A case of ovarian cancer with remote metastases, with emphasis on changes in tumor marker values.
The prognosis of cancer patients with distant metastases is extremely poor. A 51-year-old Japanese woman with Stage IIIc serous cystoadenocarcinoma of the ovary achieved complete remission. At 30 and 39 months after the initiation of therapy, solitary brain and then spleen metastases without intraperitoneal lesions were found, respectively. A simultaneous elevation in tumor markers (CA125 and CA72-4) was noted at the spleen metastasis; however, only a marked elevation in CA 72-4 levels at the brain metastasis was noted. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that although CA125-positive cells could be observed in both the original tumor and the spleen metastasis, CA125-positive cells could not be observed in the brain metastasis and that CA72-4-positive cells could be observed in both the original ovarian tumor and the metastatic tumor. It is important to monitor with tumor markers with different characteristics, such as CA125 and CA72-4.


[The working place and psychovegetative disorders].
Concept of a questionnaire for industrial workers to investigate the characteristics of their job demands, their individual claims, psychovegetativ disorders and job dissatisfaction. First results of a preliminary test on 54 selected shift workers.


Comparative Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes in Chondrocytes from Rats Exposed to Low Selenium and T-2 Toxin.
The aim of this study was to construct rat models of environmental risk factors for Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) with low selenium and T-2 toxin levels and to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the rat models exposed to environmental risk factors. The Se-deficient (SD) group and T-2 toxin exposure (T-2) group were constructed. Knee joint samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and cartilage tissue damage was observed. Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology was used to detect the gene expression profiles of the rat models in each group. Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway enrichment analysis were performed and five differential gene expression results were verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‒PCR). A total of 124 DEGs were identified from the SD group, including 56 upregulated genes and 68 downregulated genes. A total of 135 DEGs were identified in the T-2 group, including 68 upregulated genes and 67 downregulated genes. The DEGs were significantly enriched in 4 KEGG pathways in the SD group and 9 KEGG pathways in the T-2 group. The expression levels of Dbp, Pc, Selenow, Rpl30, and Mt2A were consistent with the results of transcriptome sequencing by qRT‒PCR. The results of this study confirmed that there were some differences in DEGs between the SD group and the T-2 group and provided new evidence for further exploration of the etiology and pathogenesis of KBD.


Bilateral Idiopathic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Clinical-Functional Characterization and Efficacy of Two Combined Postoperative Physiotherapeutic Treatments.
To evaluate the efficacy of combined association instrument myofascial mobilization (IASTM) and stretching in patients with idiopathic bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) operated on one hand and to analyze the response of the operated (OH) and non-operated (NH) hand according to the sequence of therapies. Research on these parameters has not yet been found in the literature. Randomized controlled crossover study with 43 participants using the objective and subjective outcome variables. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: starting with stretching followed by IASTM and starting with IASTM followed by stretching. Then patients underwent surgery on the hand with more severe involvement and physical therapy rehabilitation was started 30 days after for a period of 4 weeks. After the 1-week interval the participants who started with stretching were referred to IASTM and vice versa, following the same previous patterns. The outpatient reassessments took place at 3 to 6 months. Crossover ANOVA and effect sizes were used as analysis methods. Time was the most significant outcome for all variables both during therapies and at 6-month follow-up. Regarding response to the combined therapies between OH and NH, there were differences for both OH and NH, with the greatest impact on NH for the palmar grip and VAS variables. The treatment sequences were significant for pain on the NH and mental SF-12, suggesting that starting with IASTM followed by stretching had a superior outcome for these outcomes. The combination of IASTM with stretching, used in the postoperative period of bilateral idiopathic CTS, proved to be supplementary, with significant results and large effect sizes for most of the outcomes assessed, both during the time of application of the therapies and in the 6-month follow-up for both hands, and may constitute a viable therapeutic alternative for this population.


Effects of tibial torsion on distal alignment of extramedullary instrumentation in total knee arthroplasty.
Whether tibial torsion affects the positioning of extramedullary instrumentation and is a possible factor in malalignment of the tibial component in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is unknown. We assessed the influence of tibial torsion on distal alignment of extramedullary systems for TKA, using the center of the intermalleolar distance as anatomical reference at the ankle joint. We analyzed CT scans of knee and ankle joints of 50 patients with knee osteoarthritis (mean age 73 years, 52 legs). The tibial mechanical axis was identified and translated anteriorly at the level of the medial one-third (proximal AP axis 1), at the medial border of the tibial tuberosity (proximal AP axis 2), and at the level of the talar dome (distal AP axis). The center of the intermalleolar distance and the width of the medial and lateral malleolus were calculated. The proximal AP axes 1 and 2 were translated at the level of the ankle joint and any difference between their alignment and the distal AP axis was calculated as angular and linear values. The center of the ankle joint was located, on average 2 mm medial to that of the intermalleolar distance. The distal AP axis was externally rotated by 18° and 27° compared to the proximal AP axes 1 and 2, respectively. Overall, the center of the ankle joint was shifted laterally by 9-11 mm with respect to the proximal AP tibial axes. To avoid a varus tibial cut in TKA, extramedullary alignment systems should be aligned more medially at the ankle joint than previously thought, due to the effect of tibial torsion and-to a lesser extent-to the different malleolar width.


Minimally invasive surgery vs laparotomy for early stage cervical cancer: A propensity score-matched cohort study.
To compare the long-term oncologic outcomes of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) vs laparotomy for patients with stage IB (2018 FIGO) cervical cancer. A matched retrospective study of cervical cancer patients who underwent MIS or laparotomy at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 2012 to December 2015 was carried out. Patients were restaged according to the 2018 FIGO staging system for cervical cancer, 700 cases with stage IB cervical cancer were enrolled. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed by software SPSS version 22.0, and a total of 426 patients were enrolled and analyzed. Oncologic outcomes were compared between patients undergoing MIS vs laparotomy. After PSM, there were no statistical differences in other baseline characteristics between MIS and laparotomy, except for age (p = 0.008). In all stage IB patients, MIS group had significantly lower disease-free survival (DFS) rate and overall survival (OS) rate compared with laparotomy group (5-year DFS rate, 87.5% vs 94.1%, hazard ratio for disease recurrence, 2.403; 95% CI, 1.216-4.744; 5-year OS rate, 92.3% vs 98.1%, hazard ratio for death, 3.719; 95% CI, 1.370-10.093). In stage IB1 patients population, MIS was still associated with worse DFS and OS compared to laparotomy (5-year DFS rate: 89.5% vs 100%, p = 0.012; 5-year OS rate: 93.4% vs 100%, p = 0.043). Even in stage IB1 patients without lymph vascular space invasion, worse oncologic outcome could be observed in MIS group (DFS: p = 0.021; OS: p = 0.076). Our study suggested that laparotomy resulted in better OS and DFS compared with MIS among patients with stage IB cervical cancer. Even in stage IB1 patients without lymph vascular space invasion (2018 FIGO), laparotomy might be still an oncologically safer approach.


Restoration of lysosomal acidification rescues autophagy and metabolic dysfunction in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease in the world. High levels of free fatty acids in the liver impair hepatic lysosomal acidification and reduce autophagic flux. We investigate whether restoration of lysosomal function in NAFLD recovers autophagic flux, mitochondrial function, and insulin sensitivity. Here, we report the synthesis of novel biodegradable acid-activated acidifying nanoparticles (acNPs) as a lysosome targeting treatment to restore lysosomal acidity and autophagy. The acNPs, composed of fluorinated polyesters, remain inactive at plasma pH, and only become activated in lysosomes after endocytosis. Specifically, they degrade at pH of ~6 characteristic of dysfunctional lysosomes, to further acidify and enhance the function of lysosomes. In established in vivo high fat diet mouse models of NAFLD, re-acidification of lysosomes via acNP treatment restores autophagy and mitochondria function to lean, healthy levels. This restoration, concurrent with reversal of fasting hyperglycemia and hepatic steatosis, indicates the potential use of acNPs as a first-in-kind therapeutic for NAFLD.


A new method to reliably determine elastic strain of various crystal structures from atomic-resolution images.
Elastic strain engineering is an important strategy to design material properties in semiconductor and emerging advanced manufacturing industries. Recently, peak-pair method has drawn great attention compared to geometric phase analysis, owing to its precise determination of atom position at real space. Most current strain characterization methods estimate the local strain by comparing it with the related information from unstrained areas as reference. However, peak-pair method generated large errors in some cases because of the complexity of lower symmetric crystal structures, such as hexagonal structure. In this study, we introduce a new algorithm to overcome this limitation by directly comparing the atom positions with multiple references with different lattice symmetries. Furthermore, this new method is validated through several complicated crystal systems such as hexagonal, orthorhombic, monoclinic, and tetragonal structure, and returns expected values. This finding is essential to reliably determine the localized elastic strain with various crystal structures.


The secret and the self: on a new direction in psychotherapy.
This paper briefly describes some principles of a self-psychology, this term being used in a broad sense. As a heuristic device, the theme of evolution of self is woven about the formation of its boundary. Boundary formation is seen to be fostered by therapeutic responses that 'match' inner states. This notion is linked to other means of enhancing a sense of 'innerness'. They include a respect for the distinction between the realms of public and private, a potentiation of the 'ownership' of experience and the use of certain forms of language. Through a consideration of the concept of 'the secret', self-psychology is contrasted with the traditional or ego psychologies. What emerges is a therapeutic approach to personality disorder that resembles important aspects of the work of Kohut and Winnicott, the major contributors to this developing body of theory.


Esterification of oleic acid in a three-phase, fixed-bed reactor packed with a cation exchange resin catalyst.
Esterification of oleic acid was performed in a three-phase fixed-bed reactor with a cation exchange resin catalyst (Amberlyst-15) at high temperature, which was varied from 80 to 120 °C. The fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yields in the fixed-bed reactor were increased with increases in the reaction temperature, methanol flow rate and bed height. Moreover, the FAME yields were higher than those obtained using a batch reactor due to an equilibrium shift toward the product that resulted from continuous evaporation of the produced water. In addition, there was no catalyst deactivation during the esterification of oleic acid. However, addition of sunflower oil to the oleic acid reduced the FAME yield obtained from simultaneous esterification and transesterification. The FAME yield was 97.5% at a reaction temperature of 100 °C in the fixed-bed with a height of 5 cm when the methanol and oleic acid feed rates were 8.6 and 9.0 mL/h, respectively.


