Graded prioritisation of targets in search: reward diminishes the low prevalence effect.
In many real-life contexts, observers are required to search for targets that are rarely present (e.g. tumours in X-rays; dangerous items in airport security screenings). Despite the rarity of these items, they are of enormous importance for the health and safety of the public, yet they are easily missed during visual search. This is referred to as the prevalence effect. In the current series of experiments, we investigate whether unequal reward can modulate the prevalence effect, in a multiple target search task. Having first established the impact of prevalence (Experiment 1) and reward (Experiment 2) on how efficiently participants can find one of several targets in the current paradigm, we then combined the two forms of priority to investigate their interaction. An unequal reward distribution (where lower prevalence items are more rewarded; Experiment 3) was found to diminish the effect of prevalence, compared to an equal reward distribution (Experiment 4) as indicated by faster response times and fewer misses. These findings suggest that when combined with an unequal reward distribution, the low prevalence effect can be diminished.


Sciatic nerve regeneration by transplantation of menstrual blood-derived stem cells.
This is the first study demonstrating the efficacy of menstrual blood-derived stem cell (MenSC) transplantation via a neural guidance conduit, for peripheral nerve regeneration. The synthesized poly (ɛ-caprolactone)/Gelatin conduit, filled with collagen type I and seeded with 3 × 104 MenSCs, was implanted into a rat's 10 mm sciatic nerve defect. The results of hot plate latency, sciatic functional index and weight-loss percentage of wet gastrocnemius muscle demonstrated that the MenSC transplantation had comparable nerve regeneration outcome to autograft, as the gold standard of nerve bridging. The transplantation of MenSCs via a synthetic conduit could ameliorate the functional recovery of sciatic nerve-injured rats which make them a potential candidate for cell therapy of peripheral nervous system disorders.


Surgical Episodes of Care for Price Transparency Using the Episode Grouper for Medicare.
To explore the use of an episode grouper to more accurately identify the complete set of surgical services typically provided in a surgical episode of care and the corresponding range of prices, using colectomy for cancer as the example. Price transparency is an important policy issue that will require surgeons to better understand the components and cost of care. This study uses the Episode Grouper for Medicare business logic to construct colectomy surgical episodes of care for cancer using Medicare claims data for the Boston Hospital Referral Region from 2012 to 2015. Descriptive statistics show the mean reimbursement based on patient severity and stage of surgery, along with the number of unique clinicians billing for care and the mix of services provided. The Episode Grouper for Medicare episode grouper identified 3182 colectomies in Boston between 2012 and 2015, with 1607 done for cancer. The mean Medicare allowed amount per case is $29,954 and varies from $26,605 to $36,850 as you move from low to high-severity cases. The intrafacility stage is the most expensive ($23,175 on average) compared with the pre ($780) and post ($6,479) facility stages. There is tremendous heterogeneity in the service mix. Episode groupers are a potentially valuable tool for identifying variations in service mix and teaming patterns that correlate with a total price. By looking at patient care holistically, stakeholders can identify opportunities for price transparency and care redesign that have heretofore been hidden.


Fast spin-echo MR imaging of the abdomen: contrast optimization and artifact reduction.
The effects of various fast spin-echo (FSE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging parameters and artifact reduction techniques on FSE image contrast and quality were studied. The authors performed 139 abdominal MR examinations, comparing standard FSE images (echo train length [ETL] = 8, echo space [E-space] = 17 msec, bandwidth = +/- 16-kHz) with FSE images with an ETL of 16 (n = 22) or FSE images with a +/- 32-kHz bandwidth and an E-space of 11-14 msec (n = 22). FSE artifact reduction techniques were evaluated with spectral fat saturation (n = 40) or with a new flow compensation FSE sequence (n = 55). Images of liver lesions were reviewed qualitatively and with contrast-to-noise ratio (C/N) measurements. Decreasing the time of echo train sampling produced superior image quality, with increased anatomic sharpness, less image artifact, and improved liver-lesion C/N. Images obtained with an ETL of 16 showed more image blurring and a 23% decrease in relative contrast and 28% decrease in relative C/N for liver tumors. Increasing the bandwidth reduced E-space, producing a 12% decrease in background noise. Artifact reduction with fat saturation or flow compensation produced images with less ghosting artifact and superior overall image quality, with 39% and 20% increases in liver-tumor C/N, respectively. FSE image quality and contrast in the depiction of hepatic disease can be optimized with careful selection of imaging parameters and the use of artifact reduction techniques.


Plastic substrate and residual time of microplastics in the urban river shape the composition and structure of bacterial communities in plastisphere.
The widespread secondary microplastics (MPs) in urban freshwater, originating from plastic wastes, have created a new habitat called plastisphere for microorganisms. The factors influencing the structure and ecological risks of the microbial community within the plastisphere are not yet fully understood. We conducted an in-site incubation experiment in an urban river, using MPs from garbage bags (GB), shopping bags (SB), and plastic bottles (PB). Bacterial communities in water and plastisphere incubated for 2 and 4 weeks were analyzed by 16S high-throughput sequencing. The results showed the bacterial composition of the plastisphere, especially the PB, exhibited enrichment of plastic-degrading and photoautotrophic taxa. Diversity declined in GB and PB but increased in SB plastisphere. Abundance analysis revealed distinct bacterial species that were enriched or depleted in each type of plastisphere. As the succession progressed, the differences in community structure was more pronounced, and the decline in the complexity of bacterial community within each plastisphere suggested increasing specialization. All the plastisphere exhibited elevated pathogenicity at the second or forth week, compared to bacterial communities related to natural particles. These findings highlighted the continually evolving plastisphere in urban rivers was influenced by the plastic substrates, and attention should be paid to fragile plastic wastes due to the rapidly increasing pathogenicity of the bacterial community attached to them.


Experimental ancylostomiasis in chickens: effect of various dose of infective Ancylostoma caninum larvae on their migration and distribution.
White leghorn chickens, when infected with repeated doses of Ancylostoma caninum larvae, expel the larvae at a faster rate than when infected with a single dose. This suggests that the initial dose induces some resistance in the host. An initial dose of 1000 and 2000 larvae, followed by a 2nd dose of the same order, induces resistance in the alimentary tract causing the entire larval burden either to migrate to other tissues (organs) or to be expelled in 24 h.


Salivary mRNA markers having the potential to detect oral squamous cell carcinoma segregated from oral leukoplakia with dysplasia.
In the current study the presence of extracellular IL-1B, IL-8, OAZ and SAT mRNAs in the saliva was evaluated as a tool in the early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma. 34 patients with primary oral squamous cell carcinoma stage T1N0M0/T2N0M0, 20 patients with oral leukoplakia and dysplasia (15 patients with mild dysplasia and 5 with severe dysplasia/in situ carcinoma) and 31 matched healthy-control subjects were included in the study. The presence of IL-1B, IL-8, OAZ and SAT mRNA was evaluated in extracellular RNA isolated from saliva samples using sequence-specific primers and real-time RT-PCR. ROC curve analysis was used to estimate the ability of the biomarkers to detect oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. The data reveal that the combination of these four biomarkers provides a good predictive probability of up to 80% (AUC=0.799, p=0.002) for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma but not patients suffering from oral leukoplakia with dysplasia. Moreover, the combination of only the two biomarkers (SAT and IL-8) also raises a high predictive ability of 75.5% (AUC=0.755, p=0.007) approximately equal to the four biomarkers suggesting the use of the two biomarkers only in the prediction model for oral squamous cell carcinoma patients limiting the economic and health cost in half. SAT and IL-8 mRNAs are present in the saliva in high quality and quantity, with a good discriminatory ability for oral squamous cell carcinoma patients only but not for patients with oral leukoplakia and dysplasia an oral potentially malignant disorder.


"You Obviously Just Have to Put on a Brave Face": A Qualitative Study of the Experiences and Coping Styles of Men With Rheumatoid Arthritis.
To explore the experiences, coping styles, and support preferences of male rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Six focus groups comprised 22 men with RA. Transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Three overarching themes describe the experiences, coping styles, and support preferences of men with RA. In "challenges to masculinity," the men described a "reduction in strength and abilities," which can lead to loss of independence, "challenges to masculine identity and role," and "loss of power and control." Coping by "getting through life with RA" meant dealing with RA by "just getting on with it," "information seeking," engaging in "destructive behaviors," and "withdrawing socially." Preferred "sources of support" tended not to include friends, as they were perceived to lack understanding or support. For acceptable support the men reported a preference for information-giving sessions rather than a discussion group, but there was no agreement on whether these should be mixed-sex or men only, or who should run the sessions. Male patients reported a range of coping styles and support preferences to address their experiences of living with RA, many of which may not be shared with women. Further research is needed to investigate whether these findings exist in a larger sample and whether the support preferences of men with RA are broadly different from those of women with RA to decide whether there is a clinical need to design a service for the potentially different needs of men.


Modulation of Cardiac Potassium Current by Neural Tone and Ischemia.
The cardiac action potential is generated by intricate flows of ions across myocyte cell membranes in a coordinated fashion to control myocardial contraction and the heart rhythm. Modulation of the flow of these ions in response to a variety of stimuli results in changes to the action potential. Abnormal or altered ion currents can result in cardiac arrhythmias. Abnormalities of autonomic regulation of potassium current play a role in the genesis of cardiac arrhythmias, and alterations in acetylcholine-activated potassium channels may play a key role in atrial fibrillation. Ischemia is another important modulator of cardiac cellular electrophysiology.


[Properties of the HBsAg gene expression product in yeast cells].
The Saccharomyces cerevisiae DBY 746/pNMVG-20 strain produces HBsAg similar in its properties to HBsAg from hepatitis B patients' plasma. The paper analyses variants of extraction of HBsAg from yeast cells, presents data on immunogenic potency of yeast HBsAg in mice, and describes gel filtration of yeast extracts containing HBsAg.


Object working memory and visuospatial processing: functional neuroanatomy analyzed by event-related fMRI.
We report an event-related functional magnetic-resonance-imaging (fMRI) experiment that investigates the relationship of transient visual object memory, visuospatial orienting, and object recognition. Delayed object matching and visuospatial orienting involved a highly overlapping network of brain areas. Common areas were the frontal eye fields (FEF), the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA)/SMA complex, the precentral gyri, and the horizontal and descending branches of the intraparietal sulcus (IPS). Selective delay activation was observed anterior to the FEF and in the ascending part of the IPS. Right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was involved in goal-directed visual search, but showed no delay activity.


