Does gestational hypertension become pre-eclampsia?
To determine the likelihood of progression from gestational hypertension (GH) to pre-eclampsia (PE) in hypertensive pregnant women and whether this change can be identified in advance by available clinical and laboratory measures. A retrospective analysis and a prospective study. St George Hospital, Sydney, a teaching hospital of the University of New South Wales delivering 2500 women per year. Eight hundred and forty-five women with new hypertension in the second half of pregnancy, managed by a uniform protocol (661 in the retrospective analysis, 184 in the prospective study). Clinical and laboratory data at initial presentation were compared among women with GH who developed PE and those who remained with a diagnosis of GH until delivery. Data predictive for progression from GH to PE were analysed by logistic regression analysis. Progression from GH to PE. In the retrospective analysis, 416 women initially presented as having GH and 62 (15%) progressed to PE. In the prospective study, 112 women initially presented with GH and 29 (26%) progressed to PE, giving an overall progression of 17%. In both studies, women who developed PE from GH presented earlier than those who remained with GH until delivery. In multiple logistic regression analyses prior miscarriage and early gestation at presentation were associated with increased likelihood of progressing from GH to PE. Approximately 15-25% of women initially diagnosed with GH will develop PE and this is more likely with earlier presentation or if the woman has had a prior miscarriage. Women with gestational hypertension diagnosed after 36 weeks of gestation have only about 10% risk of developing PE. These data should help stratify the risks of mildly hypertensive pregnant women being managed as outpatients in their third trimester.


Chromatic discrimination in fixed saturation levels from trichromats and subjects with congenital color vision deficiency.
Color vision tests use estimative of threshold color discrimination or number of correct responses to evaluate performance in chromatic discrimination tasks. Both approaches have advantages and disadvantages. In the present investigation, we compared the number of errors during color discrimination task in normal trichromats and participants with color vision deficiency (CVD) using pseudoisochromatic stimuli at fixed saturation levels. We recruited 28 normal trichromats and eight participants with CVD. Cambridge Color Test was used to categorize their color vision phenotype, and those with a phenotype suggestive of color vision deficiency had their L- and M-opsin genes genotyped. Pseudoisochromatic stimuli were shown with target chromaticity in 20 vectors radiating from the background chromaticity and saturation of 0.06, 0.04, 0.03, 0.02, 0.01, and 0.005 u'v' units. Each stimulus condition appeared in four trials. The number of errors for each stimulus condition was considered an indicator of the participant's performance. At high chromatic saturation, there were fewer errors from both phenotypes. The errors of the normal trichromats had no systematic variation for high saturated stimuli, but below 0.02 u'v' units, there was a discrete prevalence of tritan errors. For participants with CVD, the errors happened mainly in red-green chromatic vectors. A three-way ANOVA showed that all factors (color vision phenotype, stimulus saturation, and chromatic vector) had statistically significant effects on the number of errors and that stimulus saturation was the most important main effect. ROC analysis indicated that the performance of the fixed saturation levels to identify CVD was better between 0.02 and 0.06 u'v' units reaching 100%, while saturation of 0.01 and 0.005 u'v' units decreased the accuracy of the screening of the test. We concluded that the color discrimination task using high saturated stimuli separated normal trichromats and participants with red-green color vision deficiencies with high performance, which can be considered a promising method for new color vision tests based in frequency of errors.


Imbalance between proliferation and apoptosis in the development of colorectal carcinoma.
To evaluate the relationship between cell proliferation and apoptosis in sporadic colorectal carcinogenesis, immunohistochemistry for proliferation-associated antigen Ki-67 and in situ end labelling for identifying apoptotic bodies were performed on paraffin sections from 59 adenomas and 22 carcinomas. These results were correlated with the expression of the proliferation and apoptosis modulators Bcl-2 and p53. Carcinomas showed increased proliferation and apoptosis compared with adenomas (P<0.0001, P<0.001, respectively). There were positive linear correlations between proliferation and apoptosis in adenomas and carcinomas (P<0.02, P<0.05, respectively). The proliferative rate increased significantly from mild to moderate, and from moderate to severe dysplasia (P<0.002, P<0.001, respectively). Apoptotic rate also increased in this sequence, but the increases did not reach statistical significance (both P>0.05). Expression of Bcl-2 was associated with lower apoptotic rate in adenomas (P<0.025) but not in carcinomas (P>0.25), whereas p53 expression was correlated with higher proliferative rate in both adenomas and carcinomas (P<0.01, P<0.05, respectively). An inverse relationship between Bcl-2 and p53 expression was seen in both adenomas and carcinomas (P<0.05, P<0.005, respectively). These data suggest that the normal balance between proliferation and apoptosis is disturbed in colorectal carcinogenesis, both being increased, but proliferation occurs in excess. Bcl-2 and p53 may each play a role in modulating cell apoptosis or proliferation during the development of colorectal carcinoma.


Methyl 3,3,6,6-tetra-methyl-1,8-dioxo-4,5,7,9-tetra-hydro-2H-xanthene-9-carboxyl-ate.
The title mol-ecule, C19H24O5, is built by annulation of a half-chair cyclo-hexenone and a twist-cyclo-hexenone to a flat 4-H-pyrane boat. In the crystal, mol-ecules are connected via van der Waals inter-actions and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.


[Contents of glycogen, glycolytic activity and contents of metabolites in the atrioventricular system of bovine hearts (author's transl)].
In the atrioventricular system (AVS) consisting of the compact node, the penetrating bundle and the branching bundles of about 250 bovine hearts there were made several studies: 1. In quickly removed and fixed specimens (distal AV-node, penetrating bundle) determination of a metabolic state with respect to glycogen, glucose, lactate, ATP, ADP, AMP, creatinephosphate, total creatine, gluc-6-phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate, fructose-1,6-diphosphate, dihydroxyacetonphosphate and pyruvate. 2. Determination of glycogen contents and glygolytic activity in AVS and its parts for ischemic times up to three hours. 3. The determination of metabolic contents in samples of connective tissue in atrium and ventricle of bovine hearts. The AV-nodes are poor in glycogen comparable with glycogen content of central nervous system and other ganglia. Penetrating bundles of Hiss and branching bundle belong after liver to the glycogen richest parenchyma of animal tissues. Even after ischemia of 3 h only a part of glycogen was recovered as lactate. The greater part of glycogen must be considered as a structural element of Hiss bundle and branching bundles of the ventricles.


Indian research on transcranial magnetic stimulation: A bibliometric analysis.
A significant body of evidence on the role of TMS in neurology and psychiatry has emerged from Indian studies. We aimed to assess the existing and emerging trends of research on TMS as a diagnostic or therapeutic tool in India using bibliometric analysis. A total of 146 publications, retrieved from various databases, were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer. We found a linear positive growth of publications in India in the field of TMS and neuropsychiatry, with about 3000 citations so far. The most researched diagnosis was schizophrenia. NIMHANS, Bengaluru, had the highest number of publications. The journal with the highest number of publications was the Asian Journal of Psychiatry, and that with the highest citations was the Journal of Affective disorders. The growth of Indian research in the field of TMS corresponds to that of the global one but also suggests the need for more studies to match the research output from other countries.


Epidemiology of nosocomial bloodstream infections in Belgium, 1992-1996.
The main results of the bloodstream infection (BSI) component of the Belgian National Programme for the Surveillance of Hospital Infections (NSIH project) are reported. From October 1992 to September 1996, 117 hospitals (59.1% of Belgian acute-care institutions) reported 13678 nosocomial BSIs. The incidence was 7.05 BSI episodes per 10000 patient-days. The incidence of BSI increased with hospital size and over time. Bloodstream infections were secondary to an infectious body site in 40.3% of the episodes, catheter-related in 23.5%, and of unknown origin in 36.2%. The associated in-hospital mortality was 31.4% and was highest in BSIs secondary to a respiratory tract infection (49.3%). In intensive care units, the incidence of BSI was 38.5 per 10000 patient-days. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most prevalent microorganisms (22%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (14.1%) and Escherichia coli (13.5%). In catheter-related BSIs, these proportions were 41.9%, 18.8%, and 2.3%, respectively. The proportion of polymicrobial episodes was 9.9%. Methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus was 22.3%. With its high participation rate, the NSIH project has characterized the epidemiology of nosocomial BSIs in Belgium during the period studied.


Levels of gingival crevicular metalloproteinases-8 and -9 in periodontitis.
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), the key enzymes responsible for matrix degradation, are derived from polymorphonuclear leukocytes during the early stages of periodontitis. The aim of this study was planned to determine the levels of GCF (gingival crevicular fluid) matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) and metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) patients with periodontitis and in healthy controls. Levels of crevicular MMP-8 and -9 were determined by ELISA in subjects with healthy without any periodontal disease (n = 10) and periodontitis (n = 10). Significantly higher crevicular MMP-8 and -9 were observed in cases of periodontitis compared to healthy adults. Crevicular MMP-8 and -9 may serve as biomarkers of periodontal disease and aid in early detection of periodontitis.


Restored humoral immune response to influenza vaccination in HIV-infected adults treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy.
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) effectively suppresses replication of HIV and is accompanied by an increase in CD4+ T lymphocytes. Whether the increase in CD4+ T lymphocytes in the blood is a reflection of a reconstitution of the immune functions is unknown. We investigated the recovery of the humoral immune response during HAART after immunization with T-cell-dependent influenza vaccine. Forty-one men and three women infected with HIV and treated with HAART, and 15 healthy hospital staff members were immunized with trivalent influenza subunit vaccine. Antibody titres were determined by haemagglutination inhibiting assay in sera obtained before and 30 days after immunization. Lymphocyte subsets were determined in blood samples taken at the time of vaccination. In all HIV-infected individuals, treatment with HAART caused a median reduction of 2.3 log10 in HIV-1 load. The median increase of CD4+ T lymphocytes after initiation of HAART was 170 x 10(6)/l. The antibody response to influenza antigens was proportional to the number of memory CD4+ T lymphocytes in the blood at the time of vaccination. When a group of patients and healthy controls with approximately similar CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts were considered, the antibody titres after vaccination for influenza strain H1N1 and influenza B did not differ between patients and controls (P=0.12). Vaccination of patients with a CD4+ T-lymphocyte count of < 200 x 10(6)/l (mean 85 x 10(6)/l) before the start of HAART and with a mean of 282 x 10(6)/l CD4+ T lymphocytes at the time of vaccination as a result of HAART, demonstrated a substantial antibody response whereas patients with a CD4+ T lymphocyte count of < 200 x 10(6)/l (mean 56 x 10(6)/l) not treated with HAART (historical controls), and vaccinated with a similar influenza vaccine, failed to induce an antibody response. The present findings demonstrate a recovery of the humoral immune response to influenza antigens in HIV-infected individuals treated with HAART. This indicates that functional improvement of antigen specific CD4+ T helper cell reponses occurs.


