Current focusing sharpens local peaks of excitation in cochlear implant stimulation.
Cochlear implant (CI) users' spectral resolution is limited by the number of implanted electrodes, interactions between the electrodes, and the underlying neural population. Current steering has been proposed to increase the number of spectral channels beyond the number of physical electrodes, however, electric field interactions may limit CI users' access to current-steered virtual channels (VCs). Current focusing (e.g tripolar stimulation) has been proposed to reduce current spread and thereby reduce interactions. In this study, current steering and current focusing were combined in a four-electrode stimulation pattern, i.e quadrupolar virtual channels (QPVCs). The spread of excitation was measured and compared between QPVC and Monopolar VC (MPVC) stimuli using a forward masking task. Results showed a sharper peak in the excitation pattern and reduced spread of masking for QPVC stimuli. Results from the forward masking study were compared with a previous study measuring VC discrimination ability and showed a weak relationship between spread of excitation and VC discriminability. The results suggest that CI signal processing strategies that utilize both current steering and current focusing might increase CI users' functional spectral resolution by transmitting more channels and reducing channel interactions.


Characteristic ultrasonographic features of the encapsulated variant of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ultrasonographic and clinical features of the encapsulated variant of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. Of a total of 2020 patients whose papillary carcinoma of the thyroid was treated surgically between 1998 and 2002, 56 patients had the encapsulated variant. Ultrasonographic features of the encapsulated variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma were classified into the following two types based on the shape and character of the border: papillary carcinoma (PC) and follicular tumor (FT). Ultrasonographic features of the PC type are a jagged border and an irregular tumor shape. Those of the FT type are a smooth border and a regular shape (spherical to oval). The PC type was seen in 36 patients and the FT type was found in 20 patients. Both types of encapsulated variant of papillary carcinoma showed cervical lymph node metastases. Ultrasonographic findings of the FT type have characteristic features that are similar to those of benign follicular tumors of the thyroid. We should remember that some patients do not show typical and classical features of papillary carcinoma on ultrasonography.


High throughput engineering to revitalize a vestigial electron transfer pathway in bacterial photosynthetic reaction centers.
Photosynthetic reaction centers convert light energy into chemical energy in a series of transmembrane electron transfer reactions, each with near 100% yield. The structures of reaction centers reveal two symmetry-related branches of cofactors (denoted A and B) that are functionally asymmetric; purple bacterial reaction centers use the A pathway exclusively. Previously, site-specific mutagenesis has yielded reaction centers capable of transmembrane charge separation solely via the B branch cofactors, but the best overall electron transfer yields are still low. In an attempt to better realize the architectural and energetic factors that underlie the directionality and yields of electron transfer, sites within the protein-cofactor complex were targeted in a directed molecular evolution strategy that implements streamlined mutagenesis and high throughput spectroscopic screening. The polycistronic approach enables efficient construction and expression of a large number of variants of a heteroligomeric complex that has two intimately regulated subunits with high sequence similarity, common features of many prokaryotic and eukaryotic transmembrane protein assemblies. The strategy has succeeded in the discovery of several mutant reaction centers with increased efficiency of the B pathway; they carry multiple substitutions that have not been explored or linked using traditional approaches. This work expands our understanding of the structure-function relationships that dictate the efficiency of biological energy-conversion reactions, concepts that will aid the design of bio-inspired assemblies capable of both efficient charge separation and charge stabilization.


The approach of general surgeons to the use of vessel sealing device in thyroid surgery.
Vascular sealing devices (VSD) can be safely used in thyroid surgery. The purpose of this survey was to investigate general surgeons' approach to the use of VSD in thyroid surgery in Turkey. A questionnaire containing 10 items was prepared and announced via the Dialogue in Endocrinology Society website. The results were then analyzed. Fifty surgeons (65.8%) stated that they always use VSD, 20 (26.3%) stated that they sometimes use these devices and six (7.9%) declared that they never use VSD. Thirty-six surgeons (47.4%) reported that they use ligation all the time, and 42 (55.3%) stated that upper pole vessels should be ligated at least once. Twenty two point four percent of the responders stated that they faced a complication, which they thought was related to VSD. The vast majority of surgeons routinely uses VSD and accepts it as a safe tool. However, the observed complication rate was very high.


Excision of cortical dysplasia in the language area with use of a surgical navigator: a case report.
We have developed an intraoperative optical tracking-based navigational system that allows localization in the operative space. Using three-dimensional reconstruction, this system has provided precise spatial information for intraoperative cortical mapping in patients with intractable epilepsy in whom the lesion lies close to eloquent cortex. A 23-year-old man with intractable complex partial seizures (CPS) presented to our institution. Proton-density magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a 3-cm lesion which lay 2 cm beneath the left frontal operculum. A three-dimensional model of the patient was reconstructed using MR modalities. Intraoperatively, subdural grid and strips were placed over the lesion and their electrodes were registered to the three-dimensional model, which was displayed on a monitor. The navigational system was used to localize each electrode on the three-dimensional model. By the second operation, the sites of seizure activity were established and recorded on the three-dimensional model. A bipolar stimulator was also used to determine the speech area. The lesion, which proved to be cortical dysplasia, was removed completely and the cortical speech area was avoided. During the postoperative period, the patient had no neurological symptoms and no seizure activity. The localization of a lesion and its correlation with epileptogenic foci is important in optimizing treatment in patients with cortical dysplasia. Our navigational system provided accurate localization of the lesion and correlation with the epileptogenic focus and related eloquent cortex. We believe that the safe removal of the lesion was facilitated by this system.


The effects of septic complications upon the serum protein changes associated with thermal injury.
The levels of 12 serum proteins including 'acute-phase reactants', immunoglobulins and albumin were measured in 20 patients suffering from thermal burns. The acute-phase reactants: C-reactive protein, alpha-l antitrypsin, alpha-l antichymotrypsin, haptoglobin and orosomucoid, all increased in concentration. Highest levels, which showed significant correlations with injury severity, occurred at 6-8 days post-burn. The levels of albumin, alpha-l lipoprotein and transferrin were decreased. The immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM showed an initial decrease followed by a steady return to normal levels. Four patients, of whom three died, developed serious sepsis. The levels of alpha-l antichymotrypsin and C-reactive protein were much higher in patients with sepsis than in those without sepsis. The highest levels occurred during and often before the episode of sepsis was clinically evident. The immunoglobulins especially IgG and IgA were lower in those patients who developed sepsis than in those who did not. The results suggest that the serum levels of either C-reactive protein or alpha-l antichymotrypsin could be used both as an aid to diagnosis of sepsis and also to monitor the effect of therapy.


Child abuse in nineteenth century Queensland.
Various forms of the social and medical dilemma now referred to as child abuse occurred in 19th century Queensland. Incidents ranging from parental carelessness and neglect to deliberate injury and murder were reported in the lay and medical press. This paper investigates abuse of infants in Queensland in the latter half of the 19th century in the context of socioeconomic conditions, family stress, concepts of morality and prevailing social mores. Identifiable incidents include infanticide, injury, deliberate neglect, neglect due to ignorance and poverty, and accidents or poisonings where abuse appears to have been a factor. Child abuse stimulated the medical profession, religious bodies, groups of concerned citizens, and eventually the state to intervene to protect and care for endangered children. These initiatives and the social and moral attitudes they reflected are also examined. Legal definitions and records of court proceedings are evaluated as well so that changes in official as well as social attitudes can be better understood.


