Pemphigus antibodies fixation and keratinocyte differentiation in organ cultures. Effects of some agents influencing the intracellular content of cyclic AMP.
The effect of some agents, influencing the cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) content of human cells, on the ability of the keratinocytes of binding pemphigus antibodies was studied by using tissue cultures of rabbit esophagus. As demonstrated by immunofluorescence (IF) for IgG, the bound antibodies appeared markedly decreased on esophagus explants grown under standard conditions, that is without test agents, when compared to ones fixed on fresh esophagus. But the IF reaction was remarkably more intense when methylxanthines or epinephrine were added to the growth medium of the cultures. Following the addition of these agents to the cultures some histologic modifications appeared in the explants, indicating that the keratinization process had probably been stimulated. This temporal relationship of immunofluorescence and histologic findings seems to suggest the hypothesis that keratinocyte differentiation, regulation of cAMP intracellular content, and pemphigus antibodies fixation are related processes.


Silicone wrist implant: long-term follow-up study.
Nineteen patients with 20 silicone rubber wrist implants of the Swanson design were followed for an average of 6 years. Sixty-five percent of the patients experienced little or no wrist pain after the operation. There was an average of 24 degrees of wrist flexion and 21 degrees of extension. Implant fracture occurred in 65% of the patients. This was not necessarily correlated with clinical symptoms. Subsidence of the implant occurred 100% of the time. Revision procedures were done after six (30%) of the procedures. There was no evidence of radiographic change suggesting silicone synovitis. There is a progressive deterioration in the radiographic appearance and the clinical result after use of this implant. Salvage by means of radiocarpal arthrodesis, or a soft tissue arthroplasty, has been successful in our patients.


Cerebral blood flow during acute acidosis in perinatal goats.
Changes in cerebral blood flow in response to three states of acute acidosis, posthypoxic, lactic acid, and respiratory, were estimated by the microsphere technique. In all three states, the fraction of the systemic blood flow reaching the brain and the rate (ml/min) of blood flow to it increased. The increase in flow was linearly related both to the PaCO2 and to H+. Others have shown the flow rate to increase with hypercapnia, but the increase associated with an increase in hydrogen ion concentration while the PaCO2 was maintained at control levels does not appear to have been observed in mature animals.


[Idiopathic progressive atrophoderma of Pasini-Pierini with the presence of antinuclear antibodies].
Atrophodermia idiopathica progressiva Pasini-Pierini (AIPP) in two young female patients is described. This disease, which begins in the second decade, is slowly progressive and has the characteristics of an originally atrophic dermatosis. No regression to sclerosised lesions could be observed. The distribution of lesions was a strictly one-sided, with the radicular pattern of some lesions suggesting the participation of neurogenic factors. The finding of antinuclear antibodies of the nucleolar type suggests an immunological pathogenesis. HLA typing did not reveal any extraordinary patterns or, interestingly, any of the types associated with immunological diseases.


Magnesium content in daily food portions and the influence of supplementation.
Magnesium is one of the most important cations for an organism. The aim of our study is to evaluate whether the use of a magnesium formulation as a diet supplement or medical treatment is necessary. The 24-hour recall method was used to obtain information regarding the daily magnesium consumption of 949 people. The results were compared with the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) values. The average daily requirement for magnesium was exceeded by 292 (183 women and 109 men) of the 949 respondents. This research confirmed excessive magnesium intake by both men and women that exceeded both the EAR and the RDA. Uncontrolled, excessive dietary supplementation or medical treatment with magnesium by this group may constitute a health threat.


Statistical analysis of inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes subjected to high hydrostatic pressure and heat in milk buffer.
Previous unpublished experimental results of fractional factorial experiments showed that significant external factors affecting high-pressure processing (HPP) inactivation were pressure, temperature, and pressure holding time. Based on these results, response surface methodology (RSM) was employed in the present work, and a quadratic equation for HPP inactivation was built with RSM. By analyzing response surface plots and their corresponding contour plots and by solving the quadratic equation, experimental values were shown to be significantly in good agreement with predicted values, since the adjusted determination coefficient (RAdj2) was 0.9812 and the level of significance was P<0.0001. Optimum process parameters for a 6-log cycle reduction of Listeria monocytogenes were obtained: pressure, 448.0 MPa; temperature, 41 degrees C; and pressure holding time, 11 min. The adequacy of the model equation in predicting optimum response values was verified effectively by validation data.


A stable rearrangement product of humulene-4,5-epoxide.
Humulene-4,5-monoepoxide, 1, may rearrange to the cyclopropyl diol 2 during chromatography over silica. The rearrangement can be reversed with acid.


A novel automated direct measurement method for total antioxidant capacity using a new generation, more stable ABTS radical cation.
To develop a novel colorimetric and automated direct measurement method for total antioxidant capacity (TAC). A new generation, more stable, colored 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical cation (ABTS(*+)) was employed. The ABTS(*+) is decolorized by antioxidants according to their concentrations and antioxidant capacities. This change in color is measured as a change in absorbance at 660 nm. This process is applied to an automated analyzer and the assay is calibrated with Trolox. The novel assay is linear up to 6 mmol Trolox equivalent/l, its precision values are lower than 3%, and there is no interference from hemoglobin, bilirubin, EDTA, or citrate. The method developed is significantly correlated with the Randox- total antioxidant status (TAS) assay (r = 0.897, P < 0.0001; n = 91) and with the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assay (r = 0.863, P < 0.0001; n = 110). Serum TAC level was lower in patients with major depression (1.69 +/- 0.11 mmol Trolox equivalent/l) than in healthy subjects (1.75 +/- 0.08 mmol Trolox equivalent/l, P = 0.041). This easy, stable, reliable, sensitive, inexpensive, and fully automated method described can be used to measure total antioxidant capacity.


Lichen planus of the lower limbs: successful treatment with psoralen cream plus ultraviolet A photochemotherapy.
Lichen planus (LP) classifies into different subtypes depending on morphology and localization. Localized LP of the lower limb (LPLL) manifests a great challenge due to persistent itching, therapeutic resistance and the risk to develop into SCC. We report two cases with LPLL refractory to standard topical therapy, which were successfully treated with psoralen cream plus UVA photochemotherapy (cream-PUVA). We propose cream-PUVA as an alternative therapeutic option effective for localized LP of the lower limbs.


Medullary thyroid cancer: targeting the RET kinase pathway with sorafenib/tipifarnib.
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is an uncommon malignancy of hereditary and sporadic presentation. Mutations in the RET proto-oncogene are involved in the pathogenesis of familial MTC and >50% of the sporadic cases. Currently, there is no effective treatment for recurrent or metastatic MTC. We report here a rapid response to a sorafenib (RET and RAF kinase and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor)--based regimen in a patient with sporadic MTC who had advanced, progressive disease and a novel RET kinase aberration at exon 11 shown in tumor tissue.


Percutaneous Approach for Late Left Main Coronary Detachment Resulting in Aortic Pseudoaneurysm After Bentall Procedure.
We describe the case of 35-year-old patient with known Marfan syndrome, and previously treated by a Bentall procedure, who presented with an aortic pseudoaneurysm secondary to a partial proximal left main coronary artery detachment fixed by covered stent implantation. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).


Water use physiologies of co-occurring goldenrods (Solidago juncea and S. canadensis): Implications for natural distributions.
Water use patterns and the seasonal progression of functional leaf area were determined for Solidago canadensis L. var. scabra and S. juncea Ait., two species of cooccurring goldenrods which differ in their competitive ability and distribution along soil moisture gradients. Field measurements of diurnal trends in stomatal conductances and leaf water potentials indicate little difference between the species. Laboratory gas exchange measurements of assimilation rates (13.15-13.25 micromoles CO2 m-2 sec-1), stomatal conductances (31.53-38.44 centimoles H2O m-2 sec-1), water use efficiencies (8.10-9.66 mg CO2 g H2O-1) and stomatal response to low leaf water potentials (i.e. initiation of stomatal closure at -16 to -20 bars) were also similar for the two species. Differences in their maximum functional leaf areas (421 cm2 vs 209 cm2 for S. canadensis and S. juncea, respectively, at maturity), phenologies (S. juncea flowers about one month earlier than S. canadensis) and the presence of the non-reproductive rosette habit in the dry site species (S. juncea) are probably more important in explaining the differential distributions of these two species than differences in their water use patterns.


Nylon wool purification alters the activation of T cells.
Purification of lymphocytes, particularly T cells, is commonly performed using nylon wool. This enrichment method selectively retains B cells and some myeloid cells allowing a significantly more pure T cell population to flow through a nylon wool column. T cells purified in this fashion are assumed to be unaltered and functionally naïve, however some studies have suggested aberrant in vitro T cell responses after nylon wool treatment. We found that nylon wool purification significantly altered T cell proliferation, expression of activation markers and production of cytokines. Our results suggest that nylon wool treatment modifies T cell activation responses and that caution should be used when choosing this purification method.


Utilization of microdialysis for assessing the release of mesotelencephalic dopamine following clozapine and other antipsychotic drugs.
1. In vivo microdialysis was utilized to assess the effect of clozapine, haloperidol, and sulpiride on the release of dopamine from the nucleus accumbens, striatum, and prefrontal cortex of the rat. 2. The results suggest that acute administration of various classes of antipsychotic drugs may differentially increase the extracellular concentration of dopamine in mesotelencephalic systems. Haloperidol and sulpiride were more effective in releasing dopamine from the terminals of the nigrostriatal dopamine system while clozapine had a more prefrontal effect on the mesolimbic and particularly the mesocortical dopamine systems.


Photoinduced energy transfer processes in hybrid organic-inorganic multichromophoric arrays arranged on a truxene-based platform.
The synthesis, photophysical characterization and energy-transfer features of a series of hybrid truxene derivatives peripherally decorated with inorganic Os-containing polypyridine units and organic Bodipy dyes are reported. The photoactive terminal units are coupled to the central truxene scaffold by rigid ethynyl linkers in a star-shaped arrangement. The absorption range widely covers the UV-Vis spectrum and the Os (3)MLCT or the Bodipy triplet act as final collectors of the absorbed energy.


