An overview and assessment of the existing technological options for management and resource recovery from beach wrack and dredged sediments: An environmental and economic perspective.
The present work discusses the problems and management options of beach wrack and dredged sediments. Beach wrack and dredged sediments near the shores have affected the coastal ecosystem, badly. The piles of beach wrack residues might be a significant emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and dredged sediment is a substantial source of heavy metals and other pollutants. The recovery of valuable resources such as metals and nutrients from these so-called "wastes" is a sustainable strategy to enhance the resilience of the coastal ecosystem and management. The beach wrack meadows can be a potential source for green energy production. Even the demand for biodegradable polymers can be supplied by utilizing the waste beach wracks. The residues of beach wrack species like Posidonia oceanica, Zostera marina, Ulva spc. and Enhalus acorodies can be very beneficial species in terms of economic growth. Red algae have been the most favored and efficient candidate for methane yield. In case of dredged sediment, dewatering of sediment is an essential step for successful resource extraction. Although, extraction methods are almost similar to that applied for soil treatment, which includes pretreatment, physical partitioning, washing, thermal treatment, biological extraction, and immobilization. The fractionation study can be a beneficial tool for determining the metal species present in the sediment. Immobilization techniques are successful but continuous monitoring is required. The vitrification technique is highly effective but very expensive. Thermal treatment is useful for volatile metals such as mercury (Hg), but costs are high. Biological extractions are comparatively cheap but time-consuming. Henceforth, very few extraction methods are available for sediment and required further advancement in this field.


Onset of ulcerative colitis after thyrotoxicosis: a case report and review of the literature.
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease that could be triggered by acute stressful events, such as gastrointestinal infections or emotional stress. We reported the case of the onset of an ulcerative colitis after a thyrotoxicosis crisis and reviewed the literature about the relationships between thyroid dysfunctions and ulcerative colitis. A 38-year-old woman was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis after her third thyrotoxicosis crisis, two years after the diagnosis of Graves' disease. In this case, thyrotoxicosis acted as a trigger for ulcerative colitis onset. Hyperthyroidism could be a trigger able to elicit ulcerative colitis in susceptible patients.


Camganoids A and B, two new sesquiterpenes with different carbon skeletons isolated from fruits of Cinnamomum migao.
To isolate and identify the undescribed compounds from the fruits of Cinnamomum migao and evaluate its nitric oxide inhibition potential. The chromatographic techniques of silica gel, Sephadex, and HPLC were used for isolation and purification of the compounds, while HR-ESI-MS, 1D NMR, 2D NMR, ECD, and X-ray diffraction techniques were used to characterize and confirm the isolated compounds. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activity of the isolated compounds was carried out to check inhibitory potential against the production of nitric oxide with RAW264.7 cells stimulated by LPS. Camganoid A (1), a novel sesquiterpene possessing an unprecedented skeleton, and camganoid B (2), containing a unique eight-membered sesquiterpene moiety with a new carbon skeleton, were isolated and identified from the fruits of C. migao. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Among these compounds, compound 1 exhibited potent inhibitory activity against the production of nitric oxide with IC50 value of 4.59 μmol/L in RAW264.7 cells stimulated by LPS. The isolation of two new skeletons from the fruits part of C. migao possessed unique skeletons which have not been reported before.


Relationship of endogenous sex steroid hormones to lipids and apoproteins in postmenopausal women.
The relationships between blood levels of estrogen and lipoprotein lipids and apoproteins were evaluated in 120 women early in the climacteric. Among women who were 1-year amenorrheic, not taking hormone replacement therapy, and with follicle-stimulating hormone levels greater than 720 ng/ml, serum estradiol levels were positively related to concentrations of the high density lipoprotein 2 cholesterol (HDL2c) subfraction. There was a substantial decrease in HDL2c and apoprotein (apo) A-I in women whose estradiol levels decreased to less than or equal to 2.5 pg/ml from the first to the second postmenopausal examination. In a sample of women evaluated during the perimenopause (3-months' amenorrheic), those with the highest concentrations of estradiol or estrone showed a (nonsignificantly) higher level of HDL2c and a lower level of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) than did those with the lowest concentration of estradiol or estrone. Estradiol levels declined dramatically between the perimenopausal and the postmenopausal examinations, and this was accompanied by a decrease in HDL2c and a nonsignificant increase in LDLc. HDL2c levels fell substantially in those women whose estradiol decreased below the sensitivity of the assay. The change, however, was not statistically significant. Estrone is the primary postmenopausal estrogen, and levels are directly related to obesity, as are levels of insulin. The interrelationship among obesity, conversion of estrone to estradiol at the tissue level, and insulin (or insulin sensitivity) is probably the primary determinant of HDLc concentration among postmenopausal women.


Molecular evidence of piroplasm infection in companion animals in Hunan Province, China.
Feline and canine babesiosis is an important tick-borne disease caused by parasites of the genus Babesia. The disease has a worldwide distribution and causes serious health problems in domestic and wild canidae and felidae. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples, which were randomly collected from pet dogs (n = 115) and cats (n = 25) in Changsha city of Hunan Province, China. Results of nested PCR assay targeting 18S rRNA gene and partial gene sequencing revealed that seven animals were infected with Babesia species, five dogs (5/115, 4.3%) and two cats (2/25, 8.0%). Sequence analysis showed that four dogs (3.5%) were positive for Babesia canis, and the other one for Babesia vogeli (0.87%). The two cats were infected by Babesia hongkongensis. The findings of this study will expand knowledge of the distribution of Babesia species and provide important epidemiological information for the control of animal babesiosis in China.


Bismuth(III) triflate promoted intramolecular hydroamination of unactivated alkenyl sulfonamides in the preparation of pyrrolidines.
Bi(OTf)(3)·nH(2)O was found to be an efficient promoter of the cyclisative hydroamination of unactivated alkenyl sulfonamides, giving rise to the N-protected 2-methyl pyrrolidines in good to excellent yields (up to 95%). Based on control experiments, a joint Lewis acid-Brønsted acid catalysis might be in operation, or triflic acid itself, generated in situ by hydrolysis of metal triflate, could be the true hydroamination catalyst.


Growth inhibition by protein kinase C late in mitogenesis.
The importance of alpha-thrombin in the clotting cascade is well-known, but it is also a potent mitogen. Like many other mitogens, thrombin causes receptor-mediated activation of a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PLC), leading to the release of diacylglycerol and the subsequent activation of protein kinase C (refs 3-6). Protein kinase C is probably important in cell proliferation, as activation of this enzyme by phorbol esters promotes growth in many systems. Some growth factors have tyrosine kinase activity and function without activation of PLC or protein kinase C. In this report we show that alpha-thrombin retains its mitogenicity in vascular smooth muscle cells depleted of protein kinase C. Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) is found to be a potent growth inhibitor when added to vascular smooth muscle cells with alpha-thrombin. Moreover, growth inhibition is maximal when protein kinase C is activated 4 hours after exposure to thrombin, long after the completion of 'early events' induced by thrombin. Thus, PMA probes an event late in the G1 phase of the cell cycle or at the G1-S transition.


High lymphocyte counts before antithymocyte globulin administration predict acute graft-versus-host disease.
Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) reduces severe acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). However, risk factors for severe acute GVHD in PBSCT using ATG remain to be determined. We conducted a single-center, retrospective study to analyze the association of acute GVHD requiring systemic corticosteroid (SC-aGVHD) with absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) before the administration of ATG or conditioning in 53 patients with HLA-matched PBSCT using low-dose thymoglobulin (2 mg/kg) after myeloablative conditioning. The cumulative incidence of SC-aGVHD was 17.0% and ALC before ATG were significantly higher in patients with SC-aGVHD compared to that in patients without it (median, 0.15 × 109/L vs 0.06 × 109/L, P = 0.047). The cumulative incidence of SC-aGVHD was significantly higher in patients with high ALC before ATG (≥ 0.15 × 109/L) than in those with low ALC (38.5% vs 10.0%, P = 0.016). Non-relapse mortality (NRM) was also significantly higher in the high ALC before ATG group than the low ALC before ATG group (2-year NRM: 23.9% vs 6.0%, P = 0.048), leading to worse survival (2-year overall survival: 69.2% vs 83.5%, P = 0.039). Our study suggested that high ALC before ATG is a risk factor for SC-aGVHD.


Hepatic transport of bile acids in the isolated perfused rat liver. Structure-kinetic relationship.
We studied the transport kinetics of a series of bile acids from blood to bile in the isolated perfused rat liver in order to define better the relationship between chemical structure of bile acid molecules and efficiency of the overall hepatic transport process. BA studied were taurocholate (TC), glycocholate (GC), cholate (C), tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDC), ursodeoxycholate (UDC) and hyodeoxycholate (HDC). Estimates of intrinsic hepatic clearance (Cl(int)), maximal secretory rate (Vmax) were provided from the analysis of the relationship between bile acid removal rates and sinusoidal concentration under steady-state conditions. TC and TUDC had the highest Cl(int) (about 5 ml/min/g liver) and Vmax (about 800 nmol/min/g liver) followed in order by GC (1.71 ml/min/g liver; 442 nmol/min/g liver); C (1.25 ml/min/g liver; 252 nmol/min/g liver); HDC (0.86 ml/min/g liver; 238 nmol/min/g liver); UDC (0.72 ml/min/g liver; 176 nmol/min/g liver). The findings suggest that the efficiency of the overall hepatic transport of bile acids is highly dependent on their molecular structure and that conjugation has a more important effect on both Cl(int) and Vmax that the number or position of hydroxyl groups.


Management of laryngotracheal stenosis in infants and children: the role of re-do surgery in cases of severe subglottic stenosis.
Although many advances have improved the treatment of congenital and acquired laryngotracheal stenosis in children over the past two decades, the therapeutic decision-making process remains challenging for pediatric surgeons and otolaryngologists. Severe subglottic stenosis is a complex laryngeal injury that necessitates multiple airway procedures, and the approach depends on the exact nature of the cicatricial lesion and its effect on the vocal cord mobility. Therefore, it is imperative that the pediatric surgeons and otolaryngologists dealing with this situation should be well trained in endoscopy and laser treatment, in addition to open surgical intervention. Open re-do surgery remains the best choice in cases of severe congenital stenosis, glottic immobility, or after two to three endoscopic procedures have been performed without any significant improvement.


