, but not NK2- or NK3-receptor antagonists. Neither the selective, non-penetrating NK1 receptor agonists, nor the selective NK2- or NK3-receptor agonists, caused a significant dose-dependent behavioral effect. An emetic dose of SP selectively and rapidly penetrated the brain stem but not the frontal cortex. Systemic GR73632 increased Fos expression in the enteric nerve plexi, the medial subnucleus of nucleus tractus solitarius, and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, but not the area postrema. Ablation of peripheral NK1 receptors attenuated the ability of GR73632 to induce a maximal frequency of emesis and shifted its percent animals vomiting dose-response curve to the right. The NK1-ablated shrews exhibited scratching behavior after systemic GR73632-injection. These results, for the first time, affirm a cardinal role for central NK1 receptors in SP-induced vomiting, and a facilitatory role for gastrointestinal NK1 receptors. In addition, these data support the validation of the least shrew as a specific and rapid behavioral animal model to screen concomitantly both the CNS penetration and the antiemetic potential of tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonists.


Weight effect of saline accumulation in surgical drapes.
Positive vitreal pressure during phacoemulsification is a known risk factor for posterior capsule rupture. Knowledge of modifiable causes of positive vitreal pressure is imperative to aid in its management intraoperatively. The aim of our study was to determine whether the weight from the accumulation of a large volume of saline in the surgical drapes could have an effect on intraocular pressure in patients. Such an effect could indicate a source of posterior vitreal pressure in patients undergoing prolonged phacoemulsification. In 23 adult patients undergoing phacoemulsification at the Jones Eye Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, intraocular pressure readings were taken before and after the addition of 500 cc of saline to the surgical drapes and taken again after removal of the saline. Statistically significant differences in intraocular pressure were found between the baseline measurement, the measurement with saline, and the measurement after saline removal. No differences in the rise in intraocular pressure were found according to age, race, sex, or which eye was tested. Accumulation of a large volume of saline in surgical drapes has a modest effect on intraocular pressure. This may indicate a contributing cause of posterior vitreal pressure during prolonged phacoemulsification.


The gene for incontinentia pigmenti is assigned to Xq28.
A linkage study of eight families with incontinentia pigmenti (IP) has been performed, and linkage to site DXS52 has been established. We suggest that the IP locus lies in the Xq terminal region on the long arm of the X chromosome.


Renal impairment in a "real-life" cohort of anticoagulated patients with atrial fibrillation (implications for thromboembolism and bleeding).
Renal dysfunction is highly prevalent among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and confers an increased risk of thrombotic and bleeding complications. We evaluated the effect of renal function on prognosis in anticoagulated patients with AF and assessed the changes in renal function during a long-term follow-up period. We recruited 978 consecutive stable anticoagulated patients with AF from our outpatient anticoagulation clinic (international normalized ratio 2.0 to 3.0 within the previous 6 months). The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation at inclusion and 2 years of follow-up. Adverse events were recorded during follow-up (thrombotic/vascular events, major bleeding episodes, and mortality). Longitudinal changes in renal function were analyzed in 886 patients (90.6%). At baseline, the median eGFR using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation was 70.24 ml/min/1.73 m(2) (interquartile range 46.79 to 72.52). During follow-up, a low eGFR was associated with thrombotic/vascular events, with every 30 ml/min/1.73 m(2) eGFR decrease (hazard ratio 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11 to 1.83, p = 0.006), bleeding (hazard ratio 1.44, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.94, p = 0.015), and mortality (hazard ratio 1.47, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.91, p = 0.004). After excluding patients with a baseline eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m(2), the mean eGFR in our cohort decreased >10 ml/min/1.73 m(2) in 181 patients (21%) during the follow-up period. The variables associated with severe renal impairment during follow-up were heart failure (odds ratio 3.58, 95% CI 1.36 to 9.42, p = 0.010), basal eGFR (odds ratio 6.34, 95% CI 2.44 to 16.50, p <0.001), and CHADS2 (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age >75 years, Diabetes mellitus, and previous Stroke or transient ischemic attack [doubled]) score (odds ratio 1.63, 95% CI 1.19 to 2.23, p = 0.003). In conclusion, the presence of impaired renal function was closely related to thrombotic/vascular events, bleeding, and mortality in anticoagulated patients with AF. During follow-up, 1/5 of the patients had significant impairment in renal function. Importantly, normal or mild renal dysfunction at baseline did not exclude the subsequent development of severe renal dysfunction during the follow-up period.


