Recent developments on alternative fuels, energy and environment for sustainability.
Enhancing energy and environmental systems through sustainable development, in particular integrating concepts of circular economy and cleaner production are important for the emerging needs of humankind. In recent years, the developments in alternative sources of renewable energy counterparts has been prompted to substitute the nonrenewable fossil fuel consumptions towards clearner environment. However, environmental problems arising currently must be carefully addressed and to be solved to conserve the energy, water and other environmental resources for the future. This article highlights the recent developments on alternative energy sources that mainly focus on energy and environmental sustainability, that has been discussed on "The 4th International Conference on Alternative Fuels & Energy (ICAFE-2019)", which was held at Taichung City, Taiwan on October 18-21, 2019. Additionally, it provides useful insights from some of the papers published on a virtual special issue (VSI) of the Bioresourse Technology Journal. The highlighted research works in this review can be used as route-map towards sustainable development and energy efficiency.


Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: pediatric perspective.
Methicillin-resistant S. aureus has emerged as a nosocomial pathogen of major importance in pediatric patients. Infection occurs most often in hospitalized individuals with underlying predisposing medical conditions. Any body site may be involved, and bacteremia frequently occurs concomitantly. Vancomycin is the antibiotic of choice for serious MRSA infections; PRPs and cephalosporins generally are not effective. The likelihood of an adverse outcome of infection increases with the severity of an underlying condition and delay in institution of appropriate therapy. Infection control measures have met with only limited success in eradicating MRSA from the hospital environment. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus is likely to remain of considerable clinical significance to physicians caring for seriously ill children.


Neurosensory recovery after trauma to the orbital floor: a prospective trial with dexamethasone.
Our aims were to document the occurrence of neurosensory disturbances of the infraorbital nerve six months after operation for an orbital blow-out fracture, and to find out whether dexamethasone facilitates neurosensory regeneration. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the study group was given a total of dexamethasone 30mg, whereas the control group were given neither glucocorticoid nor placebo. Each patient's infraorbital neurosensory state was recorded preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and six months later. A total of 18 patients were included, eight of whom had neurosensory disturbances six months after the initial trauma that was not affected by dexamethasone. Six of the seven patients who had a delay of seven days or more between trauma and operation had significantly prolonged disturbance at the 180-day clinical follow up compared with those in whom it was less than seven days (p=0.005). Other possible predictors made no significant difference. Although dexamethasone did not facilitate sensory recovery, its benefits in the management of pain and reduction of swelling may justify its use in the management of facial trauma in selected patients.


Complications associated with STAAR silicone implants.
We compared the incidence of various complications in consecutive series of cases in which 76 eyes received STAAR silicone intraocular implants and 76 eyes received small incision IOLAB G708G polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) intraocular implants. All surgeries were performed by the same surgeon employing the same phacoemulsification technique. A higher incidence of lens subluxation, lens repositioning, corneal edema, and elevated intraocular pressure was observed in the eyes receiving STAAR silicone implants than in the eyes receiving IOLAB PMMA implants. In addition, a YAG laser posterior capsulotomy could not be performed through several STAAR silicone RMX 1 model implants. An invasive pars plana posterior capsulotomy was necessary in these eyes. We also found that the STAAR silicone RMX 3 model implants were often pitted by the YAG laser during successful posterior capsulotomies. Despite these problems, the STAAR silicone intraocular lens group achieved corrected vision similar to the PMMA lens group.


Feeding patterns of monophagous, oligophagous, and polyphagous insect herbivores: The effect of resource abundance and plant chemistry.
Leaf tissue preferences of monophagous, oligophagous, and polyphagous insect herbivores were determined using young and mature leaf tissue abundances and herbivore feeding observations. Larvae of monophagous and oligophagous herbivores preferred young leaf tissues while, overall, larvae of polyphagous species preferred mature leaves of their various host plants. Even though a species is often polyphagous over its geographical range, larvae from local populations may be very specialized in their diet. When this occurs these specialized larvae prefer the more nutritious and perhaps more toxic young leaves of some of their host plants. Resource abundance and plant chemistry are discussed as major factors influencing herbivore feeding patterns.


Pharmacodynamics of liposomal amphotericin B and flucytosine for cryptococcal meningoencephalitis: safe and effective regimens for immunocompromised patients.
Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis is a lethal infection with relatively few therapeutic options. The optimal dosage of liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) alone or in combination with flucytosine is not known. A murine model of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis was used. The fungal density in the brain was determined using quantitative cultures. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships were determined for LAmB and flucytosine administered alone. The effect of the combination was described using the Greco model and a mathematical model. The results were bridged to humans. Inoculation resulted in hematogenous dissemination and logarithmic growth within the central nervous system. There was histological evidence of multifocal infection throughout the brain. Both LAmB and flucytosine produced a dose-dependent reduction in fungal burden. The effect of the combination of agents in the brain was additive. Bridging studies suggested that a human dosage of LAmB 3 mg/kg/d resulted in a submaximal antifungal effect. Regimens of LAmB 6 mg/kg/d alone, LAmB 3 mg/kg/d plus flucytosine 50 mg/kg/d, and LAmB 3 mg/kg/d plus flucytosine 100 mg/kg/d all resulted in near-maximal antifungal activity. Potential regimens for further study in clinical trials include LAmB 6 mg/kg/d alone, LAmB 3 mg/kg/d plus flucytosine 50 mg/kg/d, and LAmB 3 mg/kg/d plus flucytosine 100 mg/kg/d.


Dysphagia and other manifestations of oesophageal involvement in the musculoskeletal diseases.
Oesophageal dysfunction can occur in a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, most notably the autoimmune connective tissue diseases. However, correlation between oesophageal symptoms and investigations is frequently poor. It is often uncertain whether symptoms are caused by the underlying disease or by its treatment. As the primary disease process may not be responsive to treatment, correctable iatrogenic causes should always be sought.


Biodegradation of kraft lignin by a bacterial strain Comamonas sp. B-9 isolated from eroded bamboo slips.
The aim was to obtain evidences for lignin degradation by unicellular bacterium Comamonas sp. B-9. Comamonas sp. B-9 was inoculated into kraft lignin-mineral salt medium (KL-MSM) at pH 7·0 and 30°C for 7 days of incubation. The bacterial growth, chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction, secretion of ligninolytic enzymes and productions of low-molecular-weight compounds revealed that Comamonas sp. B-9 was able to degrade kraft lignin (KL). COD in KL-MSM reduced by 32% after 7 days of incubation. The maximum activities of manganese peroxidase (MnP) of 2903·2 U l(-1) and laccase (Lac) of 1250 U l(-1) were observed at 4th and 6th day, respectively. The low-molecular-weight compounds such as ethanediol, 3, 5-dimethyl-benzaldehyde and phenethyl alcohol were formed in the degradation of KL by Comamonas sp. B-9 based on GC-MS analysis. This study confirmed that Comamonas sp. B-9 could utilize KL as a sole carbon source and degrade KL to low-molecular-weight compounds. Comamonas sp. B-9 may be useful in the utilization and bioconversion of lignin and lignin-derived aromatic compounds in biotechnological applications. Meanwhile, using Comamonas sp. B-9 in treatment of wastewater in pulp and paper industry is a meaningful work.


Addition of telomere-associated HeT DNA sequences "heals" broken chromosome ends in Drosophila.
Stocks of D. melanogaster X chromosomes carrying terminal deletions (RT chromosomes) have been maintained for several years. Some of the chromosomes are slowly losing DNA from the broken ends (as expected if replication is incomplete) and show no telomere-associated DNA added to the receding ends. Two stocks carry chromosomes that have become "healed" and are no longer losing DNA. In both stocks the broken chromosome end has acquired a segment of HeT DNA, a family of complex repeats found only at telomeres and in pericentric heterochromatin. Although the HeT family is complex, the HeT sequence joined to the broken chromosome end is the same in both stocks. In contrast, the two chromosomes are broken in different places and have no detectable sequence similarity at the junction with the new DNA. Sequence analysis suggests that the new telomere sequences have been added by a specific mechanism that does not involve homologous recombination.


Author Correction: Boosting output performance of sliding mode triboelectric nanogenerator by charge space-accumulation effect.
An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.


Diagnosis of bronchopulmonary infections by quantification of microflora.
The quantification of bacteria and fungi in sputum or bronchoaspirate is of clinical value for the diagnosis of respiratory tract infections. We have developed an easy method to count the micro-organisms in patients with respiratory tract infections. This consists of the quantification of micro-organisms by subsequent streakings of a calibrated loop on agar. The correlation between microbiological quantitative data and the clinical status of patients with lower respiratory tract infections is discussed. The data seem to indicate that certain bacteria present in sputum or bronchoaspirate above a certain concentration may be responsible for lower respiratory tract infections. In patients with immunological disorders or chronic pathologies even lower concentrations of micro-organisms in bronchial secretions probably are enough to cause infections. The advantage of this counting method of the microbic species from the respiratory tract consists of their quantification: thus we can attribute an etiological role to a high concentration of the germs, while micro-organisms at low concentrations are probably contaminants. By this method isolated colonies are obtained after 12-18 hours. The bacterial quantification, by respiratory samples examination of the same patient in the following days, allows us to evaluate the efficacy of antibacterial therapy, producing a reduction of bacterial concentration.


Life-threatening airway obstruction from rattlesnake bite to the tongue.
We describe the case of a 41-year-old man who suffered a bite to the tongue from the Western Diamondback rattlesnake (C atrox). Life-threatening obstruction of his upper airway secondary to massive edema of the tongue and other soft tissue structures quickly followed envenomation. Nasotracheal intubation, IV antivenin, and supportive care resulted in complete recovery with no permanent deficits. Rattlesnake bites to the tongue are rare and pose an unusual cause of airway obstruction.


