Safety of Endovascular Thrombectomy in Patients Receiving Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants.
Prospective data on the safety of endovascular thrombectomy in acute stroke patients on non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants are lacking. Prospective multicenter observational study. Patients with ischemic stroke undergoing thrombectomy with or without preceding thrombolysis were enrolled into the Registry of Acute Ischemic Stroke Under New Oral Anticoagulants. Baseline characteristics and functional outcome at 3 months were assessed. Hemorrhagic transformation and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were analyzed. Reperfusion was graded using the modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score. Of 28 patients treated with thrombectomy, 5 had received also systemic thrombolysis (18%). Intracranial hemorrhage was observed in 46%, but symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred only in 1 patient. Successful reperfusion (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score, 2b-3) was achieved in 59%. At 3 months, 19% had a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2, and mortality was 26%. Thrombectomy in non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant patients seems safe although a comparatively high rate of asymptomatic hemorrhagic transformation was noted. Confirmation in larger prospective controlled cohorts is necessary. URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01850797.


Thymosin β4 affecting the cytoskeleton organization of the myofibroblasts.
In previous studies, granulation tissue from subcutaneous sponge implants in rats receiving thymosin β4, a 43-amino acid actin-binding protein that advances wound repair, produced the unexpected absence of myofibroblast populations, along with uniform organized collagen fibers within the newly deposited connective tissue matrix. This result raised the question of whether the Tβ4 effect on blocking fibroblasts transformation into myofibroblasts a direct or indirect one. We report here work in progress to address this question. When human dermal fibroblasts are plated at low density, upon reaching confluence, they all express α smooth muscle actin (αSMA) within their cytoplasmic stress fibers, morphologically defining them as myofibroblasts. Treating low-density plated fibroblasts with Tβ4 prevents their expression of αSMA, as well as the generation an uneven distribution of microtubules within the cytoplasm. The speculation is that Tβ4 disruption of the distribution of microtubules alters the TGF-β-Smad signaling pathway, thus blocking fibroblast transformation into myofibroblasts.


Volumetric in vivo visualization of upper urinary tract tumors using optical coherence tomography: a pilot study.
Knowledge of tumor stage and grade is paramount for treatment decision making in cases of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma but this condition cannot be accurately assessed by current techniques. Optical coherence tomography can hypothetically provide the urologist with real-time intraoperative information on tumor grade and stage. In this pilot study we report what are to our knowledge the first results of optical coherence tomography for grading and staging upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma. Eight consecutive patients underwent ureterorenoscopy for suspicion or followup of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma. Optical coherence tomography data sets were intraoperatively obtained from the ureter and renal pelvis. All patients eventually underwent nephroureterectomy. Optical coherence tomography staging was done by visual inspection of lesions found on optical coherence tomography images. Optical coherence tomography grading was done by quantifying optical coherence tomography signal attenuation in mm(-1) on lesions and comparing results with the histopathological diagnosis. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used for statistical analysis. For 7 in vivo optical coherence tomography diagnoses staging was in accordance with histology. In patient 8 tumor thickness transcended optical coherence tomography imaging depth range and, therefore, invasiveness findings were inconclusive. For grading the median attenuation coefficient for grade 2 and 3 lesions was 1.97 (IQR 1.57-2.30) and 3.53 mm(-1) (IQR 2.74-3.94), respectively (p<0.001). Healthy urothelium was too thin to reliably determine the attenuation coefficient. Optical coherence tomography is a promising, minimally invasive tool for real-time intraoperative optical diagnosis of tumors in the upper urinary tract. Our results warrant future research in a larger sample size to determine the accuracy of grading and staging by optical coherence tomography, and its possible implementation in the diagnostic algorithm for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.


Induction of cell-mediated cytotoxicity by shark 19S IgM.
Plasma from unimmunized nurse sharks can mediate a reaction similar to antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Normal shark plasma contains numerous natural antibodies reactive with a variety of antigens, including the target employed. Adsorption of plasma with target cells removed a significant amount of activity, suggesting involvement of antibody. Purified 19s IgM was shown to be a component of shark plasma capable of inducing cytotoxicity. These cytotoxic reactions differ from observations in homeothermic vertebrates in that shark immunoglobulin appears to bind more avidly to the effector cells than to the targets. The effector leukocytes are glass adherent, but not susceptible to carbonyl iron treatment, which clearly separates them from the phagocytic effectors of spontaneous cytotoxicity. Thus, the shark possesses leukocytes with the capability of mediating an ADCC-like reaction. These leukocytes, in concert with those mediating spontaneous cytotoxicity, could provide the shark with an effective immunosurveillance system. These data also indicate that ADCC mechanisms, with IgM as the primary effector molecule, appeared early in evolution.


Effect of imipramine on serotonin turnover in the lateral hypothalamus.
One hour following an infusion of 3H-5-hydroxytryptamine, animals were injected with either 15 mg/kg imipramine hydrochloride or 0.9% NaCl and then the lateral hypothalamus was perfused for 40 min. Samples of perfusate were analyzed by thin layer chromatography for estimation of 3H-labelled 5-hydroxytryptamine and metabolites. The results indicate that impramine hydrochloride 15 mg/kg decreases serotonin release and turnover in the lateral hypothalamus.


Do emotionally salient cues improve prospective memory performance in children and adolescents with autism?
Prospective memory (PM) describes the ability to initiate and perform a planned action after a delay. Previous studies suggest reduced PM in autism spectrum disorder (ASD); especially when tasks put high demands on executive control resources. Increasing cue salience by presenting emotional cues improves PM performance in non-autistic populations. To explore whether children with ASD, whose processing of emotionally connoted information might differ from that of typically developing children, may also benefit from this type of salience in PM tasks. Twenty-five children with and 25 children without ASD completed a 1-back ongoing task into which an event-based PM task was embedded. Emotional salience of PM cues was varied. Children with ASD performed as well as children without ASD on the PM task and equally benefited from emotionally salient cues. Specifically, negative cues increased PM performance compared to neutral cues in both groups CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The findings are consistent with the multiprocess framework which postulates that salient PM cues increase performance by promoting automatic intention retrieval and reducing executive control demands. Children with ASD seem to show similar comprehension and accessibility to emotional cues as typically developing children.


Asiaticoside ameliorates renal ischemia/reperfusion injury by promoting CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ treg cell differentiation.
Ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R) is the major cause of acute kidney injury, which becomes a global health problem. The effects of asiaticoside, as an anti-inflammatory drug, on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury have not been well defined. After the CD4+ cells were treated with asiaticoside, the CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Treg cell differentiation was detected by flow cytometry. The viability and release of inflammatory factors of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Treg cell were detected by CCK-8 and ELISA. Renal I/R injury mice model was established, and the mice were pre-treated with asiaticoside or CD25 antibody or infused with Treg cells. The histological changes of renal tissue were evaluated by Hematoxylin-eosin, PAS, and Masson staining. The renal function markers were evaluated by colorimetry, the release of inflammatory factors was determined by ELISA. The Th17 and Treg cells in the blood and spleen were quantified by flow cytometry. The expressions of FOXP3 and RoR-γt in renal tissues were determined by western blotting. Asiaticoside promoted CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Treg cell differentiation, increased the cell viability and down-regulated TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, while up-regulated IL-10 of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Treg cells. Moreover, asiaticoside ameliorated the histological damage, decreased the Th17 cells and increased Treg cells, and down-regulated the TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and RoR-γt, while up-regulated IL-10 and FOXP3 of renal I/R injury mice. Effect of asiaticoside on renal I/R injury mice was reversed by CD25 antibody whose role was further reversed by Treg cell infusing. In conclusion, asiaticoside ameliorated renal I/R injury due to promoting CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Treg cell differentiation.


Gray-white, spherical deposition on retinal vessel associated with acute retinal necrosis and diabetic retinopathy in HTLV-I carriers.
Tiny, gray-white, spherical deposits were found on the retinal vessels and vitreoretinal interface of the fovea in a 55-year-old woman with acute retinal necrosis due to varicella-zoster virus, and in a 47-year-old man with preproliferative diabetic retinopathy. Both patients developed massive vitreous opacities due to uveal inflammation or hemorrhages that rendered the fundus difficult to visualize. A therapeutic vitrectomy revealed gray-white, tiny spherical deposits, about blood-vessel-diameter, which were scattered on seemingly intact retinal arteries and veins in the posterior fundus and over the vitreoretinal interface overlying the fovea. The deposits were loosely adherent to vessel walls and were easily aspirated, and the residual materials resolved in the early postoperative days. These characteristic retinal vascular deposits resembled those seen in patients with HTLV-I associated uveitis. The two patients reported herein were otherwise asymptomatic carriers of HTLV-I. The findings provide additional information about the etiological role of HTLV-I in the development of characteristic retinal vascular deposition, although its pathogenesis remains to be elucidated.


[Antiphospholipid antibodies and cancer].
Antiphospholipid antibody (APLA) is a family of antibody that exhibits a broad range of target specificities and affinities all recognizing various combination of phospholipids binding proteins. Laboratories diagnosis of APLA can be difficult due to heterogeneity of APLA and a poor standardization of the laboratory tests. The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a form of immune mediated thrombophilia occurring as a recurrent thrombotic event in association with positive laboratory test for antiphospholipid antibodies. The syndrome may be isolated, then defined as primary or secondary when it is associated to different diseases (like malignancies). The thrombotic events associated with APLA can be the first manifestation of malignancy. In patients with malignancy the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies increased the risk of thrombosis. Less than 1% of the patients with APS present a life threatening condition involving multiple organ thrombi and failure named as catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome.