Cost-effectiveness analysis of colorectal cancer treatments.
A concise overview is provided of the methodology of cost-effectiveness analyses, followed by a survey of published CEAs of colorectal cancer treatments. To gain credibility, the methodology applied in CEAs must be further improved. Costs are rarely estimated from the societal perspective, and little is known about how colorectal patients value their treatment and health.


The role of education in maternal depressive symptoms among different ethnic groups: A cross-sectional study in rural western China.
To estimate the maternal depressive symptoms (MDS) rates in different ethnic groups, and to explore possible reasons especially the role of education for its ethnic differences. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in 20 rural counties of 8 provinces in western China. The possible influencing factors of MDS were collected. The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to assess MDS. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the risk factors of MDS. Two multivariate logistic regression models that separately containing and not containing the factor of educational level were used to explore the role of education in the ethnic differences of MDS. A total of 3,163 mothers were included in the analysis, and the MDS rate was 15.6%. In multivariate analysis, educational level of primary school and below (adjOR1: 1.47, 95%CI: 1.07-2.03), delivery at home (adjOR1: 1.66, 95%CI: 1.11-2.47) and diarrhea of youngest child in the past two weeks (adjOR1: 1.31, 95%CI: 1.03-1.67) remained as independent predictors of MDS after adjusting all the factors significant in univariate analysis. If educational level was not adjusted in above multivariate model, women from Yi ethnic group (adjOR2: 1.39, 95%CI: 1.03-1.89) would additionally become significant. EPDS is a screening tool and some possible risk factors for MDS were not included. The ethnic differences in MDS were largely due to the ethnic differences in educational level. To reduce the high risk of MDS among Yi mothers, further popularizing nine-year compulsory education could be effective.


Effects of 7-ketocholesterol on tamoxifen efficacy in breast carcinoma cell line models in vitro.
Oxysterols play significant roles in many physiological and pathological processes including cancer. They modulate some of the cancer hallmarks pathways, influence the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs, and associate with patient survival. In this study, we aimed to analyze the role of 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC) in breast carcinoma cells and its potential modulation of the tamoxifen effect. 7-KC effects were studied in two estrogen receptor (ER)-positive (MCF-7 and T47D) and one ER-negative (BT-20) breast cancer cell lines. First, we tested the viability of cells in the presence of 7-KC. Next, we co-incubated cells with tamoxifen and sublethal concentrations of 7-KC. We also tested changes in caspase 3/7 activity, deregulation of the cell cycle, and changes in expression of selected genes/proteins in the presence of tamoxifen, 7-KC, or their combination. Finally, we analyzed the effect of 7-KC on cellular migration and invasion. We found that the presence of 7-KC slightly decreases the efficacy of tamoxifen in MCF-7 cells, while an increased effect of tamoxifen and higher caspase 3/7 activity was observed in the BT-20 cell line. In the T47D cell line, we did not find any modulation of tamoxifen efficacy by the presence of 7-KC. Expression analysis showed the deregulation in CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 with the opposite trend in MCF-7 and BT-20 cells. Moreover, 7-KC increased cellular migration and invasion potential regardless of the ER status. This study shows that 7-KC can modulate tamoxifen efficacy as well as cellular migration and invasion, making 7-KC a promising candidate for future studies.


