Structural and physicochemical/digestion characteristics of potato starch-amino acid complexes prepared under hydrothermal conditions.
Amino acids (AAs) are increasingly applied as nutrient supplements and played a crucial role in human nutrition and health maintenance. The objectives were to evaluate the effects of different AAs on the physicochemical and digestive properties of potato starch (PS); and investigate whether heat moisture treatment (HMT) or annealing (ANN) had different impacts on the complexes between starch and AAs. PS mixed with different AAs, represented by Lys, Ser, Ala, and Asp, were modified by HMT and ANN. Both different AAs addition and hydrothermal treatments significantly increased the pasting and gelatinization temperatures, and decreased swelling power, peak viscosity and enthalpy change for physically mixed samples. In general, different AAs retarded the recrystallization of PS, while hydrothermal treatments promoted retrogradation of PS. The addition of different AAs decreased the RDS and increased RS contents for all cooked samples. Electrostatic interactions between PS with phosphate-monoester derivatives and different charge-carrying AAs formed during hydrothermal treatments, resulting in modify physicochemical and digestive properties of PS. HMT showed greater influence on physicochemical and digestive properties of PS-AA complexes than ANN. This study will enrich interaction theory between starch and AAs, and improve the nutritional values of PS-based products during food thermal processing.


Identification and characterization of mkk genes and their expression profiles in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) symptomatically or asymptomatically infected with Vibrio anguillarum.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (MKKs) are intermediate kinases of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathways. MKKs are activated by mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MKKK) and then the activated MKKs trigger the activation of downstream MAPKs. MAPK signaling pathways play an important role in regulating immune functions including apoptosis and inflammation. However, studies on identification and characterization of mkk repertoire in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are still limited. Trout experienced 4 rounds (4R) of whole genome duplication (WGD), thus exhibiting increased paralogs of mkks with potentially functional diversity. In this study, we identified 17 mkk genes in trout and the following bacterial challenge (Vibrio anguillarum) studies showed functional diversity of different mkk subtypes. Vibrio anguillarum infection resulted in significantly up-regulated mkk2 subtypes in spleen and liver, and mkk4b3 in spleen, suggesting immunomodulation was regulated by activation of ERK, p38 and JNK pathways. Compared to other mkk subtypes, mkk6s were down-regulated in symptomatic group, rather than asymptomatic group. The organisms present negative feedback on MAPK activation, thus reducing extra damage to cells. We observed down-regulated mkk6s with up-regulated genes (dusp1 & dusp2) involved in negative feedback of MAPK activation. Based on these results, we might propose the distinct expression patterns of genes associated with MAPK pathways resulted in different phenotypes and symptoms of trout in response to bacterial challenge.


Long live the queen: studying aging in social insects.
Aging is a fascinating, albeit controversial, chapter in biology. Few other subjects have elicited more than a century of ever-increasing scientific interest. In this review, we discuss studies on aging in social insects, a group of species that includes ants and termites, as well as certain bee and wasp species. One striking feature of social insects is the lifespan of queens (reproductive females), which can reach nearly 30 years in some ant species. This is over 100 times the average lifespan of solitary insects. Moreover, there is a tremendous variation in lifespan among castes, with queens living up to 500 times longer than males and 10 times longer than workers (non-reproductive individuals). This lifespan polymorphism has allowed researchers to test the evolutionary theory of aging and - more recently - to investigate the proximate causes of aging. The originality of these studies lies in their use of naturally evolved systems to address questions related to aging and lifespan determination that cannot be answered using the conventional model organisms.


Switching insurer in the Irish voluntary health insurance market: determinants, incentives, and risk equalization.
The determinants of consumer mobility in voluntary health insurance markets providing duplicate cover are not well understood. Consumer mobility can have important implications for competition. Consumers should be price-responsive and be willing to switch insurer in search of the best-value products. Moreover, although theory suggests low-risk consumers are more likely to switch insurer, this process should not be driven by insurers looking to attract low risks. This study utilizes data on 320,830 VHI healthcare policies due for renewal between August 2013 and June 2014. At the time of renewal, policyholders were categorized as either 'switchers' or 'stayers', and policy information was collected for the prior 12 months. Differences between these groups were assessed by means of logistic regression. The ability of Ireland's risk equalization scheme to account for the relative attractiveness of switchers was also examined. Policyholders were price sensitive (OR 1.052, p < 0.01), however, price-sensitivity declined with age. Age (OR 0.971; p < 0.01) and hospital utilization (OR 0.977; p < 0.01) were both negatively associated with switching. In line with these findings, switchers were less costly than stayers for the 12 months prior to the switch/renew decision for single person (difference in average cost = €540.64) and multiple-person policies (difference in average cost = €450.74). Some cost differences remain for single-person policies following risk equalization (difference in average cost = €88.12). Consumers appear price-responsive, which is important for competition provided it is based on correct incentives. Risk equalization payments largely eliminated the profitable status of switchers, although further refinements may be required.


ALPPL2 Is a Potential Diagnostic Biomarker for Pancreatic Cancer-Derived Extracellular Vesicles.
Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive malignancy that often goes undiagnosed in the early stages. Non-invasive, early, and accurate diagnosis is therefore undoubtedly the "holy grail" of pancreatic cancer research. However, despite extensive research efforts, there is no definitive biomarker for this cancer. Previously, we identified alkaline phosphatase placental-like 2 (ALPPL2) as a diagnostic biomarker for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and developed a 2'-fluoro modified RNA aptamer toward it. In this study, we show that ALPPL2 is present in pancreatic cancer extracellular vesicles (EVs) and therefore has potential application in liquid biopsy-based diagnostic strategies. We also developed ALPPL2 direct and sandwich aptamer-linked immobilized sorbent assay (ALISA) for EVs, which could sensitively and specifically detect the protein. We believe that our ALISA format may have a potential diagnostic utility in screening pancreatic-cancer-derived EVs.


Beyond membrane components: uncovering the intriguing world of fungal sphingolipid synthesis and regulation.
Sphingolipids (SLs) are essential to fungal survival and represent a major class of structural and signaling lipids. Unique SL structures and their biosynthetic enzymes in filamentous fungi make them an ideal drug target. Several studies have contributed towards the functional characterization of specific SL metabolism genes, which have been complemented by advanced lipidomics methods which allow accurate identification and quantification of lipid structures and pathway mapping. These studies have provided a better understanding of SL biosynthesis, degradation and regulation networks in filamentous fungi, which are discussed and elaborated here.


[The use of rectal suppositories with oxidised dextran for calculous prostatitis].
This article presents its own experience of using suppositories with oxidised dextran in the treatment of a patient with recurrent bacterial prostatitis complicated by prostate calcifications, these are the positive effects on the use of suppositories with oxidised dextran: a decrease in the size of calcified areas, a stable elimination of opportunistic microflora and the achievement of long-term remission of the disease.


Erratum: High-background parenchymal enhancement in the contralateral breast is an imaging biomarker for favorable prognosis in patients with triple-negative breast cancer treated with chemotherapy.
[This corrects the article on p. 4422 in vol. 13, PMID: 34150024.].


Echocardiography in liver transplant candidates.
Involvement of the cardiovascular system in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) is well recognized and may be seen in several scenarios in adult liver transplantation (LT) candidates. The hemodynamic effects of ESLD may result in apparent heart disease, or in some instances may mask cardiac disease. Alternatively, cardiac disease can occasionally be the underlying etiology of ESLD. LT imposes significant hemodynamic stresses, with cardiovascular complications accounting for considerable perioperative mortality and morbidity. Pre-operative assessment of the cardiac status of LT candidates is thus critically important for risk stratification and management. Cardiac imaging plays an integral role in the assessment of LT candidates. In this review, we discuss the role of cardiac imaging, including transthoracic echocardiography with Doppler and contrast enhancement, noninvasive functional assessment for routine pre-operative assessment of coronary artery disease, and transesophageal echocardiography in select cases to aid in intra-operative fluid management and monitoring in LT candidates.


The ribosome as a source of genome hypervariability?
In this report it is suggested that at early stages of evolution ribosomes were responsible for synthesizing short oligonucleotide cDNA packets which formed the protogenic tandem repetitive sequences. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) could have been the most probable template for such a synthesis. rRNA has homology with the monomers of tandem hypervariable repetitive elements of the genome. A model for the proposed participation of rRNA in the genesis of genomic fragments is provided by analysis of the active center of GTP-binding proteins. The role of oligonucleotides, synthesized by the ribosome, in the context of mechanisms of genome regulation, genes responsible for disease and human longterm memory formation are also discussed.


Remission of hypoparathyroidism during lactation: evidence for a physiological role for prolactin in the regulation of vitamin D metabolism.
We studied a young woman with surgical hypoparathyroidism who, on her usual maintenance dose of calcitriol, developed hypercalcaemia 9 d postpartum when lactation was established. Serum values of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) values were very high (127 pg/ml). The patient remained without exogenous calcitriol treatment for 40 d, during which time serum 1,25(OH)2D3 levels remained within the normal range and serum calcium fell with a half-time of 27 d. The requirements for calcitriol increased to antepartum levels when lactation had ceased. There was a close negative correlation between requirements for calcitriol and serum PRL values. After weaning, an episode of hypercalcaemia was induced by increasing the dose of calcitriol. On stopping calcitriol the serum 1,25(OH)2D3 fell to low values (4 pg/ml) within 2 d and serum calcium fell with a half-time of 3 d, necessitating the early reintroduction of calcitriol. We conclude that in hypoparathyroidism exogenous vitamin D requirements fall during lactation because of enhanced endogenous production of 1,25(OH)2D3. The lactation-associated increase in circulating 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations thus results from a parathyroid hormone-independent mechanism, possibly by an effect of PRL on the 1 alpha-hydroxylase.