Partial ileal bypass affords protection from onset of type 2 diabetes.
Partial ileal bypass (PIB) in the National Institutes of Health-sponsored Program on the Surgical Control of the Hyperlipidemias (POSCH) randomized controlled trial was found to reduce plasma cholesterol, in particular low density lipoprotein cholesterol, with concomitant retardation of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and increased life expectancy. Glucagon-like peptide-1, related to amelioration of type 2 diabetes, is increased over 5-fold after PIB. We hypothesized that PIB, in addition to its action on cholesterol metabolism, may also prevent type 2 diabetes. We surveyed by telephone inquiry of former POSCH patients the 30+year posttrial incidence of type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, the presence of which was a trial exclusion criteria. We were able to contact 17.4% (n = 838) of the original POSCH population. Of 66 control responders, 17 contracted type 2 diabetes (25.8%); of 80 PIB responders, 8 contracted type 2 diabetes (10%). The difference between groups was significant (P = .015 by Fisher exact test) with an odds ratio of .320 for the PIB group and an over 2-fold (2.6) increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes in the controls. Including borderline type 2 diabetes (prediabetic) patients, these values were 22 of 66 controls (33.3%) and 10 of 80 PIB patients (12.5%), with an odds ratio of .286 and a P<.004, and again an over 2-fold (2.7) increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes in the control patients. PIB appears to afford partial protection from the onset of type 2 diabetes for over 30 years.


[Contact dermatitis after topical use of ketoprofen gel].
Authors present 5 cases of generalized contact and photocontact dermatitis due to topically applied ketoprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. They investigated the sensitisation and photosensitisation to the drug and also the possible cross-reactivity.


Marine epibiosis : II. Reduced fouling on Polysyncraton lacazei (Didemnidae, Tunicata) and proposal of an antifouling potential index.
Polysyncraton lacazei is a colonial tunicate (family didemnidae) living in the NW-mediterranean rocky sublitoral. A thorough scanning of numerous colonies revealed that in spite of an apparently heavy local fouling pressure only one fouling species - a kamptozoan - is encountered with some regularity on Polysyncraton. We try to define the epibiotic situation of sessile marine organisms as composed of four epibiotic parameters: longevity or exposure time (A), epibiont load (E), colonizer pool (CP) and fouling-period (FP). Subsequently, these factors are combined to propose an "Antifouling Potential" index: AFP=(1-E/CP)×A/(FP+A). This index is intended to permit evaluating the relative antifouling defense potency to be expected in a given organism in a given epibiotic situation and to compare different cases of epibiosis and fouling.


[3H]cholesterol transfer from microemulsion particles of different sizes to human fibroblasts.
A new technique for preparing microemulsion particles of well-defined sizes and compositions is presented. Utilization of these microemulsions is advocated as lipoprotein models in studies of lipid transport and metabolism, rather than the currently used phospholipid-cholesterol vesicles. The emulsion particles consisted of egg phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol as surface lipids and cholesteryl oleate as core lipid. They were prepared by a combined injection and sonication technique and size-separated by a two-step procedure of gel filtration chromatography and density gradient centrifugation. By varying the ratios of core and surface material, particles covering a size range of 20-200 nm in diameter could be produced. The adequacy of these microemulsions as lipoprotein models was tested by studying the transfer of [3H]cholesterol and [14C]cholesterol oleate from the particles to cultured human fibroblasts. Up to a particle size of 100 nm, there was a slight increase of [3H]cholesterol transfer. The transfer of [14C]cholesteryl oleate was very slow, yet measurable. Studies of the exchangeability of cholesterol between the microemulsion core and surface phases indicated that all cholesterol can be transferred from microemulsions to cultured cells as a single pool.


Genome Sequences of Seven Megrivirus Strains from Chickens in The Netherlands.
We report seven chicken megrivirus genome sequences identified in chicken fecal samples from a broiler farm in The Netherlands. The sequences were determined using metagenomic sequencing and would expand our understanding of the genome diversity of megriviruses.


Adult tonsillectomy: postoperative pain depends on indications.
Intense pain is one of the most important postoperative complaints after tonsillectomy. It is often described by patients as comparable to the pain that accompanies an acute tonsillitis. Although recurrent tonsillitis is the most frequent indication for surgery, many tonsillectomies are performed due to other indications and these patients may be unfamiliar with such pain. To verify whether individuals with recurrent tonsillitis experience different post-tonsillectomy pain intensity than those with other indications for surgery, with no history of episodes of acute tonsillitis. A total of 61 tonsillectomies were performed under general anesthesia, using a potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser (to eliminate the potential influence on the study results of forceful dissection of fibrotic tonsils in patients with history of recurrent tonsillitis) and multiple ligations of blood vessels within the tonsillar beds. The patients received 37.5mg Tramadoli hydrochloridum+325mg Paracetamol tablets for 10 days. Postoperative variables included the duration of hospital stay, postoperative hemorrhage and readmission rate. The patients reported pain intensity on consecutive days, pain duration, weight loss on postoperative day 10, character, intensity and duration of swallowing difficulties, and the need for additional doses of painkillers. Healing was also assessed. Capsular nerve fibers were histologically examined in the resected tonsils by immunostainings for general and sensory markers. Indications for the surgery were: recurrent acute tonsillitis (34 patients), no history of recurrent tonsillitis: focus tonsil (20) and intense malodour (7). Pain intensity on postoperative days 3-4 and incidence of readmissions due to dehydration were significantly higher in the group with no history of recurrent tonsillitis. No significant differences in relative densities of protein gene product (PGP) 9.5- and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed. Patients with recurrent tonsillitis qualified for tonsillectomy reported lower pain intensity than those without recurrent tonsillitis and the pain scores were unrelated to nerve fibers density.


Proximity to mining industry and respiratory diseases in children in a community in Northern Chile: A cross-sectional study.
In a community in northern Chile, explosive procedures are used by two local industrial mines (gold, copper). We hypothesized that the prevalence of asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis in the community may be associated with air pollution emissions generated by the mines. A cross-sectional study of 288 children (aged 6-15 years) was conducted in a community in northern Chile using a validated questionnaire in 2009. The proximity between each child's place of residence and the mines was assessed as indicator of exposure to mining related air pollutants. Logistic regression, semiparametric models and spatial Bayesian models with a parametric form for distance were used to calculate odds ratios and 95 % confidence intervals. The prevalence of asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis was 24 and 34 %, respectively. For rhinoconjunctivitis, the odds ratio for average distance between both mines and child's residence was 1.72 (95 % confidence interval 1.00, 3.04). The spatial Bayesian models suggested a considerable increase in the risk for respiratory diseases closer to the mines, and only beyond a minimum distance of more than 1800 m the health impact was considered to be negligible. The findings indicate that air pollution emissions related to industrial gold or copper mines mainly occurring in rural Chilean communities might increase the risk of respiratory diseases in children.


The effect of reinforcing fibres in denture acrylics.
Since the early 1970's, various fibre reinforcement systems have been used to enhance the mechanical properties of denture base acrylics. The research conducted to date on fibre reinforcement systems for use with Poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMM) denture base material is reviewed and evaluated.


Nerve transfer with functioning free muscle transplantation.
In this article, the author focuses on functioning free muscle transplantation (FFMT), an advanced microneurovascular technique indicated in patients who have an advanced injury with a major brachial muscle or muscle group loss or denervation and in whom no locally available or ideal musculotendinous donor unit exists. FFMTs have been successfully applied clinically in cases involving adult brachial plexus palsy, obstetric brachial plexus palsy, facial palsy, severe Volkmann's ischemia, and severe crushing and traction injuries of the forearm or arm with major muscle loss. As the author notes, FFMT is a new challenge for the reconstructive surgeon. He outlines the eight major principles for nerve transfer with FFMT, basing his conclusions on the more than 333 patients who received FFMT between 1995 and 2005 in his hospital.


Hemoglobin Hammersmith [beta 42(CD1) Phe --> Ser] causing severe hemolytic anemia in a Japanese girl.
Hemoglobin Hammersmith, a rare, unstable hemoglobin variant, was diagnosed in a 9-year-old Japanese girl. She presented with the typical manifestations of this disorder, including neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, followed by progressive hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, and bilirubinuria. Because of severe hemolytic anemia, she received transfusions of red blood cells every 3 to 4 weeks. However, she underwent splenectomy at the age of 4 years and has continued to be in partial remission without requiring further transfusions. DNA sequence analysis of the polymerase chain reaction-amplified beta-globin gene revealed a point mutation (T --> C) in the second nucleotide of the 42nd codon of the beta-globin chain (beta 42(CD1) Phe --> Ser).


Microscopic characterization reveals the diversity of EVs secreted by GFP-HAS3 expressing MCF7 cells.
We have shown the connection of hyaluronan synthesis activity with the enhanced shedding of extracellular vesicles, but detailed morphological analysis of those hyaluronan-induced EVs is still missing. In this study we utilized a comprehensive set of high-resolution imaging techniques to characterize in high detail the size and morphology of EVs originating from stable MCF7 breast cancer cell line and transiently transfected cells expressing GFP-HAS3. To avoid possible artefacts or loss of EVs resulting from the isolation process, special attention was paid to analysis of EVs in situ in monolayer and in 3D cultures. The results of this study show that GFP-HAS3 expressing MCF7 cells produce morphologically diverse EVs but also demonstrates the variation in results obtained with different experimental setup, which emphasizes the importance of comparison between different methods when interpreting the observations.


The agonistic and antagonistic actions of estriol.
Estriol is a short acting estrogen, and as such, displays both agonistic and antagonistic properties, when it is injected in saline solution. These are predictable attributes of any short acting agonist if one considers the basic pharmacology of receptor ligand binding interactions. That is, short acting hormones or drugs occupy receptor sites for protracted time periods and, although they stimulate responses, these are of short duration. However, when estriol is administered in continuous fashion the estrogen receptor is occupied for long periods of time and full estrogenic responses are observed, and there is no antagonism of estradiol action. The purpose of this paper is to review the work that leads to the above conclusion and to discuss our more recent work on the relationship between estrogen receptor binding and the stimulation of type II estrogen binding sites.


