In vitro evaluation of genipin-crosslinked gelatin hydrogels for vocal fold injection.
Glottic insufficiency is one of the voice disorders affecting all demographics. Due to the incomplete closure of the vocal fold, there is a risk of aspiration and ineffective phonation. Current treatments for glottic insufficiency include nerve repair, reinnervation, implantation and injection laryngoplasty. Injection laryngoplasty is favored among these techniques due to its cost-effectiveness and efficiency. However, research into developing an effective injectable for the treatment of glottic insufficiency is currently lacking. Therefore, this study aims to develop an injectable gelatin (G) hydrogel crosslinked with either 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminpropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride) (EDC) or genipin (gn). The gelation time, biodegradability and swelling ratio of hydrogels with varying concentrations of gelatin (6-10% G) and genipin (0.1-0.5% gn) were investigated. Some selected formulations were proceeded with rheology, pore size, chemical analysis and in vitro cellular activity of Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells (WJMSCs), to determine the safety application of the selected hydrogels, for future cell delivery prospect. 6G 0.4gn and 8G 0.4gn were the only hydrogel groups capable of achieving complete gelation within 20 min, exhibiting an elastic modulus between 2 and 10 kPa and a pore size between 100 and 400 μm. Moreover, these hydrogels were biodegradable and biocompatible with WJMSCs, as > 70% viability were observed after 7 days of in vitro culture. Our results suggested 6G 0.4gn and 8G 0.4gn hydrogels as potential cell encapsulation injectates. In light of these findings, future research should focus on characterizing their encapsulation efficiency and exploring the possibility of using these hydrogels as a drug delivery system for vocal fold treatment.


The methane yield of digestate: effect of organic loading rate, hydraulic retention time, and plant feeding.
In biogas plants, huge volumes of digestate are produced daily and stored in uncovered tanks, which leak methane into the atmosphere and cause negative environmental impacts. To better understand the effect that different operating parameters of anaerobic digestion plants have on digestate residual methane yield, four digestate samples collected from plants with very different operations were analysed in batch reactors. Their methane yields were very heterogeneous and varied between 2.88 and 37.63 NL/kgVS. The methane yield was shown to be highly influenced by the A.D. plant Organic Loading Rate and by feedstock quality; hydraulic retention time had only limited effects.


Therapeutic potential of marine macrolides: An overview from 1990 to 2022.
The sea is a vast ecosystem that has remained primarily unexploited and untapped, resulting in numerous organisms. Consequently, marine organisms have piqued the interest of scientists as an abundant source of natural resources with unique structural features and fascinating biological activities. Marine macrolide is a top-class natural product with a heavily oxygenated polyene backbone containing macrocyclic lactone. In the last few decades, significant efforts have been made to isolate and characterize macrolides' chemical and biological properties. Numerous macrolides are extracted from different marine organisms such as marine microorganisms, sponges, zooplankton, molluscs, cnidarians, red algae, tunicates, and bryozoans. Notably, the prominent macrolide sources are fungi, dinoflagellates, and sponges. Marine macrolides have several bioactive characteristics such as antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, antiviral), anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, and neuroprotective activities. In brief, marine organisms are plentiful in naturally occurring macrolides, which can become the source of efficient and effective therapeutics for many diseases. This current review summarizes these exciting and promising novel marine macrolides in biological activities and possible therapeutic applications.


Optimization of the Management of Category III Thyroid Nodules Using Repeat FNA and TIRADS.
The aim of the study was to examine the benefits of the joint use of repeat FNA (rFNA) and EU-TIRADS in category III nodules in relation to the kind of atypia: nuclear vs. architectural (denoted by AUS and FLUS respectively). The study included 127 AUS and 1739 FLUS nodules with a known category of EU-TIRADS. Repeat FNA was performed in 82 AUS and 934 FLUS nodules of which 57 and 515 were excised, respectively. AUS nodules had higher malignancy risk than FLUS nodules. EU-TIRADS showed higher accuracy for AUS nodules, the opposite to rFNA, that had higher accuracy for FLUS nodules. The combined criterion for AUS nodules (at least rFNA-V or EU-TIRADS-4) maximized sensitivity (92.3%) with acceptable specificity (70.0%); OR: 28.0. In the case of FLUS nodules, the combined criterion (rFNA-V or EU-TIRADS-5) maximized specificity (95.2%) with 57.7% sensitivity and a low percentage (13.9%) of positive nodules, OR: 27.0. In both types of nodules, the low risk category in EU-TIRADS and benign result of rFNA excluded cancer. Concluding, category III nodules with and without nuclear atypia differ in their risk of malignancy and, consequently, diagnostic criteria adopted for the evaluation of these nodules with rFNA and EU-TIRADS should be specific to AUS and FLUS nodules.


Magnetoneurography: theory and application to peripheral nerve disorders.
Magnetoneurography (MNG) is a non-invasive method to trace and visualize three-dimensionally the propagation path of compound action currents (CAC) along peripheral nerves. The basic physical and physiological principle is the mapping of extremely weak magnetic fields generated by the intraaxonal longitudinal ion flows of evoked nerval CAC using SQUID sensors (Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices). During recent years, MNG protocols have been established which allow for a non-invasive spatiotemporal tracing of impulse propagation along peripheral nerves in humans and in particular along proximal nerve segments in a clinical setting. Thereby, the three-dimensional path, the local nerve conduction velocity, the length and strength of the CAC de- and repolarization phase have been reconstructed. First recordings in patients demonstrated that the method is sensitive enough to detect and to localize nerve conduction anomalities along nerve roots, as, e.g. caused by lumbosacral disc herniation. This review on MNG will focus on those studies which provide data from humans and thereby reveal perspectives for its future clinical applications.


Olfaction in fish.
1. Recent progress in the studies on olfaction in fish, with particular emphasis on electrophysiological and behavioral responses to biological odors and related chemicals, is reviewed. 2. One of the most characteristic features in fish olfaction is that it takes place entirely in the aquatic environment. The carrier of stimulant molecules is not air but water; therefore, chemicals that are detected olfactorily by fish need not be volatile, but must be soluble in water. 3. The olfactory organs of fishes are diversely developed. At one extreme they are well developed (macrosmatic) such as in sharks and eels, and at the other they are poorly developed (microsmatic) such as in pike and stickleback. 4. The nasal cavity is lined with the olfactory epithelium, which is raised from the floor of the organ into a series of lamellae to make a rosette. The arrangement, shape and degree of development of the lamallae in the rosette vary considerably from species to species. 5. It is doubtful whether simple relation exists between the surface area of the olfactory epithelium and sensitivity to odors, since the sensory epithelium is not distributed uniformly over the surface of the olfactory lamellae. 6. The olfactory epithelium of fish, like other vertebrates, consists of three cell types: receptor cells, supporting cells and basal cells. 7. The receptor cell, which is a bipolar primary sensory cell, sends a slender cylindrical dendrite toward the surface of the epithelium and is directly connected with the olfactory bulb by its axon. The dendrite terminates in a minute swelling (olfactory knob) which bears a variable number of cilia. 8. The information from the receptor cell is conveyed into the olfactory bulb, the first relay station, where signals are processed and integrated. The dominant feature of the bulb is the synaptic contact between the primary and secondary olfactory neurones in the form of glomerulus. 9. All the available evidence points to a great acuity of the olfactory sense in many fish species both in the capability and discriminating odorous chemicals. However, much discrepancies exist among data obtained by behavioral and electrophysiological techniques mainly because of the lack of systematic investigations. 10. Electrophysiological studies of olfaction have been hampered by the extremely small size of the olfactory neurones. 11. A slow negative monophasic potential is induced in the olfactory epithelium when stimulated with odorous chemicals (electro-olfactogram, EOG).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


Inherent sources of ultrasound variability in relation to follicular measurements.
Determination of ovarian follicular size and number by real-time ultrasound lacks the precision that has been ascribed to it. Four major error sources inherent in the scanning and interpreting process were analyzed to determine the relative contributions to overall variation. The sources measured were machine, sonographer, sonologist, and patient bladder volume. A protocol using a normal clomiphene-stimulated woman allowed the determination of the coefficient of variance for both follicular number and follicular diameter as well as a mean diameter range in each of the categories. A large degree of variation was found in all groups. Surprisingly, it was noted that maximal bladder filling did not produce optimal images. We believe that while variability in ultrasound can be recognized and lessened, it cannot be eliminated. Thus, caution must be used when ultrasound follicular comparisons are made within each program from day to day and particularly between institutions. A liberal range should be allowed for optimal follicle sizes for any given stimulation protocol.


Severe cellular stress activates apoptosis independently of p53 in osteosarcoma.
Apoptosis induced by doxorubicin, bortezomib, or paclitaxel, targeting DNA, 26S proteasome, and microtubules respectively, was assessed in two osteosarcoma cells, p53 wild-type U2OS and p53-null MG63 cells. Doxorubicin-induced apoptosis only occurred in U2OS, not in MG63. In contrast, bortezomib and paclitaxel could drive U2OS or MG63 toward apoptosis effectively, suggesting that apoptosis induced by bortezomib or paclitaxel is p53-independent. The expressions of Bcl2 family members such as Bcl2, Bcl-xl, and Puma could be seen in U2OS and MG63 cells with or without doxorubicin, bortezomib, or paclitaxel treatment. In contrast, another member, Bim, only could be observed in U2OS, not in MG63, under the same conditions. Bim knockdown did not affect the doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in U2OS, suggested that a BH3-only protein other than Bim might participate in apoptosis induced by doxorubicin. Using a BH3-mimetic, ABT-263, to inhibit Bcl2 or Bcl-xl produced a limited apoptotic response in U2OS and MG63 cells, suggesting that this BH3-mimetic cannot activate the Bax/Bak pathway efficiently. Significantly, ABT-263 enhanced doxorubicin- and bortezomib-induced apoptosis synergistically in U2OS and MG63 cells. These results implied that the severe cellular stress caused by doxorubicin or bortezomib might be mediated through a dual process to control apoptosis. Respectively, doxorubicin or bortezomib activates a BH3-only protein in one way and corresponding unknown factors in another way to affect mitochondrial outer membrane permeability, resulting in apoptosis. The combination of doxorubicin with ABT-263 could produce synergistic apoptosis in MG63 cells, which lack p53, suggesting that p53 has no role in doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in osteosarcoma. In addition, ABT-263 enhanced paclitaxel to induce moderate levels of apoptosis.