Diagnosing vascular causes of renal failure.
The incidence of renal failure due to vascular diseases is increasing. Two reasons for this are the epidemic of atherosclerotic vascular disease in the aging population and the widespread use of vasoactive drugs that can adversely affect renal function. These vascular causes of renal failure include vasomotor disorders such as that associated with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, small-vessel diseases such as cholesterol crystal embolization, and large-vessel diseases such as renal artery stenosis. These causes of azotemia are less familiar to physicians than more classic causes, such as acute tubular necrosis, and are less likely to be recognized in their early stages. This article describes the various vascular diseases that impair renal function and outlines the steps necessary to identify them. Although some of these conditions, such as renal artery stenosis, can gradually impair function, the vascular causes of acute renal failure are emphasized in this article. Because the vasculitides primarily cause renal failure through secondary glomerulonephritis, they are mentioned only briefly. Extensive testing is rarely necessary because the cause is usually suspected through syndrome recognition. The diagnosis can then be confirmed by the results of one or two additional tests or by improved renal function after treatment.


Minimally invasive posterior atlantoaxial fusion: a cadaveric and clinical feasibility study.
Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques have several potential advantages for the patient over open techniques, including decreased loss of blood, postoperative pain, and recovery time. We aimed to demonstrate atlantoaxial fusion by using the MIS techniques, shown previously in only two reports. A smaller operating corridor with MIS may increase difficulty of instrumentation placement and risk of instrumentation-related complications. Five cadaveric specimens were studied presurgically with computed tomography (CT) to determine bony anatomy, vertebral artery course, and the trajectory for C1/C2 screw placement. Four specimens had adequate C2 pedicle sizes to accommodate screw placement. Specimens were used to perform C1-2 instrumentation through minimal access tubular retractors. After procedures, specimens were re-examined with CT to assess accuracy of MIS C1-2 screw placement. Through minimal access expandable tubular retractors, C1-lateral mass and C2 pedicle screws were placed in all four specimens. Postinstrumentation CT analysis demonstrated no violation of the foramen transversarium in all cases. There was one grade 1 medial breach from C1 lateral mass screw placement. Two patients with type-2 odontoid fractures were treated with MIS C1-2 fusion with follow-up 4-24 months. Average operating time was 3.5 hours, and average surgical blood loss was 125 mL. Both cases were examined with CT scan postsurgically, and there were no bony breaches with screw placement. Both patients remained neurologically intact postoperatively, with significant improvement revealed in pain scores. Follow-up imaging at two years demonstrated union of odontoid fracture. Minimally invasive atlantoaxial fixation is feasible and safe. Preoperative CT is paramount for preoperative evaluation of the vertebral artery anatomy in relation to C1/2 vertebra.


A 14-year retrospective review of angiosarcoma: clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, and treatment outcomes with surgery and chemotherapy.
Angiosarcoma is a rare vascular malignancy, and there are few published data to guide chemotherapy treatment decisions. We present a retrospective analysis of angiosarcoma encompassing all anatomic sites of disease presenting to a single institution over a 14-year period. Characteristics at presentation and prognostic factors are reviewed. For patients with unresectable disease, progression-free survival with various chemotherapy regimens is described. Pathological confirmation of all cases was performed before they were included in this analysis. One hundred twenty-five patients with angiosarcoma were seen and treated between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 2003. Angiosarcoma showed marked variation by anatomic site regarding gender ratio, median age at diagnosis, overall survival, and response to chemotherapy. Overall 5-year survival was 31% for angiosarcoma. Superficial depth and negative microscopic surgical margins correlated with longer overall survival, but tumor size did not reach significance as a prognostic factor. For unresectable angiosarcoma, doxorubicin based regimens yielded progression-free survival of 3.7-5.4 months. Paclitaxel achieved a progression-free survival of 6.8 months for scalp angiosarcoma and 2.8 months for sites below the clavicle. Angiosarcoma is an aggressive malignancy characterized by biologic heterogeneity at different anatomic sites and relative sensitivity to paclitaxel and doxorubicin.


Human fetal lung fibroblasts: observations on origin and stability in culture.
The loosely associated lung mesenchymal cell found between the ducts of the 3-to 4-month fetus is considered to be the probable progenitor of lung fibroblast cultures and of alveolar interstitial cells. A possible stage- and tissue-specific property of this cell type, the reduction of cortisone to cortisol, is defined and its activity studied in a variety of cell lines. Fibroblast lines derived from both fetal and adult lung had about ten times the cortisone-reducing activity of corresponding skin fibroblast lines. This relatively high activity was also characteristic of cell lines established by cloning the initial fetal lung digest. Lines established from developmentally related esophagus and from trachea had less activity than corresponding lung fibroblasts. A high level of cortisone-reducing activity was maintained in four serially passaged lung fibroblast lines for at least 85% of the proliferative life span and a second cell property, the enhancement of this activity by pretreatment with cortisol, was also maintained in three of the four lines.


Evidence for cyclic GMP-mediated relaxant effects of nitro-compounds in coronary smooth muscle.
The effects of the four nitro-compounds nitroglycerin, nitroprusside-Na, NaNO2 and B 744-99 were studied simultaneously on length and on cGMP-levels in isolated circular strips of bovine coronary arteries. 1. All 4 nitro-compounds concentration dependently relaxed the strips in close association with pronounced increases in cGMP-levels which preceded the mechanical responses. 2. The relaxant effects of all 4 nitro-compounds were significantly potentiated by the predominant inhibitor of cGMP-hydrolysis M & B 22,948, which also potentiated the increase in cGMP-levels of the two nitro-compounds in which it was studied (nitroglycerin and nitroprusside-Na). 3. Non-substituted cGMP and -- much stronger -- its 8 bromo-derivative also relaxed the strips and these effects were likewise potentiated by M & B 22,948. 4. When the log increase in cGMP produced by the 4 nitro-compounds were plotted against percent relaxation (probit scale) a linear and highly significant positive correlation was obtained. 5. The results provide evidence that the increases in cGMP caused by the 4 nitro-compounds studied are responsible for the smooth muscle relaxing actions of these drugs.


Efficacy of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Post-COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
This systematic review and meta-analysis examines how pulmonary rehabilitation impacts in patients suffering from subacute and long COVID-19 infections, gauging enhancements in of dyspnea, physical function, quality of life, psychological state (anxiety and depression), and fatigue. Three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library) were systematically searched for full-text articles published from inception to January 2023. Randomized, quasi-experimental, and observational studies were included, with adults diagnosed with subacute or long COVID-19 who received pulmonary rehabilitation as intervention. Outcomes related to dyspnea, physical function, quality of life, fatigue, and psychological status were included. Risk of bias was assessed with Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Controlled Trials and Risk of bias in non-randomized studies of intervention. The review was registered before starting in PROSPERO (CRD: 42022373075). Thirty-four studies were included, involving 1970 patients with subacute and long COVID-19. The meta-analysis demonstrated moderate to large effects on dyspnea, physical function, quality of life, and depressive symptoms compared to usual care intervention. No significant differences were found in fatigue compared to usual care, nor in anxiety levels after pulmonary rehabilitation intervention. Pulmonary rehabilitation has the potential to improve health outcomes in patients with subacute and long COVID-19. However, due to the high risk of bias of included studies, conclusions should be taken with caution.


Nitrogen dioxide exposure in school classrooms of inner-city children with asthma.
Ambient and home exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) causes asthma symptoms and decreased lung function in children with asthma. Little is known about the health effects of school classroom pollution exposure. We aimed to determine the effect of indoor classroom NO2 on lung function and symptoms in inner-city school children with asthma. Children enrolled in the School Inner-City Asthma Study were followed for 1 academic year. Subjects performed spirometry and had fraction of exhaled nitric oxide values measured twice during the school year at school. Classroom NO2 was collected by means of passive sampling for 1-week periods twice per year, coinciding with lung function testing. Generalized estimating equation models assessed lung function and symptom relationships with the temporally nearest classroom NO2 level. The mean NO2 value was 11.1 ppb (range, 4.3-29.7 ppb). In total, exposure data were available for 296 subjects, 188 of whom had complete spirometric data. At greater than a threshold of 8 ppb of NO2 and after adjusting for race and season (spirometry standardized by age, height, and sex), NO2 levels were associated highly with airflow obstruction, such that each 10-ppb increase in NO2 level was associated with a 5% decrease in FEV1/forced vital capacity ratio (β = -0.05; 95% CI, -0.08 to -0.02; P = .01). Percent predicted forced expiratory flow between the 25th and 75th percentile of forced vital capacity was also inversely associated with higher NO2 exposure (β = -22.8; 95% CI, -36.0 to -9.7; P = .01). There was no significant association of NO2 levels with percent predicted FEV1, fraction of exhaled nitric oxide, or asthma symptoms. Additionally, there was no effect modification of atopy on lung function or symptom outcomes. In children with asthma, indoor classroom NO2 levels can be associated with increased airflow obstruction.


Comparison of high-affinity binding of [3H]GABA to subcellular particles of rat brain and liver.
The binding of [3H]GABA and retention of [14C]sucrose have been studied in freshly prepared "synaptosomal-mitochondrial" (P2) fractions of rat cerebral cortex and liver using bicarbonate-buffered medium (containing 147 mEq/liter of Na+), and in frozen/thawed crude membrane fractions of rat whole brain and liver using Na+-free Tris HCl medium. GABA-sensitive sites (GSS) and bicuculline-methiodide- (BMI-) sensitive sites (BMI-SS) were defined as those amounts of [3H]GABA that were sensitive to the displacement by 10(-3) M unlabeled GABA or BMI. In the presence of added Na+, two high-affinity GABA-binding processes were detected in the P2 fraction of cerebral cortex. The lower-affinity process (likely related mainly to uptake sites) had KB approximately equal to 10(-5) M, Bmax for GSS approximately equal to 3 nmol/mg protein, and Bmax for BMI-SS approximately equal to 0.5 nmol/mg protein, whereas the higher-affinity process (likely related to synaptic GABA receptors) had KB approximately equal to 10(-7) M, BMAX for GSS approximately equal to 43 pmol/mg protein, and BMAX for BMI-SS approximately equal to 2 pmol/mg proteins. Only the higher-affinity process was detected in the liver P2 fraction, and it had KB approximately equal to 3.7 x 10(-8) M, BMAX for GSS approximately equal to 0.48 pmol/mg protein, and BMAX for BMI-SS approximately equal to 0.1 pmol/mg protein (i.e., about 1/100 and 1/20 the receptive BMAX values of cerebral cortex). This binding process of the liver P2 fraction could represent sites involved in mitochondrial GABA transport. In Na+-free Tris HCl medium, high-affinity [3H]GABA binding appeared to exist in frozen/thawed membrane preparations of both brain and liver when data were expressed on a protein basis. However, this binding to liver membranes was not displaceable by 10(-5) M unlabeled GABA, and when these data were expressed on a weight basis and corrected for [3H]GABA present in trapped supernatant fluid of the pellets, no [3H]GABA binding was detected in the liver preparation.