Microglia Dysfunction Caused by the Loss of Rhoa Disrupts Neuronal Physiology and Leads to Neurodegeneration.
Nervous tissue homeostasis requires the regulation of microglia activity. Using conditional gene targeting in mice, we demonstrate that genetic ablation of the small GTPase Rhoa in adult microglia is sufficient to trigger spontaneous microglia activation, producing a neurological phenotype (including synapse and neuron loss, impairment of long-term potentiation [LTP], formation of β-amyloid plaques, and memory deficits). Mechanistically, loss of Rhoa in microglia triggers Src activation and Src-mediated tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production, leading to excitotoxic glutamate secretion. Inhibiting Src in microglia Rhoa-deficient mice attenuates microglia dysregulation and the ensuing neurological phenotype. We also find that the Rhoa/Src signaling pathway is disrupted in microglia of the APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer disease and that low doses of Aβ oligomers trigger microglia neurotoxic polarization through the disruption of Rhoa-to-Src signaling. Overall, our results indicate that disturbing Rho GTPase signaling in microglia can directly cause neurodegeneration.


Visceral leishmaniasis-human immunodeficiency virus coinfection in a 52-year-old male in southwest Iran: a case report.
Leishmaniasis is a rare infectious disease observed in subtropical and tropical areas. This disease that demonstrates different clinical characteristics is caused by intracellular Leishmania protozoan. One of the important countries facing the incidence of this infectious disease is Iran. Recently, human immunodeficiency virus-Leishmania coinfection has been indicated in Iran. In the present case report, we show an atypical case of severe visceral leishmaniasis in a 52-year-old Iranian-Arab male with positive human immunodeficiency virus status. Leishmaniasis was detected by node biopsy and subsequently histopathology evaluations and confirmed by molecular methods. The current study was the first report of an atypical case of a patient with Leishmania-human immunodeficiency virus coinfection in southwestern Iran, which was not responsive to the treatment. Therefore, the health authorities should be aware of these reports, which require permanent clinical follow-up of the patients as well as effective treatments.


Derivatives of benzotetrazine-1,3-dioxide are new NO-donors, activators of soluble guanylate cyclase, and inhibitors of platelet aggregation.
The ability of 5-nitro-, 7-nitro-, and 5,7-dinitrobenzotetrazine-1,3-dioxides to generate nitric oxide (NO) and activate soluble guanylate cyclase was investigated. All of these compounds were found to be thiol-dependent NO-donors and guanylate cyclase activators. The maximal stimulatory effect of 5-nitro-, 7-nitro-, and 5,7-dinitrobenzotetrazine-1,3-dioxides was observed at 10 microM concentration and the activity increase was 4.5-, 15.0-, and 8.2-fold in the presence of 20 microM dithiothreitol and 11.3-, 31.6-, and 20.5-fold, respectively, in the presence of added glutathione (100 microM). The NO-dependent mechanism of benzotetrazine-1,3-dioxide nitroderivative-induced activation of soluble guanylate cyclase (in the presence of 100 microM glutathione) was confirmed by the inhibition (by 78%) of 7-nitrobenzotetrazine-1,3-dioxide (10 microM)-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity in the presence of the NO-scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (Carboxy-PTIO, 50 microM) and by the inhibition with 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 0.3 microM) of 5-nitro-, 7-nitro-, and 5,7-dinitrobenzotetrazine-1,3-dioxides (10 microM)-stimulated guanylate cyclase by 34, 69, and 39%, respectively. All compounds used inhibited ADP-induced aggregation of human platelets with IC50 of 10.0, 1.3, and 2.0 microM for 5-nitro-, 7-nitro-, and 5,7-dinitrobenzotetrazine-1,3-dioxides, respectively. A clearly defined correlation was established between the ability of the compounds to generate NO, activate soluble guanylate cyclase, and inhibit platelet aggregation.


New reagents for spectral titration of active site of chymotrypsin.
The reaction of alpha-chymotrypsin (ChT) with 2-phenyl-(E)-[4-(E)-cinnamylidene]oxazolin-5-one (E-PCO) or 2-phenyl-(Z)-[4-(E)-cinnamylidene]oxazolin-5-one (Z-PCO) at pH 4.5 and 25 degrees C led to the quantitative accumulation of the corresponding acyl-ChT intermediate. Very large changes in molar extinction coefficient were observed in the visible region during the conversion of the oxazolinones to the acyl-ChT intermediates. This afforded a reliable method for the spectral titration of ChT in the visible region. Both E-PCO and Z-PCO were stable under these conditions and did not cause any complication in the titration of the active site.


Preconcentration of molybdenum, antimony and vanadium in gasolsine samples using Dowex 1-x8 resin and their determination with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry.
Strong ion exchangers (Dowex 50W-x8 and Dowex 1-x8) were used for the separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of Mo, Sb and V in gasoline samples. Dowex 1-x8 resin was found to be suitable for the quantitative retention of these metal ions from organic matrices. The elution of the metal ions from Dowex 1-x8 resin was achieved by using 2.0 mol L(-1) HNO3 solution. The Dowex 1-x8 preconcentration and separation method gave an enrichment factor of 120 with limits of detection equal to 0.14, 0.05 and 0.03 μg L(-1) for Mo, Sb and V, respectively. The limits of quantification were found to be 0.48, 0.18 and 0.10 μg L(-1) for Mo, Sb and V, respectively. Under optimized conditions, the relative standard deviations of the proposed method (n=20) were <4%. The accuracy of Dowex 1-x8 preconcentration procedure was verified by the recovery test in the spiked samples of gasoline sample. The Dowex 1-x8 preconcentration method was applied to Conostan custom made oil based certified reference material for the determination of Mo, Sb and V. The results of the paired t-test at a 95% confidence level showed no significant difference. The separation and preconcentration procedure was also applied to the gasoline samples collected from different filling stations.


[Patellofemoral replacement for severe patellofemoral osteoarthritis: a 2-10 years follow-up study].
To evaluate the therapeutic effects of patellofemoral replacement for severe patellofemoral osteoarthritis. Patellofemoral replacement was performed in 30 patients (36 knee joints) with severe patellofemoral osteoarthritis, among whom were 5 males and 25 females. The patients ranged in age from 36 to 74 years old (mean +/- s, 55.8 +/- 8.5) and were followed up for 2-10 years. Significant improvement was made in both the knee score and functional score after the patellofemoral replacement. The effective rate was 88.9% and 91.7% evaluated with knee score and functional score respectively. Patellofemoral replacement is effective in treating severe patellofemoral osteoarthritis in appropriate cases.


Main features of COL4A1-COL4A2 related cerebral microangiopathies.
COL4A1 and COL4A2 genes encode the alpha1 and the alpha2 chains of type IV collagen, a key component of basement membranes. Mutations located in the coding sequence of COL4A1/COL4A2 genes are responsible for an autosomal dominant (AD) cerebral angiopathy that manifest in either adults, children or fetuses. The most typical among such mutations are missense glycine mutations in the triple helix. They increase the susceptibility to brain hemorrhage but can also promote the occurrence of multiple other types of systemic manifestations that can involve the eyes, kidneys or muscles. This condition is characterized by a very incomplete penetrance, and a wide phenotypic variability even among members of the same family. Recently, mutations in the COL4A1 3'UTR non-coding region that upregulate COL4A1 expression, and COL4A1/COL4A2 duplications, have been shown to cause AD forms of ischemic cerebral small vessel disease in adults. Herein, we summarize the genetic and pathophysiological aspects of these conditions, detail their clinical and imaging characteristics and discuss some principles in their clinical management.


Meaningful differences in maternal smoking behaviour during pregnancy: implications for infant behavioural vulnerability.
Smoking during pregnancy has been consistently associated with risk of problem behaviour in offspring. There is debate about whether this association reflects a teratological effect or is a marker for problematic maternal characteristics. We test these "competing" hypotheses by examining whether (1) exposure is associated with an early risk pathway by testing its association with infant temperamental difficultness, and (2) whether pregnancy quitting is associated with an early protective pathway, testing its association with easy infant temperament. We used the 9-month-old sweep of the Millennium Cohort Study, a cohort of over 18,000 infants born in 2000-2. Mothers were classified as pregnancy non-smokers, quitters and light or heavy smokers. Temperamental positive mood, receptivity to novelty and regularity were assessed with the Carey Infant Temperament Scale. Pregnancy quitters had infants with the highest scores of easy temperament and heavy smokers had infants with the lowest scores (F = 28.51, p<0.001). Pregnancy smoking also predicted difficult temperament: heavy smoking was associated with increased risk of low positive mood (OR = 1.17, p = 0.09). In contrast, pregnancy quitting exerted a protective effect with decreased risk of distress to novelty (OR = 0.79, p<0.01) and irregularity (OR = 0.89, p = 0.02) in these infants. Pathways from pregnancy smoking to offspring behaviour are complex and multi-determined. These findings suggest that both exposure and maternal characteristics associated with pregnancy smoking status contribute to offspring behavioural patterns. Research that characterises differences between quitters and persistent smokers and examines the role of these differences in prediction of early vulnerabilities and problems in adaptation over time will be important for elucidating these pathways.


Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return and atrial septal defect in adult patients detected with 128-slice multidetector computed tomography.
The present series describes a group of adults with left-to-right shunts including partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) and/or an atrial septal defect (ASD) evaluated with ECG-gated 128-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). PAPVR is defined as a left-to-right shunt where one or more, but not all, pulmonary veins drain into a systemic vein or the right atrium. PAPVR involving the right upper pulmonary vein can be associated with a sinus venosus ASD. The presence, course, number of anomalous veins and associated cardiovascular defects can be reliably observed by 128-slice MDCT angiography.


