Socio-economic inequalities in suffering at the end of life among advanced cancer patients: results from the APPROACH study in five Asian countries.
A systematic understanding of socio-economic inequalities in end-of-life (EOL) suffering among advanced cancer patients is required to inform efforts to reduce these inequalities as part of Universal Health Coverage goals. To assess inequalities in multiple domains of EOL suffering among advanced cancer patients - physical, functional, psychological, social, and spiritual -, using two socio-economic status (SES) indicators, education and perceived economic status of the household. We used cross-sectional data from surveys of stage IV cancer patients (n = 1378) from seven hospitals across five countries (China, Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam and Myanmar). We conducted separate multivariable linear regression models for each EOL suffering domain. We also tested interactions between the two SES indicators and between each SES indicator and patient age. Patients living in low economic status households /with fewer years of education reported greater suffering in several domains. We also found significant interaction effects between economic status of the household and years of education for all EOL suffering outcomes. Age significantly moderated the association between economic status of the household and social suffering and between years of education and psychological, social, and spiritual suffering (p < 0.05 for all). Results highlight that SES inequalities in EOL suffering vary depending on the suffering domain, the SES indicator assessed, and by patient age. Greater palliative care resources for patients with low SES may help reduce these inequalities.


An evaluation based on relative treatment intensity in older patients treated with reduced-dose R-THP-COP therapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A multicenter retrospective cohort study.
The number of older patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is increasing. Although the standard treatment for newly diagnosed younger patients with DLBCL has been established, no consensus has been reached regarding the optimal chemotherapy intensity and regimen for older patients with DLBCL. In addition, no method for evaluating treatment intensity in retrospective studies when different numbers of chemotherapy courses are administered has been elucidated. A multicenter retrospective analysis was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of a reduced-dose R-THP-COP regimen, which included 30 mg/m2 of pirarubicin, in 54 patients with DLBCL who were aged ≥75. To assess treatment intensity, we defined the relative treatment intensity (RTI) as the number of courses administered multiplied by the relative dose intensity (RDI). The estimated four-year overall survival rates (OS) of the patients aged 75-80 and ≥ 80 were 55.1% and 60.6%, respectively. There was no significant difference in four-year OS between these age groups. In our cohort, there was no significant difference in the estimated four-year OS between the patients who received reduced-dose R-THP-COP at an RDI of ≥61% and those that received it at an RDI of <61% (P = 0.35). On the other hand, the patients who received reduced-dose R-THP-COP at an RTI of ≥2.7 exhibited a significantly higher estimated four-year OS than those treated at an RTI of <2.7 (68.5% vs. 28.7%; P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that the RTI was a significant independent predictor of OS. The cumulative incidence of treatment-related mortality (TRM) at one year was 4.2% and 3.4% in the 75-80 and ≥ 80 age groups, respectively. The cumulative incidence of TRM was significantly worse among the patients with Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores of ≥2 than among those with CCI scores of 0 or 1. Our study suggests that the reduced-dose R-THP-COP regimen is a suitable treatment option for older patients with DLBCL, especially those with CCI scores of <2. Our study also showed that the RTI may be a valuable tool for assessing treatment intensity in retrospective studies involving older patients.


Catalytic pyrolysis of biomass using fly ash leachate to increase carbon monoxide production and improve biochar properties to accelerate anaerobic digestion.
Biomass-derived biochar is attracting growing interest as an effective additive for anaerobic digestion (AD). To improve energy yield and digestion performance through an integrated process of biochar production and AD, biochar upgrading using biomass fly ash leachate as a sustainable metal catalyst was investigated. The results indicate that the bark soaked in the leachate improved the pyrolysis reactivity of biomass with CO2 and reduced the temperature at which the reaction rate reached its maximum from 943 °C to 801 °C. This resulted in a doubling of CO production during CO2-assisted pyrolysis at 800 °C. In addition, the combined use of fly ash leachate and CO2 in bark pyrolysis improved not only the porosity of the resulting biochar but also its wettability and liming potential. Moreover, biochar amended with fly ash leachate and CO2 significantly reduced the lag time in the anaerobic digestion of grease trap waste.


Bovine pancreatic elastase II cleaves Gln-Ile bond.
A peptidase (GICP) that cleaves the Gln-Ile bond of a peptide Gly-Ile-Asp-Val-Gln-Ile-Tyr(T-1), a sequence in phenylalanine oxidase, was purified from bovine pancreas. The purified enzyme had an Mr of approximately 29,000, as determined by SDS-PAGE, and its N-terminal sequence was identical to that of bovine pancreatic elastase II. The enzyme released Gly-Ile-Asp-Val-Gln and Ile-Tyr from T-1 (Km = 8.3 microM k(cat) = 2.1 s(-1)) and the catalytic efficiency (2.6 X 10(5) M(-1)s(-1)) was comparable to those of elastase II from porcine pancreas and rat mesenteric arterial bed perfusate. The P1 site specificity of GICP toward oxidized insulin A and B chains suggested that major cleavage sites were the peptide bond at the C-terminal side of Gln, Leu, His, and Tyr residues.


Caring for Women with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease are chronic inflammatory diseases with typical onset in early adulthood. These diseases, therefore, can affect a woman throughout the many stages of her life, including menstruation, sexuality, pregnancy, and menopause. Unique health issues face women during these stages and can affect the course of their inflammatory bowel disease as well as treatment strategies and health maintenance. This article covers the non-pregnancy-related issues that are important in caring for women with inflammatory bowel disease. The topics of pregnancy and fertility are covered in a separate review.


Application, review, and reporting process for Waivers for State Innovation. Final rule.
This final rule sets forth a procedural framework for submission and review of initial applications for a Waiver for State Innovation described in section 1332 of the Patient Protection and the Affordable Care Act including processes to ensure opportunities for public input in the development of such applications by States and in the Federal review of the applications.


Infantile hemangiomas: A review.
Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are the most common eyelid and orbital tumors of childhood. Although they are considered benign lesions that have a generally self-limited course, in the periocular region, they have the potential to cause amblyopia, strabismus, and severe disfigurement. The decision for treatment can be a source of anxiety for patients, parents, and physicians alike. There are numerous treatment modalities, including emerging therapies that may make treatment safer and more effective than ever before. This review discusses our current understanding of this disease, its management, and future therapies.


Intrathecal galanin potentiates the spinal analgesic effect of morphine: electrophysiological and behavioural studies.
The interaction between intrathecally (i.t.) applied galanin (GAL) and morphine was examined in electrophysiological and behavioural experiments. The physiological experiments were performed on decerebrate, spinalized, unanesthetized rats where the effects of i.t. GAL and morphine on the hamstring flexor reflex were studied. In the behavioural experiments sensitivity to noxious thermal stimulation was assessed on the hot plate test in rats injected with GAL and morphine via chronically implanted i.t. catheters. GAL at 100 ng in 10 microliters, which by itself has no depressive effect, potentiated the depressive effect of morphine on the flexor reflex. In the behavioral study the same dose of GAL potentiated the antinociceptive effect of morphine on the hot plate test without having an analgesic effect by itself. It is suggested that GAL may enhance the analgesic effect of opiates in the spinal cord.


ERK1/2 is involved in cyclic compressive force-induced IL-6 secretion in MLO-Y4 cells.
We previously reported that cyclic compressive force (CCF) induced interleukin-6 mRNA expression in osteocyte-like MLO-Y4 cells. But little is known about how the stimuli are converted into the biochemical signals in MLO-Y4 cells. The aim of this research was to study the effect of CCF on the IL-6 secretion and the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) in this process. The cells were exposed to CCF with different magnitudes (1000, 2000 and 4000 μstrain), frequencies (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 Hz) and durations (10 min, 30 min, 1h, 3h and 6h) by a four-point bending system. The IL-6 secretion and ERK1/2 phosphorylation of the cells were determined by ELISA and Western blotting, respectively. The results showed that IL-6 protein secretion was significantly up-regulated in response to CCF in a magnitude-, frequency- and duration-dependent fashion. The phosphorylation of ERK1/2 also increased in all cases but not depended on the magnitude, frequency or duration of CCF. Furthermore, the inhibition of the ERK1/2 pathway by its specific inhibitor PD098059 decreased but not completely abrogated the IL-6 secretion from stressed MLO-Y4 cells. These findings demonstrate that CCF-induced IL-6 secretion occurs via a mechanism that involves ERK1/2 signaling pathway and suggest that modulation of this event contributes to the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and stress-induced pathological bone resorption as well.


Antiherpetic Drugs in Equine Medicine.
Since vaccination may not prevent disease, antiherpetic drugs have been investigated for the therapy of several equine herpesviruses. Drug efficacy has been assessed in horses with disease, but most evidence is in vitro, in other species, or empirical. Oral valacyclovir is most often administered in the therapy of equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) to protect adult horses from equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy, while oral acyclovir is frequently administered for EHV-5 infection in the therapy of equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis. Other antiherpetic drugs are promising but require further investigation. Several topical drugs are also empirically used in the therapy of equine viral keratitis.


Behaviour of cyclic bank voles under risk of mustelid predation: do females avoid copulations?
Mustelid odours have been shown to suppress breeding in captive bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) from cyclic populations (Ylönen 1989; Ylönen and Ronkainen 1994). The mechanism behind the suppression is unknown. Based on a series of behavioural trials and breeding experiments with pairs of bank voles in breeding condition, we suggest that the primary cause for breeding suppression is a change in female mating behaviour. Experimental female-male pairs (n=34) exposed to mustelid odour decreased their general activity compared to control pairs (n=34). When encountering males in behavioural trials, females exposed to stoat odour were more aggressive and actively avoided precopulatory behaviours of males. No copulations were observed in experimental pairs compared to five in control pairs during the behavioural trials. Males actively approached females in general but male behaviour did not change under exposure to mustelid odours. We suggest that females are more vulnerable to mustelid predators than males and therefore actively avoid copulations in the (indirect) presence of mustelids. As well as this behavioural response, internal abortive mechanisms (cf. Bruce 1959) could play a role in the observed breeding suppression.