Redox-inactive metal ions modulate the reactivity and oxygen release of mononuclear non-haem iron(III)-peroxo complexes.
Redox-inactive metal ions that function as Lewis acids play pivotal roles in modulating the reactivity of oxygen-containing metal complexes and metalloenzymes, such as the oxygen-evolving complex in photosystem II and its small-molecule mimics. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of non-haem iron(III)-peroxo complexes that bind redox-inactive metal ions, (TMC)Fe(III)-(μ,η(2):η(2)-O2)-M(n+) (M(n+) = Sr(2+), Ca(2+), Zn(2+), Lu(3+), Y(3+) and Sc(3+); TMC, 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane). We demonstrate that the Ca(2+) and Sr(2+) complexes showed similar electrochemical properties and reactivities in one-electron oxidation or reduction reactions. However, the properties and reactivities of complexes formed with stronger Lewis acidities were found to be markedly different. Complexes that contain Ca(2+) or Sr(2+) ions were oxidized by an electron acceptor to release O2, whereas the release of O2 did not occur for complexes that bind stronger Lewis acids. We discuss these results in the light of the functional role of the Ca(2+) ion in the oxidation of water to dioxygen by the oxygen-evolving complex.


Disease-associated variants of Gap Junction Beta 2 protein (GJB2) in the deaf population of Southern Punjab of Pakistan.
Hearing impairment (HI) is a highly heterogeneous genetic disorder and is classified into nonsyndromic (without any other clinical manifestations) and syndromic (if combined with other clinical presentations) forms. Variations in GJB2 gene are the leading cause of autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) in several populations worldwide. This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of GJB2 variations in severe-to-profound hearing impaired families of Southern Punjab of Pakistan. Ten families segregating ARNSHL were recruited from different areas of the region. Sanger sequencing of GJB2 coding region was carried out. In two out of ten families, NM_004004:c.*71G>A (p.(Trp24*)) and NM_004004:c.358_360del (p.(Glu120del)) homozygous variants were identified as the cause of hearing loss. Our study showed that GJB2-related hearing loss accounts for at least 20% of all cases with severe-to-profound hearing loss in the Southern Punjab population of Pakistan.


The alpha-lytic protease pro-region does not require a physical linkage to activate the protease domain in vivo.
alpha-Lytic protease, an extracellular serine protease of Lysobacter enzymogenes 495, is synthesized as a pre-pro-protein. Previously it has been shown that when expressed in Escherichia coli, the protein is autocatalytically processed in the periplasmic space, and that the functional protease domain accumulates extracellularly. Engineered proteins lacking the 166 amino-acid pro-region were enzymatically inactive and remained cell-associated. By independently expressing the pro- and protease domains in vivo, evidence is provided here that direct covalent linkage is not required for production of active protease. We postulate that the pro-region acts as a template to promote the folding of the protease domain into an active configuration. Our results, combined with recent experiments on the evolutionarily unrelated subtilisin E (ref. 3), suggest that the ability of the pro-region of these bacterial proteases to facilitate folding of their protease domains is not a curiosity of a single system, but may reflect a general property of extracellular bacterial serine proteases.


Short communication on "Differentiating with fluorescence spectroscopy the sources of dissolved organic matter in soils subjected to drying" [Zsolnay et al. Chemosphere 38, 45-50, 1999].
This article is a short, but very important comment to the often used humification index (HIX), assumed to indicate the degree of biochemical degradation of dissolved organic matter in water samples. HIX is commonly calculated by dividing the fluorescence intensity detected at longer wave lengths by the intensity detected at shorter wavelengths. However, we found typos in the original article that affect the used equation directly and thus the results. We compared the different ways to calculate HIX and found a strong correlation between all results. Nevertheless, we recommend to use only equation 1, especially if data from different studies should be compared.


Prevalence of undernutrition among Kora-Mudi children aged 2-13 years in Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal, India.
nutritional status of tribal children in West Bengal has not been investigated adequately. The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting in Kora-Mudi children of Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, India. a cross sectional study was undertaken in two villages of the Paschim Medinipur District. Of 119 children aged 2-13 years, 59 boys and 60 girls were studied. Height and weight measurements were made by standard techniques. Children were considered as underweight, stunting and wasting if their weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height Z-scores <-2.0 SD of the National Center for Health Statistics reference standards. the overall prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was 52.9%, 49.6% and 22.7%, respectively. About 16.0%, 24.4% and 1.7% of children were found to be severely underweight, stunted and wasted. The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was higher in preschool children than in school going children. The chance of underweight, stunting and wasting was 1.80, 1.10 and 1.58 times greater in preschool children than in school going children. Moreover, the prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was higher in boys than in girls. The boys had 1.45, 1.66 and 2.02 times greater risk to be underweight, stunted and wasted. According to the WHO classification of severity in malnutrition, the overall prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was as high as ≥ 30%, ≥ 40 and ≥ 15%. the nutritional status of Kora-Mudi children in West Bengal is critical. Appropriate measures should be taken by the respective authorities to improve childhood health and nutritional status.


Ecosystem services as systemic enablers for transformation in the Hindu Kush Himalaya: an analytical synthesis.
Centre-staging ecosystem services within development paradigms can improve understanding on the flow of benefits from nature to human societies across time, scale and geographies, and trigger well-being-oriented societal and policy responses in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region. This region is amongst the world's most biodiverse, has high-value nature-society interactions, supports one-fourth of humanity and faces several developmental challenges. An assessment of the existing evidence establishes that substantial benefits and values can be gained by nurturing the relationship between ecosystems and socio-economic systems. Mainstreaming ecosystem services in the development agenda helps address poverty and intersectionality, preserves culture and heritage, and enables holistic transformation in the region. The Nature Futures Framework of the IPBES is used to develop and apply an analytical framework for the region, in which ecosystem service-oriented action pathways are considered to be relevant and feasible for attaining sustainability. Three pathways, labelled as Prevention, Restoration and Development innovation, incorporate strategies and actions that mainstream ecosystem services and uphold the multiple values placed on nature by society. Illustrations are used to demonstrate the significant potential for policy action in creating positive impacts on both nature and society with the adoption of a Nature Futures framing for the region. The region has the potential to demonstrate the operationalisation of an integrated framework for nurturing nature-people relationships, in the pursuit of transformative change as envisioned under the sustainable development agenda. Ecosystem services can enable such transformative change, acting as triggers for action that mainstream nature into developmental decision-making.


Viral whole-genome sequencing to assess impact of universal masking on SARS-CoV-2 transmission among pediatric healthcare workers.
To identify the impact of universal masking on COVID-19 incidence and putative SARS-CoV-2 transmissions events among children's hospital healthcare workers (HCWs). Quasi-experimental study. Single academic free-standing children's hospital. We performed whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2- PCR-positive samples collected from HCWs 3 weeks before and 6 weeks after implementing a universal masking policy. Phylogenetic analyses were performed to identify clusters of clonally related SARS-CoV-2 indicative of putative transmission events. We measured COVID-19 incidence, SARS-CoV-2 test positivity rates, and frequency of putative transmission events before and after the masking policy was implemented. HCW COVID-19 incidence and test positivity declined from 14.3 to 4.3 cases per week, and from 18.4% to 9.0%, respectively. Putative transmission events were only identified prior to universal masking. A universal masking policy was associated with reductions in HCW COVID-19 infections and occupational acquisition of SARS-CoV-2.


[Multiresistant pathogens in surgery].
Nosocomial infections caused by multidrug resistant organism (MDRO) are an increasingly common healthcare-associated problem. In surgery methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is still the most important of these bacteria, and the management of MRSA infections and the prevention of their nosocomial transmission are a major challenge. Hence, a comprehensive strategy for the prevention of nosocomial MRSA infections is imperative including optimization of antibiotic use in hospital, antibiotic stewardship as well as admission surveillance cultures, and improved compliance of hand hygiene.


Midterm Survivorship of Robotic-Assisted Lateral Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty.
Lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is a popular alternative to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for patients with isolated lateral compartment osteoarthritis. Few studies have investigated outcomes following robotic-assisted lateral UKA. The purpose of this study is to evaluate mid-term survivorship and patient-reported outcomes of robotic-assisted lateral UKA. A retrospective case series was conducted on all robotic-assisted lateral UKAs performed by a single surgeon between 2013 and 2019. Patient demographics, surgical variables, and Kozinn and Scott criteria were collected. Implant survivorship was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method with all-cause reoperation and conversion to TKA as endpoints. Participating patients were assessed for patient satisfaction and the Forgotten Joint Score-12. Correlations between patient demographics and patient outcome scores were investigated. In total, 120 lateral UKAs were identified, 84 of which met inclusion criteria, with a mean follow-up of 4.0 years (range 2.0-7.0). Five-year survivorship was 92.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 84.5-96.7) with all-cause reoperation as the endpoint, and 100% (95% CI 95.0-100) with conversion to TKA as the endpoint. One patient was converted to TKA after the 5-year mark, resulting in a 6-year survival for conversion to TKA of 88.9% (95% CI 44.9-98.5). Average Forgotten Joint Score-12 score was 82.7/100, and patient satisfaction 4.7/5. Mean coronal plane correction was 2.5° ± 1.9° toward the mechanical axis. Neither final postoperative alignment nor failure to meet classic Kozinn and Scott criteria for UKA resulted in differences in patient-reported outcomes. The current study demonstrates high mid-term survivorship and excellent patient-reported outcomes with robotic-assisted lateral UKA. Robotic-assisted lateral UKA is a viable treatment option for isolated lateral compartment arthritis even in patients who do not meet classic indications.


Genome-wide analysis of valine-glutamine motif-containing proteins related to abiotic stress response in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.).
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is one of the most important economic crops and is susceptible to various abiotic stresses. The valine-glutamine (VQ) motif-containing proteins are plant-specific proteins with a conserved "FxxhVQxhTG" amino acid sequence that regulates plant growth and development. However, little is known about the function of VQ proteins in cucumber. In this study, a total of 32 CsVQ proteins from cucumber were confirmed and characterized using comprehensive genome-wide analysis, and they all contain a conserved motif with 10 variations. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that these CsVQ proteins were classified into nine groups by comparing the CsVQ proteins with those of Arabidopsis thaliana, melon and rice. CsVQ genes were distributed on seven chromosomes. Most of these genes were predicted to be localized in the nucleus. In addition, cis-elements in response to different stresses and hormones were observed in the promoters of the CsVQ genes. A network of CsVQ proteins interacting with WRKY transcription factors (CsWRKYs) was proposed. Moreover, the transcripts of CsVQ gene were spatio-temporal specific and were induced by abiotic adversities. CsVQ4, CsVQ6, CsVQ16-2, CsVQ19, CsVQ24, CsVQ30, CsVQ32, CsVQ33, and CsVQ34 were expressed in the range of organs and tissues at higher levels and could respond to multiple hormones and different stresses, indicating that these genes were involved in the response to stimuli. Together, our results reveal novel VQ resistance gene resources, and provide critical information on CsVQ genes and their encoded proteins, which supplies important genetic basis for VQ resistance breeding of cucumber plants.