Distal-to-proximal representation of volar index finger in human area 3b.
In area 3b of the monkey primary somatosensory cortex SI, the proximal phalanges of the fingers are represented close to the surface and the fingertips in the depth of the central sulcus. To study whether a similar arrangement might exist in humans, we applied tactile stimuli to the distal and proximal phalanges of the index finger in 11 healthy adults. Cortical somatosensory evoked fields were recorded with a whole-scalp neuromagnetometer. The sources of the responses were situated in the posterior wall of the central sulcus, statistically significantly more superior to proximal than distal stimuli, with a mean difference of 3.1 mm. Thus the distal-to-proximal representation of the index finger shows a similar order in human and monkey SI cortex.


A small-molecule inhibitor of Tcf/beta-catenin signaling down-regulates PPARgamma and PPARdelta activities.
Activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway occurs in several types of cancers and thus it is an attractive target for anticancer drug development. To identify compounds that inhibit this pathway, we screened a chemical library using a cell-based beta-catenin/Tcf-responsive reporter. We identified FH535, a compound that suppresses both Wnt/beta-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling. FH535 antagonizes both PPARgamma and PPARdelta ligand-dependent activation and shows structural similarity to GW9662, a known PPARgamma antagonist. The effect of FH535 on beta-catenin/Tcf activity is reduced in cells carrying a deletion of the PPARdelta gene, as well as by the PPARgamma agonist lysophosphatidic acid. Mechanistically, FH535 inhibits recruitment of the coactivators beta-catenin and GRIP1 but not the corepressors NCoR and SMRT. Its repression of beta-catenin recruitment, in comparison with GW9662, is linked to FH535's unique capability to inhibit the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway. The antiproliferation effect of the compound observed on some transformed colon lung and liver cell lines is suggestive of its potential therapeutic value in the treatment of cancer.


Distal sciatic nerve compression by a popliteal artery aneurysm.
A 77-year-old man developed progressive sensory and motor symptoms in the right lower leg. Examination showed neurological deficits in the distribution of the right tibial and common peroneal nerves. Swellings in both popliteal fossae were palpated. Investigation showed these to be large thrombosed aneurysms. On surgical examination on the right, the aneurysm was found to be compressing the distal sciatic nerve.


Sporadic aluminum osteomalacia: identification of patients at risk.
Chronic dialysis patients at risk for aluminum osteomalacia in areas of low water-aluminum content are not well identified. We, therefore, studied retrospectively a cohort of 59 patients who underwent bone biopsy at two hospital-based dialysis centers in Montreal (water aluminum content less than 10 micrograms/L). Overall, 25% of patients biopsied had aluminum-related osteomalacia defined by aluminum staining of more than 30% of the trabecular surface and low levels of bone formation as measured by tetracycline labeling. Multiple linear regression analysis showed high predialysis serum creatinine (P less than .05) and the amount of aluminum prescribed per month (P less than .05) as the most important determinants of aluminum staining. We conclude that aluminum-related osteomalacia can be a frequent disease entity in areas of low water-aluminum content. Our findings also suggest predialysis serum creatinine and the amount of aluminum prescribed per month are risk factors for the development of aluminum-related osteomalacia. Though the relationship between serum creatinine and aluminum staining of trabecular bone is unclear, serum creatinine is probably a marker for adequacy of dialysis in these patients.


Pathogenetic types of coxarthrosis and implications for treatment.
It is postulated that the variable clinical and radiological appearances of coxarthrosis are related to its pathogenesis and are important in deciding the choice of treatment. In a study of 150 patients the hip disorder was classified according to the presence or absence of some local anatomical defect which could predispose to mechanical overload, and also according to the presence or absence of some primary disorder which could cause cartilage degeneration. In addition, new bone formation and remodelling were assessed: this reparative response was most marked in joints with anatomical abnormalities ("hypertrophic OA") and least evident in those with previous inflammatory disease ("atrophic OA"). This study suggested that the behaviour of coxarthrosis is determined by three interacting factors: (1) cartilage degeneration, (2) excessive mechanical stress, and (3) the reparative bone response. The prognosis of the various types and the implications for treatment are discussed. Where anatomical abnormalities and mechanical features are dominant, cartilage loss is at first localised, remodelling is usually good and the hip can stabilise; in these cases osteotomy is often successful and prosthetic fixation is likely to remain secure. Where inflammatory and degenerative features predominate, reparative new bone formation is minimal and progression is more rapid; osteotomy is much less likely to be effective in these cases.


A rare complication of adjustable gastric banding: Wernicke's encephalopathy.
Wernicke's encephalopathy is an uncommon complication seen after morbid obesity surgery. Neurological and cardiac symptoms can occur. Early and adequate replacement of thiamin is crucial. A patient, who was operated by adjustable silicone gastric banding had severe vomiting 1 week after the operation. Physical examination showed no abnormalities except neurological signs consisting of ataxia, disorientation and diplopia. All radiological and biochemical parameters were in the normal range. After replacement of vitamin B1 (thiamin) intravenously 20 mg twice daily, all the neurological signs regressed day by day. Oral thiamin pills have been continued. Wernicke's encephalopathy which occurs as a result of thiamin deficiency is a rare complication that has serious morbidity with rapidly progressing neurologic symptoms, and must be treated immediately. Surgeons who treat morbidly obese patients must follow the metabolic and nutritional status of the patient.


Disappearance of noradrenaline from different parts of the rabbit external ear following superior cervical ganglionectomy.
Following superior cervical ganglionectomy the noradrenaline tissue levels in the base of the rabbit external ear started to decrease after about 12 hours. About 4 hours later noradrenaline started to decrease about simultaneously in the middle piece and the tip. Within 24 hours after ganglionectomy the noradrenaline decreased rapidly in all three pieces. Thereafter the noradrenaline of the base piece was levelling off at about 15% of the normal whereas the noradrenaline in the two other pieces remained at about 40% of the normal. The results indicate that the adrenergic innervation of the ear is complex, but that the base piece is supplied with adrenergic axons that are shorter than those of the middle and tip pieces. Based on 1: the delay of 4 hours observed in the pattern of the noradrenaline disappearance between the base and the two other pieces, and II: the difference in distance between the three pieces of the ear and the superior cervical ganglion, a transport rate of a "protecting factor" could be discussed to be about 1-2 cm/h. The rate of axonal transport of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase in the rabbit sciatic nerve, was found to be within the same range, being about 2 cm/h.


Outcomes of primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction with unprotected left main coronary artery occlusion.
We determined the in-hospital and the long-term outcomes of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute left main coronary artery (LMCA) occlusion. Between 1988 and 2009, 72 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) underwent primary PCI for unprotected LMCA occlusion. The short- and the long-term outcomes of primary PCI in these patients were retrospectively evaluated. Upon arrival, cardiogenic shock was observed in 33 (46%) patients and cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) in 12 (17%). Twenty-three (32%) required extracorporeal life support and 64 (89%) intra-aortic balloon pumping. Although successful reperfusion was achieved in 60 (83%) patients, in-hospital death was observed in 32 (44%). Multivariate analysis revealed predictors of in-hospital death to be CPA on arrival (RR, 7.05; 95% CI: 1.28-39.0; P = 0.025). During 1.7 ± 2.9 years of follow-up, 10 of the 40 hospital survivors died. All presenting CPA on arrival died within 2 years. Although the estimated survival of the all study patients was only 26.2% at 8 years by the Kaplan-Meier methods, those without shock/CPA on arrival showed nearly flat survival curve after 4 years. Despite performance of primary PCI, patients with AMI due to LMCA occlusion were associated with >50% in-hospital mortality. Hemodynamic deficit upon arrival was the major determinant of their poor hospital outcomes. The hospital survivors, however, were associated with favorable long-term outcomes.


Long-term follow-up after aortic valvuloplasty and defect closure in ventricular septal defect with aortic regurgitation.
The clinical course was studied in 25 patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and aortic regurgitation (AR) who had undergone aortic valvuloplasty and VSD closure. Twelve patients had a doubly committed subarterial VSD and 13 had a perimembranous type of VSD. Preoperatively, progressive hemodynamic disturbance after the onset of AR occurred in 11 patients (44%). The follow-up period extended from 6 months to 23 years (mean 10 years). Four patients required prosthetic valve replacement after valvuloplasty. One of these had had initial improvement of the AR but required valve replacement 20 years later; the condition of the other 3 did not improve initially and their valves were replaced 1 month to 8.5 years later. Four other patients had no initial improvement as a result of valvular reconstructive surgery, but the AR did not progress and remained hemodynamically well tolerated. Hence, the overall success rate of the valvuloplasty, defined as improving or preventing progressive AR, was 21 of 25 (84%). Since initial and long-term improvement in aortic valve function can be expected in most patients after valvuloplasty and closure of the VSD, early surgical intervention is recommended in patients with a VSD and AR.


Real-Time Monitoring of Multitarget Antimicrobial Mechanisms of Peptoids Using Label-Free Imaging with Optical Diffraction Tomography.
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising therapeutics in the fight against multidrug-resistant bacteria. As a mimic of AMPs, peptoids with N-substituted glycine backbone have been utilized for antimicrobials with resistance against proteolytic degradation. Antimicrobial peptoids are known to kill bacteria by membrane disruption; however, the nonspecific aggregation of intracellular contents is also suggested as an important bactericidal mechanism. Here,structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a library of indole side chain-containing peptoids resulting in peptoid 29 as a hit compound is investigated. Then, quantitative morphological analyses of live bacteria treated with AMPs and peptoid 29 in a label-free manner using optical diffraction tomography (ODT) are performed. It is unambiguously demonstrated that both membrane disruption and intracellular biomass flocculation are primary mechanisms of bacterial killing by monitoring real-time morphological changes of bacteria. These multitarget mechanisms and rapid action can be a merit for the discovery of a resistance-breaking novel antibiotic drug.