Faunal communities mediate the effects of plant richness, drought, and invasion on ecosystem multifunctional stability.
Understanding the stability of ecosystem multifunctionality is imperative for maintaining ecosystem health and sustainability under augmented global change. However it remains unknown whether and how biological communities mediate multifunctional stability in response to biodiversity loss and disturbances. Here, we conducted a 3-year experiment by exposing 270 plant communities of four plant richness levels, i.e., 1, 2, 4, or 8 species, to drought and exotic plant invasion disturbances. Then, the direct effects of plant richness, drought and invasion, and their indirect effects mediated by the stability of plant, litter-faunal, and soil-faunal communities on multifunctional stability were disentangled. We found that plant richness increased, while drought and invasion decreased ecosystem multifunctional stability, which were mediated by plant or faunal community stability. By incorporating the stability of communities into the complex ecological mechanisms, the completeness and goodness of ecological models for explaining and maintaining the stability of ecosystem multifunctionality will be improved.


Tendon transfer options in managing the adult flexible flatfoot.
Patients undergoing surgery for posterior tibial tendon dysfunction may require tendon transfer. The flexor digitorum longus is most commonly transferred, although the flexor hallucis longus and peroneus brevis have also been described in the literature. This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the different tendons, the surgical techniques used to perform them, and their results in the literature, concentrating principally on studies in which additional bone procedures were not performed. This article will also discuss the potential role for isolated soft tissue procedures in the treatment of stage 2 posterior tibial tendon dysfunction.


Genotypic Differences in Growth and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities Under Cadmium Stress in Sugarcane.
To evaluate the genotypic differences of sugarcane in response to cadmium (Cd) stress, the growth, Cd content, antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline in the leaves of five sugarcane varieties were investigated under normal and Cd-contaminated soil at 90 days after treatment (DAT). Height, diameter, and biomass significantly decreased in all varieties under Cd stress, with the greatest reduction in HOCP07-613 and less effects on YT666 and YT94-128. The Cd content in sugarcane markedly increased under Cd stress. Cd stress induced a significant increase in MDA contents in HOCP07-613 and ROC22 at 90 DAT and a greater increase in proline content in YT94-128 and YT666. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were affected by Cd stress in four varieties (excluding YT666). The increase in SOD and APX activities in the early stage of Cd stress (30 DAT) might help alleviate oxidative stress in sugarcane. These results suggested that the different responses of antioxidant systems to Cd stress might affect Cd tolerance of sugarcane.


Re-emergence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and increase of serotype 23B after easing of COVID-19 measures, Switzerland, 2021.
Incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) has been low during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we found that the IPD numbers again increased in Switzerland during the first six months of 2021 and that this coincides with the loosening of COVID-19 measures. Vaccine pneumococcal serotypes have continued to decrease and non-vaccine type serotype 23B has emerged (8% of the isolates in 2021). Worryingly, serotype 23B is associated with reduced susceptibility to penicillin.


Organized living: formation mechanisms and functions of plasma membrane domains in yeast.
Plasma membrane proteins and lipids organize into lateral domains of specific composition. Domain formation is achieved by a combination of lipid-lipid and lipid-protein interactions, membrane-binding protein scaffolds and protein fences. The resulting domains function in membrane protein turnover and homeostasis, as well as in cell signaling. We review the mechanisms generating plasma membrane domains and the functional consequences of this organization, focusing on recent findings from research on the yeast model system.


Association-heterogeneity mapping identifies an Asian-specific association of the GTF2I locus with rheumatoid arthritis.
Considerable sharing of disease alleles among populations is well-characterized in autoimmune disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), but there are some exceptional loci showing heterogenic association among populations. Here we investigated genetic variants with distinct effects on the development of rheumatoid arthritis in Asian and European populations. Ancestry-related association heterogeneity was examined using Cochran's homogeneity tests for the disease association data from large Asian (n = 14,465; 9,299 discovery subjects and 5,166 validation subjects; 4 collections) and European (n = 45,790; 11 collections) rheumatoid arthritis case-control cohorts with Immunochip and genome-wide SNP array data. We identified significant heterogeneity between the two ancestries for the common variants in the GTF2I locus (PHeterogeneity = 9.6 × 10(-9) at rs73366469) and showed that this heterogeneity was due to an Asian-specific association effect (ORMeta = 1.37 and PMeta = 4.2 × 10(-13) in Asians; ORMeta = 1.00 and PMeta = 1.00 in Europeans). Trans-ancestral comparison and bioinfomatics analysis revealed a plausibly causal or disease-variant-tagging SNP (rs117026326; in linkage disequilibrium with rs73366469), whose minor allele is common in Asians but rare in Europeans. In conclusion, we identified largest-ever effect on Asian rheumatoid arthritis across human non-HLA regions at GTF2I by heterogeneity mapping followed by replication studies, and pinpointed a possible causal variant.


Mitotic recombination in stable and unstable chromosome III disomics of Aspergillus nidulans.
Approximately 2% of the haploid breakdown sectors of heterozygous chromosome III disomics of Aspergillus nidulans are the result of recombination between the homologous chromosomes. The exchanges are concentrated between the two mutations spanning the centromere. Comparisons are made between disomics hemizygous for the sodIII A1 mutation (Upshall et al. 1979) which are stable when grown at 37 degrees C, and disomics carrying the wild type allele of the sodIII A1 locus, which are unstable under all conditions. It is shown that neither temperature nor the sodIII A1 mutation affect the frequency or pattern of recombination between the homologues.


Increased attention-deficit/hyperactivity symptoms in atopic dermatitis are associated with history of antihistamine use.
Epidemiologic evidence indicates a relevant association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Underlying mechanisms and ways to best identify subgroups of AD patients at risk for ADHD are poorly understood. To compare sociodemographic, clinical and psychosocial characteristics of children with AD, ADHD, comorbid AD/ADHD and age-matched healthy controls and to investigate aspects of AD related to ADHD symptoms. Applying a factorial design, we investigated 4 groups of children aged 6-12 years: AD-only (ie, without ADHD), ADHD-only (ie, without AD), AD + ADHD and healthy controls (HC; ie, no AD/no ADHD). Using validated instruments, ADHD symptoms and other behavioural problems, quality of life, parenting stress and sleeping problems were compared between groups. In children with AD-only, clinical signs (objective SCORAD), symptoms (POEM, VAS pruritus, VAS sleeping problems) and previous treatment of AD were assessed to investigate disease patterns related to ADHD symptoms. Compared to HC (n = 47), children with AD-only (n = 42), ADHD-only (n = 34) and comorbid AD + ADHD (n = 31) had significantly increased behavioural problems and decreased quality of life. Children with AD-only had significantly higher levels of ADHD symptoms than HC. In children with AD-only, previous use of antihistamines was significantly associated with increased ADHD symptoms (OR 1.88; 95% CI 1.04-3.39). Current clinical signs and AD symptoms were unrelated to the level of ADHD symptoms. Even if the clinical diagnosis of ADHD is excluded, children with AD show increased levels of ADHD symptoms. Further investigations need to determine whether early antihistamine exposure is a major risk factor for ADHD or a surrogate for previous AD severity and/or associated sleeping problems.


Transcultural pediatrics: compliance and outcome of phenylketonuria patients from families with an immigration background.
Living in a foreign country with a different lifestyle and a different orientation is a many-faceted challenge for immigrants. A considerable percentage (30-50%) of patients with metabolic disease come from immigrant families from Turkey and the Middle East. Phenylketonuria is one example of metabolic disease in which severe mental retardation can be entirely prevented by early detection via newborn screening and consistent dietary treatment. We report 7 phenylketonuria patients from 3 Turkish families who had considerable difficulty in coping with the diagnosis and adherence to the diet. Blood phenylalanine levels beyond recommended limits and IQ values below average, clearly demonstrate the risks arising from language as well as psychological and cultural communication barriers, despite standardized follow-up care structures and the observance of continuity by medical caregivers. To propose a basis for systematic improvement in the care of patients from immigrant families we suggest that a) the services of professional interpreters be used in case of language barriers; b) social workers with appropriate sociocultural and language competence should accompany the family in a professional manner; c) it would be meaningful to introduce treatment contracts that clearly establish the limits of the client's rights and duties as well as those of the care-givers. From the viewpoint of legislation, providing medical information is duty of the hospital and the use of translator is mandatory with patients from foreign countries and with foreign languages.


Synthesis, crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of N-(4-fluoro-phen-yl)-N-isopropyl-2-(methyl-sulfon-yl)acetamide.
The synthesis and crystal structure of the title compound, C12H16FNO3S, which is related to the herbicide flufenacet, are presented. The dihedral angle between the amide group and the fluorinated benzene ring is 87.30 (5)° and the N-C-C-S torsion angle defining the orientation of the methyl-sulfonyl substituent relative to the amide group is 106.91 (11)°. In the crystal, inversion-related mol-ecules form dimers as a result of pairwise C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, which appear to be reinforced by short O⋯π contacts [O⋯Cg = 3.0643 (11) Å]. A Hirshfeld surface analysis was used to qu-antify the various types of inter-molecular contacts, which are dominated by H atoms.


Synthesis of N-[2-(1-piperidinyl)ethyl]benzamides.
Novel benzamide derivatives, N-[1-(aminocarbonyl)-2-(1-piperidinyl)ethyl]benzamides (4 and 5), were prepared from the reaction of beta-piperidinoalanine (6) as the starting material.


Hodgkin lymphoma in patients with HIV infection: a review.
Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is one of the most common types of non-AIDS-defining tumors in the HIV-infected. Its incidence however seems to have increased under highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). HIV-HL is a different entity from HL in HIV-negative subjects with a poorer prognosis that is associated with tumor-subtype, EBV-infection, and "B" symptoms. Despite the aggressive nature of the disease, clinical outcome has improved with combination therapies including appropriately timed antiretroviral strategies and the quality of supportive care-notably the use of hematopoietic growth factors. More intensive chemotherapy regimens with or without autologous stem cell transplantation appear to improve survival. Functional imaging such as positron emission tomography and computed tomography (FDG-PET) may help guide treatment strategy and minimize long-term toxicity.