Adsorption of Cu(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solutions by ferromanganese binary oxide-biochar composites.
Remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil and water bodies necessitates the continuous development of effective decontamination techniques. To address this issue, ferromanganese binary oxide-biochar composites (FMBC) were prepared using impregnation/sintering methods, and their physicochemical properties and morphologies were examined. Kinetic modeling and adsorption isotherms were used to characterize the adsorption of Cu(II) and Cd(II) on FMBC, revealing that adsorption was well represented by pseudo-second-order kinetics (R2>0.99) and the Langmuir isotherm model. The prepared FMBC exhibited maximum Cu(II) and Cd(II) adsorption capacities of 64.9 and 101.0mg/g, respectively, exceeding the corresponding values of biochar (21.7 and 28.0mg/g, respectively). Moreover, adsorption was favored by increased pH and high humic acid concentration. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared analyses confirmed that the heavy metal ions adsorbed on FMBC were divalent, indicating that the uptake of Cu(II) and Cd(II) was mainly due to the formation of strong mono- or multidentate inner-sphere complexes (e.g., COO-M (M=Cu or Cd) and Fe-Mn-O-M). Thus, the prepared composites exhibited potential applications as excellent adsorbents for Cu(II) and Cd(II) removal from contaminated water.


A universal strategy for stable intracellular antibodies.
The expression of intracellular antibodies (intrabodies) in mammalian cells has provided a powerful tool to manipulate microbial and cellular signalling pathways in a highly precise manner. However, several technical hurdles have thus far restricted their more widespread use. In particular, single-chain antibodies (scFvs) have been reported to fold poorly in the reducing environment of the cytoplasm and as such there has been a reluctance to use scFv-phage libraries as a source of intrabodies unless a preselection step was applied to identify these rare scFvs that could fold properly in the absence of disulfide bonds. Recently, we reported that scFvs can be efficiently expressed within the cytoplasm of bacteria when fused at the C-terminus of the Escherichia coli maltose-binding protein (MBP). Here, we demonstrate that such MBP-scFvs are similarly stabilized when expressed in the mammalian cell cytoplasm as well as other compartments. This was demonstrated by comparing MBP-scFv fusions to the corresponding unfused scFvs that activate a defective beta-galactosidase enzyme, others that neutralize the wild-type beta-galactosidase enzyme, and an antibody that blocks the epidermal growth factor receptor. In all cases, the MBP-scFvs significantly outperformed their unfused counterparts. Our results suggest that fusion of scFvs to MBP, and possibly to other "chaperones in the context of a fusion protein", may provide a universal approach for efficient expression of intrabodies in the mammalian cell cytoplasm. This strategy should allow investigators to bypass much of the in vitro scFv characterization that is often not predictive of in vivo intrabody function and provide a more efficient use of large native and synthetic scFv-phage libraries already in existence to identify intrabodies that will be active in vivo.


Design and implementation of virtual fitting system based on gesture recognition and clothing transfer algorithm.
Virtual fitting can bring fast and convenient fitting experience for people. The two core problems of virtual fitting system are human-computer interaction and clothing simulation. Interaction is an important factor in determining the fitting experience. The previous virtual fitting products usually use the mouse and keyboard interaction, and users rarely have a good sense of substitution and interaction. While, the method of using multiple cameras to take user images from different angles and then carry out posture recognition has the defect of low recognition accuracy. In view of clothing simulation and human-computer interaction of virtual fitting system, in order to achieve better customer immersion experience, this paper implemented a real-time interactive virtual fitting system based on Microsoft Kinect motion sensing device, and proposed a gesture determination algorithm based on finger recognition and an image transfer algorithm based on skeleton information matching. Using OpenNI development library and multi-threading technology, we have developed a motion-sensing capture module and a complete real-time virtual fitting system, and the system test results show that it has a good user experience.


Nitrous oxide and methane emissions from a Ferralsol as affected by loblolly pine cultivation time in subtropical Brazil.
We hypothesized that the age of loblolly pine stands influences soil methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. This is a relevant topic to be studied in subtropical Brazil, where the pine plantation area is increasing considerably. We evaluated N2O and CH4 emissions for two years in a Ferralsol under loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands of 1, 9 and 18 year-olds and a native forest (NF). We calculated the net CO2eq emission by considering the N2O and CH4 emissions from soil and the carbon (C) accumulation as litter in the forest floor. The soil N2O emission reduced gradually over the loblolly pine cultivation years, whereas CH4 uptake rates showed no clear pattern. Soil N2O emission showed a positive relationship with soil temperature in NF, and with soil ammonium and nitrate intensities in the pine stands. Soil CH4 uptake was inversely related to water-filled pore space in the pine stands, but this relationship was not observed in NF. The soil CH4 uptake rate was 4.6 times higher (p < 0.10) in NF than the average uptake in loblolly pine stands. On the other hand, soil N2O emissions in 9 and 18-year-old stands were similar (p > 0.10) to those in NF (1.3 kg N ha-1 yr-1). Our results suggest that cultivation with loblolly pine for 18 years can reduce soil N2O emission, and the uptake of CH4 in this system offsets 17 % of N2O emissions. Furthermore, the C accumulation as litter in the forest floor of the mature pine stands (9- and 18-year-old) generated a net emission of -1.6 Mg CO2eq ha-1 yr-1, showing to be an expressive offsetting mechanism. Therefore, we conclude that aged loblolly forests can reach N2O emissions levels comparable to those of NF, and the C sequestration in these forests floor can significantly contribute to offset N2O emissions and act as sink for net atmospheric CO2eq.


Mycorrhiza helper bacterium Bacillus pumilus HR10 improves growth and nutritional status of Pinus thunbergii by promoting mycorrhizal proliferation.
Mycorrhizal helper bacteria (MHB) play an important role in mediating mycorrhizal symbiosis, which improves the growth and nutrient uptake of plants. This study examined the growth-promoting effects and mechanisms of pine growth after inoculation with the MHB Bacillus pumilus HR10 and/or Hymenochaete sp. Rl. The effect of B. pumilus HR10 on Hymenochaete sp. Rl growth, enzyme activity and gene expression related to mycorrhiza formation were determined. The growth, root activity, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content and chlorophyll fluorescence activity of Pinus thunbergii and the mycorrhizal colonization intensity of Hymenochaete sp. Rl-inoculated pine seedlings after inoculation with B. pumilus HR10 were also evaluated. The results showed that B. pumilus HR10 promoted growth, regulated the expression of mycorrhizal-related genes and affected the β-1,3-glucanase activity of Hymenochaete sp. Rl. The mycorrhizal colonization intensity of pine seedlings co-inoculated with B. pumilus HR10 and Hymenochaete sp. Rl was 1.58-fold higher than seedlings inoculated with only Hymenochaete sp. Rl. Inoculation with B. pumilus HR10 and/or Hymenochaete sp. Rl increased lateral root number and root activity of pine seedlings and chlorophyll fluorescence activity of pine needles compared with the control. Bacillus pumilus HR10 facilitated nutrient uptake by enhancing the mycorrhizal proliferation of pine and induced greater photosynthesis and root activity of pine seedlings, which confirms its role as an outstanding plant-growth-promoting rhizobacterium. These findings improve our understanding of the mechanism of B. pumilus HR10 promotion of mycorrhizal symbiosis.


Giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma: A case report and literature review.
Retroperitoneal liposarcomas are a heterogeneous group of mesenchymal tumours that have a wide spectrum of histological subtypes and vague clinical presentations. Herein, we present the case of a 75-year-old man with anorexia, weight loss of 7 kg, and a growing abdominal circumference within a span of 6 weeks. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis showed a large mass that filled almost the entire abdominal cavity. After consultation with a multidisciplinary tumour board, en bloc resection of the tumour was performed. In addition, the left kidney and a part of the left diaphragm were removed. The tumour measured 35 × 29 × 20.5 cm and weighed 11.6 kg. The histological report confirmed low-grade dedifferentiated liposarcoma with scarce atypical adipocytes, lipoblasts containing spindle cell, pleomorphic, and chondroid components. The patient had uneventful recovery and remained stable during the follow-up period. We report this case to highlight the need for customized surgical oncological measures in the treatment of solid abdominal tumours due to locoregional invasion that usually necessitates en bloc resection.


Correlates of bone mineral density among postmenopausal women of African Caribbean ancestry: Tobago women's health study.
Population dynamics predict a drastic growth in the number of older minority women, and resultant increases in the number of fractures. Low bone mineral density (BMD) is an important risk factor for fracture. Many studies have identified the lifestyle and health-related factors that correlate with BMD in Whites. Few studies have focused on non-Whites. The objective of the current analyses is to examine the lifestyle, anthropometric and health-related factors that are correlated with BMD in a population based cohort of Caribbean women of West African ancestry. We enrolled 340 postmenopausal women residing on the Caribbean Island of Tobago. Participants completed a questionnaire and had anthropometric measures taken. Hip BMD was measured by DXA. We estimated volumetric BMD by calculating bone mineral apparent density (BMAD). BMD was >10% and >25% higher across all age groups in Tobagonian women compared to US non-Hispanic Black and White women, respectively. In multiple linear regression models, 35-36% of the variability in femoral neck and total hip BMD respectively was predicted. Each 16-kg (one standard deviation (SD)) increase in weight was associated with 5% higher BMD; and weight explained over 10% of the variability of BMD. Each 8-year (1 SD) increase in age was associated with 5% lower BMD. Current use of both thiazide diuretics and oral hypoglycemic medication were associated with 4-5% higher BMD. For femoral neck BMAD, 26% of the variability was explained by a multiple linear regression model. Current statin use was associated with 5% higher BMAD and a history of breast feeding or coronary heart disease was associated with 1-1.5% of higher BMAD. In conclusion, African Caribbean women have the highest BMD on a population level reported to date for women. This may reflect low European admixture. Correlates of BMD among Caribbean women of West African ancestry were similar to those reported for U.S. Black and White women.