Pronounced activation of protein kinase C, ornithine decarboxylase and c-jun proto-oncogene by paraquat-generated active oxygen species in WI-38 human lung cells.
Paraquat (methyl viologen, PQ) is a widely used herbicide that produces oxygen-derived free radicals and severely injures human lungs. In this study we examined the effects of PQ on the protein kinase C (PKC), ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and c-jun oncogene expression in WI-38 human lung cells. Exposure of cells to 25-200 microM PQ resulted in an increase of [3H]phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu) binding and PKC redistribution in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, a superoxide dismutase mimic, 4-hydroxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-1-oxyl (Tempol, 2.5 mM) and catalase (400 micrograms/ml) could significantly reduce the PQ-stimulated increase of phorbol ester binding and particular PKC phosphorylating activity, but dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO, 1.5%), an effective .OH trapping agent, failed to prevent this stimulation. In addition, an endogenous substrate of PKC, 80 kDa protein, was found to be highly phosphorylated in intact WI-38 cells treated with 50 microM PQ. The increase of phosphorylated proteins could be completely or partly abolished by Tempol or catalase, but only the phosphorylation of 80 kDa protein was diminished by protein kinase C inhibitor, 1-(5-isoquinolinyl-sulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7). A maximal peak of ODC activity was observed at 6 h of treatment with 50 microM PQ. PQ induced activity was reduced at the following rates, Tempol 85%, DMSO 80% and catalase 45%, but H-7 failed to do so. Furthermore, we found that the level of c-jun mRNA was transiently increased by PQ and the peak appeared at 1 h of treatment. When correlated with the PKC result, Tempol, catalase and H-7 all effectively blocked PQ-elicited c-jun transcript expression, but DMSO only exhibited a weakly inhibitory effect. We therefore propose that superoxide anion (O2- and H2O2 generated by PQ could activate PKC and lead to induction of c-jun gene expression; on the other hand, O2- and .OH might trigger other kinase pathways to elevate ODC activity. Finally, the sequential expression of c-jun oncogene and ODC may cooperate to relieve the oxidative damages elicited by PQ.


Differences in leaching characteristics of dissolved radiocaesium and potassium from the litter layer of Japanese cedar and broadleaf forests in Fukushima, Japan.
Cesium is an element that belongs to the same group as K, and is known to show similar behaviour to that of K in plants. In this study, we conducted a serial leaching test for 120 h to compare the leaching characteristics of dissolved 137Cs and K in forest litter, obtained from Japanese cedar and deciduous broadleaf forests located 40 km from the site of the 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant accident. The litter was collected in 2018 and was divided into three groups according to the decomposition level. The cumulative leachable fraction of 137Cs at 120 h ranged from 0.3% to 3.3%, suggesting that most of the 137Cs in the litter was hardly leachable in water. The leachable fraction of 137Cs generally decreased with the decomposition level of the litter, implying that the easily leachable 137Cs eluted into the water during the first stage of decomposition. Meanwhile, the cumulative leachable fraction of K at 120 h was approximately 10 times greater than that of 137Cs and ranged from 22.7% to 54.8%. The leaching speeds of 137Cs and K decreased suddenly with elapsed time regardless of the tree species, decomposition degree, or element. Our findings contribute to the long-term understanding of the 137Cs cycle in forest ecosystems.


Novel application of aniline blue. Fluorescent staining of glycogen and some protein structures.
The present study shows that aniline blue can be used as a fluorescent stain for glycogen. The dye is also helpful in tracing pathological and autolytic changes in lysosomes, mitochondria, erythrocytes and nuclei, and it can also be used for demonstrating bacteria in tissue sections and smears. The techniques used are simple, rapid and inexpensive. Spectrophotometric studies on aniline blue solutions have shown that aniline blue fluorescence was enhanced by the addition of certain proteins, or of glycogen to the dye solution. In case of albumen which has the maximum effect, enhancement is dependent upon the albumen-dye ratio. The mechanism of staining is mainly due to self quenching, but there is also an evidence of the presence of hydrophobic reaction.


Nursing students' views on the COVID-19 pandemic and their percieved stress levels.
This study was conducted to evaluate nursing students' views on the COVİD-19 pandemic and their perceived stress levels. A cross-sectional design was used to carry out this study. The research was conducted between April and May 2020 with 662 nursing students. Data were collected by an information form developed for the study and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The average score on the PSS was 31.69 ± 6.91, indicating that the students had a moderate level of stress. Significant differences in PSS score were found in terms of age and sex (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). Results of this study indicated that age, sex, and some variables related to the pandemic process affect perceived stress levels of nursing students.


Patient reported outcomes following revision neurectomy through a dorsal approach for recurrent interdigital neuroma.
Interdigital neuroma is one of the commonest causes of metatarsalgia. The reported success rate after excision of a primary neuroma is 74%. Recurrent symptoms after neurectomy can be due to a recurrent interdigital neuroma. Recurrent interdigital neuromas can be diagnosed using sound clinical examination and ultrasonography. Surgical excision is the best treatment modality with varying success reported in the literature. We report on the clinical outcome following surgical excision of recurrent interdigital neuromas through a dorsal approach. All patients who had undergone excision of a recurrent interdigital neuroma by a single surgeon between 01/2010 and 12/2019 were identified. Inclusion criteria included patients having a preoperative ultrasound and postoperative histology report. The exclusion criteria were preexisting neuropathy or tarsal tunnel syndrome. Demographic data was collected, and a self-reported foot and ankle score questionnaire (SEFAS) was completed by the patient at their most recent follow-up. Twenty-three patients (25 feet) were included in the study. Mean time of follow-up was 75 (range 14-189) months. The mean age was 49 (range 15-71) years. Eleven (44%) recurrent neuromas were excised from the second webspace and 14 (56%) were excised from the third webspace. All excised masses were confirmed as recurrent neuromas histologically. Regarding the SEFAS score, 17 (73.93%) patients scored as excellent, one (4.34%) as good, three (13.04%) as fair, and two (8.69%) as poor. This long term follow-up study on outcomes after surgery for recurrent interdigital neuroma suggests that excision through a dorsal approach is an effective treatment option with a high patient satisfaction.


Crystal structure and hydrogen-bonding patterns in 5-fluoro-cytosinium picrate.
In the crystal structure of the title compound, 5-fluoro-cytosinium picrate, C4H5FN3O+·C6H2N3O7-, one N heteroatom of the 5-fluoro-cytosine (5FC) ring is protonated. The 5FC ring forms a dihedral angle of 19.97 (11)° with the ring of the picrate (PA-) anion. In the crystal, the 5FC+ cation inter-acts with the PA- anion through three-centre N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming two conjoined rings having R21(6) and R12(6) motifs, and is extended by N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and C-H⋯O inter-actions into a two-dimensional sheet structure lying parallel to (001). Also present in the crystal structure are weak C-F⋯π inter-actions.


Performance evaluation of antimicrobial peptide ll-37 and hepcidin and β-defensin-2 secreted by mesenchymal stem cells.
Peptides are secreted by different cell types and are trendy therapeutic agents that have attracted attention for the treatment of several diseases such as infections. Antimicrobial peptides exert various mechanisms such as changing cell membrane permeability which leads to inhibition or death of bacterial cells. mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are key to produce antimicrobial peptides and to inhibit the growth of pathogens. These cells have been shown to be capable of producing antimicrobial peptides upon exposure to different bacteria. As a result, antimicrobial peptides can be considered as novel agents for the treatment of infectious diseases. The purpose of this review was to investigate the targets and mechanisms of antimicrobial peptides secreted by MSCs.


Studies on hypoglycaemic activity of Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. & Wendl. fruit extract in rats.
Aqueous extract of the fruits of Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. & Wendl. (Solanaceae) was investigated for hypoglycaemic activity in rats and mice. Screening for the hypoglycaemic activity was assessed on normoglycaemic, alloxan treated hyperglycaemic and glucose loaded rats along with in vitro study on glucose utilization by isolated rat hemidiaphragm. The various haematological and biochemical parameters were also studied. The extract was found to possess significant hypoglycaemic activity when compared with the reference standard glibenclamide. The in vitro study on glucose utilization by isolated rat hemidiaphragm suggests that the aqueous extract may have direct insulin like activity which enhances the peripheral utilization of glucose and have extra pancreatic effect. The toxicity studies report safety usage of the plant extract.


Nearest-neighbor doublets in protein-coding regions of MS2 RNA.
'Nearest neighbor' base pairs (doublets') in the protein-coding regions of MS2 RNA have been tabulated with respect to their positions in the first two bases of amino acid codons, in the second two bases, or paired by contact between adjoining codons. tconsiderable variation is evident between numbers of doublets in each of these three possible positions, but the totals of each of the 16 doublets in the coding regions of the MS2 RNA molecule show much less varation. Compila-acid composition of proteins coded by such strands.


Investigation of impulsivity in patients on dopamine agonist therapy for hyperprolactinemia: a pilot study.
The use of dopamine agonists (DAs) has been associated with increased impulsivity and impulse control disorders in several diseases, including Parkinson's disease. Such an effect of DAs on impulsivity has not been clearly characterized in hyperprolactinemic patients, where DAs are the mainstay of therapy. We studied the effects of DAs on impulsivity in hyperprolactinemic patients treated at a tertiary pituitary center, using validated psychometric tests. Cross-sectional study. Impulsivity was evaluated in 30 subjects, 10 hyperprolactinemic patients on DAs compared to two control groups; one comprising untreated hyperprolactinemic patients (n = 10) and a second group consisting of normoprolactinemic controls with pituitary lesions (n = 10). Measures of impulsivity included both self-report questionnaires as well as laboratory-based tasks. Hyperprolactinemic patients on DAs had a higher score (mean ± SD) in one self-report measure of impulsivity, the attention subscale of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (16.2 ± 2.7), as compared to the hyperprolactinemic control group (12.3 ± 2.5) and the normoprolactinemic group (14.7 ± 4.4) (p = 0.04). No statistically significant difference was found between groups with regards to the other impulsivity scales. In the DA-treated group, a correlation was observed between increased impulsivity (as assessed in the Experiential Discounting Task) and higher weekly cabergoline dose (r(2) = 0.49, p = 0.04). The use of DAs in hyperprolactinemic patients is associated with an increase in one aspect of impulsivity. This effect should be further characterized in larger, longitudinal studies.


