Automatic social distance estimation for photographic studies: Performance evaluation, test benchmark, and algorithm.
The social distancing regulations introduced to slow down the spread of COVID-19 virus directly affect a basic form of non-verbal communication, and there may be longer term impacts on human behavior and culture that remain to be analyzed in proxemics studies. To obtain quantitative results for such studies, large media and/or personal photo collections must be analyzed. Several social distance monitoring methods have been proposed for safety purposes, but they are not directly applicable to general photo collections with large variations in the imaging setup. In such studies, the interest shifts from safety to analyzing subtle differences in social distances. Currently, there is no suitable benchmark for developing such algorithms. Collecting images with measured ground-truth pair-wise distances using different camera settings is cumbersome. Moreover, performance evaluation for these algorithms is not straightforward, and there is no widely accepted evaluation protocol. In this paper, we provide an image dataset with measured pair-wise social distances under different camera positions and settings. We suggest a performance evaluation protocol and provide a benchmark to easily evaluate such algorithms. We also propose an automatic social distance estimation method that can be applied on general photo collections. Our method is a hybrid method that combines deep learning-based object detection and human pose estimation with projective geometry. The method can be applied on uncalibrated single images with known focal length and sensor size. The results on our benchmark are encouraging with 91% human detection rate and only 38.24% average relative distance estimation error among the detected people.


Purification and characterization of a ubiquitin-like peptide with macrophage stimulating, antiproliferative and ribonuclease activities from the mushroom Agrocybe cylindracea.
A peptide, with a molecular mass of 9.5kDa and demonstrating an N-terminal sequence similar to ubiquitin, was isolated from fruiting bodies of the mushroom Agrocybe cylindracea. The peptide was isolated with a purification protocol involving ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, affinity chromatography on Affi-gel blue gel, FPLC-ion exchange chromatography on Mono S and FPLC-gel filtration on Superdex 75. The peptide was unadsorbed on DEAE-cellulose and adsorbed on Affi-gel blue gel and Mono S. It showed antiproliferative activity on leukemia cell line (M1) and hepatoma cell line (HepG2), and enhanced nitric oxide production in murine peritoneal macrophages with a potency comparable to that of lipopolysaccharide. A pH of 6.0 was required for optimal RNase activity. Its RNase activity was stable over the temperature range of 0-60 degrees C. It exerted ribonucleolytic activity preferentially on polyC, much lower activity on polyU, and negligible activity on polyA and polyG.


JCL roundtable: Low-carbohydrate diets.
Low- and very-low-carbohydrate diets have long attracted popular interest in the US and variably throughout the world. The potential value of these diets was recognized recently in a Consensus Report from the American Diabetes Association and expanded in a Scientific Statement from the National Lipid Association. Scientific evidence remains incomplete, but is beginning to catch up with popular trends. In this JCL Roundtable, 3 experts discuss the evidence behind these diets, their current place in nutrition practice, and areas needing more study. The carbohydrate-insulin model of obesity is presented as one explanation for dietary effectiveness. Ongoing research will delineate this model further. The experts, all clinicians, give practical advice for when and how to incorporate low-carbohydrate principles into dietary counseling.


Parent-adolescent report correspondence on adolescent substance abuse among teens in residential rehabilitation.
Research on the correspondence between adolescent and parent reports of adolescent substance abuse has typically been conducted on adolescent outpatient treatment samples, or on non-treatment samples. In the current study, fifty adolescents receiving residential substance abuse treatment, and their parents were assessed separately regarding the teen's substance use (e.g., cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, other illicit drugs) during the 90 days preceding adolescent treatment entry. Correspondence between reporters was for the most part fair to excellent, with observed discrepancies generally due to parents providing lower estimates of use than did adolescents. Multiple regression analysis revealed that higher discrepancy between reporters occurred when the parent was younger, when the parent encountered fewer problems due to the teen's substance use, when the adolescent attended more probation or parole meetings, the fewer the number of days the adolescent was incarcerated, and the fewer days the adolescent lived at home prior to treatment. Results from exploratory analyses suggest that parents and adolescents are more discrepant when the assessment occurs later in the adolescent's treatment program. Overall, results suggest that in the absence of a cooperative teen, parental report of the adolescent's previous substance use could serve as a good proxy among families in which the adolescent is entering residential substance abuse treatment.


N-hidden layer artificial neural network architecture computer code: geophysical application example.
We provide a MATLAB computer code for training artificial neural network (ANN) with N+1 layer (N-hidden layer) architecture. Currently, the ANN application to solving geophysical problems have been confined to the 2-layer, i.e. 1-hidden layer, architecture because there are no open source software codes for higher numbered layer architecture. The restriction to the 2-layer architecture comes with the attendant model error due to insufficient hidden neurons to fully define the ANN machines. The N-hidden layer ANN has a general architecture whose sensitivity is the accumulation of the backpropagation of the error between the feedforward output and the target patterns. The trained ANN machine can be retrieved by the gradient optimization method namely: Levenberg-Marquardt, steepest descent or conjugate gradient methods. Our test results on the Poisson's ratio (as a function of compressional and shear wave velocities) machines with 2-, 3- and 4-layer ANN architectures reveal that the machines with higher number of layers outperform those with lower number of layers. Specifically, the 3- and 4-layer ANN machines have ≥ 97 % accuracy, predicting the lithology and fluid identification in the oil and gas industry by means of the Poisson's ratio, whereas the 2-layer ANN machines poorly predict the results with as large error as 20 % . These results therefore reinforce our belief that this open source code will facilitate the training of accurate N-hidden layer ANN sophisticated machines with high performance and quality delivery of geophysical solutions. Moreover, the easy portability of the functions of the code into other software will enhance a versatile application and further research to improve its performance.


[Value of vesical filling for umbilical cord prolapse. Description of a 14-case series at the Befelatanana University hospital center maternity unit (Antananarivo, Madagascar)].
Umbilical cord prolapse occurs when the umbilical cord drops through the open cervix into the vagina ahead of the baby, after spontaneous or artificial rupture of the membrane. It is a severe obstetrical emergency that endangers the life of the baby due to compression of the cord. Since the 1980s, bladder filling has been recommended as a simple and effective technique for reducing foetal mortality even if surgery cannot be undertaken immediately. The purpose of this study was to report experience using the bladder filling technique at the Gynaecology-Obstetrics Unit in Befelatanana (Antananarivo University Hospital Center). These results confirm the reliability and effectiveness as previously reported in the literature. Because of its simplicity and efficacy in reducing the risk for the foetus, bladder filling should be taught and used particularly in countries with limited obstetrical facilities.


Familial aggregation of delusional depression: re-examination in a recent family study.
Delusional (D-MDD) and nondelusional depression (ND-MDD) differ in clinical presentation, biological abnormalities, course of illness, and treatment response. Family data, however, have been less consistent regarding differential risk both for any major depression (MDD) and specifically D-MDD in relatives of D-MDD probands. In an earlier family study, we observed a 1.5-fold increase in rates of any MDD, specificity of transmission of D-MDD, and increased rates of bipolar disorders in relatives of D-MDD compared to relatives of ND-MDD probands. In a new family study, we attempted to replicate these findings. A family study of 361 directly interviewed adult first-degree relatives (FDRs) of 163 probands (118 with MDD and 45 screened normal controls) was used to examine familial aggregation of any MDD, D-MDD, and bipolarity by proband delusional status. Compared to FDRs of ND-MDD probands, FDRs of D-MDD probands were at modestly increased risk for any MDD. These results were unaffected by adjustment for proband ascertainment source, comorbidity, or whether probands had chronologically primary MDD. There was a trend toward increased rates of broadly defined bipolarity (bipolar I, bipolar II, or cyclothymia) in FDRs of D-MDD compared to FDRs of ND-MDD probands. Results from the present study were broadly consistent with those from our previous work. While other lines of evidence for D-MDD as a distinct subtype are more compelling than family data, it would be of methodologic interest to identify sources of inconsistency across studies in findings concerning the familial aggregation of delusional depression.


A consensus algorithm based on collective neurodynamic system for distributed optimization with linear and bound constraints.
In this paper, an algorithm based on collective neurodynamic system is investigated for distributed constrained convex optimization, whose objective function is a sum of smooth convex functions and non-smooth L1-norm functions. Inspired by recent advances in distributed convex optimization, the continuous-time and discrete-time distributed optimization algorithms described by collective neurodynamic systems are proposed. In the systems, each of the smooth objective functions is allocated to each node as well as each of the L1-norm functions. However, the L1-norm functions are realized by projection operators. Meanwhile, each node satisfies the local linear and bound constraints. Then a connected network is constituted from all the nodes with consensus to find the optimal solutions.


Effects of subcutaneous injectıon after coolant spray on pain, hematoma, and ecchymosıs in three different regions.
This study determined the effect of subcutaneous (SC) low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) injection in three different areas (abdomen, leg, and upper arm) after coolant spray application on pain, hematoma, and ecchymosis formation. The sample of this randomized controlled study consisted of 50 patients that were administered SC LMWH once a day. The SC injection occurred after applying coolant spray to the arm, leg, or abdominal region. The study determined that there was no statistically significant difference in pain severity, hematoma, and ecchymoses between the regions of SC injection after coolant spray was applied (p > 0.05). However, the highest average pain intensity directly and 15 min after the SC injection was in the leg region. SC injection after coolant spray application in three different regions led to the biggest hematoma in the abdominal region, the biggest ecchymosis in the arm region, and the lowest pain severity in the abdominal and arm regions.


Antitumour imidazotetrazines--XVIII. Modification of the level of 5-methylcytosine in DNA by 3-substituted imidazotetrazinones.
The effect of 3-methyl(temozolomide) and 3-ethyl (CCRG 82019) substituted imidazotetrazinones on cytosine methylation has been studied in the human lymphoblastoid cell line GM892. There was a decrease in the 5-methylcytosine content of newly synthesized DNA in cells treated with the 3-methyl and a small increase in cells treated with the 3-ethyl analogue, which was maximal 4 days after drug treatment. There was a progressive decrease in nuclear DNA methyltransferase after treatment with temozolomide with complete inhibition at 11-12 hr after drug addition, followed by a re-establishment of enzyme levels towards control values. While the free drugs had no effect on DNA methyltransferase activity in vitro, DNA isolated from GM892 cells previously treated with temozolomide inhibited the transfer of methyl groups from S-adenosyl-L-methionine to M. lysodeiktious DNA. The maximum effect was observed at 6 hr after drug addition and was proportional to the concentration of temozolomide to which the cells had previously been exposed. These results suggest that temozolomide may induce a block in cellular replication as a result of an indirect inhibition of DNA methylation and cells which escape this block progress with hypomethylated DNA.