Erythropoietin-producing tubercle granuloma in a hemodialysis patient.
We describe a case of a fever of unknown etiology that was caused by a caseating tubercle granuloma which produced erythropoietin. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an erythropoietin- producing granuloma. A 48-year-old Japanese man with a 5-year history of maintenance hemodialysis for diabetic nephropathy presented with an intermittent fever over a few months. During febrile periods he developed erythema nodosum on his legs. Computed tomography showed axillary lymph node enlargement and this was further corroborated by a gallium scan that revealed high gallium uptake in these nodes. A Mantoux test was positive and an interferongamma release assay for tuberculosis diagnosis was also positive. Lymph node tuberculosis was suspected and the patient underwent lymphadenectomy. Histological analysis of the lymph nodes revealed a caseating granuloma that showed positive results on an acid-fast bacteria stain and a Mycobacterium tuberculosis polymerase chain reaction test. After lymphadenectomy, however, the patient's hemoglobin levels rapidly decreased from 144 to 105 g/L, and this was further compounded by a decrease in serum erythropoietin from 223 mIU/mL to 10.7 mIU/mL by postoperative day 21. We suspected the tubercle to be a source of the erythropoietin and this was further confirmed by in situ hybridization. We report for the first time ectopic erythropoietin production by a tuberculous lymph node. Our observations are substantiated by a postoperative decline in his erythropoietin level and a clinical requirement for erythropoietin treatment.


Cholesterol concentration and lipoprotein pattern in the serum of veal calves fed milk replacers with various levels of cholesterol.
Veal calves, aged about 1 week, were fed for 146 days milk replacement diets supplemented with various levels of cholesterol. Four groups consisting of 11 or 12 animals received diets to which 0, 0.19, 0.56 or 0.93% (on the basis of air-dry matter) cholesterol was added at the expense of fat. Cholesterol feeding significantly increased the level of serum cholesterol. This increase was either linear or S-shaped over the entire range of cholesterol feeding, depending on the time during which the calves were fed the diets. In the calves fed cholesterol, the ratio of free to esterified cholesterol in the serum was significantly increased. The ingestion of cholesterol markedly increased the cholesterol content of the VLDL, IDL and LDL fractions in the serum. When compared to the 0.56%-cholesterol diet, the inclusion of 0.93% cholesterol in the diet did not further increase the cholesterol concentrations in the IDL and LDL fractions. Upon density gradient ultracentrifugation of serum prestained for lipid with Sudan Black, it was observed that dietary cholesterol caused the HDL1 particles (1.063 less than d less than 1.092) to to shift towards a lower density range. Cholesterol feeding effected an increase in the level of serum triglycerides, the increase being already maximal with 0.19% cholesterol in the diet. Dietary cholesterol induced elevated concentrations of serum phospholipids, the elevation being proportional to the amount of cholesterol in the diet.


Reversible modification of arginine residues. Application to sequence studies by restriction of tryptic hydrolysis to lysine residues.
1, 2-Cyclohexanedione reacts specifically with the guanidino group of arginine or arginine residues at pH 8 to 9 in sodium borate buffer in the temperature range of 25-40 degrees. The single product, N-7, N-8-(1,2-dihydroxycyclohex-1,2-ylene)-L-arginine (DHCH-arginine) is stable in acidic solutions and in borate buffers (pH 8 to 9). DHCH-Arginine is converted to N-7-adipyl-L-arginine by periodate oxidation. The structures of the two compounds were elucidated by chemical and physicochemical means. Arginine or arginyl residues can be regenerated quantitatively from DHCH-arginine by incubation at 37 degrees in hydroxylamine buffer at pH 7.0 FOR 7 TO 8 hours. Analysis of native egg white lysozyme and native as well as oxidized bovine pancreatic RNase, which were treated with cyclohexanedione, showed that only arginine residues were modified. The utility of the method in sequence studies was shown on oxidized bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A. Arginine modification was complete in 2 hours at 35 degrees in borate buffer at pH 9.0 with a 15-fold molar excess of the reagent. The derived peptides showed that tryptic hydrolysis was entirely limited to peptide bonds involving lysine residues, as shown both by two-dimensional peptide patterns and by isolation of the resulting peptides. The stability of DHCH-arginyl residues permits isolation of labeled peptides.


Cobalt-55 positron emission tomography in symptomatic atherosclerotic carotid artery disease: borderzone versus territorial infarcts.
Borderzone as well as territorial infarcts can occur in severe atherosclerotic carotid artery disease. It remains controversial whether the borderzone distribution of infarcts is due to hypoperfusion or due to artery-to-artery embolism. The present study investigates whether cobalt-55 (55Co) positron emission tomography (PET) shows a different pattern of ischaemia according to the topography of the infarct in severe atherosclerotic carotid artery disease. Five patients with a cortical borderzone and seven with a territorial infarct, due to symptomatic carotid artery disease, were investigated with 55Co PET 3-6 months after stroke. Average 55Co counts in the infarct area, the adjacent cortical zone, the deep white matter and, contralateral cerebral cortex and white matter, were compared to the values in the cerebellum used as reference. No differences in 55Co ratio were observed in the different regions of interest (ROIs) between patients with cortical borderzone and those with territorial infarcts. The 55Co uptake was similar or lower than the reference value for all ROIs in all individual patients. In patients with borderzone as well as with territorial infarcts no evidence was found for subclinical ischaemic injury in or around the infarcts. These data do support the conclusion that cortical borderzone infarcts may not be due to ongoing chronic haemodynamic impairment, but by no means is this conclusive evidence.


Effect of vitamin D supplementation on the severity of stress urinary incontinence in premenopausal women with vitamin D insufficiency: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
Urinary incontinence, especially stress urinary incontinence (SUI), is one of the problems experienced by premenopausal women. Given the role of vitamin D in enhancing muscle strength and function, this study explored the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on SUI in premenopausal women. A randomized controlled trial was performed with 60 premenopausal women referring to Kerman gynecological clinic in 2020 and 2021. Eligible women received a 5000-unit vitamin D supplement or placebo weekly for 3 months. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-SF) was utilized to assess SUI severity before and after the intervention. The t-test, Chi-square test, and repeated measures ANOVA were carried out in SPSS software (version 22) to analyze the data. P-values smaller than 0.05 were considered significant. Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in SUI severity (P = 0.652) and the impact of SUI severity on premenopausal women's lives (P = 0.804). In contrast, after 8-12 weeks of vitamin D supplementation, these scores decreased significantly in the intervention group relative to the control group (P < 0.001). In addition, after vitamin D supplementation, the number of SUI and urinary leakage symptoms decreased in the intervention group (P < 0.001). Vitamin D supplementation improves SUI in premenopausal women. This trial was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials; https://fa.irct.ir/trial/53474 (IRCT20190724044318N2) on 11/02/2021.


The social robot companion to support homecare nurses: The guardian study protocol.
The reduction of the older people's self-sufficiency and the increase in the need for help in daily activities has a significant impact on the person and their caregivers. The primary objective of the GUARDIAN project is to enable the older people to live as long as possible at home, by means of the GUARDIAN socio-technical platform. and Analysis: The GUARDIAN platform consists of two connected apps: one dedicated to the caregiver (Caregiver App) and one dedicated to the older people (Senior App), plus a robot (Misty II), to provide coaching in an engaging modality. The study is designed as a technical feasibility pilot to test the GUARDIAN system on a group of older people. The proposed solution reflects the real wants and needs of the older people person, increasing the acceptability of the system. In addition, the GUARDIAN project has the potential to have distinguished two phases of testing, so that changes can be made to the platform between the first and second phases, using data, both qualitative and quantitative, collected after the first phase. The study was approved by the Ethic Committee of the IRCCS INRCA. It was recorded in ClinicalTrials.gov on the number NCT05284292.


[Application of polymeric adhesive compositions in the treatment of the esthetic deformity of upper part of the face].
The investigation deals with analysis of the application efficacy of the polyurethane polymeric adhesive composition with the folinic acid adding for fixation of the transposed tissues while the endoscopic lifting operation performing of the face upper part. Endoscopic lifting was performed for correction of the upper face ageing changes. The results of the investigation performed witness possibility and expediency of application of adhesive compositions for the tissues fixation while performing operation of endoscopic lifting of the face upper part.


The role of selective attention in Chinese emotional word processing: evidence from event-related potentials.
This study seeks to explore the interaction between ignored valence and attended valence in the processing of Chinese emotion words. The experimental materials utilized in this study consisted of Chinese emotion words. Participants were instructed to observe the words and press a key when presented with target words. Additionally, the electroencephalographic responses of the participants were recorded during the experiment. The results showed that emotional nontarget words elicited greater amplitude of the N170 in the attend-emotion words block compared to the attend-neutral words block. Negative nontarget words produce greater amplitude of the late posterior positivity compared to positive nontarget words. In addition, emotional nontarget words were influenced by both ignored and attended valence, whereby positive nontarget words resulted in larger amplitude of the N170 component in the attend-negative block compared to the attend-neutral block. The modulation pattern for negative nontarget words was evident on the left hemisphere. The findings suggest that emotional nontarget words received greater attentional resources in the attend-emotion words block during the early stages of processing, compared to the attend-neutral word block. Additionally, during the later stages of processing, negative nontarget words were more likely to be processed than positive nontarget words. Overall, these results provide support for the evaluation space model.


Modified sphenoidotomy for isolated sphenoid sinus disease: A series of 117 cases.
The atresia rate of sphenoid ostium after endoscopic sphenoidotomy for isolated sphenoid disease is 9.4%-10.2%. To reduce sphenoid sinus ostium atresia rate after sphenoidotomy surgery. The data of patients with isolated sphenoid sinus disease at our hospital between 2015 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The age, gender, disease course, pathology, postoperative follow-up time, anatomy data of sphenoid sinus and postoperative sinus ostium atresia rate were compared between the two groups of patients with traditional sphenoidotomy and modified sphenoidotomy. A total of 117 patients with isolated sphenoid sinus disease underwent endoscopic sphenoidotomy. There were 76 cases in the traditional sphenoidotomy group, fungus ball in 59.2% of patients, the postoperative sinus ostium atresia rate was 14.5%. There were 41 cases in the modified sphenoidotomy group, fungus ball in 53.6% of patients, and 0 case of sinus ostium atresia. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in postoperative sinus ostium atresia rate. There was no significant difference in age, pathology, postoperative follow-up time, anatomy data of sphenoid, and other data. The modified endoscopic sphenoidotomy may reduce the rate of postoperative sinus ostium atresia.