Non-surgical endoscopic trans-papillary treatment of ruptured echinococcus liver cyst obstructing the biliary tree.
Previous reports showed that surgery is the only method of treating liver hydatid cysts that have ruptured into the biliary system. We report a case of obstructive jaundice due to spontaneous rupture of a liver hydatid cyst into the biliary system, which was treated non-surgically by endoscopic papillotomy and extraction of daughter cysts from the biliary system, insertion of a nasobiliary tube for drainage and injection of scolicidal hypertonic saline, into the biliary system. Clear resolution of the obstruction, disappearance of daughter cysts and a decrease in the size of the hepatic cyst was shown by ERCP, ultrasound and CT scan. We believe that this new method is safe, effective and has a lower incidence of mortality, morbidity and recurrence than surgery, which it should replace whenever possible.


Mathematical analysis of the changes in the parameters of the action potentials, membrane and ionic currents of frog muscle fibre during the recovery cycle.
The method of mathematical modelling was used to study the excitability changes of the membrane of a frog skeletal muscle fibre and the parameters of the action potentials, membrane and ionic currents during the first 30 ms of the recovery cycle. The threshold current for a fibre at rest was found to be 0.32 microA and the durations of the absolute and relative refractory periods were respectively 4 ms and 5.2 ms. With increasing interpulse interval, the subnormality of the membrane excitability is followed by supernormality. Under the same condition the supernormality in the velocity recovery cycle is not obtained. In the recovery cycle, the shape (polarity, sequence and number of phases) of the action potentials, of the membrane and ionic currents and their conductances, are unchanged. Only the time and amplitude parameters of the quantities listed above are known to vary. With increasing the interpulse interval, the amplitudes of the quantities increase and their durations are shortened attaining the values of the corresponding quantities of the initial action potential. The membrane properties are recovered 30 ms after application of the initial pulse, but the supernormality of the excitability is still preserved.


The causes of musculoskeletal chest pain in patients admitted to hospital with suspected myocardial infarction.
We wished to investigate the causes and characteristics of musculoskeletal chest pain leading to acute medical admission. We studied patients admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, over a 10-week period. Patients with chest pain for which no acute cardiorespiratory cause was evident were identified and only included if they were tender on anteroposterior chest compression, thoracic spine rotation or firm sternal pressure. A detailed clinical history, anxiety and depression scale and a focussed physical examination were done to define the nature of musculoskeletal disease and their therapeutic requirements. Fifty patients satisfying the inclusion criteria were admitted in the 10-week period and comprised 54% females with a mean age of 57 years (S.D.=13.48). Chest pain lasted for 1 h or less in 24 patients and was mostly anterior. Three distinct groups of patients were identified. Twelve patients had evidence of inflammatory joint disease, thirteen had fibromyalgia and half had regional syndromes with pain arising from the shoulder, neck, thoracic spine or sternocostal areas. Visual analogue scores were highest in fibromyalgia for pain, and highest in inflammatory arthritis for impaired mobility. Anxiety and depression scores were highest in fibromyalgia and lowest among patients with regional syndromes. Musculoskeletal causes for acute chest pain are common and varied. Most patients have an identifiable cause of pain, but accurate diagnosis is needed to select the most appropriate intervention. Anxiety and depression are frequent, with much self-reported pain and dysfunction. However, all patients in this study had a disorder that was amenable to treatment and diagnosis. Management needs to be actively pursued in all patients.


Synthesis and assembly of membrane glycoproteins: presence of leader peptide in nonglycosylated precursor of membrane glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus.
Translation of mRNA encoding vesicular stomatitis virus envelope glycoprotein G by as membrane-free ribosomal extract obtained from HeLa cells yielded a nonglycosylated protein (G1 (Mr 63,000). In the presence of added microsomal membranes, G1 was converted to the glycosylated protein (G2 (Mr 67,000) which is inserted in the membrane vesicles as a transmembrane protein. Labeling with methionine donated by wheat germ initiator tRNA1Met showed that G1 but not G2 contains methionine in the NH2-terminal position. Determination of the NH2-terminal sequence of G1, G2, and G showed that a leader peptide of 16 amino acids is present in G1 but absent from the glycosylated proteins G2 and G. This leader peptide contains at least 62% hydrophobic amino acids and is removed presumably during insertion of G1 into the membrane.


Site-directed mutagenesis of the T4 endonuclease V gene: mutations which enhance enzyme specific activity at low salt concentrations.
Previous structure/function analyses of the DNA repair enzyme, T4 endonuclease V, have suggested that the extreme carboxyl portion of the enzyme is associated with pyrimidine dimer-specific binding (Recinos and Lloyd, and Stump and Lloyd, Biochemistry 27:1832-1838 and 1839-1843, 1988, respectively). Within the final 11 amino acids there are 5 aromatic, 2 basic, and no acidic residues and it has been proposed that these residues stack with and electrostatically interact with the kinked DNA at the site of a pyrimidine dimer. The role of the tyrosine residue at position 129 has been investigated by oligonucleotide site-directed mutagenesis in which the codon for Tyr-129 has been altered to reflect conservative changes of Trp and Phe and more dramatic changes of Ser, a stop codon, deletion of the codon or introduction of a frameshift. Both changes to the aromatic amino acids resulted in proteins which accumulated well in E. coli and not only significantly enhanced the UV survival of repair-deficient cells but also complemented a defective denV gene within UV-irradiated T4 phage. Partially purified preparations of the Tyr-129----Trp and Tyr-129----Phe mutants were assayed for their ability to processively incise UV-irradiated plasmid DNA (a nicking reaction carried out at low 25 mM salt concentrations). The mutant enzymes Tyr-129----Phe and Tyr-129----Trp displayed a 1000% and 500% enhanced specific nicking activity, respectively. These reactions were also shown to be completely processive. Assays performed at higher (100 mM) salt concentrations reduced the specific activities of the mutant enzymes approximately to that of wild type for the Tyr-129----Phe mutant and to 20% that of wild type for the Tyr-129----Trp mutant.


Microbial transformation of the diterpene mulin-11,13-dien-20-oic acid by Mucor plumbeus.
Two new mulinane-type derivatives: 16-hydroxy mulin-11,13-dien-20-oic (2) acid and 7alpha,16-dihydroxy mulin-11,13-dien-20-oic (3) acid were obtained by microbial transformation of mulin-11,13-dien-20-oic acid (1), along with tyrosol (4) using liquid cultures of Mucor plumbeus. The latter compound has not been previously identified in the genus Mucor. Structural elucidation of these metabolites was achieved using 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy.


Arachidonic acid in amniotic fluid after extra-amniotic instillation of rivanol for midtrimester abortion.
Free arachidonic acid was measured by gas liquid chromatography in amniotic fluid in 13 women during induction of midtrimester abortion. The abortions were induced by extraamniotic instillation of 0.1% Rivanol. Serial sampling of amniotic fluid were performed through a transabdominal catheter up to 22 hrs. Free, total arachidonic acid showed a significant increase from 26 +/- 8 ng/ml to 293 +/- 102 ng/ml at 22 hrs. The percentage of free arachidonic acid in total free fatty acids increased significantly from 2.2 +/- 0.5 to 6.1 +/- 1.6+ during the same time. The results suggest a selective release of arachidonic acid during Rivanol-induced abortion.


A systematic review of the effectiveness of contrast baths.
Systematic review. Contrast baths are used as an intervention in hand therapy, yet it is unclear which patients, if any, benefit from this intervention. To examine the nature and quality of the evidence regarding the use of contrast baths using a systematic review process. Of a total of 28 clinical research articles on contrast baths, from 1938 forward, ten met the inclusion criteria set by the authors. These studies addressed the physiological changes of hot and cold on blood flow, intramuscular temperature, subcutaneous temperature, and the influence of room temperature and age. The subjects included normal/healthy volunteers and patients with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or foot/ankle injuries. The diversity of conditions, protocols, and outcomes limited the ability to make definitive conclusions on efficacy. The contrast bath procedure may increase superficial blood flow and skin temperature, though the evidence on the impact on edema is conflicting. No relationship between physiologic effects and functional outcomes has been established. 2A.