Role of mastoid pneumatization in predicting tympanoplasty results: Will it have the same importance in different age groups?
There are several factors that seem to affect the surgical success rate of tympanoplasty, one of them being the pneumatization of the contralateral mastoid. In the current literature, several studies have been published with classification proposals for temporal bone pneumatization pattern. This study aims to evaluate the role of mastoid air cell extension in relation to the sigmoid sinus in predicting the surgical success of tympanoplasty. This case-control study was performed on patients diagnosed with chronic otitis media (COM) who underwent type I tympanoplasty. The study group did not close the tympanic membrane, or there was a retraction or lateralization of the graft. The control group consisted of patients with surgical success. No statistically significant difference was found between groups regrading age, gender, perforation side/type, previous nasal surgery, and the presence of chronic otitis media in contralateral ear. A statistically significant difference was found when groups were compared in relation to the degree of pneumatization of the contralateral ear (p = 0.046), and this relationship does not seem to be influenced by age. To predict surgical success in terms of tympanic membrane closure in tympanoplasty, classification of contralateral ear pneumatization degree using the sigmoid sinus as a reference seems to be a valid and easy to apply method, and makes it possible to restrict the evaluation of pneumatization to the mastoid, a cell complex that does not seem to change with age.


Cortisol in Poecilia latipinna: its identification and the validation of methods for its determination in plasma.
In vitro studies in which head kidney of Poecilia latipinna was incubated with labelled precursors have shown that cortisol is the only corticosteroid that could be detected as being produced by this tissue. Cortisol levels have been measured in the plasma of Poecilia latipinna by three methods. The routine use of two rapid and comparatively simple methods, the competitive protein binding assay and the radioimmunoassay, have been validated in terms of the more rigorous double isotope dilution derivative assay.


The evolving role of systemic therapy in carcinoma of the lung.
Locally advanced lung cancer carries a poor prognosis, and its treatment continues to challenge medical, radiation, and surgical oncologists. While systemic chemotherapy has improved the survival of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), the role and timing of thoracic radiotherapy has not been clearly defined. The roles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy appear to be reversed in the treatment of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The routine use of thoracic radiotherapy has been shown to improve local control after surgery without affecting survival, due to a high incidence of distant metastases. This contrasts with the marginal survival benefit seen with chemotherapy in NSCLC. Nevertheless, the results of recent clinical trials in both SCLC and NSCLC are encouraging and support continued investigation. These studies and the results of recent pilot studies suggest that a closer integration of chemotherapy and radiotherapy (concomitant chemoradiotherapy) may be necessary for further improvement in outcome. This review will present the results of recent studies in systemic therapy of lung cancer and the evidence supporting concomitant chemoradiotherapeutic treatment of this disease.


Characterization of Salmonella spp. and E. coli Strains Isolated from Wild Carnivores in Janos Biosphere Reserve, Mexico.
Enterobacteriaceae are considered one the most important zoonotic pathogens. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of E. coli and Salmonella spp. strains present in carnivores from Janos Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. These microorganisms had been isolated from a wide range of domestic and free-range animals, including wild carnivores. Fifty-five individuals were sampled, and the presence of Salmonella and E. coli was determined by bacteriological standard methods. Strains isolated were characterized by molecular methods and in vitro infection assays. Eight different species of carnivores were captured, including coyotes (Canis latrans), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), desert foxes (Vulpes macrotis), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), hooded skunks (Mephitis macroura), lynxes (Lynx rufus), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and badgers (Taxidea taxus). Salmonella spp. and E. coli were isolated from four species of carnivores. Five Salmonella spp. strains were isolated, and their molecular characterization revealed in three of them the presence of fimbrial and virulence genes associated with cell invasion. In vitro evaluation of these strains showed their capability to invade human Hep2 cells. Sixty-one E. coli strains were isolated; different serotypes and phylogroups were observed from these strains. Additionally, the presence of virulence genes showed differently.


Comparison of the effects of gestational weight gain on pregnancy outcomes between non-diabetic and diabetic women.
Appropriate gestational weight gain (GWG) is important in diabetic women. Current GWG guideline is for US general population, but not specific for diabetic women. We compared the effect of GWG on perinatal outcomes between diabetic and non-diabetic women. Fifty two hundred and twelve women who delivered live singleton infants at Korea University Medical Center from January 2009 to December 2013 were included. One hundred twenty-nine overt diabetes women and 322 gestational diabetes women were categorized as diabetic women, and the others were categorized as none-diabetic women. 5,212 women were categorized by GWG (low 1,081; adequate 2,102; or high 2,029; according to the 2009 Institute of Medicine guidelines), and each of the 3 GWG groups was categorized into 2 groups; diabetic or non-diabetic women. And then, we compared perinatal outcomes between diabetic and non-diabetic groups. In each 3 GWG groups, primary cesarean section delivery, high birth weight, and large for gestational age rates were significantly higher in diabetic women than non-diabetic women. Only in adequate GWG group, preterm birth rate was significantly higher in diabetic women than non-diabetic women. Our study shows that diabetic women had higher rates of adverse perinatal outcomes than non-diabetic women, although they achieved same GWG. It suggests that current GWG guideline may not be adequate for diabetic women, and that diabetic women may need more strict GWG control than normal population.


Fluorescence investigation on conformational state of rabbit muscle aldolase interacting with phosphatidylinositol liposomes.
Evidence of conformational changes in rabbit muscle aldolase upon binding to phosphatidylinositol liposomes and the effect of the interaction on the thermal conformational transition are reported. Interaction with phosphatidylinositol liposomes significantly decreases the aldolase tryptophanyl fluorescence and shifts the maximum wavelength to higher values. The dynamic quenching constant for the aldolase fluorescence quenching by acrylamide in the presence of liposomes is much higher than that for unmodified enzyme; this signifies an increase in accessibility of some tryptophanyl residues to small polar molecules. Indirect interaction between single phospholipid molecules, small micelles or any soluble impurities able to penetrate into the protein molecule interior does not seem to be involved in the conformational rearrangement. Native and liposome-interaction-induced conformational states reveal different temperature dependences of the tryptophan residues exposure. The implications of the modification of the conformational state of the enzyme for its function in vivo are discussed.


Continuous infusion versus intermittent bolus injection of bleomycin in a human embryonal testicular cancer xenograft.
In vivo experiments with bleomycin in conventional murine tumor systems indicate a superiority of continuous-infusion schedules over daily intermittent bolus injections. This schedule of administration has been incorporated into many clinical trials, especially in testicular cancer, on the basis of in vitro and in vivo experiments as well as favorable comparisons with historical controls. Since mechanisms linked to a superiority of continuous-infusion schedules may not be operative in every individual tumor line, we have compared both schedules of administration in a human testicular cancer xenograft. We found no significant difference with respect to antineoplastic response.


OAF is a DAF-like gene that controls ovule development in plants.
We previously found that the RING-type E3 ligase DEFECTIVE IN ANTHER DEHISCENCE1- (DAD1-) Activating Factor (DAF) controls anther dehiscence by activating the jasmonate biosynthetic pathway in Arabidopsis. Here, we show that in Arabidopsis, the DAF ancestor was duplicated into three genes (DAF, Ovule Activating Factor (OAF), DAFL2), which evolved divergent partial functions from their ancestor through subfunctionalization. In this case, DAF-DAD1-JA signaling regulates anther dehiscence, whereas OAF controls ovule development by negatively regulating cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase 9 (CAD9) activity and being negatively regulated by miR847 itself in Arabidopsis. Downregulation of OAF or upregulation of CAD9 and miR847 caused similar abortion of ovule formation due to precocious ovule lignification in transgenic Arabidopsis. Interestingly, only one DAF-like gene, PaOAF, exists in the monocot orchids, which has likely evolved through nonfunctionalization and maintains a conserved function as Arabidopsis OAF in regulating ovule development since defective ovules were observed in the virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) PaOAF Phalaenopsis orchids. The absence of the DAF ortholog and its function in orchids is likely due to the evolution of stamens to a unique pollinium structure that lacks the feature of anther dehiscence. These findings expand the current knowledge underlying the multifunctional evolution and diverse functionalization of duplicate gene pairs within/among plants.


[Delayed appearance of symptoms in immediate hypersensitivity: type I sensitization to galactose-α-1,3-galactose].
Delayed immediate-type allergy to innards and red meat can be mediated by IgE antibodies to galactose-α-1, 3-galactose (α-Gal). Apart from humans and Old World apes, α-Gal is ubiquitously expressed in glycoproteins and glycolipids. Thus, as α-Gal is immunogenic for humans, they can be easily sensitized even through a tick bite. Anti-α-Gal IgG represents approximately 1% of total IgG; IgE antibodies to α-Gal are comparably rare. However, in these patients, consuming red meat and especially innards can lead to the development of immediate type reactions such as urticaria. Cetuximab is a humanized IgG1 antibody containing murine α-Gal. Therefore, allergic reactions may occur with its first administration.


Synthesis and structure of two isomers of a molybdenum(II) 2-butyne complex stabilized by bioinspired S,N-bidentate ligands.
The synthesis and structural determination of two isomers of the molybdenum(II) complex (η2-but-2-yne)carbonylbis[2-(4,4-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-1,3-oxazol-2-yl)benzenethiolato-κ2N,S]molybdenum(II), [Mo(C11H12NOS)2(C4H6)(CO)] or Mo(CO)(C2Me2)(S-Phoz)2, are presented. The N,N-cis-S,S-trans isomer 1 shows quite different bond lengths to the metal atom [Mo-N = 2.4715 (10) versus 2.3404 (11) Å; Mo-S = 2.4673 (3) versus 2.3665 (3) Å]. In the N,N-trans-S,S-cis isomer 2, which is isotypic with the corresponding W complex, the Mo-N bond lengths [2.236 (2) and 2.203 (2) Å], as well as the Mo-S bond lengths [2.5254 (8) and 2.5297 (8) Å], are almost the same.