[Relation of uteroplacental hemodynamics and fetal respiratory behavior in pregnancy with threatened premature labor or intrauterine retardation].
The results of uteroplacental hemodynamics obtained by nuclear medicine were correlated with the corresponding antepartal and intrapartal cardiotocographic findings in 52 patients with preterm labor and in 53 patients with intrauterine-growth-retarded fetuses. With the existence of continued disturbance in pregnancy the relationship between primary maternal hemodynamic disorders and decreased fetal respiratory performance is already evident antepartum and unambiguously intrapartum. The dependence of the antepartal cardiotocographic findings on therapeutical improvements in perfusion is of clinical relevance.


Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Polish Patients with Chronic Diseases.
Patients at a high-risk of severe influenza, because of their underlying health disorders, are recommended to receive a seasonal influenza vaccination. In Poland, influenza coverage rate in the general population is very low (3.4 %). However, there is little known about the coverage rate among high-risk patients. The aim of this study was to describe a general knowledge, perception, and influenza vaccination coverage rate among Polish patients with enhanced risk for influenza. We conducted a self-reported survey among 500 patients with chronic disorders: 120 pulmonary, 80 hemodialyzed, 100 thyroid cancer, and 200 cardiovascular patients. We found the following influenza vaccination coverage in the respective groups of patients: 58 % in pulmonary, 34 % in hemodialyzed, 32 % in cardiovascular, and 9 % in thyroid cancer patients. The difference between the coverage rate in pulmonary patients compared with the other risk groups was significant (p < 0.05). In pulmonary patients, the most important barrier for influenza vaccination was a lack of recommendations from healthcare workers, while a high awareness of influenza was the most powerful driver for vaccination (p < 0.05). We conclude that although the influenza vaccination coverage in Polish patients with chronic diseases is higher than that reported in the general population, this rate remains much below the recommended level and should be improved.


From the comfort zone to crown dieback: Sequence of physiological stress thresholds in mature European beech trees across progressive drought.
Drought responses of mature trees are still poorly understood making it difficult to predict species distributions under a warmer climate. Using mature European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), a widespread and economically important tree species in Europe, we aimed at developing an empirical stress-level scheme to describe its physiological response to drought. We analysed effects of decreasing soil and leaf water potential on soil water uptake, stem radius, native embolism, early defoliation and crown dieback with comprehensive measurements from overall nine hydrologically distinct beech stands across Switzerland, including records from the exceptional 2018 drought and the 2019/2020 post-drought period. Based on the observed responses to decreasing water potential we derived the following five stress levels: I (predawn leaf water potential >-0.4 MPa): no detectable hydraulic limitations; II (-0.4 to -1.3): persistent stem shrinkage begins and growth ceases; III (-1.3 to -2.1): onset of native embolism and defoliation; IV (-2.1 to -2.8): onset of crown dieback; V (<-2.8): transpiration ceases and crown dieback is >20%. Our scheme provides, for the first time, quantitative thresholds regarding the physiological downregulation of mature European beech trees under drought and therefore synthesises relevant and fundamental information for process-based species distribution models. Moreover, our study revealed that European beech is drought vulnerable, because it still transpires considerably at high levels of embolism and because defoliation occurs rather as a result of embolism than preventing embolism. During the 2018 drought, an exposure to the stress levels III-V of only one month was long enough to trigger substantial crown dieback in beech trees on shallow soils. On deep soils with a high water holding capacity, in contrast, water reserves in deep soil layers prevented drought stress in beech trees. This emphasises the importance to include local data on soil water availability when predicting the future distribution of European beech.


A brain MRI study in subjects with borderline personality disorder.
There have been only a few brain computed tomography imaging studies, with mostly negative findings, in subjects with borderline personality disorder (BPD). This is the first MRI study which evaluated the structural abnormalities of the brain in subjects with the sole diagnosis of BPD. Twenty-five subjects with BPD were compared with age-, gender-matched healthy comparison subjects (n=25) on volumes of the frontal lobes, the temporal lobes, the lateral ventricles, and the cerebral hemispheres in brain magnetic resonance imaging. Subjects with BPD had a significantly smaller frontal lobe compared to comparison subjects (multivariate regression analysis, t=2.225, df=46, P=0.031). There were no significant differences in volumes of the temporal lobes, the lateral ventricles, and the cerebral hemispheres between subjects with and without BPD. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria employed in the present study may make it difficult to generalize our findings. The gray matter and white matter of the brain were not measured separately. Differences in head tilt during image acquisition were not corrected. The current study reports a smaller frontal lobe volume on brain MRI in subjects with BPD compared with healthy comparison subjects. This finding may serve as a potentially useful biological variable that may allow for subtyping BPD.


Can children identify and achieve goals for intervention? A randomized trial comparing two goal-setting approaches.
The efficacy of two different goal-setting approaches (children's self-identified goals and goals identified by parents) were compared on a goal-directed, task-oriented intervention. In this assessor-blinded parallel randomized trial, 34 children with disabilities (13 males, 21 females; mean age 9y, SD 1y 4mo) were randomized using concealed allocation to one of two 8-week, goal-directed, task-oriented intervention groups with different goal-setting approaches: (1) children's self-identified goals (n=18) using the Perceived Efficacy and Goal-Setting System, or (2) goals identified by parents (n=16) using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Participants were recruited through eight paediatric rehabilitation centres and randomized between October 2011 and May 2013. The primary outcome measure was the Goal Attainment Scaling and the secondary measure, the COPM performance scale (COPM-P). Data were collected pre- and post-intervention and at the 5-month follow-up. There was no evidence of a difference in mean characteristics at baseline between groups. There was evidence of an increase in mean goal attainment (mean T score) in both groups after intervention (child-goal group: estimated mean difference [EMD] 27.84, 95% CI 22.93-32.76; parent-goal group: EMD 21.42, 95% CI 16.16-26.67). There was no evidence of a difference in the mean T scores post-intervention between the two groups (EMD 6.42, 95% CI -0.80 to 13.65). These results were sustained at the 5-month follow-up. Children's self-identified goals are achievable to the same extent as parent-identified goals and remain stable over time. Thus children can be trusted to identify their own goals for intervention, thereby influencing their involvement in their intervention programmes.


[Implementing a community surveillance network to monitor antimicrobial resistance: the Labville network].
In France, antimicrobial resistance monitoring is based on the contribution of many microbiological partners and networks, especially hospital laboratories. In order to complete this surveillance, the InVS implemented a network based on private-sector laboratories (PSL): the Labville network. Stratified by French region, 69 PSL were randomly selected. The microbiological analysis results, including anonymized individual patient data, are translated into an appropriate data format within an automated reading process. This data is then sent to InVS through a secure Internet connection. The specifications of the automated system were defined according to a feasibility study conducted in 2003. The first stage of the project consisted in defining a global strategy for the reading of printed microbiological results. Then, the parameters were adapted for each PSL using a set of specific analysis over two to three weeks. After validation by InVS, the reading strategy was applied on to routinely printed results. The strategy was definitely validated after four month of a daily data transmission. The general approach needs to be adapted to each PSL and undergoes several adjustments. This long step of the project still requires microbiological expertise. The automated data extraction process used for Labville project is innovating. It is not affected by the compatibility and diversity of computing systems and reduces the biologist's workload. The Labville network is a challenging project motivating future development of other electronic surveillance networks.


Standard method for the investigation of bone transplants, ceramics, or other material in a human bony layer.
A new model for the investigation of human bone regeneration is introduced. We use the iliac crest as a bony layer for implants, which are the object of research. For therapy in cases of delayed bone healing the cancellous bone is removed. The empty iliac crest is then filled with the material we want to investigate. During a further operation necessitated by therapy of the bone disease, we obtain a probe of bone and material by drilling a hole through the iliac crest. This bony cylinder can be examined by histological techniques. We have used this procedure in 69 patients to date. No specific complications were caused by the implants. Fifteen biopsies could be taken and are now under examination. In the future it may be possible to breed new bone in this layer for further therapy and to fill the gaps at donor sites.


Clinical outcomes of traumatic pneumothoraces undergoing conservative management following detection by prehospital physicians.
To describe the clinical and transport characteristics of patients diagnosed with a suspected traumatic pneumothorax and managed conservatively by prehospital medical teams including secondary deterioration during transfer and the subsequent rate of in-hospital tube thoracostomy. Retrospective observational study of all adult trauma patients diagnosed with a suspected pneumothorax on ultrasound and managed conservatively by their treating prehospital medical team between 2018 and 2020. Descriptive analysis was performed comparing patients who did and did not receive in-hospital tube thoracostomy. In total, 181 patients were diagnosed with suspected traumatic pneumothoraces on prehospital ultrasound of which 75 (41.4%) were managed conservatively by their treating medical team whilst 106 (58.6%) underwent pleural decompression. There were no recorded cases of emergent pleural decompression required in transit. Of the 75 conservatively managed patients, 42 (56%) had an intercostal catheter (ICC) placed within four hours of hospital arrival and another nine (17.6%) had an ICC placed between four- and 24-hours post-hospital arrival. There was no significant difference in prehospital clinical characteristics between patients who did and did not receive an in-hospital ICC. The detection of a pneumothorax on the initial chest x-ray and larger pneumothorax volume visualised on computed tomography imaging were significantly more common in patients receiving in-hospital ICCs. Aviation factors including flight altitude and duration of flight were not associated with subsequent in-hospital tube thoracostomy. Prehospital medical teams can safely identify patients who have a traumatic pneumothorax and can be transported to hospital without pleural decompression. Patient characteristics at the time of hospital arrival combined with the size of pneumothorax identified on imaging appear most likely to influence subsequent urgent in-hospital tube thoracostomy placement.