Neuropsychological assessment in the Israeli healthcare system: a practitioners' survey.
The current study examines self-reported professional practices and attitudes of Israeli neuropsychologists, in an attempt to understand how they contribute to funding of neuropsychological assessment (NPA) through the Israeli healthcare system. Two hundred seventy-nine neuropsychologists (176 board-certified experts and 103 interns) participated in an online survey that targeted characteristics of NPA practice in Israel, attitudes toward NPA, and familiarity with healthcare referral procedures. Overall, 68% of respondents conducted NPA, with a smaller proportion of experts (56%) doing so than interns (88%). The most common purpose of NPA was to provide treatment recommendations, and respondents listed indications for NPA that matched indications for neuropsychological rehabilitation. Almost two thirds of respondents reported that none of the NPAs that they performed received healthcare funding. While all practitioners believed that the healthcare system should fund NPA, the majority demonstrated lack of familiarity with referral procedures. To increase referral rates and create effective neuropsychological services within the Israeli healthcare system, neuropsychologists should work more closely with physicians in integrated care teams. In addition, they should engage in greater advocacy activities that will emphasize the need for publicly funded NPA.


Xeno-free approach for the expansion of human adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells for ocular therapies.
To restore corneal transparency and vision loss after an injury on the ocular surface, the use of human stem cells from different origins has been recently proposed. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seem to be an appropriate adult source of autologous stem cells due to their accessibility, high proliferation rate, and multipotent capacity. In this work, we developed a simple culture system to prepare a graft based on a fibrin membrane seeded with human MSCs. A commercial kit, PRGF Endoret®, was used to prepare both, the growth factors used as culture media supplement and the fibrin membrane grafts. Adipose-derived MSCs (Ad-MSCs) were expanded, characterised by flow cytometry and their multilineage differentiation potential confirmed by inducing adipogenesis, osteogenesis and chondrogenesis. Ad-MSCs seeded on the fibrin membranes were grafted onto athymic mice showing good biocompatibility with no adverse reactions observed during the follow up period. These findings support the assumption that a system in which all the biological components (cells, grow factors and carrier) are autologous, could potentially be used for future ex vivo expansion of Ad-MSCs to treat ocular conditions such as an inflammatory milieu, traumatic scars and loss of the regenerative capacity of the corneal epithelium that compromise the quality of vision.


Use of Suprathel dressing in a young infant with TEN.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome are potentially life-threatening skin disorders. We report that a 3-month-old infant, a patient with toxic epidermal necrolysis, who in addition to a standard resuscitation protocol for burns received treatment with Suprathel (PolyMedics Innovations GmbH, Filderstadt, Germany) and fatty gauze as topical wound dressings in the form of a whole body cover with complete recovery. This is the first case report of Suprathel being used successfully in a baby with toxic epidermal necrolysis.


Attitudes and practices of Florida nurse practitioners on oral cancer prevention and early detection.
Oral cancer continues to have a relatively low survival rate because most tumors are diagnosed at late stages. Nurse practitioners may be optimally positioned for oral cancer prevention and early detection. A statewide mail-based survey was conducted among 448 Florida nurse practitioners. Logistic regression was conducted to assess the independent relationships between nurse practitioners' attitudes and their practices in oral cancer prevention and early detection. Nurse practitioners' oral cancer practice behaviors were significantly affected by their attitudes. Effective strategies should be implemented to enhance positive attitudes about oral cancer early detection among Florida nurse practitioners.


Evaluation and establishment of reference intervals using the i-STAT1 blood chemistry analyzer in turkeys.
In veterinary medicine, point-of-care testing techniques have become popular, since they provide immediate results and only small amounts of blood are needed. The handheld i-STAT1 blood analyzer is used by poultry researchers and veterinarians; however, no studies have evaluated the accuracy of this analyzer determined reference intervals in turkey blood. The objectives of this study were to 1) investigate the effect of storage time on turkey blood analytes, 2) compare the results obtained by the i-STAT1 analyzer to those obtained by the GEM Premier 3000, a conventional laboratory analyzer, and 3) establish reference intervals for blood gases and chemistry analytes in growing turkeys using the i-Stat. For the first and second objectives, we used the CG8+ i-STAT1 cartridges to test blood from 30 healthy turkeys in triplicate and once with the conventional analyzer. To establish the reference intervals, we tested a total 330 blood samples from healthy turkeys from 6 independent flocks during a 3-yr period. Blood samples were then divided into brooder (<1 wk) and growing (1-12 wk of age). Friedman's test demonstrated significant time-dependent changes in blood gas analytes, but not for electrolytes. Bland-Altman analysis revealed that there was agreement between the i-STAT1 and the GEM Premier 300 for most of the analytes. However, Passing-Bablok regression analysis identified constant and proportional biases in the measurement of multiple analytes. Tukey's test revealed significant differences in the whole blood analytes between the means of brooding and growing birds. The data presented in the present study provide a basis for measuring and interpreting blood analytes in the brooding and growing stages of the turkey lifecycle, offering a new approach to health monitoring in growing turkeys.


Structural and functional characterization of the short acidic transcriptional activation region of yeast GCN4 protein.
Derivatives of the yeast GCN4 transcription factor containing acidic regions of 35 to 40 amino acids fused directly to the DNA-binding domain are fully functional in vivo. High resolution deletion analysis and proteolytic mapping suggest that the activation region is a repeated structure composed of small units acting additively. Acidic character is a feature of the structural motif, possibly a dimer of alpha-helices from two GCN4 monomers, that may be important for interactions with the basic transcriptional machinery.


Assessment of vision and visual attention in minimally responsive brain injured patients.
Sensory, motor, and cognitive assessment is a critical priority in the care of minimally responsive brain-injured patients. However, their inconsistent pattern of responding may interfere with the use of traditional forms of assessment such as the mental status or neurological examinations. In this article we describe a quantitative method, based on single-subject experimental design, for evaluating vision and visual attention in this patient population. In a series of randomized trials, combinations of a blank card, a colorful photograph, and no stimulus are presented to either or both visual fields while horizontal eye movements are observed. The relationship between the side and nature of the visual stimulus and the frequency of eye movements is analyzed to determine visual function in one or both eyes. We report six cases of minimally responsive patients assessed with this method. In case A, we show evidence of functional vision in both visual fields. Case B also shows functional fields, but with a monocular visual deficit. Cases C and D show a homonymous hemianopsia which, in case D, is further complicated by a monocular visual deficit. Finally, cases E and F show patterns of left and right visual extinction. Thus, this objective and quantitative method leads to conclusions about patients' visual function that are not readily apparent by clinical observation and that allow appropriate modifications in further assessment or treatment.


Anaerobic digestion of cattle offal: protein and lipid-rich substrate degradation and population dynamics of acidogens and methanogens.
Anaerobic digestion of cattle offal was investigated in batch reactors at 35 °C to determine the feasibility of using cattle offal as a feedstock. The organic content [i.e., volatile solids (VS)] of the cattle offal was mainly composed of protein (33.9%) and lipids (46.1%). Hydrolysis along with acidogenesis was monitored to investigate the substrate degradation and generation of intermediate products (e.g., volatile fatty acids, ammonia). Acetate (2.03 g/L), propionate (0.60 g/L), n-butyrate (0.39 g/L), and iso-valerate (0.37 g/L) were major acidogenesis products (91% of total volatile fatty acid concentration). Overall protein and lipid degradation were 82.9 and 81.8%, respectively. Protein degraded first, and four times faster (0.28 day(-1)) than lipid (0.07 day(-1)). Methane yields were 0.52 L CH4/g VSadded and 0.65 L CH4/g VSremoved, indicating that anaerobic digestion of the offal was feasible. A quantitative QPCR assay was conducted to understand the microbial dynamics. The variation patt erns in the gene concentrations successfully indicated the population dynamics of proteolytic and lipolytic acidogens. A fourth-order Runge-Kutta approximation was used to determine the kinetics of the acidogens. The molecular biotechnology approach was appropriate for the evaluation of the acidogenic biokinetics. The maximum growth rate, μ m, halfsaturation coefficients, K s, microbial yield coefficient, Y, cell mass decay rate coefficient, k d, of the proteolytic acidogens were 9.9 day(-1), 37.8 g protein/L, 1.1 × 10(10) copies/g protein, and 3.8 × 10(-1), respectively. Those for the lipolytic acidogens were 1.2 × 10(-1) day(-1), 8.3 g lipid/L, 1.5 × 10(9) copies/g lipid, and 9.9 × 10(-3) day(-1), respectively.


24-hour serum levels of growth hormone, prolactin, and cortisol in pre- and postmenopausal women: the effect of combined estrogen and progestin treatment.
Our objective was to study the 24-h profiles of GH, prolactin (PRL), and cortisol concentrations in older postmenopausal and middle-aged premenopausal women, before and after estrogen-progestin treatment (EPT). The study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. GH, PRL, and cortisol were sampled every 20 min for 24 h in 18 postmenopausal (aged 58-70 yr) and 17 premenopausal (aged 45-51 yr) women before and after 6 months of EPT. The mean 24-h GH (1.0 vs. 1.8 mU/liter, P = 0.033) and PRL (6.8 vs. 10.0 ng/ml, P = 0.009) concentrations were lower in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women. After EPT, the postmenopausal GH and PRL did not differ from premenopausal baseline levels. Postmenopausal mean 24-h GH (P < 0.001) and PRL (P = 0.002), daytime GH (P < 0.001) and nighttime PRL (P = 0.004) were higher during EPT compared with placebo. Cortisol levels did not differ. Premenopausal mean nighttime PRL (P = 0.026) and cortisol (P = 0.018) were higher during EPT compared with placebo. Postmenopausal PRL and premenopausal GH and PRL concentrations were higher at night than during the day. EPT did not alter this pattern. Menopause was associated with decreased 24-h levels of GH and PRL, which were reversible with EPT. In contrast, cortisol levels were not affected by menopause or EPT. In middle-aged premenopausal women, the studied effects of EPT were limited to nighttime increases of PRL and cortisol.