Surface display of classical swine fever virus E2 glycoprotein on gram-positive enhancer matrix (GEM) particles via the SpyTag/SpyCatcher system.
The E2 envelope protein is the main protective antigen of classical swine fever virus (CSFV). Importantly, gram-positive enhancer matrix (GEM) particles can work as an immunostimulant and/or carrier system to improve the immune effect of antigens. In this study, the artificially designed E2-Spy was expressed and glycosylated in Pichia pastoris, and subsequently conjugated with SpyCatcher-PA which was expressed in Escherichia coli. The conjugated E2-Spy-PA was displayed on the surface of GEM particles, generating the E2-Spy-PA-GEM complex. Blocking ELISA analysis and neutralization assays showed that both E2-Spy and E2-Spy-PA-GEM complexes induced high levels of anti-CSFV antibodies in mice. Furthermore, statistical analyses indicated that the E2-Spy-PA-GEM complex exhibited enhanced immunogenicity compared with E2-Spy alone.


Focus Issue: The ins and outs of ORAI in immune cells.
This Focus Issue highlights research into cell-specific regulation of store-operated calcium entry through the ORAI/STIM channel complex. Understanding the properties of these channels and how ORAI activity is regulated will lead to a better molecular view of immune cell function and diseases involving the immune system.


Fate of abstracts from American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery Annual Meetings.
The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) Annual Meeting provides a unique platform for the dissemination of research in laser and energy-based technologies, which are regularly utilized in cosmetic dermatology. We sought to elucidate the fate of the abstracts presented at ASLMS meetings over 3 years. We conducted a literature search for all abstracts presented at ASLMS meetings in 2013, 2014, and 2015 to determine publication rate, latency to publication, and journals of publication. The publication rate of abstracts presented at the 2013, 2014, and 2015 ASLMS meetings was 50.3%, 49.1%, and 43.5%, respectively. Average latency to publication was 16.1 months across these three years. Publication outcomes differed across general discipline, abstract type, poster category, clinical focus, and study design. Our findings provide insight into the likelihood of publication, as well as potential contributing factors, for abstracts presented at ASLMS. With about half of all abstracts reaching publication, our study highlights the significant volume of research presented at this unique meeting that does not reach a broader audience through publication and thus is limited in its potential clinical applications in cosmetic dermatology.


Kidney regeneration by xeno-embryonic nephrogenesis.
Establishment of a functional whole kidney de novo has not received much attention because of the formidable challenges and the slow pace of advances in this field of research. This situation has changed recently with publication of data revealing the catastrophic nature of Medicaid costs for dialysis-related diseases. An innovative approach is needed in our search for therapies for kidney diseases and to provide a substitute for dialysis as soon as possible. Regenerative medicine offers great hope for realizing this goal. We established a system by which human mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into a functional renal unit using a program of nephrogenesis in a developing xeno-embryo. In this article, recent research in the field of developing whole kidneys is reviewed, and possible therapeutic applications for kidney diseases are proposed in combination with our knowledge of the emerging field of kidney stem cell biology.


Coupling-dependent metabolic ultradian rhythms in confluent cells.
Ultradian rhythms in metabolism and physiology have been described previously in mammals. However, the underlying mechanisms for these rhythms are still elusive. Here, we report the discovery of temperature-sensitive ultradian rhythms in mammalian fibroblasts that are independent of both the cell cycle and the circadian clock. The period in each culture is stable over time but varies in different cultures (ranging from 3 to 24 h). We show that transient, single-cell metabolic pulses are synchronized into stable ultradian rhythms across contacting cells in culture by gap junction-mediated coupling. Coordinated rhythms are also apparent for other metabolic and physiological measures, including plasma membrane potential (Δψp), intracellular glutamine, α-ketoglutarate, intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP), cytosolic pH, and intracellular calcium. Moreover, these ultradian rhythms require extracellular glutamine, several different ion channels, and the suppression of mitochondrial ATP synthase by α-ketoglutarate, which provides a key feedback mechanism. We hypothesize that cellular coupling and metabolic feedback can be used by cells to balance energy demands for survival.


Chernobyl nuclide record from a North Sea sediment trap.
Nuclides liberated by explosion and subsequent fire at Chernobyl No. 4 reactor on 26 April 1986, travelled to Western Europe with lower tropospheric air masses. They reached the northern Alps and Paris on 30 April, southern Great Britain on 2 May, the southern North Sea on 3 May, and the northern North Sea on 3 May and again on 8 May. Levels of deposited activity varied by a factor of 30 or more over distances less than 100 km because of variability of rainfall. A sediment trap deployed 222-m-deep in the North Sea off Bergen recorded the onset and magnitude of the deposition of Chernobyl nuclides. The trap collected 13 samples between 24 April and 21 September 1986. The flux of nuclides adsorbed to particles sinking from surface waters to sediments started less than ten days after contaminated air reached the site. Maximum specific activity occurred on 16-27 May for 137Cs, 134Cs, 106Ru and 103Ru, and on 8-20 June for 144Ce, 95Nb and 95Zr. The highest activity was found for 103Ru. The highest total specific activity of these nuclides in depositing sediments reached 670,000 Bq kg-1, and the highest total activity flux for one day amounted to 50 Bq m-2.


Epitopes prediction for microcystin-LR by molecular docking.
Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is one of the most worldwide harmful cyanobacterial toxins. A lots of antibodies against MC-LR have been generated and characterized. However, the knowledge about the epitopes of MC-LR was still limited. The objective of this study was to analyze the epitopes of MC-LR and demonstrate the binding mode of MC-LR with its antibody. The variable genes of a mouse hybridoma cell line (Mab5H1-3B3) raised against MC-LR have been cloned and assembled in a single chain variable fragment (scFv), and then soluble expressed in E.coli BL21. Based on the scFv, the IC50 and IC10 for MC-LR were determined to be 7.45 nM and 0.30 nM by competitive ELISA. And the scFv also showed 115% and 112% cross-reactivities to MC-RR and MC-YR, and 59% to MC-LA. By molecular docking, the binding mode between MC-LR and its scFv was demonstrated. A hydrogen bond interaction was observed between the carbonyl group of Adda5 residue of MC-LR and its scFv, and the guanidyl group of Arg4 residue and phenyl group of Adda5 residue of MC-LR were also involved in the interaction. These predicted epitopes were supported by antibody cross-reactivity data. By comparing the antibody informatics of MC-LR scFv with its predicted paratopes, VH-CDR1 was crucial for MC-LR binding, and its specificity could be tuned by engineering in Vκ-CDR1 and Vκ-CDR3. These information would be useful for the hapten design for microcystins or improving the properties of MC-LR scFv in vitro.


Patients with Ulcerative Colitis Are More Concerned About Complications of Their Disease than Side Effects of Medications.
Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are often fearful about medication side effects and how the disease will affect their future. Our aim was to better understand what aspects of UC, and UC management, are most concerning to patients, and how they would like to be informed about treatment options. A Web-based survey was sent to UC patients throughout the United States and Australia. In addition to standard closed-response questions, audio clips were embedded in the survey and respondents showed their strength of agreement or disagreement using moment-to-moment affect-trace methodology. Standard quantitative analysis was used for the survey results, and cluster analysis was performed on the affect-trace responses. A total of 460 patients with UC (370 patients from the United States and 90 patients from Australia) responded to the survey. Of them, 53% of the respondents were women, with a mean age of 49 (range 19-81) years. Most patients (87%) wanted to share treatment decision making with their doctors. The majority, 98%, wanted more than just a basic understanding of their disease. Patients were most concerned about the risk of colorectal cancer (37%), and the possible need for an ileostomy (29%). Only 14% of patients indicated that side effects from medications were their biggest concern. On affect-trace analysis, the most divergence in opinion centered on the appropriate timing for colectomy. To facilitate informed treatment decisions for UC patients, in addition to reviewing the benefits and risks of medications, it is also important to discuss the best strategies for decreasing the risk of colectomy and colorectal cancer.


Nanotechnology-based products for cancer immunotherapy.
Currently, nanoscale materials and scaffolds carrying antitumor agents to the tumor target site are practical approaches for cancer treatment. Immunotherapy is a modern approach to cancer treatment in which the body's immune system adjusts to deal with cancer cells. Immuno-engineering is a new branch of regenerative medicine-based therapies that uses engineering principles by using biological tools to stimulate the immune system. Therefore, this branch's final aim is to regulate distribution, release, and simultaneous placement of several immune factors at the tumor site, so then upgrade the current treatment methods and subsequently improve the immune system's handling. In this paper, recent research and prospects of nanotechnology-based cancer immunotherapy have been presented and discussed. Furthermore, different encouraging nanotechnology-based plans for targeting various innate and adaptive immune systems will also be discussed. Due to novel views in nanotechnology strategies, this field can address some biological obstacles, although studies are ongoing.


Temperature-tunable Fano resonance induced by strong coupling between Weyl fermions and phonons in TaAs.
Strong coupling between discrete phonon and continuous electron-hole pair excitations can induce a pronounced asymmetry in the phonon line shape, known as the Fano resonance. This effect has been observed in various systems. Here we reveal explicit evidence for strong coupling between an infrared-active phonon and electronic transitions near the Weyl points through the observation of a Fano resonance in the Weyl semimetal TaAs. The resulting asymmetry in the phonon line shape, conspicuous at low temperatures, diminishes continuously with increasing temperature. This behaviour originates from the suppression of electronic transitions near the Weyl points due to the decreasing occupation of electronic states below the Fermi level (EF) with increasing temperature, as well as Pauli blocking caused by thermally excited electrons above EF. Our findings not only elucidate the mechanism governing the tunable Fano resonance but also open a route for exploring exotic physical phenomena through phonon properties in Weyl semimetals.