Australian nurses' perception of the impact of their postgraduate studies on their patient care activities.
Postgraduate nursing education, formal or informal, has grown enormously and the benefits, to the students, their employers or their patients or its impact on clinical practice has not been well researched, particularly in Australia. The authors commenced a 10 year longitudinal study at a university in Sydney, Australia to track five cohorts of postgraduates at two yearly intervals to determine their career paths, changes in professional behaviour and the perceived impact of their postgraduate education on the care they deliver. This paper will report these five cohorts' (N=236) perceptions of the impact of their postgraduate studies on their care delivery two years after completion of their study. The results indicate that their postgraduate education had a positive to strongly positive impact on the majority of items. These as well as those items identified as not being affected will also be presented and discussed.


Sodium selenite and cancer related lymphedema: Biological and pharmacological effects.
A significant percentage of cancer patients develop secondary lymphedema after surgery or radiotherapy. The preferred treatment of secondary lymphedema is complex physical therapy. Pharmacotherapy, for example with diuretics, has received little attention, because they were not effective and only offered short-term solutions. Sodium selenite showed promise as a cost-effective, nontoxic anti-inflammatory agent. Treatment with sodium selenite lowers reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, causes a spontaneous reduction in lymphedema volume, increases the efficacy of physical therapy for lymphedema, and reduces the incidence of erysipelas infections in patients with chronic lymphedema. Besides biological effects in reducing excessive production of ROS, sodium selenite also displays various pharmacological effects. So far the exact mechanisms of these pharmacological effects are mostly unknown, but probably include inhibition of adhesion protein expression.


Precipitating Factors and Outcome of Diabetic Ketoacidosis among Children and Adolescents with Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus.
To determine the precipitating factors and outcomes of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) among patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. An analytical study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Paediatrics, National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, Pakistan, from July to December 2022. Children of either gender aged up to 18 years and presenting with DKA with a known diagnosis of type-1 diabetes were enrolled. Demographic, clinical, and anthropometric characteristics of all children were noted. Laboratory investigations were sent to the institutional laboratory. Presenting features, precipitating factors, severity of DKA, and outcomes noted. Among 131 children, 101 (77.1%) were girls. The socio-economic status of 75 (57.3%) patients was the lower middle. Celiac disease was the commonest associated disease noted in 23 (17.6%) patients. A total of 123 (93.9%) children were using basal plus bolus types. Adherence to diabetes-related drug therapy was seen in 105 (80.2%) patients. At the time of presentation, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and respiratory distress were the most frequent presenting features reported in 77 (58.8%), 67 (51.1%), 42 (32.1%), and 34 (26.0%) patients, respectively. The most common precipitating factors for DKA were infection/illness (n=90, 68.7%) and missed insulin dose (n=16, 12.2%); no cause was identified in 25 (19.1%) patients. The mean duration of hospital stay was 5.25±2.4 days. Four patients could not survive. The most common precipitating factor for the current episode of DKA were infection or illness, or missed insulin dose. Vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and respiratory distress were the most frequent presenting features. In-hospital mortality was found to be 3% in DKA patients. Diabetic ketoacidosis, Type-1 diabetes mellitus, Insulin, Vomiting, Abdominal pain.


Coculture with good-quality COCs enhances the maturation and development rates of poor-quality COCs.
In pigs, more than half of the recovered cumulus cell-oocyte complexes (COCs) have one or two layers of cumulus cells and are considered morphologically poor. If we could take full advantage of these poor-quality COCs, we could potentially improve the efficiency of in vitro embryo production. During IVM, although some maturation factors are transmitted bidirectionally between the oocyte and the cumulus cells of the same COC, transmission also occurs between different COCs. We hypothesized that morphologically poor COCs fail to undergo complete oocyte maturation because of their insufficient secretion of maturation factors. Here, we investigated whether coculture with morphologically good COCs (having three or more layers of cumulus cells) could improve the maturation and utilization rates of morphologically poor COCs. Our results revealed that the oocyte maturation rate, glutathione level, embryo development capacity, blastocyst quality, and cumulus cell gene expression levels of BCL-2 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen were similar in the coculture and good-quality groups and that these levels were all significantly higher than those in the poor-quality group. Our results strongly suggest that the coculture strategy greatly improved the utilization rate of morphologically poor COCs without reducing their capacity for maturation and subsequent development.


Letter to the editor: Study Summary - Randomized Control Trial of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation for the Treatment of COVID-19 Related Olfactory Dysfunction.
To evaluate a therapeutic role for omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in the treatment of olfactory dysfunction associated with COVID-19 infection TRIAL DESIGN: Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial PARTICIPANTS: Eligible patients are adults with self-reported new-onset olfactory dysfunction of any duration associated with laboratory-confirmed or clinically suspected COVID-19 patients. Exclusion criteria include patients with pre-existing olfactory dysfunction, history of chronic rhinosinusitis or history of sinus surgery, current use of nasal steroid sprays or omega-3 supplementation, fish allergy, or inability to provide informed consent for any reason. The trial is conducted at Mount Sinai Hospital INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR: The intervention group will receive 2000 mg daily of omega-3 supplementation in the form of two "Fish Oil, Ultra Omega-3" capsules (product of Pharmavite®) daily. The comparator group will take 2 placebo capsules of identical size, shape, and odor daily for 6 weeks. Each subject will take a Brief Smell Identification Test at study enrolment and completion after 6 weeks. The primary outcome will be change in Brief Smell Identification Test over the 6-week period. Patients will be randomized by the Investigational Drug Pharmacy at the Icahn School of Medicine at Sinai via a computer-generated sequence in a 1:1 allocation to treatment or control arms. Both participants and researchers will be blinded. There will be 88 participants randomized to each group. A total of 176 participants will be randomized. Protocol Version 1, 8/3/2020 Recruitment is ongoing, started 8/5/2020 with estimated completion 11/30/2020. The trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov with Protocol Identifier: NCT04495816 . ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04495816 . Registered 3 August 2020 FULL PROTOCOL: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1).


Chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis: effect of age at the time of sensitization on clinical course and pathology.
Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis was induced by sensitization with guinea pig spinal cord in complete Freund's adjuvant with increased content of myobacterium in Hartley guinea pigs between the first and 28th day after birth. The animals either died during acute EAE or showed chronic progressive, chronic relapsing or chronic EAE with delayed onset. In animals immunized between the 1 and 13 day after birth, predominatly ordinary and chronic progressive EAE was noted, whereas animals sensitized between the 14th and 23rd day frequently suffered from hyperacute or chronic relapsing EAE. Immunization on the 24th day led to very high mortality in acute EAE. The relation of the pathohistologic alterations to different types of human inflammatory demyelinative disease is discussed.


Novel biodegradable polymers for local growth factor delivery.
Growth factors represent an important therapeutic protein drug class, and would benefit significantly from formulations that provide sustained, local release to realize their full clinical potential. Biodegradable polymer-based delivery platforms have been examined to achieve this end; however, formulations based on conventional polymers have yet to yield a clinical product. This review examines new polymer biomaterials that have been developed for growth factor delivery. The dosage forms are discussed in terms of their mechanism of release, the stability of the released growth factor, their method of preparation, and their potential for clinical translation.


The mariner transposable element in natural populations of Drosophila simulans.
In cosmopolitan species, geographical variations in copy number and/or level of transposition activity have been observed for several transposable elements (TEs). Environment, history and population structure can contribute to such variation in ways that are difficult to tease apart. For the mariner element, previous studies of the geographic variation of its somatic activity in natural populations of Drosophila simulans have shown contradictory results (latitudinal clines of divergent orientations or no apparent structure). To try and resolve these inconsistencies, we gathered all available data on the mariner somatic activity of worldwide natural populations. This includes previously published results by different groups and also new data. The correlations between the level of activity and several geoclimatic factors were tested. Although no general effect of temperature was found, a relationship with the invasion history was detected. It was also shown that recent invasive populations have a higher level of activity than the putative ancestral ones. Our results strongly suggest that variability of the mariner somatic activity among natural populations of D. simulans is mainly due to populational and historical factors probably related to the recent world colonization of this species. Indeed, this activity is correlated to the main route out of Africa (the Nile route) and the recent colonization of continents such as Australia and South America.


Challenges in the Management of Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II (Hunter's Syndrome) in a Developing Country: a Case Report.
Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter's syndrome) is an X-linked chromosomal storage disorder due to deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme iduronate-2-sulfatase with patients rarely living till adulthood. Failure to identify patients early could contribute to an increased morbidity as identified in this case report. An eight year old patient with Hunter's syndrome identified five years after disease onset with severe cardiovascular complications exemplifies the challenges faced in resource-limited countries towards making diagnosis and treatment of rare conditions. Elevated urinary glycosaminoglycans levels or a strong clinical suspicion of Hunter's syndrome, as identified in the index case, is a prerequisite for enzyme activity testing. Urinary mucopolysaccharide(MPS) level was 69.6 mg/mmol(normal range is 0.0 - 11.6 mg/mmol), and the confirming MPS electrophoresis analysis showed elevated heparan sulphate in the urine sample. Enzyme activity testing, with absent or very low iduronate-2-sulfatase activity, is diagnostic. However, the scarce availability and high cost of these tests is another constraint in making a diagnosis. Identification and management of mucopolysaccharidosis type II pose a problem in resource-constrained countries due to late presentation, lack of facility for diagnosis and treatment, cost and expertise required for the management.