Patient dose levels for seven different radiographic examination types.
This study was carried out as a part of a comprehensive project to establish a national diagnostic reference level (NDRL), for the first time, in Saudi Arabia. Seven of the most common X-ray examinations (10 projections) were included. This study consisted of 200 patients who were referred for X-ray examinations at King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH). The selected X-ray examinations were skull (PA), kub (AP and LAT), ankle (AP and LAT), foot (AP/OBL and LAT/OBL), hib (AP and LAT) and sinuses paranasal (AP). Mean patient information and exposure parameters for these seven radiographic examinations were recorded at KKUH. Some of these radiographic examinations were compared with their corresponding values at other national places [Security Forces Hospital (SFH); King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)] in Saudi Arabia. We found that the patient mean dose values recorded at KKUH were varied from those recorded at other national places. Wide variations in patient dose arising from a specific type of X-ray examination at different national places suggests that significant reductions in patient dose would be possible without affecting image quality. Furthermore, variations in patient dose may emerge from the examination technique, clinical condition, radiologist skill, tube current, tube potential and focus to film distance. The data of this study will be useful for the formulation of NDRLs, and it is also provides local diagnostic reference levels for some diagnostic X-ray examinations at KKUH and other national places in Saudi Arabia.


Report by David M. Eisenberg, M.D., on educational issues pertaining to complementary and alternative medicine in the United States.
In the second of his two presentations, David Eisenberg, M.D., addressed the challenge of educating today's physicians and the next generation of medical students in the area of complementary and alternative medicine.


Exercise training reduces ventricular arrhythmias through restoring calcium handling and sympathetic tone in myocardial infarction mice.
Exercise can improve morbidity and mortality in heart failure patients; however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully investigated. Thus, we investigated the effects of exercise on cardiac function and ventricular arrhythmias in myocardial infarction (MI) induced heart failure mice. Wild-type male mice underwent sham-operation or permanent left coronary artery ligation to induce MI. MI mice were divided into a sedentary (MI-Sed) and two intervention groups: MI-Ex (underwent 6-week treadmill exercise training) and MI-βb (oral bisoprolol treatment (1 mg/kg/d) without exercise). Cardiac function and structure were assessed by echocardiography and histology. Exercise capacity and cardiopulmonary function was accepted as oxygen consumption at peak exercise (peak VO2 ). Autonomic nervous system function and the incidence of spontaneous ventricular arrhythmia were evaluated via telemetry recording. mRNA and protein expressions in the left ventricle (LV) were investigated by real-time PCR and Western blotting. There were no differences in survival rate, MI size, cardiac function and structure, while exercise training improved peak VO2 . Compared with MI-Sed, MI-Ex, and MI-βb showed decreased sympathetic tone and lower incidence of spontaneous ventricular arrhythmia. By Western blot, the hyperphosphorylation of CaMKII and RyR2 were restored by exercise and β-blocker treatment. Furthermore, elevated expression of miR-1 and decreased expression of its target protein PP2A were recovered by exercise and β-blocker treatment. Continuous intensive exercise training can suppress ventricular arrhythmias in subacute to chronic phase of MI through restoring autonomic imbalance and impaired calcium handling, similarly to that for β-blockers.


DNA base modifications in chromatin of human cancerous tissues.
Free radical-induced damage to DNA in vivo is implicated to play a role in carcinogenesis. Evidence exists that DNA damage by endogenous free radicals occurs in vivo, and there is a steady-state level of free radical-modified bases in cellular DNA. We have investigated endogenous levels of typical free radical-induced DNA base modifications in chromatin of various human cancerous tissues and their cancer-free surrounding tissues. Five different types of surgically removed tissues were used, namely colon, stomach, ovary, brain and lung tissues. In chromatin samples isolated from these tissues, five pyrimidine-derived and six purine-derived modified DNA bases were identified and quantitated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with selected-ion monitoring. These were 5-hydroxy-5-methylhydantoin, 5-hydroxyhydantoin, 5-(hydroxymethyl)uracil, 5-hydroxycytosine, 5,6-dihydroxycytosine, 4,6-diamino-5-formamidopyrimidine, 8-hydroxyadenine, xanthine, 2-hydroxyadenine, 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine, and 8-hydroxyguanine. These compounds are known to be formed typically by hydroxyl radical attack on DNA bases. In all cases, elevated amounts over control levels of modified DNA bases were found in cancerous tissues. The amounts of modified bases depended on the tissue type. Lung tissues removed from smokers had the highest increases of modified bases above the control levels, and the highest overall amounts. Colon cancer tissue samples had the lowest increases of modified bases over the control levels. The results clearly indicate higher steady-state levels of modified DNA bases in cancerous tissues than in their cancer-free surrounding tissues. Some of these lesions are known to be promutagenic, although others have not been investigated for their mutagenicity. Identified DNA lesions may play a causative role in carcinogenesis.


Ag-Au Core-Shell Triangular Nanoprisms for Improving p-g-C3N4 Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production.
Ag-Au core-shell triangular nanoprisms (Ag@Au TNPs) have aroused extensive research interest in the field of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to their strong plasmon effect and stability. Here, Ag@Au TNPs were fabricated by the galvanic-free replacement method. Then, we loaded them on protonated g-C3N4 nanoprisms (P-CN) by the electrostatic self-assembly method as an efficient plasmonic photocatalyst for HER. The hydrogen production rate of Ag@Au TNPs/P-CN (4.52 mmol/g/h) is 4.1 times higher than that of P-CN (1.11 mmol/g/h) under simulated sunlight irradiation, making it the most competitive material for water splitting. The formed Schottky junction helps to trap the hot electrons generated from Ag@Au TNPs, and the well-preserved tips of the Ag@Au TNPs can effectively generate an electromagnetic field to inhibit the photogenerated electron-holes pairs recombination. This study suggests that the rational design of Ag@Au TNPs by the galvanic-free replacement method is an effective co-catalyst for HER and boosting the additional combination of plasmonic metals and catalyst metals for the enhancement to HER.


DNA Methylome Changes of Muscle- and Neuronal-Related Processes Precede Bladder Cancer Invasiveness.
Bladder cancer (BC) is the ninth leading cause of cancer death with one of the highest recurrence rates among all cancers. One of the main risks for BC development is exposure to nitrosamines present in tobacco smoke or in other products. Aberrant epigenetic (DNA methylation) changes accompanied by deregulated gene expression are an important element of cancer pathogenesis. Therefore, we aimed to determine DNA methylation signatures and their impacts on gene expression in mice treated with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN), a carcinogen similar to compounds found in tobacco smoke. Following BBN administration mice developed non-invasive or invasive bladder cancers. Surprisingly, muscle- and neuronal-related pathways emerged as the most affected in those tumors. Hypo- and hypermethylation changes were present within non-invasive BC, across CpGs mapping to the genes involved in muscle- and neuronal-related pathways, however, methylation differences were not sufficient to affect the expression of the majority of associated genes. Conversely, invasive tumors displayed hypermethylation changes that were linked with alterations in gene expression profiles. Together, these findings indicate that bladder cancer progression could be revealed through methylation profiling at the pre-invasive cancer stage that could assist monitoring of cancer patients and guide novel therapeutic approaches.


A comparison of ICD- 11 and DSM-5 criteria for PTSD among a representative sample of Chinese earthquake survivors.
Striking differences regarding the diagnosis of PTSD exist between the ICD-11 and DSM-5. This study compared the prevalence and comorbidity of PTSD between the ICD-11 and DSM-5. An epidemiological sample of 1160 Chinese adult earthquake survivors collected nine and a half years following the Wenchuan earthquake, in Sichuan province. The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) were used to measure PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms. The ICD-11 PTSD criteria yielded higher prevalence estimates than the DSM-5 criteria. There were no significant differences in PTSD's comorbidity with major depressive disorder (MDD) or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) between the ICD-11 and DSM-5 criteria. Results found that the ICD-11 and DSM-5 performed differently in assessing PTSD prevalence, but showed similar co-occurrence with MDD and GAD. This study adds to knowledge about the similarities and differences of using different PTSD criteria and carries implications for clinical and research utilization of the two widely used PTSD diagnostic criteria.


Paralytic shellfish toxins and associated toxin profiles in bivalve mollusc shellfish from Argentina.
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning is a potentially fatal syndrome, resulting from the filter-feeding activities of marine molluscs accumulating harmful neurotoxins naturally occurring in microalgae. Outbreaks are well recognised throughout most regions of the world, but with the highest levels of toxicity to date recorded in mussels from Argentina. Whilst toxicity has been documented for selected outbreaks over the years, testing has been conducted using a mouse bioassay. Consequently there is a need to establish baseline data utilising modern chemical detection methods, which also facilitate the quantification of individual toxin analogues, giving useful data on toxin profiles as well as total sample toxicity. In this study, 151 shellfish samples harvested from the marine waters of Argentina between 1980 and 2012 were subjected to analysis by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection, since Jan 2019 the European Union reference method for PSP determination. Total PST concentrations were found to vary enormously throughout the coastline of Argentina, with higher levels of toxins found in the central regions of Rio Negro and Chubut. Toxin profiles in terms of molar percentage of total concentrations were dominated by the gonyautoxins GTX1&4 and GTX2&3, followed by C1&2, STX and dcGTX2&3, with minor levels of other analogues previously not reported in the country. Profiles were found to vary significantly, with statistical clusters of profile types associated with a wide range of factors, including species, spatial and temporal differences, as well as likely source microalgae species and potential toxin transformation pathways. Overall application of the chemical detection method has confirmed both the significant risk to shellfish consumers in Argentina with periodic outbreaks of extremely high toxin levels and a large variability in toxin profiles relating in part to previously reported variabilities in microalgal toxin content. The study has demonstrated the potential for the method to systematically study the relationships between toxicity, toxin profile, source phytoplankton and other environmental factors.