Arterial grafting results in reduced operative mortality and enhanced long-term quality of life in octogenarians.
Despite well-established benefits of arterial (ART) grafting, surgeons have been reluctant to use this conduit in octogenarians. This study explores the influence of arterial revascularization on operative and long-term outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. A retrospective analysis was conducted of 987 consecutive patients 80 years of age or older who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting between January 1989 and November 2000. Patients with saphenous vein graft only (SVG; n = 574) were compared with those receiving arterial and saphenous vein grafts (ART+SVG; n = 413). Mean follow-up for SVG patients was 3.8 years (range, 4 months to 12.6 years) and 98.6% complete, and mean follow-up was 3.1 years for ART+SVG patients (range, 2 months to 11.2 years) and 97.3% complete. Patients with SVG had a significantly higher (p = 0.009) operative mortality (11.1% versus 6.3%) and significantly longer postoperative length of stay (12.9 versus 10.7 days; p = 0.002) than ART+SVG recipients. More ART+SVG than SVG patients were free of all postoperative complications (290 of 413; 70.2% versus 372 of 574; 64.8%; p = 0.086). Multivariable analysis identified SVG as an independent predictor of operative mortality (p = 0.014) and late mortality (p = 0.040). When patients were matched by equivalent propensity scores to receive SVG only, operative mortality was higher for SVG patients in four of the five quintiles. At 10 years, 97.0% +/- 1.2% of SVG and 92.9% +/- 3.7% of ART+SVG current survivors were free of all late major adverse cardiac events (p = 0.565), and 95.5% of SVG patients and 97.5% of ART+SVG patients were in Canadian class 1 or 2 (p = 0.162). On the SF-36 quality-of-life assessment, ART+SVG patients scored significantly higher than both SVG patients and age-adjusted normal subjects. Physical health summary component scores were 36.8 +/- 11.0 for SVG and 41.0 +/- 10.3 for ART+SVG (p = 0.001). Mental health summary scores were comparable for the two groups. Arterial grafting confers an operative survival benefit, and an enhanced long-term quality of life in elderly patients.


Long non‑coding RNA ferritin heavy polypeptide 1 pseudogene 3 controls glioma cell proliferation and apoptosis via regulation of the microRNA‑224‑5p/tumor protein D52 axis.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role and regulatory mechanism of long non‑coding RNA ferritin heavy polypeptide 1 pseudogene 3 (FTH1P3) in glioma development. The expression of FTH1P3 in low‑ and high‑grade glioma tissues was investigated using reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction. FTH1P3 expression was overexpressed or suppressed in U251 glioma cells to examine the involvement of FTH1P3 in glioma cell proliferation and apoptosis using MTT assay and flow cytometry respectively. In addition, the regulatory association between FTH1P3, microRNA (miR)‑224‑5p and tumor protein (TP) D52 was investigated to elucidate the potential underlying mechanisms of FTH1P3 in glioma by luciferase reporter assay. The results revealed that FTH1P3 was up‑regulated in glioma tissues, and FTH1P3 expression in high‑grade glioma tissues was significantly higher compared with that in low‑grade glioma tissues. Upregulation of FTH1P3 promoted glioma cell proliferation and inhibited apoptosis. Furthermore, FTH1P3 inhibited miR‑224‑5p expression, which in turn negatively regulated TPD52 expression. Overexpression of miR‑224‑5p significantly inhibited U251 cell proliferation and induced cellular apoptosis; this effect was clearly reversed following co‑transfection of miR‑224‑5p and TPD52. These data revealed that upregulation of FTH1P3 may have promoted glioma cell proliferation and inhibited apoptosis. Thus, the miR‑224‑5p/TPD52 axis may be a downstream mechanism of FTH1P3 in glioma progression. The findings of the present study may provide a theoretical basis for the study of the treatment of glioma in the future.


Hierarchical structured α-Al2O3 supported S-promoted Fe catalysts for direct conversion of syngas to lower olefins.
Hierarchical structured α-Al2O3 is shown to be able to effectively disperse and immobilize iron species, in comparison with commercial α-Al2O3. After promotion using an appropriate amount of sulfur, iron catalysts exhibit not only enhanced Fischer-Tropsch synthesis activity and selectivity toward lower olefins, but also increased resistance against carbon deposits.


Aligning Mental Health Treatments with the Developmental Stage and Needs of Late Adolescents and Young Adults.
Transitional age youth (TAY) are in a discrete developmental stage, different from both adolescents and mature adults. Serious mental illness can result in their delayed psychosocial development and morbidity. Systemic, provider, and individual barriers result in poor access to care for these youth, potentially impeding their transition to mature adulthood. Current strategies for TAY treatment include patient centered care, vocational and educational support, and shared decision making. There is a paucity of evidence-based practices to effectively treat this population or provide practice guidelines. The research required to do so should be a priority.


Online measurements of SaO2, Ht and Hb using a micro transmission cell.
Recently a Micro Transmission Cell has been developed based on spectrophotometry for in vivo monitoring of SaO2 together with Hb. A study in pigs was performed to compare the cell with standard methods for measuring SaO2, Hb and Ht. The results show that the cell is capable of following the trends of SaO2, Hb and Ht at different Hb concentrations and/or O2 saturations.


Insulin secretion from isolated pure beta cells.
Isolation of pure beta cells of the rat pancreas was achieved employing counterflow sedimentation technique (CST) followed by density gradient centrifugation technique (DGCT). The proportion of non-endocrine cells to beta cells was minimal (1 acinar cell in 296 beta cells, and 1 duct cell in 300 beta cells) with total absence of alpha and delta cells. Oxidation of D-(U-14C) glucose to 14CO2 by the isolated beta cells was linear to time. Glucagon (1, 5, or 10 nM) or arginine (1, 5 or 10 mM) produced concentration dependent insulin secretion. Thus, a highly purified preparation of isolated beta cells of rat pancreas could be obtained with excellent morphologic, metabolic and functional integrity.


Radical prostatectomy in the management of localized prostate cancer.
No data from prospective randomized studies comparing radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy and deferred treatment for localized prostatic cancer are currently available. Comparison of retrospective series, however, strongly suggests a clear superiority of radical prostatectomy over other attempts to cure prostate cancer, and especially over the 'watchful waiting' strategy. This concerns survival data as well as quality of life and psychological aspects. In 1994, the Department of Veterans Affairs and The National Cancer Institute in the United States initiated a randomized controlled study comparing radical prostatectomy vs expectant management for the treatment of localized prostate cancer, the 'Prostate Cancer Intervention vs Observation Trial (PIVOT)'. Until the results of this study become available, the decision on how to manage a patient with a newly-diagnosed clinically localized prostate cancer has to be based on current knowledge. The current knowledge is that localized prostate cancer can be cured by radical prostatectomy with acceptable treatment-related morbidity. Therefore, the chance of receiving curative treatment should be offered to every man with localized prostate cancer and a life expectancy of 10 or more years.


In-Office Needle Arthroscopy (IONA): may a traditionally orthopedic procedure enter the portfolio of interventional radiology?
Arthroscopy has historically proved to allow accurate evaluation of the intra-articular structures of the knee, thanks the possibility of direct vision and palpation, and reduced perioperative morbidity. Over the last decade, the diagnostic role of arthroscopy has been further increased by its quite effective use in the treatment of the lesions. The recent and important advances in the technological-instrumental field have produced a safe visualization system used to pose a diagnosis in an outpatient setting, employing reduced-diameter arthroscopes (In-Office Needle Arthroscopy, IONA). The accuracy of MRI is unanimously recognized, but it shows some weaknesses when compared to arthroscopy that is the gold standard technique in case of chondral lesions, meniscal tears, or atypical synovial pathologies. In this short report, we propose the interventional musculoskeletal radiologist as possible performer of IONA, in specific settings, providing the patient, suffering from acute and chronic knee joint diseases, with a complete diagnostic approach, when MRI is not definitive.


Enhanced photocatalytic inactivation of bacterial spores on surfaces in air.
TiO(2) photocatalysis with ultraviolet (UV-A) light has proven to be a highly effective process for complete inactivation of airborne microbes. However, the overall efficiency of the technology needs to be improved to make it more attractive as a defense against bio-terrorism. The present research investigates the enhancement in the rate of destruction of bacterial spores on metal (aluminum) and fabric (polyester) substrates with metal (silver)-doped titanium dioxide and compares it to conventional photocatalysis (TiO(2) P25/+UV-A) and UV-A photolysis. Bacillus cereus bacterial spores were used as an index to demonstrate the enhanced disinfection efficiency. The results indicate complete inactivation of B. cereus spores with the enhanced photocatalyst. The enhanced spore destruction rate may be attributed to the highly oxidizing radicals generated by the doped TiO(2).


Can We Reboot the Role of Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in the Treatment for Gastric Cancer with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis?: A Retrospective Cohort Study Regarding Minimally Invasive Surgery Conjoined with Intraperitoneal plus Systemic Chemotherapy.
Background: Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is the most common form of metastasis in gastric cancer (GC) and is related with a poor prognosis. Several treatment modalities including systemic chemotherapy and intraperitoneal chemotherapy have been studied and adopted in treatment of GC patients with PC. Nevertheless, few studies have reported the comparison of the oncologic outcomes between minimally invasive surgery (MIS) with intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy and conventional chemotherapy for GC with PC. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 74 patients who had been diagnosed as GC with PC via either intra-abdominal exploration or abdominopelvic computed tomography between January 2011 and April 2021. After performing propensity score-matching for this retrospective data, we compared the outcomes of 26 patients who underwent MIS followed by IP combined systemic chemotherapy (MIS-IP group) and 26 patients who underwent systemic chemotherapy only (SC-only group). Results: The 2-year progression free survival rate of the MIS-IP group was significantly higher than the SC-only groups (36.4% and 10.5%, respectively; p = 0.010). In multivariate analysis to detect relevant factors on PFS, IP chemotherapy (HR 0.213; p < 0.001), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (HR 3.689; p = 0.002), and the amount of ascites (p = 0.011) were significant prognostic factors. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the therapeutic potential of MIS conjoined IP plus systemic chemotherapy for GC patients with PC. MIS conjoined by IP plus systemic chemotherapy can be adopted as a treatment option to reboot the role of IP chemotherapy in GC patients with PC.