Intramedullary fibrosarcoma of the cervicomedullary junction: a case report.
A 17-year-old girl presented with signs of increased intracranial pressure. On computed tomography, an enhancing intraaxial lesion in the region of the foramen magnum was demonstrated. Surgical excision was performed. The pathological diagnosis was low grade fibrosarcoma. Her subsequent course was complicated by cerebrospinal fluid seeding, a posterior fossa recurrence, and repeated subarachnoid hemorrhage with cerebral vasospasm. A combination of radiotherapy and intraventricular chemotherapy has left the patient symptom-free 2 years after operation. The intramedullary appearance of fibrosarcoma and the unusual subsequent clinical course are discussed.


In vitro effects of extracellular hypercapnic acidification on the reactivity of rat aorta: Rat aorta vasodilation during hypercapnic acidification.
The mechanisms by which pH influences vascular tone are not entirely understood, but evidence suggests that the endothelium is involved. Here, we aimed to study the in vitro vascular responses induced by extracellular hypercapnic acidification (HA), as well as the endothelium-dependent mechanisms that are involved in the responses. We bubbled a mixture of CO2 (40%)/O2 (60%) in an organ bath; we constructed a pH-response curve (pH range 7.4-6.6) and registered isometric force simultaneously. Aortic rings from rats were pre-contracted with phenylephrine (10-6 M) and incubated for 30 min in the presence of different chemicals. The relaxations induced by HA occurred in rings with endothelium were: 1) Partially inhibited by indomethacin (10-5 M) (PGI2 pathway inhibitor); 2) Strongly inhibited by NO pathways: L-NAME (10-4 M) and L-NMMA (10-4 M) (no specific NO synthase inhibitors); L-Nil (10-3 M) (specific iNOS inhibitor); ODQ (10-4 M) (specific guanylate cyclase inhibitor), and; 4) Inhibit by tetraethylammonium (10-3 M) (non-specific potassium channel inhibitor), glibenclamide (10-5 M) (specific KATP inhibitor), aminopyridine (10-3 M) (specific Kv inhibitor) and apamin (10-6 M) (specific SKCa inhibitor). 1) HA causes endothelium-dependent relaxation; 2) Indomethacin failed in blocking this relaxation, but the method limitation does not allow ruling out some prostanoid role; 3) The HA vessel relaxation is mediated via cGMP/NO, and; 4) The hyperpolarization occurs by the action of potassium SKCa, KATP and Kv channels without relying on BKCa channels.


Androgens, Bilateral Oophorectomy, and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality in Postmenopausal Women With and Without Diabetes: The Study of Osteoporotic Fractures.
Diabetes elevates cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk more markedly in women than in men. Because the high risk of CVD among women with type 2 diabetes (DM2) may be partly due to increased ovarian androgen production, we investigated whether a history of bilateral salpingo oophorectomy (BSO) is inversely associated with CVD mortality among women with DM2. Data were obtained from 7,977 women (a random subset of 564 had measurements of sex-steroid hormones) enrolled in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF), a community-based, multicenter study that monitored women aged ≥65 years for a mean of 15.1 years. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression. The average age at baseline was 71.5 years, with 6.3% and 18% of participants reporting a history of diabetes or BSO, respectively. In the subset of the SOF cohort with sex-steroid hormone measurements, those with DM2 had 43.6% significantly higher levels of free testosterone that were partly explained by age and adiposity, whereas total and free testosterone levels were lower in women with BSO than in those with intact ovaries. CVD mortality was elevated in women with DM2 without BSO (HR 1.95, 95% CI 1.62-2.35) as well as in women with DM2 and BSO (HR 2.56, 95% CI 1.79-3.65; P = 0.190 for interaction). Overall, BSO was not associated with CVD mortality (HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.89-1.23). The association of diabetes with CVD was not reduced by BSO, suggesting that ovarian hyperandrogenemia may not be a primary mechanism to explain the high risk for CVD among women with DM2.


[Comparative evaluation of three techniques of passive haemoagglutination for the determination of HBsAg (author's transl)].
The AA. studied the reaction of indirect haemoagglutination for the determination of HBsAg in 157 sera from patients with viral hepatitis, with 3 differents commercial tests based on the agglutination by HBsAg, respectively, of sheep, turkey and human erythrocytes sensitized with antibody to HBsAg. All three techniques showed a high sensibility comparable to that of the RIA. Regarding specificity the best results were obtained with the turkey and human erythrocytes, while the sheep erythrocytes because of the presence of some aspecific positivity, need a confirmatory test.


Clinical and molecular analysis in families with autosomal recessive osteogenesis imperfecta identifies mutations in five genes and suggests genotype-phenotype correlations.
Autosomal recessive osteogenesis imperfecta (AR-OI) is an inherited condition which in recent years has been shown with increasing genetic and clinical heterogeneity. In this article, we performed clinical assessment and sought mutations in patients from 10 unrelated families with AR-OI, one of whom was presented with the additional features of Bruck syndrome (BS). Pathogenic changes were identified in five different genes: three families had mutations in FKBP10, three in SERPINF1, two in LEPRE1, one in CRTAP, and one in PPIB. With the exception of a FKBP10 mutation in the BS case, all changes are novel. Of note, insertion of an AluYb8 repetitive element was detected in exon 6 of SERPINF1. Since the studied patients had variable manifestations and some distinctive features, genotype/phenotype correlations are suggested.


Meloxicam-loaded solvent exchange-induced in situ forming beta-cyclodextrin gel and microparticle for periodontal pocket delivery.
The in situ forming system has attracted attention for periodontitis treatment owing to its sustainable drug release localisation at a periodontal pocket. Given its low aqueous solubility, beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) may serve as a matrix former of solvent exchange-induced in situ forming gel (ISG) and microparticle (ISM). Meloxicam (Mex)-loaded-β-CD ISG and ISM were prepared using β-CD in dimethyl sulphoxide (ISG) as the internal phase and camellia oil comprising 5% glyceryl monostearate as the external phase (ISM). Mex-loaded β-CD systems comprising 40% β-CD were easily injected via a 24-gauge needle. During solvent exchange with phosphate buffer saline (pH 6.8), the highly concentrated β-CD ISG promoted the phase inversion of β-CD aggregates into matrix-like. Upon exposure to aqueous phase, the ISM system comprising 40% β-CD transformed into microparticles and extended the drug release to 7 days with minimised initial burst release following Fickian diffusion. Moreover, the potential degradability was evident from the high weight loss. High maximum deformation force with high viscous character initiated the slow diffusion rate of the solvent from the ISM system. Therefore, 40% β-CD ISM is a potential local Mex-controlled release system of anti-inflammatory drug for periodontitis treatment.


[Preoperative embolization of bone and muscle tumors excluding spinal lesions].
The authors report 25 cases of pre-operative embolisation of tumours of bone or muscle. The aim of this technique is to improve surgical safety by diminishing hemorrhage at operation and to preserve vessels in the region of the tumour especially if secondary intra-arterial chemotherapy is required.


Non-random subcellular distribution of variant EKLF in erythroid cells.
EKLF protein plays a prominent role during erythroid development as a nuclear transcription factor. Not surprisingly, exogenous EKLF quickly localizes to the nucleus. However, using two different assays we have unexpectedly found that a substantial proportion of endogenous EKLF resides in the cytoplasm at steady state in all erythroid cells examined. While EKLF localization does not appear to change during either erythroid development or terminal differentiation, we find that the protein displays subtle yet distinct biochemical and functional differences depending on which subcellular compartment it is isolated from, with PEST sequences possibly playing a role in these differences. Localization is unaffected by inhibition of CRM1 activity and the two populations are not differentiated by stability. Heterokaryon assays demonstrate that EKLF is able to shuttle out of the nucleus although its nuclear re-entry is rapid. These studies suggest there is an unexplored role for EKLF in the cytoplasm that is separate from its well-characterized nuclear function.


Inadequacy of prebiotic synthesis as origin of proteinous amino acids.
The production of some nonproteinous, and lack of production of other proteinous, amino acids in model prebiotic synthesis, along with the instability of glutamine and asparagine, suggest that not all of the 20 present day proteinous amino acids gained entry into proteins directly from the primordial soup. Instead, a process of active co-evolution of the genetic code and its constituent amino acids would have to precede the final selection of these proteinous amono acids.


Identification of Chemical-Disease Associations Through Integration of Molecular Fingerprint, Gene Ontology and Pathway Information.
The identification of chemical-disease association types is helpful not only to discovery lead compounds and study drug repositioning, but also to treat disease and decipher pathomechanism. It is very urgent to develop computational method for identifying potential chemical-disease association types, since wet methods are usually expensive, laborious and time-consuming. In this study, molecular fingerprint, gene ontology and pathway are utilized to characterize chemicals and diseases. A novel predictor is proposed to recognize potential chemical-disease associations at the first layer, and further distinguish whether their relationships belong to biomarker or therapeutic relations at the second layer. The prediction performance of current method is assessed using the benchmark dataset based on ten-fold cross-validation. The practical prediction accuracies of the first layer and the second layer are 78.47% and 72.07%, respectively. The recognition ability for lead compounds, new drug indications, potential and true chemical-disease association pairs has also been investigated and confirmed by constructing a variety of datasets and performing a series of experiments. It is anticipated that the current method can be considered as a powerful high-throughput virtual screening tool for drug researches and developments.