Identification of methylated-differentially expressed genes and pathways in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Methylation, as an epigenetic modification, can affect gene expression and play a role in the occurrence and development of cancer. This research is devoted to discover methylated-differentially expressed genes (MDEGs) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and explore special associated pathways. We downloaded GSE51287 methylation profiles and GSE26886 expression profiles from GEO DataSets, and performed a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. Totally, 19 hypermethylated, lowly expressed genes (Hyper-LGs) were identified, and involved in regulation of cell proliferation, phosphorus metabolic process and protein kinase activity. Meanwhile, 17 hypomethylated, highly expressed genes (Hypo-HGs) were participated in collagen catabolic process, metallopeptidase and cytokine activity. Pathway analysis determined that Hyper-LGs were enriched in arachidonic acid metabolism pathway, while Hypo-HGs were primarily associated with the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway. IL 6, MMP3, MMP9, SPP1 were identified as hub genes based on the PPI network that combined 7 ranked methods included in cytoHubba, and verification was performed in human tissues. Our integrated analysis identified many novel genetic lesions in ESCC and provides a crucial molecular foundation to improve our understanding of ESCC. Hub genes, including IL 6, MMP3, MMP9 and SPP1, could be considered for use as aberrant methylation-based biomarkers to facilitate the accurate diagnosis and therapy of ESCC.


Gly-Gly-X, a novel consensus sequence for the proteolytic processing of viral and cellular proteins.
Three African swine fever virus structural proteins of relative molecular weights 150,000, 37,000, and 34,000 (p150, p37, and p34) are derived from precursors with relative molecular weights 220,000, 60,000, and 39,000 (pp220, pp60, and pp39) by proteolytic cleavage after the second Gly residue in the sequence Gly-Gly-Ala/Gly. A search of the National Biomedical Research Foundation Data Bank revealed that several adenovirus proteins, ubiquitin, and an interferon-induced 15-kDa protein are also derived from precursors that are cleaved at the sequence Gly-Gly-X, where X is often an amino acid residue with a hydrophobic side chain. The sequence Gly-Gly-X together with other physical properties of the protein seems to be a recognition sequence for the processing of a variety of viral and cellular proteins.


Full-Length Transcript Phasing with Third-Generation Sequencing.
Haplotyping individual full-length transcripts can be important in diagnosis and treatment of certain genetic diseases. One set of diseases, repeat expansions of simple tandem repeat sequences are the cause of over 40 neurological disorders. In many of these conditions, expanding a polymorphic repeat beyond a given threshold has been strongly associated with disease onset and severity. Given that most repeat expansions are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, repeat expansion disorders are typically characterized by a heterozygous expansion locus associated with a single haplotype. Precision genetic medicines can be used to selectively target expansion-containing sequences in a haplotype-specific manner.However, repeat expansion lengths often exceed the capacity of next-generation sequencing (NGS) reads. Therefore, the accurate length and haplotype determination of repeat expansions requires special considerations and requires the development of custom methods. Here we highlight a method for targeted haplotype phasing of the HTT gene, which can be adopted for use with other full-length transcripts and in other repeat expansion disorders.


Cardiac rehabilitation in the COVID-19 time. Programs. Results.
La pandemia de enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) ha incidido de forma negativa en los programas de rehabilitación cardiaca (PRC) españoles. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo fundamental el analizar la posibilidad de mantenerlos abiertos y como secundario valorar si se mantienen los beneficios demostrados a nivel físico y psicológico. Analizamos los resultados de nuestro PRC en el año 2020 (119 pacientes) y los comparamos con los del año 2019 (121 pacientes), libre de COVID-19. Se comparan distintas variables generales, y los resultados obtenidos en capacidad física, a nivel psicológico, así como las complicaciones y abandonos. No existen diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos en la edad (61.6 vs. 61.5), sexo (mujeres: 12.6 vs. 14.8%), diagnóstico de cardiopatía isquémica (106 vs. 99) y fracción de eyección de ventrículo izquierdo (55.9 vs. 55.8%). La ansiedad media-alta fue superior al inicio (p = 0.02) y final (p = 0.002) del programa en el año 2019, así como las puntuaciones del patrón de conducta tipo A (p = 0.041 vs. 0.034). El porcentaje de depresión fue similar. Más del 95% de los pacientes del año 2020 referían miedo al contagio. La capacidad funcional aumentó, pero menos en el año 2020 (p = 0.001). La duración del programa fue superior en el año 2020 (p = 0.001). Los abandonos (15 vs. 11 pacientes) no mostraron diferencias significativas. Los PRC en época COVID-19 son posibles y siguen mostrando beneficios. La duración del programa fue mayor por periodos de falta de asistencia. La menor capacidad física puede estar relacionada con el uso de la mascarilla. COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on Spanish Cardiac Rehabilitation Programmes (CRP). The main objective of this study is to analyze the possibility of keeping these units open and, secondly, to assess whether demonstrated physical and psychological benefits are preserved. We analyzed results of our CRP in 2020 (119 patients) and compared them with those of 2019 (121 patients), year free of Covid. We compare different general variables, and results obtained in physical capacity, psychological level, as well as complications and dropouts. There were no significant differences between two groups in age (61.6 vs. 61.5), sex (women: 12.6% vs. 14.8%), diagnosis of ischemic heart disease (106 vs. 99) and left ventricular ejection fraction (55.9% vs. 55.8%). Mean-high anxiety was higher at baseline (p = 0.02) and endline (p = 0.002) of program in 2019, as well as type A behavior pattern scores (p=0.041 and 0.034). Percentage of depression was similar. More than 95% of patients in 2020 reported fear of infection. Functional capacity increased, but less in 2020 (p = 0.001). Programme duration was longer in 2020 (p=0.001). Dropouts (15 vs. 11 patients) showed no significant differences. CR programmes in COVID-19 era are possible and continue to show benefits. The duration of programme was longer due to periods of non-attendance. Lower physical capacity may be related to mask use.


Ischemia hypothermia improved contractility under normothermia reperfusion in the model of cultured cardiomyocyte.
Though mild hypothermia displays an optimistic alleviation of contractive failure in the ischemia/reperfusion myocardium, we still lacked answers to many questions about its potential mechanisms. Our hypothesis is that hypothermia (32°C) induced in ischemia can ease mitochondrial injury resulting in improvement of myocardial contractility even under the condition of a normothermic reperfusion. Fifty newly born 1-2 d Sprague-Dawley rats were executed and the primary cardiomyocytes were obtained and cultivated in vitro. Myocytes were randomized into three groups and then subjected to ischemia either at 32°C or 37°C, both prior to undergoing reperfusion at 37°C. Contractility was presented as frequency and velocity. Ultrastructural alterations of cardiomyocytes and mitochondrion underwent semi-quantitative analysis with transmission electron microscopy and respiratory function of mitochondria was further assessed simultaneously. During cooling ischemia and following reperfusion, cardiomyocytes acquired a more immediate restoration to baseline level and had a significant difference as compared with those in normothermia (P < 0.05). Furthermore, hypothermia preserved the ultrastructure of myocytes and mitochondrion after ischemia. However, measurement on Heart Injury Score and form factor revealed no differences after 2-h reperfusion either in hypothermia or normothermia. On the contrary, the surface area and respiratory function of mitochondrion in reperfusion differed significantly in both groups (P < 0.05) which had an accordance with the variation on contractile performance. Hypothermia only induced in ischemia can bring contractility benefit even under a normothermia reperfusion in cultured cardiomyocytes.


Effects of the herbicide atrazine in neotropical catfish (Rhamdia quelen).
The exposure to a world-wide used herbicide atrazine (ATZ) (96h exposure to 2, 10, and 100μgL(-1)), was investigated on the freshwater fish Rhamdia quelen through a multi biomarker approach. Liver histopathology revealed leukocyte infiltration, hepatocyte vacuolization like steatosis and necrosis areas, leading to raised lesion index levels in all tested concentrations. The increase of free melanomacrophage numbers was observed. Gill filaments revealed considerable loss of the microridges on pavement cells at 10 and 100μgL(-1) of ATZ, and a significantly increased of chloride cell (CC) number and density on apical surface area at 100μgL(-1) of ATZ. CAT, GST, GPx, and GR activities were inhibited by all tested concentrations. GSH levels were reduced in individuals exposed to 100µgL(-1). Osmoregulatory function was also disturbed. We observed an increase of plasma magnesium concentrations at 10µgL(-1). Additionally the inhibition of branchial carbonic anhydrase activity was observed at 100µgL(-1). In the kidney, carbonic anhydrase activity decreased only in the group exposed to 2µgL(-1). These results suggest that ATZ, represents a potential ecotoxicological hazard and can be hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic even low concentrations. The current study was the first to show the nephrotoxic effect of ATZ in fish. Besides, in Brazil, the environmental protection agency (CONAMA) establishes that the maximum allowed level of dissolved ATZ in water is 2μgL(-1), but the present results showed that this concentration may cause histopathological, biochemical and physiological changes in R. quelen.


New approaches to the renal pathogenicity of anti-DNA antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Autoantibodies against double stranded (ds) DNA are not only a helpful serological marker for diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but have also been shown to be crucial in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis. However, the question of how anti-dsDNA antibodies contribute to renal damage is unresolved. Many authorities believe that indirect binding (mediated by nuclear antigens) or direct cross-reactivity of anti-dsDNA antibodies with kidney antigens are important determinants of anti-dsDNA nephritogenicity. An alternative hypothesis for the renal pathogenicity of anti-dsDNA antibodies was proposed more than 20 years ago, namely that certain autoantibodies could penetrate into living cells and thus induce damage. Work from several laboratories has recently provided firm support for this iconoclastic theory, which contradicted prevailing immunologic dogma that cell interiors are inaccessible to antibodies. Here, we review the evidence that anti-dsDNA antibodies may penetrate into living cells, and discuss which intracellular events may follow from binding of anti-dsDNA antibodies to the cell surface and subsequent intracellular penetration. Determining the mechanism by which anti-dsDNA antibodies induce renal injury is important for understanding a major disease manifestation of lupus, and may lead to the development of novel approaches to the treatment of lupus renal disease.