Appearance comparison in individuals with body dysmorphic disorder and controls.
Research investigating appearance comparison in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) remains very limited, despite the fact that this is one of the most commonly observed behaviors in individuals with the disorder. The present study investigated the self-reported extent and nature of appearance comparison in 35 BDD participants relative to 45 controls using a newly devised and a standardized appearance comparison measure. The results showed that BDD participants reported significantly higher levels of appearance comparison than controls. Individuals with BDD also reported greater levels of comparing in terms of the specific feature(s) of their appearance they were most concerned about as compared to overall appearance, whilst controls showed the opposite pattern. Levels of comparing in BDD participants increased as targets increased in terms of attractiveness, and individuals with BDD rated themselves as being markedly less attractive than targets, and feeling markedly less satisfied with their appearance after comparing. Cognitive-behavioral treatment implications are discussed.


High-throughput method for macrolides and lincosamides antibiotics residues analysis in milk and muscle using a simple liquid-liquid extraction technique and liquid chromatography-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry analysis (LC-MS/MS).
A fast and simple method for residue analysis of the antibiotics classes of macrolides (erythromycin, azithromycin, tylosin, tilmicosin and spiramycin) and lincosamides (lincomycin and clindamycin) was developed and validated for cattle, swine and chicken muscle and for bovine milk. Sample preparation consists in a liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) with acetonitrile, followed by liquid chromatography-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry analysis (LC-ESI-MS/MS), without the need of any additional clean-up steps. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a C18 column and a mobile phase composed by acidified acetonitrile and water. The method was fully validated according the criteria of the Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Validation parameters such as limit of detection, limit of quantification, linearity, accuracy, repeatability, specificity, reproducibility, decision limit (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ) were evaluated. All calculated values met the established criteria. Reproducibility values, expressed as coefficient of variation, were all lower than 19.1%. Recoveries range from 60% to 107%. Limits of detection were from 5 to 25 µg kg(-1).The present method is able to be applied in routine analysis, with adequate time of analysis, low cost and a simple sample preparation protocol.


Alleviation of salt-induced photosynthesis and growth inhibition by salicylic acid involves glycinebetaine and ethylene in mungbean (Vigna radiata L.).
The influence of salicylic acid (SA) in alleviation of salt stress in mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) through modulation of glycinebetaine (GB) and ethylene was studied. SA application at 0.5 mM increased methionine (Met) and GB accumulation in plants concomitant with the suppression of ethylene formation by inhibiting 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid synthase (ACS) activity more conspicuously under salt stress than no stress. The increased GB accumulation together with reduced ethylene under salt stress by SA application was associated with increased glutathione (GSH) content and lower oxidative stress. These positive effects on plant metabolism induced by SA application led to improved photosynthesis and growth under salt stress. These results suggest that SA induces GB accumulation through increased Met and suppresses ethylene formation under salt stress and enhances antioxidant system resulting in alleviation of adverse effects of salt stress on photosynthesis and growth. These effects of SA were substantiated by the findings that application of SA-analogue, 2, 6, dichloro-isonicotinic acid (INA) and ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor, aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) resulted in similar effects on Met, GB, ethylene production, photosynthesis and growth under salt stress. Future studies on the interaction between SA, GB and ethylene could be exploited for adaptive responses of plants under salt stress.


Identification of Cryptic Novel α-Galactosidase A Gene Mutations: Abnormal mRNA Splicing and Large Deletions.
Anderson-Fabry (FD) disease is an inborn error of metabolism caused by a deficiency of α-galactosidase A (GLA), a lysosomal enzyme. Many male FD patients display a classic FD phenotype; however, some female patients have neither reduced leukocyte GLA enzyme activity level nor FD symptoms. Thus, GLA gene analysis is especially important for diagnosing suspected FD in female subjects. In this study, we revealed 4 novel GLA gene mutations in 5 independent families using GLA cDNA analysis and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis. These distinct mutations included a large deletion mutation from intron 1 to exon 5 (c.195-471_c.691del5.5k, corresponding to g.8508_g.14069del5.5k), an insertion mutation of splicing enhancer sequence in intron 4 (c.639+329_c.639+330ins113, corresponding to g.12627_g.12628ins113), an insertion mutation of retrotransposon L1 in exon 4 (c.634_c.635, corresponding to g.12293_g.12294), and a non-SNP deep intronic point mutation in intron 3 (c.547+395G>C, corresponding to g.11727G>C). It is difficult to detect these mutations with direct sequencing of only the exonic element. When exonic mutations are not found in the GLA gene from suspected FD patients, GLA cDNA and MLPA analyses should be performed to detect large deletion/insertion and intronic mutations including transcription abnormalities.


Structure of Yeast OSBP-Related Protein Osh1 Reveals Key Determinants for Lipid Transport and Protein Targeting at the Nucleus-Vacuole Junction.
Yeast Osh1 belongs to the oxysterol-binding protein (OSBP) family of proteins and contains multiple targeting modules optimized for lipid transport at the nucleus-vacuole junction (NVJ). The key determinants for NVJ targeting and the role of Osh1 at NVJs have remained elusive because of unknown lipid specificities. In this study, we determined the structures of the ankyrin repeat domain (ANK), and OSBP-related domain (ORD) of Osh1, in complex with Nvj1 and ergosterol, respectively. The Osh1 ANK forms a unique bi-lobed structure that recognizes a cytosolic helical segment of Nvj1. We discovered that Osh1 ORD binds ergosterol and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate PI(4)P in a competitive manner, suggesting counter-transport function of the two lipids. Ergosterol is bound to the hydrophobic pocket in a head-down orientation, and the structure of the PI(4)P-binding site in Osh1 is well conserved. Our results suggest that Osh1 performs non-vesicular transport of ergosterol and PI(4)P at the NVJ.


Generalizable Learning: Practice Makes Perfect - But at What?
Practising a task can produce learning that generalizes to other tasks. Measurement of such generalization is complicated by how generalization doesn't always manifest simply as better performance on the new task, but also in the form of faster learning.


Effect of six candidate genes on early aging in a French population.
The objective of this study was to examine the association between an aging indicator previously defined from a nationwide population study, and lipids and apolipoproteins, angiotensin converting enzyme, paraoxonase activities, and six candidate genes related to the aging process. Two hundred and fifty-six healthy Caucasian men (69.8 +/- 4.0 years) were included in the study. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), apolipoprotein A1, B and E concentrations, and the activities of paraoxonase, arylesterase, and angiotensin-converting enzymes were determined by standardized laboratory methods. A multiplex assay was used to genotype the studied polymorphisms: apolipoprotein E, lipoprotein lipase, paraoxonase, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, cystathionine beta-synthase and angiotensin-converting enzymes. Paraoxonase polymorphism at codon 192 (Gln/Arg) was the only one significantly associated with the aging indicator, Gln homozygotes being more advanced in aging compared with Arg allele carriers. It was also observed that the aging indicator was positively correlated with serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoprotein B, and negatively with the activities of basal and stimulated paraoxonase and arylesterase. Multiple regression analysis showed that triglycerides and basal paraoxonase activity explain 13.6% of the variance of the aging indicator. Triglyceride concentration and paraoxonase gene and activities may contribute to the aging process. Taking into account the smallness of the sample size, and the poor level of significance due to the im-plication of paraoxonase polymorphism at codon 192, these results need to be verified in further studies on a greater number of subjects.


Dasatinib targets c-Src kinase in cardiotoxicity.
Dasatinib is a multitargeted kinase inhibitor used for treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Unfortunately, treatment of cancer patients with some kinase inhibitors has been associated with cardiotoxicity. Cancer treatment with dasatinib has been reported to be associated with cardiotoxic side effects such as left ventricular dysfunction, heart failure, pericardial effusion and pulmonary hypertension. Here we aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the cardiotoxicity of dasatinib. We found that among the resident cardiac cell types, cardiomyocytes were most sensitive to dasatinib-induced cell death. Exposure of cardiomyocytes to dasatinib attenuated the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), which is a downstream target of dasatinib target kinase c-Src. Similar to dasatinib, c-Src depletion in cardiomyocytes compromised cardiomyocyte viability. Overexpression of dasatinib-resistant mutant of c-Src rescued the toxicity of dasatinib on cardiomyocytes, whereas forced expression of wild type c-Src did not have protective effect. Collectively, our results show that c-Src is a key target of dasatinib mediating the toxicity of dasatinib to cardiomyocytes. These findings may influence future drug design and suggest closer monitoring of patients treated with agents targeting c-Src for possible adverse cardiac effects.


Increasing response rates in physicians' mail surveys: an experimental study.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain high response rates in physicians' mail surveys. In 1983-84, we tested the effectiveness of two techniques among 604 Quebec physicians who had not responded to an initial letter. A handwritten thank you note at the bottom of the letter accompanying the questionnaire and a more personalized mailout package increased response rates by 40.7 per cent and 53.1 per cent, respectively, compared to control groups.


Role of dprA in transformation of Campylobacter jejuni.
The role of a dprA ortholog (Cj0634) in Campylobacter jejuni transformation was phenotypically assessed using two strains. C. jejuni strain 11168 was naturally competent for transformation by chromosomal DNA, while efficiency decreased 100-fold in a Cj0634::aphA mutant, whereas C. jejuni strain 480 was not naturally competent. C. jejuni strain 480 but not 11168 could be electro-transformed by shuttle plasmid pRY111, an effect completely abolished by Cj0634 interruption. Complementation of the Cj0634 mutation in C. jejuni strain 480 in trans with vectors containing the dprA homologs from C. jejuni, Helicobacter pylori, or Haemophilus influenzae, completely (for Cj0634) or partially (H. pylori>H. influenzae) restored electro-transformation. Thus, C. jejuni expresses a DprA ortholog that functionally most closely resembles that of H. pylori and is involved in DNA transformation.


Prevalence of overactive bladder in China, Taiwan and South Korea: Results from a cross-sectional, population-based study.
The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of overactive bladder (OAB) in individuals aged ≥40 years in China, Taiwan, and South Korea. The present cross-sectional population-representative Internet-based study investigated OAB symptoms in men and women aged ≥40 years using the overactive bladder symptom score. Additional instruments included the International Index of Erectile Function (men only) and the Sexual Quality of Life - Female (women only) questionnaires, as well as Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC). In all, 8284 individuals participated in the study. The prevalence of OAB was 20.8% overall (women 22.1%, men 19.5%) and increased significantly with age, from 10.8% in those aged 40-44 years to 27.9% in those aged >60 years (P = .001). The presence of comorbid conditions (e.g. neurological disease, diabetes) was associated with a significantly increased prevalence of OAB. Increasing symptom severity was associated with significantly worsening patient perception of bladder condition responses. Just under half (48%) of those with no OAB had no lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), whereas 88% of those with severe symptoms had all 3 LUTS (International Continence Society definition) symptom categories (voiding, post-micturition, and storage symptoms). Of those without OAB, 10% reported visiting healthcare professionals for urinary symptoms, compared with 64% of those with severe OAB symptoms (P = .001). Increased symptom severity was significantly associated with lower sexual quality of life in both men and women. OAB symptoms were found to affect 1 in 5 individuals aged ≥40 years in China, Taiwan, and South Korea, becoming more common with increasing age. The results suggest that many more individuals with OAB could benefit by consulting healthcare professionals.