Nicotiana benthamiana LRR-RLP NbEIX2 mediates the perception of an EIX-like protein from Verticillium dahliae.
Verticillium wilt diseases caused by the soil-borne fungus Verticillium dahliae result in devastating yield losses in many economically important crops annually. Here, we identified a novel ethylene-inducing xylanase (EIX)-like protein, VdEIX3, from V. dahliae, which exhibits immunity-inducing activity in Nicotiana benthamiana. In vitro-purified VdEIX3 can induce strong oxidative burst, activate the expression of defense-related genes, and increase resistance against oomycete and fungal pathogens in N. benthamiana. VdEIX3 orthologs of other Verticillium pathogens also induce cell death in N. benthamiana, which form a new type of EIX protein family that is distinct from the known EIX proteins. A leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein, NbEIX2, regulates the perception of VdEIX3 in N. benthamiana. Our results demonstrate that VdEIX3 is a novel EIX-like protein that can be recognized by N. benthamiana NbEIX2, and also suggest that NbEIX2 is a promising receptor-like protein that is potentially applicable to transgenic breeding for improving resistance to Verticillium wilt diseases.


Design of effective outpatient sentinel surveillance for COVID-19 decision-making: a modeling study.
Decision-makers impose COVID-19 mitigations based on public health indicators such as reported cases, which are sensitive to fluctuations in supply and demand for diagnostic testing, and hospital admissions, which lag infections by up to two weeks. Imposing mitigations too early has unnecessary economic costs while imposing too late leads to uncontrolled epidemics with unnecessary cases and deaths. Sentinel surveillance of recently-symptomatic individuals in outpatient testing sites may overcome biases and lags in conventional indicators, but the minimal outpatient sentinel surveillance system needed for reliable trend estimation remains unknown. We used a stochastic, compartmental transmission model to evaluate the performance of various surveillance indicators at reliably triggering an alarm in response to, but not before, a step increase in transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The surveillance indicators included hospital admissions, hospital occupancy, and sentinel cases with varying levels of sampling effort capturing 5, 10, 20, 50, or 100% of incident mild cases. We tested 3 levels of transmission increase, 3 population sizes, and conditions of either simultaneous transmission increase or lagged increase in the older population. We compared the indicators' performance at triggering alarm soon after, but not prior, to the transmission increase. Compared to surveillance based on hospital admissions, outpatient sentinel surveillance that captured at least 20% of incident mild cases could trigger an alarm 2 to 5 days earlier for a mild increase in transmission and 6 days earlier for a moderate or strong increase. Sentinel surveillance triggered fewer false alarms and averted more deaths per day spent in mitigation. When transmission increase in older populations lagged the increase in younger populations by 14 days, sentinel surveillance extended its lead time over hospital admissions by an additional 2 days. Sentinel surveillance of mild symptomatic cases can provide more timely and reliable information on changes in transmission to inform decision-makers in an epidemic like COVID-19.


Listeria monocytogenes encephalitis mimicking West Nile encephalitis.
We present a case of a 50-year-old man who presented to Winthrop-University Hospital in the midst of the 2002 West Nile encephalitis (WNE) outbreak with the cardinal clinical findings of WNE, ie, fever, encephalopathy, weakness, and muscle tremors. During the summer of 2002, several cases of aseptic meningitis/viral encephalitis were admitted to our emergency room weekly. In addition, cases of WNE were being admitted at the same time. During this period we had 3 cases of WNE. Our patient presented with the clinical findings of WNE. However, laboratory and radiologic findings suggested the possibility of Listeria monocytogenes encephalitis. The cerebrospinal fluid findings included red blood cells, which, in the absence of a traumatic tap or HSV encephalitis, argue against the diagnosis of WNE but are consistent with L. monocytogenes encephalitis. Computed tomography scan showed communicating hydrocephalus, which also suggests the possibility of L. monocytogenes and argued against the diagnosis of WNE. Clinicians should be vigilant for the mimics of WNE in geographical areas where WNE outbreaks are occurring.


Tracheal agenesis.
Congenital anomalies of the tracheobronchial tree must be included in the differential diagnosis of children with symptoms of respiratory distress. Tracheal agenesis is a rare major congenital anomaly that has been uniformly fatal. Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion utilizing roentgenographic and endoscopic examinations.


Genetic models of sensorimotor gating: relevance to neuropsychiatric disorders.
Sensorimotor gating, or the ability of a sensory event to suppress a motor response, can be measured operationally via prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle response. PPI is deficient in schizophrenia patients as well as other neuropsychiatric disorders, can be measured across species, and has been used widely as a translational tool in preclinical neuropharmacological and genetic research. First developed to assess drug effects in pharmacological and developmental models, PPI has become one of the standard behavioral measures in genetic models of schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders that exhibit PPI deficits. In this chapter we review the literature on genetic models of sensorimotor gating and discuss the utility of PPI as a tool in phenotyping mutant mouse models. We highlight the approaches to genetic mouse models of neuropsychiatric disease, discuss some of the important caveats to these approaches, and provide a comprehensive table covering the more recent genetic models that have evaluated PPI.


Positive and negative social exchanges experienced by fathers and mothers of children with autism.
When faced with child-related challenges associated with autism spectrum disorder, positive and negative social exchanges may be critical to parents' psychological well-being. This study examined the types and sources of positive and negative social exchanges reported by mothers and fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder and their association with parental depressive symptoms in 176 families of children (5-12 years; 85% male) with autism spectrum disorder. One-way repeated measure multivariate analyses of variance and multilevel modeling were used. Results indicated that informational was the most frequent type, and one's spouse was the primary source, of both positive and negative social exchanges. Fathers reported fewer positive, and also fewer negative, social exchanges with family, friends, and health professionals than mothers. Positive and negative social exchanges with one's spouse were most strongly associated with depressive symptoms. Findings have implications for interventions designed to foster optimal outcomes in families of children with autism spectrum disorder.


A prospective analysis of eating disorder risk factors: drive for thinness, depressed mood, maladaptive cognitions, and ineffectiveness.
This study examined whether elevations on four variables (drive for thinness, depressed mood, maladaptive cognitions, and ineffectiveness) were related to increased severity of eating disorder symptoms over a 4-year prospective interval in a sample of female undergraduates (N=80). Results indicated that initial scores on the four variables were related to severity of anorexic and bulimic symptoms 4 years later. Examination of each variable individually indicated that anorexia and bulimia may have different risk pathways, and that initial maladaptive cognitions and drive for thinness scores were more related to later eating disorder symptoms than were depressed mood or ineffectiveness.


Neural correlates of visual and tactile path integration and their task related modulation.
Self-motion induces sensory signals that allow to determine travel distance (path integration). For veridical path integration, one must distinguish self-generated from externally induced sensory signals. Predictive coding has been suggested to attenuate self-induced sensory responses, while task relevance can reverse the attenuating effect of prediction. But how is self-motion processing affected by prediction and task demands, and do effects generalize across senses? In this fMRI study, we investigated visual and tactile self-motion processing and its modulation by task demands. Visual stimuli simulated forward self-motion across a ground plane. Tactile self-motion stimuli were delivered by airflow across the subjects' forehead. In one task, subjects replicated a previously observed distance (Reproduction/Active; high behavioral demand) of passive self-displacement (Reproduction/Passive). In a second task, subjects travelled a self-chosen distance (Self/Active; low behavioral demand) which was recorded and played back to them (Self/Passive). For both tasks and sensory modalities, Active as compared to Passive trials showed enhancement in early visual areas and suppression in higher order areas of the inferior parietal lobule (IPL). Contrasting high and low demanding active trials yielded supramodal enhancement in the anterior insula. Suppression in the IPL suggests this area to be a comparator of sensory self-motion signals and predictions thereof.


New Mutations Associated with Rasopathies in a Central European Population and Genotype-Phenotype Correlations.
We performed the genetic analysis of Rasopathy syndromes in patients from Central European by direct sequencing followed by next generation sequencing of genes associated with Rasopathies. All 51 patients harboured the typical features of Rasopathy syndromes. Thirty-five mutations were identified in the examined patients (22 in PTPN11, two in SOS1, one in RIT1, one in SHOC2, two in HRAS, three in BRAF, two in MAP2K1 and two in the NF1 gene). Two of them (p.Gly392Glu in the BRAF gene and p.Gln164Lys in the MAP2K1 gene) were novel with a potentially pathogenic effect on the structure of these proteins. Statistically significant differences in the presence of pulmonary stenosis (63.64% vs. 23.81%, P = 0.013897) and cryptorchidism (76.47% vs. 30%, P = 0.040224) were identified as the result of comparison of the prevalence of phenotypic features in patients with the phenotype of Noonan syndrome and mutation in the PTPN11 gene, with the prevalence of the same features in patients without PTPN11 mutation. Cryptorchidism as a statistically significant feature in our patients with PTPN11 mutation was not reported as significant in other European countries (Germany, Italy and Greece). The majority of mutations were clustered in exons 3 (45.45%), 8 (22.73%), and 13 (22.73%) of the PTPN11 gene.


Rational design, synthesis and in vitro evaluation of allylidene hydrazinecarboximidamide derivatives as BACE-1 inhibitors.
BACE-1 (β-secretase) is considered to be one of the promising targets for treatment of Alzheimer's disease as it catalyzes the rate limiting step of Aβ-42 production. Herein, we report a novel class of allylidene hydrazinecarboximidamide derivatives as moderately potent BACE-1 inhibitors, having aminoguanidine substitution on allyl linker with two aromatic groups on either side. A library of derivatives was designed based on the docking studies, synthesized and evaluated for BACE-1 inhibition in vitro. The designed ligands displayed interactions with the catalytic aspartate dyad through guanidinium functionality. Further, the aromatic rings placed on either side of the linker occupied S1 and S3 active site regions contributing to the activity. These ligands were also predicted to follow Lipinski rule and cross blood brain barrier. Compound 2.21, having high docking score, was found to be most active with IC50 of 6.423μM indicating good correlation with docking prediction.