Two task-specific dystonias in one hand.
Dystonia is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that lead to abnormal postures and/or repetitive movements. Task-specific dystonia only manifests during a specific activity. We report a case of a female with writer's cramp who developed a second task-specific hand dystonia (tremor and abnormal posturing of the hand while using a computer mouse) many years after the initial onset. This observation is in agreement with the concept that task-specific hand dystonia is induced by repetitive, skilled hand movements in those who have an intrinsic vulnerability towards developing "dystonic" motor programs.


Membrane microdomain switching: a regulatory mechanism of amyloid precursor protein processing.
Neuronal activity has an impact on beta cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by BACE1 to generate amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect remain to be elucidated. Cholesterol dependency of beta cleavage prompted us to analyze immunoisolated APP-containing detergent-resistant membranes from rodent brains. We found syntaxin 1 as a key molecule for activity-dependent regulation of APP processing in cholesterol-dependent microdomains. In living cells, APP associates with syntaxin 1-containing microdomains through X11-Munc18, which inhibits the APP-BACE1 interaction and beta cleavage via microdomain segregation. Phosphorylation of Munc18 by cdk5 causes a shift of APP to BACE1-containing microdomains. Neuronal hyperactivity, implicated in Abeta overproduction, promotes the switching of APP microdomain association as well as beta cleavage in a partially cdk5-dependent manner. We propose that microdomain switching is a mechanism of cholesterol- and activity-dependent regulation of APP processing in neurons.


2DOF multi-objective optimal tuning of disturbance reject fractional order PIDA controllers according to improved consensus oriented random search method.
This study presents a Fractional Order Proportional Integral Derivative Acceleration (FOPIDA) controller design methodology to improve set point and disturbance reject control performance. The proposed controller tuning method performs a multi-objective optimal fine-tuning strategy that implements a Consensus Oriented Random Search (CORS) algorithm to evaluate transient simulation results of a set point filter type Two Degree of Freedom (2DOF) FOPIDA control system. Contributions of this study have three folds: Firstly, it addresses tuning problem of FOPIDA controllers for first order time delay systems. Secondly, the study aims fine-tuning of 2DOF FOPIDA control structure for improved set point and disturbance rejection control according to transient simulations of implementation models. This enhances practical performance of theoretical tuning method according to implementation requirements. Thirdly, the paper presents a hybrid controller tuning methodology that increases effectiveness of the CORS algorithm by using stabilizing controller coefficients as an initial configuration. Accordingly, the CORS algorithm performs the fine-tuning of 2DOF FOPIDA controllers to achieve an improved set point and disturbance rejection control performances. This fine-tuning is carried out by considering transient simulation results of 2DOF FOPIDA controller implementation model. Moreover, Reference to Disturbance Ratio (RDR) formulation of the FOPIDA controller is derived and used for measurement of disturbance rejection control performance. Illustrative design examples are presented to demonstrate effectiveness of the proposed method.


Galanin inhibits long-term potentiation at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses in guinea-pig hippocampal slices.
The role of galanin on long-term potentiation (LTP) of the field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses was investigated in guinea-pig hippocampal slices. Application of galanin (10(-7) M) inhibited the magnitude of LTP without any changes in the amplitude of fEPSP prior to tetanic stimulation. A putative central nervous system (CNS) type galanin receptor antagonist, galanin(1-13)-Pro-Pro-(Ala-Leu)2-Ala-Amide (M40), did not modify the magnitude of LTP when applied alone. However, M40 significantly reversed the inhibition by galanin when applied with galanin simultaneously. These findings suggest that galanin plays an inhibitory role through the CNS type galanin receptors.


Location of atypical femoral fracture can be determined by tensile stress distribution influenced by femoral bowing and neck-shaft angle: a CT-based nonlinear finite element analysis model for the assessment of femoral shaft loading stress.
Loading stress due to individual variations in femoral morphology is thought to be strongly associated with the pathogenesis of atypical femoral fracture (AFF). In Japan, studies on AFF regarding pathogenesis in the mid-shaft are well-documented and a key factor in the injury is thought to be femoral shaft bowing deformity. Thus, we developed a CT-based finite element analysis (CT/FEA) model to assess distribution of loading stress in the femoral shaft. A multicenter prospective study was performed at 12 hospitals in Japan from August 2015 to February 2017. We assembled three study groups-the mid-shaft AFF group (n=12), the subtrochanteric AFF group (n=10), and the control group (n=11)-and analyzed femoral morphology and loading stress in the femoral shaft by nonlinear CT/FEA. Femoral bowing in the mid-shaft AFF group was significantly greater (lateral bowing, p<0.0001; anterior bowing, p<0.01). Femoral neck-shaft angle in the subtrochanteric AFF group was significantly smaller (p<0.001). On CT/FEA, both the mid-shaft and subtrochanteric AFF group showed maximum tensile stress located adjacent to the fracture site. Quantitatively, there was a correlation between femoral bowing and the ratio of tensile stress, which was calculated between the mid-shaft and subtrochanteric region (lateral bowing, r=0.6373, p<0.0001; anterior bowing, r=-0.5825, p<0.001). CT/FEA demonstrated that tensile stress by loading stress can cause AFF. The location of AFF injury could be determined by individual stress distribution influenced by femoral bowing and neck-shaft angle.


Ants andPolyommatus icarus immatures (Lycaenidae) -sex-related developmental benefits and costs of ant attendance.
Third and fourth instar larvae and pupae of the facultatively myrmecophilous Palaearctic blue butterflyPolyommatus icarus showed no alteration in developmental time when reared in the presence of two species ofLasius ants. Sex differences were observed in larval growth and pupal weight, with males growing larger and faster. Sex-related differences also occurred in the costs and benefits of ant-attendance. Male pupal masses tended to be larger in individuals associated with ants, and their pupal weight loss was not enhanced by ant attendance. This positive developmental effect of myrmecophily is tentatively attributed to a stimulating influence of ants on caterpillar feeding behavior. In contrast, females associated with ants tended to lose more weight during the pupal stage. Hence there is evidence for developmental benefits, rather than costs, of myrmecophily in maleP. icarus immatures, whereas ant attendance appears to be more costly for females during the pupal stage. These findings are discussed in relation to data on other myrmecophilous lycaenid species. It is suggested that maintaining low-level myrmecophily and its related organs is a comparatively inexpensive evolutionary stable strategy among this butterfly group.


Dendritic actin delivery service.
The mechanisms by which the actin cytoskeleton regulates dendritic branching are not fully understood. Nithianandam and Chien (2018. J. Cell Biol. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201711136) discover actin blobs, new structures that mediate dynamic actin delivery within a growing dendrite arbor and that mark sites of future branch formation.


An in vitro model to evaluate the cytokine response in Echinococcus infections.
With the aim of proposing an alternative model to animal experimentation, we investigated cytokine production in response to antigens in an in vitro system. This is a co-culture system of healthy human leukocytes and enterocyte-like Caco-2 cells. The antigens tested, EgA31, EgTrp, and FABP1, are candidates for vaccines in infections caused by Echinococcus spp. in the gut. All three have previously been described in the protoscolex stage and belong to protein families which confer protective immunity against several helminths. In this study, we evaluate the Th1/Th2 profile (Th1: IL-12, IFN-gamma; Th2: IL-6, IL-10) in response to protoscoleces, EgA31 and the mixture of EgA31, EgTrp and FABP1. No cytokine production was detected in response to protoscoleces. Neither IFN-gamma nor IL-6, but a significant IL-10 and IL-12 concentration was detected in response to both types of antigens. These findings suggest that EgA31 and the mixture EgA31/EgTrp/FABP1 generated an immunogenic response associated with a mixed Th1/Th2 cytokine.


Retraction: LncRNA NEXN-AS1 attenuates proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells through sponging miR-33a/b.
[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1039/C9RA06282C.].