[Diabetic patients, knowledge respectives complications and severity].
Education is at the cornerstone of management of insulin-treated diabetic patient. Previous studies reported that the education of diabetic patients and their entourage was failing, hypothesizing that this lack of education was explained by a lack of knowledge on the disease and its complications and the underestimation of their respective severity. The "Educated Why" suggests that diabetic patients treated with insulin know that hypoglycemia and to a lesser extent diabetes itself are serious or very serious diseases.


Psychometrics evaluation of the university student engagement inventory in online learning among Arab students.
Student' engagement is a predictor of various educational outcomes, and it is a key factor in perceived learning. This study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of University Student Engagement Inventory (USEI) among students of Arab universities. In this cross-sectional methodological study 525 Arab university students participated. Data was collected from December 2020 to January 2021. The confirmatory factor analysis used for construct validity, reliability and Invariance analysis for Sex were evaluated. Confirmatory factor analysis indices confirmed the good model fit to the data (CFIscl=0.977, NFIscl=0.974, TLIscl=0.972, SRMR = 0.036, RMSEAscl=0.111, n = 525). All tested models showed strong invariance of the USEI between male and females. There was also evidence of convergent (AVE > 0.7 for all the scales) and discriminant validity (HTMT > 0.75 for all scales). Reliability evidence for the USEI measures in the sample of Arabic students was high (αordinal and ω above 0.86). The results of this study support the validity and reliability of the USEI with 15 items and 3 factors and demonstrate the importance of students' engagement in the learning process, academic progress, and self-directed learning.


Clinical comparison of two intraocular pressure measurement methods: SmartLens dynamic observing tonography versus Goldmann.
To compare intraocular pressure measurements obtained with SmartLens, a gonioscopic contact lens, to those from Goldmann applanation tonometry. Eighty volunteers (20 healthy individuals and 60 glaucoma patients from the university eye hospital's outpatient department) were examined using conventional Goldmann tonometry and the new SmartLens tool. For each device three replicate measurements were performed. A paired t-test and the corresponding mean difference confidence interval approach were used to assess deviations in location of the two tonometric methods; the test procedure of Maloney and Rastogi was used for comparison of precision in paired data. Intraindividual differences were evaluated according to the approach of Altman and Bland. There was a mean difference of 5.6 mmHg (95% CI: 4.3 mmHg; 6.8 mmHg; P<0.01) in intraocular pressure between the two methods with a significant overestimation by SmartLens tonometry compared to Goldmann tonometry (P<0.01). The 95%-limits of agreement ranged from -5.4 mmHg to +16.6 mmHg for individual patients. The measurement method variance of SmartLens was higher (Maloney-Rastogi test; P <0.01). The mean coefficients of variation for intraindividual replicates were 10.1% (SmartLens) and 3.8% (Goldmann; P <0.01). Accepting Goldmann tonometry as gold standard for intraocular pressure measurement, the SmartLens method shows considerable variation and therefore is not proven to be an adequate substitute for Goldmann tonometry.


Determination of patulin by online-SPE-LC.
The mycotoxin patulin mainly occurs in fruits and fruit-derived products. For its determination a newly developed method employing a simplified liquid-liquid partitioning step followed by an online-SPE-LC analysis with UV detection is presented. The sample is diluted with phosphate buffer and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is evaporated and re-dissolved. The online-SPE-LC analysis employs a styrene-divinylbenzene copolymere phase for the SPE step, on which the carbonate washing step is carried out as well. The final LC analysis with UV detection uses a Polaris C18A column. This method reaches a limit of quantification of 15 μg/kg (clear apple juice), with a standard deviation of 10.7% (matrix calibration, n=5; c (patulin)=50 μg/kg).


Nutritional management in patients with chyle leakage: a systematic review.
To investigate all the available evidence assessing the effect of nutrition intervention on patients with chyle leakage and its effectiveness at reducing the need for surgical intervention. A systematic review was undertaken of all English language studies using MEDLINE, Cinahl and Web of Science from January 1980 to September 2013. Case series were included because of limited available evidence. Exclusion criteria included animal studies, pediatrics and studies without nutritional intervention. Assessment of study quality was included. Because of the heterogeneity of the data, no meta-analysis was performed. Thirty-one articles were identified for analysis, all of which were retrospective case series studies. The data within these studies were greatly limited. A total of 550 subjects were identified from these studies, 72% of whom had a chyle leak successfully resolved without surgical intervention. However, there was no significant difference between the type of dietary intervention and the rate of resolution (χ(2)=11.14, P=0.08). Although there is evidence to suggest that nutrition may have a role in the management of patients with chyle leakage, it is not possible to determine which dietary methods are most effective. More research is required before any guidelines for best practice can be established.


V1-receptor mediated GSH efflux by vasopressin from rat hepatocytes.
Vasopression increases sinusoidal efflux of GSH in the perfused rat liver. The mechanism of this effect was studied in the perfused rat liver and in isolated rat hepatocytes. Vasopressin stimulated GSH efflux in both systems and a V1-receptor antagonist (OPC-21268) significantly inhibited the effect of vasopressin suggesting that vasopressin stimulates GSH efflux from rat hepatocytes via V1-receptor.


Development of a clinical model to predict secondary non-response of infliximab treatment in Crohn's disease.
Secondary non-response to infliximab (IFX) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) is so common that prediction of non-response is required to adopt the optimal therapy for an individual patient. The clinical model was constructed in a training cohort. Clinical features, serological parameters, and genetic biomarkers at week 14 IFX therapy were obtained as predictors. Secondary non-response was defined at week 54. Univariate analysis was first performed to eliminate irrelevant predictors with non-response. Then, a logistic regression model was developed by using predictors with P < 0.1 in a univariate analysis. Finally, the model was validated with reference to its discrimination, calibration, and decision curve analysis (DCA). In a univariate analysis, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), the previous surgery, disease location, C-reactive protein (CRP), and TNFRSF1B (676 T>G) were found associated with secondary non-response to IFX. Logistic regression analysis with stepwise backward selection P < 0.05 then identified that ESR, the previous surgery, CRP, and TNFRSF1B (676 T>G) could serve as independent predictors, and a clinical model was developed based on the above predictors. Model 2 with TNFRSF1B (676 T>G) incorporated demonstrated more satisfactory discrimination (P = 0.029), better calibration (U P2 > 0.05), and higher clinical value in the validation cohort. The study presents a model to predict non-response to IFX in CD, which incorporates previous surgery, ESR, CRP, and TNFRSF1B (676 T>G). This model can be used to help clinicians adjust the therapeutic strategy and CD patients avoid unnecessary exposure to IFX.


Mechanisms of heterotypic immunity against canine distemper.
Hep-2 cells infected with measles virus (MV) for as short as 6 h became refractory to superinfection with canine distemper virus (CDV) but not to vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). The exact mechanism of such interference is unknown but probably occurs after virus attachment and penetration. These results verify the suggestion that virus interference may be a mechanism of heterotypic protection against canine distemper.


Bougies as an aid for endotracheal intubation with the Airway Scope: bench and manikin comparison studies.
When encountering a difficult airway with an Airway Scope (AWS) a bougie can be inserted into the endotracheal tube in the AWS channel. The angulated tip of the bougie can be guided toward the glottis by rotating it. We tested the ease of rotating bougies (Venn reusable, Boussignac, Portex single-use, and Frova) in an endotracheal tube when placed in the AWS channel. Bench study: Seven anesthesiologists inserted each of the four types of bougies into a 7.0 mm endotracheal tube in an AWS channel and rotated the bougie end (side of bougie operated by hand) clockwise or counterclockwise to an angle of 0°-180° in 45° increments. The rotation angle of the bougie tip (tracheal side) was measured for each bougie and the degree of force required to rotate them was examined. Manikin study: Using the same four bougies, the same seven anesthesiologists attempted to intubate a manikin that simulated a difficult airway. Success rate and time required for successful intubation were compared between the four bougies. Bench study: The difference in the rotation angle between the bougie tip and end was significantly larger with Portex single-use and Frova bougies than with Venn reusable and Boussignac bougies (P < 0.01). The rotation angles of the tips of Venn reusable, Boussignac, Portex single-use, and Frova bougies were 145°/123° (clockwise / counterclockwise), 92°/108°, 46°/56°, and 39°/51°, respectively, when their ends were rotated to an angle of 180°. Venn reusable and Boussignac bougies could be rotated in the endotracheal tube by clinically acceptable rotational force. Manikin study: Times to intubation with Venn reusable [25 (SD, 5) s] and Boussignac bougies [35 (6) s] were significantly shorter than with Portex single-use [61 (17) s] and Frova bougies [69 (22) s] (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in success rate between the four bougies. Venn reusable and Boussignac bougies are a useful aid for intubation with an AWS. Portex single-use and Frova bougies seem to be less suitable for this technique. Different bougies may be of varying utility when used with an AWS or airway device with an endotracheal tube channel.


Gender-based research underscores sex differences in biological processes, clinical disorders and pharmacological interventions.
Earlier research has presumed that the male and female biology is similar in most organs except the reproductive system, leading to major misconceptions in research interpretations and clinical implications, with serious disorders being overlooked or misdiagnosed. Careful research has now identified sex differences in the cardiovascular, renal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, immune, nervous, and musculoskeletal systems. Also, several cardiovascular, immunological, and neurological disorders have shown differences in prevalence and severity between males and females. Genetic variations in the sex chromosomes have been implicated in several disorders at young age and before puberty. The levels of the gonadal hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone and their receptors play a role in the sex differences between adult males and premenopausal women. Hormonal deficiencies and cell senescence have been implicated in differences between postmenopausal and premenopausal women. Specifically, cardiovascular disorders are more common in adult men vs premenopausal women, but the trend is reversed with age with the incidence being greater in postmenopausal women than age-matched men. Gender-specific disorders in females such as polycystic ovary syndrome, hypertension-in-pregnancy and gestational diabetes have attained further research recognition. Other gender-related research areas include menopausal hormone therapy, the "Estrogen Paradox" in pulmonary arterial hypertension being more predominant but less severe in young females, and how testosterone may cause deleterious effects in the kidney while having vasodilator effects in the coronary circulation. This has prompted the National Institutes of Health (NIH) initiative to consider sex as a biological variable in research. The NIH and other funding agencies have provided resources to establish state-of-the-art centers for women health and sex differences in biology and disease in several academic institutions. Scientific societies and journals have taken similar steps to organize specialized conferences and publish special issues on gender-based research. These combined efforts should promote research to enhance our understanding of the sex differences in biological systems beyond just the reproductive system, and provide better guidance and pharmacological tools for the management of various clinical disorders in a gender-specific manner.