Comparison of craniofacial morphology, head posture and hyoid bone position with different breathing patterns.
The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in craniofacial morphology, head posture and hyoid bone position between mouth breathing (MB) and nasal breathing (NB) patients. Mouth breathing patients comprised 34 skeletal Class I subjects with a mean age of 12.8 ± 1.5 years (range: 12.0-15.2 years). Thirty-two subjects with skeletal Class I relationship were included in the NB group (mean 13.5 ± 1.3 years; range: 12.2-14.8 years). Twenty-seven measurements (15 angular and 12 linear) were used for the craniofacial analysis. Additionally, 12 measurements were evaluated for head posture (eight measurements) and hyoid bone position (four measurements). Student's t-test was used for the statistical analysis. Probability values <0.05 were accepted as significant. Statistical comparisons showed that sagittal measurements including SNA (p < 0.01), ANB (p < 0.01), A to N perp (p < 0.05), convexity (p < 0.05), IMPA (p < 0.05) and overbite (p < 0.05) measurements were found to be lower in MB patients compared to NB. Vertical measurements including SN-MP (p < 0.01) and PP-GoGn (p < 0.01), S-N (p <0.05) and anterior facial height (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in MB patients, while the odontoid proses and palatal plane angle (OPT-PP) was greater and true vertical line and palatal plane angle (Vert-PP) was smaller in MB patients compared to NB group (p < 0.05 for both). No statistically significant differences were found regarding the hyoid bone position between both groups. The maxilla was more retrognathic in MB patients. Additionally, the palatal plane had a posterior rotation in MB patients. However, no significant differences were found in the hyoid bone position between MB and NB patients.


Designing isolation guidelines for COVID-19 patients with rapid antigen tests.
Appropriate isolation guidelines for COVID-19 patients are warranted. Currently, isolating for fixed time is adopted in most countries. However, given the variability in viral dynamics between patients, some patients may no longer be infectious by the end of isolation, whereas others may still be infectious. Utilizing viral test results to determine isolation length would minimize both the risk of prematurely ending isolation of infectious patients and the unnecessary individual burden of redundant isolation of noninfectious patients. In this study, we develop a data-driven computational framework to compute the population-level risk and the burden of different isolation guidelines with rapid antigen tests (i.e., lateral flow tests). Here, we show that when the detection limit is higher than the infectiousness threshold values, additional consecutive negative results are needed to ascertain infectiousness status. Further, rapid antigen tests should be designed to have lower detection limits than infectiousness threshold values to minimize the length of prolonged isolation.


Single- and multiple-dose-response relationships of beta-carotene in cystic fibrosis.
Concentrations of carotenoids are low in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and are associated with essential fatty acid deficiency and increased markers of inflammation. We conducted single- and multiple-dose studies of beta-carotene supplementation in patients with CF. Dose-proportional increases in beta-carotene concentrations were found, although clearance was independent of dose. Large doses of beta-carotene were necessary to achieve normal plasma levels.


Time of day of leaf wounding determines plant biomass and affects the interplay between growth and defence in Brassica crops.
Recent discoveries pointed out the importance of the mutual correlation between timing of environmental stress and plant fitness. However, the internal reshaping of plant growth under daily stress sensing, and their metabolic coordination remain to be investigated. Thus, we studied the connection between time of day, growth and defence to understand how plant fitness is affected by diurnal stress inputs. We examined if simulated herbivory (leaf wounding) in the morning, at midday or the evening differentially influence plant defence state vs growth in three crop species of Brassica: broccoli (Brassica oleraceae), turnip greens (B. rapa) and rapeseed (B. napus). The data revealed that plant's tolerance of wounding stress is diurnally regulated in Brassica crops. Trade-offs between biomass and investment in glucosinolates (GSL) and phenolics were affected by timing of leaf stress. Negative correlations between biomass and induction of defence compounds were found for plants treeated in the morning and evening. However, the correlations were positive for midday treatment. Interestingly, we revealed a new connection between plant growth and changes in aliphatic GSLs and flavonoids in response to wounding. These data suggest that metabolic stress-dependent circadian oscillations in leaf defences could be one mechanism conferring a competitive advantage to plants to anticipate daily environmental variations by synchronizing them with growth. Moreover, this work provides first insights into how secondary metabolites are linked to growth response in a timing-related manner.


Bond graphs and the exploitation of power conserving transformations.
Use is made of the guaranteed energy conservation property of any bond graph model (presuming that consistent energy variables are used). Thus power transformations are power conserving, and this property is exploited with respect to multiport transformers where many effort and flow variables may be involved. In these cases the relationship among the effort (flow) variables across the transformer may be easier to derive than the relationship among the flows (efforts). The power conserving nature of the transformer permits immediate derivation of the alternate variable relationship. This formulation procedure is applied to the reflex reaction of the arm.


Electron beam computed tomography and ventilation perfusion scintigraphy in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.
The purpose of this study, performed in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE), was to compare V/Q scans and electron beam computed tomography (CT) scans on a patient-by-patient and segment-by-segment basis. Both a segment-based and a lobe-based analysis was performed in those patients positive for PE. The diagnosis of PE was assumed on the basis of a mismatch at V/Q scanning or a filling defect in a pulmonary vessel at contrast-enhanced electron beam CT. In 37/45 patients (24 female, 21 male, 58+/-16 years) with suspected PE, the diagnosis of PE was confirmed or excluded by both modalities, resulting in a correlation of 82% between electron beam CT and V/Q scanning. In the 28 patients positive for PE according to one or both modalities, 504 segments were evaluated. Of these 504 segments, 248 (nearly 50%) showed perfusion defects on V/Q scans, of which only 90 (36%) displayed emboli at electron beam CT. Overall, a total of only 135 of the 504 segments (27%) were abnormal at electron beam CT. More than 50% of the patients with discrepant results did not show an embolus at electron beam CT. It is concluded that there is a good correlation (82%) between V/Q scanning and electron beam CT on a patient-by-patient basis but a markedly less good correlation (62%) in a segment-based analysis.


Seroepidemiology of cytomegalovirus infection among children between the ages of 4 and 12 years in Taiwan.
To determine risk factors responsible for primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in Taiwan, samples of blood for antibody to CMV were obtained from 362 children aged 4 to 12 years: 58% were found to be positive for anti-CMV IgG antibody. Logistic regression analysis showed that seropositivity correlated with age, method of delivery, duration of breast feeding, and younger age of mother. Neither socioeconomic status nor crowded living conditions showed significant correlation with CMV seropositivity. Primary CMV infection in Taiwan appears to be less related to socioeconomic status shown in western countries, and, since the majority of pregnant women were seropositive in Taiwan, two of the major sources of primary CMV transmission are infected breast milk and the infected genital tract.


Some newly characterized collagenases from procaryotes and lower eucaryotes.
Chemical and enzymatic properties of four collagenases newly isolated from anaerobic Clostridium histolyticum, aerobic Achromobacter iophagus, and from two lower eucaryotes, the fungus Entomophthora coronata and the insect Hypoderma lineatum are reviewed. The problems of their biosynthesis and precursors, namely the effect of induction of collagenase and neutral proteinase in Achromobacter by their macromolecular substrates are discussed. The two bacterial collagenases are Zn-metallo-enzymes; the highly purified Clostridium collagenase contains cyst(e)ine, serine phosphate and tryptophan additionally to amino acids reported previously. Achromobacter collagenase has the highest specific activity of all collagenases; it yields by autolysis enzymatically active degraded forms. The active dimer is composed of two identical subunits of molecular weight 35,000. Similarities between Achromobacter collagenase, thermolysin and Bacillus subtilis neutral proteinase in molecular weight, amino acid composition, and amino acids important for the active sites are discussed. The two collagenases from low eucaryotes are serine proteinases; Hypoderma collagenase is homologous to the trypsin family in the amino terminal sequence. The initial cleavage of native collagen by highly purified bacterial collagenases occurs in the central helical part of the alpha chains and not progressively from the amino terminal end. One of the two initial cleavages produced by Achromobacter collagenase is situated in the region cleaved specifically by vertebrate collagenases, but with different bond specificity. The same is true for the insect collagenase. Entomophthora collagenase is a proteinase of broad specificity which also cleaves collagen in its helical parts. All four collagenases also degrade other proteins according to their bond specificity.


Evidence for plasmid-associated lactose metabolism inLactobacillus casei subsp.casei.
Lac variants ofLactobacillus casei subsp.casei DR1002 (formerly 64H) have been produced using acriflavin, ethidium bromide, mitomycin C, or combinations of these agents. Two successive transfers in the presence of acriflavin and mitomycin C or ethidium bromide and mitomycin C resulted in nearly a 100% loss of lactose fermentation. Cesium chloride-ethidium bromide isopycnic gradient ultracentrifugal analysis of purified lysates demonstrated that the 23-mdal plasmid (pDR101) found inL. casei DR1002 was consistently absent in Lac(-) clones. We concluded that, as in lactic streptococci, lactose metablism is a plasmid-mediated train inL. casei DR1002.


Neural activity in the primate prefrontal cortex during associative learning.
The prefrontal (PF) cortex has been implicated in the remarkable ability of primates to form and rearrange arbitrary associations rapidly. This ability was studied in two monkeys, using a task that required them to learn to make specific saccades in response to particular cues and then repeatedly reverse these responses. We found that the activity of individual PF neurons represented both the cues and the associated responses, perhaps providing a neural substrate for their association. Furthermore, during learning, neural activity conveyed the direction of the animals' impending responses progressively earlier within each successive trial. The final level of activity just before the response, however, was unaffected by learning. These results suggest a role for the PF cortex in learning arbitrary cue-response associations, an ability critical for complex behavior.