Human leucocyte antigen alleles confer susceptibility and progression to Graves' ophthalmopathy in a Southern Chinese population.
To evaluate the contributions of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II genes in the development of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) in a Southern Chinese population. Eight HLA loci were genotyped and analysed in 272 unrelated patients with Graves' disease (GD) or the proptosis and myogenic phenotypes of GO, and 411 ethnically matched control subjects. The allele frequencies of HLA-DRB1*16:02 and -DQB1*05:02 in the GD, proptosis and myogenic groups, HLA-B*38:02 and -DQA1*01:02 in the myogenic group were significantly higher than those in the control group, respectively (all corrected p values <0.05, OR >2.5). The haplotype frequencies of HLA-DRB1*16:02-DQA1*01:02-DQB1*05:02 and HLA-DRB1*16:02-DQA1*01:02-DQB1*05:02-DPA1*02:02-DPB1*05:01 in the proptosis and myogenic groups, and HLA-A*02:03-B*38:02-C*07:02 and HLA-A*02:03-B*38:02-C*07:02-DRB1*16:02-DQA1*01:02-DQB1*05:02-DPA1*02:02-DPB1*05:01 in the myogenic group were significantly higher than those in the control group respectively (all corrected p values <0.05, OR >2.5). The potential epitopes ('FLGIFNTGL' of TSHR, 'IRHSHALVS', 'ILYIRTNAS' and 'FVFARTMPA' of IGF-1R) were fitted exactly in the peptide-binding groove between HLA-DRA1-DRB1*16:02 heterodimer, and the epitopes ('ILEITDNPY' of THSR, 'NYALVIFEM' and 'NYSFYVLDN' of IGF-1R) were also fitted exactly in the peptide-binding groove between HLA-DQA1*01:02-DQB1*05:02 heterodimer. The HLA-DRB1*16:02 and -DQB1*01:02 alleles might be risk factors for GD including the proptosis and myogenic phenotypes of GO. The alleles HLA-B*38:02, -DQA1*01:02, the HLA haplotypes consisting of HLA-B*38:02, -DRB1*16:02, -DQA1*01:02 and -DQB1*05:02 might be susceptibility risk factors for GO. Simultaneously, some epitopes of TSHR and IGF-1R tightly binding to groove of HLA-DRA1-DRB1*16:02 or HLA-DQA1*01:02-DQB1*05:02 heterodimers might provide some hints on presenting the pathological antigen in GO.


Salinipyrone and Pacificanone Are Biosynthetic By-products of the Rosamicin Polyketide Synthase.
Salinipyrones and pacificanones are structurally related polyketides from Salinispora pacifica CNS-237 that are proposed to arise from the same modular polyketide synthase (PKS) assembly line. Genome sequencing revealed a large macrolide PKS gene cluster that codes for the biosynthesis of rosamicin A and a series of new macrolide antibiotics. Mutagenesis experiments unexpectedly correlated salinipyrone and pacificanone biosynthesis to the rosamicin octamodule Spr PKS. Remarkably, this bifurcated polyketide pathway illuminates a series of enzymatic domain- and module-skipping reactions that give rise to natural polyketide product diversity. Our findings enlarge the growing knowledge of polyketide biochemistry and illuminate potential challenges in PKS bioengineering.


Infection of epithelial and dendritic cells by Chlamydia trachomatis results in IL-18 and IL-12 production, leading to interferon-gamma production by human natural killer cells.
Control of infection by Chlamydia trachomatis usually requires the production of interferon-gamma. Whilst this can be produced by CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells are another important source of this cytokine, and are known to be recruited early to the infected genital tract. We show that both IL-12 and IL-18, which synergise to stimulate NK cells to produce interferon-gamma, are produced following the infection of dendritic cells and epithelial cells respectively, since supernatants from infected cells could substitute for recombinant cytokines. These results suggest that conditions, which lead to NK cell production of interferon-gamma will be present at the site of infection, where epithelial cells are the primary targets of infection and dendritic cells within the epithelium can also access the bacterium.


Mixed models: getting the best use of parasitological data.
Statistical analysis of parasitological data provides a powerful method for understanding the biological processes underlying parasite infection. However, robust and reliable analysis of parasitological data from natural and experimental infections is often difficult where: (1) the distribution of parasites between hosts is aggregated; (2) multiple measurements are made on the same individual host in longitudinal studies; or (3) data are from 'noisy' natural systems. Mixed models, which allow multiple error terms, provide an excellent opportunity to overcome these problems, and their application to the analysis of various types of parasitological data are reviewed here.


Central Insulin Action Activates Kupffer Cells by Suppressing Hepatic Vagal Activation via the Nicotinic Alpha 7 Acetylcholine Receptor.
Central insulin action activates hepatic IL-6/STAT3 signaling, which suppresses the gene expression of hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes. The vagus nerve plays an important role in this centrally mediated hepatic response; however, the precise mechanism underlying this brain-liver interaction is unclear. Here, we present our findings that the vagus nerve suppresses hepatic IL-6/STAT3 signaling via α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7-nAchR) on Kupffer cells, and that central insulin action activates hepatic IL-6/STAT3 signaling by suppressing vagal activity. Indeed, central insulin-mediated hepatic IL-6/STAT3 activation and gluconeogenic gene suppression were impeded in mice with hepatic vagotomy, pharmacological cholinergic blockade, or α7-nAchR deficiency. In high-fat diet-induced obese and insulin-resistant mice, control of the vagus nerve by central insulin action was disturbed, inducing a persistent increase of inflammatory cytokines. These findings suggest that dysregulation of the α7-nAchR-mediated control of Kupffer cells by central insulin action may affect the pathogenesis of chronic hepatic inflammation in obesity.


Imaging of Uncommon Bacterial, Rickettsia, Spirochete, and Fungal Infections.
This article reviews uncommon bacterial (brucellosis, actinomycosis, neuromelioidosis, nocardiosis, whipple disease, and listeriosis), Rickettsia, spirochete (neurosyphilis and Lyme disease), and fungal (mucormycosis, aspergillosis, candidiasis, cryptococcosis, and Cladophialophora bantiana) diseases affecting central nervous system (CNS), focusing primarily on their cranial manifestations. These infections often show a variety of neuroimaging features that may be similar or differ from typical pyogenic bacterial meningitis and abscess. Familiarity with these patterns is essential for timely recognition and initiation of appropriate management. Neuroimaging is also useful for identifying complications of CNS infections and follow-up evaluation after initiation of treatment.


Establishment of a protocol to test fatigue of the trunk muscles.
Muscle fatigue has high relevance in human performance yet little research has evaluated how it should be assessed. To perform a pilot study to identify suitable methods of generating and assessing fatigue of the trunk flexor and extensor muscles. Sixteen university rugby players (mean (SEM) age 21.9 (0.2) years) were recruited and subjected to four protocols (A, B, C, D), separated by a week to allow recovery, with peak torque being recorded during each test: A, isokinetic measurements before and after fatigue, with a 10 repetition isokinetic fatigue period; B, isokinetic measurements before and after fatigue with a 45 second isometric fatigue period; C, isometric measurements before and after fatigue with a 10 repetition isokinetic fatigue period; D, isometric measurements before and after fatigue with a 45 second isometric fatigue period. All were conducted during flexion and extension of the trunk on the Cybex Norm Isokinetic Dynamometer trunk flexion-extension unit. All subjects completed all four protocols. Fatigue induction appeared more effective in flexion than extension. Significant differences in mean peak torque before and after fatigue were seen in protocols A, B, and D in flexion and only in protocol D for extension. In flexion, protocol D produced the greatest fatigue, peak torque being 16.2% less after than before fatigue, suggesting greatest sensitivity. Protocol D, which incorporates isometric testing and fatigue protocols, appears to be able to produce fatigue most effectively, and therefore may provide the most valid assessment of fatigue in the trunk flexor and extensor muscles.


Induction of a latency period in the time-course of phospholipase A2 action on dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes in the gel phase.
The hydrolysis of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes by porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2 was studied at 31 degrees C, i.e., with the substrate in the gel phase. Addition of delipidated bovine serum albumin to the assay medium induces the appearance of a latency phase in the time course of the enzymatic action. The lag period can be abolished by addition of free palmitic acid whereas no reversal by lysolecithin is found. The generation of a latency period by albumin appears to be due to its ability to sequester the palmitic acid newly released by the phospholipase A2 catalysis. Thus, the nascent fatty acid seems to be an essential activator of the enzymatic process.


Cycloheximide-resistance in Chinese hamster ovary cells and human fibroblast cells. Cytogenetic and biochemical characterization.
Cycloheximide(CHM)-resistant mutant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and human cells were induced with N-nitrosomethylurea (NMU) and ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS); the mutants were viable and showed unlimited growth in the presence of CHM (7 X 10(-7) M), whereas this concentration inhibits protein synthesis in vivo as well as in vitro. No numerical or structural chromosomal aberrations were found in the mutant cells. In vitro analysis shows that the ribosomes confer resistance against cycloheximide.


Cabozantinib as the causative agent of high-grade fever in a patient with a background of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma: a case report.
Fever, as an adverse event, is well documented in a wide array of drugs including multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitors however, it is not a previously well described consequence of the novel multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, cabozantinib. In this paper we document the first detailed review of high-grade fevers in a 54 year old male (Caucasian) with a background of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma recently commenced on cabozantinib. After detailed investigation, we exclude infection and other common causes of fever as the causative agent and further, definitively resolve the recurrent fever by ceasing cabozantinib and starting a short course of oral corticosteroids. We have demonstrated that cabozantinib should always be considered in the aetiology of high-grade fever in relevant patients. Further, we demonstrate that temporary cessation of cabozantinib and a course of short-term steroids can induce resolution of fever and allow for recommencement of cabozantinib safely thereafter.