Attention networks in adolescent anorexia nervosa.
Anorexia nervosa (AN) usually develops during adolescence when considerable structural and functional brain changes are taking place. Neurocognitive inefficiencies have been consistently found in adults with enduring AN and were suggested to play a role in maintaining the disorder. However, such findings are inconsistent in children and adolescents with AN. The current study conducted a comprehensive assessment of attention networks in adolescents with AN who were not severely underweight during the study using an approach that permits disentangling independent components of attention. Twenty partially weight-restored adolescents with AN (AN-WR) and 24 healthy adolescents performed the Attention Network Test which assesses the efficiency of three main attention networks-executive control, orienting, and alerting. The results revealed abnormal function in the executive control network among adolescents with AN-WR. Specifically, adolescents with AN-WR demonstrated superior ability to suppress attention to task-irrelevant information while focusing on a central task. Moreover, the alerting network modulated this ability. No difference was found between the groups in the speed of orienting attention, but reorienting attention to a target resulted in higher error rates in the AN-WR group. The findings suggest that adolescents with AN have attentional abnormalities that cannot be explained by a state of starvation. These attentional dysregulations may underlie clinical phenotypes of the disorder such as increased attention of details.


Discovery of a selective and covalent small-molecule inhibitor of BFL-1 protein that induces robust apoptosis in cancer cells.
Induction of apoptosis by the FDA-approved drug Venetoclax in cancer cells mainly derives from blocking the interactions between BCL-2 and BH3-only proteins. Anti-apoptotic BFL-1, a homolog of BCL-2, also competitively binds to the BH3-only proteins and is responsible for Venetoclax-induced drug resistance. Compared to BCL-2, small-molecule inhibitors of BFL-1 are relatively underexplored. In order to tackle this issue, in-house compound library was screened and a hit compound was identified and optimized to obtain 12 (ZH97) functioning as a covalent and selective inhibitor of BFL-1. 12 modifies BFL-1 at the C55 residue, blocks BFL-1/BID interaction in vitro, promotes cellular cytochrome c release from mitochondria, and induced apoptosis in BFL-1 overexpressing cancer cells. Mechanistic studies show that 12 inhibited BFL-1/PUMA interaction in cell lysate and is effective in cancer cells that harboring high expression level of BFL-1. In summary, blockade of BFL-1/BH3-only proteins interactions with a covalent small-molecule inhibitor induced apoptosis and elicited antitumor activity. Thus, our study demonstrates an appealing strategy for selective modulation of cellular BFL-1 for cancer therapy.


Lineage- and differentiation-dependent alterations in the expression of receptors for glycoconjugates (lectins) in different human hematopoietic cell lines and low grade lymphomas.
Important biological functions and cellular recognition phenomena are supposedly governed by specific sugar-protein interactions. Human hematopoietic cell lines offer an excellent model for the study of the expression of endogenous receptors for the carbohydrate part of glycoconjugates with respect to cell lineage and modulation by differentiation. Initially, a panel of fluorescent (neo)glycoproteins was successfully employed to demonstrate cytologically the actual presence of such receptors on different cell lines: the B lymphoblast line, Daudi; the T cell lymphoblastic leukemia line, P12; the multipotent leukemic line, K562 and the promyelocytic line, HL060. Biochemical analyses were performed using affinity chromatography on supports with immobilized lactose and asialofetuin (simple or complex beta-galactosides), melibiose (alpha-galactoside), fucose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, maltose (alpha-glucoside), the mannose-rich yeast glycoprotein, mannan, glycopeptides containing sialic acid residues and heparin. Subsequently, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis was used to detect cell lineage-dependent changes in theses parameters. Differentiation-dependent changes in the expression of receptors with specificity to galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, maltose and heparin were similarly uncovered upon dimethyl sulfoxide-induced differentiation of HL60 cells. Differences in this type of cellular characteristic were also apparent for lymphoma cells from patients with various histological subtypes of lowgrade lymphomas. This initial description of lineage- and differentiation-dependent differences in various human hematopoietic cell lines and in cells from patients with lowgrade lymphomas suggests that advances in the knowledge of the composition of endogenous sugar receptors (lectins) may aid in understanding aspects of the biological behavior of hematopoietic cells and their related malignancies via participation of sugar-protein (lectin) interactions.


The clinical measurement of urinary total hydroxyproline excretion.
The effect of dietary control on the day-to-day variation in total hydroxyproline excretion has been examined in two studies. In the first, a normal volunteer ate a controlled diet containing varying gelatin supplements for several weeks. In the second, the effect of removing hydroxyproline-containing foods from the diets of 8 volunteers was examined. Both studies confirm that the day-to-day variation in total hydroxyproline excretion falls when the gelatin content of the diet is decreased, whether the results are expressed as total hydroxyproline excretion rate or as the total hydroxyproline: creatinine ratio. This fall in variation takes place within 24 h of dietary control beginning and therefore longer periods of dietary restrictions to achieve optimum precision in the measurement of total hydroxyproline are unnecessary. For some analytical methods, results are better expressed as the ratio total hydroxyproline:creatinine than as the total hydroxyproline excretion rate.


Association of JC virus with tubulointerstitial nephritis in a renal allograft recipient.
A renal allograft transplant patient with tubulointerstitial nephritis was examined for possible involvement of human polyomaviruses. Biopsy of the allograft kidney revealed inflammatory interstitial infiltration with tubulitis and typical inclusion bodies in the nucleus of the tubulo-epithelium. Glomeruli showed duplication and lamination of Bowman's capsule with enlargement of the parietal and visceral epithelia. Immunohistochemical analysis on the graft section using a JC virus (JCV) VP1 peptide-specific antibody showed positive staining. Paracrystalline arrays of naked viral particles with diameters of 40 nm were visualized in the nuclear inclusions under an electron microscope. Molecular examination using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing revealed that the JCV was involved in the nephritis. The results indicated that JCV may be associated with tubulointerstitial nephritis.


Effects of certain antibiotics on isometric contractions of isolated rat heart muscle.
The direct effects of potassium-penicillin-G, kanamycin, streptomycin and chloramphenicol on isometric contraction of isolated rat heart muscle were examined. Potassium-penicillin-G did not depress myocardial contractility but rather increased it. Those increases are not due to penicillin itself but due to a small amount of K+ in potassium-penicillin-G. Kanamycin and streptomycin did show not only direct myocardial depressants effects but concentration-dependent depressions. The depression produced by kanamycin could be restored to normal by adding Ca++ to the bath solution. Chloramphenicol did not show any significant concentration-dependent depression in our studies. We conclude that it is important to be aware of the potential depression of cardiac function by antibiotics, particularly in patients who have diminished cardiac reserve and who are undergoing surgical procedures under anesthesia which may also depress cardiac function.


The induction of reciprocal translocations in mouse germ cells by chemicals and ionizing radiations. II. Combined effects of mitomycin C or thio-tepa with two doses of gamma-rays.
The combined effects of mitomycin C (MMC) and thio-tepa (TT) with gamma-ray doses of 5 and 9 Gy on mouse stem cells were studied using the spermatocyte test. Both chemicals induced very low yields of translocations after single treatments. In combined treatments with a dose of 5 Gy, a subadditive effect of MMC and an additive effect of TT were found. Combined with a dose of 9 Gy the compounds potentiated the effect of radiations. Up to now, most of the chemicals tested have shown additive effects when combined with doses of the ascending part of the dose-response curve and potentiating effects when combined with doses of its descending part. This has been considered additional confirmation of the concept that depletion of any kind of spermatogonia is sufficient to modify the genetic response of stem cells. However, the subadditive and additive responses found could be considered evidence that common biological mechanisms can modulate the response to combined treatments of chemicals and ionizing radiations.


Predictors of Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury, Stroke, and Mortality in Patients with Cervical Spine Trauma.
Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI), defined as blunt traumatic injury to the carotid or vertebral arteries, is associated with significant risk of stroke and mortality. Cervical spine trauma is a recognized risk factor for BCVI. The objective of this study was to identify significant predictors of BCVI and its sequelae in patients with known cervical spine injury. Patients from 2007 to 2018 with blunt cervical spine injury diagnoses were identified in the National Trauma Data Bank. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify patient baseline and injury characteristics associated with BCVI, stroke, and mortality. We identified 229,254 patients with cervical spine injury due to blunt trauma. The overall rate of BCVI was 1.6%. Factors associated with BCVI in patients with cervical spine injury included lower Glasgow Coma Scale, motor vehicle crash, higher Injury Severity Score, concomitant traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, and current smoking status. BCVI was a strong predictor of stroke (odds ratio, 8.2; 95% confidence interval, 5.7-12.0) and was associated with mortality (odds ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-2.2). Stroke occurred in 3.3% of patients with BCVI versus 0.02% for patients without BCVI. While BCVI is rare following cervical spine injury due to blunt trauma, it is a significant predictor of stroke and mortality. The risk factors associated with BCVI, stroke, and mortality identified here should be used in the development of more effective predictive tools to improve care.


Diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in patients with persistent allergic asthma using three different diagnostic algorithms.
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) has been reported in various degrees among patients with persistent allergic asthma (PAA). Currently, there is no gold standard approach for diagnosis of ABPA. In the current study, we aimed the evaluation of three different mainly used algorithms as Rosenberg & Patterson (A), ISHAM Working Group (B) and Greenberger (C) for diagnosis of ABPA in 200 patients with underlying PAA. All patients were evaluated using Aspergillus skin prick test (SPTAf), Aspergillus-specific IgE (sIgEAf) and IgG (sIgGAf), total IgE (tIgE), pulmonary function tests, radiological findings and peripheral blood eosinophil count. The prevalence rate of ABPA in PAA patients was estimated by three diagnostic criteria. We used Latent Class Analysis for the evaluation of different diagnostic parameters in different applied ABPA diagnostic algorithms. Aspergillus sensitisation was observed in 30 (15.0%) patients. According to algorithms A, B and C, nine (4.5%), six (3.0%) and 11 (5.5%) of patients were diagnosed with ABPA, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of criteria B and C were (55.6% and 99.5%) and (100.0% and 98.9%) respectively. sIgEAf and sIgGAf showed the high significant sensitivity. The performance of algorithm A, in terms of sensitivity and specificity, was somewhat better than algorithm B. Our study demonstrated that the sensitivity of different diagnostic algorithms could change the prevalence rate of ABPA. We also found that all of three criteria resulted an adequate specificity for ABPA diagnosis. A consensus patterns combining elements of all three criteria may warrant a better diagnostic algorithm.