Mysm1 is required for interferon regulatory factor expression in maintaining HSC quiescence and thymocyte development.
Mysm1(-/-) mice have severely decreased cellularity in hematopoietic organs. We previously revealed that Mysm1 knockout impairs self-renewal and lineage reconstitution of HSCs by abolishing the recruitment of key transcriptional factors to the Gfi-1 locus, an intrinsic regulator of HSC function. The present study further defines a large LSKs in >8-week-old Mysm1(-/-) mice that exhibit increased proliferation and reduced cell lineage differentiation compared with those of WT LSKs. We found that IRF2 and IRF8, which are important for HSC homeostasis and commitment as transcription repressors, were expressed at lower levels in Mysm1(-/-) HSCs, and Mysm1 enhanced function of the IRF2 and IRF8 promoters, suggesting that Mysm1 governs the IRFs for HSC homeostasis. We further found that the lower expressions of IRF2 and IRF8 led to an enhanced transcription of p53 in Mysm1(-/-) HSCs, which was recently defined to have an important role in mediating Mysm1(-/-)-associated defects. The study also revealed that Mysm1(-/-) thymocytes exhibited lower IRF2 expression, but had higher Sca1 expression, which has a role in mediating thymocyte death. Furthermore, we found that the thymocytes from B16 melanoma-bearing mice, which display severe thymus atrophy at late tumor stages, exhibited reduced Mysm1 and IRF2 expression but enhanced Sca1 expression, suggesting that tumors may downregulate Mysm1 and IRF2 for thymic T-cell elimination.


In vitro recalcification of the demineralized shell-repair membrane of the snail, Helix pomatia L.
The role of the amoebocytes in the calcification process of the shell-repair membrane of the snail, Helix pomatia, was investigated in vitro. The shell-repair membranes were demineralized with 0.5 M EDTA at pH 7.4. For the recalcification of the demineralized membranes two substrates were chosen: (i) Tris-buffered Helix pomatia-saline, pH 7.4, and (ii) Helix pomatia-saline supplemented with 5 mM CaCl2 and 5mM NaHCO3. The membranes were incubated in 2 ml substrate at 37 degrees C and examined after 2 h, 24 h, and 3, 5 and 7 days. Calcium deposition and crystal formation were observed within the membranes incubated in the salt-supplemented substrate. The control membranes were either heat-inactivated or deprived of lipids. No calcium precipitation was observed in control membranes. The experiments show that the recalcification of the shell-repair membrane is under strict cellular control and that the granules released from the amoebocytes serve as sites for calcium deposition. The role of phospholipids in the calcification process is discussed.


Tissue distribution profiles of three antiparkinsonian alkaloids from Piper longum L. in rats determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
The alkaloids of Piper longum L. (PLA) improved motor dysfunction and dopamine depletion in a rat model of Parkinson's disease induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. A rapid, accurate, simple, and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method was developed and fully validated to simultaneously detect three P. longum L. antiparkinsonian alkaloids (piperine (PPR), piperlonguminine (PPL), and Δα,β-dihydropiperlonguminine (DPPL)) in rat plasma, heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, and brain tissues. Rat plasma and tissue homogenates were pretreated with methanol/acetonitrile (1:1, v/v) using a simple protein precipitation method. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Phenomenex Gemini C18 column (50mm×2.00mm, 5μm) with a gradient mobile phase containing 0.1% (v/v) formic acid in water or acetonitrile. The elution was pumped at a flow rate of 0.4ml/min, and the injection volume was 10μl with a total running time of 4min. The analysis was performed by selected reaction monitoring of the transitions m/z 285.9→201.1, m/z 274.3→209.9, and m/z 276.2→134.9 for PPR, PPL, and DPPL, respectively. All three analytes showed good linearity (R>0.995) in plasma and tissue homogenates, and the lower limit of quantification was 0.20ng/ml. The distribution of PPR, PPL and DPPL in all 7 tissues was examined. The highest concentrations for PPR and PPL were observed in the liver, while the highest DPPL concentration was observed in the kidney. Following oral administration, the highest levels of PPR, PPL and DPPL in different tissues were found at approximately 2h. PPR, PPL and DPPL could cross the blood-brain barrier. The present study provides evidences for that PPR, PPL and DPPL may play roles in improving motor dysfunction and dopamine depletion.


Early Speech Perception Test Outcome in Children with Severe Sensorineural Hearing Loss with Unilateral Cochlear Implants Alone versus Bimodal Stimulation.
Bilateral stimulation of the auditory system has clear advantages over unilateral hearing. Hearing-impaired children are, therefore, generally fitted with hearing aids in both ears so that they can have the benefits of binaural hearing. Children who use acochlear implant in one ear and no acoustic stimulation in the opposite ear are at a definite disadvantage. This study was undertaken to determine the advantages of bimodal stimulation in pediatric population especially in terms of speech recognition. This study comprised of 30 children between 3 and 6 years of age with profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss with cochlear implant in one ear and fitted with digital hearing aid in non-implanted ear. Speech recognition performance was compared in unilateral cochlear implant only and with bimodal hearing stimulation in the same set of children. A statistically significant difference was found between speech reception scores in children with a unilateral cochlear implant only and those with a cochlear implant in one ear and a hearing aid in the non implanted ear in quiet surroundings. It is suggested that the use of bimodal fitting be considered as an effective management method to obtain the advantage of binaural hearing in children who undergo unilateral cochlear implantation.


Identification and in silico characterization of structural and functional impacts of genetic variants in milk protein genes in the Zebu breeds Guzerat and Gyr.
Whole genome sequencing of bovine breeds has allowed identification of genetic variants in milk protein genes. However, functional repercussion of such variants at a molecular level has seldom been investigated. Here, the results of a multistep Bioinformatic analysis for functional characterization of recently identified genetic variants in Brazilian Gyr and Guzerat breeds is described, including predicted effects on the following: (i) evolutionary conserved nucleotide positions/regions; (ii) protein function, stability, and interactions; (iii) splicing, branching, and miRNA binding sites; (iv) promoters and transcription factor binding sites; and (v) collocation with QTL. Seventy-one genetic variants were identified in the caseins (CSN1S1, CSN2, CSN1S2, and CSN3), LALBA, LGB, and LTF genes. Eleven potentially regulatory variants and two missense mutations were identified. LALBA Ile60Val was predicted to affect protein stability and flexibility, by reducing the number the disulfide bonds established. LTF Thr546Asn is predicted to generate steric clashes, which could mildly affect iron coordination. In addition, LALBA Ile60Val and LTF Thr546Asn affect exonic splicing enhancers and silencers. Consequently, both mutations have the potential of affecting immune response at individual level, not only in the mammary gland. Although laborious, this multistep procedure for classifying variants allowed the identification of potentially functional variants for milk protein genes.


Study on the thermal washing of oily sludge used by rhamnolipid/sophorolipid binary mixed bio-surfactant systems.
Demulsification and crude oil desorption are usually a necessary step for the treatment of oily sludge in the petroleum industry. In this study a binary mixed bio-surfactant (rhamnolipid / sophorolipid, RL/SL) was used to strengthen the removing oil efficiency for oily sludge by thermal washing method. Surface tension values of the single and the mixed surfactants were carried out to investigate the effect of mixing systems on reducing critical micelle concentrations (CMC) value. The models proposed by Clint, Rubingh and Gibbs et al. had been employed to interpret the formation of mixed micelles and synergism and found out in case of the mass ratios of 4:6 the synergism was the strongest in RL and SL mixed surfactant systems, which was selected as the washing agents to treat the oily sludge produced from Huabei oilfield. Through the optimization of oil washing process parameters, the oil removal rate reached the maximum value (95.66%, residual oil rate 1.98%) at the condition of heating temperature of 45 °C, detergents concentration of 500 mg/L, washing time of 3 h, liquid/solid mass ratio of 1:4, stirring speed of 300 r/min, and washing 4 times. The factors affecting the oil washing effect were analyzed from the composition and performance characteristics of oily sludge samples, washing oil system and washing process parameters. The results showed that low oil content of oily sludge, small specific surface area, strong wetting and solubilization of the oil-washing system all can increase the oil-washing effect and the washing time and temperature had a great influence on the oil-washing effect. Compared with the results of other researchers, the oil washing temperature and the concentration of oil washing agent were significantly lower and high oil removal rate and low residual oil rate were obtained in this study. It was confirmed that thermal oil washing method using RT/SL binary bio-surfactant mixing system was proved to a high-efficiency, low-consumption and wide range of applications technology.


Partial matches in heterogeneous offender databases do not call into question the validity of random match probability calculations.
Offender DNA databases have been highly successful tools for generating investigative leads. Due to their success, the database sizes have increased such that some have suggested using the DNA profiles in offender databases for empirical pairwise studies to provide inferences regarding the validity of the current practices for generating random match probability estimates. These critics use observations under the assumption of independence to suggest that the current forensic DNA statistical calculations are invalid. However, some of these databases, such as CODIS, are not appropriate for such studies because they contain duplicate profiles and profiles of close relatives and are highly heterogeneous (i.e., comprised of individuals from many different population groups with unknown proportions). Observed departures from expectations will occur using these databases, but would have no relevance for questioning the reliability of statistical practices because the very heterogeneous data sets would be expected to violate the basic assumptions of independence. In addition, 9-, 10-, 11-, and 12-locus (out of 13 loci) matching profiles have been observed, are expected, and do not call into question the reliability of statistical practices. The phenomenon of matching profiles is similar to the concept of the birthday scenario. Regardless, simple computations under the assumption of independence for guideline purposes only show that partial matches observed in offender databases are not inconsistent with expectations. Indeed, computed random match probabilities that explain the observed matching profiles from pairwise comparisons are smaller than those observed based on routine casework calculations. Data analyses from offender databases based on assumptions of independence do not provide any basis for questioning the legitimacy of computations of random match probability values of any specific target profile based on the modified product rule that are currently followed in the DNA forensic community. Defined population data, which are sufficiently abundant, have already demonstrated the validity of the basic assumptions of DNA forensic statistical assumptions.