Corneal confocal microscopy identifies small nerve fibre damage in patients with hypertriglyceridemia.
Hypertriglyceridemia has been identified as a risk factor for diabetic neuropathy. Patients with hypertriglyceridemia underwent assessment of neuropathy and corneal confocal microscopy. 24 patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia defined as a triglyceride level more than 5.5 mmol/L (485 mg/dL) with no history of diabetes and 19 age-matched controls underwent assessment of HbA1c, blood pressure, fasting lipid profile, neuropathy disability score (NDS) and corneal confocal microscopy (CCM). Patients with hypertriglyceridemia had a significantly higher NDS (P<0.001) and lower CNFD (no./mm2) (27.1 [25.0-29.9] Vs 35.9 [31.2-40.6], p<0.001), CNBD (no./mm2) (55.4±22.3 Vs 91.6±30.8, p<0.001), CNFL (mm/mm2) (19.2±4.3 Vs 26.7±4.4, p<0.001) and IWL (mm/mm2) (24.3±6.9 Vs 36.6±10.0, p<0.001) compared to control subjects. In subjects with hypertriglyceridemia serum triglyceride levels correlated with CNFD (rho= -0.473, p=0.002), CNBD (rho= -0.341, p=0.043), CNFL (rho= -0.446, p=0.006) and IWL (rho= -0.408, p=0.034), no correlation was found between triglycerides and CCM parameters in subjects without hypertriglyceridemia. Subjects with metabolic syndrome had a lower CNFD (32.3 [29.2-37.5] Vs 27.1 [20.8-30.2] no./mm2, p=0.003), CNBD (20.1±6.0 Vs 23.9±5.3 no./mm2, p=0.036), CNFL (57.7±26.9 Vs 79.2±32.6 mm/mm2, p=0.037) and IWL (25.4±7.1 Vs 32.9±11.2 mm/mm2, p=0.036) compared to subjects without metabolic syndrome. Hypertriglyceridemia and metabolic syndrome are associated with small nerve fibre damage and clinical neuropathy. Elevated serum triglycerides may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy.


[On the treatment of trichonocardiosis palmellina with econazol nitrate spray (author's transl)].
The effectiveness of econazol nitrate incorporated in spray was tested in trichonocardiosis palmellina. In all 5 cases an optimal therapeutic result was seen after a few days.


Homozygous deletions implicate non-coding epigenetic marks in Autism spectrum disorder.
More than 98% of the human genome is made up of non-coding DNA, but techniques to ascertain its contribution to human disease have lagged far behind our understanding of protein coding variations. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been mostly associated with coding variations via de novo single nucleotide variants (SNVs), recessive/homozygous SNVs, or de novo copy number variants (CNVs); however, most ASD cases continue to lack a genetic diagnosis. We analyzed 187 consanguineous ASD families for biallelic CNVs. Recessive deletions were significantly enriched in affected individuals relative to their unaffected siblings (17% versus 4%, p < 0.001). Only a small subset of biallelic deletions were predicted to result in coding exon disruption. In contrast, biallelic deletions in individuals with ASD were enriched for overlap with regulatory regions, with 23/28 CNVs disrupting histone peaks in ENCODE (p < 0.009). Overlap with regulatory regions was further demonstrated by comparisons to the 127-epigenome dataset released by the Roadmap Epigenomics project, with enrichment for enhancers found in primary brain tissue and neuronal progenitor cells. Our results suggest a novel noncoding mechanism of ASD, describe a powerful method to identify important noncoding regions in the human genome, and emphasize the potential significance of gene activation and regulation in cognitive and social function.


Mixed logit analysis of safety-belt use in single- and multi-occupant vehicles.
In this paper we demonstrate a modeling approach that can be used to better understand the use of safety belts in single- and multi-occupant vehicles, and the effect that vehicle, roadway and occupant characteristics have on usage rates. Using data from a roadside observational survey of safety-belt use in Indiana, a mixed (random parameters) logit model is estimated. Potentially interrelated choices of safety-belt use by drivers and front-seat passengers are examined. The approach we use also allows for the possibility that estimated model parameters can vary randomly across vehicle occupants to account for unobserved effects potentially relating to roadway characteristics, vehicle attributes, and driver behavior. Estimation findings indicate that the choices of safety-belt use involve a complex interaction of factors and that the effect of these factors can vary significantly across the population. Our results show that the mixed logit model can provide a much fuller understanding of the interaction of the numerous variables which correlate with safety-belt use than traditional discrete-outcome modeling approaches.


Development of requirements for environmental specimen banking in ecological monitoring (exemplified by the Chernobyl NPP accident area).
Development of requirements for a data bank for natural media as a system of intercorrelated parameters to estimate system states are determined. The problems of functional agreement between experimental and calculation methods are analysed when organizing the ecological monitoring. The methods of forming the environmental specimen bank to estimate and forecast radioactive contamination and exposure dose are considered to be exemplified by the peculiarities of the spatial distribution of radioactive contamination in fields. Analysed is the temporal dynamics of contamination for atmospheric air, soil and water.


Alpha hemispheric asymmetry of males and females on verbal and non-verbal tasks: some preliminary results.
The present study gathered preliminary data from males and females for verbal and non-verbal tasks to explore differences in alpha hemispheric asymmetry. Results indicated a significant task by hemispheric interaction effect which revealed significantly less alpha for the left hemisphere, as compared to the right hemisphere, for the verbal task. Significantly less alpha was found for the right hemisphere during the non-verbal task as compared to the right hemisphere on the verbal task. While significant differences between males and females were not revealed, task, subject, and stimuli differences are discussed as variables which may contribute to results obtained from hemispheric processing research.


Identifying FDA-Approved Drugs that Upregulate Utrophin A as a Therapeutic Strategy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a neuromuscular disease caused by mutations and deletions within the DMD gene, which result in a lack of dystrophin protein at the sarcolemma of skeletal muscle fibers. The absence of dystrophin fragilizes the sarcolemma and compromises its integrity during cycles of muscle contraction, which, progressively, leads to reductions in muscle mass and function. DMD is thus a progressive muscle-wasting disease that results in a loss of ambulation, cardiomyopathy , respiratory impairment, and death. Although there is presently no cure for DMD, recent advances have led to many promising treatments. One such approach entails increasing expression of a homologous protein to dystrophin, named utrophin A, which is endogenously expressed in both healthy and DMD muscle fibers. Upregulation of utrophin A all along the sarcolemma of DMD muscle fibers can, in part, compensate for the absence of dystrophin. Over the years, our laboratory has focused a significant portion of our efforts in identifying and characterizing drugs and small molecules for their ability to target utrophin A and cause its overexpression. As part of these efforts, we have recently developed a novel ELISA-based high-throughput drug screen, to identify FDA-approved drugs that increase the expression of utrophin A in muscle cells in culture as well as in dystrophic mice. Here, we describe our overall strategy to identify and characterize several FDA-approved drugs that upregulate utrophin A expression and provide details on all experimental approaches. Such strategy has the potential to lead to the rapid development of novel therapeutics for DMD.


Mitochondrial Perturbations Couple mTORC2 to Autophagy in C. elegans.
Autophagy is stimulated by stress conditions and needs to be precisely tuned to ensure cellular homeostasis and organismal development and health. The kinase mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) forms the enzymatic core of the highly conserved mTOR complexes mTORC1 and mTORC2. mTORC1 is a key inhibitor of autophagy, yet the function of mTORC2 in autophagy is controversial. We here show that inactivation of mTORC2 and its direct target serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK-1) potently induces autophagy and the autophagic degradation of mitochondria in C. elegans. Enhanced autophagy in mTORC2- or SGK-1-deficient animals contributes to their developmental and reproductive defects and is independent of the canonical SGK-1 effector DAF-16/FOXO. Importantly, we find that inactivation of mTORC2-SGK-1 signaling impairs mitochondrial homeostasis and triggers an increased release of mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species (mtROS) to induce autophagy. Thus, mitochondrial stress couples reduced mTORC2 activity to enhanced autophagic turnover.


Conformation of NAD+ bound to allosteric L-lactate dehydrogenase activated by chemical modification.
On modification of arginine residues with 2,3-butanedione, the Thermus caldophilus L-lactate dehydrogenase is converted to an activated form that is independent of an allosteric effector, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (Fru-1,6-P2). The conformation of NAD+ bound to the modified enzyme in the absence of Fru-1,6-P2 was investigated by means of proton NMR, analyzing the time dependence of the transferred nuclear Overhauser effect (TRNOE) and TRNOE action spectra. The inter-proton distances determined on TRNOE analysis indicated that both the nicotinamide riboside moiety and the adenosine moiety of NAD+ were in the anti conformation, the ribose rings being in the C3'-endo form. This conformation was almost the same as that of NAD+ bound to the native enzyme-Fru-1,6-P2 complex, rather than that of NAD+ bound to the free native enzyme. These results suggest that the C3'-endo-anti form of the enzyme-bound NAD+ is essential for the activation of the T. caldophilus L-lactate dehydrogenase.


Survey of Aspergillus section Flavi and aflatoxin B(1) in brewer's grain used as pig feedstuff in Córdoba, Argentina.
Brewing industry by-products are important animal feedstuff alternatives for local swine producers in Córdoba, Argentina. The high content of nutrients makes these by-products vulnerable to bacterial and fungal contamination. The objectives of the present study were (1) to determine the presence of Aspergillus section Flavi in brewer's grain used to feed pigs and (2) to evaluate the incidence of aflatoxin B(1) in the substrate. Total fungal count of most samples exceeded the levels proposed as feed quality limits, and most Aspergillus section Flavi strains found were able to produce high amounts of AFB(1) in vitro. However, the incidence of AFB(1) was low. The presence of contamination by aflatoxicogenic species in feedstuff might affect the productivity of swine producers and indirectly represents a public health issue.


Immune networks: getting on to the real thing.
After some ten years of faltering development, the network approach in immunology is finally heading toward steady ground. At a recent international workshop (*), experimentalists and theoreticians discussed some of the latest developments, including an impressive array of novel results and applications to fundamental properties of biological immune networks: connectivity, patterns of dynamic activity, ontogenesis, and tolerance.