Nursing interventions for smoking cessation in hospitalized patients: a systematic review.
This study aimed to clarify the role of nurses in planning and implementation of nursing interventions related to smoking cessation. Nearly half of all smokers die from smoking-related illnesses. Quitting smoking can reduce these problems. Smoking cessation interventions include various types helping smokers successfully quit. Studies suggest that hospitalization can be a golden opportunity for nurses helping patients to quit smoking because of No Smoking regulations. A systematic review of the literature was carried through Web of Knowledge, ProQuest, Medscape, MedlinePlus, Ovid SID, Magiran, PubMed, and Science Direct databases between 1990-2015 on the subject of interest by keywords: role of nursing in smoking cessation, nursing intervention in smoking cessation, smoking cessation, smoking quitting and interventions planned by nurse. Nineteen papers were systematic examined, dealing with smoking cessation interventions by nurses. Totally, 17 studies used counselling for quitting smoking. Most studies involved other methods such as manuals, pamphlets, brochures training or printed educational materials, audio and video file. Some studies used nicotine replacement methods for patients such as nicotine skin tags, chewing nicotine or bupropion. Moreover, 17 studies were conducted by telephone at patients' follow-up after hospital discharge. Nurses' interventions for smoking cessation play an important role in helping patients quit smoking successfully. There are a variety of interventions that nurses can employ according to the patient's condition and diagnosis of different diseases. Quitting smoking can reduce lung cancers and other health problems. Nurses play an important role in helping patients to quit smoking.


The life cycle impact assessment applied to the Domingo Rubio tidal system by the study of seasonal variations of the aquatic eutrophication potential.
The innovative technique of Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) applied to dynamic environmental systems has been recently developed. In this work we investigate a complex system, the Domingo Rubio tideland (Huelva, Spain), where a tidal marsh and a continental lagoon converge. This wetland, catalogued as Natural Park by the Andalusia government, is subjected to a high eutrophicant pressures related to the strawberry culture and the inputs coming from industrial wastes. NO(2)(-), NO(3)(-) and PO(4)(3-) were analyzed in 41 water samples, obtaining values up to 100mg L(-1) Σ(NO(2)(-), NO(3)(-)) and 18.5mg L(-1) PO(4)(3-). All these values exceed the accepted levels by the European Environment Agency. N/P ratios and the Aquatic Eutrophication Potentials (AEP) for N and P showed a constant imbalance of the system. During one tidal cycle, the tidal channel can have both N and P as limiting nutrient (P is the limiting nutrient during low tide and N is during high tide) and there exists an alternation of AEP domination too between N and P in the continental area, what points to an excess of both nutrients all over the study area, and to the necessity of diminishing the nutrient inputs and a higher control on these pollution sources as well.


Is microhabitat segregation between two cicada species (Tibicina haematodes and Cicada orni) due to calling song propagation constraints?
The cicada species Tibicina haematodes and Cicada orni are two sympatric species often inhabiting vineyards. We show that they occupy two distinct levels: males of T. haematodes produce their calling songs from a high position in vine foliage while males of C. orni call from a low position near the ground on vine trunks. Experiments consisting of broadcasting and re-recording experimental signals in natural habitats from low and high positions show that signals are more and more modified as sender-receiver distance increases. T. haematodes would have an advantage when calling on trunks rather than on branches whereas C. orni would be able to call indiscriminately from both low and high positions. Thus, the microhabitat segregation observed between T. haematodes and C orni in vineyards does not seem to be related to calling song propagation constraints, but may be due to other ethological or ecological factors.


Platelets, photosensitizers, and PDT.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has both direct cell and indirect vascular effects. Both are well established and the latter has given rise to specifically target angiogenesis in PDT treatments. While the vascular effects are well understood, further advances in anti-angiogenesis require a detailed understanding of PDT effects at the microvasculature level. Although some of the earliest investigations of PDT noted effects on platelet aggregation the importance of their interaction with endothelial cells and the crucial role of various signaling pathways is only now emerging. This review aims to give a general overview of PDT related studies on platelets, vascular effects, and their interaction with endothelial cells to indicate the potential for studies in this area.


Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of new variants of the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in Gansu, China in 2012.
Between January 2012 and March 2012, the infection rates of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) increased substantially in vaccinated swine herds in many porcine farms in Gansu Province, China. The spike (S) glycoprotein is an important determinant for PEDV biological properties. To determine the distribution profile of PEDV outbreak strains, we sequenced the full-length S gene of five samples from two farms where animals exhibited severe diarrhea and high mortality rates. Five new PEDV variants were identified, and the molecular diversity, phylogenetic relationships, and antigenicity analysis of Gansu field samples with other PEDV reference strains were investigated. A series of insertions, deletions, and mutations in the S gene was found in five PEDV variants compared with classical and vaccine strains. These mutations may provide stronger pathogenicity and antigenicity to the new PEDV variants that influenced the effectiveness of the CV777-based vaccine. Our results suggest that these new PEDV variant strains in Gansu Province might be from South Korean or South China, and the effectiveness of the CV777-based vaccine needs to be evaluated.


Steroid hormone receptors and coregulators in endocrine-resistant and estrogen-independent breast cancer cells.
Resistance to hormonal therapy is often a problem in the treatment of breast cancer patients. It has been suggested that resistance could be explained by altered nuclear hormone receptor or coregulator levels or inappropriately increased agonist activity of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). To test these hypotheses, we have established novel MCF-7 cell line-derived in vitro models of anti-estrogen- and progestin-resistant and estrogen-independent breast cancer by long-term culture in the presence of toremifene and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and in the absence of estradiol, respectively. Using cell growth and multiprobe ribonuclease protection assays, the expression of 5 nuclear hormone receptors and 9 coregulators as well as the alterations in the cell proliferation and target gene transcription in response to hormonal treatments were studied. Progesterone receptor (PR) expression was decreased and silencing mediator for retinoid acid and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT) and amplified in breast cancer-1 (AIB1) expression increased in anti-estrogen-resistant cells. Estrogen caused PR and ERbeta upregulation in all cell lines, but we did not observe increased agonist activity of anti-estrogen measured by regulation of these estrogen target genes. Basal ERalpha levels and estrogenic growth response were decreased and p300/CBP-associated factor (pCAF) and AIB1 upregulated by estrogen in progestin-resistant cells, but coregulator levels were unchanged. Estrogen-independent cells were still estrogen-responsive and PR, nuclear receptor corepressor (N-CoR) and SMRT expression was increased whereas steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1a) and CBP-related protein p300 (p300) expression decreased. Their growth was inhibited by toremifene, but estradiol was able to abrogate this effect, which might have interesting clinical implications concerning the use of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy.


Expression of VEGF and collagen XVIII in meningiomas: correlations with histopathological and MRI characteristics.
The objective of this study was to assess the possibility of predicting histological characteristics of meningiomas on the basis of preoperative MRI and the correlation of the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and collagen XVIII with histological parameters already established as predictive of the course of these tumors. Expression of VEGF and collagen XVIII as well as other histological characteristics was examined in meningioma tissues from 20 patients. Preoperative MRI, including dynamic imaging of contrast enhancement, was analyzed. Times to maximum enhancement and maximum intensity increase were noted from dynamic imaging. The relative intensity of the tumor in fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), T2-weighted and contrast enhanced T1-weighted images, as well as volumes of tumor and edema, was calculated. The edema-tumor volume ratio was defined as the edema index (EI). Both VEGF and collagen XVIII were expressed in all meningioma samples. Edema was present in 60 % of cases. The strongest correlation of VEGF expression was to EI. Among histological parameters, microvessel density (MVD) and cellularity correlated moderately with VEGF. Collagen XVIII expression correlated strongly with the maximal intensity increase after contrast agent administration (ρ = 0.71, P = 0.001) as well as with MVD and intensity of the meningioma on FLAIR images. Meningiomas with faster and more intense enhancement in dynamic studies, indicative of good tumor blood supply and permeability of vasculature, are associated with high levels of collagen XVIII and VEGF expression. Occurrence of peritumoral edema in meningiomas is strongly correlated with expression of VEGF.


Hydrops fetalis and neonatal death from human parvovirus B19: an unusual complication.
A case of prenatally diagnosed human parvovirus B19 (HPVB19) infection is reported. The neonate died after intrauterine therapy and premature delivery. The fetus was diagnosed with oedema, cardiomegaly, poor myocardial contractility and a pericardial effusion at 24/40 weeks' gestation. Ultrasound using colour flow Doppler showed a midcerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA PSV) raised at 45 cm/s, suggesting fetal anaemia. This was confirmed on fetal blood sampling, but recovery was suggested with a reticulocyte count of 16.8%. The fetal karyotype was normal, 46,XY. Fetal IgM was positive for Parvovirus. A week later, severe fetal anaemia was suspected and intrauterine transfusion carried out. Altogether three transfusions were given. At 31/40 weeks, the mother presented to her local hospital with suspected preterm labour, a caesarean section was carried out because of fetal compromise on cardiotocography. The baby was in poor condition at birth and resuscitation was stopped at 45 min of age. The post-mortem examination confirmed the hydrops and proved persistent Parvovirus infection, cardiac involvement and severe liver fibrosis.HPVB19 generally follows a benign course with intrauterine therapy; however, in this case, the fetus died despite successful transfusions. The reasons for this are discussed.