Level walking and ambulatory capacity in persons with incomplete spinal cord injury: relationship with muscle strength.
Prospective analysis of relationships. (1) To quantify the relationship between individual lower extremity muscle strength and functional walking measures and (2) to determine whether a multiple regression model incorporating lower extremity muscle strength could predict the performance of functional walking measures in persons with incomplete spinal cord injury (ISCI) living in the community. Tertiary rehabilitation center, Vancouver, Canada. In all, 22 subjects with ISCI participated. The relationship between functional walking measures (gait speed, 6-min-walk distance, and ambulatory capacity) and muscle strength (manual tests of hip flexors/extensors/abductors, knee flexors/extensors, ankle dorsiflexors/plantarflexors, and great toe extensors) were measured by Pearson's correlation and regression procedures. For both the more and less affected sides, hip flexors, hip extensors, and hip abductors produced the highest correlations with the three functional measures. The less affected hip flexor strength explained more than 50% of the variance in gait speed and 6-min-walk distance while the less affected hip extensor strength explained up to 64% of the variance in ambulatory capacity. For all three functional measures, the strength of the less affected limb was more important than that of the more affected limb. Lower extremity muscle strength, in particular that of hip flexors, hip extensors, and hip abductors, is an important determinant of functional walking performance.


Disentangling perceptual judgment and online feedback deficits in Parkinson's freezing of gait.
Although the underlying mechanisms of freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease (PD) are not fully understood, impaired sensory-perceptual processing has been proposed as an important contributor to freezing episodes. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to disentangle how sensory-perceptual deficits involved in planning (prior to movement) and sensory-perceptual feedback processing (during movement execution) contribute to freezing of gait in narrow spaces. Thirteen PD participants with freezing (PD FOG), 14 PD participants without freezing (PD non-FOG), and 15 healthy individuals made a perceptual estimate of the width of the distal opening of a corridor in two conditions: parallel and narrowing walls. Gait characteristics and number of freezing episodes were then compared while participants walked in baseline (no corridor), and through parallel walls and narrowing walls corridors. Visuospatial abilities were also assessed using neuropsychological tests. PD FOG had lower scores in the copy of the pentagons (p = 0.044) and had greater error variability in the perceptual judgment task (p = 0.008) than healthy participants. Although a similar number of freezing episodes occurred in both corridor conditions, PD FOG had greater step length variability while walking through the parallel walls corridor compared to healthy (p < 0.001) and PD non-FOG (p = 0.017) participants. Regression analysis revealed that error variability in perceptual judgment predicted the percentage of time spent in double support (R (2) = 0.347) only in the narrowing walls condition for PD FOG. These results support the notion that sensory-perceptual deficits both prior to movement planning and during movement execution are important factors contributing to freezing of gait.


Characteristics of antibody inhibition of rat kidney (Na+ -K+)-ATPase.
Antibodies which were raised against highly purified membrane-bound (Na+ -K+)-ATPase from the outer medulla of rat kidneys inhibit the (Na+-K+)-ATPase activity up to 95%. The antibody inhibition is reversible. The time course of enzyme inhibition and reactivation is biphasic in semilogarithmic plots. In the purified membrane-bound (Na+-K+)-ATPase negative cooperativity was observed (a) for the ATP dependence of the (Na+ -K+)-ATPase activity (n = 0.86), (b) for the ATP binding to the enzyme (n = 0.58), and (c) for the ouabain inhibition of the (Na+ -K+)-ATPase activity (n = 0.77). By measuring the Na+ dependence of the (Na+ -K+)-ATPase reaction, a positive homotropic cooperativity (n = 1.67) was found. As reactivation of the antibody-inhibited enzyme proceeds very slowly (t0.5 = 5.2 hr), it was possible to measure characteristics of the antibody-(Na+ -K+)-ATPase complex: The antibodies exerted similar effects on the ATP dependence of the (Na+ -K+)-ATPase reaction and on the ATP binding of the enzyme. Vmax of the (Na+ -K+)-ATPase reaction and the number of ATP binding sites were reduced while K0.5 ATP for the (Na+ -K+)-ATPase activity and for the ATP binding were increased by the antibodies. The Hill coefficients for the ATP binding and for the ATP dependence of the enzyme activity were not significantly altered by the antibodies. The antibodies increased the K0.5 value for the Na+ stimulation of the (Na+ -K+)-ATPase activity, but they did not alter the homotropic interactions between the Na+-binding sites. The negative cooperativity which was observed for the ouabain inhibition of the (Na+ -K)-ATPase activity was abolished by the antibodies. The data are tentatively explained by the following model: The antibodies bind to the (Na+ -K+)-ATPase from the inner membrane side, reduce the ATP binding symmetrically at the ATP binding sites and reduce thereby also the (Na+ -K+)-ATPase activity of the enzyme. The antibodies may inhibit the ATP binding by a direct interaction or by means of a conformational change at the ATP binding sites. This may possibly also lead to the alteration of the Na+ dependence of the (Na+ -K+)-ATPase activity and to the observed alteration of the dose response to the ouabain inhibition.


Effect of Aromatherapy on the Treatment of Psychological Symptoms in Postmenopausal and Elderly Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
To critically assess the effect of aromatherapy on the psychological symptoms as noted in the postmenopausal and elderly women. Three following databases were systematically searched: MEDLINE, Scopus and Cochrane Library (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) from inception to January 2018. The search keywords included 'menopause' AND (aromatherapy), without language restrictions. In this study, 4 trials were included which fit into our systematic review. The findings demonstrated that the aromatherapy massage have significantly improved psychological symptoms in menopausal and elderly women as compared to the control group (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -1.24; 95% confidence interval, -0.188 to -0.606; P < 0.001 random effect model; 3 trials, moderate to high heterogeneity, I2 = 0.76; P = 0.028). According to 1 of the trials, the aromatherapy oil massage was no more effective than the untreated group regarding their experience of symptoms such as nervousness. The aromatherapy may be beneficial in attenuating the psychological symptoms that these women may experience, such as anxiety and depression, but it is not considered as an effective treatment to manage nervousness symptom among menopausal women. This finding should be observed in light of study limitations.


Curing the incurable: A case of refractory vasospastic angina.
Vasospastic angina (VSA) is the spasm of coronary arteries causing transient myocardial ischemia. VSA is commonly managed with antispasmodic medications including calcium-channel blockers (CCB) and nitrates. When vasospasm is refractory to conventional medications, unconventional treatment modalities may be used for symptomatic relief (Tandon et al., 2019 Feb) [1]. There are several mediators of vasospasm, with serotonin playing a major role. Serotonin is a product of platelet aggregation and has multiple effects on the endothelium, which forms the basis of an unconventional treatment modality that may be used for symptomatic relief of VSA. In this case, a 44 year old female with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) status post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with recent drug-eluting stent (DES) placement was admitted for shortness of breath and chest pain, found to have a positive stress echocardiogram (Echo), and had unremarkable coronary angiography. Given persistent symptoms while on optimal medical therapy and with negative coronary angiography, the diagnosis of refractory VSA was made. Patient was started on a serotonin receptor blocker with improvement of her symptoms.


Functional characterization of cultivable gut bacterial communities associated with rugose spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin.
Gut symbiotic bacteria provide protection and nutrition to the host insect. A high reproductive rate and dispersal ability of the rugose spiralling whitefly help this polyphagous species to develop and thrive on many horticultural crops. In this study, we isolated the cultivable gut bacteria associated with rugose spiralling whitefly and demonstrated their role in the host insect. We also studied the influence of antibiotics on the rugose spiralling whitefly oviposition. A total of 70 gut bacteria were isolated from the second nymphal stage of rugose spiralling whitefly reared on coconut, banana, and sapota using seven growth media. From the 70 isolates, chitinase, siderophore (51), protease (44), and Glutathione-S-Transferase producers (16) were recorded. The activities of chitinase, siderophore, protease, and Glutathione-S-Transferase in the gut bacterial isolates of rugose spiralling whitefly ranged from 0.07 to 3.96 µmol-1 min-1 mL-1, 10.01 to 76.93%, 2.10 to 83.40%, and 5.21 to 24.48 nmol-1 min-1 mL-1 μg-1 protein, respectively. The16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that bacterial genera associated with the gut of rugose spiralling whitefly included Bacillus, Exiguobacterium, Acinetobacter, Lysinibacillus, Arthrobacter, and Pseudomonas. Based on the susceptibility of the gut bacteria to antibiotics, 11antibiotic treatments were administered to the host plant leaves infested with the nymphal stages. The antibiotics were evaluated for their effect on rugose spiralling whitefly oviposition. Among the antibiotic treatments, carbenicillin (100 µg mL-1) + ciprofloxacin (5 µg mL-1) significantly reduced the oviposition (13 eggs spiral-1) and egg hatchability (61.54%) of rugose spiralling whitefly. Disruption of chitinase, siderophore, protease, and detoxification enzyme producers and elimination of these symbionts through antibiotics altered the host insect physiology and indirectly affected whitefly oviposition. In conclusion, gut bacteria-based management strategies might be used as insecticides for the effective control of whiteflies. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-021-03081-3.


Mechanical dyssynchrony or myocardial shortening as MRI predictor of response to biventricular pacing?
To investigate whether mechanical dyssynchrony (regional timing differences) or heterogeneity (regional strain differences) in myocardial function should be used to predict the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Baseline mechanical function was studied with MRI in 29 patients with chronic heart failure. Using myocardial tagging, two mechanical dyssynchrony parameters were defined: the standard deviation (SD) in onset time (T onset) and in time to first peak (T peak,first) of circumferential shortening. Electrical dyssynchrony was described by QRS width. Further, two heterogeneity parameters were defined: the coefficient of variation (CV) in end-systolic strain and the difference between peak septal and lateral strain (DiffSLpeakCS). The relative increase in maximum rate of left ventricle pressure rise (dP/dt max) quantified the acute response to CRT. The heterogeneity parameters correlated better with acute response (CV: r = 0.58, DiffSLpeakCS: r = 0.63, P < 0.005) than the mechanical dyssynchrony parameters (SD(T onset): r = 0.36, SD(T peak,first) r = 0.47, P = 0.01, but similar to electrical dyssynchrony (r = 0.62, P < 0.001). When a heterogeneity parameter was combined with electrical dyssynchrony, the correlation increased (r > 0.70, P incr < 0.05). Regional heterogeneity in myocardial shortening correlates better with response to CRT than mechanical dyssynchrony, but should be combined with electrical dyssynchrony to improve prediction of response beyond the prediction from electrical dyssynchrony only.