Serum cholesterol, cholesteryl ester, and high-density lipoprotein development in newborn infants: response to formulas supplemented with cholesterol and gamma-linolenic acid.
Healthy newborn infants were either breast-fed or randomly designated to receive a standard formula, formula plus cholesterol, or formula plus gamma-linolenic acid at birth. At 0, 7, and 30 days of life, the following variables were measured: cholesteryl esters (cholesteryl arachidonate, cholesteryl oleate, cholesteryl palmitate, and cholesteryl linoleate), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, apoproteins (A-I, A-II, B, C-II, C-III, and E), and the cholesterol and apoprotein A-I content of the HDL subfractions HDL-2b, HDL-(2a + 3a), and HDL-(3b + 3c). Breast-fed infants had higher serum levels of cholesterol, cholesteryl oleate, cholesteryl palmitate, cholesteryl arachidonate, and HDL-2b than had formula-fed infants. Addition of gamma-linolenic acid to formula raised cholesteryl-arachidonate levels, and cholesterol and gamma-linolenic acid raised serum HDL-2b levels compared with those produced by unsupplemented formula. Our data suggest that both exogenous cholesterol and gamma-linolenic acid contribute to the maturation of HDL particles associated with human milk consumption in newborn infants. They may also promote adequate delivery of cholesterol and arachidonic acid to the developing brain.


Determination of the ADP concentration available to participate in energy metabolism in an actin-rich cell, the platelet.
Almost all cells contain actin, which in its polymerized form, F-actin, binds 1 molecule of ADP/monomer. Little is known about the availability to metabolism of this bound ADP. A comparison was therefore made between perchloric acid and EDTA/ethanol extracts of human blood platelets. When the cells were extracted under conditions where the ATPase activity was negligible, the ethanol extracts had a 75% higher ATP/ADP ratio and a higher adenylate energy charge than perchloric acid extracts. The methods differed in that a considerable portion of protein-bound ADP was not extracted by ethanol. This bound ADP behaved as though it were unavailable to energy metabolism and should thus be considered as a compartment separate from the bulk metabolic pool of extragranular platelet adenine nucleotides. These results suggest that the level of ADP obtained with the common acid extraction overestimates the level available to participation in metabolism.


Incidence of orthostatic hypotension in patients with primary affective disorders treated with tricyclic antidepressants.
Previous studies have indicated that postural hypotension is an uncommon event when tricyclic antidepressants are used in the treatment of depression, and other studies have indicated that postural hypotension is a possible predictor of positive therapeutic response to antidepressant therapy. In this study, 20 depressed patients with the diagnosis of primary affective disorders were hospitalized and treated with tricyclic antidepressants. All patients had been without medication for at least 2 weeks before the study began. Blood pressure recordings were made after a 5-minute resting period and then followed by another reading after the patient had been standing for 2 minutes. Our findings indicate that these patients with primary affective disorders developed significant orthostatic hypotension. It is our belief that orthostatic hypotension is a significant event in patients who have primary affective disorders treated with tricyclic antidepressants, and this sign should be looked for in all patients regardless of age or the presence of significant cardiovascular disease.


Assessment of intraventricular time differences in healthy children using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography.
Parameters describing intraventricular time differences are increasingly assessed in both adults and children. However, to appreciate the implications of these parameters in children, knowledge of the applicability of adult techniques in children is essential. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the applicability of speckle-tracking strain-derived parameters in children, paying special attention to age and heart rate dependency. One hundred eighty-three healthy subjects (aged 0-19 years) were included. Left ventricular global peak strain, time to global peak strain, and parameters describing intraventricular time differences were assessed using speckle-tracking strain imaging in the apical two-chamber, three-chamber, and four-chamber views (longitudinal strain) and the parasternal short-axis view (radial and circumferential strain). Parameters describing intraventricular time differences included the standard deviation of time to peak strain and differences in time to peak strain between two specified segments. Age and heart rate dependency were evaluated using regression analysis, and intraobserver and interobserver variability were tested. Acquisition and analysis of longitudinal six-segment time-strain curves was successful in 94.8% of subjects and radial and circumferential time-strain curves in 89.5%. No clinically significant linear relation was observed between age or heart rate and parameters describing intraventricular time differences. The coefficient of variation of time to global peak strain parameters was <10, while it was >10 for parameters describing intraventricular time differences. The feasibility of speckle-tracking strain analysis in children is relatively good. Furthermore, no linear relation was observed between age or heart rate and parameters describing intraventricular time differences. However, the limited reproducibility of some parameters describing intraventricular time differences will confine their applicability in clinical practice.


Electronic synergy between ligands of luminol and isophthalic acid for fluorescence ratiometric detection of Hg2.
Stimulus-responsive double-ligand luminol-Eu-IPA infinite coordination polymer nanoparticles (luminol-Eu-IPA CPNPs) were prepared as a ratiometric fluorescence probe for highly selective detecting Hg2+. The CPNPs were constituted of Eu3+ as the nuclear metal coordinated by isophthalic acid (IPA) together with luminol as an auxiliary ligand. The photoinduced electron transfer (PET) occurring from IPA to luminol prevented the antenna effect between IPA and Eu3+, leading to the quench fluorescence of Eu3+ under light excitation. As Hg2+ has a high affinity to N atom of luminol and the spin-orbit coupling effect, spectroscopically and magnetically silent properties, the fluorescence intensity of luminol was quenched. Meanwhile, the PET effect between luminol and IPA was interrupted under the presence of Hg2+. This process resulted in a significant decrease in the fluorescence intensity of luminol and a significant increase in the fluorescence intensity of Eu3+. Therefore, the fluorescence ratiometric detection of Hg2+ was performed by monitoring the ratio of the fluorescence at 617 nm of Eu3+ to that at 430 nm of luminol. The linear range was from 0.05 to 20 μM with a detection limit as low as 13.2 nM Hg2+ (S/N = 3). Due to the fluorescence of luminol be quenched and the effect of PET be disrupted simultaneously, the probe exhibiting excellent detection selectively can avoid false positive signals, which was demonstrated for monitoring mercury ions in real water samples. Precision in positioning ligands in CPNPs is an advantage to achieve high specificity in comparison to traditional organic dendrimers or precious metal nanomaterials.


Safe handling of veins in the pineal region-a mixed method study.
Surgical experience in pineal surgery is largely confined to a few experienced surgeons and may be lost when they stop their practice. The objective of this study is to systematically preserve and analyze valuable practical knowledge of pineal region surgical venous anatomy. A survey was constructed to obtain experienced surgeons' perception of estimated risks and individual experience following occlusion of veins during pineal surgery. Data were qualitative and analyzed with a mixed methods approach. Of the 126 invited neurosurgeons, 40 submitted completed questionnaires. General agreement existed of which veins were associated with high and low risks following occlusion. The risk of death was estimated to be high with sacrifice of the vein of Galen (83%), both internal cerebral veins (69%) and the basal veins (58%). The risk of death was estimated to be lower with the sacrifice of both superior vermian veins (13%) and one internal occipital vein (10%). Importantly, a sub-group of experienced surgeons reported substantial risk of death and consequences with the sacrifice of cerebellar bridging veins (8-13%). Our findings provide a coherent picture of surgical risk with venous sacrifice, which can inform the surgical community of systematically gathered views from aggregated surgeries of a very large cohort of patients. Extensive presurgical radiological workup and anatomical studies seemed to correlate more cautious risk estimations. Our findings increase available knowledge of risks of venous complications.


Survival benefit of radiotherapy to patients with small cell esophagus carcinoma: an analysis of Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data.
Small cell esophageal carcinoma (SCEC) is a rare malignant tumor. So far, few studies are found to research the effect of radiotherapy (RT) to it. This study is designed to explore the prognostic factors, and analyze survival benefit of RT to patients with SCEC. Patients with SCEC were more likely to be in female, older, higher disease stage than those with non-small cell esophageal carcinoma. RT was used in more than 50% SCEC patients. RT tended be reduced as the disease stage raise in SCEC. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that age, year, disease stage, and RT were the prognostic factors of survival (P < 0.05). RT reduced nearly 75% risks of death in localized stage (P < 0.05), nearly 50% risks of death in regional stage (P > 0.05) and nearly 30% risks of death in distant stage (P > 0.05). SCEC patients between 1973 and 2012 were searched from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data. Clinical factors including age, year, sex, race, stage, surgery, and RT were summarized. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to explore the independent prognostic factors of SCEC. Cox regression survival analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of RT to SCEC based on different stages. Stage, age, year, and RT are independent prognostic factors of SCEC. Survival benefit of RT exists in any disease stage, but is only statistically significant in localized stage of SCEC.


Effectiveness of a mindfulness-oriented substance use prevention program for boys with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
Boys with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities (MBID) are at particular risk to drink in harmful ways once they start to consume alcohol. Interventions based on mindfulness have been proven to be effective in preventing substance use, but mostly for adults with MBID. A mindfulness oriented intervention targeting 11-17 years old boys will be tested in a randomised controlled trial. Study aim is to investigate the benefits of this new intervention compared to an active control condition within a 12 months follow-up. In this randomised controlled proof of concept study, 82 boys with MBID who consumed any alcohol during the last year will be randomised either to the 6 week mindfulness oriented intervention or the control group receiving a control intervention equal in dose and length. The intervention group undergoes mindfulness training combined with interactive drug education, while the control group completes a health training combined with the same education. In the intention-to-treat analysis the primary outcome is the self-reported delay of first post-intervention drunkeness within a 12 months follow-up time span, measured weekly with a short app-based questionnaire. Secondary outcome is the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs within 30 days post-intervention. Changes in neurobiological behavioural parameters, such as impulse control, reward anticipation, and decision making, are also investigated. Other secondary outcomes regard trait mindfulness, emotion regulation, psychopathological symptoms, peer networks, perceived stress, and quality of life. In addition, a prospective registry will be established to record specific data on the population of 11-17 year old boys with MBID without any alcohol experience. This study offers the opportunity to gain first evidence of the effectiveness of a mindfulness-oriented program for the prevention of substance use for boys with MBID. German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00014042 . Registered on March 19th 2018.