Sinapis alba L. and Triticum aestivum L. as biotest model species for evaluating municipal solid waste leachate toxicity.
The volume of municipal solid waste (MSW) inputs is rapidly increasing with a growing human population, and its composition is changing due an increased diversity of materials being deposited. There is an associated increase in leachate, a common toxic byproduct of MSW facilities that must be collected and treated prior to its release into the environment. There is growing interest in plant-based methods that are economical and efficient for leachate toxicity assessment such as biological tests that use indicator species. In the present study, the tolerance thresholds of two herbaceous species, Sinapis alba L. (mustard) and Triticum aestivum L. (wheat) to increasing shares of leachate sourced from an MSW facility in the Czech Republic were assessed through a variety of physiological parameters. Soil-based biotests showed a stimulation in the shoot biomass, leaf expansion, primary root elongation and carbon assimilation rate of the selected plant species to leachate concentrations between 20 and 50 %. Higher leachate concentrations led to reductions in most physiological parameters, especially the elongation of seedling roots when growth solutions with >50 % leachate were applied. While S. alba was more sensitive to increasing proportions of leachate in terms of growth parameters of the shoot tissues, photosystem II efficiency and chlorophyll pigment concentrations were more responsive in T. aestivum, indicating species-dependent differences. The present biotests provide further support for the use of both Sinapis alba L and Triticum aestivum L. as indicator species of phytotoxicity.


Ocular syphilis in patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection.
As Acquired Immunodeficiency Disease (AIDS) turns thirty-years old, much progress has been made. 56,000 new cases of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection are expected in Americans this year. At least half or more will be in African Americans. Reports of the association between syphilis and HIV infection are well documented. We present a case of bilateral optic neuritis and panuveitis as the initial presentation in a previously undiagnosed patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis.


Breast milk composition and bile salt-stimulated lipase in well-nourished and under-nourished Nigerian mothers.
Breast milk was analysed in 9 under-nourished Nigerian mothers and 23 well-nourished mothers who served as controls. Milk from the under-nourished mothers contained adequate amounts of lactose and total triglycerides, but had significantly lower bile salt-stimulated lipase activity (BSSL); their mean BSSL activity was only about 50% of the activity in milk from the control group. Total milk protein was also significantly lower than for the controls (1.45 vs. 1.09 g/dl, respectively; P less than 0.01). Our findings may have nutritional implications for breast-fed infants of under-nourished nursing mothers.


A prosthetic appliance for a patient with a brachial plexus injury and forearm amputation: a case report.
Among the prosthetic and orthotic appliances available, neither a conventional mechanical prosthesis nor the myoelectric control system provided optimal results for a 19-year-old patient with a traumatic, irreversible paralysis of the brachial plexus and below-elbow amputation. A new device was therefore constructed that combined the mechanical pull of the first system and the electric hand of the second. Its functions, the training program, and the end result are reported.


An extinct vertebrate preserved by its living hybridogenetic descendant.
Hybridogenesis is a special mode of hybrid reproduction where one parental genome is eliminated and the other is transmitted clonally. We propose that this mechanism can perpetuate the genome of extinct species, based on new genetic data from Pelophylax water frogs. We characterized the genetic makeup of Italian hybridogenetic hybrids (P. kl. hispanicus and esculentus) and identified a new endemic lineage of Eastern-Mediterranean origin as one parental ancestor of P. kl. hispanicus. This taxon is nowadays extinct in the wild but its germline subsists through its hybridogenetic descendant, which can thus be considered as a "semi living fossil". Such rare situation calls for realistic efforts of de-extinction through selective breeding without genetic engineering, and fuels the topical controversy of reviving long extinct species. "Ghost" species hidden by taxa of hybrid origin may be more frequent than suspected in vertebrate groups that experienced a strong history of hybridization and semi-sexual reproduction.


Selective quantification of diclofenac from groundwater and pharmaceutical samples by magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer-based sorbent coupled with the HPLC-PDA detection.
Diclofenac (DCF) is a pharmaceutical contaminant of water bodies and therefore, improvement of analytical techniques for its removal and quantitation is one of the current interests of analysts. Herein, DCF selective magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MMIP) has been fabricated and characterized by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, vibrating scanning magnetometer, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analyzer. Furthermore, the protocol for the quantification of DCF using MMIP-HPLC-PDA combo has been optimized by investigating the effect of the amount of MMIP, type and volume of eluent, and variation of pH. The optimized protocol suggested a method detection limit of 0.042 ng mL-1 and linearity of results in the range 0.1-100 ng mL-1 (R2 = 0.99). The fabricated material offered recovery of DCF up to 96.38-99.46% from groundwater and pharmaceutical samples with a relative standard deviation of <4%. In addition, the material was found selective and sensitive for DCF among its analogous drugs like mefenamic acid, ketoprofen, fenofibrate, aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.


Highly selective ensembles for D-fructose based on fluorescent method in aqueous solution.
Three highly sensitive and selective switches for monosaccharides were composed by anionic polyelectrolyte PPPSO(3)Na and cationic viologen quencheres BBVs. The sensing processes of three ensembles (PPPSO(3)Na/o-BBV, PPPSO(3)Na/m-BBV and PPPSO(3)Na/p-BBV) to common seven monosaccharides have been determined by fluorescence spectra at pH 7.4 buffer solution. The results show that the three sensing ensembles all embody higher selectivity and sensitivity for d-fructose with reversible "on-off-on" fluorescence response. The research results can provide a new mode for developing highly selective probes.


A prospective randomized controlled double-blind study comparing auscultation and lung ultrasonography in the assessment of double lumen tube position in elective thoracic surgeries involving one lung ventilation at a tertiary care cancer institute.
As lung ultrasound (LUS) can be used to identify regional lung ventilation and collapse, we hypothesize that LUS can be better than auscultation in assessing lung isolation and determining double lumen tube (DLT) position. A randomized controlled study was conducted in tertiary care cancer institute from November 2014 to December 2015, including 100 adult patients undergoing elective thoracic surgeries. Patients with tracheostomy, difficult airway and pleural-based pathologies were excluded. After anesthesia induction and DLT insertion, patients were randomized into group A (auscultation) and group B (LUS). Regional ventilation was assessed by experienced anesthesiologists using the respective method for each group. Final confirmation of DLT position with a bronchoscope was performed by a blinded anesthesiologist. Contingency tables were plotted to determine sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy for each method. Data from 91 patients were analyzed (group A = 47, group B = 44). Compared with auscultation, LUS had significantly higher sensitivity (94.1% vs. 73.3%, P = 0.010), PPV (57.1% vs. 35.5%, P = 0.044), NPV (93.8% vs. 75.0%, P = 0.018), accuracy (70.5% vs. 48.9%, P = 0.036) and required longer median time (161.5 vs. 114 s, P < 0.001) for assessment of DLT position. Differences in specificity (55.6% vs. 37.5%, P = 0.101) and area under curve (0.748; 95% CI: 0.604-0.893 vs. 0.554, 95% CI: 0.379-0.730; P = 0.109) were not significant. Compared to auscultation, LUS is a superior method for assessing lung isolation and determining DLT position.


[NiEn3](MoO4)0.5(WO4)0.5 Co-Crystals as Single-Source Precursors for Ternary Refractory Ni-Mo-W Alloys.
The co-crystallisation of [NiEn3](NO3)2 (En = ethylenediamine) with Na2MoO4 and Na2WO4 from a water solution results in the formation of [NiEn3](MoO4)0.5(WO4)0.5 co-crystals. According to the X-ray diffraction analysis of eight single crystals, the parameters of the hexagonal unit cell (space group P-31c, Z = 2) vary in the following intervals: a = 9.2332(3)-9.2566(6); c = 9.9512(12)-9.9753(7) Å with the Mo/W ratio changing from 0.513(3)/0.487(3) to 0.078(4)/0.895(9). The thermal decomposition of [NiEn3](MoO4)0.5(WO4)0.5 individual crystals obtained by co-crystallisation was performed in He and H2 atmospheres. The ex situ X-ray study of thermal decomposition products shows the formation of nanocrystalline refractory alloys and carbide composites containing ternary Ni-Mo-W phases. The formation of carbon-nitride phases at certain stages of heating up to 1000 °C were shown.


Why does older adults' balance become less stable when walking and performing a secondary task? Examination of attentional switching abilities.
Previous research using dual-task paradigms indicates balance-impaired older adults (BIOAs) are less able to flexibly shift attentional focus between a cognitive and motor task than healthy older adults (HOA). Shifting attention is a component of executive function. Task switch tests assess executive attention function. This multivariate study asked if BIOAs demonstrate greater task switching deficits than HOAs. A group of 39 HOA (65-80 years) and BIOA (65-87 years) subjects performed a visuo-spatial task switch. A sub-group of subjects performed a dual-task obstacle avoidance paradigm. All participants completed the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG). We assessed differences by group for: (1) visuo-spatial task switch reaction times (switch/no-switch), and performance on the BBS and TUG. Our balance groups differed significantly on BBS score (p<.001) and switch reaction time (p=.032), but not the TUG. This confirmed our hypothesis that neuromuscular and executive attention function differs between these two groups. For our BIOA sub-group, gait velocity correlated negatively with performance on the switch condition (p=.036). This suggests that BIOA efficiency of attentional allocation in dual task settings should be further explored.


Characterization of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli isolates based on biofilm formation, ESBL production, virulence-associated genes, and phylogenetic groups.
Escherichia coli is a part of both animal and human commensal microbiota. Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) is responsible for colibacillosis in poultry, an economically important disease. However, the close similarities among APEC isolates make it difficult to differentiate between pathogenic and commensal bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine phenotypic and molecular characteristics of APEC isolates and to compare them with their in vivo pathogenicity indices. A total of 198 APEC isolates were evaluated for their biofilm-producing ability and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production phenotypes. In addition, 36 virulence-associated genes were detected, and the isolates were classified into seven phylogenetic groups using polymerase chain reaction. The sources of the isolates were not associated with biofilms, ESBL, genes, or phylogroups. Biofilm and ESBL production were not associated with pathogenicity. Group B2 had the highest pathogenicity index. Groups B2 and E were positively associated with high-pathogenicity isolates and negatively associated with low-pathogenicity isolates. In contrast, groups A and C were positively associated with apathogenic isolates, and group B1 was positively associated with low-pathogenicity isolates. Some virulence-associated genes showed positive or negative associations with specific phylogenetic groups. None of the individual techniques produced results that correlated with the in vivo pathogenicity index. However, the combination of two techniques, namely, detection of virulence-associated genes and the phylogenetic groups, could help the classification of the isolates as pathogenic or commensal.