Production of vaccines against gastrointestinal nematodes of livestock.
Three international collaborations involving Australian research scientists are currently developing vaccines against Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus and Ostertagia parasites using recombinant DNA technology. The variety of protective antigens identified can be classified as 'conventional' (stimulate naturally acquired immunity) or 'novel'/'convert'/'concealed' (protective once immunity is induced by vaccination). To date, the most gratifying progress has resulted in 60-90% protection against Haemonchus and other blood-sucking parasites (e.g. ticks) using novel antigens, where high titres of serum antibody ingested by feeding worms leads to their demise. A great deal of research effort is unravelling the complexity of naturally acquired immunity so that conventional antigens, which may be the principal means of removing 'mucosal-browsing' parasites, may be formulated and delivered to achieve optimal efficacy. This work reveals that to remove early stages of parasites before they take up residence, deliberate induction of hypersensitivity responses akin to asthma, may be a desirable goal for vaccines and that the two models have much in common.


Trypanosoma cruzi: preliminary investigation of NADH-positive and somatostatin-immunoreactive neurons in the myenteric plexus of the mouse colon during the infection.
In this paper, the distribution of NADH-positive and somatostatin (SOM) immunoreactive neurons in the myenteric plexus of the colon of mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi was studied. Ten young, male, BALB/c mice were inoculated with the Y strain of T. cruzi, 60 days previously (chronic phase of the infection). Another 10 mice were uninfected controls. Distal and proximal colonic neurons from five chronically infected mice and their controls were stained using the NADH-diaphorase method. Quantitative results showed a significant decrease of 39% in the number of neurons in the proximal colon of infected mice and 58% in the distal colon (p<0.05). SOM was localized in five animals from each group by light microscopy, using an indirect immunofluorescence technique. It was observed that there were far fewer nerve cells and fibres and less intensely stained neuron bodies and varicose SOM-positive nerve fibres in both, control and chronic infected mice. These findings could be related to the disturbances in intestinal motility observed in patients in the chronic phase of Chagas' disease.


A review on the distribution of Hg in the environment and its human health impacts.
In this letter, we have provided some recommendations on the article by Ki-Hyun Kim et al. that is published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2015.11.031.


Alterations in respiration rate of isolated rainbow trout hepatocytes exposed to the P-glycoprotein substrate rhodamine 123.
Reducing intracellular xenobiotic concentration is an important defence strategy used by cells challenged with foreign chemicals. One mechanism used to achieve this goal is via the use of P-glycoproteins (P-gps), ATP-dependent transporters that mediate the removal of hydrophobic compounds from cells. The energetic costs of this mechanism are unknown, therefore, the activity and respiratory costs associated with the P-gp-mediated efflux of rhodamine 123 (R123) was measured in isolated rainbow trout hepatocytes. The accumulation of R123 was rapid and concentration-dependent. Initial accumulation rates were 1.79+/-0.41, 7.29+/-1.06 and 15.30+/-1.74ngR123/min/10(6)cells when exposed to 1, 5 and 10 microM R123, respectively. Efflux was measured in cells 'pre-loaded' with R123 at each concentration, resulting in initial efflux rates of 0.77+/-0.12, 2.02+/-0.35 and 3.51+/-0.84ngR123/min/10(6)cells, respectively. The baseline oxygen consumption rate of hepatocytes was 33.21+/-1.09 ng O2/min/10(6)cells. Respiration rates were significantly higher in cells exposed to 5 and 10 microM R123 (39.08+/-0.80 and 41.72+/-0.61ng O2/min/10(6)cells), representing increases over basal rates of 18.5 and 25.7%, respectively. Measurements of isolated mitochondrial respiration established that changes in hepatocyte oxygen consumption were not through the direct effects of R123 on mitochondria. The P-gp inhibitor, XR9576 significantly inhibited R123 efflux from cells with a concomitant return of respiration rates to baseline values. This study demonstrates that increased P-gp transport of xenobiotics can significantly raise cellular respiration rates and may result in higher energy costs for organisms living in P-gp-substrate contaminated environments.


Quantitative measurement of changes in human lung density following irradiation.
In a recent clinical study, we have shown that computed tomography (CT) can provide a good qualitative endpoint for the presence of radiation-induced pulmonary damage. However, CT data are also potentially useful as a quantitative measure of lung damage. Changes in lung density were quantified by comparing CT images taken before and after radiotherapy for 54 patients. Lung densities were assessed separately in the irradiated and nonirradiated regions using both the average regional densities and density distributions. For the 36 patients demonstrating visible post-irradiation lung damage on CT, the mean relative increase in average lung density was 0.20 +/- 0.10 in the irradiated regions. The mean change in the nonirradiated regions was 0.02 +/- 0.09 for the same group. For 18 patients without visible damage, the mean relative changes were 0.00 +/- 0.09 and -0.05 +/- 0.07 for the irradiated and nonirradiated regions, respectively. The results suggest that an increase in average lung density of 5% or greater is associated with the visible detection of pulmonary damage. The dose-response relationship based on this quantitative criterion was comparable to that derived using the qualitative endpoint.


Minimum size and positioning of imaging field for CBCT-scans of impacted lower third molars: a retrospective study.
Cone-beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is widely used for preoperative 3D imaging of lower third molars. Hence, for this imaging indication, the present study aimed to define the minimum field-of-view (FOV) size and its optimum placement, to decrease radiation exposure, and highlight the need of computer-assisted FOV centering technique for dental CBCT devices. To facilitate proper placement of image field, lower second molar was chosen as reference. The retrospective study included 50 CBCT-scans of 46 patients with mean age of 34 years. Based on the lower second molar, a three-dimensional coordinate was formed and the location of mandibular canal (MC) and the dimensions and locations of the lower third molars, and possible associated pathological findings were assessed. Accordingly, the FOV size and position for third-molar imaging were optimized, while ensuring encompassment of all relevant structures. The minimum cylindrical volume, covering lower third molars and MC, was 32.1 (diameter) × 31.6 (height) mm, placed in relation to the second molar crown, top 2.2 mm above cusp tips, anterior edge 6.7 mm in the front of the most distal point of the crown, and lingual edge 7.9 mm on the medial side of the lingual wall. The optimized FOV for lower third molars was smaller than common standard small FOVs. We recommend using FOV volume 3.5∅ × 3.5 cm for third molars without associated pathology. Accurate FOV protocols are essential for development of new CBCT-devices with computer-assisted and indication-specific FOV placement.


Imbalance in the Expression of Genes Associated with Purinergic Signalling in the Lung and Systemic Arteries of COPD Patients.
Growing evidence indicates that purinergic signalling is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and in the vascular remodelling that occurs in other disorders; however, its role in initial vascular changes of COPD is not entirely known. We hypothesised that expression of genes regulating extracellular ATP and adenosine levels would be altered in the lung and systemic arteries of COPD patients. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to analyse the relative expression of 17 genes associated with purinergic signalling and inflammation in lungs and intercostal arteries of never smokers (NS) (n = 16), non-obstructed smokers (NOS) (n = 17) and COPD patients (n = 21). Gene expression of ATP-degrading enzymes was decreased in both tissues of NOS and COPD patients compared to NS. NT5E expression (gene transcribing for an AMP hydrolyzing ectonucleotidase) was increased in both tissues in NOS compared to the other groups. P1 and P2 receptors did not show changes in expression. Expression of genes associated with inflammation (interleukin-13) was upregulated only in lung tissues of COPD. These findings suggest that the expression of different extracellular ATP-degrading enzymes is altered in smokers (NOS and COPD patients), promoting inflammation. However, the high NT5E expression found only in NOS could compensate this inflammatory environment.


Cytochrome c-lipid interactions: new insights from resonance energy transfer.
Resonance energy transfer (RET) from anthrylvinyl-labeled phosphatidylcholine (AV-PC) or cardiolipin (AV-CL) to cytochrome c (cyt c) heme moiety was employed to assess the molecular-level details of protein interactions with lipid bilayers composed of PC with 2.5 (CL2.5), 5 (CL5), 10 (CL10), or 20 (CL20) mol % CL under conditions of varying ionic strength and lipid/protein molar ratio. Monte Carlo analysis of multiple data sets revealed a subtle interplay between 1), exchange of the neutral and acidic lipid in the protein-lipid interaction zone; 2), CL transition into the extended conformation; and 3), formation of the hexagonal phase. The switch between these states was found to be controlled by CL content and salt concentration. At ionic strengths ≥ 40 mM, lipid bilayers with CL fraction not exceeding 5 mol % exhibited the tendency to transform from lamellar to hexagonal phase upon cyt c adsorption, whereas at higher contents of CL, transition into the extended conformation seems to become thermodynamically favorable. At lower ionic strengths, deviations from homogeneous lipid distributions were observed only for model membranes containing 2.5 mol % CL, suggesting the existence of a certain surface potential critical for assembly of lipid lateral domains in protein-lipid systems that may subsequently undergo morphological transformations depending on ambient conditions. These characteristics of cyt c-CL interaction are of great interest, not only from the viewpoint of regulating cyt c electron transfer and apoptotic propensities, but also to elucidate the general mechanisms by which membrane functional activities can be modulated by protein-lipid interactions.


Chemical compounds of the foraging recruitment pheromone in bumblebees.
When the frenzied and irregular food-recruitment dances of bumblebees were first discovered, it was thought that they might represent an evolutionary prototype to the honeybee waggle dance. It later emerged that the primary function of the bumblebee dance was the distribution of an alerting pheromone. Here, we identify the chemical compounds of the bumblebee recruitment pheromone and their behaviour effects. The presence of two monoterpenes and one sesquiterpene (eucalyptol, ocimene and farnesol) in the nest airspace and in the tergal glands increases strongly during foraging. Of these, eucalyptol has the strongest recruitment effect when a bee nest is experimentally exposed to it. Since honeybees use terpenes for marking food sources rather than recruiting foragers inside the nest, this suggests independent evolutionary roots of food recruitment in these two groups of bees.