The functional independence of response latency and accuracy: implications for the concept of conceptual tempo.
Kagan (1965a) developed the concepts of impulsive and reflective cognitive styles (conceptual tempo) to add a new dimension to the understanding and assessment of human intelligence. Although latency (the principal component of conceptual tempo) is negatively correlated with academic performance, it may not be necessary to modify latency in order to modify accuracy.. With 40 disadvantaged preschool children, it was found that reinforcing long latencies in choice tasks did not increase accuracy and vice versa, and that reinforcing both long latencies and accuracy was no more effective than reinforcing accuracy alone. These data were used to question the usefulness of the construct of conceptual tempo.


[Experience in a group of overweight persons].
The experience with group therapy of five obese persons over a ten-week period is being reported. The purpose was to effect changes in abnormal eating habits by means of behavioural methods toward self-control. The mean weight of the group was reduced from 79,4 kg to 72,2 kg during the period of the course; mean weight reduction was 7,2 kg while mean overweight was lowered from 22% to 10%. In order to prevent rebounds, it is recommended that participants remain under continued care. Despite the small number of probands, it is though that the study provides useful information about the effectiveness and problems of group-dynamic obesity treatment in population.


Red nucleus of Macaca fascicularis: an electron microscopic study of its synaptic organization.
The parvicellular and magnocellular divisions of the red nucleus of the old world monkey, Macaca fascicularis, were analyzed at an electron microscopic level to examine the morphology of the synaptic profiles terminating on rubral neurons and to categorize them by their individual characteristics. The parvicellular division, or anterior two-thirds of the nucleus, is composed of small (10-15 microns) and medium-size (20-30 microns) cells, which are uniformly distributed with high packing density throughout this portion of the nucleus. These cells have invaginated nuclei and are often indented by blood vessels and glial cell somata (satellite cells) that lie in close proximity. The magnocellular portion, occupying the caudal one-third of the nucleus, is composed of an additional population of large cells, ranging from 50-90 microns in diameter, which often contain prominent lipofuscin granules and are frequently indented by blood vessels. Satellite glial cells are not a prominent feature in the magnocellularis portion of the nucleus. The large cells are separated one from the other by fields of myelinated axons either coursing through the nucleus or projecting to and from the nucleus itself. Although the divisions of the nucleus in the Macaca fascicularis are spatially distinct, each possesses a morphological similarity in regard to the categories of synaptic profiles seen at the electron microscopic level. These synaptic profiles are classified as follows: large terminals containing numerous, predominantly rounded vesicles (LR), which can often be seen to form the central profile in a synaptic glomerular arrangement; terminals of similar size with predominantly rounded vesicles but with a pale axoplasmic matrix (LRP); small profiles with rounded vesicles (SR); profiles containing granular dense-cored vesicles (DCV); profiles with numerous flattened vesicles (F); profiles containing pleomorphic vesicles (PL), some of which can be interpreted as presynaptic dendrites (PSD) because they are seen to be postsynaptic and contain ribosomes; and profiles with rounded synaptic vesicles, which are associated with subsynaptic Taxi bodies (T). Most of the various synaptic profile types were found to have similar distributions on the dendritic arbors of rubral neurons in both divisions of the nucleus. However, the LRP-type terminal predominates on the cell bodies and proximal dendrites of the large neurons in magnocellularis. Unlike other regions in the nervous system, F type terminals are rarely seen to contact neuronal somata. This study provides a basis for future experimental studies of afferents to the nucleus in this species.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


Cardiovascular effects of the thiazolidinediones.
Thiazolidinediones, used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2, modulate gene expression by binding to nuclear transcription factor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma is expressed in several tissues, therefore, thiazolidinediones have biological effects on multiple organ systems. Here, we describe evidence that thiazolidinediones have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system independent of their antidiabetic effect. Studies in animals have clearly shown that thiazolidinediones decrease blood pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy, development of atherosclerotic lesions, and protect myocardium from ischemia/reperfusion injury. Although relatively few studies in humans have been reported, the preponderance of available evidence suggests a beneficial effect of thiazolidinediones. Thus, by modulating gene expression, thiazolidinediones may provide a novel method for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.


Role of wing pronation in evasive steering of locusts.
Evasive steering is crucial for flying in a crowded environment such as a locust swarm. We investigated how flying locusts alter wing-flapping symmetry in response to a looming object approaching from the side. Desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria) were tethered to a rotatable shaft that allowed them to initiate a banked turn. A visual stimulus of an expending disk on one side of the locust was used to evoke steering while recording the change in wingbeat kinematics and electromyography (EMG) of metathoracic wing depressors. Locusts responded to the looming object by rolling to the contralateral direction. During turning, EMG of hindwing depressors showed an omission of one action potential in the subalar depressor (M129) of the hindwing inside the turn. This omission was associated with increased pronation of the same wing, reducing its angle-of-attack during the downstroke. The link between spike-omission in M129 and wing pronation was verified by stimulating the hindwing depressor muscles with an artificial motor pattern that included the misfire of M129. These results suggest that hindwing pronation is instrumental in rotating the body to the side opposite of the approaching threat. Turning away from the threat would be highly adaptive for collision avoidance when flying in dense swarms.


Medication safety in rehabilitation medicine.
Rehabilitation medicine is practiced in a variety of settings. Physiatrists are an integral part of the care provided in many of these settings and are often consulted to provide diagnostic and therapeutic services and expertise to individuals with a variety of diagnoses. In this role, it is imperative that physiatrists have a working knowledge of various medications as well as the principles of medication safety. This article provides a foundation in the general and specific aspects of medication safety as they apply to the practice of rehabilitation medicine.


Dietary acrylamide exposure of the French population: results of the second French Total Diet Study.
Acrylamide is a heat-induced carcinogen compound that is found in some foods consequently to cooking or other thermal processes. In the second French Total Diet Study (TDS), acrylamide was analysed in 192 food samples collected in mainland France to be representative of the population diet and prepared "as consumed". Highest mean concentrations were found in potato chips/crisps (954 μg/kg), French fries and other fried potatoes (724 μg/kg), and salted biscuits other than potato chips (697 μg/kg). Exposure of general adult and child populations was assessed by combining analytical results with national consumption data. Mean acrylamide exposure was assessed to be 0.43±0.33 μg/kg of body weight (bw) per day for adults and 0.69±0.58 μg/kg bw/day for children. Although the exposure assessed is lower than in previous evaluations, the calculated margins of exposure, based on benchmark dose limits defined for carcinogenic effects, remain very low especially for young children (below 100 at the 95th percentile of exposure), indicating a health concern. It is therefore advisable to continue efforts in order to reduce dietary exposure to acrylamide.


Amiodarone-associated optic neuropathy: a critical review.
Although amiodarone is the most commonly prescribed anti-arrhythmic drug, its use is limited by serious toxicities, including optic neuropathy. Current reports of amiodarone-associated optic neuropathy identified from the Food and Drug Administration's Adverse Event Reporting System and published case reports were reviewed. A total of 296 reports were identified: 214 from the Adverse Event Reporting System, 59 from published case reports, and 23 from adverse events reports for patients enrolled in clinical trials. Mean duration of amiodarone therapy before vision loss was 9 months (range 1-84 months). Insidious onset of amiodarone-associated optic neuropathy (44%) was the most common presentation, and nearly one third were asymptomatic. Optic disk edema was present in 85% of cases. Following drug cessation, 58% had improved visual acuity, 21% were unchanged, and 21% had further decreased visual acuity. Legal blindness (<20/200) was noted in at least one eye in 20% of cases. Close ophthalmologic surveillance of patients during the tenure of amiodarone administration is warranted.


Cloning and expression of Bacillus phytase gene (phy) in Escherichia coli and recovery of active enzyme from the inclusion bodies.
To isolate, clone and express a novel phytase gene (phy) from Bacillus sp. in Escherichia coli; to recover the active enzyme from inclusion bodies; and to characterize the recombinant phytase. The molecular weight of phytase was estimated as 40 kDa on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A requirement of Ca(2+) ions was found essential both for refolding and activity of the enzyme. Bacillus phytase exhibited a specific activity of 16 U mg(-1) protein; it also revealed broad pH and temperature ranges of 5.0 to 8.0 and 25 to 70 degrees C, respectively. The K(m) value of phytase for hydrolysis of sodium phytate has been determined as 0.392 mmol l(-1). The activity of enzyme has been inhibited by EDTA. The enzyme exhibited ample thermostability upon exposure to high temperatures from 75 to 95 degrees C. After 9 h of cultivation of transformed E. coli in the bioreactor, the cell biomass reached 26.81 g wet weight (ww) per l accounting for 4289 U enzyme activity compared with 1.978 g ww per l producing 256 U activity in shake-flask cultures. In silico analysis revealed a beta-propeller structure of phytase. This is the first report of its kind on the purification and successful in vitro refolding of Bacillus phytase from the inclusion bodies formed in the transformed E. coli. Efficient and reproducible protocols for cloning, expression, purification and in vitro refolding of Bacillus phytase enzyme from the transformed E. coli have been developed. The novel phytase, with broad pH and temperature range, renaturation ability and substrate specificity, appears promising as an ideal feed supplement. Identification of site between 179th amino acid leucine and 180th amino acid asparagine offers scope for insertion of small peptides/domains for production of chimeric genes without altering enzyme activity.