[Organ transplantation and blood transfusion].
Pretransplant blood transfusion remains a controversial subject and its history can summarize the last 40 years of transplantation. Until 1971, transfusions were widely used in patients awaiting transplantation, especially due to the anemia induced by the chronic renal dysfunction. Then, a noxious effect of preformed anti-HLA antibodies on renal grafts survival was reported and pretransplant transfusions were stopped. Between 1972 and 1977, improvement of renal graft survival in patients who received pretransplant transfusions was noted. Therefore, from 1978 on, a systematic policy of pretransplant transfusions was adopted by almost all centres of transplantation. During the eighties, it was again abandoned for several reasons: absence of graft survival improvement in patients treated by cyclosporine, HLA immunization leading to an increased incidence of acute graft rejection, risk of viral diseases transmission and human recombinant erythropoietin development. The lack of improvement in graft survival for ten years has been leading the transplant community to look for antigen-specific immunosuppressive strategies to achieve transplantation tolerance. Donor-specific transfusion may have clinical benefits, as long-term grafts survival improvement, through modulation of the recipient's cellular immune system and has been recently reconsidered, especially before living donor transplantation. The immunological mechanisms inducing a tolerance-gaining effect of transfusions are still misunderstood, but the recent discovery of immunomodulatory effects of the apoptotic cells present in cellular products could enlighten our comprehension of pretransplant transfusions benefits and could help to develop specific tolerance induction strategies in solid organ transplantation.


P-type 3C-SiC nanowires and their optical and electrical transport properties.
We report for the first time the fabrication of p-type SiC nanowire field-effect transistors (FETs) using an individual Al-doped 3C-SiC nanowire with a single crystalline structure. The Raman spectroscopy of the as-grown p-type wire indicates that the linewidth and peak intensity of LO-phonon bands are sensitive to temperature variations.


Resin-based iron-manganese binary oxide for phosphate selective removal.
Adsorption technology can effectively remove phosphorus from water and realize phosphorus recovery. Hence, it is used to curb the eutrophication of water and alleviate the crisis caused by the shortage of phosphorus resources. Resin has been attracting increasing interest as an ideal adsorption material; however, its practical application is greatly affected by environmental factors. To solve the competitive adsorption and pore blockage caused by humic acid and coexisting ions during the removal of phosphorus by ion-exchange resin, this study has developed an iron-manganese oxide-modified resin composite adsorbent (Fe/Mn-402) based on the nanoconfinement theory. The structural characterization results of XRD, FT-IR, SEM, and XPS showed that the iron-manganese binary oxide was successfully loaded on the skeleton of the strongly alkaline anion resin and showed good stability under both neutral and alkaline conditions. The batch adsorption experiments showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of Fe/Mn-402 for phosphorus can reach up to 50.97 mg g-1 under the optimal raw material ratio (Fe:Mn = 1:1). In addition, Fe/Mn-402 shows good selectivity for phosphorus removal. Fe/Mn-402 can maintain good adsorption performance for phosphate even under high concentrations of SO42-, HCO3-, and humic acid. The regenerated Fe/Mn-402 can be recycled without any obvious change in its treatment capacity. Hence, it is suitable for stable, long-term usage. In general, this work puts forward a new idea for the development of phosphorus-removal adsorbents for the treatment of wastewater containing coexisting ions and HA.


Lactate dehydrogenase isozymes in parthenogenetic teiid lizards (Cnemidophorus).
Heterozygosity occurs at the lactate dehydrogenase b-locus in two diploid parthenogenetic species of Cnemidophorus. Each such species produces two different B subunits, one of which is also found in two sexual species and in two triploid parthenogenetic species; the other occurs also in a third sexual species. Interspecific hybridization between sexual species carrying different b-alleles and producing different B subunits may be responsible for the heterozygosity at the lactate dehydrogenase b-locus in diploid parthenogenetic Cnemidophours.


Evaluation of deep learning for COVID-19 diagnosis: Impact of image dataset organization.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread all over the world showing high transmissibility. Many studies have proposed diverse diagnostic methods based on deep learning using chest X-ray images focusing on performance improvement. In reviewing them, this study noticed that evaluation results might be influenced by dataset organization. Therefore, this study identified whether the high-performance values can prove the clinical application potential. This study selected chest X-ray image databases which have been widely applied in previous studies. One database includes images for COVID-19, while the others consist of normal and pneumonia images. Then, the COVID-19 classification model was designed and trained on diverse database compositions and evaluated using confusion matrix-based metrics. Also, each database was analyzed by graphical representation methods. The performance was significantly different according to dataset composition. Overall, higher performance was identified on the dataset organized with different databases for each class, compared with the dataset from same database. Also, there were significant differences in the image characteristics between different databases. The experimental results indicate that model may be trained based on differences of the image characteristics between databases and not on lesion features. This shows that evaluation metrics can be influenced by dataset organization, and high metric values would not directly mean the potential for clinical application. These emphasize the importance of suitable dataset organization for applying COVID-19 diagnosis methods to real clinical sites. Radiologists should sufficiently understand about this issue as actual user of these methods.


Temporal Acute Serum Estradiol and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Associations and Risk of Death after Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.
Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) activates a robust systemic response that involves inflammatory and other factors, including estradiol (E2), associated with increased deaths. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) is a significant mediator of systemic shock, and it is an extra-gonadal transcription factor for E2 production. The study objectives were to test the hypotheses: (1) a positive feedback relationship exists between acute serum TNFα and E2; and (2) acute concentrations of E2 and TNFα are prognostic indicators of death after severe TBI. This prospective cohort study included N = 157 adults with severe TBI. Serum samples were collected for the first five days post-injury. The TNFα and E2 levels were averaged into two time epochs: first 72 h (T1) and second 72 h post-injury (T2). A cross-lag panel analysis conducted between T1 and T2 TNFα and E2 levels showed significant cross-lag effects: T1 TNFα and T1 E2 were related to T2 E2 and T2 TNFα, respectively. Cox proportional hazards multi variable regression models determined that increases in T1 E2 (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15, 2.81), but not T2 E2 (HR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.56, 1.47), were associated with increased risk of death. Increased T2 TNFα (HR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.35, 4.53), and T1 TNFα (HR = 1.47, 95% CI: 0.99, 2.19), to a lesser degree, were associated with increased risk of death. Relationships of death with T2 TNFα and T1 E2 were mediated partially by cardiovascular, hepatic, and renal dysfunction. Both E2 and TNFα are systemic, reciprocally related biomarkers that may be indicative of systemic compromise and increased risk of death after severe TBI.


Allergic contact dermatitis from gardenia fruit.
A 41-year-old man, with severe itchy dermatitis on the left leg, had treated a bruise on the left knee with a topical folk remedy called Sokujikoh, which contains about 16% powdered gardenia fruit. After 4 days, an exacerbation of symptoms appeared, with edema, erythema, and vesicles on the treated area. Patch testing indicated sensitivity to the seeds of gardenia fruit and, to a lesser extent, the pericarp (fruit wall). The allergens could be extracted into ethanol and, less readily, into water.


Thiazolidinedione treatment and constitutive-PPARgamma activation induces ectopic adipogenesis and promotes age-related thymic involution.
Age-related thymic involution is characterized by reduction in T cell production together with ectopic adipocyte development within the hematopoietic and thymic niches. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is required for adipocyte development, glucose homeostasis and is a target for several insulin-sensitizing drugs. Our prior studies showed that age-related elevation of PPARgamma expression in thymic stromal cells is associated with thymic involution. Here, using clinically relevant pharmacological and genetic manipulations in mouse models, we provide evidence that activation of PPARgamma leads to reduction in thymopoiesis. Treatment of aged mice with antihyperglycemic PPARgamma-ligand class of thiazolidinedione drug, rosiglitazone caused robust thymic expression of classical pro-adipogenic transcripts. Rosiglitazone reduced thymic cellularity, lowered the naïve T cell number and T cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) indicative of compromised thymopoiesis. To directly investigate whether PPARgamma activation induces thymic involution, we created transgenic mice with constitutive-active PPARgamma (CA-PPARg) fusion protein in cells of adipogenic lineage. Importantly, CA-PPARgamma transgene was expressed in thymus and in fibroblast-specific protein-1/S100A4 (FSP1(+)) cells, a marker of secondary mesenchymal cells. The CAPPARgamma fusion protein mimicked the liganded PPARgamma receptor and the transgenic mice displayed increased ectopic thymic adipogenesis and reduced thymopoiesis. Furthermore, the reduction in thymopoiesis in CA-PPARgamma mice was associated with higher bone marrow adiposity and lower hematopoietic stem cell progenitor pool. Consistent with lower thymic output, CAPPARgamma transgenic mice had restricted T cell receptor repertoire diversity. Collectively, our data suggest that activation of PPARgamma accelerates thymic aging and thymus-specific PPARgamma antagonist may forestall age-related decline in T cell diversity.


4-(1,2,4-Triazol-1-yl)aniline.
In the title compound, C(8)H(8)N(4), the dihedral angle between the triazole ring [maximum deviation = 0.003 (1) Å] and the benzene ring is 34.57 (7)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked into sheets lying parallel to the ac plane via inter-molecular N-H⋯N and C-H⋯N hydrogen bonds. Aromatic π-π [centroid-centroid distance = 3.6750 (8) Å] stacking and N-H⋯π inter-actions are also observed.