Characterization of the cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide gene promoter and its activation by a cyclic AMP-dependent signaling pathway in GH3 cells.
Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptides are regulated neuropeptides that play a role in a variety of physiological processes. CART mRNA is also highly regulated as its levels change in response to psychostimulant drugs and leptin. To understand the mechanisms involved in regulating CART mRNA levels, the mouse CART 5'-flanking regulatory region was studied. The sequence of 3.4 kb of the mouse CART 5'-flanking region revealed a proximal promoter that contains a cluster of transcription factor binding sites, including an overlapping STAT/CRE/AP1 site. In addition, the 5'-most 320 bp of the CART promoter shares 83% nucleotide identity between mouse and human. Three luciferase expressing constructs containing varying amounts of CART 5' upstream sequence were generated and tested for promoter activity. Transient transfection of GH3 cells with constructs containing 641 and 3451 bp of upstream sequence displayed strong promoter activity, producing 29-fold and 51-fold stimulation, respectively, while, a construct containing 102 bp of upstream sequence displayed a 5.4-fold increase in activity. A construct containing the composite STAT/CRE/AP1 site was responsive to cyclic AMP induction by forskolin in GH3 cells. Forskolin treatment also resulted in a 4.5-fold increase in CART mRNA levels after 6 h and the addition of H89, an inhibitor of protein kinase A, reduced the levels by 50%. These studies indicate that the CART proximal promoter lies within the 5'-most 641 bp and that in GH3 cells the CART gene is regulated via a cyclic AMP-dependent pathway.


Mental health states and influencing factors of risky and problem drinking in South Korean female adolescents.
Alcohol is one of the most used and abused psychoactive substances by adolescents. We investigated influencing factors of risky and problem drinking in Korean female adolescents. The study design used is a cross-sectional modeling. We used data from the 13th Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS) conducted in 2017. KYRBS data were obtained from a stratified, multistage, clustered sample. Risky drinking was binge drinking and problem drinking was drinking with several conflicts association with alcohol consumption. Among 62,276 participants, the rates of current, risky, and problem drinking among all participants were 16.1%, 8.3%, and 6.1%, respectively. Although all of these rates were higher in males, risky and problem drinking rates among current female drinkers were higher than those of males (55.4 vs 48.5%, 38.9 vs 37.2%, respectively). Problem drinking was most strongly associated with risky drinking (adjusted odds ratio: 17.53 [95% confidence interval: 14.63-21.00]), similarly, risky drinking was most strongly associated with problem drinking in female current drinkers (17.76 [14.84-21.27]). Current smoking was the second strongest risk factor for risky and problem drinking in females (5.22 [3.92-6.95] and 2.93 [2.21-3.89], respectively). Many female adolescents in Korea drink alcohol in an unhealthy manner. The female risky and problem drinking rates among current drinkers were higher than those of males. Risky drinking and problem drinking was most significant influencing factor among females, reciprocally. Public education on abstinence in female adolescents is warranted.


The working day in medicine: lessons from the air.
This article discusses whether it would be wrong to explain a mistake involving medical responsibility on the basis of an opinion that the professional was not in the optimum physical or mental state at the moment the mistake took place.


Corrigendum: Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism and risk of ischemic stroke complication among patients with hypertension in the Ethiopian population.
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1093993.].


Inter-individual variability in spring phenology of temperate deciduous trees depends on species, tree size and previous year autumn phenology.
We explored the inter-individual variability in bud-burst and its potential drivers, in homogeneous mature stands of temperate deciduous trees. Phenological observations of leaves and wood formation were performed weekly from summer 2017 to summer 2018 for pedunculate oak, European beech and silver birch in Belgium. The variability of bud-burst was correlated to previous' year autumn phenology (i.e. the onset of leaf senescence and the cessation of wood formation) and tree size but with important differences among species. In fact, variability of bud-burst was primarily related to onset of leaf senescence, cessation of wood formation and tree height for oak, beech and birch, respectively. The inter-individual variability of onset of leaf senescence was not related to the tree characteristics considered and was much larger than the inter-individual variability in bud-burst. Multi-species multivariate models could explain up to 66% of the bud-burst variability. These findings represent an important advance in our fundamental understanding and modelling of phenology and tree functioning of deciduous tree species.


Caregivers' contribution to self-care for patients treated with oral anticancer agents: A qualitative descriptive study.
To adequately manage oral anticancer agents (OAAs) therapy, appropriate self-care behaviours must be implemented. Informal caregivers could support and contribute to patient self-care. This study aimed to explore and describe the caregiver contribution to self-care and their related experience of caring among informal caregivers of patients on OAAs. Qualitative descriptive design. We conducted semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed, read in depth, and analysed with deductive and inductive content analysis, according to Mayring. Adult informal caregivers (>18 years) of elderly patients (>65 years) with solid malignancies undergoing OAAs therapy for at least 3 months were included. Twenty-three caregivers were interviewed with mean age of 57,2 (SD ± 15,8). A total of 18 codes from the qualitative content analysis were found, of which ten were referred to caregiver contribution and classified into the three dimensions of self-care maintenance (i.e. behaviours to maintain illness stable), self-care monitoring (i.e., tracking symptoms and side effects), and self-care management (i.e., management of worsening symptoms), according to the Middle Range Theory of Self-Care of Chronic Illnesses. The eight codes on caregiver experience were aggregated into two main themes: negative aspects (i.e., burden, emotional state, self-denial, social isolation) and positive aspects of caregiving. Healthcare professionals should consider the importance of caregiver role in supporting their loved one treated with OAAs, also taking into account their needs to prevent burdensome situations. A holistic view in which a patient-centred approach is established should be encouraged through the communication and education of the dyad.


An irregularly striped rind mutant reveals new insight into the function of PG1β in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.).
Via bulked segregant analysis sequencing combined with linkage mapping, the ist gene responsible for the irregularly striped rind mutation was delimited to a 144-kb region in cucumber. Sequencing and expression analysis identified Csa1G005490 as the candidate gene. The rind appearance of cucumber is one of the most important commercial quality traits. Usually, an immature cucumber fruit has a uniform rind that varies from green to yellow to white among different cultivated varieties. In the present paper, we isolated a novel fruit appearance cucumber mutant, ist, that has an irregularly striped rind pattern. The mutant displayed green irregular stripes on a yellow-green background at the immature fruit stage. Genetic analysis revealed that a single recessive gene, ist, is responsible for this mutation. A BSA (bulked segregant analysis) sequencing approach combined with genetic mapping delimited the ist locus to an interval with a length of 144 kb, and 21 predicted genes were annotated in the region. Based on mutation site screening and expression analysis, two single-nucleotide polymorphisms within the candidate gene, Csa1G005490, were identified as constituting the mutation. Csa1G005490 encodes a polygalacturonase-1 noncatalytic subunit beta protein (PG1β) known to be involved in fruit softening. The expression of Csa1G005490 was significantly lower in the ist mutant than in the wild type. Transcriptome analysis identified 1796 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the ist mutant and wild type. Gene ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses indicated that these DEGs were enriched mostly in photosynthesis and chlorophyll metabolism pathways. Decreased expression patterns of several chlorophyll synthesis genes in the mutant suggest that ist plays a key role in chlorophyll biosynthesis. These results will provide new insight into the molecular mechanism underlying rind appearance polymorphisms in cucumber.


Ethylene formation by cultures of Escherichia coli.
Growth of Escherichia coli strain B SPAO on a medium containing glucose, NH4Cl and methionine resulted in production of ethylene into the culture headspace. When methionine was excluded from the medium there was little formation of ethylene. Ethylene formation in methionine-containing medium occurred for a brief period at the end of exponential growth. Ethylene formation was stimulated by increasing the medium concentration of Fe3+ when it was chelated to EDTA. Lowering the medium phosphate concentration also appeared to stimulate ethylene formation. Ethylene formation was inhibited in cultures where NH4Cl remained in the stationary phase. Synthesis of the ethylene-forming enzyme system was determined by harvesting bacteria at various stages of growth and assaying the capacity of the bacteria to form ethylene from methionine. Ethylene forming capacity was greatest in cultures harvested immediately before and during the period of optimal ethylene formation. It is concluded that ethylene production by E. coli exhibits the typical properties of secondary metabolism.