Current state-of-the-art and future perspectives of robotic technology in neurosurgery.
Neurosurgery is one of the most demanding surgical specialties in terms of precision requirements and surgical field limitations. Recent advancements in robotic technology have generated the possibility of incorporating advanced technological tools to the neurosurgical operating room. Although previous studies have addressed the specific details of new robotic systems, there is very little literature on the strengths and drawbacks of past attempts, currently available platforms and prototypes in development. In this review, the authors present a critical historical analysis of the development of robotic technology in neurosurgery as well as a comprehensive summary of the currently available systems that can be expected to be incorporated to the neurosurgical armamentarium in the near future. Finally, the authors present a critical analysis of the main technical challenges in robotic technology development at the present time (such as the design of improved systems for haptic feedback and the necessity of incorporating intraoperative imaging data) as well as the benefits which robotic technology is expected to bring to specific neurosurgical subspecialties in the near future.


Screening for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Using Signals From Web Search Logs: Feasibility Study and Results.
People's online activities can yield clues about their emerging health conditions. We performed an intensive study to explore the feasibility of using anonymized Web query logs to screen for the emergence of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The methods used statistical analyses of large-scale anonymized search logs considering the symptom queries from millions of people, with the potential application of warning individual searchers about the value of seeking attention from health care professionals. We identified searchers in logs of online search activity who issued special queries that are suggestive of a recent diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We then went back many months before these landmark queries were made, to examine patterns of symptoms, which were expressed as searches about concerning symptoms. We built statistical classifiers that predicted the future appearance of the landmark queries based on patterns of signals seen in search logs. We found that signals about patterns of queries in search logs can predict the future appearance of queries that are highly suggestive of a diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We showed specifically that we can identify 5% to 15% of cases, while preserving extremely low false-positive rates (0.00001 to 0.0001). Signals in search logs show the possibilities of predicting a forthcoming diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma from combinations of subtle temporal signals revealed in the queries of searchers.


Prescribing patterns and outcomes of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in hospitalized medical and cancer patients: Observations from the Ottawa Hospital.
Guidelines suggest broad use of pharmacologic prophylaxis to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized medical patients, however little 'real-world' data exists to support this. Our goal was to describe the use of thromboprophylaxis among general medical and cancer patients admitted to hospital, compare VTE and bleeding outcomes according to use of thromboprophylaxis, and to determine what variables influence prescribing patterns and outcomes. Patients admitted to the general medical and oncology services at The Ottawa Hospital between 2010 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed and classified according to whether they received initial, delayed, or no pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis during their first hospitalization. Patients with an alternate indication for anticoagulation or those admitted with a bleeding event were excluded from analysis. The primary efficacy outcome was any symptomatic VTE during index hospitalization or within 90 days of discharge, and the primary safety outcome was clinically relevant bleeding during the index hospitalization. 17,262 patients were included in our final analysis. General medical patients selected to receive no, initial, or delayed thromboprophylaxis had 0.4%, 0.7%, and 2.4% rates of VTE; and 0.2%, 0.7%, and 1.5% rates of clinically relevant bleeding complications, respectively. Cancer patients had significantly higher rates of VTE: 3.3%, 3.9%, and 5.0%; and 0.9%, 0.7%, and 3.0% rates of clinically relevant bleeding among those selected to receive no, initial, or delayed thromboprophylaxis, respectively. Overall, our study suggests that broad use of pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis may be unnecessary in select low-risk general medical patients and may be less effective in cancer patients in whom new studies are indicated.


Regulatory volume decrease in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells is not mediated by a rise in intracellular calcium.
Ehrlich ascites tumor cells suspended in hyposmotic solution initially swell and then shrink back towards normal volume, a process known as regulatory volume decrease (RVD). RVD is characterized by a specific loss of KCl, although the mechanism for this is currently unknown. The hypothesis that a rise in intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) activates calcium-sensitive ion conductances to initiate RVD was investigated. The results indicate that in the Ehrlich cell no rise in [Ca2+]i occurs when the extracellular osmolality is reduced from 300 mosM to 180 mosM. These findings were substantiated by the lack of sensitivity of RVD to the Ca(2+)-sensitive K+ channel blockers charybdotoxin (CTX) and nifedipine. In contrast, the ionophore ionomycin induced a cell shrinkage that was sensitive to CTX and nifedipine indicating that a rise in [Ca2+]i could play a role in cell volume reduction but that this occurred by a mechanism different from that observed in RVD. The conclusion from these experiments is that Ca2+ does not act as a second messenger for RVD in the Ehrlich cell.


In vitro thyroid hormone-disrupting activity in effluents and surface waters in Thailand.
The thyroid hormone (TH)-disrupting activity of effluents and environmental water samples in Thailand was surveyed by three in vitro bioassays with different endpoints. These assays test the potency of competitive binding with the active form of TH, 3,3',5-[(125)I]triiodo-l-thyronine (T(3)), to the plasma transport protein transthyretin (TTR) and TH receptor (TR; the TTR assay and TR assay, respectively) and the interference with the cellular T(3)-signaling pathway through TR-mediated luciferase gene activation (the luc assay). The TH-disrupting activity in water samples collected from paper manufacturing plants (PMPs), the canal Khlong U-Taphao, and a sewage-treatment plant (STP) was detected predominantly in the dichloromethane/methanol or methanol fractions of solid-phase extraction, suggesting a similar hydrophobic nature of the causative contaminants. The TR assay was relatively more sensitive than the TTR assay to the competitively potent contaminants. The luc assay indicated that the dichloromethane/methanol fractions of most water samples contained anti-T(3)-like activity. Our assays demonstrated that wastewater treatment effectively removed the TH-disrupting contaminants from wastewater in the PMP and the STP. The potencies for TH disruption at the three sampling points of the STP exhibited positive correlations among the three bioassays, whereas those from the canal and PMP water were not correlated among the three bioassays. Furthermore, the influent contaminants that were competitively potent in the TTR assay partially affected the luc assay. These bioassays are useful monitoring tools that give results relevant for evaluating the health of amphibian populations.


Chronic high glucose induced INS-1β cell mitochondrial dysfunction: a comparative mitochondrial proteome with SILAC.
As glucose-stimulated insulin secretion of pancreatic β cell is triggered and promoted by the metabolic messengers derived from mitochondria, mitochondria take a central stage in the normal function of β cells. β cells in diabetics were chronically exposed to hyperglycemia stimulation, which have been reported to exert deleterious effects on β-cell mitochondria. However, the mechanism of the toxic effects of hyperglycemia on β-cell mitochondria was not clear. In this study, we characterized the biological functional changes of rat INS-1β cells and their mitochondria with chronic exposure to hyperglycemia and created a research model of chronic hyperglycemia-induced dysfunctional β cells with damaged mitochondria. Then, SILAC-based quantitative proteomic approach was used to compare the mitochondrial protein expression from high glucose treated INS-1β cells and control cells. The expression of some mitochondrial proteins was found with significant changes. Functional classification revealed most of these proteins were related with oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial protein biosynthesis, substances metabolism, transport, and cell death. These results presented some useful information about the effect of glucotoxicity on the β-cell mitochondria.


Morphological identification of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in SB-20M culture medium has efficiency comparable to proteomic identification by the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry technique.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of SB-20 M culture medium to perform differential morphological identification of S. mutans and S. sobrinus compared to biochemical identification and to proteomic identification by the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry technique. Unstimulated saliva samples from 266 dental students were seeded on SB-20 M culture medium by the wooden spatula technique. After incubation, S. mutans and S. sobrinus colonies were identified by stereomicroscopy based on their differential morphological characteristics. Following these procedures, 135 colonies with characteristic morphology of S. mutans (89 colonies) and S. sobrinus (46 colonies) were randomly selected, submitted to biochemical identification (biotyping) and proteomic identification by the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry technique. The results were compared using the Kappa test, with a 5% significance level. All (100%) S. mutans colonies were correctly identified after culture in SB-20 M medium compared to biotyping and proteomic identification. For S. sobrinus, morphological identification in SB-20 M medium was correct for 43 colonies (93.5%) compared to biotyping and proteomic identification. However, there was no statistically significant difference when comparing the capacity to identify S. mutans and S. sobrinus of the three techniques (p < 0.001; K = 0.951). It was concluded that the SB-20 M culture medium for morphological identification of S. mutans and S. sobrinus was highly reliable, being comparable to the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry technique. The efficiency evaluation of identification methods of S. mutans and S. sobrinus is clinically relevant in order to determine caries risk and activity of patients.


Overcoming challenges to effectiveness of mobile markets in US food deserts.
The purpose of this research is to investigate whether mobile food markets may be effective in facilitating healthy food choices in food deserts. We investigate who does and does not use mobile food markets and why, and whether mobile markets have the potential to alter attitudes and food choices, and if so, how? We use a focus group study at four sites in the US to ask groups of mobile market shoppers and non-shoppers about their shopping, cooking, and eating attitudes and behaviors. We find that mobile market shoppers eat significantly more servings of fruits and vegetables, however, both shoppers and non-shoppers perceive fruits and vegetables as luxury items, and both groups lack knowledge about what is a serving and what is the recommended number of servings per day. Both groups identified the following needs for mobile markets to be more successful: increased awareness and advertising; affordability; improved convenience by offering more stops and hours, as well as greater variety of items for one-stop shopping; emphasis on value and service; and building trust within communities.