Relationships between voluntary activation and motor unit firing rate during maximal voluntary contractions in young and older adults.
The extent to which an individual can voluntarily produce maximal muscular force can be estimated using the interpolated twitch technique. Incompleteness of activation is typically attributed to either incomplete recruitment, suboptimal firing rates or both of these mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between muscle activation and maximal motor unit firing rates. Measures of muscle activation and motor unit firing rates during maximal effort contractions were obtained from 15 subjects (8 young, 7 older) throughout a 6-week strength training program for the knee extensors. High resolution interpolated twitch responses were obtained using a circuit that removes the force level of the maximal voluntary contraction prior to amplification of the additional evoked force. Maximal firing rates were obtained using a four-wire needle electrode. Electrical stimulation of the knee extensors during maximal effort contractions evoked a transient increase in the force and the amplitude of this additional force was correlated with maximal firing rates at r = -0.62 (p < 0.05). Central activation ratio and activation level, two indexes of activation, were correlated with maximal firing rates at r = 0.58 (p < 0.05) and r = 0.68 (p < 0.05), respectively. The training program elicited parallel increases in muscular activation and maximal firing rates. These results provide direct support for maximal firing rate as a significant factor limiting maximal force production.


The signs of adaptive mutations identified in the chloroplast genome of the algae endosymbiont of Baikal sponge.
Background: The study of ecosystems of the great lakes is important as observations can be extended to ecosystems of larger scale. The ecological crisis of Lake Baikal needs investigations to discover the molecular mechanisms involved in the crisis. The disease of Baikal sponges is one of the processes resulting in the degradation of the littoral zone of the lake. Methods: The chloroplast genome fragment for the algae endosymbiont of Baikal sponge was assembled from metagenomic sequencing data. The distributions of polymorphic sites were obtained for the genome fragment, separately for samples from healthy sponge, diseased sponge and dead sponge tissues. Results: The comparative analysis of chloroplast genome sequences suggests that the symbiotic algae from Baikal sponge is close to Choricystis genus of unicellular algae. Also, the distributions of polymorphic sites allowed detection of the signs of extensive mutations in the chloroplasts isolated from the diseased sponge tissues. Conclusions: The study demonstrate the particular case of evolution at the molecular level due to the conditions of a severe crisis of a whole ecosystem in Lake Baikal. The detection of adaptive mutations in the chloroplast genome is an important feature which could represent the behavior of an ecosystem in the event of a severe crisis.


A review of network simulation models of hepatitis C virus and HIV among people who inject drugs.
Network modelling is a valuable tool for simulating hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID) and assessing the potential impact of treatment and harm-reduction interventions. In this paper, we review literature on network simulation models, highlighting key structural considerations and questions that network models are well suited to address. We describe five approaches (Erdös-Rényi, Stochastic Block, Watts-Strogatz, Barabási-Albert, and Exponential Random Graph Model) used to model partnership formation with emphasis on the strengths of each approach in simulating different features of real-world PWID networks. We also review two important structural considerations when designing or interpreting results from a network simulation study: (1) dynamic vs. static network and (2) injection only vs. both injection and sexual networks. Dynamic network simulations allow partnerships to evolve and disintegrate over time, capturing corresponding shifts in individual and population-level risk behaviour; however, their high level of complexity and reliance on difficult-to-observe data has driven others to develop static network models. Incorporating both sexual and injection partnerships increases model complexity and data demands, but more accurately represents HIV transmission between PWID and their sexual partners who may not also use drugs. Network models add the greatest value when used to investigate how leveraging network structure can maximize the effectiveness of health interventions and optimize investments. For example, network models have shown that features of a given network and epidemic influence whether the greatest community benefit would be achieved by allocating hepatitis C or HIV treatment randomly, versus to those with the most partners. They have also demonstrated the potential for syringe services and "buddy sharing" programs to reduce disease transmission.


Improving biocompatibility by surface modification techniques on implantable bioelectronics.
For implantable bioelectronic devices, the interface between the device and the biological environment requires significant attention as it dictates the device performance in vivo. Non-specific protein adsorption onto the device surface is the initial stage of many degradation mechanisms that will ultimately compromise the functionality of the device. In order to preserve the functionality of any implanted bioelectronics overtime, protein adsorption must be controlled. This review paper outlines two major approaches to minimize protein adsorption onto the surface of implantable electronics. The first approach is surface coating, which minimizes close proximity interactions between proteins and device surfaces by immobilizing electrically neutral hydrophilic polymers as surface coating. These coatings reduce protein fouling by steric repulsion and formation of a hydration layer which acts as both a physical and energetic barrier that minimize protein adsorption onto the device. Relevant performances of various conventional hydrophilic coatings are discussed. The second approach is surface patterning using arrays of hydrophobic nanostructures through photolithography techniques. By establishing a large slip length via super hydrophobic surfaces, the amount of proteins adsorbed to the surface of the device can be reduced. The last section discusses emerging surface coating techniques utilizing zwitterionic polymers where ultralow-biofouling surfaces have been demonstrated. These surface modification techniques may significantly improve the long-term functionality of implantable bioelectronics, thus allowing researchers to overcome challenges to diagnose and treat chronic neurological and cardiovascular diseases.


Induction of sister-chromatid exchanges and exchange aberrations by UV light and quinacrine mustard in relation to chiasma formation in a standard line and two oligochiasmatic mutants of Vicia faba L.
The frequencies of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) and exchange aberrations (EA) in root tip cells were compared to chiasma formation in pollen mother cells of a standard line and two oligochiasmatic lines of Vicia faba L. SCE and EA were induced by UV light and quinacrine mustard. Between the lines SCE frequencies were not different. The background level of SCE was doubled after UV irradiation and 4 times higher after exposure to quinacrine mustard in all Vicia lines analysed. However, the induced frequencies of EA were found to be different under the same treatment conditions for the standard line and the oligochiasmatic mutants. Between the frequencies of induced EA and the frequencies of chiasmata a correlation could be shown. The relationship between the formation of SCE and EA due to the reduced ability of meiotic recombination in the mutants of Vicia faba is discussed.


Obesity and female stress urinary incontinence.
The purpose of this article was to review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment options for stress urinary incontinence in the obese female patient and draw conclusions regarding the optimal treatment of this condition in this unique patient population. Obesity results in increased intra-abdominal pressure and this leads to weakening of the pelvic floor innervation and musculature. Weight loss through lifestyle modification and bariatric surgery improves stress urinary incontinence. Success of stress urinary incontinence surgery in obese women is similar to nonobese patients. Obese women should not be excluded from potentially curative surgery based on their body mass index (BMI) alone.


Chikungunya outbreak in Guangdong Province, China, 2010.
A disease outbreak with dengue-like symptoms was reported in Guangdong Province, China, in October 2010. Testing results confirmed that the pathogen causing the outbreak was chikungunya virus. Phylogenic analysis indicated that this virus was a member of the Indian Ocean clade of the East/Center/South African subgroup of chikungunya virus.


Pre-emptive steroids for a severe oedematous Buruli ulcer lesion: a case report.
Severe oedematous forms of Buruli ulcer (BU) often result in extensive tissue destruction, even with the institution of appropriate antibiotic treatment, leading to reconstructive surgery and long-term disability. We report a case of a patient with severe oedematous BU, which describes for the first time the pre-emptive use of prednisolone therapy commenced at the time of antibiotic initiation aimed at limiting the ongoing tissue destruction and its secondary sequelae. A 91-year-old Australian-born Caucasian woman presented with a WHO category 3 oedematous BU lesion on the anterior aspect of her right ankle that she had first noticed three weeks earlier. Treatment was commenced with an antibiotic combination of rifampicin and ciprofloxacin. At the same time, pre-emptive prednisolone was commenced (a dose of 0.5mg/kg daily). Treatment resulted in rapid and significant reduction in the size of the induration associated with the lesion, and no significant increase in the size of the skin ulceration. Antibiotics were continued for 56 days and prednisolone therapy ceased 130 days after antibiotics commenced. No surgery was required. The wound healed completely after 10 months and there was no long-term limitation of movement at the ankle joint. Pre-emptive corticosteroid therapy may prevent further progressive tissue necrosis and the need for secondary reconstructive surgery that commonly occurs during the antibiotic treatment of severe odematous forms of BU.


Therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome in a case of cutaneous adult T-cell lymphoma.
We report a case of therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome (t-MDS) in adult T-cell lymphoma. A 69-year-old man suffered from cutaneous adult T-cell lymphoma, which was treated with radiation to the skin and combination chemotherapy of CHOP-V-MMV and VEPA-B. After 14 months of these therapies, anemia and thrombocytopenia appeared, and bone marrow aspiration smears showed immature myeloblasts, dysplastic erythroblasts, and micromegakaryocytes. Therapy-related MDS of refractory anemia with an excess of blasts was diagnosed. Cytogenetic study of the bone marrow cells showed 5q- and additional abnormalities. Rearrangement of the MLL gene was observed in the bone marrow cells. Mutations of N-ras codons at 12,13, and 61, p53 tumor suppressor gene, and monoclonal integration of human T-lymphotrophic virus -1 provirus DNA were not observed in the bone marrow cells. The patient died of pneumonia 21 months after diagnosis of cutaneous adult T-cell lymphoma.


Herpetic keratitis with iritis after corneal crosslinking with riboflavin and ultraviolet A for keratoconus.
A 21-year-old woman had crosslinking for keratoconus in the right eye; the left eye was scheduled for penetrating keratoplasty. Five days postoperatively, she presented with geographic epithelial keratitis and iritis. Analysis of tear samples by polymerase chain reaction confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was treated with oral steroids and acyclovir, with significant improvement. Two months postoperatively, the visual acuity was improved and there was no evidence of herpetic disease recurrence. Crosslinking can induce herpetic keratitis with iritis even in patients with no history of herpetic disease. Early diagnosis and proper treatment are essential for a favorable outcome.


Familial Mediterranean fever and primary antiphospholipid syndrome, a rare association. A case report.
The authors present the case of a twenty-one-year-old woman with familial Mediterranean fever who during her first pregnancy developed a primary antiphospholipid syndrome. This is an association not reported previously.