The relationship between study skills and depressive symptoms among medical residents.
The cost of depression among residents is staggering as it extends into the quality and safety of patient care. Finding an explanation to resident depression by investigating the associated factors is therefore important. Study skills can be a possible factor, and a clear gap in the literature exists in this regard. We sought to investigate the relationship between depressive symptoms among residents and their study skills. This was a correlational study and a non-probability sample of 240 residents completed the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) and the Study Skills Inventory (SSI). Chi-square test was used to compare different categorical variables, while student t-test and ANOVA for continuous data. Pearson's correlation coefficient was performed to find the relationship between depressive symptoms and study skills and the association that these measures have with the demographic variables. Overall, 186 residents (76%) filled out the questionnaire. The SSI total score was found to have a significant negative association with the BDI-II depression score (Pearson correlation = - 0.447and p < 0.000). No significant association was found between the total SSI score and the residents' sex, age, marital status, smoking status, training years or specialties. Poor study skills were found to be correlated with higher depressive symptoms. Future studies are required to develop a deeper understanding of this relationship and reconfigure the approach to study skills for the well-being of the future physicians.


Measuring Endotracheal Tube Depth by Bedside Ultrasound in Adult Patients in an Intensive Care Unit: A Pilot Study.
The aim of the study described here was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of measuring endotracheal tube (ETT) depth with ultrasound in adult patients in an intensive care unit (ICU). The distance between the upper margin of the cuff and the upper margin of the aortic arch (Duc-ua) of 67 ICU patients was measured by ultrasound, and the time of measurement was recorded. The level of agreement between the distance between the tip of the ETT and the carina (Dtt-c) measured by ultrasound (U-Dtt-c) and Dtt-c measured by bronchoscopy (B-Dtt-c) was assessed using linear regression and a Bland-Altman plot. There was a significant correlation between B-Dtt-c and U-Dtt-c (r = 0.844, p < 0.001). Also, the Bland-Altman plot revealed strong agreement between B-Dtt-c and U-Dtt-c. The time it took to measure ETT depth by ultrasound was 33.91 ± 5.43 s. In conclusion, bedside ultrasound provides a novel and convenient method for measuring the depth of ETT in ICU patients.


Effect of stress on sleep hygiene among school going adolescents in Chennai.
Stress is a psychophysiological phenomenon. Due to recent lifestyle modifications prevalence of stress is increasing among adults and adolescents. Adolescence is a period of storm and stress and any excess stress would have negative impact on their sleep and would ultimately affect their academic performance and health. Hence the current study proposes to evaluate the effect of stress on sleep hygiene among school going adolescents in Chennai. A cross-sectional study and participants were healthy male (84) and female (48) school going adolescents between the age group of 15-19 years (n = 132). Stress was assessed using Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and sleep hygiene was assessed using Epworth Sleepiness Scale for Children and Adolescents (ESS-CHAD). In all, 84.8% of the adolescents reported that they are academically overloaded. Both the genders were found to be moderately stressed (Males: 63.6%; females: 66.7%). Prevalence of sleep disturbances was found to be 23.5% and increase in stress was found to be associated with decrease in sleep quality. The study shows that prevalence of stress is high among adolescents and it is negatively influencing their sleep hygiene. Hence, early identification and management of stress is required for school going late adolescents for better academic performance and wellbeing.


Reply to Johnson et al. Regarding Optimizing Selection of Biologics in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Development of an Online Patient Decision Aid Using Conjoint Analysis.


Benchmark standards for refractive outcomes after NHS cataract surgery.
To establish benchmark standards for refractive outcome after cataract surgery in the National Health Service when implementing the 2004 biometry guidelines of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and customising A constants. Three cycles of prospective data were collected throughout the cataract care pathway on all patients using an electronic medical record system (Medisoft Ophthalmology), between January 2003 and February 2006. The electronic medical record automatically recommends the formula to be used according to the College guidelines and allows A constants to be customised separately for either ultrasound or partial coherence interferometry methods of axial length measurement and for different intraocular lens models. Consultants and trainees performed routine phacoemulsification cataract surgery and new intraocular lens models were introduced during the cycles. Uncomplicated cases with 'in-the-bag fixation', achieving 6/12 Snellen acuity or better were included. Community ophthalmic opticians performed refraction at 4 weeks. The postoperative subjective refraction was within 1 D of the predicted value in 79.7% of the 952 cases in cycle 1, 83.4% of 2406 cases in cycle 2, and 87.0% of 1448 cases in cycle 3. On the basis of our data, using College formula, optimising A constants and partial coherence interferometry, a benchmark standard of 85% of patients achieving a final spherical equivalent within 1 D of the predicted figure and 55% of patients within 0.5 D should be adopted.


Sialic acid, electrophoretic mobility and transmembrane potentials of the Amphiuma red cell.
Red cells from the giant salamander Amphiuma means are shown to contain sialic acid. The amount removed by the action of neuraminidase is equal to that released by acid hydrolysis, indicating that all of the sialic acid is present on the outer surface of the plasma membrane. These cells have a negative electrophoretic mobility and 100% enzymatic removal of sialic acid results in a 40% reduction in the mobility, suggesting that either a fraction of the sialic acid carboxyl groups are unavailable to the action of external electric fields, or other negatively charged groups contribute to the surface charge. A further reduction in mobility of normal and sialic acid-free cells is caused by an increased extracellular calcium concentration. The negative groups affected by calcium are most likely to be phosphate groups, since the isoelectric point of the cells is found to lie between the pK values for H2PO-4 groups and the carboxyl groups of sialic acid. Membrane potentials of single cells, from which 80% or more of the total sialic acid had been removed, were identical to those measured in normal cells, confirming that sialic acid plays little, if any, direct role in the maintenance of membrane potentials and ionic permeabilities.


Demographic and health profiles of people with severe mental illness in general practice in Australia: a cross-sectional study.
People with severe mental illness have a higher rate of premature death than the general population, largely due to primary care preventable diseases. There has been little research on the health profile of this population attending Australian general practices. In this nationwide cross-sectional study, MedicineInsight data for adult patients regularly attending general practices in 2018 were analysed to estimate the prevalence of schizophrenia or bipolar disorders (SBD) and investigate the health profile of people with SBD compared with other patients. Multilevel models clustered by practice (n = 565) and patient, and practice characteristics were created. The prevalence of recorded SBD was 1.91% (95% CI = 1.88%-1.94%) among the 618 849 patients included. Patients with recorded SBD were more likely than other patients to have records of health risk factors, particularly smoking (aOR = 3.8, 95% CI = 3.6-3.9) and substance use (aOR = 5.9, 95% CI = 5.6-6.3), and higher probabilities of comorbidities including cardiovascular diseases (aOR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.2-1.4), cancer (aOR = 1.1, 95% CI = 1.0-1.2), diabetes mellitus type 2 (aOR = 2.2, 95% CI = 2.0-2.3), chronic kidney diseases (aOR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.5-2.0), chronic liver diseases (aOR = 3.3, 95% CI = 2.6-4.0) and chronic respiratory diseases (aOR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.7-1.8). The higher prevalence of health risk factors and comorbidities among patients with recorded SBD underscores the need for proactive health risk monitoring and preventive care to address this health inequity.


Complete genome analysis of the novel Shewanella phage vB_Sb_QDWS.
We present here the results of the analysis of the complete genome sequence of a potentially temperate phage, vB_Sb_QDWS, which was isolated from wastewater samples collected in Qingdao, China. The genome of phage vB_Sb_QDWS is composed of a double-stranded DNA that is 47,902 bp in length with a G + C content of 63.16%. It is predicted to contain 69 putative protein-encoding genes. Microscopic and genomic analysis showed that vB_Sb_QDWS is a novel phage of the class Siphoviridae.


Peripheral nerve concentrations of glucose, fructose, sorbitol and myoinositol in diabetic and non-diabetic patients.
Glucose, fructose, sorbitol and myoinositol concentrations were measured in biopsies of peripheral nerve obtained at above-knee or below-knee amputation. In diabetic patients nerve glucose (median [range]) (5.09 [1.62-12.82] vs 3.12 [1.81-4.01]) p less than 0.001, fructose (0.245 [0.060-1.280] vs 0.150 [0.053-0.385]) p less than 0.05, and sorbitol (0.028 [0.012-0.496] vs 0.016 [0.007-0.059] p less than 0.02, mumol/g wet weight) were significantly higher than in non-diabetic patients. No significant difference was found in myoinositol concentration (1.95 [1.00-3.55] vs 2.09 [1.27-5.40] mumol/g wet weight). Concentrations differed markedly from previously reported values in human nerve obtained at post-mortem.


Presentation, Management, and Outcome of Primary Leiomyosarcoma of the Spine: A Systematic Review.
Primary spinal leiomyosarcoma (PSL) is extremely rare. A case is presented, followed by a systematic review establishing the consensus on presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcomes. Comparison is made with metastatic spinal leiomyosarcoma (MSL). A systematic review was conducted in line with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Eligibility criteria were decided before the literature search was conducted. Data were extracted and analyzed. A total of 397 articles were identified, 25 of which conformed to the eligibility criteria. Thirty-four cases were included in the analysis. PSL had a female preponderance (69.2%), with back pain being the most common presenting symptom (60.9%). Neurologic signs were present in most (69.6%), with tumors typically in the thoracic spine (46.9%). Diagnosis was primarily made using magnetic resonance imaging (64.7%) and computed tomography (55.9%), with a histologic sample being obtained in all cases. Most patients underwent operative management (91.2%), with variable use of neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies. Operative approach differed greatly and outcome after surgical management was stated in 48.4% of patients, all noting an improvement from presentation. Patient follow-up was limited (median, 7 months), with most patients being free of disease (43.8%). PSL diagnosis is challenging, with positron emission tomography-computed tomography and histopathologic sampling playing an important role. There is a limited evidence base for the treatment strategies used but surgical management is key, with generally good outcomes. Prognosis for PSL seems to be better than for MSL. There is scope for more dedicated research in PSL and MSL.