Electroporation of cell membranes supporting penetration of photodynamic active macromolecular chromophore dextrans.
The aim is to demonstrate that macromolecular chromophore dextrans (Cibacron-dextran) acting as photosensitizers can be transported easily into cancer cells by electroporation of their membranes (short electric pulses on cell suspension between electrodes). There are two possibilities, either:(A)irradiation starts with the electropulse-showed with easily penetrating thiopyronin-yielding nearly 100% dead cells;(B)irradiation starts after a resealing time of membrane pores during which macromolecular photosensitizers can penetrate into cells. In this way, fractions of Cibacron-dextran with molecular weights (Mw) 3300, 10,900 and 500,000 are now able to kill. This combination of bioelectrochemistry and photobiology will be suitable also for other biopolymers, connected with photodynamic active chromophores (e.g. chromopeptides) to transport them through cell walls and membranes into cells and tissues. The human cancer cells U-935 and K-562 (pulsed by 1.15 kV/cm field strength) additionally or synergistically reach high rates of necrotic cells (colored by trypan blue) by this combination.


"Attractive/adhesion force" dual-regulatory nanogels capable of CXCR4 antagonism and autophagy inhibition for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
Metastasis is refractory systemic disease resulting in low survival rate of breast cancer patients, especially in the late stage. The processes of metastasis are mainly initiated by strong "attractive force" from distant organs and deteriorated by weak "adhesion force" in primary tumor. Here, we reported "attractive/adhesion force" dual-regulatory nanogels (CQ-HF/PTX) for the precise treatment of both primary and metastasis of metastatic breast cancer. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and hydrophobic Fmoc were grafted on hydrophilic hydroxyethyl starch (HES) to obtain amphiphilic CQ-HF polymer, which was assembly with chemotherapy drug paclitaxel (PTX) to form the nanogels for anti-primary tumor. Meanwhile, CQ-HF/PTX nanogels play two roles in anti-metastasis: i) For reducing the "attractive force", it could block the CXCR4/SDF-1 pathway, preventing tumor cells metastasis to the lung; ii) For reinforcing "adhesion force", it could inhibit the excessive autophagy for hindering the degradation of paxillin and enhancing the cell adhesion. As a result, dual-regulatory CQ-HF/PTX nanogels dramatically inhibited tumor and the lung metastasis of mouse breast cancer. Therefore, the fabricating of synergetic dual-regulatory nanogels uncovered the explicit mechanism and provided an efficient strategy for combating malignant metastatic tumors.


Step-by-step teaching method: improving learning outcomes of undergraduate dental students in layering techniques for direct composite resin restorations.
Layering techniques for direct composite resin restorations might be complicated for inexperienced learners, as a number of materials and instruments are required at each step. The present study aimed to compare and assess the teaching effect of step-by-step and all-in-one teaching methods in layering techniques for direct composite resin restorations among undergraduate dental students. A total of 68 junior dental students participated in this study, which was a prospective and single-blind trial. The students were randomly divided into a step-by-step group (experimental group, n = 34) and all-in-one group (control group, n = 34). The same teacher taught the two groups, ensuring a comparable teaching effect. The final score of each student was an average of scores by two experts who were blinded to the grouping. The scoring system was consisted by five parts. Each part was assigned scores of 3.0, 1.5, or 0. The total maximum score was 15 and minimum was 0. The total time taken by each group was also calculated. The values of the quality of tooth restorations evaluated by experts for step-by-step and all-in-one groups were 11.29 ± 2.13 from 15 and 9.00 ± 2.71 from 15 (t = 3.88, P < 0.001), respectively. In addition, the time spent by the experimental group was significantly lesser than that spent by the control group, which was 122.47 ± 2.82 and 137.18 ± 6.75 min, respectively (t = 11.72, p < 0.001). With regard to the layering techniques for direct composite resin restorations, the outcomes were better in the step-by-step group than in the all-in-one group.


Blue-to-UVB Upconversion, Solvent Sensitization and Challenging Bond Activation Enabled by a Benzene-Based Annihilator.
Several energy-demanding photoreactions require harsh UV light from inefficient light sources. The conversion of low-energy visible light to high-energy singlet states via triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC) could offer a solution for driving such reactions under mild conditions. We present the first annihilator with an emission maximum in the UVB region that, combined with an organic sensitizer, is suitable for blue-to-UVB upconversion. The annihilator singlet was successfully employed as an energy donor in subsequent FRET activations of aliphatic carbonyls. This hitherto unreported UC-FRET reaction sequence was directly monitored using laser spectroscopy and applied to mechanistic irradiation experiments demonstrating the feasibility of Norrish chemistry. Our results provide clear evidence for a novel blue light-driven substrate or solvent activation strategy, which is important in the context of developing more sustainable light-to-chemical energy conversion systems.


Osteotomies for lateral compartment knee osteoarthritis.
Lateral compartment osteoarthritis (LCOA) is often associated with valgus deformity of the knee. The concept of correcting the alignment by performing distal femoral varus osteotomy (DFVO) to unload the lateral compartment is well accepted and it is viewed as the preferred option for young active patients due to dissatisfaction from arthroplasty under 55 years of age or if they wish to remain active. Beyond this there is no consensus on patient selection, preoperative assessment, techniques to achieve correction, end point of correction, return to work or sports post-surgery, and survivorship of osteotomy with conversion to a total knee replacement as the end point due to heterogenous, retrospective studies. Here, we review relevant literature to help patient selection, preoperative work up, techniques, and outcomes.


Percutaneous cementoplasty in multiple myeloma: a valuable adjunct for pain control and ambulation maintenance.
Bone pain and functional impairment are major concerns for multiple myeloma (MM) patients. The goal of this study was to better define the role of percutaneous cementoplasty (PC) in improving their quality of life. This retrospective analysis included 28 consecutive heavily pretreated MM patients managed at our institution between 1996 and 2002. They underwent a total of 34 PC procedures for the treatment of 117 vertebrae and 2 iliac sites and were evaluated at 1 month. Significant pain reduction of >50% was obtained after 83% of the procedures, with a mean visual analogous score decreasing from 7.48/10 to 2.1/10 (p < 0.001). It resulted in a complete interruption of opiate analgesic consumption after 59.3% of the procedures, with a mean decrease of 70.4% in the opiate dose. Functional impairment was evaluated with the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status scale, with mean scores improving from 1.9 to 0.86 after the procedures (p = 0.001). There was no major complication. PC is a safe, feasible, and efficient approach for the treatment of bone pain and disability in MM patients.


[Association between drug trough concentration and disease outcome before infliximab maintenance treatment in children with Crohn's disease].
To study the association between infliximab trough level (IFX-TL) prior to maintenance treatment and disease outcome in children with Crohn's disease (CD). A retrospective analysis was performed on 35 children with CD who received induction therapy with infliximab (IFX) and the measurement of IFX-TL before maintenance treatment from August 2018 to November 2021. Clinical data and laboratory markers at baseline and before maintenance treatment were collected, and the association between outcome and IFX-TL was analyzed. The clinical remission group, endoscopic remission group, and combined remission group had a significantly higher IFX-TL level than the corresponding non-remission groups (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the IFX-TL level between the biological remission and non-biological remission groups (P>0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that IFX-TL had an area under the ROC curve of 0.959 (95%CI: 0.894-1) in predicting clinical remission, with a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 100% at the optimal cutoff value of 2.3 µg/mL (P<0.001). Among children with CD receiving infliximab induction therapy, the children achieving clinical and endoscopic remission before maintenance treatment tend to have a higher level of IFX-TL. IFX-TL has a certain predictive value for clinical remission.


Transient reduced diffusion in the cortex in a child with prolonged febrile seizures.
We report on a 4-year-old boy with transient reduced diffusion in the cortex, thalamus, and hippocampus on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) performed after prolonged febrile seizures (PFS). He had experienced intermittent right hemiconvulsions lasting about 90 min during the febrile illness, but his neurological symptom resolved completely after several hours. DWI performed immediately after the PFS showed abnormally high signal intensities in the left extended cortex and pulvinar of the ipsilateral thalamus. Two days later, these DWI lesions resolved completely, but abnormally high signal intensities were observed in the left hippocampus. Three months later, the DWI was normal, and no atrophy or gliosis was seen. This patient had unique lesions on DWI after PFS, but it is nevertheless important to attend to such lesions on the DWI of patients with PFS.


Sentinel lymph node intraoperative analysis in endometrial cancer.
Surgical staging in endometrial cancer has evolved and sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping has replaced a full pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy in several cases. An intraoperative evaluation of SLN might identify patients who could benefit the most from a full lymphadenectomy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical relevance of frozen section of SLN. A retrospective analysis in patients with endometrial cancer who underwent SLN mapping with intraoperative evaluation at frozen section between February 2016 and September 2019 was performed. In case of metastatic involvement, a full lymphadenectomy was performed. Fifty-eight patients met the inclusion criteria. Clinical-pathologic characteristics of the patients and surgical data were analyzed. Overall, bilateral and unilateral detection rates were 100% (58/58), 89.7% (52/58), and 10.3% (6/58), respectively. Eight patients had a stage IIIC disease at permanent section. Frozen section detected SLN metastases in four of eight patients. Of these, two were micrometastases and two were macrometastases. At frozen section of the SLNs, no macrometastases were misdiagnosed. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of frozen section in detecting metastases was 50%, 100%, 93%, 100% and 92.6%, respectively. The intraoperative evaluation of SLN in endometrial cancer accurately identifies patients with macrometastases. This is the cohort that might benefit the most of a full lymphadenectomy for a higher risk of additional lymph node metastases.


Target selection in eye-hand coordination: Do we reach to where we look or do we look to where we reach?
During a goal-directed movement of the hand to a visual target the controlling nervous system depends on information provided by the visual system. This suggests that a coupling between these two systems is crucial. In a choice condition with two or more equivalent objects present at the same time the question arises whether we (a) reach for the object we have selected to look at or (b) look to the object we have selected to grasp. Therefore, we examined the preference of human subjects selecting the left or the right target and its correlation to the action to be performed (eye-, arm- or coordinated eye-arm movement) as well as the horizontal position of the target. Two targets were presented at the same distance to the left and right of a fixation point and the stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) was adjusted until both targets were selected equally often. This balanced SOA was then taken as a quantitative measure of selection preference. We compared these preferences at three horizontal positions for the different movement types (eye, arm, both). The preferences of the 'arm' and 'coordinated eye-arm' movement types were correlated more strongly than the preferences of the other movement types. Thus, we look to where we have already selected to grasp. These findings provide evidence that in a coordinated movement of eyes and arm the control of gaze is a means to an end, namely a tool to conduct the arm movement properly.