On the flow characteristics of the renal artery transplants--model studies.
It is shown analytically and experimentally that, within the scope of a surgery, the effects of variations in the position of the transplant-aorta contact point (relative to the renal artery natural location), in the transplant departure angle (relative to the aorta), in the transplant length and in the transplant curvature are relatively insignificant regarding mean flow resistance. Hence, it is concluded that, from this point of view, it is not important how the transplant will be situated and that the space convenience should be the surgical determining factor. Nevertheless, it is also shown that the rate of blood flow to the kidney may be significantly curtailed if the selected transplant diameter is too small. However, it is indicated that the above may not constitute the only criterion. Since there exists a theory that the atherosclerotic formations begin and develop within the separation regions, additional research is suggested correlating separation regions with the variables indicated above.


Long-Term Prognostic Value of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography in an Asymptomatic Elderly Population.
Background The prognostic value of coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) for evaluating coronary artery disease in asymptomatic older adults is controversial. We investigated the prognostic value of CCTA in community-dwelling elderly Koreans. Methods and Results Participants (n=470; mean age: 75.1±7.3 years) who underwent CCTA were enrolled from KLoSHA (Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging), a community-based prospective cohort. Using CCTA, coronary artery disease was classified as normal, nonobstructive, or obstructive according to the presence of 0%, <50%, or ≥50% stenosis, respectively. Coronary artery calcium scores were investigated together with Framingham risk score, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease score, and individual risk factors. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were defined as a composite of cardiac event-related death or nonfatal myocardial infarction. During a median follow-up of 8.2 years (interquartile range: 7.7-10.1 years), MACE occurred in 24 participants (5.1%). Compared with the normal group, participants in the obstructive group showed higher incidence of MACE (hazard ratio: 5.65; 95% CI, 1.22-26.16; P=0.027), whereas there were no significant differences in MACE between the normal and nonobstructive groups. The 8-year event-free survival rates were 98.1±1.1%, 94.9±1.6%, and 81.7±4.8% in the normal, nonobstructive, and obstructive groups, respectively. Compared with the Framingham risk score and coronary artery calcium score model, CCTA improved risk prediction by C-index (from 0.698 to 0.749) and category-free net reclassification index (0.478; P=0.022). Conclusions CCTA showed better long-term prognostic value for MACE than coronary artery calcium score in this asymptomatic older population.


Identification of novel meQTLs strongly associated with rheumatoid arthritis by large-scale epigenome-wide analysis.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is highly heritable, and previous studies have suggested that genetic variation may affect susceptibility to RA by altering epigenetic modifications (e.g. DNA methylation). Here we examined how genetic variation influences DNA methylation (DNAm) in RA by integrating individual genetic variation and DNAm data. Epigenome-wide meQTL (methylation quantitative trait loci) analysis was performed on 354 RA patients and 335 controls, scanning 30,101,744 relationships between 62 SNPs and 485,512 DNA methylation sites. Two regulatory relationship pairs (FDR < 0.05) showed very strong associations with RA risk. One was rs10796216-cg00475509, and the DNAm decreased by 0.0168 per addition of allele rs10796216-A. The other was rs6546473-cg13358873, for which a 0.0365 reduction of DNAm at cg13358873 was observed for each addition of allele rs6546473-A, and lower DNAm was found to be significantly associated with RA risk (P = 2.0407e-28). Moreover, both pairs of meQTL showed a strong regulatory relationship only in RA samples, so they can be subsequently considered as risk markers for RA. In conclusion, our integrated analysis of genetic and epigenetic variation suggests that genetic variation may affect the risk of RA by regulating DNA methylation levels. Alterations of DNAm at cg00475509 and cg13358873 loci conferred by rs10796216-A and rs6546473-A allele may suggest a potential risk for RA. Our results deepen our understanding of the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of RA and provide novel associations that can be further investigated in future studies.


Deformation in lead zirconate titanate ceramics under large signal electric field loading measured by digital image correlation.
Digital image correlation, a noncontact and nondestructive method, was employed to monitor the deformation of lead zirconate titanate piezoelectric ceramics. This method is based on imaging a speckle pattern on the specimen surface during the test and subsequently correlating each image of the deformed pattern to that in the reference state. In our work, both longitudinal and transverse strains were calculated from imaging a bulk sample under a ±2 kV/mm electric field. Compared with linear variable displacement transducer data, the results from this correlation method were validated. At the same time, based on this optical technique, different strain-electric field butterfly loops can be drawn from correspondingly selected regions of interest. Combined with contour plots of strain on the surface of the sample, the deformation of bulk ceramic sample under uniaxial electric field loading without any mechanical constraints is proven to be highly homogenous under macro-observing scale.


Protective effects of tree peony seed protein hydrolysate on Cd-induced oxidative damage, inflammation and apoptosis in zebrafish embryos.
The objective of this study was to investigate protective effects of tree peony seed protein hydrolysate by Alcalase (AL-TPSPH) on oxidative damage, inflammation and apoptosis using Cd-induced zebrafish embryos. Zebrafish embryos were treated with either Cd (2 μg/L) or AL-TPSPH (25, 50 and 75 μg/mL) alone or in combination of both from 4 to 144 h post fertilization (hpf). The effects of these treatments on developments, antioxidant parameters and mRNA expression of genes related to oxidative damage, inflammation and apoptosis were examined. The results showed that co-treatment with Cd and AL-TPSPH significantly increased hatching and survival rates and decreased malformation rates of zebrafish embryos compared with Cd treatment alone group (P < 0.05). Cd-induced increase of MDA content, decreases of T-AOC content, GSH/GSSG ratio and activities of SOD, CAT and GPx in zebrafish embryos were modified upon treatment with AL-TPSPH. AL-TPSPH treatment significantly suppressed Cd-induced down-regulations of the antioxidant gene expressions (Mn-sod, Cat and GPx1a) in zebrafish embryos (P < 0.05). AL-TPSPH also prevented Cd-induced up-regulations of pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β and IFN-γ) expressions. Moreover, AL-TPSPH inhibited Cd-induced up-regulations of pro-apoptotic genes (C-jun, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9) in zebrafish embryos. Collectively, these results indicated that AL-TPSPH could reduce Cd-induced oxidative damage, inflammation and apoptosis in zebrafish embryos, suggesting its future applications as functional food or pharmaceutical ingredient.


Linking women to health and wellness: Street Outreach takes a population health approach.
In a small city (population 86,000) situated in the Interior Health Authority, one of six health authorities in British Columbia, Canada, a local Public Health Street Outreach program was challenged with addressing the increasing complexities of individuals and families affected by substance use, poverty, mental illness, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and homelessness. The individual health service delivery model currently used to provide care in the community, limited and impeded prevention and health promotion activities by nurses working with these populations. Changing to a client centred population health approach instead of the individual service approach gave Street Outreach nurses greater flexibility so that they were able to more effectively engage with clients, families, and other service providers regarding health related issues. The strategies that were developed to use a client centered population health approach entailed: (1) a compilation of health and related information of a specific client group (vulnerable, disenfranchised women); (2) a community based health conference for the specific client group and (3) resource development and knowledge translation to increase the education and awareness of health and social services providers as well as the community at large. All strategies were developed with particular attention to the World Health Organization (WHO) health determinants. Implementation of these strategies resulted in the building of capacity within the specific target group and their families, other health and service providers and the community at large.


Source apportionment of PM2.5 in urban area of Hong Kong.
A monitoring program for PM(2.5) had been performed at two urban monitoring stations in Hong Kong from November 2000 to February 2001 and June 2001 to August 2001. PM(2.5) samples were collected once every 6 days at PolyU and KT stations with the sampling duration of 24-h. A sum of 25 chemical species in PM(2.5) were determined and selected for receptor models. Enrichment factors relative to earth crust abundances were evaluated and it was noted that most crustal elements including Al, Ti, Mg, Ca and K have small enrichment factors. Correlation and multivariate analysis technique, such as principal components analysis (PCA)/absolute principal components analysis (APCA) and cluster analysis (CA) are used for source apportionment to identify the possible sources of PM(2.5) and to determine their contribution. Six factors at each site were isolated by using PCA/APCA and cluster analysis. Similar sources (crustal matter, automobile emission, diesel emission, secondary aerosols, tire wear, and non-ferrous smelter) are identified by the PCA/APCA and cluster analysis.


Physical Activity, Obesity and Weight Loss Maintenance.
Regular physical activity has an impact on all human organ systems and mediates multiple beneficial effects on overall health. Physical activity alone is a poor strategy for weight loss; however, physical activity is of crucial importance for weight loss maintenance. The role of exercise in maintaining a stable body weight is not clear but might be related to better appetite regulation and food preference. In relation to exercise, muscle secretes myokines and other factors that can influence the metabolism in other organs, not least fat and brain tissues. Thereby, physical activity reduces the risk of obesity-associated diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, independently of weight loss and BMI. Therefore, physical activity should always be included in weight loss strategies and as a tool to maintain a healthy weight, despite its modest effect on energy expenditure and overall body weight.


Prospective study of quality of life in adults with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas.
To assess baseline quality of life (QOL) and its prognostic importance for adults with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas, we analyzed QOL and outcome data prospectively collected in three phase II high-grade glioma protocols. At study entry, patients completed five self-administered forms to assess overall QOL (linear analogue scale assessment [LASA] and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain [FACT-Br]); fatigue (Symptom Distress Scale [SDS]); excessive daytime somnolence (Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS]); and depression (POMS-SF). Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance scores (PS) were obtained by the health care provider. Baseline QOL data were available for 194 of 220 patients (88%) enrolled in the three protocols. Differences in baseline QOL among the three studies were not statistically significant. One-third of patients had clinically significant fatigue at baseline. Increased fatigue (P = 0.003), excessive daytime somnolence (P = 0.01), and lower overall QOL scores (LASA, P = 0.001; FACT-Br, P = 0.0001) correlated with worse ECOG PS. No relation was found between QOL and corticosteroid or anticonvulsant therapy, extent of resection, tumor grade, or sex. Multivariate analyses found worse ECOG PS (PS 2, P = 0.007) associated with increased fatigue. Worse ECOG PS (PS 2, P = 0.002) was also associated with worse overall QOL (LASA). On multivariate analyses of survival, increased fatigue (P = 0.003) predicted poorer overall survival. Performance status is related to QOL in patients with newly diagnosed high-grade brain tumors. Increased fatigue is an independent predictor of overall survival. Interventional studies directed at improving QOL, especially fatigue, may have important benefits for these patients.