An analysis of research biopsy core variability from over 5000 prospectively collected core samples.
Factors correlated with biopsy tissue adequacy and the prevalence of within-biopsy variability were evaluated. Totally, 1149 research biopsies were performed on 686 patients from which 5090 cores were assessed. Biopsy cores were reviewed for malignant percentage (estimated percentage of cells in the core that were malignant) and malignant area (estimated area occupied by malignant cells). Linear mixed models and generalized linear mixed models were used for the analysis. A total of 641 (55.8%) biopsies contained a core with <10% malignant percentage (inadequate core). The chance of an inadequate core was not influenced by core order, though the malignant area decreased with each consecutive core (p < 0.001). Younger age, bone biopsy location, appendiceal tumor pathology, and responding/stable disease prior to biopsy increased the odds of a biopsy containing zero adequate cores. Within-biopsy variability in core adequacy is prevalent and suggests the need for histological tumor quality assessment of each core in order to optimize translational analyses.


Thermal valorization of post-consumer film waste in a bubbling bed gasifier.
The use of plastic bags and film packaging is very frequent in manifold sectors and film waste is usually present in different sources of municipal and industrial wastes. A significant part of it is not suitable for mechanical recycling but could be safely transformed into a valuable gas by means of thermal valorization. In this research, the gasification of film wastes has been experimentally investigated through experiments in a fluidized bed reactor of two reference polymers, polyethylene and polypropylene, and actual post-consumer film waste. After a complete experimental characterization of the three materials, several gasification experiments have been performed to analyze the influence of the fuel and of equivalence ratio on gas production and composition, on tar generation and on efficiency. The experiments prove that film waste and analogue polymer derived wastes can be successfully gasified in a fluidized bed reactor, yielding a gas with a higher heating value in a range from 3.6 to 5.6 MJ/m3 and cold gas efficiencies up to 60%.


Neuromuscular effects of acute 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) exposure in dogs.
2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was administered once orally to adult female mongrel dogs at 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 or 125 mg/kg of body weight (n = 4 per group). Clinical neurological examinations, electromyography (EMG) and motor nerve conduction velocity measurements were carried out before exposure, and on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 post-exposure. On day 7, two dogs per group were killed. Samples of the medial and lateral plantar nerves were removed for teased fiber and semi-thin section analysis; samples of appendicular muscles were removed for histology and histochemistry. Necropsy included histopathological examination of the brain and spinal cord at multiple levels. Remaining dogs were killed on day 28 and their tissues were processed similarly. Transient generalized myotonic discharges were found in skeletal muscles of dogs receiving 50 mg/kg or more of 2,4-D. A few dogs in the higher dosage groups also had mild muscle stiffness, myotonic dimpling and/or lethargy, lasting up to 3 days post-exposure. Other parameters remained within normal limits.


Validation of a chemical osteoarthritis model in rabbit temporomandibular joint: a compliment to biomechanical models.
To explore degenerative mechanisms occurring in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), a chemical model of knee joint osteoarthritis using sodium mono-iodoacetate injection was transposed to the TMJ. Twelve New Zealand rabbits were used to document the effect of this drug on the TMJ. Eight rabbits underwent bilateral iodoacetate injection in the disco-condylar compartment while 4 served as controls. Rabbits were sacrificed at 10, 20, 30 and 40 days and joints studied by histology. Severity of the damage was time dependent and the use of iodoacetate allowed the observation, within a few weeks, of every osteoarthritic stage usually described in the literature. This study showed that the TMJ has a specific response to the degenerative process. This response was characterized by (i) thickening and fibrillation of the cartilage at the periphery of the lesion, tending to reduce mechanical stress in the lesional area and (ii) chondrocyte migration under areas where subchondral bone surface was locally destroyed. The extracellular matrix containing chondrocyte clusters and prechondrocytes dived around the bony defect and proceeded below the necrotic bone to promote the eviction of bony fragments into the joint cavity, pushing them up while the thickness of chondrocyte rows increased below. This could be interpreted as a repairing attempt due to the specific potential of fibrocartilage proliferative cells.


CT-guided injection of a TRPV1 agonist around dorsal root ganglia decreases pain transmission in swine.
One approach to analgesia is to block pain at the site of origin or along the peripheral pathway by selectively ablating pain-transmitting neurons or nerve terminals directly. The heat/capsaicin receptor (TRPV1) expressed by nociceptive neurons is a compelling target for selective interventional analgesia because it leaves somatosensory and proprioceptive neurons intact. Resiniferatoxin (RTX), like capsaicin, is a TRPV1 agonist but has greater potency. We combine RTX-mediated inactivation with the precision of computed tomography (CT)-guided delivery to ablate peripheral pain fibers in swine. Under CT guidance, RTX was delivered unilaterally around the lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRG), and vehicle only was administered to the contralateral side. During a 4-week observation period, animals demonstrated delayed or absent withdrawal responses to infrared laser heat stimuli delivered to sensory dermatomes corresponding to DRG receiving RTX treatment. Motor function was unimpaired as assessed by disability scoring and gait analysis. In treated DRG, TRPV1 mRNA expression was reduced, as were nociceptive neuronal perikarya in ganglia and their nerve terminals in the ipsilateral dorsal horn. CT guidance to precisely deliver RTX to sites of peripheral pain transmission in swine may be an approach that could be tailored to block an array of clinical pain conditions in patients.


Increased expression of Met protein is associated with up-regulation of hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) in tumour cells in papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.
Met protein, the high affinity receptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), was highly expressed by the tumour cells of 64 well-differentiated papillary carcinomas of the thyroid. The p145 mature form and the p170 precursor form of the protein were both isolated from the tumours. Enhanced expression of Met protein was associated with a 9.5 +/- 5-fold increase in MET RNA transcript levels, suggesting increased transcription of the gene. In the same tumours, the levels of RNA transcripts for hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), a potent stimulator of met gene transcription, were 4.5 +/- 3-fold higher than those present in the surrounding normal thyroid tissues. HIF-1 is generally induced by hypoxia. Histological features suggestive of a hypoxia were observed in 37 of 50 tumours and included coagulative necrosis, psammoma bodies, cystic changes, intratumoural haemorrhage, and hyalinization of the fibrous stroma. Immunostaining for Met protein was particularly intense in some cells located at the tumour periphery which were characterized by an invasive phenotype. Microdissection of tumour cell nests from the invading front revealed that the levels of RNA transcripts for MET/HIF were higher than in the centre of the tumour in four of nine cases. Taken together, the findings of this study suggest that HIF-1, perhaps driven by hypoxia, may be one of the factors leading to the increased transcription of met gene in papillary carcinoma and that this event is often more pronounced at the tumour periphery.


Prognostic utility of the recently recommended histologic classification and revised TNM staging system of renal cell carcinoma: a Swiss experience with 588 tumors.
A new, internationally accepted histologic classification of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and a new edition of the TNM staging system were introduced in 1997. In the latter, there was a dramatic change in the pT classification of organ-confined renal cancer in which the break point between category pT1 and pT2 was increased from 2.5 cm to 7 cm. To study the significance of the new pT classification and the new recommendations for histologic classification, 588 nephrectomy specimens were reevaluated to define morphologic prognostic parameters in RCC. pT classification (TNM 1997), histologic subtype, histologic tumor grade, presence of necrosis, and sarcomatoid differentiation were assessed. The histopathologic review according to the new classification revealed 487 conventional (clear cell) (83%), 64 papillary (11%), 31 chromophobe (5%), and 6 collecting duct (1%) RCCs. Clinical follow-up was available for 470 RCCs. The new pT classification (1997) was strongly correlated with patient survival (P < 0.0001). Histologic grade, presence of necrosis, and sarcomatoid differentiation provided independent prognostic information on the clear cell subtype of renal cancer. Sarcomatoid differentiation, but not tumor necrosis, portended a dismal prognosis for patients with papillary RCC. Chromophobe RCC was associated with a significantly better prognosis than clear cell RCC (P = 0.05). Papillary RCC with scanty cytoplasm and small cells (type 1) behaved less aggressively than papillary tumors with eosinophilic cytoplasm and large cells (type 2; P < 0.001). Accurate histologic classification according to the new recommendations has implications because the prognostic importance of other histologic features that are of independent significance varies with tumor subtype. The data suggest that the new pT classification allows good separation of prognostic groups of patients with renal cancer.


Differential expression of Glut 1 mRNA and protein levels correlates with increased sensitivity to the glyco-conjugated nitric oxide donor (2-glu-SNAP) in different tumor cell types.
Nitric Oxide (NO) releasing agents can serve as potent cytotoxic agents. However at present there are no effective ways to target delivery of NO donors like S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP). SNAP conjugated to glucose (2-gluSNAP) can be readily transported across the membrane by GLUT 1 transporters. Therefore, sensitivity of cells to 2-gluSNAP may depend on glucose-transporter GLUT 1. We evaluated the cytotoxicity of SNAP and 2-gluSNAP on a GLUT 1 rich glioblastoma cell line T98G and GLUT 1 deficient osteoblastoma cell line 143B and its mitochondria-deficient variant rhoo (cell line 206). The cytotoxity of SNAP and 2-gluSNAP was assessed by clonogenic assay performed in the above cell lines in vitro. Immunoblotting and semi-quantitative real-time PCR assays were used to evaluate the expression of GLUT 1 transporter at protein and mRNA levels. The glioblastoma cell line T98G was more sensitive to 2-gluSNAP than unconjugated SNAP. SNAP and 2-gluSNAP affected the osteosarcoma cell lines 143B and rhoo poorly. Immunoblot analysis detected GLUT 1 protein in T98G cells and not in 143B or rhoo. There was about a 10-fold difference in GLUT 1 mRNA level in T98G cells compared to 143B and rhoo cell lines. This is consistent with our cytotoxicity studies and immunoblot analysis. Our results give credence to our hypothesis that the sensitivity to NO donors can be increased by glyco-conjugation and the cytotoxicity of the glyco-conjugated NO donors depends on the expression of GLUT 1 mRNA and protein.