Corrigendum: Comprehensive evolutionary analysis of growth-regulating factor gene family revealing the potential molecular basis under multiple hormonal stress in Gramineae crops.
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1174955.].


Detection of the spermicide nonoxynol-9 via GC-MS.
The spermicide nonoxynol-9 is actually a complex mixture of dozens of closely related amphiphilic compounds, and the chemical properties of this assortment significantly hamper its characterization by GC-MS. The inability to perform routine GC-MS testing on nonoxynol-9 has limited its evidentiary value in forensic casework, which relies heavily on this technique for analysis. A disturbing trend in sexual assault is the use of condoms by assailants, to avoid leaving behind DNA evidence that can connect a perpetrator to a victim. This observation necessitates the development of alternative methods for the analysis of trace evidence that can show causal links between a victim and a suspect. Detection of lubricants associated with sexual assault is one such way to establish this connection. The development of GC-MS methods that permit facile detection of both nonoxynol-9 alone and nonoxynol-9 extracted from other complex matrices that have potential as trace evidence in sexual assault is reported. A detection limit of 2.14 μg of nonoxynol-9 is demonstrated, and a detailed mass spectral profile that elaborates on what is known of its structure is provided.


Computer simulation and experimental validation of the electrophoretic behavior of proteins.
A mathematical model of the electrophoretic behavior of proteins is presented. The Debye-Hückel-Henry theory is used for the description of protein mobility, which has the important result of making net mobility a function of ionic strength. A net charge vs pH relationship and a diffusion coefficient are required to describe a specific protein. The model is employed for the computer simulation of three distinct electrophoretic modes: isoelectric focusing, isotachophoresis, and zone electrophoresis. The validity of the model is tested by comparing simulation with experimental data. Excellent qualitative agreement was found.


Enhanced prospects for drug delivery and brain targeting by the choroid plexus-CSF route.
The choroid plexus (CP), i.e., the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) interface, is an epithelial boundary exploitable for drug delivery to brain. Agents transported from blood to lateral ventricles are convected by CSF volume transmission (bulk flow) to many periventricular targets. These include the caudate, hippocampus, specialized circumventricular organs, hypothalamus, and the downstream pia-glia and arachnoid membranes. The CSF circulatory system normally provides micronutrients, neurotrophins, hormones, neuropeptides, and growth factors extensively to neuronal networks. Therefore, drugs directed to CSF can modulate a variety of endocrine, immunologic, and behavioral phenomema; and can help to restore brain interstitial and cellular homeostasis disrupted by disease and trauma. This review integrates information from animal models that demonstrates marked physiologic effects of substances introduced into the ventricular system. It also recapitulates how pharmacologic agents administered into the CSF system prevent disease or enhance the brain's ability to recover from chemical and physical insults. In regard to drug distribution in the CNS, the BCSFB interaction with the blood-brain barrier is discussed. With a view toward translational CSF pharmacotherapy, there are several promising innovations in progress: bone marrow cell infusions, CP encapsulation and transplants, neural stem cell augmentation, phage display of peptide ligands for CP epithelium, CSF gene transfer, regulation of leukocyte and cytokine trafficking at the BCSFB, and the purification of neurotoxic CSF in degenerative states. The progressively increasing pharmacological significance of the CP-CSF nexus is analyzed in light of treating AIDS, multiple sclerosis, stroke, hydrocephalus, and Alzheimer's disease.


Phenol removal in upgraded facultative waste stabilisation ponds.
Treatment of wastewater containing phenol using laboratory scale waste stabilisation ponds enriched with activated sludge was studied. After enrichment, the efficiency of these ponds under high phenol loading rates (i.e. up to 408 kg phenol ha(-1) day(-1)) was studied. At phenol loading rates of 6, 52, 312, 636 and 972 COD ha(-1) day(-1), the phenol removal efficiencies were 77, 69, 76, 59 and 52%, respectively. The results suggest that enrichment is an effective potential method to increase the removal capability of facultative ponds, not only or easily biodegradable compounds but also for xenobiotics.


Social inequality and environmentally-related diseases in Germany: review of empirical results.
A literature search was conducted aiming at all empirical studies from Germany till mid 1997 containing data on the association between environmentally-related diseases and the socio-economic status (education, occupation, income, social class) and/or on the association between the exposure to harmful substances and the socio-economic status. With respect to the exposures, a clear picture becomes visible: the concentration of harmful substances in the ambient air as well as indoors is considerably higher with regard to the lower social class as compared with the higher social class. This applies to children as well as to adults and to West Germany as well as to East Germany. However, with respect to environmentally-related diseases, no such clear picture becomes visible. For example, several studies indicate that allergies, atopic eczema and croup occur less frequently in the lower social class than in the higher social class. Malignant tumours (lung cancer, kidney cancer or bladder cancer), however, seem to occur more frequently in the lower social class than in the higher social class. Environmental-epidemiological studies should increasingly integrate socio-epidemiological study approaches and explicitly present their results.


The findings of glucosyltransferase enzymes derived from oral streptococci.
Glucosyltransferase enzymes (Gtfs) distribute among some streptococcal species in oral cavity and are known as key enzymes contributing to the development of oral biofilm such as dental plaque. In 18 streptococcal species, 45 glucosyltransferase genes (gtf) are detected from genome database. Gtfs catalyze the synthesis of the glucans, which are polymers of glucose, from sucrose and they are main component of oral biofilm. Especially, the Gtfs from Streptococcus mutans are recognized as one of dental caries pathogens since they contribute to the formation of dental plaque and the establishment of S. mutans in the tooth surface. Therefore, Gtfs has been studied particularly by many researchers in the dentistry field to develop the anti- caries vaccine. However, it is not still accomplished. In these days, the phylogenetic and crystal structure analyses of Gtfs were performed and the study of Gtfs will enter new situation from the technique in the past old viewpoint. The findings from those analyses will affect the development of the anti-caries vaccine very much after this. In this review, we summarize the findings of oral streptococcal Gtfs and consider the perspectives of the dental caries prevention which targeted Gtf.


Preparation and Reinforcement of Dual-Porous Biocompatible Cellulose Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering.
1Biocompatible cellulose-based aerogels composed of nanoporous struts, which embed interconnected voids of controlled micron-size, have been prepared employing temporary templates of fused porogens, reinforcement by interpenetrating PMMA networks and supercritical carbon dioxide drying. Different combinations of cellulose solvent (Ca(SCN)2/H2O/LiCl or [EMIm][OAc]/DMSO) and anti-solvent (EtOH), porogen type (paraffin wax or PMMA spheres) and porogen size (various fractions in the range of 100-500 μm) as well as intensity of PMMA reinforcement have been investigated to tailor the materials for cell scaffolding applications. All aerogels exhibited an open and dual porosity (micronporosity >100 μm and nanoporosity extending to the low micrometer range). Mechanical properties of the dual-porous aerogels under compressive stress were considerably improved by introduction of interpenetrating PMMA networks. The effect of the reinforcing polymer on attachment, spreading, and proliferation of NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells, cultivated on selected dual-porous aerogels to pre-evaluate their biocompatibility was similarly positive.