Qualitative responses to a national physician survey on HPV vaccination.
Independently offered comments on a physician survey may reveal new insight into physician recommendations for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to their patients. The current study is a follow-up to a previous report of free-response comments and describes remarks from the second of two surveys regarding physicians' HPV vaccine recommendation practices. A secondary objective was to investigate comments specific to male HPV vaccination, which was FDA approved after the first survey was completed. In 2011, a mailed survey assessing physicians' HPV-related knowledge, attitudes, and vaccination practices was conducted among a national sample of U.S. primary care physicians, including Family Physicians, Pediatricians, and Obstetricians/Gynecologists. Comments were analyzed using grounded theory and content analysis. Of 928 completed surveys received, 134 participants provided comments, which were coded into four overall categories: 1) the survey process, 2) personal strategy for discussing HPV vaccine, 3) clinical practice guidelines preference, and 4) barriers to vaccine administration. Twenty-six comments were specific to males, with 17 physicians stating they did not recommend HPV vaccine to males. Physicians also cited the need for more information about HPV vaccine safety and efficacy for males. Respondents used the open-ended portion of the survey to reemphasize issues that were most important to them and to offer insight about the vaccine and survey process. This study was funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (R01AI076440-01).


Self-peptides in TCR repertoire selection and peripheral T cell function.
The vertebrate antigen receptors are anticipatory in their antigen recognition and display a vast diversity. Antigen receptors are assembled through V(D)J recombination, in which one of each Variable, (Diverse), and Joining gene segment are randomly utilized and recombined. Both gene rearrangement and mutational insertion are generated through randomness; therefore, the process of antigen receptors generation requires a rigorous testing system to select every receptor which is useful to recognize foreign antigens, but which would cause no harm to self cells. In the case of T cell receptors (TCR), such a quality control responsibility rests in thymic positive and negative selection. In this review, we focus on the critical involvement of self-peptides in the generation of a T cell repertoire, discuss the role of T cell thymic development in shaping the specificity of TCR repertoire, and directing function fitness of mature T cells in periphery. Here, we consider thymic positive selection to be not merely a one-time maturing experience for an individual T cell, but a life-long imprinting which influences the function of each individual T cell in periphery.


Functional expression and properties of the tRNA(Lys)-specific core anticodon nuclease encoded by Escherichia coli prrC.
Escherichia coli carrying the optional locus prr harbor a latent, tRNA(Lys)-specific anticodon nuclease, activated by the product of phage T4 stp. Anticodon nuclease latency is ascribed to the masking of prrC, implicated with the enzymatic activity, by flanking, type Ic DNA restriction modification genes (prrA, B&D-hsdM, S&R). Overexpression of plasmid-borne prrC elicited anticodon nuclease activity in uninfected E. coli. In vitro, the prr-C-coded core activity was indifferent to a synthetic Stp polypeptide, GTP, ATP, and endogenous DNA, effectors that synergistically activate the latent enzyme. Several facts suggested that PrrC is highly labile in the absence of the masking proteins. The core activity decayed with t1/2 below 1 min at 30 degrees C, and the PrrC portion of a fusion protein was unstable. Moreover, expression of prrC from its own promoter at low plasmid copy number did not allow detection of core activity. Yet, it sufficed for establishment of a latent, T4-inducible enzyme when complemented by the masking Hsd proteins, which were provided by another replicon. Interaction between the antagonistic components of latent anticodon nuclease was also demonstrated immunochemically. The coupling of anticodon nuclease with a DNA restriction modification system may serve to ward off its inadvertent toxicity and maintain it as an antiviral contingency.