Improved anaerobic digestion efficiency of high-solid sewage sludge by enhanced direct interspecies electron transfer with activated carbon mediator.
High-solid anaerobic digestion (AD) faces the problems of easy acidification and low methane production efficiency. In this study, activated carbon (AC)-enhanced direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) was investigated to overcome such problems. Results showed the conversion of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) into methane rate was increased with AC addition, which led improved methane production efficiency. The methane yields from the early AD stage improved by 124.0-146.3% with AC addition. The T80 shortened by 8-9 days with AC addition. The relative abundances of Geobacter, Syntrophomonas and Methanosaeta that associated with DIET improved for 63.65%, 256.3% and 4.35% by AC addition, which reflected the enhanced DIET with AC addition. The redox activity of AC might be responsible for the enhanced DIET. This study would advance the understanding of DIET and provide a potential solution to the problems existed in high-solid AD.


What makes us tick? Functional and neural mechanisms of interval timing.
Time is a fundamental dimension of life. It is crucial for decisions about quantity, speed of movement and rate of return, as well as for motor control in walking, speech, playing or appreciating music, and participating in sports. Traditionally, the way in which time is perceived, represented and estimated has been explained using a pacemaker-accumulator model that is not only straightforward, but also surprisingly powerful in explaining behavioural and biological data. However, recent advances have challenged this traditional view. It is now proposed that the brain represents time in a distributed manner and tells the time by detecting the coincidental activation of different neural populations.


Lipidated steroid saponins from Dioscorea villosa (wild yam).
Two groups of lipidated steroid saponins including seven new compounds (2, 3, 5, and 7-10) were isolated from the widely used botanical, wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), employing a fractionation protocol of metabolomic mining. This methodology recently led to the isolation of 14 diarylheptanoids from the same plant. Together with these lipidated steroid saponins, they establish additional new markers for D. villosa. The lipidation of steroids with analog long-chain fatty acids containing different degrees of unsaturation generates an entire series of compounds which are difficult to purify and analyze. The structures of the two series of lipidated steroid saponins (series A and B) were established by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR as well as GC-MS after chemical modification. Series A was determined to be a mixture of lipidated spirostanol glycosides (1-5), while series B (6-10) was proved to be a mixture of five lipidated clionasterol glucosides. The latter group represents the first derivatives of clionasterol to be found in D. villosa. The discovery of this specific structural type of aliphatic esters of steroid saponins expands the characterization of the secondary metabolome of D. villosa. It may also inspire biological studies which take into account the lipophilic character and significantly altered physiochemical characteristics of these otherwise relatively polar phytoconstituents.


Catecholamine release in the newborn infant at birth.
Catecholamines were determined by a fluorimetric technique in umbilical blood which was collected from newborn infants immediately after birth. The mean catecholamine concentration was 62.1 nmol/liter in the umbilical artery and 29.3 nmol/liter in the umbilical vein of newborn full term infants delivered uneventfully. This value is considerably higher than in resting adults. Similar levels of catecholamines were seen after elective cesarean sections, whereas considerably higher levels were found after breech deliveries. In the full term asphyxiated infants about a 4-fold increase of the catecholamine concentration was found in both the umbilical arterial and venous blood. The amine concentration level correlated inversely to the pH below 7.25 (10 log catecholamine concentration versus pH, r = -0.71). Preterm infants had, in general, lower amine levels than full term infants both after uneventful deliveries and after intrauterine asphyxia. The catecholamine levels were considerably increased in the newborn infants who showed some kind of abnormal fetal heart rate variation during the last hour before birth; in particular baseline changes were associated with high levels whereas only a moderate increase was seen after loss of beat-to-beat variation.


Prevalence of alcohol related brain damage among homeless hostel dwellers in Glasgow.
Over half of Glasgow's 4000 homeless people drink hazardously but the prevalence of alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) has not been described. To determine the prevalence of ARBD among homeless hostel dwellers in Glasgow. A representative sample of homeless hostel dwellers was surveyed using validated survey instruments and clinical assessment. From a sample of 266 hostel dwellers, 82% had cognitive impairment and 78% were drinking hazardously. The prevalence of ARBD among homeless hostel dwellers was 21%. ARBD has a high prevalence among homeless hostel dwellers and treatment is usually effective. There is a need to actively identify and treat this population to help them move out of homelessness.


Intermittent pneumatic compression prevents venous stasis in the lower extremities in the lithotomy position.
To investigate the interactions of a new lithotomy positioning device (LPD) with two intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices by measuring femoral venous flow velocity. Subjects were divided into three groups: 1) supine position as a control, 2) lithotomy position using a conventional LPD, and 3) lithotomy position using a new LPD, Levitator(TM). These three groups were further divided in two according to the type of IPC device used: AV-impulse(TM) (rapid IPC) and SeQuel(TM) (standard IPC). Peak femoral venous flow velocity was measured by using an ultrasonic echo diagnostic device. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Fisher's test or by the unpaired two-tailed t test. Moving to the conventional lithotomy position from the supine position, venous flow velocity was decreased by 38% in both IPC device groups. Even when the new LPD was used to support the lithotomy position, the flow velocity was decreased by 24%, but the velocity was significantly higher than in the conventional lithotomy position. Both rapid and standard IPC devices increased flow velocity to 77% and 107% (first compression) and to 71% and 84% (fifth compression) of the control values during compression, respectively. In the lithotomy position group using the new LPD, similar increases in flow were seen with the use of IPC devices. Both rapid and standard IPC devices are useful for maintaining venous flow of the lower extremities in the lithotomy position.


[Electron-microscopic study of the relationship between influenza A virus (H3N2) and human peripheral blood leukocytes].
The electron microscopic examinations of formed elements of human peripheral blood infected with a freshly isolated A/Sev/76 virus strain and vaccine A/Victoria/36/72 virus demonstrated that virions of both strains adsorbed on neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, thrombocytes and penetrated into the cells by phagocytosis and viropexis; most virus was concentrated in neutrophils and thrombocytes.


Hydrophobic interaction chromatography of homo-oligonucleotides on derivatized Sepharose CL-6B. Application of the solvophobic theory.
This work describes the hydrophobic interaction chromatography of homo-deoxyoligonucleotides polyA, polyT and polyU with sizes up to 30 bases on a Sepharose gel derivatized with the 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether. The oligonucleotides interacted differently with the column according to the molecular mass, the hydrophobic character of the individual bases, the secondary structure of the molecule and the concentration of ammonium sulphate in the eluent. The retention factor, k', was determined from the chromatographic profiles at different concentrations of ammonium sulphate. A linear relationship between log k' and the concentration of ammonium sulphate in the eluent was found for all oligonucleotides at the higher concentrations (> 1.0 M) of ammonium sulphate. The slope of these plots, termed the hydrophobic interaction parameter, was found to be an increasing function of the number of nucleotides. The same plots reveal that polyA molecules with high molecular mass have lower retention factors when compared with polyT, an observation that was not expected since the hydrophobicity of adenine is higher than that of thymine. This behaviour was due to the existence of secondary structures in polyA, which decrease the exposed hydrophobic area of the molecule.


MELAS: Monitoring treatment with magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
To assess the utility of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) as a biomarker of response to L-arginine in mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS). To describe a case of MELAS treated with L-arginine that showed improvement clinically and on serial MRS METHODS: MRS was performed on a 1.5-Tesla scanner to evaluate a MELAS patient before, during, and after intravenous (IV) L-arginine therapy for the treatment of stroke-like episodes. L-arginine was infused at a dose of 500 mg/kg daily for 7 days followed by oral arginine therapy. The patient had clinical improvement after treatment with IV L-arginine. MRS performed before, during, and after treatment with IV L-arginine showed significant improvement in brain lactate and increase in the N-acetylaspartate/Choline (NAA/Cho) ratio compared to pre-treatment baseline. Serial MRS imaging showed significant improvement in lactate peaks and NAA/Cho ratios that corresponded with clinical improvement after L-arginine therapy. Given this correlation between radiologic and clinical improvement, MRS may be a useful biomarker assessing response to treatment in MELAS.


A new device for high-pressure freezing of cultured cell monolayer using 10-microm-thin stainless discs as both culture plate and specimen carrier.
High-pressure freezing (HPF) has been generally accepted as the most reliable method for cryofixation of biological samples, yielding a deep vitreous freezing. In recent cell biology, mammalian cultured cells are widely used, but HPF of cultured cell monolayer has not reached its full potential. In this study, we developed a new reliable device for HPF of cultured cell monolayer by using a 10-microm-thin stainless disc both as culture plate and specimen carrier. We describe the practical procedure, and demonstrate fine structures of HeLa cells cultured and cryofixed on the stainless discs as results.


Modulation of the plasma cholesteryl ester transfer by stachybotramide.
Plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), which mediates the transfer and exchange of neutral lipids (cholesteryl esters (CE) and triglycerides (TG) and phospholipids between plasma lipoproteins, plays an essential role in reverse cholesterol transport system. We have found that a fungal metabolite, stachybotramide, modulates the activity of CETP. Stachybotramide stimulated the [14C]CE transfer from high density lipoprotein (HDL) to very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) by 1.3- to 1.5-fold at 0.2-0.5 mM. This stimulation was abolished in the presence of anti-CETP antibody. On the other hand, the transfer of [14C]CE from LDL and VLDL to HDL was slightly reduced by stachybotramide at 0.5 mM. Unlike the transfer of [14C]CE, the transfer of [3H]TG from HDL was not significantly affected by stachybotramide. These results suggest that stachybotramide preferentially stimulate the CETP-mediated transfer of CE from HDL to both VLDL and LDL.