Logistic regression with adaptive sparse group lasso penalty and its application in acute leukemia diagnosis.
Cancer diagnosis based on gene expression profile data has attracted extensive attention in computational biology and medicine. It suffers from three challenges in practical applications: noise, gene grouping, and adaptive gene selection. This paper aims to solve the above problems by developing the logistic regression with adaptive sparse group lasso penalty (LR-ASGL). A noise information processing method for cancer gene expression profile data is first presented via robust principal component analysis. Genes are then divided into groups by performing weighted gene co-expression network analysis on the clean matrix. By approximating the relative value of the noise size, gene reliability criterion and robust evaluation criterion are proposed. Finally, LR-ASGL is presented for simultaneous cancer diagnosis and adaptive gene selection. The performance of the proposed method is compared with the other four methods in three simulation settings: Gaussian noise, uniformly distributed noise, and mixed noise. The acute leukemia data are adopted as an experimental example to demonstrate the advantages of LR-ASGL in prediction and gene selection.


Leptin promotes apoptosis and inhibits autophagy of chondrocytes through upregulating lysyl oxidase-like 3 during osteoarthritis pathogenesis.
Leptin has been found highly expressed in human osteoarthritis. We aimed to explore the possible effects and mechanisms of leptin on the apoptosis and autophagy of chondrocytes during osteoarthritis pathogenesis. Gene expression profile from osteoarthritis affected and preserved cartilage were downloaded from NCBI's Gene Expression Omnibus database (GSE57218). Lysyl oxidase-like 3 (LOXL3) mRNA expression in cartilage tissues and leptin concentration in joint synovial fluid (SF) was measured in samples from 45 osteoarthritis patients and 25 healthy donors by real-time PCR and radioimmunoassay, respectively. Rat osteoarthritis model was induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). The expression of apoptosis regulators and autophagy markers were detected by Western blot. Cell survival and cell apoptosis were identified by CCK-8 and flow cytometry, respectively. Re-analysis on GSE57218 indicated that LOXL3 mRNA was upregulated in osteoarthritis affected cartilage. LOXL3 mRNA was upregulated in osteoarthritis patients, which was positively correlated with SF leptin concentration. Similar results were obtained in rat osteoarthritis model. Moreover, ACLT surgery led to a significant increase in the protein levels of cleaved caspase 3, and a notable decrease in the protein levels of Bcl-2, LC3 II/LC3 I and Beclin1. Silencing of LOXL3 in ACLT and leptin treated primary chondrocytes significantly inhibited cell apoptosis, and promoted cell proliferation and autophagy. Moreover, overexpression of LOXL3 remarkably inhibited autophagy of chondrocytes via activating mTORC1. LOXL3, a downstream of leptin, stimulated the apoptosis, but inhibited the autophagy of chondrocytes. LOXL3 is a potential therapy target for osteoarthritis.


Automated infection risks assessments (AIRa) for decision-making using a blockchain-based alert system: A case study in a representative building.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an important parameter in protecting the occupants of an indoor environment. Previous studies have shown that an indoor environment with poor ventilation increases airborne virus transmission. Existing research has concluded that high ventilation rates can reduce the risk of individuals in indoor environments being infected. However, most existing ventilation systems are designed to be efficient under non-pandemic conditions. Ultimately, indoor environments will become hotspots for the transmission of airborne viruses. Current infection risk assessments can estimate virus transmission via airborne routes, but with limited information sharing among stakeholders. Our own research did not identify any systems that integrate risk assessments with smart sensors in order to support information sharing with experts in indoor environments in their decision-making process. To fill this gap, we designed a blockchain-based prototype (AIRa) that integrates CO2 smart sensor data with infection risk assessments from a post-pandemic perspective. This system generates two types of alerts: (1) P-Alert and (2) R0-Alert for decision-making by building owners, such as increasing the ventilation rate or track and trace, as needed. AIRa shows various benefits over three existing infection-control alert systems. Our solution stores and shares information such as the timestamp and room number, instead of storing building user's personal information. Our approach does not require a QR code to be scanned or a mobile app to be downloaded in order to enable track and trace. However, AIRa is still an early prototype for evaluating the risks of airborne virus transmission in smart building environments. Multidisciplinary knowledge and technological research will be vital in formulating different alerts in the future.


A systematic review of experimental studies on Salmonella persistence in insects.
The consumption of insects as food and feed has been recently suggested as a possible alternative to the rising global food need, thus it is crucial to monitor any potential food safety hazards in the insect supply chain. The aims of this systematic review were to collect, select, and evaluate studies investigating the persistence of Salmonella in insects. We searched PUBMED, EMBASE, WEB of Science Core Collection, and Food Science and Technology Abstracts. In total, 36 papers investigating the persistence of Salmonella in insects (both holometabolous and heterometabolous) were included after screening. Regarding complete metamorphosis insects, the longest Salmonella persistence was reported in Phormia regina, in which the pathogen persisted for 29 days at 5 °C. Similarly, Salmonella persisted in the feces of Alphitobius diaperinus for 28 days. The incomplete metamorphosis insect showing the longest Salmonella persistence (>10 months) was Blatella germanica. Periplaneta americana excreted Salmonella via feces for 44 days until all the insects were dead. The retrieved data on the persistence of Salmonella can be useful for further analysis by risk assessors and decision-makers involved in the safety of insect-based food, contributing to defining the sanitary requirements and risk mitigation measures along the supply chain. The review protocol is registered in PROSPERO database (CRD42022329213).


Prognostic effect of atrial fibrillation on survival in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a meta-analysis.
To systematically evaluate the prognostic impact of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The Chinese and English databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang database were systematically searched to include observational studies on the prognosis of AF in cardiovascular events or death in patients with HCM; these were evaluated using Revman 5.3. After systematic search and screening, a total of 11 studies with a high study quality were included in this study. Meta-analysis showed that patients with HCM accompanied by AF had a higher risk of all-cause death (odds ratio [OR] = 2.75; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.18-3.47; P < 0.001), heart-related death (OR = 2.62; 95%CI: 2.02-3.40; P < 0.001), sudden cardiac death (OR = 7.09; 95%CI: 5.77-8.70; P < 0.001), heart-failure-related death (OR = 2.04; 95%CI: 1.24-3.36; P = 0.005), and stroke death (OR = 17.05; 95%CI: 6.99-41.58; P < 0.001) compared with patients with HCM without AF. Atrial fibrillation is a risk factor for adverse survival outcomes in patients with HCM, and aggressive interventions are needed in this population to avoid the occurrence of adverse outcomes.


Effects of copper on rat hepatoma HTC cells and primary cultured rat hepatocytes.
Cellular responses to copper, applied in concentrations varying from 0.5 to 200 microM Cu2+, were investigated in two different cell types: rat hepatoma cells (HTC) and primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Accumulation of 64Cu, copper (AAS) levels, cellular viability parameters (cell growth and proliferation, LDH leakage, total cell protein, K+ uptake, and ATP levels), and cell toxicity parameters (metallothionein (MT), glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) were examined over 24 hr incubation periods. Accumulation of radiolabeled copper (applied copper concentrations: 15-200 microM Cu2+) showed a four-fold increase in HTC cells (0.88-3.45 nmol Cu/mg cell protein) and a three-fold increase in hepatocytes (4.94-14.66 nmol Cu/mg cell protein), although quantitative uptake in HTC cells was five times lower. Most of the copper accumulated in the hepatoma cells and hepatocytes was found predominantly in the particulate fraction (i.e., cell membranes and organelles), while only a small quantity was present in the soluble fraction (cell cytosol). Metallothionein concentrations in HTC cells were increased from 43 pmol/mg cell protein (0.5 microM Cu2+ application) up to 223 pmol/mg cell protein (200 microM Cu2+ application), whereas MT in rat hepatocytes were elevated from 139 pmol/mg cell protein to 546 pmol/mg cell protein over the same range of administered Cu2+. Metallothionein synthesis rendered both cell types well equipped to deal with increasing intracellular copper levels. In hepatocytes however, MT synthesis resulted in decreasing non-MT-associated copper levels in the cytosol for Cu administrations up to 100 microM. Above that point however, MT failed to stay in line with increasing cytosolic Cu levels, resulting in cytotoxic effects shown by changes in cell viability and GSH/SOD levels. In HTC cells MT synthesis suppressed the free Cu levels in the cytosol to below 0.1 nmol Cu/mg cell protein over the total range of copper concentrations applied. The results presented indicate that hepatoma HTC cells are more capable of dealing with high accumulated Cu levels than the better established rat hepatocytes. Furthermore, it is clear that comparison of these two cell types regarding their ability to respond on (sub)toxic Cu should be discussed with full consideration for the copper applications involved.