Experimental cooling-induced preconditioning attenuates skin flap failure.
Microvascular perfusion failure is a leading cause of tissue necrosis in reconstructive surgery. In the present experimental study the effect of local hypothermia was investigated as a possible preconditioning procedure that could induce stress proteins such as heat-shock protein (HSP) 70 and HSP-32 (haem oxygenase (HO) 1). The effect on flap microcirculation and survival was also studied. Ears of hairless mice were subjected to local hypothermia (30 min, 4 degrees C) 24 h before flap creation. A pedicled flap was elevated by incision of four-fifths of the base of the ear. Microcirculatory dysfunction and tissue necrosis were analysed quantitatively over 5 days by means of intravital fluorescence microscopy. HO-1 and HSP-70 protein expression were determined by western blot analysis. HO-1 distribution within the flap tissue was also analysed by immunohistochemistry. Animals with unconditioned flaps served as controls. Cooling induced a marked expression of HO-1 without induction of HSP-70 protein. This was paralleled by a significant improvement in microvascular perfusion (P < 0.050) that was predominantly regulated by the dilatation of nutritive capillaries. The cooling-mediated improvement in microcirculation resulted in a significant reduction in final flap necrosis (P < 0.050). In this experimental study preoperative cooling was associated with the expression of HO-1 and was an effective conditioning procedure.


Maximizing placebo response in neurological clinical practice.
The placebo effect is a widely recognized phenomenon in clinical research, with a negative perception that it could hide the "true" drug effect. In clinical care its positive potential to increase known drug effects has been neglected for too long. The placebo and nocebo responses have been described in many neurologic disorders such as Parkinson's, Huntington's and Alzheimer's diseases, restless leg syndrome, tics, essential tremor, dystonia, functional movement disorders, neuropathic pain, headaches, migraine, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. Knowledge regarding placebo mechanisms and their consequences on clinical outcome have greatly improved over the last two decades. This evolution has led to reconsiderations of the importance of placebo response in the clinic and has given several clues on how to improve it in daily practice. In this chapter, we first illustrate "why," e.g. the reasons (relevance to clinical practice, help in differential diagnosis/treatment of psychogenic movements, clinical impact, proven neurobiological grounds, health economic potential), and "how," e.g. the means (increase patients' knowledge, increase learning, improve patient-doctor relationship, increase Hawthorne effect, increase positive/decrease negative expectations (the Rosenthal effect), personalize placebo response), the placebo should be maximized (and nocebo avoided) in neurological clinical practice. Future studies regarding more specific neurobiological mechanisms will allow a finer tuning of placebo response in clinical practice. The use of placebo in clinical practice raises ethical issues, and a recent expert consensus regarding placebo use in the clinic is a first step to future guidelines necessary to this field.


The role of postoperative radiotherapy in carcinoma of the endometrium.
The role of adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy in endometrial carcinoma after surgery remains controversial. There is a great variation between centres in deciding when to give postoperative external beam radiotherapy and/or vaginal vault brachytherapy for patients with endometrial carcinoma. The role of pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy as well as the need for postoperative radiotherapy after this type of surgical staging continue to be debated. Furthermore, the role of adjuvant chemotherapy either alone or in combination with adjuvant radiotherapy also remains to be determined. This overview discusses the role of postoperative radiotherapy in the context of surgery and other adjuvant treatments in carcinoma of the endometrium.


ERK1, 2, and 5 expression and activation in dopaminergic brain regions during postnatal development.
Degeneration and dysfunctioning of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain have been associated with serious neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. Elucidating the underlying neurobiology of these neurons during early postnatal development may provide important information regarding the etiology of these disorders. Cellular signaling pathways have been shown to regulate postnatal neuronal development. Among several signaling pathways, extracellular-regulated mitogen kinases (ERK) 1, 2, and 5 have been shown to be crucial for the survival and function of dopaminergic neurons. In this study, the basal expression and activation of ERK1, 2, and 5 were studied during postnatal development in regions rich in DA cells and terminals. In the striatum (STR) and ventral mesencephalon regions of the substantia nigra (SN) and ventral tegmental area (VTA), ERK5 expression and activation were high during early postnatal days and declined with aging. Interestingly, sharp increases in phosphorylated or activated ERK1 and ERK2 were observed at postnatal day (PND) 7 in the SN and VTA. In contrast, in the STR, the levels of phosphorylated ERK1 and 2 were significantly higher at PND0 than at any other PND examined. Overall, the understanding of alterations in ERK signaling in regions rich in DA cells and DA terminals during postnatal neuronal development may provide information about their role in regulation of dopamine neuronal development which may ultimately provide insight into the underlying mechanisms of dopamine neurodegeneration.


Dementia Severity Associated With Increased Risk of Potentially Preventable Readmissions During Home Health Care.
Approximately 14% of Medicare beneficiaries are readmitted to a hospital within 30 days of home health care admission. Individuals with dementia account for 30% of all home health care admissions and are at high risk for readmission. Our primary objective was to determine the association between dementia severity at admission to home health care and 30-day potentially preventable readmissions (PPR) during home health care. A secondary objective was to develop a dementia severity scale from Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) items based on the Functional Assessment Staging Tool (FAST). Retrospective cohort study. Home health care; 126,292 Medicare beneficiaries receiving home health care (July 1, 2013-June 1, 2015) diagnosed with dementia (ICD-9 codes). 30-day PPR during home health care. Dementia severity categorized into 6 levels (nonaffected to severe). The overall rate of 30-day PPR was 7.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 7.4, 7.7] but varied by patient and health care utilization characteristics. After adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, the odds ratio (OR) for dementia severity category 6 was 1.37 (95% CI 1.29, 1.46) and the OR for category 7 was 1.94 (95% CI 1.64, 2.31) as compared to dementia severity category 1/2. Dementia severity in the later stages is associated with increased risk for potentially preventable readmissions. Our findings suggest that individuals admitted to home health during the later stages of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias may require greater supports and specialized care to minimize negative outcomes such as readmissions. Development of a dementia severity scale based on OASIS items and the FAST is feasible. Future research is needed to determine effective strategies for decreasing potentially preventable readmissions of individuals with severe dementia who receive home health care. Future research is also needed to validate the proposed dementia severity categories used in this study.


Single-center long-term follow-up after intraoperative radiotherapy as a boost during breast-conserving surgery using low-kilovoltage x-rays.
Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) during breast-conserving surgery as a boost followed by whole-breast radiotherapy is increasingly used. Between February 2002 and December 2008, a total of 197 patients were treated with IORT as a boost (20 Gy, 50 kV x-rays; Intrabeam System, Carl Zeiss Surgical, Oberkochen, Germany) during breast-conserving surgery, followed by whole-breast radiotherapy (46-50 Gy). Systemic therapy was provided according to the St. Gallen consensus. Patients were recalled every 6-12 months for follow-up. Findings were scored according to the LENT-SOMA scale. Median age was 61.8 (range 30-84) years, and median follow-up was 37 (range 5-91) months. There were T1, T2, and Tx tumors in 129, 67, and 1 patients, respectively, and N0, N1, N2, and N3 disease in 144, 36, 15, and 2 patients, respectively. Until December 2009, 5 local invasive relapses, 1 local ductal carcinoma-in-situ, 1 axillary relapse, 6 secondary cancers, and 11 distant metastases were seen, resulting in a 5-year disease-free survival of 81.0% and an overall survival of 91.3%. Local relapse-free survival (invasive cancers) at 3 and 5 years was 97.0%. After a follow-up of 5 years (n =58), only 8 patients (13.8%) had chronic skin toxicities, and 2 patients (3.4%) had a marked increase in density (fibrosis III), while 62.0% had no/barely palpable fibrosis 0-I. Other toxicities observed included severe pain (n = 4, 6.9%), retraction (n =17, 29.3%), edema of the breast (n =1, 1.7%), and lymphedema in general (n =2, 3.4%). After IORT as a tumor bed boost with low-kilovoltage x-rays followed by whole-breast radiotherapy, low local recurrence and chronic toxicity rates were seen after 5-year follow-up.


Mass visual screening via television.
Videotaped programs that could be used for screening of visual acuity and of visual fields by means of broadcast television have been developed and tested. The tests are designed to be effective regardless of the size of the viewer's television screen. Inevitably, false-positive and false-negative results would occur, which would have to be carefully explained at the time the tests were broadcast.


Combined intra- and extra-peritoneal bladder perforation following rectal impalement injury.
A 62-year-old male presented with abdominal pain and hematuria following impalement of the rectum with a wooden foreign object. CT imaging showed air and fluid in the peritoneum prompting the patient to undergo abdominal exploration. An anterior rectal perforation was discovered along with dual bladder lacerations of the posterior wall and dome. The patient underwent a diverting colostomy and primary bladder repair. Post-operative course was uncomplicated and bladder repair was followed via cystograms with catheter removal 2 months post-operatively. Four months after the injury the patient underwent colostomy closure and remains with normal bladder and bowel function at 21-month follow-up.


A possible representation of Yin Yang five elements (Yin Yang Wu Xing): Hypothesis of Dual Five-Body-Coordination.
The idea of Yin Yang Wu Xing, traditionally adopted and practiced in East-Asian medicine, has not been incorporated into the theoretical framework of modern medicine. It is therefore desired to show that Yin Yang Wu Xing is a manifestation of a higher-level faculty of cooperating system, thus making it suitable for a modern frame of thought. A higher-level faculty of the cooperating system is formulated in the scheme of Dual Five-Body Coordination. The stability of this scheme is examined mathematically and the feasibility of its physical realization is estimated. The Dual Five-Body Coordination scheme, which overlaps substantially with the conceptual structure of Yin Yang Wu Xing, is stable and has survival merit. An imaginable conjecture based on physical reality confirms its physical feasibility. The Dual Five-Body Coordination scheme has potential utilization in various fields including biology and sociology. Once the theoretical framework is solidified, the Dual Five-Body Coordination scheme can be readily applied in practical research in modern medicine.