Combined Therapy with Transarterial Chemoembolization and Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Does the Degree of Ethiodized Oil Accumulation within the Tumor Affect the Therapeutic Efficacy?
To evaluate the effects of the degree of ethiodized oil accumulation achieved by transarterial chemoembolization followed by radiofrequency (RF) ablation on the treatment efficacy for a single intermediate-sized hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 153 consecutive patients who underwent chemoembolization and RF ablation for a single intermediate-sized HCC (2-5 cm) were included. On the basis of the degree of ethiodized oil accumulation in HCC on cone-beam CT images, patients who underwent chemoembolization and RF ablation were classified into 2 groups: compact accumulation (≥ 75%) and noncompact accumulation (< 75%). The rates of cumulative local tumor progression (LTP), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were compared between groups. Of the 153 patients, 89 were classified into the compact ethiodized oil accumulation group and 64 in the noncompact ethiodized oil accumulation group. There were no significant differences in patient demographic or HCC characteristics between groups except for the incidence of liver cirrhosis (P = .038) and the tumor margin morphology (P = .008). The cumulative LTP rate was significantly lower in the compact accumulation group than in the noncompact accumulation group (P = .013). There were no significant differences in the incidences of complications, DFS rates (P = .055), or OS rates (P = .184). The degree of ethiodized oil accumulation does not play a role in decreasing the OS or DFS rate after chemoembolization and RF ablation for intermediate-sized HCC; however, it may contribute to reducing the rate of LTP.


Oligonucleotide ligation assay for detection of mutations associated with reverse transcriptase and protease inhibitor resistance in non-B subtypes and recombinant forms of human immunodeficiency virus type 1.
The oligonucleotide ligation assay is a genotypic assay for the detection of resistance-associated mutations to reverse transcriptase and protease inhibitors in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 subtype B. This assay has been modified and developed for non-B subtypes and recombinant strains and has been evaluated with sequencing, resulting in a more sensitive assay than sequencing for non-B subtypes.


Excitotoxic lesions of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus attenuate intravenous cocaine self-administration.
The present experiments investigated the effects of excitotoxic, axon-sparing lesions of the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus (MD) on locomotor activity and i.v. cocaine self-administration. Infusion of quinolinic acid into the MD using a glass micropipette produced well-defined neuronal loss restricted to medial and lateral portions of the MD, sparing adjacent areas such as the lateral habenula and paraventricular thalamic nucleus. MD lesions resulted in delayed habituation to activity cages. In addition, lesioned rats self-administered significantly smaller amounts of cocaine than controls during a 14-day acquisition period, and showed attenuated responding for cocaine doses on the descending limb of the dose-effect function. Since typical titrating patterns of responding were maintained in lesioned rats, and responding on the inactive lever did not differ from sham-operated animals, these present results indicate an enhanced sensitivity to the reinforcing effects of response-contingent cocaine in rats with excitotoxic lesions of the MD.


Microcirculation in the upper trapezius muscle during sustained shoulder load in healthy women--an endurance study using percutaneous laser-Doppler flowmetry and surface electromyography.
Microcirculation in the upper portion of the trapezius muscle was measured percutaneously in a group of 16 healthy women of different ages by continuous laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) in relation to electromyography (EMG) during an endurance test. During the measurements the subject kept her arms straight and elevated at 45 degrees in the scapular plane and held a 1-kg load in each hand as long as possible. This was followed by rest with the arms hanging and carrying no load. The 10-min recording period comprised 1-min initial rest followed by the endurance test and then recovery. Signal processing was done by computer on line. The LDF and root-mean-square (rms) EMG signals were normalized. Spectrum analyses of EMG mean power frequency (MPF) were performed. The amount of load produced was on average 2,267 (SD 939) N.m.s, i.e. shoulder torque x time expressed as Newton meter seconds, and the endurance time was 4.3 (SD 1.20) min. The rms-EMG as well as the LDF increased significantly during endurance, both when related to endurance time and to amount of load. The MPF showed no significant changes. The mean total increase in muscle blood flow was 175% of that recorded in the initial rest period. The average increase per each 10 s of contraction was 2.9%. Maximum was reached during the 1st min of recovery followed by a fall to the base level that was reached within 77 s on average. The amount of load produced and the blood flow increase was smaller than that found in a separate study of men, indicating a lower functional capacity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Antibiotic utilization in hospitalized children under 2 years of age with influenza or respiratory syncytial virus infection - a comparative, retrospective analysis.
Infections due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Influenza virus (FLU) are leading causes of hospitalization in young children. Yet, there is little data on factors associated with antibiotic use in these patients. We conducted a retrospective, single-center study of all patients below 2 years of age hospitalized between 2014 and 2018. We compared children with RSV infection to children with FLU infection analyzing clinical characteristics and factors contributing to an increased rate of antimicrobial utilization. RSV infection was diagnosed in 476/573 (83.1%), FLU in 95/573 (16.6%), and RSV-FLU-co-infection in 2/573 (0.3%) patients. Median age was lower for RSV compared to FLU (4 vs. 12 months; p < 0.0001). Children with RSV had longer hospitalization (5 vs. 4 days; p = 0.0023) and needed oxygen more frequently (314/476 vs. 23/95; p < 0.0001) than FLU patients. There was no significant difference in the overall antibiotic utilization between RSV and FLU patients (136/476 vs. 21/95; p = 0.2107). Logistic regression analyses revealed that septic appearance on admission (odds ratio [OR] 8.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5-54.1), acute otitis media (OR 4.5, 95% CI 2.1-9.4), a longer oxygen therapy (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.13-1.74) and a higher C-reactive protein (CRP) (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.5-2.0) were significantly associated with antibiotic use in both groups, but not age or pneumonia. In our cohort, the rate of antibiotic utilization was comparable between RSV and FLU patients, while for both groups distinct clinical presentation and a high CRP value were associated with higher antibiotic use.


Increased smoking and e-cigarette use among Irish teenagers: a new threat to Tobacco Free Ireland 2025.
Smoking prevalence decreased in Irish teenagers in all ESPAD survey waves from 1995 until 2015. However, in ESPAD 2019, current teen smoking and e-cigarette use increased, threatening Ireland's 5% prevalence tobacco endgame strategy. https://bit.ly/3yXVAyN.


Predictors of chronic posttraumatic stress symptoms following burn injury: results of a longitudinal study.
The authors' goal was to examine the course and predictors of posttraumatic stress symptoms among persons hospitalized for burns. A total of 301 participants completed self-report measures assessing peritraumatic mental state, anxiety related to pain, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Twenty-six percent of the participants were suffering from posttraumatic stress symptoms at 2-3 weeks postburn and 15% of them at 12 months postburns. In general, a decrease in symptoms was observed over time, although a substantial part of the participants with acute stress symptoms suffers from chronic posttraumatic stress symptoms 1-year postburn. Symptoms were predicted by anxiety measures and objective factors, such as female gender, locus, and severity of injury.


Dosage sensitivity and exon shuffling shape the landscape of polymorphic duplicates in Drosophila and humans.
Despite polymorphic duplicate genes' importance for the early stages of duplicate gene evolution, they are less studied than old gene duplicates. Two essential questions thus remain poorly addressed: how does dosage sensitivity, imposed by stoichiometry in protein complexes or by X chromosome dosage compensation, affect the emergence of complete duplicate genes? Do introns facilitate intergenic and intragenic chimaerism as predicted by the theory of exon shuffling? Here, we analysed new data for Drosophila and public data for humans, to characterize polymorphic duplicate genes with respect to dosage, exon-intron structures and allele frequencies. We found that complete duplicate genes are under dosage constraint induced by protein stoichiometry but potentially tolerated by X chromosome dosage compensation. We also found that in the intron-rich human genome, gene fusions and intragenic duplications extensively use intronic breakpoints generating in-frame proteins, in accordance with the theory of exon shuffling. Finally, we found that only a small proportion of complete or partial duplicates are at high frequencies, indicating the deleterious nature of dosage or gene structural changes. Altogether, we demonstrate how mechanistic factors including dosage sensitivity and exon-intron structure shape the short-term functional consequences of gene duplication.


Complications of endobronchial neodymium-Yag (Nd:Yag) laser application.
Endobronchial Nd:Yag laser therapy is an excellent tool to reopen the central airway(s) in patients with severe respiratory symptoms caused by endobronchial tumor growth. Rigid bronchoscopy should be the method of choice. Usually general anesthesia is necessary. Complication rate depends on the condition of the patient, the localization of the tumor, patient selection criteria, method of endoscopy, method of anesthesia, method of laser energy application, and last but not least, the operator's skills and the treating team's cooperation. A very careful monitoring of the patient's condition during and after the operative procedure is mandatory. Only when all these conditions are fulfilled can endobronchial Nd:Yag laser therapy have a great benefit for the patient with a low grade, acceptable complication rate.


From gangue to the fuel-cells application.
Hydrogen, which is a new clean energy option for future energy systems possesses pioneering characteristics making it a desirable carbon-free energy carrier. Hydrogen storage plays a crucial role in initiating a hydrogen economy. Due to its low density, the storage of hydrogen in the gaseous and liquids states had several technical and economic challenges. Despite these traditional approaches, magnesium hydride (MgH2), which has high gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen density, offers an excellent potential option for utilizing hydrogen in automobiles and other electrical systems. In contrast to its attractive properties, MgH2 should be mechanically and chemically treated to reduce its high activation energy and enhance its modest hydrogen sorption/desorption kinetics. The present study aims to investigate the influence of doping mechanically-treated Mg metal with 5 wt% amorphous Zr2Cu abrasive nanopowders in improving its kinetics and cyclability behaviors. For the first time, solid-waste Mg, Zr, and Cu metals were utilized for preparing MgH2 and amorphous Zr2Cu alloy (catalytic agent), using hydrogen gas-reactive ball milling, and arc melting techniques, respectively. This new nanocomposite system revealed high-capacity hydrogen storage (6.6 wt%) with superior kinetics and extraordinary long cycle-life-time (1100 h) at 250 °C.