Clinical significance of protocadherin 8 (PCDH8) promoter methylation in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.
PCDH8 is a novel tumor suppressor gene, and frequently inactivated by promoter methylation in human cancers. However, there is little information regarding PCDH8 methylation in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The aim of this study was to investigate the methylation status of PCDH8 in NMIBC and its clinical significance. The methylation status of PCDH8 in 233 NMIBC tissues and 43 normal bladder epithelial tissues was examined by methylation-specific PCR (MSP), and then analyzed the correlations between PCDH8 methylation and clinicopatholocial features. Subsequently, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Multivariate Cox proportional hazard model analysis was used to investigate the correlation between PCDH8 methylation and prognosis of patients with NMIBC. PCDH8 methylation occurred frequently in NMIBC tissues than those in normal bladder epithelial tissues. In addition, PCDH8 methylation significantly correlated with advanced stage, high grade, larger tumor size, tumor recurrence and progression in NMIBC. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that patients with PCDH8 methylated have shorter recurrence-free survival, progression-free survival and five-year overall survival than patients with PCDH8 unmethylated. Multivariate analysis suggested that PCDH8 methylation was an independent prognostic biomarker for recurrence-free survival, progression-free survival and five-year overall survival simultaneously. PCDH8 methylation may be associated with tumor progression and poor prognosis in NMIBC and may be used as a potential biomarker to predict the prognosis of patients with NMIBC.


Compliance of Bronchial Asthma Patients' with the Mediterranean Diet : Compliance with the Mediterranean Diet in Asthma Patients.
Asthma is considered the most common chronic disease that affects survival and quality of life. An astringent regulatory factor of asthma is the Mediterranean diet. Nutrition, however, seems to be of great importance in the onset and outcome of the disease as many ingredients and eating habits that may improve or exacerbate the condition of the patient. The present study aimed to investigate dietary habits in patients with bronchial asthma and their compliance with the Mediterranean diet. The study included 60 patients with bronchial asthma, 47 women (71% of the total) and 17 men (28.3%). All patients completed a questionnaire with sociodemographic questions, a medical history (years of diagnosis, exacerbations, hospitalizations, medication), and spirometry results (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF, FEF25-75). Asthma control was evaluated with the Asthma Control Test (ACT). Conformity to the Mediterranean diet was assessed using the MEDLIFE index (Mediterranean lifestyle) questionnaire. Statistical analysis of the data was done using the SPSS 23.0 statistical package by applying the Inductive Analysis, which included the Pearson correlation coefficient (r), the t-test for independent samples, and the variance analysis (one-way ANOVA). There was a significant negative correlation of last year hospitalizations with the MEDLIFE questionnaire scale (r = -0.522, p = 0.009) and a significant negative correlation of last year's exacerbations with the ACT scale. We observed a significant negative correlation of hospitalizations in the last year with the ACT scale (r = -0.505, p = 0.012) and a significant statistical relationship of long acting β2 agonist + steroid with the MEDLIFE scale (p = 0.046). The level of compliance with the principles of the Mediterranean diet leads to a reduction in hospitalization. The optimal asthma control is associated with a reduction of exacerbations and asthma control is associated with reduced hospitalizations. Those receiving beta2 + steroid show higher levels of compliance with the principles of the Mediterranean diet.


Morphological appearance, content of extracellular matrix and vascular density of lung metastases predicts permissiveness to infiltration by adoptively transferred natural killer and T cells.
We have recently shown that adoptively transferred, IL-2-activated natural killer (A-NK) cells are able to eliminate well-established B16-F10.P1 melanoma lung metastases. However, some B16-F10.P1 lung metastases were resistant to infiltration by the A-NK cells and also resistant to the A-NK cell treatment. The infiltration-resistant (I-R) B16-F10.P1 metastases had a unique "compact" morphology compared to the "loose" morphology of the infiltration-permissive (I-P) metastases. Here, we show that I-P loose tumors and I-R compact tumors are also found in lung metastases of mouse Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL), MCA-102 sarcoma, and MC38 colon carcinoma as well as rat MADB106 mammary carcinoma origin. Furthermore, the infiltration resistance of the compact tumors is not restricted to A-NK cells, since PHA and IL-2 stimulated CD8+ T-cells (T-LAK cells) also infiltrated the compact tumors poorly. Analyses of tumors for extracellular matrix (ECM) components and PECAM-1(+) vasculature, revealed that the I-R lesions are hypovascularized and contain very little laminin, collagen and fibronectin. In contrast, the I-P loose tumors are well-vascularized and they contain high amounts of ECM components. Interestingly, the distribution pattern of ECM components in the I-P loose tumors is almost identical to that of the normal lung tissue, indicating that these tumors develop around the alveolar walls which provide the loose tumors with both a supporting tissue and a rich blood supply. In conclusion, tumor infiltration by activated NK and T cells correlates with the presence of ECM components and PECAM-1(+) vasculature in the malignant tissue. Thus, analysis of the distribution of ECM and vasculature in tumor biopsies may help select patients most likely to benefit from cellular adoptive immunotherapy.


Huge Recurrent Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of Parotid - a Rare Presentation.
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the commonest primary malignant salivary gland tumor in both children and adults and constitutes around 2.8-16% of all salivary gland tumors. There is a wide age range of 3 to 95 years with a mean age of 47 years. We reported a case of 85 years old female patient, who presented to the department of Surgical Oncology, Srinivasan Medical College and Hospital, Trichy, with history of right parotid swelling for past 25 years, who had undergone Superficial parotidectomy 10 years back, followed by recurrence of tumor with huge increase in size, around 20 cm in greatest dimension. Right Completion Radical Parotidectomy with Modified Radical neck dissection type 1 with Cervical Rotation Flap cover was done and histopathological examination of the surgical specimen confirmed as high grade Mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Following surgery, the patient's outcome is better, uneventful with periodic regular follow-up.


Tension pneumocephalus five years after intracranial resection of pituitary adenoma--a case report.
A case of spontaneous pneumocephalus with progression to tension pneumocephalus is presented. It is unique because it occurred spontaneously via a sellar defect 5 years after resection and irradiation of a pituitary adenoma, without tumor recurrence. Computed tomography clarified the extent of the pneumocephalus and its progression to tension pneumocephalus.


Evaluating anthracycline + taxane versus taxane-based chemotherapy in older women with node-negative triple-negative breast cancer: a SEER-Medicare study.
Adjuvant chemotherapy reduces recurrence in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, data are lacking evaluating anthracycline + taxane (ATAX) versus taxane-based (TAX) chemotherapy in older women with node-negative TNBC, as they are often excluded from trials. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of adjuvant ATAX versus TAX on cancer-specific (CSS) and overall survival (OS) in older patients with node-negative TNBC. Using the SEER-Medicare database, we selected patients aged ≥ 66 years diagnosed with Stage T1-4N0M0 TNBC between 2010 and 2015 (N = 3348). Kaplan-Meier survival curves and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate 3-year OS and CSS. Multivariant Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent factors associated with use of ATAX compared to TAX. Approximately half (N = 1679) of patients identified received chemotherapy and of these, 58.6% (N = 984) received TAX, 25.0% (N = 420) received ATAX, and 16.4% (N = 275) received another regimen. Three-year CSS and OS was improved with any adjuvant chemotherapy from 88.9 to 92.2% (p = 0.0018) for CSS and 77.2% to 88.6% for OS (p < 0.0001). In contrast, treatment with ATAX compared to TAX was associated with inferior 3-year CSS and OS. Three-year CSS was 93.7% with TAX compared to 89.8% (p = 0.048) for ATAX and OS was 91.0% for TAX and 86.4% for ATAX (p = 0.032). While adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved clinical outcomes, the administration of ATAX compared to TAX was associated with inferior 3-year OS and CSS in older women with node-negative TNBC. The use of adjuvant ATAX should be considered carefully in this patient population.


Serum selenium in head and neck cancer patients--a new marker of tumor activity?
The purpose of this work was to investigate the relationship between the tumor volume and the endogenous selenium levels in untreated head and neck cancer patients. One hundred consecutive patients were included in this study. We measured the endogenous levels of selenium in the serum and the whole blood of all patients by atomic absorption spectrometry. Additionally, the activity of glutathione peroxidase and the concentration of malonedialdehyde were observed. The resectability of the tumor was used as an independent marker of the tumor volume. Thirty-one out of 100 patients had resectable tumors, while 69 patients were characterized as unresectable. The following median results were obtained (resectable versus unresectable): Serum Se 0.90 micromol/l versus 0.78 micromol/l (p=0.024); whole blood Se 1.00 micromol/l versus 0.93 micromol/l (p=0.139); glutathione peroxidase 145 U/l versus 148 U/l (p=0.93); and malonedialdehyde 2.21 mmol/l versus 2.6 mmol/l (p=0.84). The concentration of serum selenium shows a significant relationship with tumor resectability in patients with advanced head and neck cancer.


Workplace disability management in postpolio syndrome.
Postpolio syndrome (PPS) is generally defined as a clinical syndrome of new weakness, fatigue, and pain in individuals who have previously recovered from acute paralytic poliomyelitis. These new problems may lead to loss of employment as well as new deficits in instrumental activities in daily living (cleaning, washing, shopping, transportation, etc.), walking, climbing stairs, and personal assistance. We presented three cases of PPS with working disabilities in Japan, and stated the issues confronted with. Particularly at the workplace, PPS individuals need special supports from both rehabilitation medicine and occupational health services, including improved nutrition, achieving ideal body weight, regular and sensible exercise, frequent checkups, and modifying working conditions.


Chromosome structure at interfaces between major chromatin types: alpha- and beta-heterochromatin.
The chromocenter of Drosophila polytene chromosomes, which consists of two major chromatin types, has long been a troublesome region in molecular terms. The recent microcloning of part of this region, the isolation of a monoclonal antibody to a beta-heterochromatin binding protein, and new in situ studies now shed a little more light on this chromosomal region.