Novel function of keratins 5 and 14 in proliferation and differentiation of stratified epithelial cells.
Keratins are cytoplasmic intermediate filament proteins preferentially expressed by epithelial tissues in a site-specific and differentiation-dependent manner. The complex network of keratin filaments in stratified epithelia is tightly regulated during squamous cell differentiation. Keratin 14 (K14) is expressed in mitotically active basal layer cells, along with its partner keratin 5 (K5), and their expression is down-regulated as cells differentiate. Apart from the cytoprotective functions of K14, very little is known about K14 regulatory functions, since the K14 knockout mice show postnatal lethality. In this study, K14 expression was inhibited using RNA interference in cell lines derived from stratified epithelia to study the K14 functions in epithelial homeostasis. The K14 knockdown clones demonstrated substantial decreases in the levels of the K14 partner K5. These cells showed reduction in cell proliferation and delay in cell cycle progression, along with decreased phosphorylated Akt levels. K14 knockdown cells also exhibited enhanced levels of activated Notch1, involucrin, and K1. In addition, K14 knockdown AW13516 cells showed significant reduction in tumorigenicity. Our results suggest that K5 and K14 may have a role in maintenance of cell proliferation potential in the basal layer of stratified epithelia, modulating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt-mediated cell proliferation and/or Notch1-dependent cell differentiation.


Neuropeptide Y induces secretion of high-mobility group box 1 protein in mouse macrophage via PKC/ERK dependent pathway.
Despite increasing evidence highlighting the role of NPY in the modulation of inflammatory reaction, surprisingly little is known about the direct effects of NPY on the release of proinflammatory mediators. In the present work, we have evaluated the effects of NPY on the release of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and HMGB1 mediators in peritoneal macrophages. Our results demonstrate for the first time that NPY can directly induce active HMGB1 release and cytoplasmic translocation, while the production of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 is not affected. PKC and ERK pathway inhibitors can abolish the promotive effect of NPY on HMGB1 secretion. Thus, our results indicate that NPY might impact on the innate immune system by directly potentiating the HMGB1 release from the macrophage.


Role of interferon in the pathogenesis of virus diseases in mice as demonstrated by the use of anti-interferon serum. VI. Polyoma virus infection.
We have determined the effect of a single injection of potent sheep anti-mouse interferon globulin on polyoma-virus-induced early runting disease and tumor formation in Swiss mice. When newborn mice were injected with greater than or equal to 9 X 10(6) PFU of polyoma virus, 16% (7/44) of mice runted and died in contrast to 96% (45/47) of mice injected with virus and anti-interferon globulin. Likewise, a greater percentage of mice injected with lower doses of virus and anti-interferon globulin developed tumors than did control virus-injected mice. These results suggest that interferon is an important factor in determining the susceptibility of newborn mice to polyoma virus.


Testicular histology in fetuses with the prune belly syndrome and posterior urethral valves.
Intra-abdominal cryptorchidism and infertility are universal features of the prune belly syndrome but they usually are not seen with posterior urethral valves. To understand further the differences between these patients we reviewed testicular histology in 5 fetuses from each of 3 groups: prune belly syndrome, posterior urethral valves and normals. Spermatogonia were noted in all but the numbers were significantly reduced in those with the prune belly syndrome and posterior urethral valves compared to normals: 8.6 and 13.4 versus 31.2 per 10 high power fields, respectively. The fetuses with the prune belly syndrome also had marked Leydig cell hyperplasia in contrast to the other groups. These findings suggest that the testicular pathological condition in patients with the prune belly syndrome is caused by more than mechanical cryptorchidism.


Androgen receptor (AR) aberrations in castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Genetic aberrations affecting the androgen receptor (AR) are rare in untreated prostate cancers (PCs) but have been found in castration-resistant prostate cancers (CRPCs). Further, successful treatment with novel endocrine therapies indicates that CRPCs remain androgen-sensitive. Known AR aberrations include amplification of the AR gene leading to the overexpression of the receptor, point mutations of AR resulting in promiscuous ligand usage, and constitutively active AR splice variants. Gain, or amplification, of the AR gene is one of the most frequent genetic alterations observed in CRPCs. Up to 80% of CRPCs have been reported to carry an elevated AR gene copy number, and about 30% have a high-level amplification of the gene. AR mutations are also commonly observed and have been found in approximately 10-30% of the CRPC treated with antiandrogens; however, the frequency and significance of AR splice variants is still unclear. Because AR aberrations are found almost exclusively in CRPC, these alterations must have been selected for during therapy. Interestingly, these aberrations lead to activation of the receptor, despite treatment-induced emergence of therapy-resistant tumor clones. Therefore, future novel treatment strategies should focus on suppressing AR activity in CRPC.


Analysis of the results of the international comparison of activity measurements of a solution of (55)Fe.
The results of an international comparison of activity measurements of a solution of (55)Fe organized by the BIPM in 2005 are reported and analysed. This exercise, which follows the procedures of the CIPM mutual recognition arrangement to update older comparisons, is a renewal of the comparison organized by the BIPM that took place in 1978. A EUROMET comparison was organized in 1996 specifically to compare activity measurements of a (55)Fe solution by means of liquid-scintillation techniques. Results of these three comparisons are presented and discussed in this paper. The radionuclide solution was provided by the NPL, which also distributed the samples to the participants. The activity of the ampoules was measured by 16 laboratories using 12 methods producing 25 results. Some general considerations on uncertainty assessments pertaining to the different techniques used are drawn. The outcome of four different estimators is compared from which the presence of at least one outlier can be confirmed. Further measurements should be made to try to reduce the discrepancy between the results. To date the outcome of the present comparison does not show an improvement to that of the 1996 comparison.


Retirement's impact on health: what role does social network play?
While a large body of literature investigates the bidirectional relationship between retirement and health, few have analyzed the mechanism through which retirement affects health which will provide important policy instrument insights. Using three waves of National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, we examine the mediating role of the social network in the relationship between retirement and health in USA. We address the endogeneity and reverse causality through panel instrumental fixed-effect methods. We apply both single and parallel mediation analyses to identify the potential mechanism by which social network characteristics mediate the impact of retirement on health. Findings reveal that retirement adversely affects physical and mental health outcomes, and a considerable portion of these effects are explained by social network changes post-retirement. Specifically, 58% of reduction in the probability of reporting good physical health and 4.5% of increment in chances of having depression symptoms post-retirement can be explained by shrinkage in the size of social network in retirees. Using parallel mediation identification to account for dependencies among social network features, we find that social network size induces 79.5% reduction in probability of reporting good physical health and 18.6% increase in probability of having depression in retirees as compared to non-retirees. Findings in this paper suggest that investing in social network of the elderly can buffer the adverse health effect of retirement and can be an effective policy target for promoting healthy aging.


Gadoteridol in multiple sclerosis patients. A comparison of single and triple dose with immediate vs. delayed imaging.
Enhancement of lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) has been investigated using standard and high doses of gadolinium. The purposes of this study are to compare the relative merits of single and triple dose as well as examine the merits of delayed triple-dose images in a large group of patients. Thirty-seven patients with multiple sclerosis underwent contrast enhanced brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After noncontrast images, a single dose (0.1 mmol/kg) of gadoteridol was administered. Subsequently, axial T1-weighted images were obtained immediately after administration, and again after a delay of approximately 20 minutes. After an additional 0.2-mmol/kg dose was administered, to provide a total cumulative dose of 0.3 mmol/kg of gadoteridol, immediate and delayed axial T1-weighted image sequences were repeated. The contrast-noise ratio (C/N) was calculated for each identified, enhancing lesion in each series. Furthermore, blinded readings were performed to determine the lesion detection rate. Of the forty definite lesions that underwent all four sequences, triple-dose delayed images exhibited the highest contrast-noise ratio in a significantly larger number of lesions (p < 0.0001). Triple-dose immediate and delayed scans resulted in significantly higher contrast-noise ratios (6.47 and 9.99, respectively) when compared with those of the single dose scans (3.4 for immediate scans and 5.24 for delayed) (p < 0.01). The lesion detection rate was highest for triple dose delayed (95%), followed by triple-dose immediate (83%), single-dose delayed (68%) and finally, single-dose immediate scans (43%). Triple-dose immediate was noted to have a significantly increased (p < 0.0002) lesion detection rate with respect to the standard-dose immediate scans and standard-dose delayed scans (p < 0.02). In four lesions (10% of the total number of lesions), detection occurred only with the triple-dose delayed image sequence. Triple-dose 0.3 mmol/kg gadolinium with delayed imaging resulted in the highest lesion conspicuity and the highest lesion identification rate. There was a trend of progressively increasing detection rates from single-dose immediate scans to triple-dose delayed scans. Triple-dose delayed scans resulted in significantly higher (p < 2 x 10(-8) contrast noise ratios than all other sequences of this study.


Specialized chromatin patterns in the control of inflammatory gene expression.
Inflammatory responses to microbial and non-microbial stimuli involve coordinate changes in the expression of hundreds of genes. The inflammatory gene expression programs display two important features: first, alternative stimuli affect both a large set of common genes and a variable number of stimulus-specific genes. Second, different genes are activated with different kinetics over several hours after the initial stimulus. Mechanistically, these features reflect the interplay between two main groups of determinants: the combinatorial control of transcription by multiple transcription factors, with NF-κB and the IRFs playing a central and essential role in the induction of a large fraction of inflammatory genes; and the presence of well-defined, in part cell-type specific, patterns of chromatin organization at cis-regulatory regions of inflammatory genes. Recent advancements in this field are providing paradigms of general value explaining how inducible responses to environmental stimuli are controlled.