Emergency department hemodialysis in a case of severe ethylene glycol poisoning.
A 36-year-old man with a history of depression presented to the emergency department after ingesting approximately 3,000 mL of ethylene glycol antifreeze in a suicide attempt. The patient's ethylene glycol concentration, 1,889 mg/dL, was higher than any level previously documented in the medical literature. Although his course was complicated by nausea, emesis, lethargy, metabolic acidosis, and kidney failure, the patient survived without persistent kidney failure or other chronic problems. Sustained hemodialysis and ethanol infusion were instituted in the ED, on the basis of the patient's history, before laboratory confirmation of the ingestion was obtained.


The Polymorphism of LvMMD2 and Its Association with Growth Traits in Litopenaeus vannamei.
The Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei is one of the major economic aquaculture species. The growth trait is considered as the most important trait in L. vannamei aquaculture. Identification of the genetic components underlying growth-related traits in L. vannamei could be useful for the selective breeding of growth trait. Our previous work identified several growth-related SNPs by genome-wide association study (GWAS). Based on the assembled genome, we identified a new candidate gene (LvMMD2) beside the associated marker. This gene encodes the progestin and AdipoQ receptor 10 (PAQR10) protein. We further investigate the polymorphisms of LvMMD2 and their association with body weight of L. vannamei. By resequencing the coding region of LvMMD2, a total of 8 SNPs were identified, including 6 synonymous mutations and 2 nonsynonymous mutations. Association analyses based on a population of 322 individuals revealed that several SNPs located in the coding region of LvMMD2 were significantly associated with the body weight, especially the nonsynonymous mutation named as MMD_5 contributed the most association to the trait and it could explain 10.5% of phenotypic variance. In addition, several genes involved in growth and development have been identified as LvMMD2-interacting genes. These findings strongly suggested that LvMMD2 might be an important gene regulating the shrimp growth. More importantly, the MMD_5 could be a promising candidate locus for marker-assisted selection (MAS) of the body weight in L. vannamei.


Posterior vaginal prolapse and bowel function.
This study's objectives were to describe symptoms related to bowel dysfunction in women with uterovaginal prolapse and to compare these symptoms according to extent of posterior vaginal prolapse. One hundred forty-three women completed a questionnaire assessment of bowel function and underwent standardized physical examination according to the International Continence Society's system for grading uterovaginal prolapse. The mean age was 59.2 years (SD 11.8 years); 78% of the women were postmenopausal. According to the furthest extent of posterior vaginal prolapse at point Bp, 22 (15.5%) were in stage 0, 46 (32.4%) were in stage I, 50 (35.2%) were in stage II, 23 (16.2%) were in stage III, and 1 (0.7%) was in stage IV. Ninety-two percent of women reported having bowel movements at least every other day. When asked whether straining was required for them to have a bowel movement, 38 (26.6%) reported never or rarely, 71 (49.6%) reported sometimes, 20 (14.0%) reported usually, and 14 (9.8%) reported always. When asked whether they ever needed to help stool come out by pushing with a finger in the vagina or rectum, 98 (69.0%) reported never or rarely, 30 (21.1%) reported sometimes, 8 (5.6%) reported usually, and 6 (4.2%) reported always. Twenty-three women (16.1%) had fecal incontinence, with 11 having loss of control of stool less often than once a month and 12 having it more often than once a month. When asked whether to rate how much they were bothered by their bowel function on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being not at all and 10 being extremely, 51.7% of women chose 1 to 4, 20.3% chose 5 to 7, and 28% chose >/=8. There were no clinically significant associations between any of the questions related to bowel function and severity of posterior vaginal prolapse. Women with uterovaginal prolapse frequently have symptoms related to bowel dysfunction, but this is not associated with the severity of posterior vaginal prolapse.


The Short, 5-Item Shoulder Instability-Return to Sport After Injury Score Performs as Well as the Longer Version in Predicting Psychological Readiness to Return to Sport.
To reduce the length of the Shoulder Instability-Return to Sport After Injury (SIRSI) scale and determine the predictive validity of the short version compared with the original form. This study included patients who underwent an arthroscopic Bankart repair or open Latarjet procedure between 2017 and 2019. One group was used for the SIRSI scale-reduction process, and a second group was used to test the predictive validity of the proposed short SIRSI scale. The Cronbach α value was used to evaluate internal consistency. Validity was determined by calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient with the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index scale. Predictive validity was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve statistics. A total of 158 patients participated in the scale-reduction process, and 137 patients participated in the predictive-validation process. The SIRSI scale was successfully reduced to a 5-item scale constructed by 1 underlying factor accounting for 60% of the variance. The short version showed good internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.82) and was highly correlated with the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index scale and the long version. The short SIRSI scores were significantly different between patients who returned to sports and those who did not. The SIRSI scale had excellent predictive ability for return-to-sport outcomes (area under ROC curve of 0.84 for short version [95% confidence interval, 0.7-0.9] and 0.83 for long version [95% confidence interval, 0.7-0.9]). A valid 5-item, short version of the SIRSI scale was successfully developed in our patient population. The short version was found to be as robust as the long scale for discriminating and predicting return-to-sport outcomes. Level II, prospective cohort study.


The masculinized female and investigation of abnormal sexual development.
The congenital adrenal hyperplasias are the commonest cause of ambiguity of the external genitalia at birth, although sexual differentiation in these disorders is strictly normal. The masculinized genetic female is invariably the result of 21-hydroxylase deficiency. The molecular features are well characterized and the phenotypic correlates are generally concordant. Prenatal treatment by maternal dexamethasone administration can successfully prevent virilization of the external genitalia in an affected female fetus. Placental aromatase is a rare and recently characterized alternative cause of a masculinized female which should be considered in the absence of fetal adrenal hyperplasia and maternal androgen-secreting tumours. The investigation of abnormal sexual development requires an initial karyotype analysis and serum 17OH progesterone measurement to determine whether 21-hydroxylase deficiency is the likeliest cause. Thereafter, the presence of a 46,XY karyotype determines the mode of investigation according to androgen production and action. Obtaining appropriate samples for DNA, biochemical and immunohistochemical analyses is essential if the diagnostic yield for the investigation of abnormal sexual development is to be improved.


A semi automated procedure for the measurement of 3-methoxy-4 hydroxy mandelic acid.
A semi automated procedure for the determination of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-mandelic acid (HMMA) in urine has been evaluated. This procedure offers advantages in simplicity, speed and precision over existing manual techniques which utilize spectrophotometric fluorimetric and gas liquid chromatographic methods. The urine is extracted with ethyl acetate from a highly acidic sample, purified by extraction into acetate buffer and the diazo colour reaction developed. All stages of the procedure are carried out using the Brown and semi-automatic extractor equipped with partition tube. The within and between assay coefficient of variation obtained on pooled freeze-dried urine samples was 6.7% and 7.7% respectively.


A tool for monitoring cell type-specific focused ultrasound neuromodulation and control of chronic epilepsy.
Focused ultrasound (FUS) is a powerful tool for noninvasive modulation of deep brain activity with promising therapeutic potential for refractory epilepsy; however, tools for examining FUS effects on specific cell types within the deep brain do not yet exist. Consequently, how cell types within heterogeneous networks can be modulated and whether parameters can be identified to bias these networks in the context of complex behaviors remains unknown. To address this, we developed a fiber Photometry Coupled focused Ultrasound System (PhoCUS) for simultaneously monitoring FUS effects on neural activity of subcortical genetically targeted cell types in freely behaving animals. We identified a parameter set that selectively increases activity of parvalbumin interneurons while suppressing excitatory neurons in the hippocampus. A net inhibitory effect localized to the hippocampus was further confirmed through whole brain metabolic imaging. Finally, these inhibitory selective parameters achieved significant spike suppression in the kainate model of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy, opening the door for future noninvasive therapies.


Structure, Function, and Morphology in the Classification of Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors: the Importance of Routine Analysis of Pituitary Transcription Factors.
The traditional approach to the diagnosis of primary adenohypophyseal cell proliferations uses hormone immunohistochemistry to classify pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs). The routine application of immunolocalization of pituitary transcription factors (SF1, PIT1, TPIT, ERα, and recently GATA3) along with adenohypophyseal hormones has taught us critical lessons that are discussed in this communication. We point out that appropriate patient care requires accurate diagnosis and is critical in the era of precision medicine. A misdiagnosis can result in far greater health care costs than the cost of accurate tumor classification and may have other unintended consequences. We provide additional insights about confusing findings in genomic studies, emphasizing that high-quality pathology is essential for strong science and translational research.


Influence of charge on filtration across renal basement membrane films in vitro.
The filtration of differently charged species of myoglobin and dextran across films of isolated basement membrane in vitro showed that the filtration behavior of both polymers was influenced by charge. Rejection increased with increasing negative charge. Titration of the isolated basement membrane revealed an isoionic point of pH 5.5 and an isoelectric point of pH 5.7. The net negative charge at pH 7.4 was 0.15 mEq/g protein; this charge was attributed to carboxylate anion. Glycosaminoglycan sulphate did not contribute significantly to the net charge. Filtration of narrow range dextran fractions across films of basement membrane at the isoelectric point markedly reduced differences in filtration due to charge confirming that the differences in behavior found at pH 7.4 were due to charge interactions between the solutes and the membranes. Physical characterization of the charged and uncharged dextran fractions revealed no substantial differences in size or shape for the differently charged species.