Thyroidectomy practice in pediatric population: a national perspective.
To examine presentations and outcomes of pediatric patients underoing thyroidectomy. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the Nationwide Readmissions Database, 2010-2014, was performed. Study population included pediatric (<18 years) inpatients undergoing thyroidectomy. A total of 361 patients were included. Mean age was 13.5 ± 0.2 years, and 79.8% were female. Thyroid diseases included: (i) 19.0% thyroid cancer, (ii) 5.4% Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type II, (iii) 33.6% toxic nodular disease, and (iv) 42.0% non-toxic benign disease. Total thyroidectomy was performed in 67.7% of the patients, and 3.2% of the patients who had initial lobectomy were readmitted within 3 months for completion thyroidectomy. Postoperative complications were reported in 14.2% of the sample, and hypocalcemia was the most common complication (98.2%). Risk of hypocalcemia was significantly higher in patients who had thyroid cancer (risk = 20.9%, p = 0.011) or toxic thyroid diseases (risk = 19.8%, p = 0.033). Of the study population, 25.6% were managed exclusively in children's hospitals. Management in children's hospitals was not associated with improved outcomes or shorter hospital stay; however, it was associated with a significantly higher cost of health services [US $19,4575.0 ± 195.49 vs. US $13,788.00 ± 238.51, p < 0.001]. This study reports a national perspective on thyroidectomy in the pediatric population. Most thyroid surgeries performed in the pediatric population are performed for benign conditions. Most pediatric thyroidectomies are performed at low-volume centers. Surgeries performed in children's hospitals are significantly higher in cost without any associated improvement in outcomes or length of hospital stay.


In vitro studies on the action of CS-045, a new antidiabetic agent.
The mechanism of action of CS-045, a new orally active antidiabetic agent, was studied in vitro using cultured hepatoma cells (Hep G2) and muscle cells (BC3H-1). Treatment of both types of cultured cells with varying doses of CS-045 did not significantly alter insulin receptor binding. Basal and insulin-stimulated glucose transport in BC3H-1 cells was also unaltered by the drug. In contrast, CS-045 increased glycogen synthase I activity in both cell types. This effect was maximal after 24 hours and in Hep G2 cells was associated with a threefold increase in the apparent affinity of the enzyme for glucose-6-phosphate. Gluconeogenesis from lactate in Hep G2 cells was greatly reduced by CS-045 treatment. We conclude that CS-045 may act directly on muscle and liver cells to increase glucose utilization. It is also effective in reducing glucose production. These multiple effects may account in part for the ability of CS-045 to reduce blood sugar levels in vivo.


Lack of concordance of the Salmonella/microsome assay with the mouse dermal carcinogenesis bioassay for complex petroleum hydrocarbon mixtures.
Typical petroleum hydrocarbon mixtures were tested directly, without extraction, in the Salmonella/microsome mutagenesis assay in order to determine if the assay would be useful to predict their carcinogenic activity. The carcinogenic activity of each sample had been previously characterized in the in vivo mouse dermal carcinogenesis bioassay. The series of samples evaluated offered several advantages. They spanned a wide boiling point range, were well characterized chemically, had been tested for carcinogenic activity in a single laboratory, and varied in potency in vivo from inactive to highly active. Mutagenicity testing was performed in several well-established contract laboratories that routinely perform the assay. These laboratories were the main contracting laboratories for these assays at the time and had previously tested petroleum samples for clients. Initially, the first laboratory tested 13 samples in five strains of Salmonella typhimurium with and without rat liver S-9 (Arochlor 1254 induced), utilizing both plate and suspension techniques. None of the 13 samples exhibited a mutagenic response, even though 9 of the 13 were slightly to highly dermally carcinogenic in mice. Because of the unexpected results, it was decided to repeat the mutagenicity assays in two other laboratories. Six of the thirteen samples were selected, ranging in carcinogenic potency from negative to highly active. Again, none were mutagenic in the second contract laboratory. In a third facility, only one sample of the six exhibited a definite mutagenic response. However, the response was observed with a sample having only weak carcinogenic activity and, unusual for petroleum hydrocarbons, occurred without activation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Polymer-hybrid nanosystems for antiviral applications: Current advances.
The emergence of many new viruses in recent times has resulted in a significant scientific challenge for discovering drugs and vaccines that effectively treat and prevent viral diseases. Nanotechnology has opened doors to prevent the spread of several diseases, including those caused by viruses. Polymer-hybrid nanodevices are a class of nanotechnology platforms for biomedical applications that present synergistic properties among their components, with improved performance compared to conventional forms of therapy. Considering the growing interest in this emerging field and the promising technological advantages of polymer-hybrid nanodevices, this work presents the current status of these systems in the context of prevention and treatment of viral diseases. A brief description of the different types of polymer-hybrid nanodevices highlighting some peculiar characteristics such as their composition, biodistribution, delivery of antigens, and overall immune responses in systemic tissues are discussed. Finally, the work presents the future trends for new nanotechnological hybrid materials based on polymers and perspectives for clinical use.


Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) impacts on benthic fish communities in two tributaries of the Great Lakes.
Numerous fish species in the Laurentian Great Lakes have been negatively impacted by the establishment of the invasive Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus). However, limited understanding exists as to how Round Goby has impacted small-bodied native benthic fishes after its secondary invasion into tributaries of the Laurentian Great Lakes. To investigate Round Goby impacts on darter species (family Percidae) in tributary ecosystems, catch per unit area (CPUA) of native and non-native fishes from two riverine ecosystems in Southwestern Ontario (Ausable River, Big Otter Creek) were analyzed. Spatial analyses indicated Round Goby CPUA was highest proximate to the Great Lakes, with a sharp decline in CPUA at sites upstream from each lake (Round Goby CPUA approached zero after 18 and 14 km in the Ausable River and Big Otter Creek, respectively). There was some evidence of a negative relationship between the CPUA of Round Goby and several darter species along the tributary gradients, with moderately negative co-occurrence between Round Goby and Rainbow Darter in the Ausable River and Johnny Darter and Percidae species overall in Big Otter Creek. However, overwhelming evidence of negative associations between Round Goby and all darter species was not found. The negative relationship between the CPUA of Round Goby and some darter species was observed over similar time periods since establishment but greater spatial scales than in previous studies, and therefore has important implications for understanding the ecological impacts of Round Goby in tributary ecosystems.


Transcervical approach versus transfemoral approach for transcatheter aortic valve replacement.
The transfemoral (TF) approach is the gold-standard access route for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Alternative approaches, among which the transcervical (TC) approach, are needed in some patients. We aimed to compare TC-TAVR with TF-TAVR. All patients who underwent TAVR in our institution between 2016 and 2020, using Edwards SAPIEN family balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valves, were retrospectively included. Endpoints included 30-day all-cause mortality, procedural complications (according to the VARC-2 criteria), procedure duration, hospital length of stay (LOS) and echocardiographic outcomes. For 30-day all-cause mortality, we furthermore used a Cox proportional-hazards model to adjust for significant between-group differences in baseline characteristics as well as anesthesia modality. TAVR was performed in 306 patients, using a TF approach (n = 255) or a TC approach (n = 51). TC-TAVR was associated with significantly higher STS scores (4.06 [IQR (interquartile range), 2.05, 5.56] vs. 2.97 [IQR, 2.08, 4.88], p < 0.001) and higher prevalence of peripheral artery disease, history of stroke, previous cardiovascular surgery. 30-day mortality (hazard ratio, 0.87 [0.77, 9.77], p = 0.909) and stroke rates (2.0% vs. 1.6%, p = 0.840) were similar, as well as procedural duration (74.0 [53.0, 99.5] vs. 77.0 [58.0, 98.0] minutes, p = 0.370), LOS (6.0 [IQR, 3.0, 8.0] vs. 6.0 [IQR, 4.0, 9.0] days, p = 0.175) and postprocedural mean transvalvular gradient (10.00 [IQR, 8.00, 13.00] vs. 10.00 [IQR, 8.00, 12.00] mmHg, p = 0.724). Despite a higher cardiovascular disease burden in TC patients, TC-TAVR and TF-TAVR yielded similar outcomes. TC-TAVR may be a safe alternative when TF-TAVR is contraindicated.


A universal approach for producing lignin-based monocomponent fiber by one-step ethanol fractionation.
To achieve sustainable whole process of carbon-fiber production and high-value utilization of lignin, one-step ethanol fractionation followed by coaxial electrospinning was applied to produce lignin-based monocomponent carbon-fiber. To elucidate the mechanism, hydrothermal extracted poplar lignin (HPL) were obtained to be divide into two parts through ethanol fractionation, in which the ethanol-soluble lignin (ESL) was eletrcospun into fiber precursors. Then, to verify the universality of this method, four more lignin were extracted to produce fiber precursors, after which five kinds of carbon fibers were prepared by carbonization of the corresponding precursors. Structural analysis showed that ESL of HPL is a small and highly branched three-dimensional stereomolecules. Combined with the SEM results of fiber precursors, the mechanism which hydrogen bonding promotes fiber formation was elucidated. Among all five samples, carbon-fiber prepared from HPL possesses the minimum fiber diameter of 557 nm, the smallest interplanar spacing of 0.3909 nm, ID/IG value of 0.6345 and the largest specific surface area of 408.15 m2/g. This work proposes a universal method to prepare lignin-based monocomponent carbon-fiber, in which carbon-fibers prepared from HPL exhibits the best comprehensive performance and can be applied to capture radioactive iodine.


Randomised comparative trial of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system and mefenamic acid for the treatment of idiopathic menorrhagia: a multiple analysis using total menstrual fluid loss, menstrual blood loss and pictorial blood loss assessment charts.
To compare the efficacy and tolerability of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG IUS) with mefenamic acid in the management of objective idiopathic menorrhagia. Phase III, Single centre, open, randomised, comparative, parallel group study. District General Hospital in the United Kingdom. Fifty-one women with objective menorrhagia. Twenty-five women randomised to receive the LNG IUS and 26 to oral mefenamic acid for six cycles. Change from baseline in menstrual blood loss (MBL), total menstrual fluid loss (TMFL) and pictorial blood loss assessment chart (PBAC) score at the third and sixth cycle of treatment. After six cycles the median menstrual blood loss was 5 mL in the LNG IUS group and 100 mL in the mefenamic acid group (P < 0.001). Median TMFL was 27 mL in the LNG IUS group and 157 mL in the mefenamic acid group (P < 0.001). Median PBAC score was 25 in the LNG IUS group and 159 in the mefenamic acid group. Changes in menstrual blood loss correlated strongly to changes in TMFL (r= 0.88) but PBAC correlated less well to blood loss and total fluid loss (r= 0.53 and r= 0.58). Both the LNG IUS and mefenamic acid significantly decreased menstrual blood loss, TMFL and PBAC scores. The LNG IUS produced greater reductions in all parameters than mefenamic acid. Comparison of the different measurements suggests that TMFL assessment may be an easier and a more relevant measure of symptom severity than menstrual blood loss.