Myocardial Infarction Associated Transcript (MIAT): Review of its impact in the tumorigenesis.
Myocardial Infarction Associated Transcript (MIAT) is a non-coding transcript which is located on chromosome 22q12.1. This lncRNA can regulate expression of genes at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional stages. It has been firstly recognized as a susceptibility locus for myocardial infarction. Subsequently, its role in the development of several human cancers has been acknowledged. Numerous researches have reported the impact of MIAT silencing on the reduction of cell viability, proliferation and invasion while enhancement of cellular senescence and apoptosis. Consistently, investigations in the xenograft models have verified MIAT role in the promotion of tumor growth. Numerous microRNAs such as miR-214, miR-22-3p, miR-520d-3p, miR-203a, miR-29a-3p, miR-141, miR-150, miR-302, miR-29, and miR-155-5p have functional interactions with this lncRNA. Moreover, dysregulation of MIAT has been associated with abnormal activity of numerous cancer-related signaling cascades such as Hippo, PI3K/Akt/c-Met and Wnt/β-catenin. In the current review, we explain the role of MIAT in the cancer evolution based on the outcomes of in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies.


Development of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system in amphibians with special reference to metamorphosis.
In this review article, topics of the embryonic origin of the adenohypophysis and hypothalamus and the development of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system for the completion of metamorphosis in amphibians are included. The primordium of the adenohypophysis as well as the primordium of the hypothalamus in amphibians is of neural origin as shown in other vertebrates, and both are closely associated with each other at the earliest stage of development. Metamorphosis progresses via the interaction of thyroid hormone and adrenal corticosteroids, of which secretion is enhanced by thyrotropin and corticotropin, respectively. However, unlike in mammals, the hypothalamic releasing factor for thyrotropin is not thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), but corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and the major releasing factor for corticotropin is arginine vasotocin (AVT). Prolactin, the release of which is profoundly enhanced by TRH at the metamorphic climax, is another pituitary hormone involved in metamorphosis. Prolactin has a dual role: modulation of the metamorphic speed and the development of organs for adult life. The secretory activities of the pituitary cells containing the three above-mentioned pituitary hormones are elevated toward the metamorphic climax in parallel with the activities of the CRF, AVT, and TRH neurons.


Acute rheumatic fever in Swedish children 1971-80.
Hospital records from all Swedish children 0-15 years old diagnosed as having acute rheumatic fever (ARF) during 1971-80 were studied. Thirty-one children fully met with Jones' modified criterias which gives an incidence of 0.2 cases per 100 000 children and year. Carditis was the most common major manifestation of ARF. In most children the carditis was mild but in three cases there was a persistent cardial affection. 16 of the children received prophylactic antibiotic treatment. No recurrent attacks of ARF were found during the study period.


Piloting an integrated approach for estimation of environmental risk of Schistosoma haematobium infections in pre-school-aged children and their mothers at Barombi Kotto, Cameroon.
Within schistosomiasis control, assessing environmental risk of currently non-treated demographic groups e.g. pre-school-aged children (PSAC) and their mothers is important. We conducted a pilot micro-epidemiological assessment at the crater lake of Barombi Kotto, Cameroon with GPS tracking and infection data from 12 PSAC-mother pairs (n = 24) overlaid against environmental sampling inclusive of snail, parasite and water-use information. Several high-risk locations or 'hotspots' with elevated water contact, increased intermediate snail host densities and detectable schistosome environmental DNA (eDNA) were identified. Exposure between PSAC and mother pairs was temporally and spatially associated, suggesting interventions which can benefit both groups simultaneously might be feasible. When attempting to interrupt parasite transmission in future, overlaid maps of snail, parasite and water contact data can guide fine-scale spatial targeting of environmental interventions.


Biological activity of 2α,3β,23-trihydroxyolean-12-ene on glucose homeostasis.
We studied the effect and the mechanisms of action of 2α,3β,23-trihydroxyolean-12-ene (THO), from Croton heterodoxus Baill. (Euphorbiaceae), in glucose uptake in hyperglycemic rats. The effect of in vivo pretreatment with THO in hyperglycemic rats was analyzed. The in vitro effects of THO were observed in adipocytes and in adipose tissue. THO reduced glycemia, in part by increasing serum insulin and augmenting the disposal of glucose as glycogen in hepatocytes but did not change the serum concentration of glucagon-like peptide-1. THO increased glucose uptake in adipocytes and in adipose tissue by a mechanism dependent on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase vesicular traffic and on the process of vesicle fusion at the plasma membrane in regions containing cholesterol, indicating the involvement of glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4). This triterpene may act solely via the activation and translocation of GLUT4 (rather than via nuclear actions, such as upregulation of GLUT4 synthesis), since THO did not alter the amount of GLUT4 mRNA or the content of GLUT4. Consistent with these data, the stimulatory effect of this triterpene on the quantity of GLUT4 in the membrane fraction was dependent upon p38 phosphorylation. In this experimental model, orally administered 10 mg/kg THO did not modulate extracellular serum lactate dehydrogenase. In conclusion, THO decreases hyperglycemia by increasing serum insulin and hepatic glycogen content. The THO mechanism of action on adipose tissue for glucose uptake is suggested to be via GLUT4 translocation stimulation mediated by a p38-dependent mechanism. THO is a potential antihyperglycemic agent that acts in a target tissue for glucose homeostasis.


Cellular alterations and damage to the renal tissue of marine catfish Arius arius following Cd exposure and the possible sequestrant role of Metallothionein.
Cd is a non-degradable heavy metal pollutant with no known biological role. When taken up by living organisms from the environment, it causes extensive tissue damage. Here, we studied the effects of exposure to 20 mg/L-1CdCl2for 0, 24, 48, and 72 h on the renal tissue of marine catfish Arius arius. Cd uptake, metallothionein (MT) induction, microarchitectural alterations, DNA fragmentation, and caspase-3 activity were studied. Cd and MT levels were time-dependent and positively correlated. The diameter of the Bowman's capsule and tubules was significantly increased. Meanwhile, the density, diameter, and volume of the glomerulus as well as the density and volume of tubules decreased. Cd induced apoptosis though elevatedcaspase-3 activity. These results support the notion that exposure to sublethal Cd levels induces oxidative stress, leading to structural and functional impairment of the kidneys. Cd uptake and MT induction can serve as useful environmental biomarkers.


The acute and chronic toxicity of ammonia to marine fish and a mysid.
The acute toxicity (96-hr LC50) of un-ionized ammonia to mysids (Mysidopsis bahia) and larval inland silversides (Menidia beryllina) was influenced by pH and salinity in a species specific manner. With mysids, NH3 was most toxic at pH 7.0 and less toxic at pH 8.0 and 9.0. In contrast, NH3 toxicity to inland silversides was greatest at pH 7.0 and 9.0 and lowest at pH 8.0. A drop in salinity from 31 g/kg to 11 g/kg uniformly increased toxicity to mysids over this pH range. In contrast, in silversides at 11 g/kg, NH3 toxicity was less at pH 7.0, greater at pH 8, and slightly less at pH 9, relative to the toxicity at 31 g/kg. Temperature had no significant effect on the acute toxicity of un-ionized ammonia with acclimated mysids tested at 18, 25 and 32.5 degrees C, but did have a small effect with acclimated larval sheepshead minnows (Cyprinodon variegatus) tested at 13, 25 and 32.5 degrees C. The chronic toxicity value (the geometric mean of the highest no-effect concentration and lowest effect concentration) at pH 8.0, 25 degrees C and 31 g/kg salinity is 0.061 mg NH3/L for inland silversides and 0.232 mg NH3/L for mysids; the acute:chronic ratio is 21.3 and 7.2, respectively.


Electrophysiological study of four patients with Fisher syndrome: a mechanism of areflexia.
Electrophysiological studies were performed on four patients with the Fisher syndrome (two 4-year-old boys, a 5-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl). Motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), nerve action potential, F wave, H reflex and T reflex were measured at the stage when areflexia was present but ataxia and ophthalmoplegia had recovered. MNCV and SNCV by compound mixed nerve potential were normal in all our patients. The amplitude of the muscle responses (M-responses) and compound mixed nerve action potentials were also within normal limits. The latencies of the F waves and F wave conduction velocities were normal. However, H-reflexes and T-reflexes were absent in all four cases. Our results suggested that areflexia in the Fisher syndrome is attributed to the desynchronization of the impulses or the partial conduction block of GIa fibers.


Development of a difficulty scoring system for laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy in the initial stage of the learning curve: a retrospective cohort study.
It remains uncertain how surgeons can safely pass the learning curve of laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy (LPD) without potentially harming patients. We aimed to develop a difficulty scoring system (DSS) to select an appropriate patient for surgeons. A total of 773 elective pancreatoduodenectomy surgeries between July 2014 and December 2019, including 346 LPD and 427 open pancreatoduodenectomy cases, were included. A 10-level DSS for LPD was developed, and an additional 77 consecutive LPD surgeries which could provide information of the learning stage I of LPD externally validated its performance between December 2019 and December 2021. The incidences of postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo≥III) gradually decreased from the learning curve stage I-III (20.00, 10.94, 5.79%, P =0.008, respectively). The DSS consisted of the following independent risk factors: (1) tumor location, (2) vascular resection and reconstruction, (3) learning curve stage, (4) prognostic nutritional index, (5) tumor size, and (6) benign or malignant tumor. The weighted Cohen's κ statistic of concordance between the reviewer's and calculated difficulty score index was 0.873. The C -statistics of DSS for postoperative complication (Clavien-Dindo≥III) were 0.818 in the learning curve stage I. The patients with DSS<5 had lower postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo≥III) than those with DSS≥5 (4.35-41.18%, P =0.004) in the training cohort and had a lower postoperative pancreatic fistula (19.23-57.14%, P =0.0352), delayed gastric emptying (19.23-71.43%, P =0.001), and bile leakage rate (0.00-21.43%, P =0.0368) in validation cohort in the learning curve stage I. We developed and validated a difficulty score model for patient selection, which could facilitate the stepwise adoption of LPD for surgeons at different stages of the learning curve.