Axis difference between corneal and internal astigmatism to consider for toric intraocular lenses.
To evaluate the axis difference between corneal and internal astigmatism in patients with cataract, because if the axis of corneal astigmatism is opposite to the axis of internal astigmatism, the amount of refractive astigmatism will increase after cataract surgery owing to disappearance of the neutralizing effect of the crystalline lens on corneal astigmatism. Retrospective cross-sectional study. One hundred eighty patients (180 eyes) who underwent cataract surgery were enrolled. Preoperative refractive, corneal, and internal astigmatism were measured using a wavefront analyzer and retrospectively analyzed. On-axis was defined as an axis difference between corneal and internal astigmatism of 180 ± 10 degrees. Opposite-axis was defined as an axis difference between corneal and internal astigmatism of 90 ± 10 degrees. The remaining cases were defined as oblique-axis. Corneal and internal astigmatic vectors showed a tendency to have the opposite direction. An on-axis difference was seen in 10.0% of patients (18 eyes), oblique-axis in 69.4% of patients (125 eyes), and opposite-axis in 20.6% of patients (37 eyes). Of all eyes, 10.0% had an opposite-axis difference with more than 1.00 diopter (D) of both corneal and internal astigmatism. The percentage of eyes with an opposite-axis difference between corneal and internal astigmatism had a tendency to increase as corneal and internal astigmatism increased (P = .030 and P = .003, respectively). A total of 10.0% of all eyes with cataract had an opposite-axis difference with more than 1.00 D of both corneal and internal astigmatism. In these cases, surgical techniques to reduce corneal astigmatism, such as a toric intraocular lens, should be recommended to increase patient satisfaction.


Development of a transdiagnostic digital interactive application for eating disorders: psychometric properties, satisfaction, and perceptions on implementation in clinical practice.
Given limited availability of informed treatments for people affected by eating disorders (EDs), there has been increasing interest in developing self-administered, technology-based ED interventions. However, many available interventions are limited to a specific ED diagnosis or assume that participants are ready to change. We developed a digital self-help application (called ASTrA) that was explicitly designed to be transdiagnostic and to help increase motivation for change. The aim of the present study was to describe the development and examine the psychometric properties, user satisfaction and rated potentials for practical use of our application. The content of our application was based on concepts derived from self-determination theory, the transtheoretical model of change, and cognitive theory. The application was developed by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, researchers, staff members and individuals with lived ED experience, each being involved in all steps of the application's development. We tested validity, reliability, satisfaction and perceived feasibility for clinical implementation in an independent sample of 15 patients with an ED and 13 clinicians specialized in ED treatment. Psychometric properties were evaluated using descriptive statistics, correlations, content validity indices and intraclass coefficients. Differences in satisfaction ratings and perceived potential for clinical implementation of the application between clinicians and patients were examined using Mann-Whitney U tests. The digital application showed excellent validity (mean i-CVI: .93, range: .86-.96) and internal reliability (all Cronbach alpha's > .88). Patients and clinicians both considered the application acceptable, appropriate, and feasible for use in clinical practice. Findings suggest that our transdiagnostic interactive application has excellent psychometric properties. Furthermore, patients and clinicians alike were positive about the possible use of the application in clinical practice. The next step will be to investigate the application's effectiveness as an intervention to promote autonomous motivation and to facilitate remission in people on the waitlist for specialized ED treatment.


On-chip visible-to-infrared supercontinuum generation with more than 495 THz spectral bandwidth.
We report ultra-broadband supercontinuum generation in high-confinement Si3N4 integrated optical waveguides. The spectrum extends through the visible (from 470 nm) to the infrared spectral range (2130 nm) comprising a spectral bandwidth wider than 495 THz, which is the widest supercontinuum spectrum generated on a chip.


Left renal vein anomaly associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery: report of a case.
Retroaortic left renal vein occurs infrequently and poses potential hazards to the surgeon during abdominal aortic surgery. We herein report the case of a 77-year-old man with a retroaortic left renal vein who underwent an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. The retroaortic left renal vein was diagnosed preoperatively by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). The patient underwent a successful abdominal aortic replacement with an uneventful postoperative course without any renal complications. The CT scan was useful for both evaluating the AAA and for establishing the presence of the venous anomaly. Major venous anomalies (retroaortic left renal vein, left renal vein collar, left-sided inferior vena cava, and caval duplication) should thus be taken into consideration in AAA operations.


Neisseria gonorrhoeae outbreak: unintended consequences of electronic medical records and using an out-of-state laboratory-California, July 2009-February 2010.
Twenty of 37 gonorrhea cases identified during an outbreak were diagnosed at one health care organization that used an out-of-state laboratory. The results were transmitted into electronic medical records without provider notification. Delays in treatment and reporting were identified. Systems should be implemented to ensure provider notification of electronic laboratory results.


A technic for carotid thromboendarterectomy.
An exacting technic for carotid thromboendarterectomy is described. Certain anatomic features and pitfalls are discussed along with specific instrumentation. Intraoperative use, insertion, and removal of the inlying carotid shunt are described.


Neurophysiological visual assessment in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension: visual evoked potential and multifocal field electroretinography.
Determining the cause of visual deterioration in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) patients is of clinical necessity. This study aimed to study the effect of chronic increased ICP on the retina and optic nerve through objective electrophysiological measures in chronic IIH patients. Thirty patients with chronic IIH and thirty age and sex-matched healthy controls were included in this study. Papilledema grade and CSF pressure were evaluated in the patients' group. Both groups were submitted to visual evoked potentials (VEP) and multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG). The mean value of P100 latencies of the right and left on two check sizes, 1 deg and 15ṁ in chronic IIH patients, was significantly delayed than controls (P-value < 0.001 for each). Chronic IIH patients showed a significantly lower amplitude of the right and left R1, R2, R3, R4 & R5 compared to controls (P-value < 0.001, < 0.001) (P-value < 0.001, < 0.001) (P-value < 0.001, < 0.001) (P-value < 0.001, = 0.001) (P-value = 0.002, < 0.001), respectively. Also, patients showed a significantly delayed peak time of the right and left R1 and R2 compared to controls (P-value < 0.001, < 0.001) (P-value = 0.001, = 0.009), respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between each of CSF pressure and papilledema grade with right and left PVEP latencies. In contrast, there was no statistically significant correlation between either CSF pressure or papilledema grade and PVEP amplitudes in both eyes. In chronic IIH patients, both optic nerve dysfunction and central retinal changes were identified, supported by VEP and the mfERG findings.


Contrasting the seasonal variability of halogenated natural products and anthropogenic hexachlorocyclohexanes in the southern Norwegian atmosphere.
Halogenated natural products (HNPs) are increasingly recognized as compounds of marine environmental samples. In this study, we explored whether the annual course of the concentrations of HNPs in ambient air samples was different from those of anthropogenic pollutants. For this purpose, air samples taken weekly at Lista, southern Norway, were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for anthropogenic aaeeee- (alpha-HCH) and aaaeee-hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH, lindane) isomers, as well as the HNPs 2,3,3',4,4',5,5'-heptachloro-1'-methyl-1,2'-bipyrrole (Q1), 2,4-di- and 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (24-DBA, 246-TBA), and 2,4,6-tribromophenol (246-TBP). Concentrations of HCH isomers were higher in the warmer summer months than in winter. By contrast, Q1, 24-DBA, 246-TBA, and 246-TBP showed much higher concentrations at the end of the year. Correlations between the concentrations of the compounds and air mass trajectories as well as further meteorological data are discussed. An unknown mixed halogenated substance was detected at high abundance during the summer months. High-resolution mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometric techniques were used to unravel the molecular structure, which was found to be C(7)H(8)Br(3)Cl, an elemental composition never reported before in the scientific literature.


Alkane effect in the Arizona liquid systems used in countercurrent chromatography.
Countercurrent chromatography (CCC) is a separation technique that uses a biphasic liquid system; one liquid phase is the mobile phase, the other liquid phase is the stationary phase. Selection of the appropriate liquid system can be a problem in CCC, since it is necessary to select both the "column" and the mobile phase at the same time as the first is completely dependent on the second. A range of systems with various proportions of solvents were developed to ease this choice; 23 variations of the heptane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water biphasic liquid system were labeled A to Z. This range proved to be extremely useful and became the popular Arizona (AZ) liquid system. However, authors often replace the heptane with hexane. In this work, the chemical compositions of the upper phases and the lower phases of 55 Arizona systems made with various alkanes (pentane, hexane, heptane, isooctane and cyclohexane) were determined by gas chromatography and Karl Fischer titration. The test mixture separated consisted of five steroid compounds. The lower phases were found to have similar compositions when different alkanes were used, but the upper phases were found to change. Exchanging heptane for hexane or isooctane produced minimal changes in the CCC chromatogram, while changing the proportions of the solvents resulted in an exponential change in the retention volumes. The high density of cyclohexane made liquid stationary phase retention difficult. All Arizona systems equilibrated within 30 min, but were not stable: water slowly hydrolyzed the ethyl acetate (as shown by a continuous decrease in the pH of the lower aqueous phase), especially in the water-rich systems (early alphabet letters).


Isthmic ectopic pregnancy and salpingitis isthmica nodosa.
Two hundred eighty-five charts were reviewed from patients who underwent surgery for ectopic pregnancy. Excluded were patients with previous tubal reparative surgery, linear salpingotomy, or failed sterilization. The incidence of isthmic ectopic pregnancy in the remaining 255 cases was 15.3%. The association of salpingitis isthmica nodosa (SIN) and isthmic ectopic pregnancy was determined by review of resected tubal segments. SIN was noted in 17 of 37 cases (45.9%) of isthmic ectopic pregnancy. SIN places the patient at risk for recurrent ectopic pregnancy or infertility. Recommended conservative management of isthmic ectopic pregnancy is segmental resection with postoperative emphasis on documentation of SIN when present. Postoperative hysterosalpingography is recommended with an abnormal contralateral tube or when SIN is noted in the resected tubal segment. Management options after an isthmic ectopic pregnancy when future fertility is desired are presented.


Eosinophilic granuloma like lesion in a rabbit.
This paper describes a skin lesion in a rabbit similar to the syndrome eosinophilic granuloma in cat and dog. A diagnosis of eosinophilic granuloma type 2 (eosinophilic plaque) was made for the rabbit on the basis of gross and microscopic findings in the skin.