Connectomics Annotation Metadata Standardization for Increased Accessibility and Queryability.
Neuroscientists can leverage technological advances to image neural tissue across a range of different scales, potentially forming the basis for the next generation of brain atlases and circuit reconstructions at submicron resolution, using Electron Microscopy and X-ray Microtomography modalities. However, there is variability in data collection, annotation, and storage approaches, which limits effective comparative and secondary analysis. There has been great progress in standardizing interfaces for large-scale spatial image data, but more work is needed to standardize annotations, especially metadata associated with neuroanatomical entities. Standardization will enable validation, sharing, and replication, greatly amplifying investment throughout the connectomics community. We share key design considerations and a usecase developed for metadata for a recent large-scale dataset.


From ecological functions to ecosystem services: linking coastal lagoons biodiversity with human well-being.
In this review we highlight the relevance of biodiversity that inhabit coastal lagoons, emphasizing how species functions foster processes and services associated with this ecosystem. We identified 26 ecosystem services underpinned by ecological functions performed by bacteria and other microbial organisms, zooplankton, polychaetae worms, mollusks, macro-crustaceans, fishes, birds, and aquatic mammals. These groups present high functional redundancy but perform complementary functions that result in distinct ecosystem processes. Because coastal lagoons are located in the interface between freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, the ecosystem services provided by the biodiversity surpass the lagoon itself and benefit society in a wider spatial and historical context. The species loss in coastal lagoons due to multiple human-driven impacts affects the ecosystem functioning, influencing negatively the provision of all categories of services (i.e., supporting, regulating, provisioning and cultural). Because animals' assemblages have unequal spatial and temporal distribution in coastal lagoons, it is necessary to adopt ecosystem-level management plans to protect habitat heterogeneity and its biodiversity, ensuring the provision of services for human well-being to multi-actors in the coastal zone.


Developing an appropriate model for self-care of hypertensive patients: first experience from EMRO.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) constitute 53% of deaths above the age of 30; 54% of these deaths are attributed to high blood pressure. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the main cause of mortality in the world. Hypertension accounts for 13% of mortalities and 6% of morbidities and is one of the main risk factors that cause loss of healthy life years. Blood pressure is not optimally controlled even among those who are aware of their disease. Previous studies showed that apart from pharmacological treatment, lifestyle improvement can also play a significant role in the prevention of high blood pressure CVDs. Self-care among them has been addressed in several previous studies. There are few self-care programs in Iran, but no study has been conducted on blood pressure. In this study the primary model is designed and then revised, and in the pilot study the feasibility of the project was approved and the final model presented. The current project proposes a model for self-care of hypertensive patients and their families, and is based on education of health care providers and patients in such a way that patients can control their illness. The model can be implemented at a national scale.


Emerging roles of the acute phase protein pentraxin-3 during central nervous system disorders.
Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is an acute phase protein (APP) and a member of the long pentraxin family that is recognised for its role in peripheral immunity and vascular inflammation in response to injury, infection and diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancer and respiratory disease. Systemic levels of PTX3 are highly elevated in these conditions, and PTX3 is now recognised as a new biomarker of disease risk and progression. There is extensive evidence demonstrating that central nervous system (CNS) disorders are primarily characterised by central activation of innate immunity, as well as activation of a potent peripheral acute phase response (APR) that influences central inflammation and contributes to poor outcome. PTX3 has been recently recognised to play important roles in CNS disorders, having both detrimental and neuroprotective effects. The present review aims to give an up-to-date account of the emerging roles of PTX3 in CNS disorders, and to provide a critical comparison between peripheral and central actions of PTX3 in inflammatory diseases.


Serial Ultrasonography Assessments of a Testicular Infarction Mimicking Testicular Tumor in a Behcet Disease Patient.
Behcet disease (BD), a vasculitic disease, may present with a broad range of systemic manifestations. Urologic complications are rarely described in the literature, but when they occur, they present as epididymo-orchitis. We describe a rare case of testicular infarction in a patient with BD followed up with serial ultrasound imaging. We highlight the diagnostic challenges when presented with testicular pain in a patient with BD and the potential consequences in the management.