Characterization of bafilomycin biosynthesis in Kitasatospora setae KM-6054 and comparative analysis of gene clusters in Actinomycetales microorganisms.
Bafilomycins A1, C1 and B1 (setamycin) produced by Kitasatospora setae KM-6054 belong to the plecomacrolide family, which exhibit antibacterial, antifungal, antineoplastic and immunosuppressive activities. An analysis of gene clusters from K. setae KM-6054 governing the biosynthesis of bafilomycins revealed that it contains five large open reading frames (ORFs) encoding the multifunctional polypeptides of bafilomycin polyketide synthases (PKSs). These clustered PKS genes, which are responsible for bafilomycin biosynthesis, together encode 11 homologous sets of enzyme activities, each catalyzing a specific round of polyketide chain elongation. The region contains an additional 13 ORFs spanning a distance of 73 287 bp, some of which encode polypeptides governing other key steps in bafilomycin biosynthesis. Five ORFs, BfmB, BfmC, BfmD, BfmE and BfmF, were involved in the formation of methoxymalonyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP). Two possible regulatory genes, bfmR and bfmH, were found downstream of the above genes. A gene-knockout analysis revealed that BfmR was only a transcriptional regulator for the transcription of bafilomycin biosynthetic genes. Two genes, bfmI and bfmJ, were found downstream of bfmH. An analysis of these gene-disruption mutants in addition to an enzymatic analysis of BfmI and BfmJ revealed that BfmJ activated fumarate and BfmI functioned as a catalyst to form a fumaryl ester at the C21 hydroxyl residue of bafilomycin A1. A comparative analysis of bafilomycin gene clusters in K. setae KM-6054, Streptomyces lohii JCM 14114 and Streptomyces griseus DSM 2608 revealed that each ORF of both gene clusters in two Streptomyces strains were quite similar to each other. However, each ORF of gene cluster in K. setae KM-6054 was of lower similarity to that of corresponding ORF in the two Streptomyces species.


Critical components of the female reproductive pathway are suppressed by the angiogenesis inhibitor AGM-1470.
Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, occurs normally in female reproductive organs. We tested the hypothesis that angiogenesis inhibition may affect fertility by studying the reproductive system in either pregnant or nonpregnant cycling mice after treatment with the angiogenesis inhibitor AGM-1470. Administration of AGM-1470 to pregnant mice resulted in complete failure of embryonic growth due to interference with decidualization, placental and yolk sac formation, and embryonic vascular development. When nonpregnant cycling female mice were chronically treated with AGM-1470, inhibition of endometrial maturation and corpora lutea was observed. These data suggest that processes in reproduction can be controlled through angiogenesis inhibition.


Carcinoma of the thyroid: differential behaviour in solitary and multinodular tumours.
One hundred and sixty-three cases of thyroid carcinoma were treated between 1979 and 1983. The cancers were classified as solitary nodules or carcinomas in multinodular goitres according to their clinical presentation. Analysis revealed a significantly higher incidence of T0/T1 in the solitary nodular carcinoma group (P less than 0.001) and a lower incidence of metastatic disease (P less than 0.05) compared with multinodular carcinoma. Survival for the T0/T1 subgroup of solitary nodular carcinoma was significantly better compared with the same subgroup of multinodular carcinoma (P less than 0.05).


Dynamics of the canonical RNA degradosome components during glucose stress.
The RNA Degradosome (RNAD) is a multi-enzyme complex, which performs important functions in post-transcriptional regulation in Escherichia coli with the assistance of regulatory sRNAs and the RNA chaperone Hfq. Although the interaction of the canonical RNAD components with RNase E has been extensively studied, the dynamic nature of the interactions in vivo remains largely unknown. In this work, we explored the rearrangements upon glucose stress using fluorescence energy transfer (hetero-FRET). Results revealed differences in the proximity of the canonical components with 1% (55.5 mM) glucose concentration, with the helicase RhlB and the glycolytic enzyme Enolase exhibiting the largest changes to the C-terminus of RNase E, followed by PNPase. We quantified ptsG mRNA decay and SgrS sRNA synthesis as they mediate bacterial adaptation to glucose stress conditions. We propose that once the mRNA degradation is completed, the RhlB, Enolase and PNPase decrease their proximity to the C-terminus of RNase E. Based on the results, we present a model where the canonical components of the RNAD coalesce when the bacteria is under glucose-6-phosphate stress and associate it with RNA decay. Our results demonstrate that FRET is a helpful tool to study conformational rearrangements in enzymatic complexes in bacteria in vivo.


Studies on the products of conversion of 4-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-1,2,4-triazoline-5-thione. VII. Synthesis of 4-beta-acetylaminoethyl derivatives of 1,2,4-triazoline-5-thione.
In the reaction of 4-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-1,2,4-triazoline-5-thione derivatives (Ia,b) with the primary amines the corresponding amides (IIa,b-IVa,b) have been formed. These amides were then undergone to reduction with LiAlH4 leading to the formation of corresponding amines (Va,b-VIIa,b). Then by means of the reaction with acetic anhydride these amines were transformed into corresponding acetylamine derivatives of 1,2,4-triazoline-5-thione (VIIIa,b-Xa,b).


Role of atrial septostomy in the treatment of children with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
To assess in retrospect the safety and effectiveness of atrial septostomy in children with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension without an intracardiac communication. 20 patients were reviewed retrospectively, 19 with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. The mean age at septostomy was 8.4 years (range 3 months to 17 years). Graded balloon septostomy alone was carried out in eight patients, a blade septostomy was done in two, a blade septostomy plus graded balloon septostomy was done in three, and a fenestrated device was inserted in seven. There were no fatalities. Four children suffered complications during the procedure. None had further syncope and all improved symptomatically with a significant (p < 0.01) decrease in World Health Organization functional class (mean shift -0.6) and a significant improvement in the semiquantitative echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular function (p < 0.03). The mean oxygen saturation decreased by 7.8 percentage points. The atrial communication closed in two children, necessitating a repeat procedure. After a mean follow up of 2.1 years (range one month to 6.7 years), 18 of 20 children are still alive. Atrial septostomy improved symptoms and quality of life in a group of children deteriorating with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. This procedure is to be recommended for severely symptomatic children, before they become critically ill. Fenestrated devices may help ensure indefinite patency of the atrial communication.


Nimbolide ameliorates the streptozotocin-induced diabetic retinopathy in rats through the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common problem in the diabetic patients due to the high blood glucose level. DR affects more number of diabetic patients worldwide with irreversible vision loss. The current investigation was focused to reveal the therapeutic actions of nimbolide against the streptozotocin (STZ)-provoked DR in rats through inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB pathway. DR was provoked to the rats through administering a single dose of STZ (60 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. The DR rats were then supplemented with the 50 mg/kg of nimbolide for 60 days. The bodyweight and blood glucose level was measured using standard methods. The lipid profiles (cholesterol, TG, LDL, and HDL), inflammatory markers, and antioxidants level was detected using respective kits. The level of MCP-1, VEGF, and MMP-9 was quantified using kits. The morphometric analysis of retinal tissues were done. The mRNA expressions of target genes were studied using RT-PCR assay. Nimbolide treatment effective decreased the food intake and blood glucose, and improved the bodyweight of STZ-provoked animals. The levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, cholesterol, TG, LDL, and HDL, MCP-1, VEGF, and MMP-9 was remarkably suppressed by the nimbolide treatment. Nimbolide also improved the antioxidants, retinal thickness and cell numbers. The TLR4/NF-κB pathway was appreciably inhibited by the nimbolide. Overall, our findings demonstrated that the nimbolide attenuated the STZ-provoked DR in rats through inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway.


Quercetin ingestion modifies human motor unit firing patterns and muscle contractile properties.
Quercetin is a polyphenolic flavonoid that has reported to block the binding of adenosine to A1 receptors at central nervous system and increase calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum at skeletal muscle. The aim of the present study was to investigate the acute effect of quercetin ingestion on motor unit activation and muscle contractile properties. High-density surface electromyography during submaximal contractions and electrically elicited contraction torque in knee extensor muscles were measured before (PRE) and 60 min after (POST) quercetin glycosides or placebo ingestions in 13 young males. Individual motor units of the vastus lateralis muscle were identified from high-density surface electromyography by the Convolution Kernel Compensation technique. Firing rates of motor units recruited at 30-50% of the maximal voluntary contraction torque (MVC) were increased from PRE to POST only with quercetin (9.0 ± 2.3 to 10.5 ± 2.0 pps, p = 0.034). Twitch torque during doublet stimulation was decreased from PRE to POST with placebo (77.1 ± 17.1 to 73.9 ± 17.6 Nm, p = 0.005), but not with quercetin (p > 0.05). For motor units recruited at < 10% of MVC, normalized firing rate were decreased with quercetin (1.52 ± 0.33 to 1.58 ± 0.35%MVC/pps, p = 0.002) but increased with placebo (1.61 ± 0.32 to 1.57 ± 0.31%MVC/pps, p = 0.005). These results suggest that ingested quercetin has the functional roles to: mitigate reduction in the muscle contractile properties, enhance activations of relatively higher recruitment threshold motor units, and inhibit activation of relatively lower recruitment threshold motor units.


Pseudouridine-deficient transfer RNAs from Escherichia coli B and their use as substrates for pseudouridine synthetase.
Transfer RNAs isolated from Escherichia coli B grown in the presence of 2-thiouracil are deficient in pseudouridine. Much of this deficiency is from the T psi C region, which has only about 50% of its normal pseudouridine content. The other modified nucleoside from this region, ribothymidine, is reduced by only about 10%. Studies showed that 2-thiouracil is incoproated into the RNA of E. coli during growth in the presence of the analog. This incorporation appears to result from the replacement of uracil, occur in a random manner, and involve all RNA species. The extent of incorporation varies from 1 to 3 mol %, depending upon the preparation and RNA species examined. Electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels and chromatography on Sephadex G-75 and reverse phase (Systen 5) columns of normal and 2-thiouracil-containing tRNAs revealed no profile differences. No accumulation of any precursor tRNA in the thiopyrimidine-treated cells is found. A partial recovery of the pseudouridine content of 2-thiouracil-containing tRNAs can be achieved in vivo by removal of the 2-thiouracil from the culture media. These transfer RNAs have also been used as substrates to study the properties of a partially purified preparation of pseudouridine synthetase II invitro and should be useful as substrates in the further purification of this enzyme.


An investigation into the mechanical and transport properties of aqueous latex films: a new hypothesis for the film-forming mechanism of aqueous dispersion system.
The effects of plasticizer, physical aging, and film-forming temperature on the mechanical and transport properties of films formed from aqueous dispersions of ethylcellulose latex were investigated. The water vapor permeability of latex films was found to decrease with diethyl phthalate to a minimum value and then to increase with diethyl phthalate at higher concentrations. Because of the decrease in free volume and the further coalescence of particles of latex polymer films in the physical aging range, the creep compliance of latex films decreased with physical aging time. Within 60 to 100 degrees C, the film-forming temperature was found to have no effect on the mechanical and transport properties of Aquacoat films. However, since many pinholes formed in the latex films when the film-forming temperature was above 100 degrees C, the water vapor permeability of latex films was higher than that of latex films formed between 60 and 100 degrees C. The formation of films from aqueous latex dispersions is suggested to proceed gradually from the top to the bottom of the latex dispersion in this study.


Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant Potential and Toxicity Evaluation of the Essential Oils from Duguetia and Xylopia Species (Annonaceae) from the Brazilian Amazon.
The essential oils (EOs) of Duguetia echinophora, D. riparia, Xylopia emarginata and X. frutescens (Annonaceae) were obtained by hydrodistillation and the chemical composition was analyzed by GC-MS. An antioxidant assay using the ABTS and DPPH radicals scavenging method and cytotoxic assays against Artemia salina were also performed. We evaluated the interaction of the major compounds of the most toxic EO (X. emarginata) with the binding pocket of the enzyme Acetylcholinesterase, a molecular target related to toxicity in models of Artemia salina. The chemical composition of the EO of D. echinophora was characterized by β-phellandrene (39.12%), sabinene (17.08%) and terpinolene (11.17%). Spathulenol (22.22%), caryophyllene oxide (12.21%), humulene epoxide II (11.86%) and allo-aromadendrene epoxide (10.20%) were the major constituents of the EO from D. riparia. Spathulenol (5.65%) and caryophyllene oxide (5.63%) were the major compounds of the EO from X. emarginata. The EO of X. frutescens was characterized by α-pinene (20.84%) and byciclogermacrene (7.85%). The results of the radical scavenger DPPH assays ranged from 15.87 to 69.38% and the highest percentage of inhibition was observed for the EO of X. emarginata, while for ABTS radical scavenging, the antioxidant capacity of EOs varied from 14.61 to 63.67%, and the highest percentage of inhibition was observed for the EO of X. frutescens. The EOs obtained from D. echinophora, X. emarginata and X. frutescens showed high toxicity, while the EO of D. riparia was non-toxic. Because the EO of X. emarginata is the most toxic, we evaluated how its major constituents were able to interact with the Acetylcholinesterase enzyme. The docking results show that the compounds are able to bind to the binding pocket through non-covalent interactions with the residues of the binding pocket. The species X. emarginata and X. frutescens are the most promising sources of antioxidant compounds; in addition, the results obtained for preliminary cytotoxicity of the EOs of these species may also indicate a potential biological activity.


Acute kidney injury increases the rate of major morbidities in cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) following cardiovascular surgery has been shown to increase costs and overall morbidity and mortality. The incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of AKI following other types of major surgeries have not been as well characterized. We sought to study the incidence of AKI following cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) per the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC between 2013 and 2015 were included. Demographic and perioperative data were compared between patients who experienced AKI versus controls using appropriate statistical analysis between categorical and continuous variables. AKI was recorded by a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) and defined as a rise in serum creatinine by ≥ 0.3 mg/dL within 48 h (KDIGO criteria). Fifty-eight consecutive patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC were included. Twelve (20.7%) patients were recorded to develop AKI. This was the most common complication recorded by the CPHQ member. There was one 30-day mortality secondary to cerebral infarction. AKI patients had a longer hospitalization period (14.2 ± 6.9 vs. 9.5 ± 3.3 days, p = 0.002), and a higher rate of major complications (50.00% vs. 15.21%; p = 0.018). Readmission rate was similar (p = 0.626). Multivariate regression identified excessive blood loss during surgery as a major predictor of AKI occurrence, and pre-existing comorbidities and postoperative AKI as predictors of major morbidities following CRS and HIPEC. AKI following CRS and HIPEC appears to be a common complication which is associated with further major morbidities. Current quality improvement programs may be under-reporting this incidence.


Isolation, cultivation and haemadsorption of buffalo pox virus on BHK-21 cell line from Dhule epidemic (Western India).
An epidemic of buffalo pox infection in buffaloes, white cattle, horses, goats and human beings in the Dhule district of Maharashtra State (India) during December, 1975 to March, 1976 is reported. Buffalo pox virus from this epidemic has been propagated in BHK-21 cell line directly from the skin scab materials collected from those animals in phosphate glycerine buffer. A specific cytopathic effect (CPE) produced in these cell lines was differentiated from the non-specific CPE by the demonstration of the characteristic 'Rosette' or 'Sun flower' like haemadsorption with 0.4% fowl erythrocytes. The CPE started appearing as early as 18 hours and the detachment and peeling off the cells from the glass surface were noted on the 4th day onwards. Eosinophilic inclusion bodies with giant cells (multi-nucleated) formation and fusion of the cells were also observed with a few stellate cells.


Post-resistance exercise photobiomodulation therapy has a more effective antioxidant effect than pre-application on muscle oxidative stress.
This study evaluated the effect of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMt) before or after a high-intensity resistance exercise (RE) session on muscle oxidative stress. Female Wistar rats were assigned to one of the following groups: Sham (non-exercised, undergoing placebo-PBMt); NLRE (exercised, undergoing placebo-PBMt); PBMt + RE (pre-exercise PBMt); RE + PBMt (post-exercise PBMt). The RE comprised four climbs bearing the maximum load with a 2 min rest between each climb. An 830-nm aluminum gallium arsenide diode laser (100 mW; 0.028 cm2; 3.57 mW/cm2; 142.8 J/cm2; 4 J; Photon Laser III, DMC, São Paulo, Brazil) was applied 60 s before or after RE in gastrocnemius muscles. Analyses were performed at 24 h after RE: lipoperoxidation using malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein oxidation (OP) on Western blot. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were spectrophotometrically assessed. Nitric oxide (NO) level was determined by the Griess reaction. The MDA and OP levels were significantly higher in the NLRE group. Increased OP was prevented in all PBMt groups; however, increased MDA was prevented only in the RE + PBMT group. The RE + PBMt group had higher SOD activity compared to all other groups. A higher GPx activity was observed only in the PBMT + RE compared to Sham group, and CAT activity was reduced by RE, without PBMt effect. NO levels were unchanged with RE or PBMt. Therefore, PBMt application after a RE section has a more potent antioxidant effect than previous PBMt. Rats submitted to post-RE PBMt illustrated prevention of increased lipoperoxidation and protein oxidation as well as increased SOD activity. The photobiomodulation can attenuate oxidative stress induced by resistance exercise. A more evident benefit shows to be obtained with the application after exercise, in which it has increased the activity of superoxide dismustase.


N-(pyrimidin-4-yl) and N-(pyridin-2-yl) phenylalanine derivatives as VLA-4 integrin antagonists.
The SAR studies to optimise both potency and rate of clearance in the rat for a series of pyrimidine and pyridine based VLA-4 antagonists are described.


Screening, epidemiology, molecular biology, and treatment strategies for endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer.
This article reviews recent data on the biology, pathogenesis and pathophysiology of the different entity of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The present article reviews the English language literature for screening, epidemiology, clinical diagnosis, natural history, preclinical and clinical trials, and promising molecular targets on EOC, particularly for clear cell EOC (cEOC) based on the gene expression profiling studies. Prospective ovarian cancer screening trials in Japan showed that (1) serous-type EOC (sEOC) may exhibit a rapid progression possibly through de novo carcinogenesis, (2) the EOC risk was elevated significantly among patients with ovarian endometrioma (SIR = 8.95), (3) advancing age (>40 years) and the diameter of endometriomas (>9 cm) were independent predictors of development of EOC, (4) the benign-appearing ovarian masses are present several years before the EOC diagnosis in patients with endometriosis-associated EOC, and (5) the slightly elevated CA125 level is also typically present many years (>3 years) before the diagnosis in these patients. Upregulation of HNF-1beta and PLK-Emi1 genes were specifically detected in cEOC. In addition, the therapy currently used in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) should be considered as an attractive therapeutic option for cEOC. Ovarian endometrioma could be viewed as a neoplastic process, particularly in perimenopausal women. Understanding the mechanisms of endometriosis development and elucidating its pathogenesis and pathophysiology are intrinsic to prevention and the search for effective therapies of endometriosis-associated EOC.


Scanning electron microscopy study of different one-piece foldable acrylic intraocular lenses after injection through microincisional cataract surgery cartridges.
To evaluate possible surface alterations of different models of one-piece foldable acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) after folding and ejecting process through 2.2-mm microincisional cataract surgery (MICS) cartridges. In this experimental laboratory study, the following IOLs were studied: Johnson&Johnson PCB00, HOYA iSert 251, Alcon AcrySof IQ SN60WF, Bausch&Lomb enVISTA MX-60. A total of 80 IOLs were analyzed. Twenty intraocular lenses of each type were studied: ten with a power of + 21 D ± 1 and ten with a power of + 28 D ± 1. IOLs were injected through a dedicated 2.2-mm MICS cartridge into a 50-mL vial containing 10 mL of deionized water. After rinsing and metallization process, scanning electron microscopy images were acquired. All IOLs presented high-quality construction biomaterials. Some IOLs showed superficial scratches and tears on the optic surface, mainly positioned according to the direction of the stress induced by the folding process. In other cases, small superficial tears were seen in a more peripheral position. All lenses showed excellent surface quality. After folding and injection process some superficial scratches and tears of the IOL optic were detected in some models. Further studies are needed to assess the possible effects of those superficial damages on the optical quality of the IOLs.


Water-flow sensitive pedal neurons in Tritonia: role in rheotaxis.
We have identified 13 pairs of neurons in the pedal ganglia of the marine nudibranch slug Tritonia diomedea that responded tonically and/or phasically to water-flow directed at the rhinophore sheaths and oral veil tips. Most of the neurons responded equally to inputs from either side of the body, but 6 pairs responded with greater intensity to ipsilateral water-flow stimuli. When stimulated intracellularly in a semi-intact, whole-animal preparation, 4 of these 6 pairs of neurons caused ipsilateral movements that may turn the animal towards that side. These observations suggest a role for these current-sensitive neurons in the previously described orientation to water-currents in Tritonia diomedea.


Present and Future in Treatment of Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Hodgkin lymphoma is a highly curable malignant hemopathy, using chemotherapy, radiotherapy, target therapies and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Current research in this field focuses on identifying prognostic factors associated with the pathogenic characteristics of the tumoral process, enabling the therapy to be adjusted to each patient's degree of risk. The identification of biomarkers associated with the tumoral process is extremely important because these molecules can be targets for new biological therapies.