Concentration Does Matter: The Beneficial and Potentially Harmful Effects of Ascorbate in Humans and Plants.
Ascorbate (Asc) is an essential compound both in animals and plants, mostly due to its reducing properties, thereby playing a role in scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and acting as a cofactor in various enzymatic reactions. Recent Advances: Growing number of evidence shows that excessive Asc accumulation may have negative effects on cellular functions both in humans and plants; inter alia it may negatively affect signaling mechanisms, cellular redox status, and contribute to the production of ROS via the Fenton reaction. Both plants and humans tightly control cellular Asc levels, possibly via biosynthesis, transport, and degradation, to maintain them in an optimum concentration range, which, among other factors, is essential to minimize the potentially harmful effects of Asc. On the contrary, the Fenton reaction induced by a high-dose Asc treatment in humans enables a potential cancer-selective cell death pathway. The elucidation of Asc induced cancer selective cell death mechanisms may give us a tool to apply Asc in cancer therapy. On the contrary, the regulatory mechanisms controlling cellular Asc levels are also to be considered, for example, when aiming at generating crops with elevated Asc levels.


Promoting routine stair use: evaluating the impact of a stair prompt across buildings.
Although studies have demonstrated that stair prompts are associated with increased physical activity, many were conducted in low-rise buildings over a period of weeks and did not differentiate between stair climbing and descent. This study evaluated the impact of a prompt across different building types, and on stair climbing versus descent over several months. In 2008-2009, stair and elevator trips were observed and analyzed at three buildings in New York City before and after the posting of a prompt stating "Burn Calories, Not Electricity" (total observations=18,462). Sites included a three-story health clinic (observations=4987); an eight-story academic building (observations=5151); and a ten-story affordable housing site (observations=8324). Stair and elevator trips up and down were recorded separately at the health clinic to isolate the impact on climbing and descent. Follow-up was conducted at the health clinic and affordable housing site to assess long-term impact. Increased stair use was seen at all sites immediately after posting of the prompt (range=9.2%-34.7% relative increase, p<0.001). Relative increases in stair climbing (20.2% increase, p<0.001) and descent (4.4% increase, p<0.05) were seen at the health clinic. At both sites with long-term follow-up, relative increases were maintained at 9 months after posting compared to baseline: 42.7% (p<0.001) increase in stair use at the affordable housing site and 20.3% (p<0.001) increase in stair climbing at the health clinic. Findings suggest that the prompt was effective in increasing physical activity in diverse settings, and increases were maintained at 9 months.


Comparative study of cefotetan and cefoxitin in the treatment of intra-abdominal infections.
One hundred eighty-eight patients were enrolled in a multicenter, randomized clinical trial to compare the safety and effectiveness of 1 to 2 gm cefotetan every 12 hours with those of 1 to 2 gm cefoxitin every 6 hours in patients with intra-abdominal infections. Most of the infections were community acquired, were associated with gastrointestinal tract perforation, and were caused by both anaerobic and aerobic bacteria. The median duration of therapy was 6 days for each group. The clinical response rate for the 95 evaluable patients in the cefotetan group was 98%, and that for the 43 evaluable patients in the cefoxitin group was 95%. Bacteriologically, 97% of the 58 evaluable patients in the cefotetan group and 89% of the 27 evaluable patients in the cefoxitin group had a satisfactory or presumed satisfactory response; two patients in the cefotetan group and three in the cefoxitin group were considered bacteriologic failures. Cefotetan was as effective as cefoxitin in eradicating Bacteroides fragilis and other species of Bacteroides, Clostridium sp., and gram-negative bacilli. The incidence of treatment-related adverse reactions for cefotetan (27%) was not statistically different from that for cefoxitin (17%). No clinically significant differences were detected between the treatment groups in changes in the results of clinical laboratory tests performed before and after treatment; a decrease in hematocrit among the cefotetan group was statistically greater (p = 0.04) than that for the cefoxitin group, and a decrease in serum creatinine level for the cefoxitin group was greater than that for the cefotetan group (p = 0.02). Cefotetan may represent an effective, safe, and cost-saving alternative to cefoxitin for the prompt treatment of community-acquired intra-abdominal infections.


[Research on the quality changes in pre- and post-processed pieces of Eucommia ulmoides].
To study the quality changes in pre- and post-processed pieces of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. The changes of the content of pinoresinol diglucoside, extract and fingerprint were studied. Pinoresinol diglucoside contents in post-processed pieces were lower than those in pre-processed and alcohol extract had different changes because of its different habitats. Eucommia ulmoides consists of 11 common peaks, the one processed by salt-water consists of 8 Peaks. Processing can reduce the content of pinoresinol diglucoside. Alcohol extract has different changes. Eucommia ulmoides common peaks of its fingerprint reduce and mostly components descend after processed by salt-water.


Jasmonic acid stimulates the expression of nod genes in Rhizobium.
Jasmonates and salicylic acid are considered to be signal molecules that induce a variety of plant genes involved in wound or defence response, as well as affecting nos promoter activity. In this paper we examined whether these chemicals could also affect nod genes from isogenic rhizobia strains. Isogenic strains contain the Rhizobium leguminosarum nodA promoter fused to the lacZ gene of Escherichia coli and differ only in the source of the regulatory nodD gene. Naringenin, jasmonic acid and methyl jasmonate induced expression of nod genes in strain RBL1284 and salicylic acid showed no activity alone or when used in combination with other compounds; addition of naringenin + jasmonic acid produced a synergistic effect. Results obtained with strain RBL5284 were similar to those for RBL1284 albeit the combination of naringenin with the other compounds markedly inhibited nod gene expression. Whereas RBL5283 responded to naringenin with a strong induction, jasmonic acid, methyl jasmonate or salicylic acid showed no significant responses. The inhibitory effect of salicylic acid on nod gene expression indicates that the induction mechanism of jasmonic acid, methyl jasmonate, N-propyldihydrojasmonate and naringenin is probably different from that of salicylic acid.


Switch from facilitation to inhibition of excitatory synaptic transmission by group I mGluR desensitization.
We have explored whether the desensitization of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) coupled to phosphoinositide hydrolysis affects the role that they play in modulating glutamate release. In hippocampal nerve terminals, the agonist 3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) facilitated evoked glutamate release, but a second stimulation 5 min later reduced rather than facilitated release. After a 30 min interval between stimulations, DHPG again facilitated glutamate release. In hippocampal slices, DHPG caused an inhibition of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) recorded from CA1 neurons. However, when the effects of ambient glutamate were prevented, mGluR activation initially induced a facilitation of synaptic transmission, followed by an inhibition. We conclude that group I mGluRs have a dual action on glutamate release, switching from facilitatory to inhibitory upon receptor desensitization triggered by low concentrations of glutamate.


Very large-scale diffraction investigations enabled by a matrix-multiplication facilitated radial and azimuthal integration algorithm: MatFRAIA.
As synchrotron facilities continue to generate increasingly brilliant X-rays and detector speeds increase, swift data reduction from the collected area detector images to more workable 1D diffractograms becomes of increasing importance. This work reports an integration algorithm that can integrate diffractograms in real time on modern laptops and can reach 10 kHz integration speeds on modern workstations using an efficient pixel-splitting and parallelization scheme. This algorithm is limited not by the computation of the integration itself but is rather bottlenecked by the speed of the data transfer to the processor, the data decompression and/or the saving of results. The algorithm and its implementation is described while the performance is investigated on 2D scanning X-ray diffraction/fluorescence data collected at the interface between an implant and forming bone.


Patterns of infection with intestinal parasites in Qatar among food handlers and housemaids from different geographical regions of origin.
Intestinal parasitic infections were surveyed among recently arrived immigrant workers in Qatar destined for employment in food handling occupations. Two overlapping datasets (female workers surveyed in 2005 and 2006, and both sexes in 2006) were analyzed. Seven species were detected, 3 nematodes (Trichuris trichiura, hookworms and Ascaris lumbricoides) and 4 protozoans (Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, non-pathogenic Entamoebae, Blastocystis hominis and Giardia lamblia). Overall prevalence of infections, all species combined was 33.9% (13.6% for nematodes and 24.8% for protozoa). There was a significant female bias in the prevalence of all species combined, all protozoans combined, T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides. Among females, the prevalence of many species fell between 2005 and 2006, but G. lamblia almost tripled and E. histolytica/dispar increased 10-fold. Africa workers were less likely to carry T. trichiura and hookworms but more likely to have gastrointestinal protozoa. The highest overall prevalence of T. trichiura was 26.3% among females from the Philippines in 2005. None of the Indonesian workers were infected with A. lumbricoides whereas those from the Indian sub-continent and the Philippines were more likely to carry hookworms. Quantitative data reflecting abundance of infection (summary statistics are provided), showed the same trends but could not be analyzed further because of the overall low prevalence of each of the species detected. Multiple species infections were not common, although some individuals (0.1%) had 5 species concurrently.


Paradigm shift in the management of milk and egg allergy: baked milk and egg diet.
Heat treatment of several foods, including all types of cooking, has been mainly used to minimize the number of viable microbes, reduce pathogenicity, and destroy the undesirable enzymes, maintaining food quality. In addition, food processing improves sensory, nutritional, and physical properties of the foods, due to food protein denaturation. Heat-induced alterations of food proteins can attenuate allergenicity. In this article, the authors review the important role of thermal processing on milk and egg proteins, which comprise the commonest food allergies in infancy and early childhood.


Revealing the effect of lipopeptide on improving the probiotics characteristics: Flavor and texture enhancer in the formulated yogurt.
Probiotics are beneficial viable microorganisms that protects from pathogens, enhance immunity and health. In this study, a biosurfactant from marine sponge associated bacteria MS48 was used to effectively enhance the survival of starter cultures and thereby improving their functional properties. The biosurfactant MS48 was characterized as lipopeptide based upon the spectroscopic analysis. The GC-MS analysis showed the moiety as l-glutamic acid methyl ester with the mass of m/z 161.16. Probiotics supplemented with lipopeptide showed better survival in the stress tolerance assays includes acid, bile, heat, salt stress and other assays including auto-aggregation, hydrophobicity, microbial adhesion to solvents (MATS), and simulated gastric juice. Yogurt formulated using lipopeptide showed enhanced flavor components, stability, improved characteristics, EPS production, and lower syneresis than the control. Malonic acid, acidity regulator was detected in the mass spectrum of lipopeptide added yogurt. The texture analysis of the lipopeptide added yogurt showed improved textural and sensorial properties when compared to the control.