Exploring HONO formation and its role in driving secondary pollutants formation during winter in the North China Plain.
Daytime HONO photolysis is an important source of atmospheric hydroxyl radicals (OH). Knowledge of HONO formation chemistry under typical haze conditions, however, is still limited. In the Multiphase chemistry experiment in Fogs and Aerosols in the North China Plain in 2018, we investigated the wintertime HONO formation and its atmospheric implications at a rural site Gucheng. Three different episodes based on atmospheric aerosol loading levels were classified: clean periods (CPs), moderately polluted periods (MPPs) and severely polluted periods (SPPs). Correlation analysis revealed that HONO formation via heterogeneous conversion of NO2 was more efficient on aerosol surfaces than on ground, highlighting the important role of aerosols in promoting HONO formation. Daytime HONO budget analysis indicated a large missing source (with an average production rate of 0.66 ± 0.26, 0.97 ± 0.47 and 1.45 ± 0.55 ppbV/hr for CPs, MPPs and SPPs, respectively), which strongly correlated with photo-enhanced reactions (NO2 heterogeneous reaction and particulate nitrate photolysis). Average OH formation derived from HONO photolysis reached up to (0.92 ± 0.71), (1.75 ± 1.26) and (1.82 ± 1.47) ppbV/hr in CPs, MPPs and SPPs respectively, much higher than that from O3 photolysis (i.e., (0.004 ± 0.004), (0.006 ± 0.007) and (0.0035 ± 0.0034) ppbV/hr). Such high OH production rates could markedly regulate the atmospheric oxidation capacity and hence promote the formation of secondary aerosols and pollutants.


Interferon induces natural killer cell blastogenesis in vivo.
Interferon (IFN), types beta and gamma, and IFN inducers polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus all stimulated the generation of blast-NK cells in mouse spleens. Blast-NK cells were characterized on the basis of size, 3H-thymidine uptake, and NK cell markers. These data indicate that in addition to augmenting NK cell-mediated lysis, IFN may regulate NK cell proliferation in vivo.


Sila-spirocyclization involving unstrained C(sp3)-Si bond cleavage.
C - Si Bond cleavage is one of the key elemental steps for a wide variety of silicon-based transformations. However, the cleavage of unstrained Si-C(sp3) bonds catalyzed by transition metal are still in their infancy. They generally involve the insertion of a M - C(sp2) species into the C - Si bond and consequent intramolecular C(sp2)‒Si coupling to exclusively produce siloles. Here we report the Pd-catalyzed sila-spirocyclization, in which the Si-C(sp3) bond is activated by the insertion of a M - C(sp3) species and followed by the formation of a new C(sp3)‒Si bond, allowing the construction of diverse spirosilacycles. This reactivity mode, which is strongly supported by DFT calculations may open an avenue for the Si-C(sp3) bond cleavage and silacycle synthesis.


Electrophysiological effects of intravenous disopyramide phosphate on the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
The effects of a single intravenous infusion of 2mg/kg body weight disopyramide phosphate (DP) on the mode of initiation of reentrant supraventricular tachycardia were assessed in seven patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome using bundle of His electrograms and the ventricular extrastimulus method. The delta wave disappeared in three patients after DP. However, retrograde conduction via the accessory pathway persisted even after DP administration in all patients. These effects contributed to the induction of reciprocating tachycardia after DP. The retrograde functional refractory period of the His-Purkinje system (HPS) and the effective refractory period of the accessory pathway were increased in all cases and contributed to the development of reentry HPS. After DP, the zone of reentry HPS widened in four cases (including a newly developed case) and remained unchanged in three cases. Reentrant supraventricular tachycardia zones widened in three cases; these widened reentrant supraventricular tachycardia zones were induced by the widened reentry HPS, that is, reentry HPS was followed by the reentrant supraventricular tachycardia. This study demonstrates that persistence of retrograde accessory pathway conduction and widened reentry HPS which might be dose-related after DP could be the retrograde determinants affecting the reentrant supraventricular tachycardia zone.


Homodimer and heterodimer DNA binding and transcriptional responsiveness to triiodothyronine (T3) and 9-cis-retinoic acid are determined by the number and order of high affinity half-sites in a T3 response element.
T3 (triiodothyronine) response elements (TREs) consist of pairs of strong and weak (S and W), 10-nucleotide T3 receptor (TR) monomer binding sites (half-sites). We report that the number and order of S and W half-sites in a direct repeat TRE determines whether it mediates ligand-dependent or independent transcriptional activation or inhibition in the presence of TR or TR and 9-cis-retinoic acid receptor (RXR); and whether a TRE is preferentially bound by TR homodimers, TR-RXR heterodimers, or CV1 cell TR accessory protein (TRAP)-TR heterodimers. TR homodimers bound equally to TREs composed of the 5'-S and 3'-W (SW) and the opposite (WS) arrangement of half-sites. TR-RXR gamma heterodimers bound SW better than WS. TR-TRAP heterodimers bound WS better than SW. Transcription of a reporter gene cis-linked to WS responded to unliganded TR and RXR, and either ligand stimulated expression 2-fold more. Reporter expression cis-linked to SW was not altered by unliganded receptors, and T3 stimulated transcription only in the presence of both TR and RXR. SS was strongly activated by liganded, but not by unliganded TR. SS was activated by unliganded TR and RXR gamma together, and T3 further stimulated transcription 2-fold. Under these conditions, transcription was inhibited 60% by 9-cis-retinoic acid.


Towards an Understanding of Microglia and Border-Associated Macrophages.
The central nervous system (CNS) plays a crucial role in regulating bodily functions by sensing and integrating environmental cues and maintaining proper physiological conditions. Recent research has revealed that CNS functions are closely coordinated with the immune system. As even minor disturbances of the immune system in the CNS can lead to various dysfunctions, diseases, or even death, it is highly specialized and segregated from that in peripheral regions. Microglia in the parenchyma and macrophages at the interface between the CNS and peripheral regions are essential immune cells in the CNS that monitor environmental changes. Recent omics analyses have revealed that these cells exhibit highly heterogeneous populations. In this review, we summarize the functions and diversity of microglia in the brain parenchyma and those of macrophages in the border regions, such as the meninges, perivascular spaces, and choroid plexus.


Stimulatory effect of cold adaptation on glucose utilization by brown adipose tissue. Relationship with changes in the glucose transporter system.
The effect of cold adaptation (4 degrees C) on the in vivo glucose utilization and on the number and properties of the glucose transporters has been studied in brown adipose tissue of normal rats. Glucose utilization was assessed in vivo by the 2-deoxyglucose method. Glucose transporters in plasma and microsomal membranes were quantified by the [3H]cytochalasin B-binding assay. After cold adaptation the in vivo glucose utilization by brown adipose tissue increased 21-fold compared to controls (22 degrees C). The number of glucose transporters in plasma membranes of brown adipose tissue increased from 75 to 436 pmol/g tissue and that of total glucose transporters (plasma + microsomal membranes) from 438 to 754 pmol/g tissue. In addition, cold adaptation increased the Hill coefficient of the plasma membrane transporter for cytochalasin B from 0.90 to 2.03 and decreased the Kd from 100 to 54 nM. This study shows that cold adaptation promotes: a translocation of glucose transporters from an intracellular pool to plasma membranes; an increased number of plasma membrane glucose transporters unaccounted for by the translocation process (e.g. "de novo" synthesis); an increase in the Hill coefficient for cytochalasin B that could also represent changes in the properties of the transporters vis-à-vis glucose, (e.g. positive cooperativity); and a decrease in the Kd value for cytochalasin B.


The structure of the trpE, trpD and 5' trpC genes of Bacillus pumilus.
The nucleotide (nt) sequences of the Bacillus pumilus trpE, trpD and 5' portions of trpC genes have been determined. Genetic analysis suggested the presence of an internal promoter upstream from the trpC gene, yet no typical consensus sequences were found. The nt and amino acid sequence homologies between the B. pumilus, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli trp genes are presented.


Rational design of covalent heptazine framework photocatalysts with high oxidation ability through reaction-dependent strategy.
Due to structural tunability, high surface area, abundant pore structures, and abundant active sites, covalent heptazine frameworks (CHFs) constructed from heptazine and other molecular blocks are especially prominent. Here, we proposed a reaction-dependent strategy for designing two dimensional CHFs including high-throughput precursors screening, structure generation, and performance evaluation. Assuming that oxamide-like precursors can undergo the same thermal polymerization reaction as producing C6N7, seven precursors were screened from more than 109 molecules in the ZINC20 database in terms of molecular weight, number of substructures, shape index, and symmetry. Furthermore, CHF-L1 to CHF-L7 were constructed from urea and the seven precursors according to the topologically assembling scheme in thermal polymerization. The designed CHFs had band gaps ranging from 1.89 to 3.10 eV. Among them, CHF-L3 assembled structurally by urea and 1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-dicarboxamide with the smallest bandgap and an oxidative potential bias of 1.38 V for oxygen evolution reaction was screened as the candidate with high oxidative ability. The negative formation energy based on the synthesis route indicated the synthetic feasibility of CHF-L3, and negative cohesive energy as well as the stable structure under ab initio molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of CHF-L3. The present work is expected to provide a powerful design strategy for two-dimensional CHFs design and is broadly applicable to various computational covalent organic framework design systems and experimental studies.


Phenothiazine-based CaaX competitive inhibitors of human farnesyltransferase bearing a cysteine, methionine, serine or valine moiety as a new family of antitumoral compounds.
A new family of CaaX competitive inhibitors of human farnesyltransferase based on phenothiazine and carbazole skeleton bearing a l-cysteine, l-methionine, l-serine or l-valine moiety was designed, synthesized and biologically evaluated. Phenothiazine derivatives proved to be more active than carbazole-based compounds. Phenothiazine 1b with cysteine residue was the most promising inhibitor of human farnesyltransferase in the current study.