A general practice intervention for people at risk of poor health outcomes: the Flinders QUEST cluster randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation.
To determine whether a multicomponent general practice intervention cost-effectively improves health outcomes and reduces health service use for patients at high risk of poor health outcomes. Clustered randomised controlled trial in general practices in metropolitan Adelaide. Three age-based groups of patients identified by their general practitioners as being at high risk of poor health outcomes: children and young people (under 18 years), adults (18-64 years) with two or more chronic diseases, and older people (65 years or more). Enrolment of patients with a preferred GP, longer general practice appointments, and general practice follow-up within seven days of emergency department and hospital care episodes. Intervention practices received payment of $1000 per enrolled participant. Primary outcome: change in self-rated health between baseline and 12-month follow-up for control (usual care) and intervention groups. numbers of emergency department presentations and hospital admissions, Medicare specialist claims and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) items supplied, Health Literacy Questionnaire scores, and cost-effectiveness of the intervention (based on the number of quality-adjusted life-years [QALYs] gained over 12 months, derived from EQ-5D-5L utility scores for the two adult groups). Twenty practices with a total of 92 GPs were recruited, and 1044 eligible patients participated. The intervention did not improve self-rated health (coefficient, -0.29; 95% CI, -2.32 to 1.73), nor did it have significant effects on the numbers of emergency department presentations (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.90; 95% CI, 0.69-1.17), hospital admissions (IRR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.66-1.22), Medicare specialist claims (IRR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.91-1.09), or PBS items supplied (IRR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.96-1.03), nor on Health Literacy Questionnaire scores. The intervention was effective in terms of QALYs gained (v usual care: difference, 0.032 QALYs; 95% CI, 0.001-0.063), but the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $69 585 (95% CI, $22 968-$116 201) per QALY gained, beyond the willingness-to-pay threshold. Our multicomponent intervention did not improve self-rated health, health service use, or health literacy. It achieved greater improvement in quality of life than usual care, but not cost-effectively. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12617001589370 (prospective).


IPM program development for an invasive pest: coordination, outreach and evaluation.
Spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, was found along the west coast of the United States, beginning in 2008 and 2009, infesting a wide variety of small and stone fruit crops. This pest is a serious economic threat, as noted in its native range (Asia), because it lays eggs within ripening fruit before harvest, leading to crop loss. The aim of this paper is to describe the process in order to create collaboration, communication routes and evaluation methods in response to a new invasive pest. Funding was secured and a program (SWD*IPM) was quickly developed to address social, economic and biological components. Communication routes were outlined, and a stakeholder advisory panel was established to guide program objectives. A central website was created to host up-to-date information. An online monitoring and mapping program for D. suzukii in Oregon fruit-growing regions illustrated the range, distribution and seasonal abundance of the pest. In addition, a program for backyard fruit growers was initiated to examine citizen scientists' roles in managing D. suzukii infestations in the urban setting. A monitoring kit, laminated educational cards, dry fly mounts and quick-time videos were some of the tools used to educate growers. First-year challenges for dealing with a new pest are discussed. The discovery and subsequent response to an exotic pest is information intensive and requires a well-planned, coordinated Extension and evaluation effort.


Comprehensive analysis of CPSF4-related alternative splice genes in hepatocellular carcinoma.
An important stage in controlling gene expression is RNA alternative splicing (AS), and aberrant AS can trigger the development and spread of malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A crucial component of AS is cleavage and polyadenylation-specific factor 4 (CPSF4), a component of the CPSF complex, but it is unclear how CPSF4-related AS molecules describe immune cell infiltration in the total tumor microenvironment (TME). Using RNA-sequencing data and clinical data from TCGA-LIHC from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, the AS genes with differential expression were found. The univariate Cox analysis, KM analysis, and Spearman analysis were used to identify the AS genes related to prognosis. Screening of key AS genes that are highly correlated with CPSF4. Key genes were screened using Cox regression analysis and stepwise regression analysis, and prognosis prediction models and the topography of TME cell infiltration were thoroughly analyzed. A model consisting of seven AS genes (STMN1, CLSPN, MDK, RNFT2, PRR11, RNF157, GHR) was constructed that was aimed to predict prognostic condition. The outcomes of the HCC samples in the high-risk group were considerably worse than those in the lower risk group (p < 0.0001), and different risk patient groups were formed. According to the calibration curves and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) values for survival at 1, 2, and 3 years, the clinical nomogram performs well in predicting survival in HCC patients. These values were 0.76, 0.70, and 0.69, respectively. Moreover, prognostic signature was markedly related to immune infiltration and immune checkpoint genes expression. By shedding light on the function of CPSF4 and the seven AS genes in the formation and progression of HCC, this research analysis contributes to the development of more useful prognostic, diagnostic, and possibly therapeutic biomarkers.


Atypical simple bone cysts of the jaws. II: A possible association with benign fibro-osseous (cemental) lesions of the jaws.
Four cases are described of simple bone cysts of the mandible arising concurrently with benign fibro-osseous (cemental) lesions. Previous reports of such findings, and a possible relationship to the so-called 'cementoma' of the long bones, are considered. The relevance of this to the aetiology is addressed, and it is suggested that at least some cases diagnosed as simple bone cysts are closely related to the fibro-osseous lesions.


Consistency between degree of susceptibility of barley root and spike tissue toFusarium culmorum.
Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a major disease of wheat in the warm and humid wheat growing areas of the world. FHB causes severe yield reduction, decreases grain quality and entails toxicological problems in food and feed. After date there is not much known about the molecular basis of the interaction betweenFusarium spp. and cereals. To improve disease resistance in cereals, we want to establish a comprehensive collection of disease resistance-related barley genes including key elements involved in the defense response the genusFusarium. To identify barley cultivars with differential responses (high and low susceptibility) toFusarium, we comparatively investigated the interaction phenotypes of barley accessions toF. culmorum in roots and spikes. Beside a consistent, high reproducible variation in the reaction pattern of different genotypes, we found an overall consistency between the degree of susceptibility of root and spike tissue in the selected lines, suggesting that root tissue can be used for high throughput disease resistance screening.


Prediction of outcome of pancreaticogastrostomy for pain in chronic pancreatitis.
On the basis of 18 preoperative variables obtained consecutively in 31 patients undergoing drainage operation for pain in chronic pancreatitis, a preoperative discriminant score for satisfactory/unsatisfactory result is set up. The patient most likely to be free of pain after the operation has no preoperative use of tranquilizers, no diabetes, little dilatation of the pancreatic duct, no small pseudocysts, but daily use of opiates. This is probably not a matter of causal connection but rather an expression of common underlying pathophysiological mechanism(s), somatic or psychological. A pocket chart for the practical use in the preoperative assessment index is designed.


Controlled delivery of thymosin β4 for tissue engineering and cardiac regenerative medicine.
Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is a peptide with multiple biological functions. Here, we focus on the role of Tβ4 in vascularization, and review our studies of the controlled delivery of Tβ4 through its incorporation in biomaterials. Tβ4 promotes vascularization through VEGF induction and AcSDKP-induced migration and differentiation of endothelial cells. We developed a collagen-chitosan hydrogel for the controlled release of Tβ4 over 28 days. In vitro, the Tβ4-encapsulated hydrogel increased migration of endothelial cells and tube formation from epicardial explants that were cultivated on top of the hydrogel, compared to Tβ4-free hydrogel and soluble Tβ4 in the culture medium. In vivo, subcutaneously injected Tβ4-containing collagen-chitosan hydrogel in rats led to enhanced vascularization compared to Tβ4-free hydrogel and collagen hydrogel with Tβ4. Furthermore, the injection of the Tβ4-encapsulated hydrogel in the infarct region improved angiogenesis, reduced tissue loss, and retained left ventricular wall thickness after myocardial infarction in rats.


Gait and cognition: the relationship between gait stability and variability with executive function in persons with and without dementia.
Besides cognitive decline, dementia is characterized by gait changes and increased fall risk, also in early stages of the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in the relationship between executive function and gait variability and stability during single task and dual task walking in persons with and without dementia. The study sample consisted of three groups: fifteen dementia patients (aged 75-87), fourteen healthy elderly (aged 75-85), and twelve relatively younger elderly (aged 55-70). Participants underwent neuropsychological testing and tests of single and dual task walking while wearing an accelerometer. Outcome measures include stride related measures such as mean and coefficient of variation of stride time, and dynamic measures regarding the magnitude, smoothness, predictability and local stability of trunk accelerations. Patients with dementia exhibited a significantly (p<.05) less variable, but more irregular trunk acceleration pattern than cognitively intact elderly on single and dual task walking. The walking pattern during dual tasking for the whole group became increasingly unstable, even though participants modified their gait pattern by slowing their walking speed, and decreasing the magnitude of trunk accelerations. Moderate to high correlations (r>.51) were found between executive tasks and gait parameters. In conclusion, these findings indicate that decreased executive function plays an important role in increased gait variability in dementia patients; a fact that should be considered when designing fall risk interventions for this population. Furthermore, results indicate that measures of gait variability and stability should be deemed worthwhile in the diagnosis of dementia.


Synthesis of palmyrolide A and its cis-isomer and mechanistic insight into trans-cis isomerisation of the enamide macrocycle.
Concise and protecting-group free synthesis of ent-palmyrolide A and (-)-cis-palmyrolide A were achieved starting from commercially available (S)-citronellal. The key fragment of palmyrolide A, "(5S,7S)-7-hydroxy-5,8,8-trimethylnonanamide", which makes up the most challenging part of the target molecule, was prepared in just three steps. A plausible mechanism for the trans-cis isomerization of the double bond in the macrocycle has been investigated.