Factors associated with insomnia symptoms over three years among premenopausal women with breast cancer.
We examined longitudinal trends and factors associated with insomnia over 3 years in a cohort of young breast cancer patients. Women with stage I-III breast cancer at ≤ 45 years were recruited at five institutions from New York, Texas, and North Carolina, within 8 months of diagnosis (n = 836). Participants completed questionnaires every 6 months for 3 years. Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine insomnia over time, using the Women's Health Initiative Insomnia Rating Scale (WHIIRS). We evaluated the relations of insomnia with demographic (age, race, education, income, employment, marital status), clinical (cancer stage, histologic grade, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, surgery, tumor size, body mass index, hot flashes), and social/behavioral variables (smoking status, social support, physical activity, depressive symptoms). At baseline, 57% of participants met or exceeded the cut-off for clinical insomnia (WHIIRS score ≥ 9). Insomnia symptoms were most prevalent at baseline (p < 0.0001), but decreased significantly throughout follow-up (p < 0.001). However, 42% of participants still experienced insomnia symptoms 3 years after diagnosis. In multivariable models, older age (p = 0.02), hot flashes (p < 0.0001), and depressive symptoms (p < 0.0001) remained significantly associated with insomnia over time. Insomnia symptoms were most frequent closer to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, but persisted for some women who were older and those reporting higher hot flashes and depressive symptoms. Survivorship care should include assessing insomnia symptoms, particularly during and immediately after primary treatment. Implementing early interventions for sleep problems may benefit young breast cancer survivors and improve their quality of life.


Morphological and molecular characterization of new Drosophila cell lines established from a strain permissive for gypsy transposition.
The gypsy element of Drosophila melanogaster is the first retrovirus identified in invertebrates. Its transposition is controlled by a host gene called flamenco (flam): restrictive alleles of this gene maintain the retrovirus in a repressed state while permissive alleles allow high levels of transposition. To develop a cell system to study the gypsy element, we established four independent cell lines derived from the Drosophila strain SS, which contains a permissive allele of flamenco, and which is devoid of transposing copies of gypsy. The ultrastructural analysis of three SS cell lines revealed some remarkable characteristics, such as many nuclear virus-like particles, cytoplasmic dense particles, and massive cisternae filled with a fibrous material of unknown origin. Gypsy intragenomic distribution has been compared between the three cell lines and the original SS fly strain, and revealed in two of the cell lines an increase in copy number of a restriction fragment usually present in active gypsy elements. This multiplication seems to have occurred during the passage to the cell culture. Availability of SS cell lines should assist studies of gypsy transposition and infectivity and might be useful to produce high amounts of gypsy viral particles. These new lines already allowed us to show that the Envelope-like products of gypsy can be expressed as membrane proteins.


Autoinhibition of Bcr-Abl through its SH3 domain.
Bcr-Abl is a dysregulated tyrosine kinase whose mechanism of activation is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that, like c-Abl, Bcr-Abl is negatively regulated through its SH3 domain. Kinase activity, transformation, and leukemogenesis by Bcr-Abl are greatly impaired by mutations of the Bcr coiled-coil domain that disrupt oligomerization, but restored by an SH3 point mutation that blocks ligand binding or a complementary mutation at the intramolecular SH3 binding site defined in c-Abl. Phosphorylation of tyrosines in the activation loop of the catalytic domain and the linker between the SH2 and catalytic domains (SH2-CD linker) is dependent on oligomerization and required for leukemogenesis. These results suggest that Bcr-Abl has a monomeric, unphosphorylated state with the SH3 domain engaged intramolecularly to Pro1124 in the SH2-CD linker, the form that is sensitive to the inhibitor imatinib (STI-571). The sole function of the coiled-coil domain is to disrupt the autoinhibited conformation through oligomerization and intermolecular autophosphorylation.


Adhesion characteristics and stability assessment of lectin-modified liposomes for site-specific drug delivery.
Carbohydrate moieties of the cellular glycocalyx have been suggested to play an important role in biological recognition processes during pathologic conditions, such as inflammation and cancer. Herein, we describe lectin-modified liposomes which might have potential for site-specific drug delivery during the therapy of such diseases. Specific interactions of plain (i.e., unmodified) and PEGylated, lectin-grafted liposomes with model membranes were investigated under real-time flow conditions using a quartz crystal microbalance. In addition, the morphology of the liposomal systems was assessed by atomic force microscopy. Plain liposomes exhibited only unspecific adhesion to glycolipid membranes and had a tendency to coalesce. The degree of membrane interaction was significantly increased when plain liposomes were modified with the lectin, Concanavalin A. However, vesicle fusion also markedly increased as a result of lectin modification. Additional PEGylation of liposomes reduced unspecific adhesion phenomena, as well as coalescence. Moreover, our studies enabled us to establish quartz crystal microbalance and atomic force microscopy as powerful and complementary methods to characterize adhesion properties of targeted drug delivery systems.


Network pharmacological analysis to reveal the mechanism governing the effect of Qin Xi Tong on osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Qin Xi Tong (QXT), produced by water extracts of Caulis Sinomenii, is clinically effective in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is also a complementary agent for osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to screen the candidate targets and identify the potential mechanisms of QXT against RA and OA. The active ingredients contained in QXT were queried from the TCMSP database. Their predicted targets were obtained through web-based databases, including TCMSP, BATMAN-TCM, CTD, and PharmMapper. The OA and RA targets were collected from the Genecards database and the GSE55235 dataset. Based on the DAVID database, GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of disease-drug common targets predicted potential signaling pathways for QXT. In addition, core targets were identified by mapping component-target-disease interaction networks with Cytoscape 3.9.1 and STRING. The Swissdock and Pymol tools further validate the predicted results. A total of 161 genes were put forward as potential targets for treating RA and OA. These genes might be involved in joint inflammation, including the IL-17 signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and TNF signaling pathway. They also regulated the progression of joint injuries, such as apoptosis, Th17 cell differentiation, and osteoclast differentiation. In addition, we identified 12 core targets of QXT. Molecular docking results showed that QXT has a high affinity with these core targets. This study reveals the mechanism governing the effect of QXT on RA and OA, predicts the direct target, and provides new ideas for clinical treatment. Key Points • Our study reveals the underlying mechanism of QXT in the treatment of RA and OA. • Further research into the effects of compounds in QXT alone would be of interest.


Implementation of a High-Flow Nasal Cannula Management Protocol in the Pediatric ICU.
High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy is a respiratory modality that has been adopted to support pediatric patients with bronchiolitis. There is no standardized protocol for initiation, escalation, or weaning of HFNC in the pediatric ICU. The aim of this respiratory therapist (RT)-driven quality improvement management protocol was to decrease duration of HFNC. An RT-driven HFNC management protocol based on an objective respiratory score was implemented in 2017 at a quaternary care children's hospital. Subjects included children less than 2 y old admitted to the pediatric ICU with bronchiolitis. All subjects needing HFNC were scored and placed within the protocol as appropriate for age, then weaned or escalated per the scoring tool. Comparison to a pre-intervention control group was performed. Average HFNC duration per subject was used as the primary outcome measure. Protocol compliance was used as a process measure. Noninvasive ventilation use, intubation rate, and 30-d pediatric ICU readmission rate were used as balancing measures. RT satisfaction with HFNC management before and after protocol implementation were measured. Protocol compliance was sustainable and above the goal of 80% after 4 months of protocol implementation. HFNC duration decreased from 2.5 d to 2 days for each subject during planning and then to 1.8 d after protocol implementation. Length of stay (LOS) in the pediatric ICU and hospital LOS decreased from 2.6 d to 2.1 d and from 5.7 d to 4.7 d after protocol implementation, respectively. The use of noninvasive ventilation and the rate of intubation did not change significantly. RTs reported increased involvement in HFNC management decisions and appropriateness on how quickly the team weaned HFNC. An RT-driven HFNC management protocol was safely implemented in a pediatric ICU and decreased HFNC duration, pediatric ICU LOS, and hospital LOS. It allows the RT to work independently to the highest extent of their scope of practice, leading to improvement in RT job satisfaction.


Mild traumatic brain injury in UK military personnel returning from Afghanistan and Iraq: cohort and cross-sectional analyses.
: To assess (a) the prevalence of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in UK military personnel deployed to Iraq and/or Afghanistan, (b) the risk factors associated with mTBI, and (c) the association between mTBI and subsequent postconcussion symptoms (PCS). : A total of 4620 personnel deployed to Iraq and/or Afghanistan who completed a questionnaire between 2007 and 2009, of whom 2333 were also studied in 2005, participated in the study. : Mild traumatic brain injury during deployment, as identified using a modified version of the Brief Traumatic Brain Injury Screen questionnaire; symptoms associated with PCS in the month before questionnaire completion. : The prevalence of mTBI was 4.4%, and the prevalence in those with a combat role was 9.5%. Having an mTBI was associated with current symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 5.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.3-11.4), alcohol misuse (AOR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.4-3.7), and multiple physical symptoms (AOR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.3-5.2). Only 3 of 9 symptoms remained associated with mTBI after adjustment. Psychological distress and alcohol misuse recorded before deployment were associated with subsequent mTBI. : The prevalence of mTBI in UK military is lower than that in the US military. Symptoms of current posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol misuse are associated with mTBI. Symptoms of mental disorder predated occurrence of mTBI. The majority PCS were not associated with mTBI.


Comparison of 3 microkeratomes used for keratomileusis in situ in a swine model.
To determine whether the choice of instrumentation affects the quality and precision of corneal cuts during keratomileusis in situ. Schlosspark-Klinik, Ophthalmology Department, Berlin, Germany. The study was performed on 54 swine eyes and 3 human corneas using microkeratomes manufactured by Steinway, SCMD, and Eye Technology. The study results are based on micrometric and pachymetric measurements of actual slice thickness. Slice thickness and slice quality were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. Three slices of defined thickness were made with each keratome. There was no significant difference in the degree of deviation of slice thickness from the intended value with any keratome. The micrometric measurement of the first lamella documented significantly less variation in the actual measurements achieved with the Eye Technology device (P < .01). All keratomes tested demonstrated a high degree of congruence between the intended values and those achieved in mean thickness and circularity of the cut. The Eye Technology device demonstrated the best profile and the cleanest margins, followed by the SCMD keratome, which caused minimal distortion of the stroma. The Steinway keratome has a high amplitude and produced 25 microns tears in the margins perpendicular to the plane of the cut. There was no overall difference in cutting precision between the 3 tested keratomes. High-oscillation frequency of the blade resulted in a smooth cut.


New Treatment to Prevent Recurring Clostridioides Difficile Infections.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved a live fecal microbiota product (Rebyota) to prevent recurrence of Clostridioides difficile in adults.The product is approved for use following antibiotic treatment for recurrent episodes of C. difficile.