Comparative Incidence of Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill Patients Receiving Vancomycin with Concomitant Piperacillin-Tazobactam or Cefepime: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
The combination of vancomycin and piperacillin-tazobactam has been associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in non-critically ill patient populations, but it is still unknown if this association exists in critically ill patients. The objective of this study was to compare the incidence of AKI development during therapy or within 72 hours after completion of therapy in adult critically ill patients who received vancomycin with concomitant piperacillin-tazobactam or cefepime. Retrospective cohort study. Medical, surgical, and neuroscience intensive care units (ICUs) within a single tertiary care hospital. A total of 122 critically ill patients who received at least 48 hours of combination therapy with vancomycin and piperacillin-tazobactam (49 patients) or vancomycin and cefepime (73 patients) during an ICU admission between September 2012 and December 2014. The primary outcome was AKI development, as determined by the Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria, during combination therapy or within 72 hours of completion of combination therapy. The inverse probability of the treatment-weighting (IPTW) approach was used to account for potential treatment selection bias. AKI incidence was assessed in the unadjusted and propensity score-weighted cohorts. Of the 122 patients, 37 patients (30.3%) developed AKI. In the unadjusted analysis, the incidence of AKI was similar in the piperacillin-tazobactam group compared with the cefepime group (32.7% vs 28.8%, p=0.647). The average treatment effect between the groups was not significant, showing no association between β-lactam choice and AKI (β = -0.004, p=0.958). Secondary outcomes were ICU length of stay, hospital length of stay, AKI duration, and need for renal replacement therapy. The choice of β-lactam was not a significant predictor of any of these outcomes: ICU length of stay (β = 0.436, p=0.780), hospital length of stay (β = 3.819, p=0.125), AKI duration (β = -4.027, p=0.283), and need for renal replacement therapy (β = 2.828, p=0.161). After adjusting for propensity to receive each of the treatment choices, no significant difference was found in the incidence of AKI development or other outcomes between the groups. The previously described finding that concomitant vancomycin and piperacillin-tazobactam increases AKI in non-critically ill patients may not be generalizable to the critically ill population. Prospective evaluation of this hypothesis is warranted.


A Theoretical Method for Characterizing Nonlinear Effects in Paul Traps with Added Octopole Field.
In comparison with numerical methods, theoretical characterizations of ion motion in the nonlinear Paul traps always suffer from low accuracy and little applicability. To overcome the difficulties, the theoretical harmonic balance (HB) method was developed, and was validated by the numerical fourth-order Runge-Kutta (4th RK) method. Using the HB method, analytical ion trajectory and ion motion frequency in the superimposed octopole field, ε, were obtained by solving the nonlinear Mathieu equation (NME). The obtained accuracy of the HB method was comparable with that of the 4th RK method at the Mathieu parameter, q = 0.6, and the applicable q values could be extended to the entire first stability region with satisfactory accuracy. Two sorts of nonlinear effects of ion motion were studied, including ion frequency shift, Δβ, and ion amplitude variation, Δ(C(2n)/C0) (n ≠ 0). New phenomena regarding Δβ were observed, although extensive studies have been performed based on the pseudo-potential well (PW) model. For instance, the |Δβ| at ε = 0.1 and ε = -0.1 were found to be different, but they were the same in the PW model. This is the first time the nonlinear effects regarding Δ(C(2n)/C0) (n ≠ 0) are studied, and the associated study has been a challenge for both theoretical and numerical methods. The nonlinear effects of Δ(C(2n)/C0) (n ≠ 0) and Δβ were found to share some similarities at q < 0.6: both of them were proportional to ε, and the square of the initial ion displacement, z(0)(2).


Structural elucidation of an extracellular polysaccharide produced by the marine fungus Aspergillus versicolor.
A homogenous extracellular polysaccharide, designated AWP, was isolated from the fermented liquid of the marine fungus Aspergillus versicolor from the coral Cladiella sp. and purified by anion-exchange and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). Chemical and spectroscopic analyses, including one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (1D and 2D NMR) spectroscopy showed that AWP consisted of glucose and mannose in a molar ratio of 8.6:1.0, and its average molecular weight was estimated to be 500kDa. AWP is a slightly branched extracellular polysaccharide. The backbone of AWP is mainly composed of (1→6)-linked α-D-glucopyranose residues, slightly branched by single α-d-mannopyranose units attached to the main chain at C-3 positions of the glucan backbone. The investigation demonstrated that AWP is a novel extracellular polysaccharide different from those of other marine microorganisms.


Pseudo-second-order model for lead ion sorption from aqueous solutions onto palm kernel fiber.
The sorption of lead ion onto palm kernel fiber was studied by performing batch kinetic sorption experiments. The batch sorption model, based on a pseudo-second-order mechanism, was applied to predict the rate constant of sorption, the equilibrium capacity and the initial sorption rate with the effects of the initial solution pH and fiber dose. Equilibrium concentrations were evaluated with the equilibrium capacity obtained from the pseudo-second-order rate equation. In addition, pseudo-isotherms were also obtained by changing fiber doses using the equilibrium concentration and equilibrium capacity obtained based on the pseudo-second-order constants.


Hydroxyl radical induced by lipid in Maillard reaction model system promotes diet-derived N(ε)-carboxymethyllysine formation.
N(ε)-carboxymethyllysine (CML) is commonly found in food, and is considered as a potential hazard to human health. However, the effect of lipids on CML formation in Maillard reaction is still not clarified. In this study, the content of diet-derived CML and its key intermediates, epsilon-fructoselysine (FL) and glyoxal (GO), is determined with high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrum (HPLC-MS) in model system containing lipid compounds. According to the results, hydroxyl radical (OH) induced by Fenton reagent can promote the three pathways of CML formation. Moreover, in the Maillard reaction system, linoleic acid (Lin), oleic acid (Ole) and glycerol trioleate (Tri) can induce more OH·, which promotes CML formation. Their level of promoting CML formation is in the order of Ole>Lin>Tri. On the contrary, glycerol (Gly) can scavenge OH·, which inhibit the CML formation. Finally, it is proved that FL content and GO content decreases with heating time in model system, while CML content increases with heating time. Thus, it is concluded that in the Maillard reaction system lipids can induce more OH·, which promotes the conversion from FL and GO to CML. Our research may contribute to the development of inhibitory methods for diet-derived CML by scavenging OH·.


Potentiating effects of a ventricular premature beat on the alternation of the ST-T complex of epicardial electrograms and the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias during acute coronary occlusion in dogs.
A relation between ST-T alternans (STTA) and incidence of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) was examined, and the effects of a premature beat on these were tested during acute coronary occlusion in dogs. Epicardial unipolar electrograms, epicardial and endocardial bipolar electrograms and monophasic action potentials were recorded during coronary occlusion. During the period of STTA, a remarkably late conduction and its alternation were also observed in ischemic areas. The more serious delay appeared during the negative deflection of the ST-T complex. VA followed mainly the negative deflection of the ST-T complex. The first premature activation appeared in either ischemic areas or the border areas. A ventricular premature beat (VPB) which occurred spontaneously or was produced by an electrical stimulation potentiated STTA, and additional VA frequently followed the negative deflection of the ST-T complex of the second sinus beat after the VPB. A VPB pronounced the conduction delay during the second sinus beat. The discordant STTA became concordant after the VPB. The duration of a monophasic action potential of the second sinus beat after the VPB in mildly ischemic areas decreased. These changes and enhanced STTA may contribute to the occurrence of the additional VA.


Identification of novel bioactive proteins and their produced oligopeptides from Torreya grandis nuts using proteomic based prediction.
Torreya grandis nut is a chief functional food in China consumed for centuries. Besides its rich protein composition, increasing studies are now focusing on T. grandis functional proteins that have not yet identified. In this study, liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry detection of smaller and major proteins, revealed that the major peptide was 36935.00 Da. Proteome sequencing annotated 142 proteins in total. Bioactive proteins such as defensin 4 was annotated and its anti-microbial function was verified. Finally, functional oligopeptides were predicted by searching sequences of digested peptides in databases. Ten group of oligopeptides were suggested to exhibit antioxidant, Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition, anti-inflammatory. The predicted antioxidant activity was experimentally validated. It is interesting that a peptide GYCVSDNN digested from defensin 4 showed antioxidant activity. This study reports novel functional peptides from T. grandis nuts that have not been isolated and/or included as functional ingredients in nutraceuticals and in food industry.


The influence of individualistic and collectivistic morality on dementia care choices.
If collectivistic-oriented family carers choose professional care for dependents with dementia, they risk being stigmatised as failing their obligation. This may influence dementia care choices. How may individualistic and collectivistic values influence choices in dementia care? Qualitative design with in-depth interviews with a total of 29 nurses, 13 family members in Norway and the Balkans and 3 Norwegian dementia care coordinators. A hermeneutic content-focused analysis was used. Ethical approval was obtained from the Regional Ethics Committee for Research, South-Eastern Norway, and the nursing homes' leadership. Family domain reasons why institutionalisation of dependents with dementia was seen as a last resort: obligation towards family members, particularly parents; worry about other family members' reactions and inability to cope with the care for the person with dementia. Social domain reasons: feelings of shame and stigma regarding dementia, particularly in connection with institutionalisation of family members. Children's obligation towards their parents is an important aspect of the morality of collectivistic societies. Institutionalising parents with dementia may cause feelings of guilt and shame and worry about being stigmatised and ostracised. To avoid blame and rejection, caregiver(s) try to keep the fact that family members have dementia 'in the family'. The decision to accept professional healthcare for dependents with severe dementia or have them admitted to a geriatric institution was postponed as long as possible. Family care morality may constitute a significant barrier against seeking professional help for persons with dementia, a barrier based on the expectation that the family will care for their old, even when suffering from severe dementia. Hence, stigma and shame may significantly affect the provision of care. Culturally tailored information may encourage family carers to seek professional help before the disruptive influence of the disease makes institutionalisation the only feasible option.