Water resource partitioning, stem xylem hydraulic properties, and plant water use strategies in a seasonally dry riparian tropical rainforest.
This study investigated seasonal variation in the origin of water used by plants in a riparian tropical rainforest community and explored linkages between plant water source, plant xylem hydraulic conductivity and response to the onset of dry conditions. The study focused on five co-dominant canopy species, comprising three tree species ( Doryphora aromatica, Argyrodendron trifoliolatum, Castanospora alphandii) and two climbing palms ( Calamus australis and Calamus caryotoides). Stable isotope ratios of oxygen in water (delta(18)O) from soil, groundwater, stream water and plant xylem measured in the wet season and the subsequent dry season revealed water resource partitioning between species in the dry season. Measurement of stem-area-specific hydraulic conductivity ( K(S)) in the wet season and subsequent dry season showed a significant dry-season loss of K(S) in three of the five species ( Castanospora alphandii, Calamus australis and C. caryotoides) and a decrease in mean K(S) for all species. This loss of hydraulic conductivity was positively correlated with the difference between wet-season and dry-season midday leaf water potentials and with leaf carbon isotope discrimination, indicating that plants that were less susceptible to loss of conductivity had greater control over transpiration rate and were more water-use efficient.


Comprehensive analyses of circulating cardiometabolic proteins and objective measures of fat mass.
The underlying molecular pathways for the effect of excess fat mass on cardiometabolic diseases is not well understood. Since body mass index is a suboptimal measure of body fat content, we investigated the relationship of fat mass measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry with circulating cardiometabolic proteins. We used data from a population-based cohort of 4950 Swedish women (55-85 years), divided into discovery and replication samples; 276 proteins were assessed with three Olink Proseek Multiplex panels. We used random forest to identify the most relevant biomarker candidates related to fat mass index (FMI), multivariable linear regression to further investigate the associations between FMI characteristics and circulating proteins adjusted for potential confounders, and principal component analysis (PCA) for the detection of common covariance patterns among the proteins. Total FMI was associated with 66 proteins following adjustment for multiple testing in discovery and replication multivariable analyses. Five proteins not previously associated with body size were associated with either lower FMI (calsyntenin-2 (CLSTN2), kallikrein-10 (KLK10)), or higher FMI (scavenger receptor cysteine-rich domain-containing group B protein (SSC4D), trem-like transcript 2 protein (TLT-2), and interleukin-6 receptor subunit alpha (IL-6RA)). PCA provided an efficient summary of the main variation in FMI-related circulating proteins involved in glucose and lipid metabolism, appetite regulation, adipocyte differentiation, immune response and inflammation. Similar patterns were observed for regional fat mass measures. This is the first large study showing associations between fat mass and circulating cardiometabolic proteins. Proteins not previously linked to body size are implicated in modulation of postsynaptic signals, inflammation, and carcinogenesis.


Advances in therapeutics for chronic hepatitis B.
Chronic hepatitis B infection remains a major disease burden globally, and leads to high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma development. Current therapies of nucleot(s)ide analogues and interferon alpha treatment remain limited in their efficacy. Several key findings in the hepatitis B virus (HBV) life cycle have led to the development of novel antiviral drugs to inhibit viral replication and persistence. In addition, recent studies on HBV-specific innate and adaptive immune responses have advanced development of immunotherapy to restore immune mediated virus control in chronic hepatitis B patients. In this review, we discuss potential new therapeutic strategies targeting HBV or the host immune system that might lead to a sustained cure for chronic hepatitis B.


Emergency treatment of rupture of the proximal anastomosis of an infected thoracoabdominal aortic graft with bleeding into a postpneumonectomy empyema cavity.
The thoracic part of a huge thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm was resected. A prosthetic graft was implanted between the descending aorta and the iliac arteries. The celiac, superior mesenteric, and the renal arteries were connected to the aortic prosthesis with two bifurcation grafts. A life-threatening hemorrhage into an empyema cavity occurred postoperatively. An emergency two-stage procedure was employed involving: (1) exclusion of the infected intrathoracic segment and exclusion of an infected sutured aortic stump; (2) subsequent removal of necrotic and infected tissue, including the excluded segment of the aorta and the graft in a second operation. The patient recovered and is now well and works full-time. Angiography 3 years after the operation shows that all anastomoses are patent. A scheme of management of these rare cases is proposed.


Anterior segment structure changes caused by different luminance light after implantable collamer lens surgery.
To investigate the changes of anterior eye segment with implantable collamer lens (ICL) under mesopic and photopic conditions. Forty-seven eyes of myopic patients who underwent ICL V4c implantation were included. Three months after surgery, the pupil diameter (PD), dynamic vault, ACD (distance from the posterior corneal surface to the anterior lens surface), ACD-ICL (distance from the posterior corneal surface to the anterior ICL surface), and anterior chamber angle parameters were measured using the anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT, Carl Zeiss AG, Germany) under completely mesopic (0 lx) and photopic (5290 lx) lighting conditions. Compared with mesopic conditions, a significant decreased vault was detected in photopic conditions (486.7 ± 186.1 μm versus 643.5 ± 191.2 μm, p < 0.001), while the ACD-ICL increased significantly (2.54 ± 0.24 mm versus 2.37 ± 0.23 mm, p < 0.001). The pupil was smaller in photopic condition (2.66 ± 0.23 mm versus 5.62 ± 0.55 mm, p < 0.001). ACD didn't change(3.32 ± 0.24 mm versus 3.31 ± 0.22 mm, p = 0.079). The change of the vault was positively related to the changes of the PD (r2 = 0.301, p = 0.04). There were no statistical difference between the change of vault and the change of ACD-ICL (158.0 ± 58.1 μm versus 165.9 ± 65.3 μm, p = 0.320). When exposed to high intensity light after ICL surgery, the pupil constricted, vault decreased, ACA widened and ACD-ICL increased. All these changes were caused by the change of iris not the crystalline lens.


[Application of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in pulmonary disease: a report of 419 cases].
The application and the value of PET/CT in lung cancer are on the way to development. The aim of this study is to summarize the data from 419 patients with pulmonary tumor or tumor-like disease and to explore the appliance of PET/CT. From Dec 2007 to Aug 2011, 594 patients with pulmonary tumor or tumor-like disease underwent PET/CT examination during the different course of treatment, which were treated by single surgery team from Peking University Cancer Hospital. Of these patients, 419 cases diagnosed pathologically were included into study. The clinicapathological and follow-up data were collected to analyze the value of PET/CT in diagnosis, TNM staging, therapy response evaluation and posttherapy monitoring. Four hundred and nineteen cases comprised of 63 benign and 356 malignant, of which, 338 were primary lung cancer, and 18 were metastases. The SUVmax cutoff was defined as 2.5 to differentiate the benign and malignant disease. PET/CT obtained the role of diagnosis with sensitivity as 85.0%, specificity as 52.4%, accuracy rate as 79.2%, positive predictive value as 89.2% and negative predictive value as 42.9%, respectively. Of 338 primary cases, 275 underwent PET/CT at initial diagnosis, in which, 46 (16.7%) distant metastasis were found, including 8 additional metastasis not found by conventional utilities. Six of 43 recurrences were found by PET/CT following conventional examination. In T staging, SUVmax is positively correlated with diameter of tumors (P<0.05). In N staging, 610 stations of lymph nodes were resected from 168 cases, with 37 stations predicted as positive by PET/CT and 102 stations pathologically proven positive, therefore, calculating the sensitivity as 36.3%, specificity as 93.9%, accuracy rate as 84.3%, positive predictive value as 54.4% and negative predictive value as 88.0%, respectively. Ten patients underwent PET/CT scan for chemotherapy response evaluation, with SUVmax changing following T downstaging. PET/CT is one optional method for diagnosis of pulmonary tumors. In TNM staging, PET/CT showed the superiority than conventional utilities in M staging, but possesses the high specificity but inferior sensitivity in N staging. Therefore, PET/CT should be used as routine examination for postoperation follow-up. Furthermore, PET/CT performed the outstanding role in chemotherapy response evaluation.


ONZIN deficiency attenuates contact hypersensitivity responses in mice.
ONZIN is abundantly expressed in immune cells of both the myeloid and lymphoid lineage. Expression by lymphoid cells has been reported to further increase after cutaneous exposure of mice to antigens and haptens capable of inducing contact hypersensitivity (CHS), suggesting that ONZIN has a critical role in this response. Here, we report that indeed ONZIN-deficient mice develop attenuated CHS to a number of different haptens. Dampened CHS responses correlated with a significant reduction in pro-inflammatory IL-6 at the challenge site in ONZIN-deficient animals, compared with wild-type controls. Together the study of these animals indicates that loss of ONZIN impacts the effector phase of the CHS response through the regulation of pro-inflammatory factors.


Hypertension after heart and heart/lung transplantation in childhood--study on the evolution of short-term blood pressure regulation.
Arterial hypertension complicates the follow-up of heart- and heart/lung-transplanted children. We investigated the evolution of BRS as short-time BP regulation mechanism and BP after heart and heart/lung transplantation. Twenty patients (15 males; mean age 15.1 ± 4.3 yr) were studied twice at intervals of 2.96 ± 0.87 yr. BRS was calculated using non-invasive beat-to-beat BP measurement system. HRV was calculated (LF, sympathetic influence; HF, parasympathetic influence). BRS increased in 10 patients (3.67 ± 1.43 ms/mmHg vs. 7.59 ± 3.40 mmHg, p = 0.005) (group 1). Six of 10 patients received antihypertensive medication. BRS decreased or remained unchanged in 10 patients (8.93 ± 7.9 ms/mmHg vs. 5.32 ± 6.6 ms/mmHg, p = 0.008) (group 2) with 9/10 patients necessitating antihypertensive medication. Group 1 showed LF/HF increase (LF/HF 1.03 ± 0.9 vs. 4.36 ± 2.32, p = 0.03); group 2 showed LF/HF decrease (LF/HF 3.7 ± 2.1 vs. 1.84 ± 1.1, p = 0.023). Evolution of BRS after heart and heart/lung transplantation in childhood seems to influence the necessity of antihypertensive medication. With time, increasing short-time BP regulation involving sympathetic reinnervation may improve BP.