Widespread and developmentally regulated expression of neurotrophin-4 mRNA in rat brain and peripheral tissues.
The neurotrophin gene family includes four structurally related proteins with neurotrophic activities. Two of them, nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), have been studied in detail and information has recently emerged on the expression and function of the third member, neurotrophin-3. In contrast, little information is available on neurotrophin-4 (NT-4), the most recently isolated member of this family. In this report we have used a sensitive RNAase protection assay to analyse the developmental expression of NT-4 mRNA in the rat brain and in 12 different rat peripheral organs. In heart, liver and muscle plus skin NT-4 mRNA levels were maximal at embryonic day (E) E13 (the earliest time point tested), with reduced levels at later times of development. In lung, kidney and thymus similar levels were seen from E13 to postnatal day (P) 1, with reduced levels in the adult. In testis, ovary and salivary gland NT-4 mRNA was detected at E16 with a peak shortly after birth. During brain development, NT-4 mRNA was maximal at E13 followed by a decrease around birth, after which the level increased. The postnatal increase of NT-4 mRNA was also seen in cerebral cortex and brain stem analysed separately, while in the hippocampus similar levels were found from P1 to adulthood. NT-4 mRNA was detected in all ten adult rat brain regions analysed with only small regional variations, being highest in pons-medulla, hypothalamus, thalamus and cerebellum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


The CalcR-PKA-Yap1 Axis Is Critical for Maintaining Quiescence in Muscle Stem Cells.
Quiescence is a fundamental property of adult stem cells. Recent evidence indicates that quiescence is not a default state but requires active signaling that prevents accidental or untimely activation of stem cells. The calcitonin receptor (CalcR) is critical for sustaining quiescence in muscle satellite (stem) cells (MuSCs). However, the molecular mechanisms by which CalcR signaling regulates quiescence in MuSCs are enigmatic. Here, we demonstrate that transgenic expression of the catalytic domain of protein kinase A (PKA) restores the quiescence of CalcR-mutant MuSCs and delays MuSC activation. Mechanistically, CalcR-activated PKA phosphorylates Lats1/2, the main effector of Hippo signaling, thereby inhibiting the nuclear accumulation of Yap1, which prevents expression of Hippo-target genes, including cell-cycle-related molecules. Importantly, genetic inactivation of Yap1 in CalcR-mutant MuSCs reinstates quiescence in CalcR-mutant MuSCs, indicating that the CalcR-PKA-Lats1/2-Yap1 axis plays a critical role in sustaining MuSC quiescence.


Use of folic acid supplements, particularly by low-income and young women: a series of systematic reviews to inform public health policy in the UK.
To provide a basis for making recommendations on the potential to improve use of folic acid supplements in the UK, particularly among low-income and young women. Systematic reviews of relevant research from 1989 to May 2006 in Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Twenty-six systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses were identified from the wider public health literature, and eighteen studies on the effectiveness of preconception interventions were included. Ninety studies were identified which were directly relevant to folic acid supplement intake. There were factors that are particularly associated with lower rates of use of folic acid supplements. One of the most important of these is the link with unintended pregnancy, followed by age, socio-economic and ethnic group. Integrated campaigns can increase the use of folic acid supplements to some extent. Research trials indicated that: (i) printed resources and the mass media used in isolation are not effective in the longer term; and (ii) health-care-based initiatives can be effective and are more likely to be successful if they include making supplements easily available. Campaigns and interventions have the potential to exacerbate socio-economic inequalities in folic acid use. One way of addressing this is to include elements that specifically target vulnerable women. To achieve and maintain an effect, they need to be based on good health promotion practice and to be sustained over a long period. However, even high-quality campaigns that increase use result in under half of women in the target group taking supplements.


Magnetic resonance spectroscopy abnormalities in traumatic brain injury: A meta-analysis.
Despite traumatic brain injury (TBI) being common, evaluation with imaging remains challenging. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) shows promise in detecting changes of brain metabolite concentrations following TBI; however, currently there are only small studies available without conclusive evidence of the technique's efficacy. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between TBI and MRS metabolite changes. A comprehensive literature search was performed looking for studies reporting brain metabolite concentrations in both TBI and control subjects. Included studies reported values for both adult TBI and control subjects. Cumulative and subgroup meta-analyses were performed using a random effects model. The literature search returned an initial 898 manuscripts, of which 36 (which included 748 unique subjects) met study criteria. Cumulatively, NAA/Cr ratios in TBI patients showed a significant decrease as compared to controls (standardized mean deviation [SMD]=-0.88, P<0.0001). When broken into subgroups by severity, the severe and mixed TBI subgroups showed decreases, but the mild TBI (mTBI) subgroup did not. When stratified by time, a significant decrease was seen in the subacute and chronic phases but not the acute phase. Cumulative post-TBI Cho/Cr levels were increased compared to controls (SMD=0.69, P=0.0002). Significant changes were seen in all subgroups except the mild and mixed mTBI subgroups and the acute phase subgroup. Current evidence shows that MRS is able to detect changes to metabolites following TBI, but not in patients with mTBI or in the acute stage.


Telehealth exercise to Improve Physical function and frailty in patients with multiple myeloma treated with autologous hematopoietic Stem cell transplantation (TIPS): protocol of a randomized controlled trial.
Advances in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and supportive care have led to marked improvements in survival for patients with multiple myeloma. Despite these improvements, patients with multiple myeloma remain at high risk of physical dysfunction and frailty due to HSCT and its associated exposures. Although traditional supervised exercise programs can improve frailty in cancer patients and survivors, rehabilitation facilities are typically far from a patient's residence, are offered on fixed days/hours, contain uniform activities for everyone, and carry a higher risk of contact cross-infection due to immunosuppression, which can be barriers to exercise participation. Innovative personalized interventions are needed to overcome the limitations of traditional exercise interventions. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy and sustainability of a telehealth exercise intervention on physical function and frailty in patients with multiple myeloma treated with HSCT. This randomized controlled trial will assess the efficacy of an 8-week telehealth exercise intervention in 60 patients with multiple myeloma who underwent autologous HSCT (30-180 days post-transplant) and are pre-frail or frail. There will be 30 intervention participants and 30 delayed controls. We will administer remote baseline assessments (week 0), followed by an 8-week telehealth intervention (week 1-8), post assessment (week 9), and an additional follow-up assessment (week 17). Our primary endpoint will be improved physical function, as assessed by the Short Physical Performance Battery test. Our secondary endpoint will be a decrease in frailty characteristics such as gait speed, strength, and fatigue. We will also evaluate the sustainability of improved physical function and frailty at week 17. Participants randomized to the intervention group will perform at least 90 min of exercise per week throughout the 8 weeks. This study will help optimize the delivery of safe, low-cost, and scalable telehealth exercise interventions to improve health outcomes in patients with multiple myeloma, an understudied population at high risk for physical dysfunction and frailty. Our study may provide the foundation for sustainable telehealth exercise interventions to improve physical function and frailty for other hematologic cancer patients (e.g., acute leukemia, lymphoma) as well as any other cancer population of interest. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05142371 . This study was retrospectively registered on December 2nd, 2021, and is currently open to accrual.


Leishmania chagasi: in vitro differentiation of promastigotes monitored by flow cytometry.
A sequential development from a less infective to an infective stage of Leishmania promastigotes growing in culture has been previously reported. The aim of this work was to investigate whether freeze-fracture electron microscopy and flow cytometry would be able to provide some reliable morphological markers of in vitro differentiation of Leishmania chagasi promastigotes. The flow cytometry technique discriminates between the L. chagasi promastigotes from the different stages of their in vitro differentiation. The "forward scatter" intensity of the parasite, very high 15 hr after seeding when the parasites were very condensed and with a high DNA content per particle, strongly decreased during the culture course. Parallel experiments have shown a striking correlation between forward scatter intensity, growth curves, and infectivity of promastigote populations. By contrast, freeze-fracture techniques showed that in either less infective or infective promastigote plasma membranes, the intramembrane particles density in protoplasmic fracture faces (about 2800/micron 2) and in exoplasmic fracture faces (about 1000/micron 2) was independent of the time of cultivation. The amount of filipin lesions, which reflects the cholesterol content within the plasma membrane, was also constant throughout the culture course. Both data suggest that the architecture of the plasma membrane is an intrinsic characteristic of the promastigote stage. This study shows that whereas freeze-fracture electron microscopy does not provide markers for the differentiation of Leishmania promastigotes, flow cytometry may on the other hand be of value as a screening test for promastigote populations allowing the characterization of their developmental stages in in vitro cultures.


CXCL1/CXCR2 is involved in white matter injury in neonatal rats via the gut-brain axis.
This study aimed to investigate whether CXCL1/CXCR2 mediates intestinal injury or white matter injury by delivering inflammatory mediators through the gut-brain regulation axis. Neonatal SD rats, regardless of sex, were administered 3% dextran sulfate sodium via intragastric administration at different time points to construct necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) models. Meanwhile, hypoxia and ischemia were induced in 3 day-old SD rats to construct hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) and NEC + HIBI models, without gender discrimination. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe pathological changes in neonatal rat intestinal and brain tissues. Western blotting detected CXCL1 and CXCR2 expression in NEC, HIBI, and NEC + HIBI rat intestinal and brain tissues. Compared with normal rats, pathological damage to periventricular white matter was observed in the NEC group. In addition to the increased mortality, the histopathological scores also indicated significant increases in brain and intestinal tissue damage in both HIBI and NEC + HIBI rats. Western blotting results suggested that CXCL1 and CXCR2 expression levels were upregulated to varying degrees in the intestinal and brain tissues of NEC, HIBI, and NEC + HIBI neonatal rats compared to that in the normal group. Compared with the HIBI group, the expression of CXCL1 and CXCR2 continued to increase in NEC + HIBI rats at different time points. CXCL1/CXCR2 may be involved in white matter injury in neonatal rats by delivering intestinal inflammatory mediators through the gut-brain axis.