Analysis of promoter activity by transformation of Acremonium chrysogenum.
Promoter activity was examined in the beta-lactam-producing fungus, Acremonium chrysogenum, by assessment of the properties of transformant isolates. Transformation was achieved using plasmid constructs specifying hygromycin B resistance (HyR) linked to the promoter elements of gpdA (the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-encoding gene of Aspergillus nidulans), and pcbC [the gene encoding the isopenicillin N synthetase (IPNS) enzyme of A. chrysogenum]. Transformation frequency, HyR levels, and Hy phosphotransferase (HPT) levels suggested that the transformants of constructs using the gpdA promoter showed a higher level of expression of the HyR gene than in transformants obtained using the pcbC promoter. The patterns of integration of the transforming DNA also differed in that pcbC promoter construct transformants appeared to have tandem repeats. All integrations of plasmid DNA occurred on a single chromosome which was different in four out of five transformants studied. Multiple copy transformants of constructs using the pcbC promoter did not show the regulated pattern of expression of HPT activity observed with IPNS in untransformed strains.


Magnification angiography of the small vessels in cerebrovascular disease in advanced age.
Vascular changes in the cerebral arterioles (150 - 500 mu) were demonstrated by means of magnification serial cerebral angiography (focal spot 0.15 mm) in a consecutive series of 25 hypertensive patients of advanced age suffering from cerebrovascular disease. The changes identified were: (a) arteriosclerotic lesions, (b) arteriolar occlusion, and (c) miliary aneurysms. The enhancement of vascular details obtained is essential to arrive at exact diagnosis and accurate clinical management.


Predator protection versus rapid growth in a montane leaf beetle.
Adults and larvae of Chrysomela aenicollis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) feed on foliage of Salix species (Salicaceae) between 2,400-3,400 m above sea level in the eastcentral Sierra Nevada mountains of California. We predicted that (1) cold climatic conditions would be a more frequent source of mortality at higher elevations, (2) mildweather agents of mortality such as predation should be more severe at lower elevations, and (3) populations of C. aenicollis would be adapted to the local selective regime at each elevation. We tested these predictions in 1984 and 1985 by transferring over 6,000 eggs and larvae within and between two sites at 2,810 and 3,240 m elevation above sea level. During mild summer weather at both sites, survivorship on Salix branches isolated by a barrier of sticky resin was similar to that on control branches, and we concluded that aerial predators were the primary cause of mortality. At least one major predator, a solitary wasp (Symmorphus sp., Hymenoptera: Eumenidae), was specifically associated with C. aenicollis at the lower site, where beetle mortality was highest. At both sites in 1984 and 1985, larvae originating from the lower site remained in aggregations and survived more frequently than larvae from the upper site, suggesting that they are better defended against predators. During a storm with cold weather late in the 1984 season, larvae and pupae died more frequently at the upper site, and there was a marginally significant trend (P<0.1) for the lower site individuals to die more frequently than upper site larvae during the cold storm. Upper site larvae grew approximately 10% faster than lower site larvae at the lower site and under controlled conditions in the laboratory. These findings indicate that upper and lower site populations were adapted to the local selective regime, which suggest how populations of montane phytopagous insects may adapt to changing elevations.


Effectiveness and durability of benefit of mTOR inhibitors in a real-world cohort of patients with metastatic prostate cancer and PI3K pathway alterations.
Alterations in the PTEN/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway are prevalent in prostate cancer. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the clinical effectiveness of mTOR inhibitors (mTORi) in patients with metastatic prostate cancer (mPCA) and tissue assessed phosphatidyl-3-inositol kinase (PI3K) pathway alterations. This study used a nationwide (US-based) de-identified PCA clinico-genomic database, originating from approximately 280 US cancer clinics (~800 sites of care). We evaluated treatment data for patients with PCA from October 2014 to February 2020. In a cohort of 2301 PCA patients with 7208 evaluable treatment lines, we selected 17 mPCA patients (2 hormone-sensitive, 15 castrate-resistant) with tissue assessed PI3K pathway alterations by comprehensive genomic profiling who received mTORi treatment. Patients had a median age of 72 years (IQR 68.0, 76.0) and were heavily pretreated with a median 3 lines of therapy prior to mTORi use (range 0-6). The PI3K pathway alterations included PTENdel (10 patients, 58.8%), AKT1mut (4 patients, 23.5%), PTENmut (2 patients, 11.8%), and dual PTENmut and PIK3CAmut (1 patient, 5.9%). Most (15 patients, 88.2%) were treated with everolimus monotherapy. Among 10 patients with on treatment PSA available, 2 patients had a PSA decrease ≥10% at week 12 and 5 patients overall had a subsequent PSA decrease. For those on mTORi, the median time to next treatment was 3.62 months (range 0, 8.52). In this small cohort of mPCA patients with tissue assessed PI3K pathway alterations, mTORi therapy was not effective with few PSA responses and short duration of therapy.


Monopolar tonsillotomy versus cold dissection tonsillectomy in children: Prospective study on postoperative recovery.
To compare postoperative self-reported recovery results with monopolar tonsillotomy and cold dissection tonsillectomy in children. To evaluate the feasibility of the monopolar technique in tonsillotomy. Children <12 years undergoing tonsillotomy or tonsillectomy between April 2018 and March 2020 who (with a caregiver) were willing to participate in a two-week follow-up formed the study group. They filled in a questionnaire about pain-related outcomes, return to normal activities, weight changes, complications, and length of home care. Altogether 166 patients were recruited; 103 (62%) returned the questionnaire. The first pain-free day with tonsillotomy was day 5 and with tonsillectomy day 11. After tonsillotomy, patients returned to normal activities faster, e.g. they were able to eat normally 6.5 days earlier than tonsillectomy patients. During the first postoperative week weight dropped after tonsillectomy, but not after tonsillotomy. The length of home care was 6 days with tonsillotomy and 10 days with tonsillectomy. The incidence of postoperative hemorrhage (including minor bleedings at home) was 14% after tonsillotomy and 32% after tonsillectomy. Hemorrhages needing interventions were 0% with tonsillotomy and 2% with tonsillectomy. Children operated on with monopolar tonsillotomy recovered faster and had less postoperative hemorrhage than those undergoing tonsillectomy. They were able to return earlier to daycare/school and their caregivers back to work. Recovery results with monopolar tonsillotomy were equal to other tonsillotomy techniques reported in the literature, hence the monopolar technique can be considered an alternative method to perform tonsillotomy.


Mitochondrial decay is involved in BaP-induced cervical damage.
Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and a potent inducer of carcinogenesis. Many studies have reported that the carcinogenic effects of BaP might be due to its intermediate metabolites and to reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause oxidative damage to the cells. However, the mechanisms of BaP-induced oxidative damage in cervical tissue are still not clear. We studied these mechanisms in female ICR mice treated with BaP either orally or intraperitoneally by measuring (1) several general biomarkers of oxidative stress in serum, (2) mitochondrial function in the cervix, and (3) the morphology of mitochondria in cervical tissue. BaP treatment (1) significantly lowered levels of vitamins A, C, and E and of glutathione; (2) reduced activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferases; and (3) significantly increased lipid peroxidation levels. In addition, significant increases in the levels of superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radical were observed. These results were confirmed by morphological changes in mitochondria and by decreases in membrane potential levels and in succinate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase activities. The changes in these biomarkers and mitochondrial damage were BaP-dose-dependent and eventually induced both cell apoptosis and necrosis in cervical tissue. As mitochondria are the major sites of ROS generation, these findings show that mitochondrial decay greatly contributes to BaP-induced cervical damage.