Voltage-gated cation conductance channel from fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum: steady-state electrical properties.
The interaction of fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) with an artificial planar phospholipid membrane under conditions known to induce fusion of phospholipid vesicles raises the conductance of the planar bilayer by several orders of magnitude. Measurements of steady-state electrical properties of bilayers thus modified by SR show that two types of conductance pathways are present. One is a voltage-independent pathway which may be somewhat anion-selective. The other is a voltage-gated ionophore showing selectivity to small monovalent cations. This latter ionophore is fully oriented within the artificial bilayer and is inhibited asymmetrically by divalent cations. It is also inhibited below pH6. The ionophore displays single-channel conductance fluctuations between two states. "open" and "closed", with an open-state conductance of 1.4 x 10-10 mho in 0.1 M K+. The physiological function of this ionophore is unknown.


Degeneration of speech, language, and hearing in a patient with mucopolysaccharidosis VII.
Mucopolysaccharidosis VII (MPS-VII) is probably the rarest of the mucopolysaccharidoses; literature reveals only 20 cases. We have had the opportunity to study and treat such a child in our clinic, and this paper documents his speech, language, and hearing. Results demonstrated a delay with respect to his chronological age in all cognitive, linguistic, and social domains. He had a mixed hearing loss which could have contributed to his diminishing speech and language abilities; he had chronic otitis media. After 59 h of speech and language intervention (over a period of 19 months), primarily for language treatment, standardized tests revealed that his scores had decreased over time. During this period, both his speech production and his hearing got poorer. At about the time of his 8th birthday, he underwent a permanent tracheostomy, altering further therapy. Although MPS-VII is a very rare disorder, what has been learned here may apply to other MPSs and even to other multiply handicapped patients. We hope that the presentation of our findings may assist others when confronted with complex, degenerative disorders.


Loneliness Increases the Risk of All-Cause Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease.
To examine the effect of perceived loneliness on the development of dementia (all-cause), Alzheimer´s disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD). The study comprised 1,905 nondemented participants at baseline, drawn from the longitudinal Betula study in Sweden, with a follow-up time of up to 20 years (mean 11.1 years). Loneliness was measured with a single question: "Do you often feel lonely?". During the follow-up, 428 developed dementia; 221 had AD, 157 had VaD, and 50 had dementia of other subtypes. The entire dementia group is denoted "all-cause dementia." Cox regression models, adjusted for age, gender, and a baseline report of perceived loneliness, showed increased risk of all-cause dementia (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-1.89), and AD (HR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.20-2.37), but not VaD (HR = 1.34, 95% CI 0.87-2.08). After adjusting for a range of potential confounders, and excluding participants with dementia onset within the first 5 years of baseline (to consider the possibility of reverse causality), the increased risk for the development of all-cause dementia and AD still remained significant (HR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.01-2.25 for all-cause dementia; HR = 2.50, 95% CI 1.44-4.36 for AD). The results suggest that perceived loneliness is an important risk factor for all-cause dementia and especially for AD, but not for VaD. These results underscore the importance of paying attention to subjective reports of loneliness among the elderly adults and identifying potential intervention strategies that can reduce loneliness.


A dipyrido [2,3-b:3',2'-f]azepine analog of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor nevirapine.
The syntheses of 11-ethyl and 11-cyclopropyldipyrido[2,3-b:3',2'-f]azepines, analogs of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor nevirapine 1, are described. These compounds exhibit potency equivalent to nevirapine in the inhibition of wild-type and some mutant RT enzymes.


Local aggregation of hormone-receptor complexes is required for activation by epidermal growth factor.
An analogue of epidermal growth factor (EGF) which is virtually devoid of biological activity retains receptor binding activity but cannot form cell surface clusters or patches. Bivalent anti-EGF antibodies restore both bioactivity and patch formation. The sensitivity of fibroblasts to native EGF can also be enhanced greatly by these antibodies, especially in hormone-resistant cell lines.


Quality of reporting of experimental research in implant dentistry. Critical aspects in design, outcome assessment and model validation.
The aim was to assess the quality of reporting of experimental research in implant dentistry by a critical evaluation of study design, outcome assessments and model validation. An online search was performed using the MEDLINE. Experimental studies performed in both animals and humans were included. A'stratified random sample of the included studies was extracted and used for quantitative and qualitative analyses. Modified versions of the ARRIVE guidelines were used for quality assessment. A total of 982 papers were eligible and used for quantitative analyses. A'stratified random sample of 193 publications was extracted. The dog model was the most used experimental model whereas experimental studies on humans were few. Intra-oral experimental sites dominated in human, monkey, dog and mini-pig studies. Extra oral sites dominated in rabbit, rodent and goat/sheep studies. Studies on the pathogenesis and treatment of peri-implant diseases were few. Different animal models, experimental protocols and methods of analysis have been used to address different areas of experimental research in implant dentistry. Standardized designs for investigations within this type of experimental research seem to be lacking. Furthermore, in many of these studies there were limitations in reporting on methodology and statistical methods.


When radical uncertainty is too much: Clinical aspects of Conviction Narrative Theory.
We propose extrapolating Conviction Narrative Theory (CNT) to clinical psychology and psychiatry. We demonstrate how CNT principles may benefit assessment, therapy, and possibly even modify public health views of neuropsychiatric disorders. Our commentary focuses on hoarding disorder as a model, elaborates on discrepancies in the scientific literature and suggests how the CNT may resolve them.


Viral shedding dynamics reveals sputum as a reliable and cost-saving specimen for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis within the first 10 days since symptom onset: A prospective cohort study.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS-CoV-2) is challenging global public health, due to an increasing demand for testing and the shortage of diagnostic supplies. Nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) is considered the optimal sample for SARS-CoV2 diagnosis and sputum (SPT) has been proposed as an economic alternative. However, the temporal concordance of diagnosis in NPS and SPT has not been addressed. Through a longitudinal study we compared the shedding dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 RNA evaluated by RT-qPCR in serially collected SPT and NPS obtained from 82 ambulatory and hospitalized patients during acute infection and convalescence. The concordance during the follow-up and cost analysis between both collected specimens was evaluated. We analyzed 379 samples, 177 NPS and 202 SPT. The highest proportion of positive samples was detected within the first 15 days after the symptoms onset. The median time of positivity was higher for NPS (median= 25 days) than SPT (median= 21 days). There was no significant difference in the median RT-qPCR CT values between both sample types. The temporal categorization of matched-paired samples indicated substantial correlation (r=0.6023) and substantial agreement (87.23%) during the first ten days since symptoms onset (kappa = 0.697). A cost analysis demonstrated a significant saving when the SPT specimen was used. Sputum is a feasible and cost-saving alternative to NPS, providing an equivalent value for the detection and follow-up of SARS-CoV-2 RNA.


Scrotal cancer, chimney sweepers and Sir Percival Pott.
The 18th century was linked to a type of skin cancer with a clear professional etiology: scrotal carcinoma in chimney sweeps. Sir Percival Pott had the merit of identifying the disease as a malignant and inexorable process and of describing its natural evolution. In this article, we present some historical aspects of such description, as well as the working environment of the main individuals affected by this cancer, who were children carrying out the work of chimney sweeps.


Temperature dependent modification of radiosensitivity following hypoxic cytocidal action of chlorpromazine.
The hypoxic cytotoxic effect of chlorpromazine towards E. coli B/r was observed to be dependent on temperature of incubation and irradiation. Increasing the temperature of incubation from ambient to 37 degrees C followed by irradiation revealed that the organisms showed radiosensitivity of a magnitude which was two to three times the oxygen effect. The possible mechanisms of this effect are discussed.


Comprehensive landscape of the miRNA-regulated prognostic marker LAYN with immune infiltration and stemness in pan-cancer.
COVID-19 has created a significant risk to worldwide public health. According to recent research, C-type lectins may be SARS-CoV-2 receptors. Layilin (LAYN), a broadly expressed integral membrane hyaluronan receptor with a C-type lectin structural domain, is a gene related to cell senescence. There are a few studies on C-type lectins in pan-cancer, and no pan-cancer analysis has been conducted for LAYN. The genotype tissue expression (GTEx) portal and the cancer genome map (TCGA) database were used to collect samples from healthy and cancer patients. Bioinformatics methods are used to construct immune landscape, mutation landscape, and stemness landscape of LAYN. The single-cell sequencing data were used from the CancerSEA website to analyze the functions of LAYN. The prognosis potential of LAYN was discussed based on machine learning. LAYN is differentially expressed among cancers. Survival analysis indicated that LAYN was related to a poor overall survival (OS) rate in cancers, like HNSC, MESO, and OV. Mutational landscapes of LAYN in SKCM and STAD were constructed. LAYN was negatively related to Tumor Mutation Burden (TMB) in THCA, PRAD, and UCEC, and with the Microsatellite Instability (MSI) in STAD, LUAD, and UCEC. The immune landscape in pan-cancer suggested that LAYN may be involved in tumor immune escape. LAYN plays a crucial role in the infiltration of immune cells in malignant tumors. LAYN participates in methylation modifications and affects tumor proliferation and metastasis by regulating stemness. Analysis of single-cell sequencing data suggests that LAYN may participate in several biological processes, like stemness, apoptosis, and DNA repair. LAYN transcript was predicted as a liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS)-related RNA. The results of KIRC were verified in the GEO and ArrayExpress databases. Furthermore, prognostic models based on machine learning of LAYN-related genes were established. Hsa-miR-153-5p and hsa-miR-505-3p may be the upstream miRNAs of LAYN and have a high value for tumor prognosis. This study elucidated the functional mechanisms of LAYN from a pan-cancer perspective and provided novel insights into cancer prognosis, metastasis, and immunotherapy. LAYN has the potential to become a new target of mRNA vaccines and molecular therapies in tumors.