Assembling process of charged nonanuclear cationic lanthanide(III) clusters assisted by dichromium decacarbonyl hydride.
The reaction of Ln(acac)(3).3H(2)O (Ln = Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Yb) with K[Cr(2)(CO)(10)(micro-H)] at different molar ratios and solvents leads to the formation of nonanuclear lanthanide hydroxo acetylacetonate complexes of general formula [Ln(9)(OH)(10)(acac)(16)][HCr(2)(CO)(10)]. The compounds are isomorphous, and the common cationic cluster core consists of a novel square antiprismatic arrangement of nine Ln atoms connected by micro(3), micro(4) hydroxo bridges and/or by acetylacetonate ligands as it results from the single-crystal X-ray analysis of the Sm derivative for which the most suitable crystals were obtained.


Bilayer nanostructure coated AZ31 magnesium alloy implants: in vivo reconstruction of critical-sized rabbit femoral segmental bone defect.
Healing or reconstruction of critical-sized bone defects is still challenging in orthopaedic practice. In this study, we developed a new approach to control the degradation and improve the bone regeneration of the AZ31 magnesium substrate, fabricated as mesh cage implants. Subsequently, bilayer nanocomposite coating was carried out using polycaprolactone (PCL) and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) by dip-coating and electrospinning. Lastly, the healing capacity of the implants was studied in New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit critical-sized femur bone defects. X-ray analysis showed the coated implant group bridged and healed the critical defects 100% during four weeks of post-implantation. Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) study showed higher total bone volume (21.10%), trabecular thickness (0.73), and total porosity (85.71%) with bilayer coated implants than uncoated. Our results showed that nanocomposite coated implants controlled the in vivo degradation and improved bioactivity. Hence, the coated implants can be used as a promising bioresorbable implant for critical segmental bone defect repair applications.


Needs assessment and a model agenda for training the public health workforce.
A training needs assessment project tested the use of "universal" competencies for establishing a model training agenda for the public health workforce. Agency supervisors selected competencies for training priorities. Regional and national public health leaders used these selections to design the model training agenda. The competencies given high priority by supervisors varied among state and local agencies and included some not within the universal set. The model training agenda reflected supervisors' priorities as well as leaders' perspectives. The universal competencies provide a useful starting point, but not necessarily an exclusive framework, for assessing and meeting the training needs of the public health workforce.


Mapping the changes of CH4 emissions in global supply chains.
This study aims to identify methane (CH4) emission flows along global supply chains from both production- and consumption-based perspectives and their temporal changes from 2000 to 2014. We employed the structural path analysis (SPA) method to examine the embodied CH4 emission trade through inter-sectoral and inter-regional supply chains. Production activities in the sector of Agriculture (such as crop and animal production) and consumption activities in Construction (such as infrastructure) were the most significant contributors to global CH4 emission increases during 2000-2014. Agriculture and Mining (such as coal mining) accounted for large shares of global embodied CH4 trade at the final consumption tier (i.e., the trade of final goods or services), while Food (such as beverages and tobacco) and Heavy manufacturing (such as steel or automobile manufacturing) were significant contributors to embodied CH4 emissions in the trade of intermediate goods or services directly used to produce final goods or services. This finding highlights the different potential of the sectors for CH4 abatement along global supply chains. The United States imported the most embodied CH4 emissions from foreign areas in 2000 in contrast to China, which dominated imports in 2014. Over 80% of China's embodied CH4 emissions in 2014 were related to intermediate production along global supply chains due to industrial upgrading. India surpassed China as the largest direct emitter for producing final goods or services. Given the critical role of non-CO2 greenhouse gases in global climate change, the spatiotemporal changes of CH4 emissions in global supply chains can help explore the justified allocation of reduction responsibility between countries and sectors connected by the chains.


Three-dimensional effects of pterygomaxillary disconnection during surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion: a cadaveric study.
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of pterygomaxillary disconnection on the transversal expansion of the maxilla. Fifteen cadaver heads were used for surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE), which was carried out twice on the same heads-with and without pterygoid disconnection. The maxillae were expanded by 10 mm by using a rapid palatal expander. Study models before and after both SARPE techniques were made and scanned by an oral scanner for virtual analysis by software. Performing pterygomaxillary disconnection during SARPE led to a decrease in the deviation between the incisor regions from 5.42 ± 1.13 mm to 4.05 ± 1.12 mm (P = .002) and an increase in the distance between second premolar regions from 2.63 ± 1.64 mm to 4.07 ± 2.01 mm (P = .040). SARPE without pterygomaxillary disconnection led to a V-shaped transverse expansion of the maxilla, whereas osteotomy of the pterygoid plates led to a parallel transverse expansion.


Spectroscopic, radiochemical, and theoretical studies of the Ga3+-N-2-hydroxyethyl piperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES buffer) system: evidence for the formation of Ga3+ - HEPES complexes in (68) Ga labeling reactions.
Recent reports have claimed a superior performance of HEPES buffer in comparison to alternative buffer systems for (67/68) Ga labeling in aqueous media. In this paper we report spectroscopic ((1) H and (71) Ga NMR), radiochemical, mass spectrometry and theoretical modeling studies on the Ga(3+)/HEPES system (HEPES = N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid) performed with the aim of elucidating a potential contribution of HEPES in the (68/67) Ga radiolabeling process. Our results demonstrate that HEPES acts as a weakly but competitive chelator of Ga(3+) and that this interaction depends on the relative Ga(3+): HEPES concentration. A by-product formed in the labeling mixture has been identified as a [(68) Ga]Ga(HEPES) complex via chromatographic comparison with the nonradioactive analog. The formation of this complex was verified to compete with [(68) Ga]Ga(NOTA) complexation at low NOTA concentration. Putative chelation of Ga(3+) by the hydroxyl and adjacent ring nitrogen of HEPES is proposed on the basis of (1)H NMR shifts induced by Ga(3+) and theoretical modeling studies.


Use of a biotinylated probe and in situ hybridization for light and electron microscopic localization of Po mRNA in myelin-forming Schwann cells.
A biotinylated Po glycoprotein cDNA was hybridized in situ to aldehyde-fixed vibratome sections and to aldehyde-fixed thin sections of Lowicryl-embedded trigeminal ganglia of 15 day old rats. Alkaline phosphatase and peroxidase detectors were used for light microscopic (LM) studies and peroxidase or colloidal gold were employed for electron microscopic (EM) detection. In both LM and EM sections, probe was found in cytoplasmic areas of myelin-forming Schwann cells that were enriched in granular endoplasmic reticulum, demonstrating that these regions contain Po mRNA. Interestingly, Po mRNA tended to cluster in regions close to the developing myelin sheath. Relatively simple methods are here described for EM detection of mRNA with reasonable tissue preservation and high resolution. These methods may be useful for developmental and disease-related studies of specific mRNAs in mammalian tissues.


The effect of eccentric exercise with blood flow restriction on neuromuscular activation, microvascular oxygenation, and the repeated bout effect.
To examine the effect of low-intensity eccentric contractions with and without blood flow restriction (BFR) on microvascular oxygenation, neuromuscular activation, and the repeated bout effect (RBE). Participants were randomly assigned to either low-intensity (LI), low-intensity with BFR (LI-BFR), or a control (CON) group. Participants in LI and LI-BFR performed a preconditioning bout of low-intensity eccentric exercise prior to about of maximal eccentric exercise. Participants reported 24, 48, 72, and 96 h later to assess muscle damage and function. Surface electromyography (sEMG) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) were used to measure neuromuscular activation and microvascular deoxygenation (deoxy-[Hb + Mb]) and [total hemoglobin] ([THC]) during the preconditioning bout, respectively. During set-2, LI-BFR resulted in greater activation of the VM-RMS (47.7 ± 11.5% MVIC) compared to LI (67.0 ± 20.0% MVIC), as well as during set-3 (p < 0.05). LI-BFR resulted in a greater change in deoxy-[Hb + Mb] compared to LI during set-2 (LI-BFR 13.1 ± 5.2 µM, LI 6.7 ± 7.9 µM), set-3 (LI-BFR 14.6 ± 6 µM, LI 6.9 ± 7.4 µM), and set-4 (p < 0.05). [THC] was higher during LI-BFR compared to LI (p < 0.05). All groups showed a decrease in MVIC torque immediately after maximal exercise (LI 74.2 ± 14.1%, LI-BFR 75 ± 5.1%, CON 53 ± 18.6%). At 24, 48, 72, and 96 h post maximal eccentric exercise, LI and LI-BFR force deficit was not different from baseline. This study suggests that the neuromuscular and deoxygenation (i.e., metabolic stress) responses were considerably different between LI and LI-BFR groups; however, these differences did not lead to improvements in the RBE inferred by performing LI and LI-BFR.


Ridge mini-implants, a versatile biomechanical anchorage device whose success is significantly enhanced by splinting: a clinical report.
This clinical report aims to highlight the factors affecting the clinical success of alveolar ridge mini-implants used for orthodontic anchorage and provide an overview of the biomechanical versatility of this miniscrew and steps involving the proper technique of its placement. For this clinical report, charts for 295 patients who had temporary anchorage devices (TADs) were screened. Twenty patients [15 females and 5 males: mean age = 38.15 ± 15.10 years] with 50 alveolar ridge mini-screws were assessed. A descriptive summary of the main factors affecting their clinical success and the technique employed for their placement was comprehensively discussed and illustrated, in addition to the presentation of some clinical cases illustrating their potential clinical uses. The survival duration (7.32 ± 9.01 months) and clinical success of the alveolar ridge mini-implants that failed (19/50) seem to be affected primarily by 2 factors: splinting; none of the splinted mini-implants failed (0/10) compared to (19/40) of the single mini-implants that failed, and the length of the used mini-implant; the average length of the mini-implants that did not fail was 9.23 mm. Additionally, it appears that these mini-implants are biomechanically robust and durable, those that did not fail had an average survival duration of 35.97 ± 19.79 months. Ridge mini-implants offer significant biomechanical versatility in patients with partially edentulous ridges needing complex pre-prosthetic orthodontic movements. The presence of splinting and the length of the used mini-implants are factors that might affect the clinical success of the alveolar ridge mini-implants.