Assessment of resident knowledge: subjective assessment versus performance on the ACR in-training examination.
The authors assessed the ability of faculty and residents to predict the ranked performance of residents on the American College of Radiology (ACR) In-Training Examination. Radiology faculty at Penn State Geisinger Health System (PSGHS), the Medical College of Virginia (MCV), and the University of Virginia (UVA) and residents at PSGHS and MCV ranked the expected performances of residents taking the 1997 ACR In-Training Examination. Surveyed faculty and residents were blinded to the actual performances on the examination. Forty-nine residents took the examination (21 at PSGHS, 22 at MCV, six at UVA), and 37 faculty members (11 at PSGHS, 11 at MCV, 15 at UVA) participated in the study. Correlation analysis was performed to assess the agreement between the subjective and actual ranking of residents in each residency class. Faculty were moderately accurate in the overall ranking of resident performances (r = 0.34). High levels of concordance for ranking individual residents correlated with accuracy in only certain cases. Differences in agreement and accuracy of the respondents existed between PSGHS and MCV (P = .0001 and .0014, respectively). The concordance of respondents increased significantly from the 1st- to the 2nd-year class at MCV (P = .0002), whereas accuracy increased significantly between these classes for the PSGHS (P = .042). Faculty are only moderately successful in ranking resident performances on the ACR In-Training Examination, and a high level of agreement is not necessarily indicative of increased accuracy. The concordance and accuracy of subjective rankings differ among residency programs and classes.


Stationary peaks from a moving source in far-field recording.
In 20 radial nerves, referential recording of antidromic sensory potentials from the digits consisted of two stationary far-field peaks, PI-NI and PII-NII. When compared with a bipolar recording of a moving source, the onset of PI and PII was coincident with the sensory potential approaching the wrist and the base of the digit, respectively. Of the two stationary positive peaks, PI was identical in latency irrespective of the digits tested. In contrast, the latency of PII was smaller for the first digit than the others, reflecting different distances from the stimulus point to the base of the respective digit. The amplitude of PII was proportional to that of the propagating sensory nerve action potential recorded at the volume conductor junction. A bipolar recording registers a near-field potential over the sensory fibers along the length of the nerve. In contrast, a referential recording represents a mixture of the near- and far-field potentials with the latter frequently producing major alterations of the classical triphasic wave. The standing far-field peaks show a temporal relationship to the traveling volleys approaching the main borders of the volume conductor. At the moment the sensory impulse reaches the boundary, current density changes suddenly in the two adjacent conducting media, giving rise to an apparent standing potential. The same mechanism probably plays an important role for the generation of some of the short latency peaks in the scalp recorded SEPs.


[Mid-dermal elastolysis after insertion of a pacemaker].
Mid-dermal elastolysis (MDE) is a rare acquired disease of elastic tissue histologically characterized by focal loss of elastic fibres within the mid-dermis. While the mechanisms leading to MDE remain unknown, increased degradation of elastic fibres may be involved. Many factors potentially triggering such degradation have been suggested. A 58-year-old man consulted for an asymptomatic reticulated eruption that began in the area of a pacemaker implanted six weeks earlier. The eruption consisted of erythematous polycyclic and coalescing macules with a wrinkled centre. Histopathology with orcein staining revealed focal loss of elastic fibres in the superficial reticular dermis only. Hypersensitivity reaction to any components of the pacemaker was ruled out by means of allergy exploration. Laboratory investigations including autoimmunological and haematological factors were unremarkable. A diagnosis was made of a reticular variant of MDE following insertion of a pacemaker. We report the second case of MDE following the insertion of a pacemaker, which could have triggered an inflammatory response directed specifically towards the elastic fibres.


Inhaled beta2-adrenoceptor agonists: cardiovascular safety in patients with obstructive lung disease.
Although large surveys have documented the favourable safety profile of beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonists (beta(2)-agonists) and, above all, that of the long-acting agents, the presence in the literature of reports of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with obstructive airway disease must induce physicians to consider this eventuality. The coexistence of beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenoceptors in the heart clearly indicates that beta(2)-agonists do have some effect on the heart, even when they are highly selective. It should also be taken into account that the beta(2)-agonists utilised in clinical practice have differing selectivities and potencies. beta(2)-agonist use has, in effect, been associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death. Moreover, patients who have either asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may be at increased risk of cardiovascular complications because these diseases amplify the impact of these agents on the heart and, unfortunately, are a confounding factor when the impact of beta(2)-agonists on the heart is evaluated. Whatever the case may be, this effect is of particular concern for those patients with underlying cardiac conditions. Therefore, beta(2)-agonists must always be used with caution in patients with cardiopathies because these agents may precipitate the concomitant cardiac disease.


Tissue-specific expression of an anti-proliferative hybrid transgene from the human smooth muscle alpha-actin promoter suppresses smooth muscle cell proliferation and neointima formation.
The retinoblastoma protein (Rb), a key regulator of cell cycle progression, can bind the transcription factor E2F converting it from a positive transcriptional factor capable of driving cells into S phase into a negative complex which arrests cells in G1. We have created a potent transcriptional repressor of E2F-dependent transcription by fusing the C-terminal fragment of Rb (p56) to the DNA and DP1-binding domains of E2F. Because the expression of E2F/56 fusion protein from a constitutive promoter was incompatible with virus growth, adenovirus constructs were prepared where transgenes were expressed from a fragment of the smooth muscle alpha-actin (SMA) promoter. Immunoblot and beta-galactosidase staining demonstrated smooth muscle-specific expression of this transcriptional element in vitro. The SMA-p56 and SMA-E2F/p56 adenoviral constructs also induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest specifically in smooth muscle cells. Following administration to rat tissues, the SMA-beta-galactosidase construct exhibited expression in balloon-injured carotid arteries, but not in liver, bladder or skeletal muscle. Local delivery of the SMA-E2F/p56 adenoviral construct to balloon-injured carotid arteries inhibited intimal hyperplasia. Our results demonstrate that local delivery of the SMA-E2F/p56 adenoviral construct can limit intimal hyperplasia in balloon-injured vessels, while avoiding toxicity that could occur from the dissemination and expression of the viral transgene.


[Functional capacity for daily living activities among senior citizens attending Community Centers in the city of Zaragoza, Spain, 2005].
To study the dependence related to aging is of particular interest in Aragon, where the population is one of the most aged in Spain. The objective of this study is that of quantifying the degree of functional dependence for daily living activities (DLA) and identifying the personal traits related thereto among individuals age 65 and above who are living at home and attend Community Centers in the city of Zaragoza. Cross-sectional study with 380 individuals selected by two-stage sampling. The OARS-MFAQ questionnaire was used by way of personal interviews, analyzing questions which assess the functional capacity to carry out the DLA's and their scoring (dependent variable), sociodemographic variables, self-assessed health condition and actual and hypothetical informal help (independent variables). The chi-square was used for evaluating classified residual data (p<0.05) and multiple correspondence analyses. A total of 9.6% of the subjects showed "major/total dependence", this percentage increasing to 15.5% and 18.7% for those individuals above age 75 and 80, respectively. The "minor/moderate dependence" is related to being a female (p<0.01), health condition self-assessed as poor-passable (p<0.0001), being a widow(er) (p<0.01), having no elementary school education (p<0.01). Those individuals who are more elderly, females, widow/widowers, having a lesser degree of education and worse self-assessed health condition are more dependent. Practically one out of every ten non-institutionalized individuals 65 years of age or over shows a severe deterioration of their functional capacity. Extrapolating, nearly 11,000 individuals in the city of Zaragoza would require daily help for the DLA's or should stay institutionalized.


Severe selenium deficits in pregnant women irrespective of autoimmune thyroid disease in an area with marginal selenium intake.
Selenium (Se) deficiency is related to an increased risk of preterm labor, miscarriage, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and other obstetric complications. As the Se status declines during pregnancy, we hypothesized that the decline may be exacerbated in women with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). Pregnant women (n=74; 30 [23-38] years) were consecutively recruited from the district of Warsaw, Poland, and divided into healthy subjects (HS, n=45), and women with a diagnosis of AITD (AITD, n=29). Thyroglobulin antibodies (TG-aAb), thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-aAb), TSH, free T3, free T4, total T3, and total T4, as well as urine iodine excretion were determined. Se status was assessed by serum Se and selenoprotein P (SELENOP) concentrations. Thyroid volume was evaluated by ultrasonography. Serum Se and SELENOP concentrations were relatively low in both control and AITD women. A Se deficit according to WHO definition (<45μg/l) was observed in 0%, 3.4%, 28.6% and 4.5%, 18.2%, 35.5% of women in the AITD and HS group, respectively, during the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimester. From first to third trimester, TPO-aAb and TG-aAb declined in AITD by 71% and 60%, respectively. The decline in TPO- and TG-aAb was unrelated to the Se status. In this area of habitual low Se intake, a high proportion of women developed a severe Se deficit during pregnancy, irrespective of AITD status. This decline must be considered as a preventable risk factor for pregnancy complications of relevance to both the unborn child and the pregnant mother.


Depressed mood and social support as predictors of quality of life in women receiving home health care.
We examined relationships among depressed mood, social support and quality of life in 58 medically ill low-income women 40 years and older receiving home health care. Analyses showed a negative relationship between depressed mood and quality of life (p's < or = 0.05). Positive relationships were found between number of people available for support and two of three quality of life domains as well as satisfaction with support and all three domains (p's < or = 0.05). Results also provided preliminary support that belonging to a church is related to emotional well-being (p = 0.039) and among those belonging to a church, recent increased activity was related to social/family well-being (p = 0.004). Mediational analyses revealed a cycle of depressed mood, dissatisfaction with social support, and loss of social support providers underlying the poor quality of life of many participants. This highlights the need to address the relationship between depression and social support when treating patients with chronic illness.


Chemiluminescence of phagocytic cells isolated from the pronephros of striped bass.
Phagocytosis of bacterial fish pathogens by cells isolated from the pronephros of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) was measured using an assay of chemiluminescence. Results of the assay, which proved to be quite reproducible, indicated that the degree of phagocytosis was related to the number of bacteria employed and to the species of bacteria eliciting the response. Cells from individual fish gave similar phagocytic responses but of different magnitudes.