Hydrothermal synthesis of nanostructured graphene/polyaniline composites as high-capacitance electrode materials for supercapacitors.
As known to all, hydrothermal synthesis is a powerful technique for preparing inorganic and organic materials or composites with different architectures. In this reports, by controlling hydrothermal conditions, nanostructured polyaniline (PANi) in different morphologies were composited with graphene sheets (GNS) and used as electrode materials of supercapacitors. Specifically, ultrathin PANi layers with total thickness of 10-20 nm are uniformly composited with GNS by a two-step hydrothermal-assistant chemical oxidation polymerization process; while PANi nanofibers with diameter of 50~100 nm are obtained by a one-step direct hydrothermal process. Benefitting from the ultrathin layer and porous structure, the sheet-like GNS/PANi composites can deliver specific capacitances of 532.3 to 304.9 F/g at scan rates of 2 to 50 mV/s. And also, this active material showed very good stability with capacitance retention as high as ~99.6% at scan rate of 50 mV/s, indicating a great potential for using in supercapacitors. Furthermore, the effects of hydrothermal temperatures on the electrochemical performances were systematically studied and discussed.


Conformational stability, the spectroscopic (FT-IR and UV), first order hyperpolarizability, NBO analysis, HOMO and LUMO analysis of 6,8-diphenylimidazo[1,2-α]pyrazine molecule by ab initio HF and density functional methods.
The conformational analysis of 6,8-diphenylimidazo[1,2-α]pyrazine molecule (abbreviated as 68DIP) was performed by using B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory to find the most stable form. Two staggered stable conformers were observed on the torsional potential energy surface. The equilibrium geometry, bonding features and vibrational frequencies of 68DIP have been investigated by using the DFT (B3LYP) and HF methods for the lowest energy conformer. The first order hyperpolarizability (β(total)) of this molecular system and related properties (β, μ, <α> and Δα) are calculated using HF/6-311++G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) methods based on the finite-field approach. Stability of the molecule arising from hyperconjugative interactions, charge delocalization and C-H⋯N intramolecular hydrogen-bond-like weak interaction has been analyzed using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis by using B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) method. The results show that electron density (ED) in the σ* and π* antibonding orbitals and second order delocalization energies E((2)) confirm the occurrence of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) within the molecule. UV-vis spectrum of the compound was recorded and electronic properties, such as HOMO, LUMO energies, excitation energies and wavelength were performed by TD-DFT/B3LYP, CIS and TD-HF methods by using 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. Finally, the calculation results were applied to simulated infrared spectra of the title compound which show good agreement with observed spectra.


Management of patch infections after carotid endarterectomy and utility of femoral vein interposition bypass graft.
Patch infection after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a rare but devastating complication. A variety of different treatment options are reported; however, there is currently no consensus on how to manage this highly morbid problem. The purpose of this study was to review our experience with management of infectious patch complications after CEA and to highlight utility of femoral vein interposition bypass grafting. All CEA patch infection operations at the University of Florida from 2002 to 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperative history, intraoperative details, and postoperative complications were recorded. Bypass patency was verified with duplex ultrasound imaging (1 month, 6 months, annually). The primary end point was 30-day stroke or death; secondary end points included cranial nerve injury, reintervention, reinfection, and survival. Life tables were used to estimate end points. Twenty-nine patients (mean age, 70 ± 9 years; male, 76%) were identified. The index CEA occurred at a median of 15 months (interquartile range, 1-55 months) preoperatively (39% <2 months after the index procedure). A variety of patch materials were implicated (Dacron, n = 9; unknown/undocumented, n = 8; bovine pericardium, n = 5; expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, n = 3; unidentified nonbiologic prosthetic, n = 3; saphenous vein, n = 1). Carotid reintervention antecedent to the infected patch presentation occurred in 41% (incision and drainage, n = 10; carotid stent, n = 2; vein patch, n = 1). The most common infecting organisms were Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species (52%; n = 15). The most frequent presentation (46%; n = 13) was pericarotid abscess or phlegmon (pulsatile neck mass or pseudoaneurysm, 28% [n = 8]; carotid-cutaneous fistula, 28% [n = 8]). Reconstruction strategy included femoral vein interposition bypass in 24 patients (83%; nonreversed configuration, 16/24 [67%]), saphenous vein patch in 4 patients (14%), and femoral vein patch in 1 patient (3%). Median postoperative length of stay was 5 days (interquartile range, 4-8 days). Twelve patients (41%) experienced a complication, and the 30-day stroke/death rate was 7% (death, n = 1; stroke, n = 1). The single postoperative death occurred in a patient with history of congestive heart failure who developed a pulseless electrical activity arrest on postoperative day 11 that resulted in multiorgan system failure. Cranial nerve injury occurred in 28% (n = 8; cranial nerves X [3], VII [2], XII [2], and IX [1]), all of which resolved by last follow-up. In follow-up (mean clinical follow-up, 17 ± 14 months; mean survival time, 108 months [95% confidence interval, 81-135 months]), two (7%) complained of limb edema with femoral cutaneous nerve palsy that resolved by 3 months. One interposition bypass occluded at 3 months (asymptomatic); the remaining grafts remained patent with no restenosis, reinfection, or reintervention events. The 1- and 5-year survival was 87% ± 6% and 82% ± 8%, respectively. CEA patch infection can be successfully managed with femoral vein interposition bypass with acceptable postoperative outcomes. Excellent patency can be anticipated with good long-term survival. This strategy can be considered especially in cases with carotid size mismatch or if there is limited availability of alternative biologic conduits.


Joint positions matter for ultrasound examination of RA patients-increased power Doppler signal in neutral versus flat position of hands.
Position of joints might influence the result of US examination in patients with RA. The purpose of this work was to compare grey-scale (GS) and power Doppler (PWD) findings obtained in neutral vs flat position of hands. A cross-sectional study of 42 RA patients with active disease. Two dimensional and 3D sonography of wrists and MCP joints were conducted in two different joint positions: neutral position, which is a slight flexion of the fingers with relaxed extensor muscles; and flat position, where all palm and volar sides of fingers touch the Table. Two dimensional GS synovitis (GSS) and PWD signals were scored semi-quantitatively (0-3). For 3D sonography, the percentage of PWD voxels within a region of interest was calculated. GSS was not quantified using 3D sonography. Compared with neutral position, 2D PWD signals disappeared in 28.3% of joints upon flattening. The median global 2D PWD score (sum of all PWD scores of an individual patient) decreased from 8 to 3 ( P < 0.001), and the global 3D PWD voxel score from 3.8 to 0.9 ( P < 0.001). The reduction of PWD scores was similar in all joints (2D: minus 50%, 3D: minus 66.4-80.1%). Inter- and intrareader agreement of PWD results was good (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.75-0.82). In RA, a neutral position of the hands is linked to a higher sensitivity of 2D and 3D sonography in detecting PWD signals at wrists and MCP joints, compared with a flat position. Standardization of the scanning procedure is essential for obtaining comparable US results in RA patients in trials and clinical routines.


Increased circulating levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, MMP-9, and pro-inflammatory markers in patients with metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) predisposes to cardiovascular complications. Increased concentrations of pro-inflammatory mediators and imbalanced concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) may reflect the pathophysiology of MetS. We compared the circulating levels of MMPs, TIMPs, and inflammatory mediators in MetS patients with those found in healthy controls. We studied 25 healthy subjects and 25 MetS patients. The plasma levels of pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 were determined by gelatin zymography. The plasma concentrations of MMP-8, MMP-3, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM-1), and sP-selectin were measured by ELISA kits. We found higher sP-selectin, sICAM-1, MCP-1, and IL-6 (all P<0.05) concentrations in MetS patients compared with healthy controls. No differences in pro-MMP-2, MMP-3, and TIMP-2 levels were found (all P>0.05). However, we found higher pro-MMP-9, MMP-8, and TIMP-1 levels in MetS patients compared with healthy controls (all P<0.05). Patients with MetS have increased circulating concentrations of pro-MMP-9, MMP-8, and TIMP-1 that are associated with increased concentrations of pro-inflammatory mediators and adhesion molecules. These findings suggest that MMPs may have a role in the increased cardiovascular risk of MetS patients. Pharmacological interventions targeting MMPs, especially MMP-9 and MMP-8 deserve further investigation in MetS patients.


NIR-induced improvement of catalytic activity and antibacterial performance over AuAg nanorods in Rambutan-like Fe3O4@AgAu@PDA magnetic nanospheres.
Pathogenic bacteria and difficult-to-degrade pollutants in water have been serious problems that always plague people. Therefore, finding a "one stone-two birds" method that can quickly catalyze the degradation of pollutants and show effective antibacterial behavior become an urgent requirement. This work reports a facile one-step strategy for fabricating a Rambutan-like Fe3O4@AgAu@PDA (Fe3O4@AgAu@Polydopamine) core/shell nanosphere with both catalytic and antibacterial activities which can be critically improved by externally applying an NIR laser irradiation (NIR, 808 nm) and a rotating magnetic field. Typically, the Rambutan-like Fe3O4@AgAu@PDA nanosphere have a rather rough surface due to the AuAg bimetallic nanorods sandwiched between the Fe3O4 core and the PDA shell. Owing to the penetrated PDA shell, AgAu nanorods show high and magnetically recyclable photothermal-enhanced catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol and they can also be applied to initiate TMB oxidation under the help of NIR heating condition. Moreover, Fe3O4@AgAu@PDA shows a moderate antibacterial activity due to the weak release of Ag+. Under applying a rotating external magnetic field, the rough-surface Fe3O4@AgAu@PDA nanospheres produce a controllable magnetolytic force on the bacterial due to their good affinity. As a result, the Fe3O4@AgAu@PDA nanospheres show a "magnetolytic-photothermal-Ag+" synergistic antibacterial behavior against E. coli and S. aureus.


Cushing's syndrome due to adrenal adenoma with persistent diurnal cortisol secretory rhythm.
A 41-yr-old female with presumed Cushing's syndrome was found to have a diurnal cortisol rhythm characterized by low values of 8:00 a.m. and consistently high values at 4:00 p.m. and midnight. Hourly sampling of plasma cortisol over 24 hr confirmed this rhythm, as did measurement of urinary free cortisols in samples collected every 6 hr over 24 hr. Hypercortisolemia was not suppressed by 2 mg of dexamethasone given every 6 hr for 24 hr. The adrenal tissue was responsive to ACTH. Iodocholesterol scanning revealed unilateral activity, and the patient's syndrome was cured by resection of an adrenal adenoma. In this patient a diurnal cortisol secretory pattern was present due to the secretory activity of the adenoma. The cause of the abnormal but persistent diurnal pattern is unknown.