A comparison of nasal trauma in preterm infants extubated to either heated humidified high-flow nasal cannulae or nasal continuous positive airway pressure.
The objectives of this study were (1) to devise a nasal trauma score for preterm infants receiving non-invasive respiratory support, (2) to compare the incidence of nasal trauma in preterm infants <32 weeks gestation randomised to either nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) or heated humidified high-Flow nasal cannulae (HHHFNC), in the first 7 days post-extubation and (3) to assess the effect of two different nasal dressings in those assigned to NCPAP. We randomly assigned preterm ventilated infants to receive Vapotherm® HHHFNC or NCPAP post-extubation. Infants receiving HHHFNC were treated with Sticky Whiskers® and infants receiving NCPAP received either Sticky Whiskers® or Cannualaide® nasal dressings. Bedside nursing staff scored six sites on each infant's nose for erythema, bleeding or ulceration. Scores were recorded three times daily for the first 7 days post-extubation. The sum of these 21 scores was used as the summary measure of nasal trauma. The mean nasal trauma score for infants assigned HHHFNC was 2.8 (SD 5.7) compared to 11.7 for NCPAP (SD 10.4), p < 0.001. There was no difference in mean trauma score between infants on NCPAP assigned Sticky Whiskers® 14.4 (SD 12.5) or Cannualaide® 9.5 (SD 7.3), p = 0.06. HHHFNC resulted in significantly less nasal trauma in the first 7 days post-extubation than NCPAP and was most significant in infants <28 weeks of gestation. The use of protective dressings was not associated with decreased nasal trauma for infants on NCPAP.


Adaptive transverse blood velocity estimation in medical ultrasound: A simulation study.
Undoubtedly, highly valuable information about vascular anomalies is attained by the examination of the blood flow profile. The chief drawback of the conventional medical ultrasound in preparation of the blood periodogram is the measurement system shortcoming at the beam to flow angles near 90°. Recently, a method based on transverse oscillation (TO) approach, known as "Fourth-order estimation", has been developed to directly estimate the transverse power spectral density (PSD) of the fully transverse blood flow. One of the basic requirements to accomplish acceptable PSDs by this technique is the sufficiently large observation window. In this paper, two adaptive approaches for efficient estimation of the velocity spectrum of a fully transverse flow by a limited observation window length are described. The first proposed adaptive approach is based on the minimum variance adaptive spectral estimation in combination with the well-known TO technique (TO-MV). Then, by exploiting the eigenspace separation of the observed data to eliminate the contribution of the undesired components, the second technique (TO-EIBMV) is developed. The approaches are validated using Field II simulations for pulsating flow. The proposed methods are tested and compared to the conventional TO transverse spectral estimator by metrics of relative standard deviation (RSD) and relative bias (RB). One of the main achievements is the decrement of the required data samples for spectrogram estimation, which leads to a better temporal resolution. Moreover, for the analyzed adaptive techniques, the robustness of the estimation results for the beam to flow angles of 60-90° and vessel depths ranging from 20 mm to 60 mm are investigated.


Lateral joint tightness in flexion following cementless mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty decreases patient-reported outcome measures and postoperative range of motion.
The purpose of this study was to clarify the association between clinical outcomes and the flexion joint gap following rotating concave-convex (Vanguard ROCC) total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This consecutive retrospective series included 55 knees that underwent ROCC TKA. All the surgical procedures were performed using a spacer-based gap-balancing technique. To evaluate the medial and lateral flexion gaps, axial radiographs of the distal femur were obtained using the epicondylar view with a distraction force to the lower leg at 6 months postoperatively. Lateral joint tightness was defined as the lateral gap being greater than the medial gap. To evaluate clinical outcomes, patients were asked to complete patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) questionnaires preoperatively and during at least 1 year of follow-up postoperatively. The median follow-up duration was 24.0 months. Overall, 16.0% of patients had postoperative lateral joint tightness in flexion. The postoperative range of motion and PROMs were lower in patients with lateral joint tightness than in those with a balanced flexion gap or lateral joint laxity. No serious complications, including bearing dislocations, occurred during the observation period. Lateral joint tightness in flexion following ROCC TKA decreases PROMs and postoperative range of motion.


The Efficacy and Safety of Ginkgo Terpene Lactone Preparations in the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.
Background: This meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of ginkgo terpene lactone preparations including ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine injection, ginkgolide injection, and ginkgolide B injection for ischemic stroke (IS). Methods: We searched the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with publication date earlier than 31 August 2021 in PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Science and Technology Journals Database (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Wanfang Database, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. RevMan 5.3 software was applied to analyze the data and generate the forest plot and funnel plot. Meanwhile, publication bias was also assessed by Egger's test with STATA 12 software. Results: A total of 28 RCTs were eligible for inclusion. Among them, 23 RCTs were used to evaluate the efficacy of ginkgo terpene lactone preparations as the main treatment intervention for IS. To be specific, ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine injection was superior to control drug in improving clinical efficacy [RR = 1.18, 95% CI (1.12, 1.24), Z = 6.36, p < 0.001] and neurological function [MD = -1.42, 95% CI (-1.91, -0.93), Z = 5.66, p < 0.001]. However, the effectiveness of the ginkgolide B injection group was equivalent to that of the control group. Additionally, ginkgolide injection achieved better clinical efficacy [RR = 1.10, 95% CI (1.02, 1.18), Z = 2.36, p = 0.02], but the changes of neurological function deficit was not obviously different between two groups [MD = -0.43, 95% CI (-4.32, 3.46), Z = 0.22, p = 0.83]. Furthermore, meta-analysis of five trials on ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine injection combined with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) thrombolytic therapy for acute IS showed that combination therapy was better in improving clinical efficacy [OR = 1.91, 95% CI (1.13, 3.22), Z = 2.41, p = 0.02] and neurological function [MD = -3.31, 95% Cl (-3.64,-2.98), Z = 19.63, p < 0.001]. Importantly, no serious adverse drug reactions/adverse drug events (ADRs/ADEs) were reported. Conclusion: Ginkgo terpene lactone preparations have good therapeutic effects on patients with IS. For acute IS, ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine injection can be used as a complementary therapy to improve the clinical efficacy of rt-PA.


mda-7/IL-24 inhibits the proliferation of hematopoietic malignancies in vitro and in vivo.
Melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7/interleukin-24 (mda-7/IL-24) has been consistently shown to exert growth inhibitory effects on various tumor types. However, the majority of these reports were limited to solid tumors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antitumor activity of mda-7/IL-24 and the underlying mechanism in hematopoietic malignancies. We determined the expression of mda-7/IL24 and its heterodimeric receptors in hematopoietic tumor cell lines and then stably transfected mda-7/IL-24 into K562 (leukemia) and Namalwa (lymphoma) cell lines to assess the effects of mda-7/IL-24 on cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, colony-forming ability, and tumor growth in vivo. Microarray analysis was performed to determine the genes that were differentially regulated by mda-7/IL-24 in K562 cells. Expression of mda-7/IL-24 or its intact receptor pairs was not detected in the 11 cell lines tested. Ectopic expression of mda-7/IL-24 induced significant (p < 0.05) inhibition of cell growth and colony formation in both K562 and Namalwa cells, and the growth inhibition in K562 cells was associated with G(0)/G(1) cell-cycle arrest. Results of in vivo studies showed good correlation with in vitro inhibition of tumor cell proliferation in both the cell lines. We also showed that the increase in p21(WAF-1) and BCCIP and decrease in cdk6, smurf2, and phosphorylated pRb, which are regulators of cell-cycle progression, might account for G(0)/G(1) cell-cycle arrest in K562 cells. The present study demonstrated for the first time the potential antitumor activity of mda-7/IL-24 in chronic myelogenous leukemia and lymphoma.


Low-carbohydrate/high-fat diet attenuates pressure overload-induced ventricular remodeling and dysfunction.
It is not known how carbohydrate and fat intake affect the development of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and contractile dysfunction in response to pressure overload. We hypothesized that a low-carbohydrate/high-fat diet prevents LV hypertrophy and dysfunction compared with high-carbohydrate diets. Rats were fed high-carbohydrate diets composed of either starch or sucrose, or a low-carbohydrate/high-fat diet, and underwent abdominal aortic banding (AAB) for 2 months. AAB increased LV mass with all diets. LV end-diastolic and systolic volumes and the ratio of the mRNA for myosin heavy chain beta/alpha were increased with both high-carbohydrate diets but not with the low-carbohydrate/high-fat diet. Circulating levels of insulin and leptin, both stimulants for cardiac growth, were lower, and free fatty acids were higher with the low-carbohydrate/high-fat diet compared with high-carbohydrate diets. Among animals that underwent AAB, LV volumes were positively correlated with insulin and LV mass correlated with leptin. A low-carbohydrate/high-fat diet attenuated pressure overload-induced LV remodeling compared with high-carbohydrate diets. This effect corresponded to lower insulin and leptin concentrations, suggesting they may contribute to the development of LV hypertrophy and dysfunction under conditions of pressure overload.


Lactic acid concentrations that reduce microbial load yet minimally impact colour and sensory characteristics of beef.
Lactic acid (LA) has recently been approved in the EU as beef decontaminant. In order to identify the most appropriate concentration, beef samples were spray-treated with LA (2%, 3%, 4% or 5%) or left untreated (control). Microbial load (aerobic plate counts, psychrotrophs and Enterobacteriaceae), pH, instrumental colour and sensory properties were investigated at 0, 24, 72 and 120h of refrigerated storage. The reductions in bacteria after spraying ranged from 0.57 to 0.95 log units. A residual antimicrobial effect was observed so that at 120h LA reduced microbial load by up to 2 log units compared with the control samples. Samples treated with 5% LA showed the lowest redness value (a*) and hedonic scores at all sampling times. Only for samples treated with 4% LA did the sensorial shelf-life limit extend beyond 120h. It is suggested that treatment of beef with 4% LA not only may improve microbiological quality, but also may enhance sensory properties and shelf-life.