Fractional high intensity focused radiofrequency in the treatment of mild to Moderate laxity of the lower face and neck: A pilot study.
The aging process is commonly associated with skin laxity in the lower face and neck. Conventional surgery can correct this at least to some extent, but is invasive. Fractional high-intensity focused radiofrequency delivered to the dermis with insulated microneedles has recently attracted attention in facial rejuvenation. The present pilot study was designed to assess the efficacy of HiFR for skin laxity of the lower face and neck. Thirty-three patients (7 males, 26 females, age range 37-74 years) with mild to moderate skin laxity of the lower face/neck participated in the study. Three treatments were given at monthly intervals with protocols developed by the authors, three passes per session, at decreasing dermal depths for each pass. Histologic assessment of skin immediately after treatment was performed to identify the site and area of damage in the dermis. Clinical digital photography was taken at baseline and at 6 months after the final treatment session, based on which standardized computer measurement of improvement in the gnathion and cervicomental angles was the primary objective evaluation. A global assessment of improvement was graded by blinded assessors based on the photography. A telephone survey of patient satisfaction was performed at 12 months post-treatment. A significant post-treatment decrease in the cervicomental and gnathion angles was seen of 28.5° and 16.6°, respectively (P < 0.0001 for both). Histology immediately post-treatment showed a clear demarcated and roughly oval area of coagulation associated with the tip of the needle, confined to the dermis and not involving the epidermis. In the global assessment 81.8% of the patients achieved moderate or higher results, and 87% of patients were very satisfied or better. Downtime was minimal, lasting 3-4 days, and no persistent adverse events were recorded. Fractional HiFR proved safe and effective in the treatment of neck laxity in a large age range of patients, including the elderly. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:461-470, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Mathematical modelling of the epidemiology of COVID-19 infection in Ghana.
In this paper, Covid-19 patients with self-immunity is incorporated in the Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Quarantined-Recovered ( S E I Q R ) model is applied to describe the epidemiology of Covid-19 infection in Ghana. Based on data on the epidemiology of the Covid-19 infection in Ghana, we observed that, on an average, three persons contract the Covid-19 infection from an infected person daily based using the basic reproductive number ( R o ) derived from the SEIQR model. In addition, the threshold condition for the long term stability of the Covid-19 infection in Ghana is derived from this model. Based on the Dulac criterion, it was observed that for a long period of time the epidemiology of Covid-19 in Ghana will be under control. Again, we observed that both the transmission rate natural death rate of a person in the various classes mostly influence the spread of Covid-19 infection followed by the exposed rate from exposure class to the infected class, then the rate at which an infected person is quarantined and finally, the rate at an exposed person is quarantined. On the other hand, the rate at which an exposed person recovers from his/her have least influence on the spread of Covid-19 infection in the country. Nevertheless, the rates of birth, transmission of Covid-19 infection to a susceptible person, exposure to Covid-19 infection and Covid-19 patient who is quarantined by the facilities provided by the Ghana Health Service ( G H S ) are in direct relationship with R o . However, the rates at which a quarantiner dies from a Covid-19 infection, an infected person dies from a Covid-19 infection, natural death from each class and the recoveries from an infected class, exposed class and quarantined class are in relationship with R o .


[Expression and function of p63 gene in epithelial cells].
The presented data indicate that the p63 gene is required for the commitment of epidermal stem cells in embryonic development. At the same time, p63 underlies many functions involved in the self-renewal of stem cells in the adult epidermis. Its expression provides for keratinocyte adhesion, inhibits apoptosis, and maintains the integrity of the epidermal tissue.


Women's needs in their journey towards motherhood via oocyte donation: A mixed methods systematic review.
Given the significant changes in family formation through donation procedures, providing an optimal level of care that is responsive to the needs of mothers who get pregnant via oocyte donation is pivotal to improve their maternal role. Therefore, it is necessary to recognize the needs of oocyte donation mothers to address their specific needs. This study aimed to review the needs of women in their journey towards motherhood via oocyte donation. In this systematic review, which followed the updated Joanna Briggs Institute's methodological guidance for conducting a mixed methods systematic review, the quantitative observational and qualitative studies were searched through databases including PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, the Cochran Library, and Google Scholar search engine. Letters to the editor, commentaries, magazine articles, articles without full text and abstracts presented in congresses were excluded. All English-language articles related to the needs of oocyte donation mothers, without time limitation, were reviewed. The eligible studies were critically appraised independently by 2 researchers. 4649 records were identified from those 18 articles were finally included in the review. The needs of oocyte donation mothers comprised 8 categories: The need for special services in fertility clinics, the need to improve the quality of care, the need for emotional support and psychological consultation, information needs, the need for financial support, the need for disclosure counseling, educational needs, and the need for sociocultural and religious support. This review suggests various needs of oocyte donation mothers. The results can be used in carefully planning supportive programs for this vulnerable population.


HEMOGLOBIN C TRAIT PRESENTING WITH BILATERAL CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION.
To report a case of bilateral sequential, central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in a man with newly diagnosed hemoglobin C trait. A 67-year-old man presented with a one-month history of declining visual acuity. He was diagnosed with left CRVO. Bilateral temporal retinal ischemia and arteriovenous anastomoses on fluorescein angiography suggestive of sickle cell retinopathy prompted a systemic work-up. Hemoglobin electrophoresis revealed an underlying hemoglobin C trait. Six-months after his initial presentation, the patient developed symptomatic right CRVO. The initial left CRVO was complicated by optic disc swelling and macular edema. Intravitreal antiangiogenic therapy was initiated and the macular edema resolved. The left eye subsequently developed an epiretinal membrane which was surgically removed. Macular edema in the right eye also resolved after intravitreal antiangiogenic therapy. This is the first reported case of bilateral CRVO in a case of hemoglobin C trait. It is possible that erythrocyte inflexibility, caused by hemoglobin C-induced dehydration and crystallization, acted concomitantly with hypertension to produce occlusive microangiopathy. This case highlights the need for further investigation in patients presenting with central retinal vein occlusion, especially when bilateral, or when retinal angiography reveals bilateral pathology.


Survival analysis of transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy under different diagnostic criteria and the efficacy of plasma exchange.
BACKGROUND Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is a serious complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The efficacy and survival of plasma exchange (PE) for TA-TM have not been fully clarified. In addition, there is a lack of consensus on diagnostic criteria for TA-TMA. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 32 patients diagnosed with TA-TMA by different diagnostic criteria from January 2018 to February 2022 at the First Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital. RESULTS (1) The patients with TA-TMA treated with PE in this study had a remission rate of 42.8%, a 100-day OS of 47.6%, and a 6-month OS of 38.1%. The only factor affecting the response to PE treatment was the number of PE sessions (P = 0.047). (2) III-IV aGVHD prior to TA-TMA diagnosis (P = 0.002), renal or neurological dysfunction (P = 0.021), and the time to onset of TA-TMA (P = 0.002) were independent risk factors for overall survival with TA- TMA. (3) Probable TA-TMA had the highest survival rate, but the Jodele criteria are expected to diagnose earlier and provide the greatest benefit to patients. CONCLUSIONS PE is an effective treatment for TA-TMA especially in cases where complement blockers are not available. In addition, probable TA-TMA improved prognostic survival through early detection of patients with TA-TMA. There is a need for further large prospective trials to identify the population more suitable for PE treatment of TA-TMA and more valid diagnostic criteria.


Engineering the Caenorhabditis elegans genome by Mos1-induced transgene-instructed gene conversion.
Mos1-induced transgene-instructed gene conversion (MosTIC) is a technique of choice to engineer the genome of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. MosTIC is initiated by the excision of Mos1, a DNA transposon of the Tc1/Mariner super family that can be mobilized in the germ line of C. elegans. Mos1 excision creates a DNA double-strand break that is repaired by several cellular mechanisms, including transgene-instructed gene conversion. For MosTIC, the transgenic repair template used by the gene conversion machinery is made of sequences that share DNA homologies with the genomic region to engineer and carries the modifications to be introduced in the genome. In this chapter, we present two MosTIC protocols routinely used.


Retracted: Image Recognition of Sports Athletes' High-Intensity Sports Injuries Based on Binocular Stereo Vision.
[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/4322597.].


Fine-needle aspiration cytology of juvenile papillomatosis of breast: a case report.
The cytologic findings of juvenile papillomatosis (JP) have been rarely described. The clinical and cytologic findings were suggestive of a fibroadenoma, but due to the presence of 2 cc of clear fluid during the aspiration, fibrocystic change was in the differential diagnosis. Operation and subsequent examination of the mass identified a case of JP (so-called Swiss cheese disease of the breast). Because JP is a marker for breast carcinoma for the patients' families, and the patients may themselves be at increase risk for malignancy, it is important that this entity be considered in the differential diagnosis. The observations in this case indicate that it is difficult to diagnose JP only by cytology, but the combination of clinical findings--a well-circumscribed mass in a young patient with cystic fluid, but with a residual mass after aspiration due to the multicystic nature of JP--with the cytologic findings--sheets of hyperplatic breast epithelium with areas resembling fibroadenoma, macrophages, and apocrine cells--that appear to be sufficiently characteristic to suggest the diagnosis of JP.


Bmi-1: At the crossroads of physiological and pathological biology.
Bmi-1 is a member of the Polycomb Repressor Complex1 that mediates gene silencing by regulating chromatin structure and is indispensable for self-renewal of both normal and cancer stem cells. Despite three decades of research that have elucidated the transcriptional regulation, post-translational modifications and functions of Bmi-1 in regulating the DNA damage response, cellular bioenergetics, and pathologies, the entire potential of a protein with such varied function remains to be realized. This review attempts to synthesize the current knowledge on Bmi-1 with an emphasis on its role in both normal physiology and cancer. Additionally, since cancer stem cells are emerging as a new paradigm for therapy resistance, the role of Bmi-1 in this perspective is also highlighted. The wide spectrum of malignancies that implicate Bmi-1 as a signature for stemness and oncogenesis also make it a suitable candidate for therapy. Nonetheless new approaches are vitally needed to further characterize physiological roles of Bmi-1 with the long-term goal of using Bmi-1 as a prognostic marker and a therapeutic target.