Lactobacillus spp. isolated from prebiotic-derived raw goat milk: probiotic characteristics, cholesterol assimilation and folate production.
This work provides to evaluate cholesterol assimilation and folic acid production by determining the probiotic properties of Lactobacillus spp. from raw goat milk with prebiotic properties. We isolated Lactobacilli from goat milk and identified API 50, CHL, and 16sRNA. Probiotic properties were determined according to bile salt and acidic tolerance, hydrophobicity, hemolytic activity, antibiotic sensitivity, antagonistic effect, and exopolysaccharide production. In addition, the cholesterol assimilation and folate production of cultures were determined. L. plantarum GM-12 and L. plantarum GM-15 showed the highest folate production and the highest cholesterol assimilation.These two strains are strong candidates for use as potential probiotics and starter cultures.


Stability of glucosinolates and glucosinolate degradation products during storage of boiled white cabbage.
The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of storage on the contents of glucosinolates (GLS) and their degradation products in a boiled white cabbage. A 24h storage at 4 °C resulted in a decrease in GLS content (20-40%, depending on the cooking time applied) in the edible parts. The most significant losses were observed for sinigrin (20-45%), and the least for glucobrassicin (12-32%). Storage had a diversified effect on GLS breakdown products (indole-3-acetonitrile, indole-3-carbinol, ascorbigen and 3,3'-diindolylmethane released from glucobrassicin and 4-methylsulfinylbutanenitrile released from glucoiberin) in the boiled cabbage. The increase in the content of indole-3-acetonitrile, especially considerable within the first 24h of storage (and a simultaneous decrease in glucobrassicin) clearly indicates that degradation of GLS may occur during storage or cooling to 4 °C.


Liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric studies on rifamycin antibiotics.
The use of a direct liquid introduction type liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric interface to study highly thermally labile rifamycin antibiotics is described. Using negative ionization, abundant molecular ions were observed, and the spectra, also contained structurally significant fragments. Variation of the high-performance liquid chromatographic parameters did not change the spectra, thus making it easy to change chromatographic conditions. In quantitative studies, a surprising correlation was found, indicating that the mass spectrometric signal was proportional to the square of the sample concentration.


Genus Eteoryctis Kumata amp; Kuroko, 1988 (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) in Korea with description of a new species.
In this study, three species of the genus Eteoryctis Kumata Kuroko, 1988 are recognized from Korea. Among them, E. minimus sp. nov. is described as new to science. Also, one species, E. picrasmae Kumata Kuroko, 1988 is reported for the first time from Korea. Adults and genitalia of all species are described and illustrated. Also, a key to the species of Eteoryctis in Korea is presented.


Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is a practical predictor of long-term cardiac death after coronary artery bypass grafting.
Recent studies have demonstrated that non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) can predict the risk of cardiovascular events among general population without coronary heart disease (CHD). However, few studies have investigated the predictive value of non-HDL-C for long-term prognosis in patients with CHD. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether non-HDL-C can predict long-term cardiovascular events in patients with CHD who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We enrolled 1074 consecutive patients who underwent CABG at Juntendo University Hospital between 1984 and 1994, and obtained mortality data through 2000. We divided the patients into 2 groups by the median non-HDL-C level at baseline (180 mg/dL) and used Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test for survival analyses. Cox proportional-hazard regression model was used to calculate the relative risk (RR) of cardiac death. The mean follow-up period was 10.6±3.5 years. The survival rate of cardiac death was significantly lower in the high non-HDL-C group than that in the low non-HDL-C group (log-rank test; p=0.006). Furthermore, in proportional regression analysis adjusted for conventional coronary risk factors, metabolic syndrome, statin treatment, and use of artery bypass graft, the increased levels of non-HDL-C were significant and independent predictor of cardiac death beyond other lipid parameters (RR1.22; by 10 mg/dL non-HDL-C increasing, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.44; p<0.05). The increased levels of non-HDL-C were significantly associated with an increased risk of cardiac death. Baseline non-HDL-C levels may be a practical predictor of long-term cardiac death in patients with CHD after CABG.


An evaluation of knowledge, attitude, and practice of adverse drug reaction reporting in a tertiary care teaching hospital of Sikkim.
Spontaneous voluntary adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting is paramount to the success of the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India. There has however been minimal and sporadic voluntary reporting of ADR's at the ADR Monitoring Centre (AMC) Gangtok, Sikkim. Knowledge, perception, attitude, and awareness of health professionals are determinants of reporting practices. This questionnaire study aims at evaluating these indicators in the teaching hospital attached to the Medical Institute and find out methods to improve existing reporting practices. This is a cross-sectional questionnaire-based observational study carried out in the Medical, Surgical and Pathology Departments of the Teaching Hospital, Gangtok, Sikkim over a period of 2 months. The questionnaires were filled by the respondents and returned back to us within the next 24 h. Data obtained from filled questionnaires were thereby analyzed. The overall correct response rate to the knowledge-based questions was 56.3%. While 97% of respondents were of the view that ADR reporting was necessary, 35% of the respondents felt that the difficulty in deciding the causality of an ADR discouraged them from reporting. 79% of the respondents were not aware of the presence of an AMC affiliated to the hospital, and 87% of the respondents admitted that they were not sending filled ADR forms to the AMC. The study indicates that the respondents have an average knowledge and positive attitude toward ADR reporting and pharmacovigilance. There is however a lack of awareness and poor ADR reporting practices. Efforts are required to enhance awareness and attitude toward pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting.


Inhibition of insulin-stimulated glucose transport in rat adipocytes by nucleoside transport inhibitors.
In isolated rat adipocytes, basal as well as insulin-stimulated 3-O-methylglucose transport was inhibited nearly completely (maximal inhibition: 95%) by the nucleoside transport inhibitors dipyridamole (IC50 = 5 microM), nitrobenzylthioguanosine (20 microM), nitrobenzylthioinosine (35 microM) and papaverine (130 microM). Transport kinetics in the presence of 10 microM dipyridamole revealed a significant increase in the transport Km value of 3-O-methylglucose (3.45 +/- 0.6 vs 2.36 +/- 0.29 mM in the controls) as well as a decrease in the Vmax value (4.84 +/- 0.95 vs 9.03 +/- 1.19 pmol/s per microliter lipid in the controls). Half-maximally inhibiting concentrations of dipyridamole were one order of magnitude higher than those inhibiting nucleoside (thymidine) uptake (0.48 microM). The inhibitory effect of dipyridamole (5 microM) reached its maximum within 30 s. The agent failed to affect insulin's half-maximally stimulating concentration (0.075 nM) indicating that it did not interfere with the mechanism by which insulin stimulates glucose transport. Further, dipyridamole fully suppressed the glucose-inhibitable cytochalasin B binding (IC50 = 1.65 +/- 0.05 microM). The data indicate that nucleoside transport inhibitors reduce glucose transport by a direct interaction with the transporter or a closely related protein. It is suggested that glucose and nucleoside transporters share structural, and possibly functional, features.


N,N'-Diacetyl-p-phenylenediamine restores microglial phagocytosis and improves cognitive defects in Alzheimer's disease transgenic mice.
As a central feature of neuroinflammation, microglial dysfunction has been increasingly considered a causative factor of neurodegeneration implicating an intertwined pathology with amyloidogenic proteins. Herein, we report the smallest synthetic molecule (N,N'-diacetyl-p-phenylenediamine [DAPPD]), simply composed of a benzene ring with 2 acetamide groups at the para position, known to date as a chemical reagent that is able to promote the phagocytic aptitude of microglia and subsequently ameliorate cognitive defects. Based on our mechanistic investigations in vitro and in vivo, 1) the capability of DAPPD to restore microglial phagocytosis is responsible for diminishing the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) species and significantly improving cognitive function in the brains of 2 types of Alzheimer's disease (AD) transgenic mice, and 2) the rectification of microglial function by DAPPD is a result of its ability to suppress the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome-associated proteins through its impact on the NF-κB pathway. Overall, our in vitro and in vivo investigations on efficacies and molecular-level mechanisms demonstrate the ability of DAPPD to regulate microglial function, suppress neuroinflammation, foster cerebral Aβ clearance, and attenuate cognitive deficits in AD transgenic mouse models. Discovery of such antineuroinflammatory compounds signifies the potential in discovering effective therapeutic molecules against AD-associated neurodegeneration.


Multiple ligands of von Willebrand factor-binding protein (vWbp) promote Staphylococcus aureus clot formation in human plasma.
Staphylococcus aureus secretes coagulase (Coa) and von Willebrand factor-binding protein (vWbp) to activate host prothrombin and form fibrin cables, thereby promoting the establishment of infectious lesions. The D1-D2 domains of Coa and vWbp associate with, and non-proteolytically activate prothrombin. Moreover, Coa encompasses C-terminal tandem repeats for binding to fibrinogen, whereas vWbp has been reported to associate with von Willebrand factor and fibrinogen. Here we used affinity chromatography with non-catalytic Coa and vWbp to identify the ligands for these virulence factors in human plasma. vWbp bound to prothrombin, fibrinogen, fibronectin, and factor XIII, whereas Coa co-purified with prothrombin and fibrinogen. vWbp association with fibrinogen and factor XIII, but not fibronectin, required prothrombin and triggered the non-proteolytic activation of FXIII in vitro. Staphylococcus aureus coagulation of human plasma was associated with the recruitment of prothrombin, FXIII, and fibronectin as well as the formation of cross-linked fibrin. FXIII activity in staphylococcal clots could be attributed to thrombin-dependent proteolytic activation as well as vWbp-mediated non-proteolytic activation of FXIII zymogen.