Selective alpha1a adrenergic receptor antagonists based on 4-aryl-3,4-dihydropyridine-2-ones.
A series of alpha1a receptor antagonists derived from a 4-aryl-3,4-dihydropyridine-2-one heterocycle is disclosed. Potency in the low nanomolar to picomolar range along with high selectivity was obtained. In vivo efficacy in a prostate contraction model in rats was observed with a few derivatives.


The sandwich technique to treat complex aortoiliac or isolated iliac aneurysms: results of midterm follow-up.
To ascertain midterm outcomes of the sandwich technique (ST) for internal iliac artery endorevascularization (ER). All consecutive patients with complex aortoiliac aneurysms, isolated common iliac artery aneurysms, and abdominal aortic aneurysms with bilateral short, nondiseased common iliac artery undergoing elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with the ST at our center, between October 2008 and March 2011, were invited to participate in the present study. Patients were considered eligible for this procedure only when their aneurysm features did not fulfill the requirements for standard EVAR. Follow-up assessments were carried out at 1 month and every 6 months thereafter and included computed tomographic angiography or duplex ultrasound. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board, and all patients gave written informed consent. A cohort of 40 patients (95% male; mean age, 72.2 years) was followed over a mean follow-up period of 12 ± 4.4 months (range: 6-30 months); 48 internal iliac artery (IIA) ER with ST were undertaken. Internal iliac artery aneurysm (IIAA) ER technical success rate was 100%. Primary patency rate was 93.8% on account of three IIA ER occlusions, occurring early in the study. Early and late related mortality rate was 0% and late unrelated mortality rate was 2.5%. Iliac aneurysm sac evolution demonstrated a significant (at least 5 mm) decrease in diameter in 16 (34.8%) common iliac artery aneurysms, no change in 29 (63%) common iliac artery aneurysms, and an increase in one patient (2.2%). Statistical significance was reached only for comparisons between baseline and 30 months (P = .039). Late buttock claudication rate was 0% after IIA ER with ST and 14.3% after IIA coil embolization. The ST expands the limits of EVAR for complex aortoiliac aneurysms or IIAA in a safe, easy to perform, and cost-effective manner.


Effects of continual intravenous posttreatment with D-CPP-ene, a potent competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, on rat brain edema induced by injection of triethyltin into the cerebral hemisphere.
Brain edema was produced by injecting triethyltin (TET) into the right cerebral hemisphere via the internal carotid artery in rats. TET induced a dose-related increase in mortality rate and brain water content. Immediately after TET-injection (2 mg/head), saline, glycerol (125 mg/ml) or the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist (R)-4-(3-Phosphono-2-propenyl)-2-piperazine carboxylic acid (D-CPP-ene; 0.083 and 0.25 mg/ml) was continually infused via the right internal jugular vein at 20 microliters/min for 6 h. The mortality rate and brain water content were significantly decreased after infusion of 0.25 mg/ml D-CPP-ene, but only somewhat reduced after glycerol infusion when compared with the saline group. The results suggest that continual intravenous posttreatment with D-CPP-ene is useful for treatment of brain edema.


Congenital anomalies and the severity of impairments for cerebral palsy.
To study the prevalence of congenital anomalies among children with cerebral palsy (CP) born at term or late preterm, and if CP subtypes and clinical manifestations differ between children with and without congenital anomalies. This was a cross-sectional study using data from the Cerebral Palsy Register of Norway and the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. All children with congenital CP born at and later than 34 weeks' gestation in Norway from 1999 to 2009 were included. Anomalies were classified according to the European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies classification guidelines. Groups were compared using Fisher's exact test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and the Mann-Whitney U test. Among 685 children with CP, 169 (25%) had a congenital anomaly; 125 within the central nervous system. Spastic bilateral CP was more prevalent in children with anomalies (42%) than in children without (34%; p=0.011). Children with anomalies less frequently had low Apgar scores (p<0.001), but more often had severe limitations in gross- and fine-motor function, speech impairments, epilepsy, severe vision, and hearing impairments than children without anomalies (p<0.03). Although children with CP and anomalies had low Apgar scores less frequently, they had more severe limitations in motor function and more associated problems than children with CP without anomalies. One in four children with cerebral palsy (CP) born at term or late preterm has a congenital anomaly. The added value of neuroimaging to detect central nervous system anomalies in children with CP. Children with anomalies have more severe motor impairments. More severe clinical manifestations are not explained by perinatal complications as indicated by low Apgar scores.


Synthesis and application of bis (tert-butyl)-1-methyl pyrenyl-silyl chloride as a 5'-hydroxyl protecting group for nucleosides and as a fluorescent purification handle in oligonucleotide synthesis.
A fluorescently labelled monomer viz. 5'-O-1, 1-bis-(tert-butyl)-1'-methyl-pyrenyl-silyl-thymidine-3'-phosphoramidite was synthesized. Different sequences were synthesized and were labelled using it and their fluorescence studies were carried out.


Food for thought: Examining the relationship between low calorie density foods in Instagram feeds and disordered eating symptoms among undergraduate women.
Ample studies have tested how viewing bodies on social media impacts eating disorder symptoms; however, the relationship between viewing food images on social media and disordered eating remains understudied. This study investigated whether viewing images of healthy, palatable food on Instagram impacted disordered eating attitudes across two samples of undergraduate women. This pre-registered online study was conducted at two sites. Participants identifying as female (study 1 n = 222; study 2 n = 214) were randomly assigned to view one of two Instagram feeds - either a feed featuring low calorie, aesthetically pleasing foods or a control condition featuring travel images. Participants completed state measures of disordered eating intentions, self-esteem, and body image before and after viewing the feeds. A main effect of condition on disordered eating intentions was found at the Midwestern site, but not the Southeastern site. Viewing healthy palatable food images on Instagram could increase risk for disordered eating behaviors among college females. If findings are replicated, individuals vulnerable to disordered eating may benefit from removing these types of feeds from their social media. Further research is needed to determine whether other forms of visual content on Instagram may be associated with disordered eating.


'Out-patient' albumin dialysis for cholestatic patients with intractable pruritus.
Intractable pruritus is a major problem for some patients with cholestasis. Albumin dialysis has been shown to ameliorate pruritus, but long-term outcome data are limited. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 'out-patient' albumin dialysis using the molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) in the treatment of intractable pruritus in cholestatic patients referred for liver transplantation for symptomatic relief. Fifteen patients who failed to respond to standard medical therapy to control pruritus were included. Three MARS (6 h) sessions were performed per admission, and were repeated, if necessary. The intensity and severity of itch was quantified using itch severity and visual analogue scales (ISS and VAS). Molecular adsorbent recirculating system treatment was safe and associated with immediate and complete response in 11 patients; two patients had a partial response and two patients had no response. Thirty-four treatments were performed during a follow-up period of 15.7 months (3-46) with patients requiring a mean of two admissions (1-6). The mean VAS and ISS improved significantly (both P < 0.001) with improvement in the patient's perception of their quality of life. The duration of acceptable relief in responders was 3.3 months (range 2-5). No serious adverse events were recorded, but the platelet count and haemoglobin were reduced significantly. Molecular adsorbent recirculating system therapy delivered in an 'out-patient' setting is safe and effective with a high degree of patient acceptability. Albumin dialysis can be considered a viable therapeutic option for patients with severe intractable pruritus, in whom, the only other effective treatment option is liver transplantation.


Effects of walking distance over robot-assisted training on walking ability in chronic stroke patients.
An understanding of the dose-response during training is important to identify the rehabilitation programs to obtain the improvement in chronic stroke patients. The purpose of this study was to determine whether distance-dose (distance walked across all sessions) during robot-assisted training affects the change of walking speed and distance in chronic stroke patients after intervention. Fifteen chronic stroke patients were enrolled in this study. The patients performed 8 gait training sessions using the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) for 3 weeks. Gait speed, stride length, cadence, and 2-minute walk test (2MWT) were measured before and post-intervention. Total walking distance (distance walked across all sessions) in individual patients were also measured. Gait speed, stride length, cadence, and 2-minute walk test (2MWT) improved significantly after training. The average of walking distance for 8 sessions in individual patients was 3793.3 ± 2105.3 m. Moreover, the change of gait speed (r = 0.53) and 2MWT (r = 0.70) were positively correlated with the walking distance during 8 sessions. This study of finding demonstrated that greater total distance walked over all sessions of training using the HAL is directly associated with the better walking outcomes in patients with chronic stroke. Further researches with a larger number of patients and a control group are needed to quantify the study results more precisely.


Pathophysiologic findings in nonretarded autism and receptive developmental language disorder.
In nonretarded autistic, receptive developmental language disordered, and normal subject groups, we recorded in auditory and visual target detection tasks two neurophysiological components of the event-related brain potential, Nc and P3b. Existent research shows that, in normals, Nc and P3b appear early in development, are associated with attention and memory processes, and are endogenous which means that they are triggered by internal, consciously initiated attentional and cognitive mechanisms and that they can be triggered even by the omission of sensory stimulation so long as it has meaning or importance for the subject. In this report, Nc and P3b were recorded in response to auditory and visual stimulation and to the omission of auditory and visual stimulation. Consistent with the hypothesis that non-retarded autism involves abnormal attentional and cognitive responses to important information, P3b was found to be smaller than normal and Nc was small and often absent in the nonretarded autistic group even under the condition when no auditory language or sensory processing was required. Receptive developmental language disorder has been linked with difficulties in processing sequences of auditory stimuli, and in this study P3b was found to be somewhat enlarged in this group even under the conditions when P3b was elicited by stimuli separated by 1 sec and also when P3b was elicited by the omission of stimulation.


Anti-TWEAK monoclonal antibodies reduce immune cell infiltration in the central nervous system and severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
TWEAK is a member of the TNF family, constitutively expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), with pro-inflammatory, proliferative or apoptotic effects depending upon cell types. Its receptor, Fn14, is expressed in CNS by endothelial cells, reactive astrocytes and neurons. We showed that TWEAK and Fn14 mRNA expression increased in spinal cord during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We investigated the role of TWEAK during EAE using neutralizing anti-TWEAK antibody in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) induced EAE in C57BL/6 mice. We observed a reduction of disease severity and leukocyte infiltration when mice were treated after the priming phase.