Security analysis of practical continuous-variable quantum key distribution systems under laser seeding attack.
Here, we investigate the security of the practical one-way CVQKD and CV-MDI-QKD systems under laser seeding attack. In particular, Eve can inject a suitable light into the laser diodes of the light source modules in the two kinds of practical CVQKD systems, which results in the increased intensity of the generated optical signal. The parameter estimation under laser seeding attack shows that the secret key rates of these two schemes may be overestimated, which indicates that this attack can open a security loophole for Eve to successfully obtain information about secret key in these practical CVQKD systems. To close this loophole, we propose a real-time monitoring scheme to precisely evaluate the secret key rates of these schemes. The analysis results indicate the implementation of the proposed monitoring scheme can effectively resist this potential attack.


Novel 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate reductase involved in synthesis of the Japanese sake flavor, ethyl leucate.
Ethyl-2-hydroxy-4-methylpentanoate (ethyl leucate) contributes to a fruity flavor in Japanese sake. The mold Aspergillus oryzae synthesizes leucate from leucine and then the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae produces ethyl leucate from leucate during sake fermentation. Here, we investigated the enzyme involved in leucate synthesis by A. oryzae. The A. oryzae gene/cDNA encoding the enzyme involved in leucate synthesis was identified and expressed in E. coli and A. oryzae host cells. The purified recombinant enzyme belonged to a D-isomer-specific 2-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase family and it NADPH- or NADH-dependently reduced 4-methyl-2-oxopentanate (MOA), a possible intermediate in leucine synthesis, to D-leucate with a preference for NADPH. Thus, we designated this novel enzyme as MOA reductase A (MorA). Furthermore, an A. oryzae strain overexpressing morA produced 125-fold more leucate than the wild-type strain KBN8243. The strain overexpressing MorA produced 6.3-fold more ethyl leucate in the sake than the wild-type strain. These findings suggest that the strain overexpressing morA would help to ferment high-quality sake with an excellent flavor. This is the first study to identify the MOA reductase responsible for producing D-leucate in fungi.


Metabolism of quinalbarbitone.
The human metabolism of (+/-)-5-allyl-5-(1'-methylbutyl) barbituric acid (I), quinalbarbitone, taken orally, has been studied. Comparison of g.c. and g.c.-m.s. data from derivatized extracts of urine with similar data from synthetic samples confirmed the presence of the two diastereoisomeric forms of 5-allyl-5-(3'hydroxy-1'-methylbutyl)barbituric acid (II), 5-allyl-5-(3'-oxo-1'-methylbutyl)barbituric acid (III), 5-allyl-5-(1'-methyl-3'-carboxypropyl)barbituric acid (IV), and 5-(2',3'-dihydroxypropyl)-5-(1'-methylbutyl)barbituric acid (V) in the urine. There was no evidence for the urinary excretion of unchanged drug. The rate of excretion of these metabolites has been examined in some detail, and rate-limited kinetics shown to apply for excretion of the acid (IV) and the diol (V).


Candidate gene analysis supports a role for polymorphisms at TCF7L2 as risk factors for type 2 diabetes in Sudan.
Genetic susceptibility to type 2 diabetes (T2D) is multifactorial. A growing number of genes have been identified as risk factors for T2D across multiple ethnicities in trans-ancestry meta-analysis of large-scale genome-wide association studies. Few studies have looked at these genes in Sub-Saharan African populations. This study was undertaken to look for associations between T2D and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a number of the top candidate genes in a selected Sudanese population. A total 240 T2D cases and 128 unrelated healthy control subjects were included in this study. Age, sex, weight and height were recorded, blood pressure and biochemical profiles of glucose and lipids were analysed. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping was performed using the Sequenom MassARRAY® system. Fourteen SNPs were selected across 7 genes: CAPN10 (rs2975760 and rs5030952), PPARG (rs17036314 and rs1801282), IGF2BP2 (rs4402960 and rs1470579), CDKAL1 (rs9465871), HHEX (rs1111875), TCF7L2 (rs7903146, rs11196205 and rs12255372), and KCNJ11 (rs5215, rs1800467 and rs5219). Allelic and haplotype association analyses were performed under additive models in PLINK. P ≤ 0.007 (=0.05/7 genes) was the P-value required to achieve correction for multiple testing. A significant genetic association between the SNPs rs7903146 (odds ratio 1.69, 95 % confidence interval 1.21-2.38, P = 0.002) and rs12255372 (odds ratio 1.70, 95 % confidence interval 1.20-2.41, P = 0.003) at TCF7L2 and T2D was found in Sudanese population. These associations were retained after adjusting for age, sex and BMI (e.g. rs7903146: odds ratio 1.70, P adj:age/sex/BMI = 0.005). The strongest haplotype association (odds ratio 2.24; P adj:age/sex/BMI = 0.0003) comprised the two point haplotype T_C across rs7903146 and rs11196205. Stepwise logistic regression demonstrated that SNP rs7903146 added significant main effects to rs11196205 or rs12255372, whereas the reverse was not true, indicating that the main effect for association with T2D in this population is most strongly tagged by SNP rs7903146. Adjusted analyses also provided support for protection from T2D associated with minor alleles at SNPs rs2975760 at CAPN10 (odds ratio 0.44, 95 % confidence interval 0.20-0.97, P adj:age/sex/BMI = 0.042) and rs1111876 at HHEX (odds ratio 0.60, 95 % confidence interval 0.39- 0.93, P adj:age/sex/BMI = 0.022). Multiethnic associations between T2D and SNPs at TCF7L2, CAPN10 and HHEX extend to Sub-Saharan Africa, specifically Sudan.


Histomorphometric effects of calcium or calcium plus 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 therapy in senile osteoporosis.
To evaluate the effects of calcium and 25-OHD in the therapy of senile osteoporosis, we studied a group of 39 women aged 69 +/- 7 (standard deviation, SD) years with severe osteoporosis. The group was characterized histomorphometrically by depressed bone remodeling rates without hyperosteoidosis. No subject had risk factors for osteopenia other than their age and postmenopausal status, and no subject was receiving therapy for bone disease at the onset of the study. Subjects were followed for 2 years after randomization to receive either 1200 mg/day of calcium (as calcium carbonate) and 40 micrograms/day of 25-OHD (calcium-25-OHD group), or 1200 mg/day of calcium plus placebo (calcium-placebo group). Calcium-25-OHD resulted in a clear increase in 25-OHD levels (p less than 0.001) and an increase in calcium absorption as indicated by urinary calcium excretion. Nevertheless, there was no significant change in fasting serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, PTH, or 1,25-(OH)2D in either group. Radial and phalangeal bone mineral content and trabecular bone volume in the biopsied patients remained stable in both groups over the 2 year period. Unexpectedly, repeat bone biopsies revealed a clear improvement in the rate of mineralization in both groups, presumably as a result of the calcium supplementation alone. In summary, calcium-placebo and calcium-25-OHD treatment were both associated with stable appendicular bone mineral content in women with senile osteopenia. The finding of an effect of calcium supplementation on the rate of mineralization indicates that relative calcium deficiency may impair the mineralization phase of remodeling.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Auriculotemporal syndrome after combined modality therapy for cancer.
Auriculotemporal syndrome frequently follows trauma to the auriculotemporal nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve. Classic symptoms are gustatory sweating and hyperemia, with pain occurring in less than 10% of cases. We have treated six patients for a variant of auriculotemporal syndrome following combined modality therapy for head and neck cancers. Unique was the presence of pain and the absence of gustatory sweating in all cases. The combination of radical surgery, chemotherapy, and irradiation obscured the "textbook" presentation, leading to initial misdiagnosis. Long-term relief (one year) from this atypical presentation of auriculotemporal syndrome was afforded by a simple mandibular nerve block, a technic that is of no sustained therapeutic benefit in the classic cases.


Impeded repair of abasic site damaged lesions in DNA adsorbed over functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube and graphene oxide.
The processing of abasic site DNA damage lesions in extracellular DNA in the presence of engineered carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) is demonstrated. The efficacy of the apurinic-apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) in the cleavage of abasic site lesions in the presence of carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH) and graphene oxide (GO) are compared. The CNMs were found to perturb the incision activity of APE1. The reason for such perturbation process was anticipated to take place either by the non-specific adsorption of APE1 over the free surface of the CNMs or steric hindrance offered by the CNM-DNA complex. Accordingly, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was selectively utilized to block the free surface of the CNM-DNA hybrid material. Further treatment of the CNM-DNA-BSA complex with APE1 resulted in a marginal increase in APE1 efficiency. This indicates that APE1 in solution is unable to process the abasic sites on DNA adsorbed over the CNMs. However, the cleavage activity of APE1 was restored in the presence of non-ionic surfactant (Tween 20) that inhibits adsorption of the DNA on the surface of the CNMs. The conformational deformation of the DNA, along with steric hindrance induced by the CNMs resulted in the inhibition of abasic site DNA repair by APE1. Moreover, appreciable changes in the secondary structure of APE1 adsorbed over the CNMs were observed that contribute further to the repair refractivity of the abasic sites. From a toxicological viewpoint, these findings can be extended to the study of the effect of engineered nanoparticles in the intracellular DNA repair process.


Phenothiazines reduce ischemic damage to the central nervous system.
We found substantial alterations in reactions catalyzed by calcium/phospholipid-dependent and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases during CNS ischemia which suggested that phenothiazines, drugs capable of inhibiting these reactions, might reduce neurologic damage. To test this hypothesis, we used chlorpromazine and trifluoperazine. Both drugs reduced neurologic function deficits relative to controls in a rabbit multiple cerebral embolism model and a rabbit spinal cord ischemia model. Chlorpromazine was effective despite reduction of blood pressure, and trifluoperazine did not alter blood pressure. These findings suggest that phenothiazines may be useful for preserving neurologic function when administered shortly after the onset of CNS ischemia.