Arsenic and cadmium leaching in co-contaminated agronomic soil and the influence of high rainfall and amendments.
Arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) co-contaminate agricultural systems worldwide and threaten water resources, food security and human health. This column leaching study examined As and Cd mobility in an acidic sandy loam Alfisol soil collected from the dry zone of Sri Lankafor four co-contaminant concentration combinations (spiked and 1 year aged As at 20 & 100 mg kg-1 with co-added Cd at 3 & 20 mg kg-1) i, and under the influence of high rainfall (RF), phosphorus fertilizer (P) and lime amendments. In almost all treatments a synergistic co-contaminant adsorption effect was evident which reduced leaching of both elements, significantly in the higher spiked soil concentration treatments. The magnitude of leaching decrease varied with treatment but was greater for As due to its weaker retention in the soil. The co-sorbing effects, evident even under RF, were attributed to electrostatic sorption interactions, the formation of ternary bridging complexes and surface precipitation at higher concentrations. Liming significantly retarded mobilisation of both elements in all treatments, whereas P enhanced As leaching but suppressed Cd leaching, and both amendments moderated co-contaminant effects. An antagonistic effect of Cd on As sorption was evident in two treatments which showed increased As leaching with added Cd: the RF low spike concentration treatment, accredited to washout of stable As-Cd soluble complexes; the P high concentration treatment considered due to P disruption of As-Cd bridging complexes. This work is important for effective risk mitigation in these widely occurring co-contaminated agronomic systems, and demonstrates a strong system effect on synergistic or antagonistic co-contaminant interactions.


Head to head comparison of transesophageal and transthoracic contrast-enhanced echocardiography during dobutamine administration for the detection of coronary artery disease.
Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) has been shown to be a very useful non-invasive technique for the detection of coronary artery disease. However, inadequate transthoracic images preclude the use of DSE in a significant proportion of patients. Transesophageal (TEE) or transthoracic contrast echocardiography (CE) can however overcome this limitation. The comparison between the two techniques has never been investigated during a stress test. Therefore, we designed a prospective study to compare DSE-CE and DSE-TEE for the detection of coronary artery disease in patients with poor echo image quality. We studied 42 patients scheduled for quantitative coronary angiography. Prospective DSE-CE and DSE-TEE with maximum one day interval were performed in a random order. Significant coronary artery disease was detected in 30 patients, nine with single vessel disease and 21 with multivessel disease. Sensitivity of DSE was higher with CE than with TEE (90% vs 87%, p=NS). There was no significant difference with respect to specificity in both groups (100% vs 92%, p=NS). The diagnostic accuracy was similar in both groups (93% vs 88%, NS). The kappa value for identical interpretation of a stress echocardiography study was nearly identical with both modalities 0.75 to 0.78. In poorly echogenic patients, DSE-CE is a valuable alternative for the detection of myocardial ischemia in comparison with DSE-TEE. Because DSE-CE is more comfortable than TEE, it should be used in patients with suboptimal transthoracic echocardiograms for the evaluation of coronary artery disease during DSE.


Intracytoplasmic injection using spermatids and subsequent pregnancies: round versus elongated spermatids.
The purpose of this clinical trial study was to report the outcome of intracytoplasmic injection of round (RS) and elongated (ES) spermatids retrieved from the testis of nonobstructive men. Seven and three cycles using RS and ES injections were performed, respectively. Only one cycle utilizing the late stage of ES (Sd2) resulted in an on-going pregnancy. The remarkable low success rate following RS microinjection was established in this study.


Omitted evidence undermines sexual motives explanation for attractiveness bias.
This commentary makes three points: (1) the existing evidence does not consistently favor the proposed sex difference in attractiveness preferences, nor the fitness-related outcomes of attractiveness; (2) the neglected association of perceived attractiveness and trustworthiness allowed the authors to incorrectly attribute many findings solely to attractiveness, and (3) the importance accorded attractiveness in mate preferences is culturally shaped and likely evolutionarily novel.


Squalene Supplementation as a Novel to Increase PUFA Content in Fish Tissues.
Squalene is an antioxidant that plays an essential role in fat metabolism. The study aimed to assess the effect of squalene supplied in feed on the growth performance, health status, and fatty acid profiles of muscle and liver of Siberian sturgeon, rainbow trout, and Eurasian perch. The experimental feeds containing 0%, 0.5%, and 1.0% squalene were prepared for each fish species. Hematological and biochemical indices, liver histology, and fatty acid profiling of muscle and liver were analyzed. Squalene supplementation was safe for fish, and no negative influence on growth status was observed. However, changes in the values of hematological and biochemical indicators were found, including the level of triglycerides in the blood of rainbow trout, and cholesterol in the blood of Eurasian perch. The addition of squalene influences the nucleocytoplasmic index values in all fish offered feed containing 1% squalene. The retention of squalene in the liver and muscle of experimental Siberian sturgeon was observed in both 0.5% and 1.0% squalene levels of feed. The PUFA and docosahexaenoic acid increase was observed in all fish in groups with squalene addition. Dietary squalene increases the content of PUFAs in tissues of the examined species.


Evaluation of glycerol core aldehydes formation in edible oils under restaurant deep frying.
Glycerol core aldehydes (GCAs) are potentially toxic lipid oxidation products characterized by aldehydic acids bonded to glycerol via acyl groups. This study investigated the profile and change of GCAs in rapeseed oil (RO), high-oleic sunflower oil (HOSO) and cottonseed oil (CO) after frying chicken nuggets (CNs), fish nuggets (FNs) and French fries (FFs) for 60 h in real restaurant frying systems. Three GCAs (8-oxo, 9-oxo, and 10-oxo-8) were identified, with the GCAs (9-oxo) accounting for the highest value (60%), followed by GCAs (10-oxo-8) and GCAs (8-oxo). The total GCAs increased from 1.12 to 2.02 mg/g with frying time from 0 to 60 h in RO used for frying FNs. The FN frying systems produced the largest amount of GCAs, whereas the FF frying systems produced the least. RO contained more GCAs than CO and HOSO owing to its higher unsaturated fatty acid content (91.81%). Furthermore, the GCAs showed a high correlation with polymerized and oxidized products, indicating that the formation of GCAs were related to the oxidative stability of oils. These results may provide insight into the formation of GCAs and their control during frying.


Influence of mechanical operation on the biodelignification of Leucaena leucocephala by xylanase treatment.
This study aimed at energy reduction during pulping of L. leucocephala by passing the wood chips through an impressafiner followed by xylanase pretreatment. An impressafiner compressed the chips and converted them into spongy materials. Wood chips of L. leucocephala with or without de-structuring and de-structured wood chips followed by enzymatic treatment were subjected to Kraft pulping at different temperatures varying from 135 to 170 °C and active alkali varying from 12 to 20% (as Na2O) to observe effect on screened pulp yield and kappa number. The de-structured wood chips followed by enzymatic treatment produced a pulp yield of 48.2% and kappa number 18.6. L. leucocephala without de-structuring produced a pulp yield of 50.1% and kappa number 23.7. When the pulp was subjected to oxygen delignification to reduce kappa number in the vicinity of 18.6, pulp showed shrinkage by 6.64% compared to Kraft pulp of de-structured wood chips followed by enzymatic treatment. Kraft pulp produced from de-structured wood chips of L. leucocephala followed by enzymatic treatment showed net saving of US$ 163.15 per digester over Kraft pulp produced without de-structuring of wood chips of L. leucocephala. Moreover, the pulp obtained by de-structuring followed by enzymatic treatment showed improvement in pulp brightness and physical strength properties including tensile, tear, and burst index significantly compared to pulp obtained without de-structuring.


Left Atrial Function Is Impaired in Some Patients With Stroke of Undetermined Etiology: Potential Implications for Evaluation and Therapy.
Stroke etiology remains undetermined in up to 30% of cases. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is found in 20% to 28% of patients with stroke initially classified as being of undetermined etiology. The aim of our study was to analyze left atrial function in ischemic stroke patients to identify patterns associated with cardioembolic etiology and to determine whether the patterns identified can be found in individuals initially classified as having a stroke of undetermined etiology. We studied a cohort of in-hospital ischemic stroke patients referred for transthoracic echocardiography. Treating neurologists determined stroke etiology based on the TOAST classification. Left atrial contractile function was assessed using 2-dimensional echocardiography to determine their ejection fraction and speckle tracking to measure left atrial strain rate: a-wave. Left atrial function was compared between stroke etiology subgroups and healthy controls. Ninety-seven patients (aged 67±15 years) with ischemic stroke (16.5% large-artery atherosclerosis, 15.5% small-vessel occlusion, 11.3% cardioembolic, 5.1% other determined etiology, 51.1% undetermined etiology) and 10 healthy volunteers (aged 63±7 years) were included. Left atrial ejection fraction was significantly decreased only in patients with stroke of cardioembolic and undetermined etiology compared with the control group (31.5±17.2%, 40.2±17.1%, and 59.1±8.4%, respectively; P=.004). The left atrial strain rate was significantly lower in patients with stroke caused by cardioembolic or undetermined etiology, or large-artery atherosclerosis compared with controls (-0.86±0.49, -1.31±0.56, -1.5±0.47, -2.37±1.18, respectively; P<.001). Patients with stroke of undetermined etiology with left atrial function (ejection fraction and strain) similar to that of cardioembolic stroke patients may be misclassified and could potentially benefit from prolonged electrocardiography monitoring. Left atrial function analysis (ejection fraction and strain) might help to identify potential cardioembolic sources in patients with stroke of undetermined etiology.


Modified caspase-3 assay indicates correlation of caspase-3 activity with immunity of nonhuman primates to Yersinia pestis infection.
Defined candidate human vaccines for treating infection by Yersinia pestis, the agent of plague, have been developed. To facilitate evaluation of the vaccines' efficacy, the in vitro caspase-3 assay for cytotoxicity-neutralizing activity was modified and reevaluated. Immune serum-mediated caspase-3 neutralizing activity correlated with protection against infection in a nonhuman primate vaccine model of plague immunity.


CTMP-based cellulose fibers modified with core-shell latex for reinforcing biocomposites.
The toughening of cellulose fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) was performed via adsorbing the cationic latex with core-shell structure onto chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP) fibers as reinforcements, which is a novel approach for rendering the surface of cellulose fibers elastomeric. The mechanical, morphological and thermal properties of the resulting biocomposites, containing 40% (wt) of the modified fibers, were investigated. The results showed that with the increasing of the latex dosage up to 2% (wt on dry CTMP fibers), the impact, tensile and flexural strengths of the modified CTMP/PP biocomposites were significantly increased. The toughening mechanism was discussed based on the retarding of crack propagation and the promoting of crystallization of PP matrix (as revealed by DSC characterization). The overall performance of the biocomposite demonstrated that cationic latex-modified CTMP fiber is very effective in reinforcing thermoplastic-based biocomposites along with the synergetic effect on enhancing crystallinity of polymer matrix.