Envirotyping for deciphering environmental impacts on crop plants.
Global climate change imposes increasing impacts on our environments and crop production. To decipher environmental impacts on crop plants, the concept "envirotyping" is proposed, as a third "typing" technology, complementing with genotyping and phenotyping. Environmental factors can be collected through multiple environmental trials, geographic and soil information systems, measurement of soil and canopy properties, and evaluation of companion organisms. Envirotyping contributes to crop modeling and phenotype prediction through its functional components, including genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI), genes responsive to environmental signals, biotic and abiotic stresses, and integrative phenotyping. Envirotyping, driven by information and support systems, has a wide range of applications, including environmental characterization, GEI analysis, phenotype prediction, near-iso-environment construction, agronomic genomics, precision agriculture and breeding, and development of a four-dimensional profile of crop science involving genotype (G), phenotype (P), envirotype (E) and time (T) (developmental stage). In the future, envirotyping needs to zoom into specific experimental plots and individual plants, along with the development of high-throughput and precision envirotyping platforms, to integrate genotypic, phenotypic and envirotypic information for establishing a high-efficient precision breeding and sustainable crop production system based on deciphered environmental impacts.


Influence of myeloperoxidase-catalyzing reaction on the binding between myeloperoxidase and anti-myeloperoxidase antibodies.
In the current study, whether myeloperoxidase (MPO)-catalyzing reaction could influence the antigenicity of MPO was investigated. Hypochlorite acid, the main product of the catalytic reaction, could lower the binding between MPO-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) and MPO when the available chlorine was higher than 0.031×10(-3) g/l. After MPO-catalyzing reaction with H(2)O(2) lower than 0.469 g/l, the binding level between MPO-ANCAcontaining plasma and MPO increased slightly. The peak binding level was 1.135 ± 0.205 (expressed by the absorbance value at 405 nm). However, with the existence of hydrogen donor (o-phenylenediamine) in the reaction system, the peak binding level between MPO-ANCA-containing plasma and post-catalyzing MPO was significantly higher (1.367 ± 0.321 vs 1.135 ± 0.205, p = 0.023). Moreover, at the approximately physical concentration of H(2)O(2) (0.02 g/l), MPO-ANCA exhibited higher titer to post-catalyzing MPO than to pre-catalyzing MPO (3.91 ± 0.84 vs 3.57 ± 0.84, p < 0.001, expressed as the lgT). These data demonstrated that MPO-catalyzing reaction could potentially increase the antigenicity of MPO.


[Effects of qubi zhentong recipe on the expressions of IL-1beta, IL-8, and VEGF in the synovial of rats with collagen-inducing arthritis].
To research the effects of Qubi Zhentong Recipe (QZR) on the expressions of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the synovial of rats with collagen-inducing arthritis (CIA), and to discuss its mechanisms of action. Healthy male Wistar rats were recruited and randomly divided into the model group ( n = 50) and the normal control group (n = 10). Rats of the model group were injected with type II collagen of bovine (BC II) emulsion in the tail and nape to establish the CIA model. After successful modeling, 30 successfully modeled rats were selected and randomly divided into three groups, i.e., the model group (n = 10), the QZR group (n = 10), and the methotrexate (MTX) group (n = 10). Rats in the normal control group and the model group were administered with physiological saline by gastrogavage, while those in the QZR group were administered with QZR at 22.9 g/kg by gastrogavage. All medication was performed once daily. The rats in the MTX group were administered with MTX suspension at 0.78 mg/kg by gastrogavage, once per week. After 30-day treatment, the levels of IL-1beta, IL-8, and VEGF in the synovial were detected by immunohistochemical method. The arthritis index (AI) was scored before and after medication. After treatment the AL score of the QZR group and the MTX group was obviously lower than that of the model group (P < 0.01). The AI score of the two drug groups were lower than that before treatment (P < 0.01). Compared with the normal control group, the expression levels of IL-1beta, IL-8, and VEGF obviously increased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression levels of IL-1beta, IL-8, and VEGF were significantly lower in the two drug groups (P < 0.01). But there was no statistical difference between the QZR group and the MTX group (P > 0.05). Decreasing the expression levels of IL-1beta, IL-8, and VEGF in the synovial of CIA rats may be one of the mechanisms for treating CIA by QZR.


Chimonanthus salicifolius extract alleviates DSS-induced colitis and regulates gut microbiota in mice.
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic and recurrent gastrointestinal intestinal disease accompanied by inflammatory disorders, immunologic inadequacy, and intestinal flora dysbiosis, and current therapeutic pharmaceuticals have limited side effects. In this study, we revealed the extraction method of Chimonanthus salicifolius, analyzed the main component, compared the effect of its extract, Lactobacillus, and conventional drugs with different properties on DSS (dextran sodium sulfate)-induced colitis, and indicated extract regulatory properties of inestinal flora. A colitis model was established on experimental design, and BALB/c mice (male, 7 weeks old) were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 10): control, DSS model, Chimonanthus salicifolius extract (CSE), Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) groups. The three treatments could alleviate the symptoms and remit inflammation induced by DSS, in which CSE and LGG groups could both decrease the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α levels and increase anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β. The CSE intervention significantly promoted the higher production of butyric acid than LGG and 5-ASA groups (p < .05) after DSS challenge. Analysis of intestinal flora showed that CSE administration remarkably decreased the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria Heliobacteriaceae and Peptococcaceae and exhibited higher abundance of Lactobacillaceae and Bifidobacterium than LGG in intestinal tract of mice (p < .05). These findings indicated that Chimonanthus salicifolius extract may have been beneficial for preventing and treating colitis.


Association between glucose-regulated protein and neutrophil apoptosis in severe acute pancreatitis.
This study aimed to investigate the role of glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP-78) in the apoptosis of neutrophils in rats with severe acute pancreatitis. A total of 54 SD male rats were randomly assigned into 2 groups: sham group (n=24) and pancreatitis group (n=30). Severe acute pancreatitis was induced by retrograde cholangiopancreatography injection of sodium taurocholate. Rats were sacrified at 3 h, 6 h and 12 h after injection. In control group, rats received laparotomy, but the pancreates remained intact. The serum amylase was detected at different time points, and flow cytometry was done to detect the apoptosis of neutrophils. Proteins were extracted from neutrophils and subjected to detection of GRP78 and Mcl-1 expression by Western blot assay. HE staining was performed for pathological scoring of the pancreas. The serum amylase in pancreatitis group increased markedly when compared with control group (P<0.01). In SAP group, the serum amylase increased gradually over time (P<0.01). HE staining showed a lot of inflammatory cells and infiltration of red blood cells and the apoptosis rate of neutrophils reduced gradually (P<0.01). Western blot assay showed the protein expression of GRP-78 and Mcl-1 increased in neutrophils over time. In rats with SAP, the apoptosis rate of neutrophils reduced over time, which may be associated to the stress induced expression of GRP78 and subsequent activation of Mcl-1 resulting in suppression of neutrphil apoptosis over time.


Determination of plutonium isotopes in seawater reference materials using isotope-dilution ICP-MS.
We analyzed the activities of (239)Pu, (240)Pu, (239+240)Pu, (241)Pu, the ratio of number of atoms (atom ratio) for (240)Pu/(239)Pu, and the activity ratio of (241)Pu/(239+240)Pu in seawater reference materials, IAEA-443 and IAEA-381, using a highly sensitive isotope dilution sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method. With a mean chemical yield of 65% determined with (242)Pu as a tracer, we found that the experimentally established values in IAEA-443 for (239)Pu, (240)Pu, (241)Pu and (239+240)Pu activities are almost the same as those in IAEA-381. Regarding the (239+240)Pu activity, we provided the most precise and accurate result among the twelve laboratories, which participated in the interlaboratory comparison. In addition, for the (240)Pu/(239)Pu atom ratio, our results for IAEA-381 (0.2315±0.0008) and IAEA-443 (0.2325±0.0008) are in good agreement with the IAEA information value (0.229±0.006), but have much smaller uncertainty. Since the new seawater reference material, IAEA-443, is commercially available, it can be used not only for method validation for seawater plutonium isotope ratio and activity analysis, but also for more general use as a plutonium isotope standard for mass discrimination correction for other environmental samples.


Human adaptation to climate change: An introduction to the special issue.
Despite our focus on adaptation and human responses to climate, evolutionary and biological anthropologists (EBAs) are largely absent from conversations about contemporary "climate-change adaptation," a term popular in other disciplines, the development world, and related policy decisions. EBAs are missing a big opportunity to contribute to impactful, time-sensitive applied work: we have extensive theoretical and empirical knowledge pertinent to conversations about climate-change adaptation and to helping support communities as they cope. This special issue takes a tour of EBA contributions to our understanding of climate-change adaptation, from data on past and contemporary human communities to theoretically informed predictions about how individuals and communities will respond to climate change now and in the future. First, however, we must establish what we mean by "climate change" and "adaptation," along with other terms commonly used by EBAs; review what EBAs know about adaptation and about human responses to climate change; and identify just a few topics EBAs study that are pertinent to ongoing conversations about climate-change adaptation. In this article, we do just that. From our work on energy use to our work on demography, subsistence, social networks, and the salience of climate change to local communities, EBAs have an abundance of data and theoretical insights to help inform responses to contemporary climate change. We need to better reach the climate community and general public with our contributions.


Long-term nephrotoxicity in irradiated pediatric kidney tumor survivors: A systematic review.
Nephrotoxicity can occur as a side effect after treatment for kidney tumor in childhood. The use of radiotherapy (RT) has a potential additional effect. A systematic electronic literature search that combined childhood kidney cancer with different treatments and nephrotoxicity terms was performed in EMBASE. Studies were included based on the reporting of nephrotoxicity occurrence after treatment for kidney tumor during pediatric age, with 75% of participants being under the age of 25 years at the time of diagnosis, and having been treated with any type of kidney surgery, chemotherapy, and/or RT. A pooled analysis did not show significant difference in estimated glomerular filtration rate between the group of patients who received RT compared with the group treated without RT (SMD -0.11 [95% CI -1.07-0.84] p = .733). The current literature suggests that the use of RT does not have a significant impact on the decline of kidney function as independent factor.