Exosomes mediate the antibody-resistant intercellular transmission of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus.
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a highly pathogenic enteric coronavirus that causes severe enteritis and lethal watery diarrhea in suckling piglets, leading to tremendous economic losses. Exosomes have been reported to participate in intercellular communication by the transportation of a variety of biological materials, including RNAs, lipids, and proteins. However, PEDV transmission routes have not yet been fully elucidated, and whether exosomes function in PEDV transmission remains unclear. In this study, we extracted and purified exosomes from PEDV-infected Vero cells using a stringent isolation method with a combination of chemical precipitation, ultracentrifugation, and incubation with CD63-labeled magnetic beads. We found that exosomes from PEDV-infected Vero cells contain viral genomic RNA and viral nucleocapsid protein. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the purified exosomes from PEDV-infected cells are capable of transmitting the virus to both PEDV-susceptible and non-susceptible cells. Importantly, exosome-mediated PEDV infection was resistant to neutralization by PEDV-specific neutralizing antibodies that potently neutralized free PEDV. Our study reveals a potential immune evasion mechanism utilized by PEDV and provides new insight into the transmission and infection of this important pathogen.


Racial differences in red blood cell transfusion in hospitalized patients with anemia.
Guidelines recommend transfusion of red blood cells (RBC's) when a hospitalized patient's hemoglobin (Hb) drops below a restrictive transfusion threshold, either at 7 or 8 g. Hospitals have implemented transfusion policies to encourage compliance with guidelines and reduce variation in transfusion practice. However, variation in transfusion practice remains. The purpose of this study was to examine whether there is variation in the receipt of transfusion by patient race. Hospitalized general medicine patients with anemia (Hb < 10 g/dL) were eligible. Chi-squared tests were used to compare the percent of patients receiving a transfusion by race overall and within strata of their nadir Hb. Linear regression was used to test the association between a patient's race, their nadir Hb, receipt of an RBC transfusion, and the number of units transfused. Four thousand nine hundred and fifty-one patients consented, including 1363 (28%) who received a transfusion. 71% of patients were African American, 25% were White, and 4% were Other Race. Overall African Americans were less likely to be transfused compared to Whites (25% vs. 30%, p < .01), and within Hb strata below a Nadir Hb of 9 g/dL (Hb 8.0-8.9 g/dL 1% vs. 7%, p < .01; 7.0-7.9 g/dL 15% vs. 28%, p < .01; <7 g/dL 80% vs. 86%, p < .01). African Americans also received fewer units of RBC's (β = -.17, p < .01) overall and at lower Hb levels (β = .14, p < .01) compared to Whites. The Hb level at which patients are transfused at and the total number of RBC units received during hospitalization differ by patient race.


Preservation of the olfactory tract in bifrontal craniotomy for various lesions of the anterior cranial fossa.
Preservation of the olfactory tract during use of the bifrontal approach for the treatment of lesions located in the frontal cranial base and the supra- and parasellar regions has not been previously investigated. In our study, 12 patients underwent surgery, via the basal subfrontal route, for treatment of various lesions. All patients were observed prospectively, and olfactometry was performed pre- and postoperatively by an independent otorhinolaryngologist. We obtained complete preservation of the olfactory tracts and normal postoperative olfaction in all 12 cases. The bifrontal approach yields a bilateral wide operative field with excellent orientation and views of important structures. The shortcomings of this method, i.e., damage to the olfactory tracts and postoperative anosmia, can be overcome.


Endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation: mechanisms and implications in diabetic retinopathy.
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the primary cellular compartment where proteins are synthesized and modified before they can be transported to their destination. Dysfunction of the ER impairs protein homeostasis and leads to the accumulation of misfolded/unfolded proteins in the ER, or ER stress. While it has long been recognized that ER stress is a major cause of conformational disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, certain types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes, recent evidence suggests that ER stress is also implicated in many chronic inflammatory diseases. These diseases include irritable bowel syndrome, atherosclerosis, diabetic complications, and many others. Diabetic retinopathy is a common microvascular complication of diabetes, characterized by chronic inflammation, progressive damage to retinal vascular and neuronal cells, vascular leakage, and abnormal blood vessel growth (neovascularization). In this review, we discuss the role and mechanisms of ER stress in retinal inflammation and vascular damage in diabetic retinopathy.


Hyperspectral imaging of mucosal surfaces in patients.
The aim of this study was to proof applicability of hyperspectral imaging for the analysis and classification of human mucosal surfaces in vivo. The larynx as a prototypical anatomically well-defined surgical test area was analyzed by microlaryngoscopy with a polychromatic lightsource and a synchronous triggered monochromatic CCD-camera. Image stacks (5 benign, 7 malignant tumors) were analyzed by established software (principal component analysis PCA, hyperspectral classification, spectral profiles). Hyperspectral image datacubes were analyzed and classified by conventional software. In PCA, images at 590-680 nm loaded most onto the first PC which typically contained 95% of the total information. Hyperspectral classification clustered the data highlighting altered mucosa. The spectral profiles clearly differed between the different groups. Hyperspectral imaging can be applied to mucosal surfaces. This approach opens the way to analyze spectral characteristics of histologically different lesions in order to build up a spectral library and to allow non-touch optical biopsy.


Temporomandibular disorders in children and adolescents: A review.
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are generally observed in individuals between the ages of 20 and 40 years. TMD have also been described in children and adolescents but are still not widely detected and treated in routine practice. Through a literature review, this work aims to improve the diagnosis and management of TMD in children and adolescents by dentists. This literature review was performed by a computerized search of the database PubMed for published articles on TMD in children and adolescents. Articles evaluating the prevalence, etiologies and risk factors, diagnosis, signs, and symptoms as well as the comorbidities of TMD, published between 2001 and 2022, were included in this review. A total of 51 articles were included. Most of studies reported a prevalence of over 20%, with a higher prevalence in females. The two most common diagnoses were myofascial pain and disk displacement with reduction. Headaches were often associated with the condition. The management of TMD in children and adolescents has been poorly studied. TMD frequently affect children and adolescents. Therefore, for prevention purposes, an examination of the masticatory system should be included in the dental check-up. Early diagnosis is essential in order to limit effects on their growth, development, and quality of life. TMD management is not currently validated for children and adolescents. Noninvasive and reversible care should be preferred.


Effects of core strengthening on balance in university judo athletes.
Core strengthening prepares the body in an integral, safe and efficient way, favoring balance and postural control; physical abilities constantly demanded in sports, especially in body contact modalities, such as Judo. This study investigated the effects of core strengthening on balance in university judo athletes. Eighteen athletes from the University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNISUL) were randomly allocated into two groups: experimental (n = 9) and control (n = 9). Experimental group athletes were submitted to a core strengthening protocol (30-min sessions, twice a week for 5 consecutive weeks). Evaluations consisted of Stabilometic (center of pressure behavior parameters: total area in mm2, laterolateral and anteroposterior width in mm) and baropodometric analysis [peak pressure: obtained during a 30-s acquisition period and expressed by foot area, i.e., (a) forefoot (metatarsal heads and toes); and (b) hindfoot (calcaneus region, distal third of the foot)]. Right/left foot ratios were calculated as relative percentages and used for the analysis. The analyzes were performed at baseline and after 5 weeks of core strengthening. The athletes were evaluated in two situations: eyes-open and eyes-closed. Total right/left foot ratio pressure, right/left fore and hindfoot ratio pressure, as well as anteroposterior width measurements were statistically smaller in the experimental group. Although the results obtained showed that core strengthening presents certain benefits, these data alone are not enough to confirm its effects upon postural oscillation in university judo athletes.


Racial Comparisons of the Outcomes of Transcatheter and Surgical Aortic Valve Implantation Using the Medicare Database.
Racial disparities in the outcomes after intervention for aortic valve disease remain understudied. We stratified patients by race who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in the Medicare database. The TAVI cohort consisted of 17,973 patients (3.9% were black and 1.0% were Hispanic). The SAVR cohort consisted of 95,078 patients, (4.8% were black and 1.3% were Hispanic). Most comorbidities were more common in blacks. After TAVI, 30-day mortality was not significantly different in races with both unadjusted and adjusted data. There were no significant racial differences in readmission rates or discharge to home after TAVI. After SAVR, black patients had worse unadjusted 30-day and 1-year mortality than whites or Hispanics (30-day mortality, 4.7% vs 6.2% vs 4.7% for whites, blacks, and Hispanics, respectively, p = 0.0001; 1-year mortality 11.7% vs 16.1% vs 12.5%, respectively, p = 0.0001); however, after adjustment, there were no differences in mortality. Black patients had higher 30-day readmission rates after SAVR (20.1% vs 25.2% vs 21.7% for whites, blacks, and Hispanics, respectively, p = 0.0001), which persisted after adjustment for comorbidities. Minorities were underrepresented in both SAVR and TAVI relative to what would be predicted by population prevalence. In conclusion, while blacks have worse outcomes in SAVR compared with whites or Hispanics, race did not impact mortality, readmission, or discharge to home in TAVI. Both blacks and Hispanics were underrepresented compared with what would be predicted by population prevalence.