CT-based radiomics nomogram for the pre-operative prediction of lymphovascular invasion in colorectal cancer: a multicenter study.
To develop and externally validate a CT-based radiomics nomogram for the pre-operative prediction of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). 357 patients derived from 2 centers with pathologically confirmed CRC were included in this retrospective study. Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) radiomics features were extracted from portal venous phase CT images. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm and logistic regression were used for constructing 2D and 3D radiomics models. The radiomics nomogram was developed by integrating the radiomics score (rad-score) and the clinical risk factor. The rad-score was significantly higher in the LVI+ group than in the LVI- group (p < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the 3D radiomics model were higher than those of the 2D radiomics model. The AUCs of 3D and 2D radiomics models in the training set were 0.82 (95% CI: 0.75-0.89) and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.66-0.82); in the internal validation set were 0.75 (95% CI: 0.65-0.85) and 0.67 (95% CI: 0.56-0.78); in the external validation set were 0.75 (95% CI: 0.64-0.86) and 0.57 (95% CI: 0.45-0.69); respectively. The AUCs of the nomogram integrating the optimal 3D rad-score and clinical risk factors (CT-reported T stage, CT-reported lymph node status) in the internal set and external validation set were 0.82 (95% CI: 0.73-0.91) and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.68-0.91), respectively. Both 2D and 3D radiomics models can predict LVI status of CRC. The nomogram combining the optimal 3D rad-score and clinical risk factors further improved predictive performance. This is the first study to compare the difference in performance of CT-based 2D and 3D radiomics models for the pre-operative prediction of LVI in CRC. The prediction of the nomogram could be improved by combining the 3D radiomics model with the imaging model, suggesting its potential for clinical application.


Ontogeny of microsomal activities of triacylglycerol synthesis in guinea pig liver.
Because the onset of triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein synthesis occurs in guinea pig liver during fetal life, we investigated the microsomal enzyme activities of triacylglycerol synthesis in fetal and postnatal guinea pig liver. Hepatic monoacylglycerol acyltransferase specific and total microsomal activities peaked by the 50th day of gestation and declined rapidly after birth to levels that were virtually unmeasurable in the adult. Peak fetal specific activity was more than 75-fold higher than observed in the adult. The specific activities of fatty acid CoA ligase and lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase increased 2- to 3-fold before birth; lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase increased a further 2.6-fold during the first week of life. Specific activities of phosphatidic acid phosphatase, microsomal glycerophosphate acyltransferase, and diacylglycerol acyltransferase varied minimally over the time course investigated. These data demonstrate that selective changes occur in guinea pig hepatic microsomal activities of triacylglycerol synthesis before birth. Because of an approximate 11-fold increase in hepatic microsomal protein between birth and the adult, however, major increases in total microsomal activity of all the triacylglycerol synthetic activities occurred after birth. The pattern of monoacylglycerol acyltransferase specific and total microsomal activities differs from that of the rat in occurring primarily during the last third of gestation instead of during the suckling period. This pattern provides evidence that hepatic monoacylglycerol acyltransferase activity probably does not function to acylate 2-monoacylglycerols derived from partial hydrolysis of diet-derived triacylglycerol.


Attention neglects a stare-in-the-crowd: Unanticipated consequences of prediction-error coding.
Direct gaze - someone looking at you - is an important and subjectively-salient stimulus. Its processing is thought to be enhanced by the brain's internalised predictions - priors - that effectively specify it as the most likely gaze direction. Current consensus holds that, befitting its presumed importance, direct gaze attracts attention more powerfully than other gazes. Conversely, some Predictive Coding (PC) models, in which exogenous attention is drawn to stimuli that violate predictions, may be construed as making the opposite claim - i.e., exogenous attention should be biased away from direct gaze (which conforms to internal predictions), toward averted gaze (which does not). Here, searching displays with salient, 'odd-one-out' gazes, we observed attentional bias (in rapid, initial saccades) toward averted gaze, as would be expected by PC models. However, this pattern obtained only when conditions highlighted gaze-uniqueness. We speculate that, in our experiments, task requirements determined how prediction influenced perception.


Acute effects of cadmium and copper on survival, oxygen consumption, ammonia-N excretion, and metal accumulation in juvenile Exopalaemon carinicauda.
Ridgetail white prawn (Exopalaemon carinicauda), a commercially important species in China, is a potential candidate for evaluating impairments caused by environmental pollutants in coastal and estuarine areas. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the acute effects of cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) on survival, oxygen consumption, ammonia-N excretion, and metal accumulation in E. carinicauda. The feasibility of using this species for pollution monitoring was also evaluated. Results showed that the median lethal concentrations (LC50) for 24h, 48h, 72h, and 96h were 0.66mg/L, 0.379mg/L, 0.343mg/L, and 0.258mg/L for Cd, and 0.932mg/L, 0.748mg/L, 0.725mg/L, and 0.712mg/L for Cu. Cd exposure (0.66mg/L) caused an inhibition in oxygen consumption of 21.1 percent and an increase in ammonia-N excretion of 47.1 percent, thereby decreasing the atomic ratio of oxygen consumed to nitrogen consumed (O:N ratio) of 46.32 percent relative to the control. Cu exposure (0.932mg/L) also resulted in an inhibition in oxygen consumption of 34.8 percent and a decrease in the O:N ratio of 23.9 percent in relation to the control, but the ammonia-N excretion was not influenced by the Cu exposure. Concentration-depended accumulation was observed in the experimental animals, which a maximum of 244.8 folds and 1.1 folds increase of mental concentration was measured upon exposure to 24h LC50 of Cd and Cu for 24h, respectively. The change in O:N ratio indicated an alteration in energy utilization. Based on its sensitivity to heavy metals and its availability all year round, E. carinicauda can be used as a test organism to monitor for metal pollution.


Acrihellin, a cardioactive steroid escaping from the organ-bath.
The concentration of acrihellin rapidly declines in oxygenated Tyrode-solution, because the compound escapes from the organ-bath being enriched in droplets sprayed from the surface of the bubbled solution. As checked by radiochromatography, acrihellin remains chemically unaltered during this process. Hellebrin and hellebrigenin persist in gassed Tyrode-solution, suggesting that the 3 beta-substituent dimethylacrylic acid endows acrihellin with amphiphilic properties, thus promoting its enrichment at gas-water interphases. Measurements of the inotropic effects in guinea pig left atria performed at concentrations of acrihellin kept constant yielded a dose-response curve, which closely resembles that of the conventional cardioactive steroid ouabain.


"Conceiving God's Children": Toward a Flexible Model of Reproductive Decision-Making.
Drawing on an ethnographic study of reproduction in Israel, in this article I demonstrate how Orthodox Jews delineate borders between the godly and the human in their daily reproductive practices. Exploring the multiple ways access to technology affects religious belief and observance, I describe three approaches to marital birth control, two of which are antithetical: steadfast resistance to and general acceptance of "calculated family planning." Seeking a middle road, the third model, "flexible decision-making," reveals how couples push off and welcome pregnancies simultaneously. Unravelling the illusion of a binary model of planned/unplanned parenthood, I call for nuanced models of reproductive decision-making.


Maternal NAT10 orchestrates oocyte meiotic cell-cycle progression and maturation in mice.
In mammals, the production of mature oocytes necessitates rigorous regulation of the discontinuous meiotic cell-cycle progression at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. However, the factors underlying this sophisticated but explicit process remain largely unclear. Here we characterize the function of N-acetyltransferase 10 (Nat10), a writer for N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) on RNA molecules, in mouse oocyte development. We provide genetic evidence that Nat10 is essential for oocyte meiotic prophase I progression, oocyte growth and maturation by sculpting the maternal transcriptome through timely degradation of poly(A) tail mRNAs. This is achieved through the ac4C deposition on the key CCR4-NOT complex transcripts. Importantly, we devise a method for examining the poly(A) tail length (PAT), termed Hairpin Adaptor-poly(A) tail length (HA-PAT), which outperforms conventional methods in terms of cost, sensitivity, and efficiency. In summary, these findings provide genetic evidence that unveils the indispensable role of maternal Nat10 in oocyte development.


Behavioral analysis of the postnatal development of micturition in kittens.
Micturition in neonatal mammals of various species can be induced by a somatovesical reflex that is triggered by the mother licking the perineal region of the neonate. The present study was conducted to ascertain whether neonatal kittens can also urinate via a vesicovesical reflex that is elicited by bladder distension. Initial experiments consisted of isolating kittens from their mothers and observing urine release. Kittens less than 3 weeks of age did not urinate despite the presence of large volumes of urine in their bladders. Kittens older than 3 weeks of age did urinate, completely emptying their bladders. The volumes of urine that induced micturition in the older kittens were generally less than those that were ineffective in inducing micturition at younger ages. Cystometrograms in unanesthetized kittens less than 3 weeks of age revealed that distension of the bladder by saline infusion did not evoke bladder contractions. However, saline infusion in older kittens did produce bladder contractions that were accompanied by squatting and the release of urine from around the bladder cannula. Surprisingly, bladder contractions, which were typically abolished by spinal transection, were observed in kittens less than 3 weeks of age when the kittens were anesthetized with either ketamine or chloralose. This latter finding indicates that the vesicovesical reflex is present in neonatal kittens, but it is being suppressed by anesthetic-sensitive mechanisms. Thus, micturition in neonatal kittens is normally mediated entirely by the somatovesical reflex.


In vivo evaluation of an episcleral multielectrode array for stimulation of the retina with reduced retinal ganglion cell mass.
A visual prosthesis is an experimental device designed to activate residual functional neurons in the visual pathway to generate artificial vision for blind patients. Specifically, for photoreceptor disease, a microelectrode array applied to the surface of the sclera could potentially serve to stimulate the remaining interneurons in the retina to produce topographically mapped visual percepts. However, of those neurons spared in the disease process, the retinal ganglion cells (RGC), which represent the final output neurons of the retina, can be markedly reduced in number. Using an albino rabbit model with RGC deficits, acute recording of cortical electrical evoked potential was performed to ascertain whether such a stimulation strategy is feasible. By analyzing the strength-duration curve (current threshold vs. pulse duration) and cortical activation profiles, our results prove that bioelectrically safe and spatially differentiated stimulation of the retina is feasible notwithstanding the condition of markedly reduced RGC counts.