Is there a methimazole dose effect on remission rate in Graves' disease? Results from a long-term prospective study. The European Multicentre Trial Group of the Treatment of Hyperthyroidism with Antithyroid Drugs.
The optimal antithyroid drug regimen for Graves' disease remains a matter of controversy. The European Multicentre Trial Group has investigated the effects of methimazole drug dose on the long-term outcome of Graves' disease. Extended follow-up of patients from a prospective multicentre trial, designed to study methimazole dose effects on the outcome of Graves' disease. We have reported previously that the relapse rates did not differ after a medication-free observation period of 12 months; the relapse rates were 37% and 38%, respectively. In this paper, we describe the outcome in these patients after a mean observation period of 4.3 +/- 1.3 years and have looked for potential predictors of this outcome. Three hundred and thirteen patients with Graves' disease were randomized to treatment with a constant dose of 10 or 40 mg of methimazole for 1 year, with levothyroxine supplementation as required. At the time of inclusion into the trial: thyroid size, T4, T3, TSH-binding inhibiting immunoglobulins, urinary iodide excretion, thyroid uptake, Crook's therapeutic index of hyperthyroidism (a measure of clinical disease severity). At the time of follow-up examination: TSH, T4, T3, thyroid size, thyroid ultrasound, THS-binding inhibiting immunoglobulins. The overall relapse rate was 58%. There was no difference in relapse rates between patients treated with either 10 or 40 mg of methimazole (58.3 vs. 57.8%). Five patients had become spontaneously hypothyroid, without obvious relationship to antithyroid drug dose. Patients who relapsed and patients who remained in remission did not differ with respect to: age, goitre size, ophthalmopathy, median iodine excretion, serum T4 or serum T3, Crook's therapeutic index and thyroid uptake at the time of study entry. Thus, none of these variables was potentially suitable for predicting outcome. This finding was confirmed by Cox's proportional hazard regression. Thyroid volume, measured by ultrasound, did not differ between patients in remission and patients with relapse. There was no difference in the course of endocrine eye signs, in the requirement for steroid and radiotherapy for eye signs, or in thyroid echostructure between patients in the 10 and in the 40 mg group, nor was serum TSH different in patients who had remained in remission (0.8 +/- 0.6 mU/l in the 10 mg group, 1.0 +/- 0.8 mU/l in the 40 mg group). The dose of methimazole in Graves' disease therapy can safely be kept to the minimal required dose. This will provide the same chance of remission as higher doses, and provide the best balance of risk and benefit.


Effects of mating disruption treatments on navel orangeworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) sexual communication and damage in almonds and pistachios.
Two experiments in 2003 examined the effects of different ways of dispensing the principal sex pheromone component on sexual communication among and crop damage by the navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Nonpareil almonds and pistachios. A third experiment in 2004 compared the effect on navel orangeworm damage to several almond varieties using one of these dispensing systems by itself or with phosmet, phosmet alone, and an untreated control. Additional data are presented estimating release rates from timed aerosol release devices (PuffersNOW, Suterra LLC, Bend, OR) and hand-applied membrane dispensers. In 2003, puffers placed peripherally around 16-ha blocks, evenly spaced Puffers, and hand-applied dispensers reduced males captured in virgin-baited traps by > or = 95% and mating in sentinel females by > or = 69%, with evenly placed Puffers showing greater reduction of males captured and females mated compared with the other dispensing systems. Mating disruption with gridded Puffers or hand-applied devices in almonds resulted in an approximately 37% reduction of navel orangeworm damage (not significant), whereas peripheral Puffers resulted in a 16% reduction of navel orangeworm damage to almonds. In pistachios neither peripheral nor gridded Puffers reduced navel orangeworm damage, whereas insecticide reduced damage by 56%. In 2004, Puffers alone, insecticide alone, and both in combination significantly reduced navel orangeworm damage in Nonpareil almonds. In other, later harvested varieties, the insecticide treatments reduced damage, whereas the mating disruption treatment alone did not. We discuss application of these findings to management of navel orangeworm in these two crops.


Mutagenic effects of TPA-induced clastogenic factor in Chinese hamster cells.
Previous work in our laboratory has shown that the clastogenic and SCE-inducing effects of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 12-acetate (TPA) are mediated by secondary products formed by the cell in response to the tumor promoter. A low-molecular-weight clastogenic factor (CF) was isolated from the medium of TPA-treated human leukocytes and caused chromosome aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) in fresh cultures not exposed to TPA itself. In the present study, we show that Chinese hamster fibroblasts (V79 cells) also produce CF when exposed to TPA. CF from V79 cells induced SCE not only in hamster cells, but also in human lymphocytes. Vice versa, CF from human leukocyte cultures induced SCE in hamster cells. It also increased the frequency of 6-thioguanine-resistant mutants in this cell system. All cyto- and geno-toxic effects of TPA-induced CF were prevented if the cells were treated with superoxide dismutase before exposure. The lipophilic CF seems to be derived from arachidonic acid of cell membranes released as a consequence of oxidative damage and subsequently degraded to genotoxic aldehydes in an autoxidative process. CF is formed only under culture conditions with low antioxidant content in culture media and sera. This may explain the discordant results obtained by different laboratories with regard to the genotoxic effects of TPA.


Evaluation of midwifery students' satisfaction with regards to clinical internship.
The clinical internship is fundamental for the training of the future socio-health professional. Through the practical activity, the student develops professional skills, critical thinking and decision-making ability, internalizing the complexity of the professional role. While in the nursing field there are several tools for assessing the clinical experience of students, in the obstetric field there is a lack of validated tools. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to investigate the perception of the students of the Degree Course in Midwifery regarding the internship experience. The study was conducted at the obstetric clinical internship where students carry out practical activities and involved all the students of the Degree Course in Midwifery at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. The data were collected through an anonymous online questionnaire (Google Model), which was inspired by the nursing CLES + T, simplified and adapted to the obstetric field. In total, 54 students took part in the research (81.8% of all students enrolled in the degree program examined). They were mainly of Italian nationality (98.1%), women (94.4%), aged between 18-22 years (85.2%). In general, the third-year students were more satisfied with the internship experience than the second- and first-year students, most likely for having achieved a degree of autonomy of care, awareness and greater professional motivation. Conclusions. The results indicate the need to periodically investigate the quality and satisfaction of the clinical internships to ensure increasingly effective obstetric training.


Quadriceps autograft to treat Achilles Chronic tears: a simple surgical technique.
Chronic Achilles tendon tears could hinder patients and represent a challenge to surgeons. Although many different surgical techniques have been proposed for reconstruction of a neglected Achilles tendon rupture, there is no clear evidence to support one technique over the others, but the use of a technique that could allow for an "anatomical" reconstructions seems desirable. The present paper describes a new anatomic Achilles tendon reconstruction for chronic tears, using a quadriceps tendon autograft as graft source, with PRP injected into the graft and the neighbor tissue, and fixation in a bone trough with a simple small fragments screw. Autologous quadriceps tendon graft seems an excellent option, although -surprisingly- has received little attention until now. Autologous Quadriceps tendon graft (in bone-tendon configuration) is a simple technique that could allow surgeons to reconstruct tissue defects in the Achilles tendon with non-expensive hardware.


Cellular and humoral immune status in women with chronic Candida vaginitis.
The cellular and humoral immune responses of nine women with chronic Candida vaginitis and 29 control subjects were evaluated. Agglutinating and precipitating antibodies were studied and tests of lymphocyte transformation, lymphokine production, and cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity were performed. The results suggest a lack of cellular immune response to Candida antigens in women with chronic Candida vaginitis.


Determination of lead and cadmium using an ionic liquid and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction followed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.
A procedure for the determination of ultratrace levels of lead and cadmium using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction followed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) has been developed. The ionic liquid, 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C8MIm][NTf2]), is formed in situ and used to extract the lead and cadmium complexes with ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate. The very fine droplets of ([C8MIm][NTf2]) allow effective dispersion without the need for organic solvents. After centrifugation, the concentrations of lead and cadmium in the sedimented phase can be determined by ETAAS. Using a 10 mL aqueous sample, the enrichment factor of the procedure was 280 and detection limits of 0.2 and 3 ng L(-1) were obtained for cadmium and lead, respectively. The relative standard deviations for 10 replicates at the 10 ng L(-1) cadmium and 0.2 μg L(-1) lead levels were 6.5 and 7.3%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of waters as well as to lixiviates obtained from toys made of plastic materials.


Theories about evolutionary origins of human hepatitis B virus in primates and humans.
The human hepatitis B virus causes acute and chronic hepatitis and is considered one of the most serious human health issues by the World Health Organization, causing thousands of deaths per year. There are similar viruses belonging to the Hepadnaviridae family that infect non-human primates and other mammals as well as some birds. The majority of non-human primate virus isolates were phylogenetically close to the human hepatitis B virus, but like the human genotypes, the origins of these viruses remain controversial. However, there is a possibility that human hepatitis B virus originated in primates. Knowing whether these viruses might be common to humans and primates is crucial in order to reduce the risk to humans. To review the existing knowledge about the evolutionary origins of viruses of the Hepadnaviridae family in primates. This review was done by reading several articles that provide information about the Hepadnaviridae virus family in non-human primates and humans and the possible origins and evolution of these viruses. The evolutionary origin of viruses of the Hepadnaviridae family in primates has been dated back to several thousand years; however, recent analyses of genomic fossils of avihepadnaviruses integrated into the genomes of several avian species have suggested a much older origin of this genus. Some hypotheses about the evolutionary origins of human hepatitis B virus have been debated since the '90s. One theory suggested a New World origin because of the phylogenetic co-segregation between some New World human hepatitis B virus genotypes F and H and woolly monkey human hepatitis B virus in basal sister-relationship to the Old World non-human primates and human hepatitis B virus variants. Another theory suggests an Old World origin of human hepatitis B virus, and that it would have been spread following prehistoric human migrations over 100,000 years ago. A third theory suggests a co-speciation of human hepatitis B virus in non-human primate hosts because of the proximity between the phylogeny of Old and New World non-human primate and their human hepatitis B virus variants. The importance of further research, related to the subject in South American wild fauna, is paramount and highly relevant for understanding the origin of human hepatitis B virus.