Collaborative Mental Health Care in Collegiate Athletics: Behavioral Health Providers' Perceived Role of the Athletic Trainer.
Developing effective interprofessional teams is vital to achieving quality care for those dealing with behavioral health concerns. Athletic trainers (ATs) play a vital role, as they are often the first health care providers to interact with student-athletes participating in intercollegiate athletics. However, research regarding how behavioral health providers view the AT's role on interprofessional behavioral health teams is limited. To explore behavioral health providers' perceived role of ATs in collaborative behavioral health care. Qualitative study. Individual interviews. Nine behavioral health care providers (women = 6, men = 3; age range = 30-59 years, years in clinical practice = 6-25) from National Collegiate Athletic Association Power 5 schools were interviewed. Participants were contacted via publicly available information on their university websites. Participants engaged in individual, audio-only interviews using a commercially available teleconferencing platform. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and returned to participants for member checking. A phenomenological approach with inductive coding and multianalyst triangulation was performed to analyze the transcripts for common themes and subthemes. Collaborative care models can enhance providers' abilities and maximize support of student-athlete wellness. In this study, we demonstrated that behavioral health providers working within a collaborative care model with ATs had overall positive experiences with such collaboration and that clear role delineation and responsibilities helped to foster high-quality patient care.


Relation of blood pressure components and categories and all-cause, stroke and coronary heart disease mortality in urban Chinese women: a population-based prospective study.
To determine whether various levels of blood pressure (BP), particularly normal and high normal BP or prehypertension, predict cardiovascular mortality among urban Chinese women. We evaluated the impact of all measures of BP on total mortality and stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD)-specific mortality in a population-based cohort study, the Shanghai Women's Health Study. Included in this analysis were 68 438 women aged 40-70 years at baseline for whom BP was assessed. During an average of 5 years of follow-up, we identified 1574 deaths from all causes, 247 from stroke and 91 from CHD. Hypertension and higher levels of individual BP parameters including systolic BP, diastolic BP, pulse pressure, and mean arterial pressure were positively associated with all-cause, stroke, and CHD mortality (Ptrend < 0.05 for all except for DBP and CHD mortality). Prehypertension [adjusted hazard ratio (HRadj) = 1.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.98-2.78], particularly high normal BP (HRadj = 2.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.32-4.12), was associated with an increased risk of mortality from stroke. Hypertension accounted for 9.3% of mortality from all causes, 25.5% of mortality from stroke, and 21.7% mortality from CHD. High normal BP accounted for 10.8% of mortality from stroke. Isolated systolic BP also predicted stroke and mortality from CHD. Hypertension is a significant contributor to mortality, particularly stroke and CHD mortality, among women in Shanghai. High normal BP is associated with high stroke mortality.


[Double-blind comparative study between difluocortolone-valerianate and fluocinolone-acetonide ointments].
Nerisone cream (diflucortolon valerate 0.1%) has been clinically compared with fluocinolon-acetate on a double blind basis. The trial was carried out on 30 patients. The author comments that the results, in spite of some slight casuisties, appear to indicate a certain superiority of Nerisone cream when compared with the competitor's preparation.


Cephalothoracopagus, janiceps, disymmetros, monoomphalian conjoined twins undiagnosed until early second trimester.
Cephalothoracopagus is the less common type of conjoined twins (CTs) with an incidence estimated at one in three million births or one in 58 conjoined twins. Maternal gene Vg1, a member of the TGF-beta family of cell-signalling molecules which are implicated in dorsoanterior development, and specific actions of Hox and Pax genes that are implicated in very early embryogenesis may be identified as aetiologic factors. A prenatal diagnosis of cephalothoracopagus CTs diagnosed at 17 weeks in a woman undergoing amniocentesis for advanced maternal age is reported. Although first-trimester diagnosis of CTs is feasible and has been reported as early as 8 weeks's gestation, CTs may be misdiagnosed with monoamniotic twins, lymphangioma, teratoma, and/or neoplasm and may be undiagnosed until early second trimester. Three-dimensional and color Doppler ultrasound enabled precise prenatal visualization of the fusion site. Ultrafast MR imaging should be considered an adjunct to ultrasound for antenatal characterization of structural anomalies and for planning surgical separation in selected cases. Echocardiography is mandatory in all cases of CTs as congenital heart defects are seen in 20-30% and polyhydramnios in 50-75%. Neural tube and midline fusion defects, diaphragmatic hernia, and imperforate anus are the frequently associated abnormalities. Prognosis among survivors is usually poor (44% die in the neonatal period) and is dependent upon the type of conjunction, degree of involvement of the shared organs, and presence or absence of associated anomalies, with the worst prognosis in case of twins sharing liver and heart.


Distrust, social fragmentation and adolescents' health in the outer city: Beirut and beyond.
This study examined the association between place and components of social capital among adolescents living in three impoverished communities outside of Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon. We utilized a unique data set that includes a wide range of social capital items to assess the association between place, social capital and self rated health. The analyses were based on data collected by trained interviewers during the Spring of 2003 from a stratified random sample of 1294 adolescents aged 13-19 years, drawn from a sampling frame constructed from area maps and detailed household listing of the target population. Descriptive statistics and odds ratios from logistic regression models were used to assess the strength of associations between (1) the social capital items and community of residence and (2) social capital, community and self-rated health controlling for age, sex and income. Findings show that distrust and social fragmentation were generally prevalent among adolescents living in impoverished suburban communities. Even though social networks, especially the presence of family and relatives, were strong, instrumental social exchange was relatively scarce. Social capital items varied significantly by community, and the stock of social capital in one of the three communities surveyed-the Palestinian refugee camp-was quite distinctive. Findings from logistic regression models showed that social capital as measured by a simple index is strongly associated with self-rated health status, controlling for community, age, sex and income. Some implications of the findings are discussed.


The acute response of plasma norepinephrine, renin activity, and arginine vasopressin to short-term nitroprusside and nitroprusside withdrawal in patients with congestive heart failure.
Activation of the sympathetic nervous system, manifested by an increase in heart rate and circulating plasma norepinephrine, can occur in normal subjects when they are given vasodilators. The extent to which this activation occurs in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and whether this activation could account for the hemodynamic rebound sometimes observed following abrupt withdrawal of nitroprusside in such patients are unclear. We prospectively and retrospectively studied the effects of nitroprusside on plasma norepinephrine in 38 patients with CHF to determine if acute vasodilator therapy activates this vasoconstrictor system during or following such treatment. Thirty-six of these patients also had plasma renin activity (PRA) measured and plasma arginine vasopressin was measured in 12 patients. Baseline supine plasma norepinephrine (714 +/- 72 pg/ml, +/- SEM), PRA (15 +/- 2 ng/ml/hr), and arginine vasopressin (10 +/- 1 pg/ml) were increased at least twofold in the CHF patients. Nitroprusside (96 +/- 11 micrograms/min) was infused for 63 +/- 5 minutes after achieving an optimal hemodynamic response: cardiac index increased (2.01 +/- 0.08 to 2.67 +/- 0.1 L/min/m2, p less than 0.001), pulmonary artery wedge pressure decreased (25 +/- 1 to 16 +/- 1 mm Hg, p less than 0.001), mean arterial pressure decreased (83 +/- 1 to 72 +/- 1 mm Hg, p less than 0.001), and heart rate was unchanged. Plasma norepinephrine (632 +/- 43 pg/ml), PRA (18 +/- 3 ng/ml/hr), and arginine vasopressin (11 +/- 1 pg/ml) did not change significantly for the group during peak effect of the vasodilator.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Overnight urinary 11-hydroxycorticosteroid estimations in diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome.
Overnight specimens of urine were collected from control, obese, and hirsute women and from 11 women with Cushing's syndrome. Urinary 11-hydroxycorticosteroid levels in the group with Cushing's syndrome were significantly higher than in the other three groups. This simple test has proved invaluable when screening for Cushing's syndrome in a busy outpatient clinic.


Fuel tank injury in a fatal motorcycle accident.
Vehicular trauma is the most common cause of pelvic fractures. In motorcycle collisions, the driver strikes or is struck by a fixed object, and is subjected to blunt trauma and deceleration forces. Injuries around the scrotum and perineum of victims in motorcycle accidents are known as a fuel tank injuries (FTI). We report the case of a 26-year-old male motorcyclist involved in a fatal high-speed head-on collision with a car. At autopsy, purple bruising distributed symmetrically over both hips with scrotal lacerations were found. Partial bowel evisceration through an abdominal lacerated wound, extensive abdominal organ injuries and multiple fractures were also found. Considering the dynamics of the accident and the type of motorcycle he had been riding, the pelvic bruising and the scrotal injury were related to violent deceleration following the impact, leading the driver to slide forward against the fuel tank of the motorcycle.FTI is comparatively rare in motorcycle accidents because it only occurs in cases involving a head-on collision, and most drivers try to swerve or correct their direction just prior to the collision. Nevertheless, the most frequent cause of pelvic injuries in motorcyclists is caused by contact with the vehicles fuel tank during the crash. Forensic pathologists should have a better knowledge of FTIs as they are helpful in understand the dynamics of the accident and in distinguishing the driver from the passenger in two-rider motorcycle crashes.


Nursing role innovations: improved outcomes in a trauma center.
Trauma systems operate on the principle that people with severe injuries require special medical capabilities if they are to have their best chance of recovery. However, optimal trauma care is threatened by the problems of inadequate financial reimbursement. This threatens the ability to deliver trauma patient care. A variety of strategies is necessary to continue to provide care. Two specific nursing role innovations provide the opportunity to improve the ability to provide coordinated, efficient, and cost-effective quality care.


Critical arm ischemia-a rare presentation of giant cell arteritis.
Giant cell arteritis can rarely present as severe ischemia of the upper limbs. The initial management includes high-dose oral glucocorticoids. However, when patients do not respond to medical therapy, surgical revascularization might be required to reinstitute limb perfusion. We present the case of a 68-year-old woman who had presented with critical arm ischemia that necessitated carotid-brachial artery bypass after initial oral steroid therapy had failed. We have delineated our surgical approach and technical considerations to potentially help increase the long-term patency of the bypass.