Responses of amino acid metabolizing enzymes from plants differing in salt tolerance to NaCl.
This paper reports the effects of NaCl on the in vivo activity of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and on the in vitro activity of GDH, both enzymes having been isolated from plants differing in salt tolerance. The plants investigated were Vicia faba (salt-sensitive), Atriplex nitens and Atriplex calotheca (more or less salt-tolerant), and Atriplex halimus (halophyte) grown at various NaCl concentrations. GDH and GOT isolated from various salt-tolerant plants grown at low NaCl concentrations were inhibited in a similar way. At high NaCl concentrations, the enzyme activities remain at constant values only in the Atriplex species. GOT was more impaired by NaCl than GDH. In the case of GOT, the double reciprocal plot indicated the type of a noncompetitive inhibition. The in vitro effect of NaCl on the activity of GDH from the differentially salt-tolerant plants was of a different kind, i.e. GDH isolated from V. faba was clearly inhibited by NaCl, whereas NaCl stimulated the activity of GDH from all Atriplex species investigated. Kinetic analysis showed that substrate inhibition of GDH from A. nitens and A. calotheca grown at non-saline conditions could be removed by NaCl. Inhibition by high NaCl concentrations at low substrate concentrations was removable by increasing substrate concentrations. Moreover, the inhibition at low substrate concentrations was shown to be competitive. GDH lost this regulatory property when the plants were pretreated with 500 mM NaCl. GDH from A. halimus also possessed this control, but in contrast to A. nitens and A. calotheca, activity and control of GDH isolated from A. halimus were stimulated by pretreating the plants with 500 mM NaCl. The results showed that DDH isolated from the salt-tolerant Atriplex species was adapted to high NaCl concentrations of the tissue. Possible mechanisms of the interactions between GDH from salt-tolerant Atriplex species and NaCl are discussed.


Regulation of avian uncoupling protein (av-UCP) expression by cytokines and hormonal signals in quail myoblast cells.
Uncoupling proteins (UCPs), members of the mitochondrial anion carrier family, play a pivotal role in thermogenesis, redox balance, reactive oxygen species and many other cellular processes. They were extensively studied in mammalian species and have been shown to be tightly regulated at transcriptional and translational levels by various environmental and hormonal factors. Such studies are very limited in avian species which represent a unique model because they lack brown adipose tissue and they contain only one UCP (av-UCP) predominantly expressed in the muscle. The present study aimed, therefore, to determine the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNFα) and energy homeostasis-related hormones (leptin and T3) on the expression of av-UCP and its related transcription factors in quail myoblast (QM7) cells. Leptin treatment for 24 h significantly down-regulated av-UCP, and up-regulated PGC-1α, PPARα, and PPARγ expression in QM7 cells. IL-6 and TNFα administration significantly up-regulated the expression of av-UCP, however T3 had a biphasic effects (up-regulation with low dose and down-regulation with high dose) on av-UCP mRNA levels (P < .05). TNFα significantly induced PPARα and PPARγ mRNA abundances, however T3 and IL-6 down-regulated PPARα expression (P < .05). Together, these data are the first to report cytokine and hormonal regulation of av-UCP in avian muscle cells, suggesting that these effects are mediated through PPARs and PGC-1α, and opening a new vista for future functional and mechanistic studies.


Factors associated with an increased impact of child sexual abuse.
Data is presented identifying factors associated with the impact of sexual abuse on children. A group of 369 sexually abused children and a comparison group of 318 children recruited from the community were compared on a parent-completed behavior rating scale. Data describing the abused children were also available from a 38-item symptom checklist completed by the child's social worker. Using a score based on the symptom checklist as the measure of the impact of sexual abuse, 15 variables were in the final regression equation explaining 42% of the variance in impact. Using a score based on parent-generated data, 5 variables were in the final equation explaining 20% of the variance. The significance of the variables in identifying factors associated with an increased impact of abuse is discussed.


On the nature of myopia and the mechanism of accommodation.
An experiment in which pressure was applied to the globe of the eye by artificially-induced contraction of the superior oblique muscles produced two effects: 1) Dual vision, consisting of two separate, superimposed, retinal images, one blurred and one clear; and 2) A 5 diopter increase in myopia. It was concluded that the pressure, transmitted through the sclera to the vitreous, forced the vitreous against the back of the lens, flattening the periphery but not the axial (central) region, resulting in a high degree of negative spherical aberration, combined with accommodation. This suggests that accommodation can be actuated by contraction of the extraocular muscles. When the pressure was released, it took several years for the dual image to subside. This suggests that when the lens is released after a long period of accommodation, the return to the unaccommodated state is extremely slow, and that a significant factor in the etiology of myopia is repeated long periods of accommodation in which periods of rest are insufficient to allow the lens to return completely to the unaccommodated state.


Publication Trends in Reablement - A Scoping Review.
Reablement is a holistic and multidisciplinary intervention that can facilitate achievement of service users' goals related to their independence in everyday activities. Reablement has been the subject of increasing scientific activity in recent years. Currently, no review has provided a broad overview of the extent and breadth of international publications in reablement. The objectives were 1) to map the volume of reablement publications, how the publications had increased over time, and their geographical distribution, 2) to identify the publication types and designs, 3) to identify publication trends, and 4) to identify knowledge gaps in the current peer-reviewed literature. The scoping review approach designed by Arksey and O'Malley was used to identify peer-reviewed articles on reablement. Information was obtained on scientific activity on reablement over a period of more than two decades from five electronic databases and without language restrictions. Data was extracted from the eligible articles and both descriptive analysis and thematic analysis of the data was performed. A total of 198 articles published from 1999 to August 2022 from 14 countries were identified. There is a continuous interest in the field from countries where reablement has been implemented. An international and historical overview among countries with peer-reviewed publications on reablement is presented, which also partly reflects the countries that have implemented reablement. Most of the research derives from Western countries, in particular from Norway. Varied approaches to publications in reablement were noted with the majority being empirical and quantitative in nature. The scoping review confirms the continued expansion of the breadth of reablement-focused publications in terms of originating countries, target populations, and research designs. In addition, the scoping review contributes to the knowledge base regarding reablement's research front.


Clinical significance of programmed cell death 4 expression in malignant progression of human nasal inverted papillomas.
Programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) is a novel tumor suppressor gene that can inhibit tumor neoplastic transformation and progression in cultured cells and gene knock-out mouse models. Lost or decreased PDCD4 expression has been associated with progression and prognosis of multiple types of human tumors. However, the expression and clinical significance of PDCD4 in nasal inverted papillomas (NIPs) has not been investigated. We compared PDCD4 expression in 64 samples of NIPs, 23 of associated squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), and 19 normal nasal samples at mRNA and protein levels by RT-PCR, western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry. PDCD4 mRNA expression was reduced in 52% of NIP frozen samples (13/25), and the protein level was diminished in 56.3% of samples (36/64) as compared with 19 normal nasal samples, which expressed high levels of PDCD4 mRNA and protein. Furthermore, altered expression of PDCD4 was associated with the clinicopathological features Krouse stage and dysplasia. Importantly, we found a strong negative correlation of PDCD4 expression and Ki-67 labeling index in NIPs (r=-0.6645, p<0.001). In addition, the 3 tissue-sample groups significantly differed in PDCD4 expression and Ki-67 labeling index. Thus, PDCD4 expression may play a key role in pre-cancerous lesions of human NIPs and may help predict malignant progression from benign nasal tumors to associated SCC.


Single-molecule assays reveal that RNA localization signals regulate dynein-dynactin copy number on individual transcript cargoes.
Subcellular localization of mRNAs by cytoskeletal motors plays critical roles in the spatial control of protein function. However, optical limitations of studying mRNA transport in vivo mean that there is little mechanistic insight into how transcripts are packaged and linked to motors, and how the movement of mRNA-motor complexes on the cytoskeleton is orchestrated. Here, we have reconstituted transport of mRNPs containing specific RNAs in vitro. We show directly that mRNAs that are either apically localized or non-localized in Drosophila melanogaster embryos associate with the dynein motor and move bidirectionally on individual microtubules, with localizing mRNPs exhibiting a strong minus-end-directed bias. Single-molecule fluorescence measurements reveal that RNA localization signals increase the average number of dynein and dynactin components recruited to individual mRNPs. We find that, surprisingly, individual RNA molecules are present in motile mRNPs in vitro and provide evidence that this is also the case in vivo. Thus, RNA oligomerization is not obligatory for transport. Our findings lead to a model in which RNA localization signals produce highly polarized distributions of transcript populations through modest changes in motor copy number on single mRNA molecules.


Tibialis Anterior and Posterior Tendon Transfer for Clubfoot Relapse in a Child with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Case Report.
A boy with bilateral congenital clubfoot, Kleefstra syndrome, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) developed clubfoot relapse after excellent initial correction with the Ponseti method and maintenance abduction bracing. A traditional clubfoot tibialis anterior transfer was augmented with a tibialis posterior tendon transfer, given underlying DMD at ages 7 and 10 years for the right foot and left foot, respectively. This case illustrates successful maintenance of correction using combined tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior tendon transfer. Tibialis posterior tendon transfer may be useful for clubfoot relapse in conditions that weaken the tibialis anterior or in failed tibialis anterior tendon transfers.


Hymenolepis diminuta: the effects of infection on transepithelial ion transport and tight junctions in rat intestines.
In this study, we examine the effect of Hymenolepis diminuta on ion transport in the ileum and on tight junctions in the ileum and colon of rats. We also evaluate the effect of H. diminuta on C-fiber endings in the ileum, the direct habitat of H. diminuta, before and after mechanical stimulation and pharmacological modification by capsaicin (C-fiber irritant). Wistar rats were orally infected with five cysticercoids of H. diminuta. Using a modified Ussing chamber, electrophysiological parameters of the ileum were measured (transepithelial electrical potential difference and transepithelial electrical resistance) as well as the deposition of occludin (a tight junction protein) in the ileum and colon of the rats 8, 16, 25, 35, 40 and 60 days post infection. We observed a significant reduction in transepithelial electrical potential difference in the ileum of rats infected with H. diminuta. In both the ileum and colon of rats infected with H. diminuta we also observed a decrease in occludin deposition, which indicates leakage of tight junctions, correlating with the decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance of these tissues. The application of capsaicin confirmed the hypothesis that H. diminuta in rats affects the C-fiber sensory receptors, causing changes in ion transport in the ileum. The results of the performed electrophysiological and immunohistochemical examinations indicate hymenolepidosis-related changes in the active transport of ions and the passive movement of ions.