Messenger RNA in regenerating liver: implications for the understanding of regulated growth.
The application of nucleic acid hybridization techniques to the study of liver regeneration has led to a revision of some well-established ideas about the patterns of gene expression during regenerative growth. This paper focuses on two broad problems: a) the extent to which mRNA populations in regenerating liver differ qualitatively or quantitatively from those of normal liver, and b) the similarities and differences between the pattern of gene expression during liver regeneration and liver development. Answers to these questions have come from studies in normal and regenerating liver of, a) the proportion of non-repetitive and repetitive DNA transcribed, b) the complexity of mRNA populations and the abundance of sequences in these populations, c) the extent of homology between mRNA populations, d) the amounts of specific mRNAs for albumin, alphafetoprotein, and fibrinogen, and e) the transcription of some cellular oncogenes. Changes in the abundance of liver mRNA transcripts, without major qualitative alterations in the spectrum of sequences contained in the RNA populations, are sufficient to permit the transition of hepatocytes from a resting into a dividing state. Transcripts from at least two cellular oncogenes are included among the mRNA sequences which become more abundant during liver regeneration. Analysis of the expression of some specific genes (albumin, alphafetoprotein and fibrinogen) during liver regeneration suggests that there is little similarity between the patterns of gene expression in regenerating and developing liver.


DISTINCT ETIOLOGICAL INFLUENCES ON OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE SYMPTOM DIMENSIONS: A MULTIVARIATE TWIN STUDY.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by five major dimensions, including contamination/washing, harm/checking, symmetry/ordering, hoarding, and forbidden thoughts. How these dimensions may relate etiologically to the symptoms of other obsessive-compulsive related disorders (OCRDs) and anxiety disorders (ADs) is not well known. The aim of this study was to examine the genetic and environmental overlap between each major obsessive-compulsive dimension with the symptoms of other OCRDs and ADs. Two thousand four hundred ninety-five twins of both sexes, aged between 18 and 45 years, were recruited from the Australian Twin Registry. Measures used scores on four dimensions (obsessing (forbidden thoughts), washing, checking, and ordering) of the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised, Dysmorphic Concerns Questionnaire, Hoarding Rating Scale, Anxiety Sensitivity Index, Social Phobia Inventory, and Stress subscale of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale. Multivariate twin modeling methods using continuous and categorized variables were performed, also controlling for age and gender. Our findings suggested that forbidden thoughts and washing demonstrated the strongest genetic overlap with other AD symptoms, while ordering was genetically related to OCRD symptoms. Common genetic influences on checking symptoms were best estimated when modeling OCRDs together with AD symptoms. Common environmental factors of ordering and checking were shared with AD symptoms. Important shared genetic and environmental risk factors exist between OCD, OCRDs, and ADs, but which vary alongside the expression of its major dimensions.


[Spontaneous intracranial hypotension and Marfan syndrome].
Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is the most common complication in patients undergoing a lumbar puncture. A much rarer entity is headaches attributed to spontaneous (or idiopathic) low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure but the combination with a connective tissue disorder is even rarer. The first case of a patient with spontaneous intracranial hypotension and genetically established Marfan syndrome was published in 1995. This article describes the cases of two female patients who presented with postural headache. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple leakages of CSF and both patients had a genetically confirmed diagnosis of Marfan syndrome. The initial symptomatic treatment did not result in a significant relief of the headaches. Epidural blood patching was performed and the intervention was successful in both patients. Finally, the most important epidemiological, diagnostic and pathophysiological aspects are demonstrated and the therapeutic procedures are presented.


Millettia isoflavonoids: a comprehensive review of structural diversity, extraction, isolation, and pharmacological properties.
There are approximately 260 known species in the genus Millettia, many of which are used in traditional medicine to treat human and other animal ailments in various parts of the world. Being in the Leguminosae (Fabaceae) family, Millettia species are rich sources of isoflavonoids. In the past three decades alone, several isoflavonoids originating from Millettia have been isolated, and their pharmacological activities have been evaluated against major diseases, such as cancer, inflammation, and diabetes. Despite such extensive research, no recent and comprehensive review of the phytochemistry and pharmacology of Millettia isoflavonoids is available. Furthermore, the structural diversity of isoflavonoids in Millettia species has rarely been reported. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the structural diversity of Millettia isoflavonoids, the methods used for their extraction and isolation protocols, and their pharmacological properties. According to the literature, 154 structurally diverse isoflavonoids were isolated and reported from the various tissues of nine well-known Millettia species. Prenylated isoflavonoids and rotenoids were the most dominant subclasses of isoflavonoids reported. Other subclasses of reported isoflavonoids include isoflavans, aglycone isoflavones, glycosylated isoflavones, geranylated isoflavonoids, phenylcoumarins, pterocarpans and coumaronochromenes. Although some isolated molecules showed promising pharmacological properties, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, estrogenic, and antibacterial activities, others remained untested. In general, this review highlights the potential of Millettia isoflavonoids and could improve their utilization in drug discovery and medicinal use processes. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11101-022-09845-w.


Robust Quantum Search with Uncertain Number of Target States.
The quantum search algorithm is one of the milestones of quantum algorithms. Compared with classical algorithms, it shows quadratic speed-up when searching marked states in an unsorted database. However, the success rates of quantum search algorithms are sensitive to the number of marked states. In this paper, we study the relation between the success rate and the number of iterations in a quantum search algorithm of given λ=M/N, where M is the number of marked state and N is the number of items in the dataset. We develop a robust quantum search algorithm based on Grover-Long algorithm with some uncertainty in the number of marked states. The proposed algorithm has the same query complexity ON as the Grover's algorithm, and shows high tolerance of the uncertainty in the ratio M/N. In particular, for a database with an uncertainty in the ratio M±MN, our algorithm will find the target states with a success rate no less than 96%.


Generation of transparency and cellular organization in lens explants.
The lens grows via the proliferation and differentiation of lens epithelial cells into lens fibres. This differentiation process, thought to be controlled by factors present in the vitreous fluid, generates tightly-packed, parallel-aligned fibre cells that confer transparency to the lens. Using lens epithelial-cell explants we examined how explant orientation and growth factor treatment can affect cellular arrangement and explant transparency. Fibre cell differentiation was induced in lens explants by culturing cells with fibroblast growth factor (FGF) or bovine vitreous. Cell shape and arrangement was investigated using confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization. Explant transparency was measured using light microscopy. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that explant orientation determined cellular arrangement, irrespective of the differentiation stimuli used. In explants where epithelial cells were confined between their normal basement membrane (the lens capsule) and the base of the culture dish, the cells became elongated, thin and parallel-aligned. In contrast, in explants cultured with cells directly exposed to the culture media the cells appeared to be shorter, globular and haphazardly arranged. FGF initiated the differentiation of most lens epithelial cells; however, abnormal cellular morphologies developed with subsequent culture of the cells. As a result, the transparency of these explants decreased with prolonged culture. Interestingly, explants cultured with vitreous (i) did not develop abnormal cellular morphologies, (ii) contained two distinct cell types (retained epithelial cells and newly differentiated fibre cells) and (iii) remained transparent throughout the lengthy culture period. In summary, we have developed a culture system that generates a transparent tissue with a cellular arrangement resembling that of the lens in vivo. We have shown that while FGF and vitreous initiate differentiation within this system, better maintenance of fibre cell integrity, more appropriate regulation of molecular events, and better maintenance of explant transparency was achieved in the presence of vitreous. This system offers an opportunity to further investigate the process of lens fibre cell differentiation as well as a means of better identifying the factors that contribute to the development of tissue transparency in vitro.


On the role of peripheral interactions in specificity of chymosin.
Chymosin is distinguished by a high level of milk-clotting activity which is the consequence of the specific cleavage of the Phe(105)-Met(106) bond of kappa-casein. Based on modelling considerations it was proposed that milk-clotting activity of chymosin is associated with electrostatic interactions of a charged segment His-Pro-His-Pro-His (98-102) of casein and the outer loop of the enzyme containing Glu-244,Asp-246 and Asp-248.


CXCR7 suppression modulates microglial chemotaxis to ameliorate experimentally-induced autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the prototypical inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), widely used as an animal model of MS, classically manifests as an ascending paralysis that is characterized by extensive infiltration of the CNS by inflammatory cells. Although several studies uncover the significant role of microglia in the development of EAE, the cellular mechanisms of microglia that govern EAE pathogenesis remain unknown. In the current study, we report that CXCR7 expression is dynamic regulated in activated microglia during CNS autoimmunity and positively correlates with the clinical severity of EAE. In addition, microglial chemotaxis is mediated by CXCR7 during CNS autoimmunity, signaling through extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 activation, whereas p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) JNK are not involved. Most importantly, CXCR7 neutralizing treatment ameliorates the clinical severity of EAE along with ERK1/2 phosphorylation reduction. Collectively, our data demonstrate that CXCR7 suppression modulates microglial chemotaxis to ameliorate EAE.


Inflammatory markers are beneficial in the early stages of cerebral venous thrombosis.
Cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT) is a rare but serious cause of acute stroke. Inflammation is a hypothetical etiological factor in CVT. The aim of this study was to evaluate inflammatory marker levels in CVT patients and compare these with healthy individuals. This prospective case-control study was conducted with 36 newly-diagnosed CVT patients age- and sex-matched with 40 healthy individuals. The laboratory investigations included a serum hemogram, full biochemistry profiles, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-to-HDL cholesterol ratio (MHR) values were calculated and compared between the patients and healthy participants. The mean age was 41.4 ± 11.8 years for patients, and 39.3 ± 12.5 for controls. Lymphocyte, total bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, and HDL levels were significantly lower in CVT patients (p < 0.05), while CRP, and ESR values were significantly higher. In the CVT patients the mean NLR and PLR values were significantly higher than in the control individuals. Smoking rates, alcohol consumption, white blood cell, neutrophil, platelet, and MHR values were similar in both groups (p 0.05). We suggest that NLR, PLR, CRP, ESR, and bilirubin can be used in clinical practice for prediction of CVT in suspected patients as they are inexpensive parameters and widely available. However, further large-scale studies are required to confirm this relationship.