Uncemented and custom made hip prostheses in patients younger than 50 years.
One hundred and nine hip arthroplasties using custom cementless stems performed in patients 50 years of age or younger were reviewed after a minimum follow-up of two years. The etiologies included mainly major deformation of the upper femoral metaphysis such as CDH or after osteotomy and some cases of AVN or post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Two stems (1,8%) were revised and the overall clinical and radiographic failure rate was 5,5%. The intramedullary part of the custom stem (CT based) is able to match any kind of femoral metaphysis to provide stem stability, and the extramedullary part, the neck offset (CT based) can provide an optimal orientation of the prosthetic neck in the frontal and the horizontal planes, to restore physiological hip function.


Piloting a livestock identification and traceability system in the northern Tanzania-Narok-Nairobi trade route.
We designed and piloted a livestock identification and traceability system (LITS) along the Northern Tanzania-Narok-Nairobi beef value chain. Animals were randomly selected and identified at the primary markets using uniquely coded ear tags. Data on identification, ownership, source (village), and the site of recruitment (primary market) were collected and posted to an online database. Similar data were collected in all the markets where tagged animals passed through until they got to defined slaughterhouses. Meat samples were collected during slaughter and later analyzed for tetracycline and diminazene residues using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Follow up surveys were done to assess the pilot system. The database captured a total of 4260 records from 741 cattle. Cattle recruited in the primary markets in Narok (n = 1698) either came from farms (43.8%), local markets (37.7%), or from markets in Tanzania (18.5%). Soit Sambu market was the main source of animals entering the market from Tanzania (54%; n = 370). Most tagged cattle (72%, n = 197) were slaughtered at the Ewaso Ng'iro slaughterhouse in Narok. Lesions observed (5%; n = 192) were related to either hydatidosis or fascioliasis. The mean diminazene aceturate residue level was 320.78 ± 193.48 ppb. We used the traceability system to identify sources of animals with observable high drug residue levels in tissues. Based on the findings from this study, we discuss opportunities for LITS-as a tool for surveillance for both animal health and food safety, and outline challenges of its deployment in a local beef value chain-such as limited incentives for uptake.


Cytoskeletal organization in fibroblasts of rat calvaria periosteum: microfilaments demonstrated by detergent perfusion.
The authors examined the microfilament of fibroblasts in rat calvarial periosteum by transmission electron microscopy after perfusing rats with a mixed solution of Triton X-100 and a low concentration of glutaraldehyde. Fibroblasts in the periosteum were fusiform and had elongated oval nuclei. Microfilaments with diameters of 5-6 nm were noted within the cytoplasm. Although these microfilaments were parallel to the long axis of the cell, stress fibers, which are thick bundles of microfilaments present in cultured fibroblasts, were not observed in these fibroblasts.


No competition for resources between two tick species at their parapatric boundary.
Aponomma hydrosauri and Amblyomma limbatum are tick species with the same major host species, the sleepy lizard Trachydosaurus rugosus, but parapatric distributions in South Australia. Near Mt. Mary one species is abruptly replaced by the other over one kilometre. There is substantial overlap in feeding sites on the hosts. This suggested that interspecific competition, during feeding, may be an important mechanism preventing further overlap of the distributions of the two species. However, in the overlap region there was no resource shortage, and each species infested hosts independently of the other species. Also in laboratory experiments at the highest densities encountered in the field, larvae and nymphs of each species attached and engorged equally well whether alone or mixed with the other species. These data refuted the, hypothesis of interspecific competition between the two species while feeding.


Diversity of Halogenated Secondary Metabolites in Okinawan Aplysia argus Including 12-Hydroxypinnaterpene C and Their Feeding Targets.
A new irieane-type diterpene, 12-hydroxypinnaterpene C (1), and 21 known compounds, angasiol acetate (2), angasiol (3), 11-deacetylpinnaterpene C (4), palisadin A (5), 12-acetoxypalisadin B (6), 12-hydroxypalisadin B (7), aplysistatin (8), luzodiol (9), 5-acetoxy-2-bromo-3-chloro-chamigra-7(14),9-dien-8-one (10), neoirietriol (11), neoirietetraol (12), (3Z)-laurenyne (13), cupalaurenol (14), cupalaurenol acetate (15), (3Z)-venustinene (16), 10-hydroxykahukuene B (17), aplysiol B (18), (3Z)-13-epipinnatifidenyne (19), 3Z,6R,7R,12S,13S-obtusenyne (20), (3Z,9Z)-7-chloro-6-hydroxy-12-oxo-pentadeca-3,9-dien-1-yne (21), and cholest-7-en-3,5,7-triol (22) were isolated from the digestive diverticula of Aplysia argus from the Ikei Island in Okinawa, Japan. The structures of these compounds were determined using spectroscopic methods such as NMR and HR-ESI-MS. These compounds were tested for their antibacterial activity against the phytopathogen Ralstonia solanacearum. Compounds 11 and 21 exhibited antibacterial activity at 30 μg/disc. In this study, we also discuss the types of red algae that A. argus feeds on in the shallow waters of Okinawa Prefecture.


Bioactive compound from Lagerstroemia speciosa: activating apoptotic machinery in pancreatic cancer cells.
The study was aimed at the identification of a potential anti-cancer compound from the leaf extract of Lagerstroemia speciosa, against pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1). Out of different extracts tested, methanolic extract showed significant cytotoxicity at an IC50 of 289.5 ± 0.03 µg/mL after 24 h (MTT assay). The safety of the extract was ascertained using normal pancreatic cells (hTERT-HPNE). Methanolic extract was able to induce apoptosis in 28.9 ± 0.01% of PANC-1 cells as determined by flow cytometry. RT-PCR analysis of PANC-1 cells also recorded an increase in the mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic genes i.e., Caspase-3 (12.82 folds), Rb (10 folds) and Bad (8.74 folds) after treatment. Expression of other pro-apoptotic genes such as Bax and TNF was also upregulated by 4.04 and 4.01 folds, respectively. However, the mRNA expression of anti-apoptotic genes, NF-κB, Cdk and Bcl-2 was found to be downregulated. The bioactive extract was then fractionated on preparative silica gel plates into 24 bands. Out of these, band fraction 9 exhibited significant cytotoxicity (IC50 219 ± 0.04 µg/mL) on the PANC-1 cells. The mass spectral (HPLC-MS) and FTIR analysis of the fraction indicated the bioactive compound to be a derivative of Diosgenin, which can be a possible candidate for cancer therapeutics in future. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-022-03155-w.


131I in blood samples: a danger for professionals? A problem for immunoassays?
Our objective was to investigate the safety of radioactive blood samples from patients receiving 131I and whether the radioactivity affects the validity of assays. First, the activity of samples from patients given 131I was measured by 3 methods and compared with the upper threshold. Then, pilot sera were spiked with 131I, and possible interference was investigated using 2 immunoradiometric assays. The activity of 13 of the 15 samples was below the European limit; the other 2 samples were from patients with reduced renal clearance rates. No differences in thyroglobulin level or thyroid-stimulating hormone level were found between sera that were spiked with 131I and sera that were not. These blood samples are safe because they contain negligible activity, and the use of radioimmunoassays or immunoradiometric assays on them produces reliable results.


ROS dependent copper toxicity in Hydra-biochemical and molecular study.
Copper, an essential microelement, is known to be toxic to aquatic life at concentrations higher than that could be tolerated. Copper-induced oxidative stress has been documented in vitro, yet the in vivo effects of metal-induced oxidative stress have not been extensively studied in the lower invertebrates. The objective of the present study has been to find the effect of ROS-mediated toxicity of environmentally relevant concentrations of copper at organismal and cellular levels in Hydra magnipapillata. Exposure to copper at sublethal concentrations (0.06 and 0.1mg/L) for 24 or 48h resulted in generation of significant levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). We infer that the free radicals here originate predominantly at the lysosomes but partly at the mitochondria also as visualized by H2-DHCFDA staining. Quantitative real-time PCR of RNA extracted from copper-exposed polyps revealed dose-dependent up-regulation of all antioxidant response genes (CAT, SOD, GPx, GST, GR, G6PD). Concurrent increase of Hsp70 and FoxO genes suggests the ability of polyps to respond to stress, which at 48h was not the same as at 24h. Interestingly, the transcript levels of all genes were down-regulated at 48h as compared to 24h incubation period. Comet assay indicated copper as a powerful genotoxicant, and the DNA damage was dose- as well as duration-dependent. Western blotting of proteins (Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3) confirmed ROS-mediated mitochondrial cell death in copper-exposed animals. These changes correlated well with changes in morphology, regeneration and aspects of reproduction. Taken together, the results indicate increased production of intracellular ROS in Hydra on copper exposure.


Patient Understanding of Oncologic Radiology Reports: Is Access to Electronic Medical Records Helpful?
Access to electronic medical record (EMR) patient portals made it easier for patients to quickly acquire the results of their radiology studies. However, there is little research on how well oncology patients understand the findings of radiology reports presented in the online portal without patient-physician discussion. This study assessed oncology patients' confidence and accuracy in interpreting radiology reports either with or without layman translations. A survey based on a radiology report was administered to oncology patients and caregivers. Two versions of the radiological report were randomly distributed, either a standard report or one with layman translations to evaluate participant understanding and accuracy of interpreting radiological results. Among 85 participants, a majority (67.8%) reported wanting patient portal access to radiological reports, yet less than a quarter (21.2%) felt confident in reading and interpreting radiological reports. Univariate binary logistic regression models showed that participants who read the lay report were 8 times more likely to find the radiology report easy to read. This research demonstrated that the inclusion of layman translation of standard radiology reports improves oncology patients' and caregivers' understanding of such reports with statistically significant and clinically meaningful increases in readability.