Patient responses to 13.6-mm diameter Bausch & Lomb thin Soflens contact lenses.
Responses were obtained from 12 subjects (24 eyes) who wore 2 types of 13.6-mm diameter Bausch & Lomb Soflens contact lenses-thin F 3 lenses and conventional-thickness F3 lenses. These responses were also compared with those of patients who had worn thin F lenses that were 12.5 mm in diameter. Fewer patients experienced discomfort or corneal changes with the thin F3 lenses than with the conventional ones. Lens diameter was also an important factor in improving the patients' responses. Only 35% of a different sample of 23 patients who had been fitted with 12.5-mm diameter thin F lenses had been able to wear them successfully, compared with 75% of those wearing the 13.6-mm diameter thin F3 lenses, even though the mean corneal thickening caused by the smaller lenses did not differ significantly from that caused by the smaller lenses did not differ significantly from that caused by the thin F3 lenses. Thin hydrogel lenses with diameters larger than 13.6 mm thus might produce an even better overall patient response while still causing minimal corneal edema.


Enhancing anaerobic co-digestion of primary settled-nightsoil sludge and food waste for phosphorus extraction and biogas production: effect of operating parameters and determining phosphorus transformation.
The study aimed to comprehensively determine P extraction efficiency and co-digestion of food waste (FW) and primary settled-nightsoil sludge (PSNS) process performance influenced by different hydraulic retention times (4, 7, 10, and 15 days) and mixture ratios of FW:PSNS in substrates (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100). P-transformation was evaluated to identify P fractionation in both supernatant and sludge accumulated in reactors. The results showed that anaerobic co-digestion was inhibited by the accumulation of undigested feedstock due to higher %PSNS found in AD4 (25FW:75PSNS) and AD5 (100PSNS). A more stable process was found in AD2 (75FW:25PSNS) under hydraulic retention time (HRT) 15 days in which COD removal efficiency and P release were 97.2 and 80.2%, respectively. This recommended condition allowed a high organic loading rate (OLR) at 12 gVS/L/day resulting in the highest biogas yield of 0.93 L/L/day. Distribution of P data demonstrated that most of P in feedstock was deposited and accumulated in sediment up to 97.8%. Poor biodegradability resulting from using shortened HRT led to high increased P-solid content in effluent. In addition, available P in effluents and accumulated P-solids in sediment obtained from the AcoD process has the potential to serve as sources for P recovery.


The role of nutrient balance in shaping plant root-fungal interactions: facts and speculation.
Microbiota colonizing plant roots and their vicinity were shown not to be just random associations, but compose, at least to some extent, host-selected microbial consortia. The plant physiological status, especially the nutrient status, prompts changes in plant morphology and metabolism, which successively imposes a selective pressure on microbial communities. It is well established that a low phosphate status of the host plant activates the molecular machinery underlying the development of mutualistic associations in the host root with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). We hypothesize that the plant´s response to changing nutrient stoichiometry affects processes at the root-mycosphere interface which promote or repress also root interactions with microbial taxa other than AMF. As a consequence, fundamental mechanisms underlying these interactions would be shared in AM host and non-host plants. A detailed understanding of the processes involved in maintenance of plant nutrient homeostasis could contribute to novel strategies in tailoring predominantly parasitic or commensalistic plant-microbe interactions towards beneficial associations.


Excess Copper-Induced Changes in Antioxidative Enzyme Activity, Mineral Nutrient Uptake and Translocation in Sugarcane Seedlings.
Sugarcane is a potential species for use in heavy metal remediation. To analyze the effect of excess copper on sugarcane, the biomass, mineral nutrient content and activities of antioxidative enzymes were measured under copper stress. The results revealed that the biomass of roots and shoots significantly decreased with increasing copper concentration in solution. Most copper accumulated in the roots, and the translocation factor of copper decreased with an increase in copper stress. The MDA content in sugarcane roots notably increased under copper stress. The POD activity in sugarcane roots increased, and CAT activity decreased under copper stress. The Zn, Fe and Mn contents in shoots increased significantly under 200 μmol L-1 Cu2+ treatments. The Zn and Mg contents in roots notably decreased under copper stress, while the Zn and Mg translocation factors increased. These results indicated that the increase in POD activity and the modification of mineral nutrient uptake and transfer might play an important role in reducing the detrimental effects of excess copper.


AABB survey of transfusion-related acute lung injury policies and practices in the United States.
Policies and practices with regard to transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) diagnosis, laboratory investigation of TRALI cases, and donor deferral and donor management are not standardized. A Web-based survey was designed and administered to participating AABB member institutions in July 2006. The survey response rate was highest for donor centers, followed by larger hospital blood banks and transfusion services. Laboratory case workups regularly included HLA Class I and II antibody testing of donors followed less frequently by HNA antibody testing; recipient specimens for leukocyte antigen typing were usually not obtained, even if indicated as part of the planned workup. Several different criteria (i.e., all donors, female donors only, case by case determination) were used to select which donors should be tested. There was agreement that donors should be deferred if implicated in a TRALI case (i.e., antibody-cognate antigen match); however, donor management policies varied in other scenarios. The final diagnosis of TRALI was often (45%-66% depending on institutional type) based on a combination of clinical and serologic findings rather than on adherence to the clinical definition recommended by the Canadian Consensus Conference. Many TRALI policies appeared to be decided on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the institution's medical director. There is wide variability in procedures and policies related to the diagnosis of and donor investigation and/or management of TRALI cases. Lack of a consensus approach may partly reflect limitations in understanding of TRALI pathogenesis. The survey suggests that increased education of transfusion medicine practitioners is needed.


Dysfunctional sodium channel kinetics as a novel epilepsy mechanism in chromosome 15q11-q13 duplication syndrome.
Duplication of the maternal chromosome 15q11.2-q13.1 region causes Dup15q syndrome, a highly penetrant neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severe autism and refractory seizures. Although UBE3A, the gene encoding the ubiquitin ligase E3A, is thought to be the main driver of disease phenotypes, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to the development of the syndrome are yet to be determined. We previously established the necessity of UBE3A overexpression for the development of cellular phenotypes in human Dup15q neurons, including increased action potential firing and increased inward current density, which prompted us to further investigate sodium channel kinetics. We used a Dup15q patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell line that was CRISPR-edited to remove the supernumerary chromosome and create an isogenic control line. We performed whole cell patch clamp electrophysiology on Dup15q and corrected control neurons at two time points of in vitro development. Compared to corrected neurons, Dup15q neurons showed increased sodium current density and a depolarizing shift in steady-state inactivation. Moreover, onset of slow inactivation was delayed, and a faster recovery from both fast and slow inactivation processes was observed in Dup15q neurons. A fraction of sodium current in Dup15q neurons (~15%) appeared to be resistant to slow inactivation. Not unexpectedly, a higher fraction of persistent sodium current was also observed in Dup15q neurons. These phenotypes were modulated by the anticonvulsant drug rufinamide. Sodium channels play a crucial role in the generation of action potentials, and sodium channelopathies have been uncovered in multiple forms of epilepsy. For the first time, our work identifies in Dup15q neurons dysfunctional inactivation kinetics, which have been previously linked to multiple forms of epilepsy. Our work can also guide therapeutic approaches to epileptic seizures in Dup15q patients and emphasize the role of drugs that modulate inactivation kinetics, such as rufinamide.


Neural and physiological relations observed in musical beat and meter processing.
Music is ubiquitous and powerful in the world's cultures. Music listening involves abundant information processing (e.g., pitch, rhythm) in the central nervous system and can also induce changes in the physiology, such as heart rate and perspiration. Yet, previous studies tended to examine music information processing in the brain separately from physiological changes. In the current study, we focused on the temporal structure of music (i.e., beat and meter) and examined the physiology, neural processing, and, most importantly, the relation between the two areas. Simultaneous MEG and ECG data were collected from a group of adults (N = 15) while they passively listened to duple and triple rhythmic patterns. To characterize physiology, we measured heart rate variability (HRV), indexing the parasympathetic nervous system function (PSNS). To characterize neural processing of beat and meter, we examined the neural entertainment and calculated the beat-to-meter ratio to index the relation between beat-level and meter-level entrainment. Specifically, the current study investigated three related questions: (a) whether listening to musical rhythms affects HRV; (b) whether the neural beat-to-meter ratio differed between metrical conditions, and (c) whether neural beat-to-meter ratio is related to HRV. Results suggest that while at the group level, both HRV and neural processing are highly similar across metrical conditions, at the individual level, neural beat-to-meter ratio significantly predicts HRV, establishing a neural-physiological link. This observed link is discussed under the theoretical "neurovisceral integration model," and it provides important new perspectives in music cognition and auditory neuroscience research.


Fibronectin-1 modulated by the long noncoding RNA OIP5-AS1/miR-200b-3p axis contributes to doxorubicin resistance of osteosarcoma cells.
Chemoresistance has been an obstacle in the further improvement of 5-year survival rates of osteosarcoma (OS) patients, but the underlying mechanism of chemo-resistance remains unclear. A comprehensive analysis of mRNAs and noncoding RNAs related to OS chemo-resistance could help solve this problem. In the current study, we first identified that fibronectin-1 (FN1), screened by microarray analysis in three paired chemo-resistant and chemo-sensitive OS cell lines, was significantly upregulated in the chemo-resistant OS cell lines and tissues and was related to unfavourable prognosis. Further functional assays revealed that FN1 inhibition greatly increased the sensitivity of OS cells to doxorubicin in vitro and in vivo, whereas FN1 overexpression had the opposite effect. Moreover, mechanistic investigation demonstrated, by a series of assays that included luciferase reporter gene, RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA pull-down and rescue assays, that FN1 expression was regulated by the oncogenic long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) OIP5-AS1 through sponging miR-200b-3p. Thus, these results indicated the role and potential application of the lncRNA OIP5-AS1/miR-200b-3p/FN1 regulatory pathway as a promising target in treatment of OS chemo-resistance.


Adsorption of proteins from solution at the solid-liquid interface.
The purpose of this article is to present some general principles and rules for the adsorption of proteins from aqueous solution on solid surfaces, emphasizing conformational and reversibility aspects. Special attention is paid to the relation between structural properties of the protein molecule and its adsorption behavior and to the role of small ions in the overall adsorption process. Thermodynamic analysis reveals that, under many conditions, the adsorption is driven by an entropy increase that is (partly) related to changes in the structure of the protein molecules.