A neuroanatomical substrate for alcohol drinking: identification of tetrahydropapaveroline (THP)-reactive sites in the rat brain.
Certain endogenously synthesized adducts, derived from a condensation reaction of a catechol- or indole-amine with a biogenic aldehyde, act in the brain to augment or suppress the drinking of ethyl alcohol. When infused directly into the cerebral ventricles, a tetrahydro-isoquinoline such as tetrahydropapaveroline (THP) can enhance markedly the consumption of alcohol even in noxious concentrations. The present study was undertaken to isolate and identify specific anatomical structures in the limbic-midbrain, limbic-forebrain which mediate the changes in the ingestion of alcohol induced by THP. In adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, a 23 ga guide tube was implanted stereotaxically either unilaterally or bilaterally in cerebral regions extending from coronal planes AP 1.0-10.0. Following recovery, each animal was tested by a standard screen for its self-selection of water versus an alcohol solution offered in 10 concentrations increased on each of 10 days from 3 to 30%. THP was dissolved in an artificial CSF vehicle containing Na2S2O5 or ascorbate and then microinjected in a volume of 1.5-2.0 microliters at a depth 1.0-1.5 mm beneath the tip of the guide. After a set of 5 microinjections of THP in a dose of 25, 50 or 250 ng was given over 3 days, the same 10-day alcohol preference sequence was repeated. In nearly all rats, the microinjection series was repeated at either one or two depths 1.0-1.5 mm ventral to the first, after which the same alcohol test was repeated. The results showed that THP induces or sustains significant increases in alcohol intake when the adduct was injected at 16 sites within caudal AP planes 1.0-5.0. Structures sensitive to THP included the substantia nigra, reticular formation, medial lemniscus, zona incerta and medial forebrain bundle. When injected at 21 sites located more rostrally within AP planes 6.5-10.0, THP also evoked significant increments in alcohol intake of a similar magnitude. The reactive loci included the N. accumbens, olfactory tubercle, lateral septum, preoptic area, stria terminalis, medial forebrain bundle and rostral hippocampus. In terms of the efficacy of the dose of THP microinjected, 25, 50 and 250 ng induced alcohol self-selection in 81%, 5% and 14% of the sites, respectively. Repeated microinjections following identical procedures of two control solutions at 46 homologous sites within corresponding coronal planes from AP 1.5-10.0 produced no significant alterations in g/kg or proportional intakes of alcohol. Composite anatomical maps of the THP-reactive sites revealed their integral overlap with dopaminergic pathways which originate in the ventral tegmentum and substantia nigra and project rostrally to s


Correction: The BD FACSPresto Point of Care CD4 Test accurately enumerates CD4+ T cell counts.
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145586.].


Explainable AI in radiology: a white paper of the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology.
The term Explainable Artificial Intelligence (xAI) groups together the scientific body of knowledge developed while searching for methods to explain the inner logic behind the AI algorithm and the model inference based on knowledge-based interpretability. The xAI is now generally recognized as a core area of AI. A variety of xAI methods currently are available to researchers; nonetheless, the comprehensive classification of the xAI methods is still lacking. In addition, there is no consensus among the researchers with regards to what an explanation exactly is and which are salient properties that must be considered to make it understandable for every end-user. The SIRM introduces an xAI-white paper, which is intended to aid Radiologists, medical practitioners, and scientists in the understanding an emerging field of xAI, the black-box problem behind the success of the AI, the xAI methods to unveil the black-box into a glass-box, the role, and responsibilities of the Radiologists for appropriate use of the AI-technology. Due to the rapidly changing and evolution of AI, a definitive conclusion or solution is far away from being defined. However, one of our greatest responsibilities is to keep up with the change in a critical manner. In fact, ignoring and discrediting the advent of AI a priori will not curb its use but could result in its application without awareness. Therefore, learning and increasing our knowledge about this very important technological change will allow us to put AI at our service and at the service of the patients in a conscious way, pushing this paradigm shift as far as it will benefit us.