Polyester Mesh Dressings Reduce Delayed Wound Healing and Reoperations Compared with Silver-Impregnated Occlusive Dressings after Knee Arthroplasty.
New dressings aimed at reducing surgical wound complications after knee arthroplasty continue to evolve. We compared wound complications and reoperations between 2 dressings: 2-octyl cyanoacrylate adhesive and polyester mesh (Dermabond® Prineo®, "mesh") and silver-impregnated occlusive dressings and n-butyl-2-cyancacrylate adhesive (AQUACEL® Ag SURGICAL cover dressing with SwiftSet™, "standard"). This retrospective cohort study reviewed 353 consecutive partial and total knee arthroplasties performed by a single surgeon; 6 were excluded for not using either dressing type. Thus, 347 cases were separated into 2 cohorts: mesh (n = 176) and standard dressing (n = 171). Demographics and risk factors were similar, except for age. Surgical and closure techniques were consistent in all patients. Delayed wound healing was assessed by the surgeon at the 2-week office visit for drainage, suture abscess, or wound edge separation. Secondary outcome measures include infection, office-based closure, and return to the operating room for reclosure. There were 2 instances of delayed wound healing in the mesh group and 16 in the standard dressing group (1.14% vs 9.36%, P ≤ .0001). There were significantly fewer reoperations in the mesh group than in the standard group (0 vs 2.33%, P = .04). There were no infections or office-based closures. Mesh dressings were associated with fewer episodes of delayed wound healing and reoperations than the standard dressing. A possible mechanism may be that this brand of mesh distributes wound tension more evenly. In addition, because it remains in place longer during the immediate postoperative period, it may work via prolonged wound edge support.


Vaccination against the Human Papillomavirus: the lessons we have not learned.
Recent conversations regarding the vaccine against the Human Papillomavirus have focused on scientific concerns of effectiveness and scope of prevention as well as social, political and economic concerns including who should be eligible to receive the vaccine and why. However, discussions to date have not reflected on comparable historical perspectives including lessons learned in the development and marketing of the Hepatitis B vaccine. These two vaccines have remarkably similar public health implications in the prevention of specific cancers as well as generating alike social, political and financial concerns. The present paper examines these similarities with the intention of providing perspective on the current Human Papillomavirus vaccine debate and advocating for more expedient and expansive vaccine availability.


Intrathoracic pressure fluctuations move blood during CPR: comparison of hemodynamic data with predictions from a mathematical model.
Whether blood flow during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) results from intrathoracic pressure fluctuations or direct cardiac compression remains controversial. We developed a mathematical model that predicts that blood flow due to intrathoracic pressure fluctuations should be insensitive to compression rate over a wide range but dependent on the applied force and compression duration. If direct compression of the heart plays a major role, however, the model predicts that flow should be dependent on compression rate and force, but above a threshold, insensitive to compression duration. These differences in hemodynamics produced by changes in rate and duration form a basis for determining whether blood flow during CPR results from intrathoracic pressure fluctuations or from direct cardiac compression. The model was validated for direct cardiac compression by studying the hemodynamics of cyclic cardiac deformation following thoracotomy in four anesthetized, 21-32-kg dogs. As predicted by the model, there was no change in myocardial or cerebral perfusion pressures when the duration of compression was increased from 15% to 45% of the cycle at a constant rate of 60/min. There was, however, a significant increase in perfusion pressures when rate was increased from 60 to 150/min at a constant duration of 45%. The model was validated for intrathoracic pressure changes by studying the hemodynamics produced by a thoracic vest (vest CPR) in eight dogs. The vest contained a bladder that was inflated and deflated. Vest CPR changed intrathoracic pressure without direct cardiac compression, since sternal displacement was less than 0.8 cm. As predicted by the model and opposite to direct cardiac compression, there was no change in perfusion pressures when the rate was increased from 60 to 150/min at a constant duration of 45% of the cycle. Manual CPR was then studied in eight dogs. There was no surgical manipulation of the chest. Myocardial and cerebral blood flows were determined with radioactive microspheres and behaved as predicted from the model of intrathoracic pressure, not direct cardiac compression. At nearly constant peak sternal force (378-426 N), flow was significantly increased when the duration of compression was increased from short (13%-19% of the cycle) to long (40%-47%), at a rate of 60/min. Flow was unchanged, however, for an increase in rate from 60 to 150/min at constant compression duration. In addition, myocardial and cerebral flow correlated with their respective perfusion pressures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


Solar Coronal Jets: Observations, Theory, and Modeling.
Chromospheric and coronal jets represent important manifestations of ubiquitous solar transients, which may be the source of significant mass and energy input to the upper solar atmosphere and the solar wind. While the energy involved in a jet-like event is smaller than that of "nominal" solar flares and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), jets share many common properties with these major phenomena, in particular, the explosive magnetically driven dynamics. Studies of jets could, therefore, provide critical insight for understanding the larger, more complex drivers of the solar activity. On the other side of the size-spectrum, the study of jets could also supply important clues on the physics of transients close or at the limit of the current spatial resolution such as spicules. Furthermore, jet phenomena may hint to basic process for heating the corona and accelerating the solar wind; consequently their study gives us the opportunity to attack a broad range of solar-heliospheric problems.


Chromosomal stability in buccal cells was linked to age but not affected by exercise and nutrients - Vienna Active Ageing Study (VAAS), a randomized controlled trial.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of six months strength training with or without supplementing protein and vitamins, on chromosomal integrity of buccal cells in institutionalized elderly. One hundred seventeen women and men (65-98 years) performed either resistance training (RT), RT combined with a nutritional supplement (RTS) or cognitive training (CT) twice per week for six months. Participants' fitness was measured using the 6 min walking, the chair rise, and the handgrip strength test. Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity parameters were investigated with the Buccal Micronucleus Cytome (BMcyt) assay. Six minutes walking and chair rise performance improved significantly, however, no changes of the parameters of the BMcyt were detected. Age and micronuclei (MN) frequency correlated significantly, for both women (r = 0.597, p = 0.000) and men (r = 0.508, p = 0.000). Squared regressions revealed a significant increase in the MN frequency of buccal cells with age (R2 = 0.466, p = 0.000). Interestingly and contrary to what was shown in blood lymphocytes, chromosomal damage in buccal cells increases until very old age, which might qualify them as a valid biomarker for aging. Unexpectedly, in this group of institutionalized elderly, resistance training using elastic bands had no effect on chromosomal damage in buccal cells.


Organ and tissue procurement in the acute care setting: principles and practice--Part 1.
The specialty of organ transplantation has grown tremendously during the past decade. With the advent of cyclosporine, artificial organs, and organ-assist devices, the possibility of suitable patients with end-stage organ disease becoming successful transplant recipients has increased dramatically. Consequently, the need for donor organs has risen. The greatest source of potential organ-tissue donors exists in the acute care setting (ie, emergency departments and intensive care units). To meet the need for this increasing demand, emergency physicians must become familiar with the techniques of procurement. Part 1 defines the problem of procurement and presents financial, historic, organizational, legal, and psychosocial aspects of organ-tissue procurement. A synopsis of brain death concludes the discussion. Part 2 (February 1990) presents aspects of the evaluation, selection, maintenance, and management of the organ-tissue donor. Disease transmission and controversial issues in organ-tissue procurement also are discussed.


Critical review of magnetic biosorbents: Their preparation, application, and regeneration for wastewater treatment.
The utilisation of magnetic biosorbents (metal or metal nanoparticles impregnated onto biosorbents) has attracted increasing research attention due to their manipulable active sites, specific surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution, easy separation, and reusability that are suitable for remediation of heavy metal(loid)s and organic contaminants. The properties of magnetic biosorbents (MB) depend on the raw biomass, properties of metal nanoparticles, modification/synthesis methods, and process parameters which influence the performance of removal efficiency of organic and inorganic contaminants. There is a lack of information regarding the development of tailored materials for particular contaminants and the influence of specific characteristics. This review focuses on the synthesis/modification methods, application, and recycling of magnetic biosorbents. In particular, the mechanisms and the effect of sorbents properties on the adsorption capacity. Ion exchanges, electrostatic interaction, precipitation, and complexation are the dominant sorption mechanisms for ionic contaminants whereas hydrophobic interaction, interparticle diffusion, partition, and hydrogen bonding are the dominant adsorption mechanisms for removal of organic contaminants by magnetic biosorbents. In generally, low pyrolysis temperatures are suitable for ionic contaminants separation, whereas high pyrolysis temperatures are suitable for organic contaminants removal. Additionally, magnetic properties of the biosorbents are positively correlated with the pyrolysis temperatures. Metal-based functional groups of MB can contribute to an ion exchange reaction which influences the adsorption capacity of ionic contaminants and catalytic degradation of non-persistent organic contaminants. Metal modified biosorbents can enhance adsorption capacity of anionic contaminants significantly as metal nanoparticles are not occupying positively charged active sites of the biosorbents. Magnetic biosorbents are promising adsorbents in comparison with other adsorbents including commercially available activated carbon, and thermally and chemically modified biochar in terms of their removal capacity, rapid and easy magnetic separation which allow multiple reuse to minimize remediation cost of organic and inorganic contaminants from wastewater.


An empirical comparison of several commercial enzyme immunoassays for the non-invasive assessment of adrenocortical and gonadal function in mountain gorillas.
Wildlife researchers seeking to non-invasively examine endocrine function in their study species are presented with a dense and technical 'garden of forking paths' to navigate between collecting a biological sample and obtaining a final measurement. In particular, the choice of which enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to use with collected fecal samples, out of the many options offered by different manufacturers and research laboratories, may be one of the most consequential for final results. However, guidance for making this decision is still emerging. With this gap in mind, we performed a head-to-head comparison of results obtained from four different EIAs for fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGCMs), and three different EIAs for fecal androgen metabolites (FAMs), applied to the same set of fecal samples collected from the mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) monitored by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. We provide a) an analytical validation of the different EIAs via tests of parallelism and linearity; b) an estimate of inter-assay correlation between EIA kits designed for the same metabolites; and c) a test of the kits' ecological validity, in which we examine how well each captures endocrine changes following events that theory predicts should result in elevated FGCM and/or FAM concentrations. Our results show that kits differ to some degree in their performance; at the same time, nearly all assays exhibited at least moderate evidence of validity and covariance with others for the same analyte. Our findings, which differ somewhat from similar comparisons performed in other species, demonstrate the need to directly assess assay performance in a species- and context-specific manner as part of efforts to develop the burgeoning discipline of wildlife endocrinology.