The dispersal behaviour of the phoretic mite Poecilochirus carabi (Mesostigmata, Parasitidae): adaptation to the breeding biology of its carrier Necrophorus vespilloides (Coleoptera, Silphidae).
When the phoretic mite Poecilochirus carabi reproduces in the brood chamber of its carrier Necrophorus vespilloides, a beetle with biparental brood care, the first deuteronymphs of the new mite generation aggregate on the male beetle. They do not use sex-specific traits to discriminate between male and female beetles in the brood chamber, but traits that are related to the beetles' behaviour and may be displayed by both parent beetles. When the male beetle departs, it carries virtually all deuteronymphs then present in the brood chamber. Deuteronymphs that develop later congregate on the female, which leaves the crypt some days after the male. Only those deuteronymphs that miss the female's departure disperse on the beetle larvae, meaning they have to wait in their pupal chambers until the beetles have completed their development. On average, 86% of the deuteronymphs leave the brood chamber on the parent beetles, thereby gaining the advantage of an early departure. As soon as their carrier arrives at one of the beetles' meeting places, the deuteronymphs can transfer between the beetles present. Choice experiments revealed that the deuteronymphs tend to even out density differences between congregating carriers, and prefer sexually mature to immature beetles. Therefore, transferring between beetles results in a dispersion of deuteronymphs on the sexually mature beetles of the population.


High asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in patients with brucellosis.
Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is the main endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase and is considered to be associated with endothelial dysfunction. Brucellosis, a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella spp., can manifest as vasculopathy. The present study was performed to investigate the relationship between ADMA and brucellosis. Serum samples from 39 patients with an accurate diagnosis of brucellosis and from 18 healthy control individuals were included in this study. ADMA levels were significantly higher in the patient group than the controls (P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that ADMA level ≥ 0.61 had a sensitivity of 79.5 %, specificity of 88.9 %, positive predictive value of 93.9 %, and negative predictive value of 66.7 %. This is the first report of an association between brucellosis and high levels of ADMA. In conclusion, ADMA levels should be tested in brucellosis cases and that further studies to clarify the mechanism underlying the association between ADMA and brucellosis are required.


Pictograms for safer medication handling by health care workers: a validation study in nursing students in Poland.
Medication use often causes errors that are dangerous to the health of patients. Previous studies indicate that the use of pharmaceutical pictograms can effectively reduce medication errors. The purpose of this study was to determine the comprehensibility, representativeness, and recall rate of nine medication safety pictograms in a sample of nursing students in Poland in order to validate these images. A pictogram validation study was conducted in two phases among nursing students at the Hipolit Cegielski State University of Applied Sciences, Gniezno, Poland. All experimental protocols were approved by the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Ethics Board (REB Protocol No: 19/122X). All methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. In phase 1, the participants' first exposure to the pictograms, the students were asked to guess the meaning of the pictograms without any additional information in order to assess the pictograms' comprehensibility. To be considered valid, according to ISO standards, the pictograms had to be correctly understood by at least 66.7% of participants. After testing all pictograms, students were given explanations and meanings of the pictograms and asked to rate the representativeness of pictograms. To do so, participants were asked to select a number on a seven-point Likert-style scale to indicate the perceived strength of the relationship between the pictogram and its intended meaning for each pictogram. To be considered valid, a pictogram had to be rated at least five on this scale by at least 66.7% of participants. Phase 2 took place four weeks later, during which recall of the intended meaning and representativeness were assessed following the same procedure. A total of 66 third-year nursing students participated in both phases. In phase 1, of the nine pictograms, six met ISO requirements for comprehensibility and seven met ISO requirements for representativeness. In phase 2, all nine pictograms were correctly understood and rated at least 5 by at least 66.7% of participants. Therefore, all nine pictograms are considered valid. The nine medication safety pictograms can be deployed, but must be combined with training and a written hazard statement to improve comprehension.