Removal of mixed heavy metal ions in wastewater by zeolite 4A and residual products from recycled coal fly ash.
The removal performance and the selectivity sequence of mixed metal ions (Co(2+), Cr(3+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+) and Ni(2+)) in aqueous solution were investigated by adsorption process on pure and chamfered-edge zeolite 4A prepared from coal fly ash (CFA), commercial grade zeolite 4A and the residual products recycled from CFA. The pure zeolite 4A (prepared from CFA) was synthesized under a novel temperature step-change method with reduced synthesis time. Batch method was employed to study the influential parameters such as initial metal ions concentration, adsorbent dose, contact time and initial pH of the solution on the adsorption process. The experimental data were well fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetics model (for Co(2+), Cr(3+), Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) ions) and the pseudo-first-order kinetics model (for Ni(2+) ions). The equilibrium data were well fitted by the Langmuir model and showed the affinity order: Cu(2+) > Cr(3+) > Zn(2+) > Co(2+) > Ni(2+) (CFA prepared and commercial grade zeolite 4A). The adsorption process was found to be pH and concentration dependent. The sorption rate and sorption capacity of metal ions could be significantly improved by increasing pH value. The removal mechanism of metal ions was by adsorption and ion exchange processes. Compared to commercial grade zeolite 4A, the CFA prepared adsorbents could be alternative materials for the treatment of wastewater.


The PDGF B-chain is involved in the ontogenic susceptibility of the developing rat brain to NMDA toxicity.
Hypoxic-ischemic (H-I) injury to neonatal brains can cause a life-long neuronal deficit because of increased susceptibility in the neonatal period. Excitotoxicity due to overstimulation of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is assumed to be the basis of the injury. However, the ontogenic profile of the susceptibility does not directly correlate with the levels of NMDAR expression. Platelet-derived growth factor B-chain (PDGF-B) has been reported to protect neurons by suppressing the NMDA-evoked current and translocating the glutamate transporter to the cell membrane. Thus, we assessed the relationship between the susceptibility to H-I injury and the expression of PDGF-B in neonatal rat brain. PDGF-B infusion before and after an intrastriatal NMDA injection significantly reduced the size of the lesions in 7-day-old rats, when they are most susceptible and the neuronal expression of PDGF-B is low. Fourteen-day-old neonatal rats were found to be resistant to NMDA injury, even though NMDARs are expressed at high levels in the brain at this age. Inhibition of PDGF-B protein synthesis by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides increased the size of the NMDA-induced lesions up to 6-fold at postnatal day 14, when PDGF-B is expressed at high levels in neurons. These data suggest that PDGF-B is an important physiological modulator of NMDAR excitability in the developing brain, and that the balance between the expression of NMDAR and PDGF-B partly determines the ontogenic susceptibility to brain injury. Enhancement of the PDGF-B/receptor signal pathway might rescue neonatal brains at risk of H-I injury.


Non-Fermi-Liquid Behavior of Superconducting SnH4.
The chemical interaction of Sn with H2 by X-ray diffraction methods at pressures of 180-210 GPa is studied. A previously unknown tetrahydride SnH4 with a cubic structure (fcc) exhibiting superconducting properties below TC = 72 K is obtained; the formation of a high molecular C2/m-SnH14 superhydride and several lower hydrides, fcc SnH2 , and C2-Sn12 H18 , is also detected. The temperature dependence of critical current density JC (T) in SnH4 yields the superconducting gap 2Δ(0) = 21.6 meV at 180 GPa. SnH4 has unusual behavior in strong magnetic fields: B,T-linear dependences of magnetoresistance and the upper critical magnetic field BC2 (T) ∝ (TC - T). The latter contradicts the Wertheimer-Helfand-Hohenberg model developed for conventional superconductors. Along with this, the temperature dependence of electrical resistance of fcc SnH4 in non-superconducting state exhibits a deviation from what is expected for phonon-mediated scattering described by the Bloch-Grüneisen model and is beyond the framework of the Fermi liquid theory. Such anomalies occur for many superhydrides, making them much closer to cuprates than previously believed.


Comparison of the ImmunoCyt test and urinary cytology with other urine tests in the detection and surveillance of bladder cancer.
Despite several new urine markers urinary cytology remains the gold standard for the non-invasive detection of bladder carcinoma. The use of monoclonal antibodies against tumor associated antigens offers a promising approach to improve urinary cytology. The aim of this study was to compare fluorescence immunocytology (ImmunoCyt/Ucyt+ test), alone and in combination with the conventional cytology, with other urine markers. Urine samples from 126 patients undergoing cystoscopy were included in the study. Among them, 42 patients had urothelial carcinoma, two dysplasia, two other malignancies, and 78 had no evidence of bladder cancer. Urine samples were taken before any manipulation. We used the ImmunoCyt test and Papanicolaou staining for conventional cytology. The ImmunoCyt slides were examined under a fluorescence microscope. Evaluations of the tests were blinded to clinical and pathological data and were carried out by three independent observers. The results of cytology and ImmunoCyt were compared with the BTAstat, NMP22, Lewis X, 486p3/12, and Urovision tests. The sensitivity for the ImmunoCyt test was 78.3% and for conventional cytology 84.6%. The combination of ImmunoCyt and cytology showed a sensitivity of 89.1%. The specificity was 73.8% for the ImmunoCyt alone, 80.0% for the cytology, and 72.5% for the combination of ImmunoCyt and cytology. Sensitivities for the other tests were 68.8% for (FISH), 66.6% (BTA-Stat), 68.8% (486p3/12), 95.5% (Lewis X), and 71.1% for (NMP22). Specificity was 89.1% for (FISH), 78.2% (BTA-Stat), 76.4% (486p3/12), 32.8% (Lewis X), and 65.5% for (NMP22). Urinary cytology can be improved by immunostaining with monoclonal antibodies against tumor-associated antibodies. The combination of ImmunoCyt with conventional cytology offers a superior sensitivity to other commercial tests. The ImmunoCyt test provides a useful supplement to urinary cytology in the diagnosis of bladder cancer.


Temporal effects of p-chloroamphetamine on catecholamine synthesis.
Within 0.25 h after the administration of 5 mg/kg of p-chloroamphetamine (PCA), the conversion index of both norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) was increased. The effect on DA synthesis was similar, but of less magnitude after 1.25 h, while the effect on NE was reversed, i.e. the conversion index was decreased. This biphasic effect of PCA on NE synthesis is discussed the in the context of two opposing regulatory mechanisms for neuronal catecholamine synthesis.


Understanding the cell biology of antigen presentation: the dendritic cell contribution.
The study of the cell biology of antigen processing and presentation has greatly contributed to our understanding of the immune response. The work of many immunologically inclined cell biologists has also permitted us to gain new insights on cellular mechanisms shared by many cell types. Dendritic cells are master regulators of the immune system and consequently have received a lot of attention in recent years. With the aim of controlling antigen processing and presentation, the solutions used by dendritic cells to respond to environmental changes are numerous and surprising. In the presence of pathogens, dendritic cells regulate strongly their endocytic pathway by interfering with uptake, proteolysis, membrane dynamics and transport in and out of the lysosome to become the most potent antigen-presenting cells known.


Training and clinical testing of artificial intelligence derived right atrial cardiovascular magnetic resonance measurements.
Right atrial (RA) area predicts mortality in patients with pulmonary hypertension, and is recommended by the European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society pulmonary hypertension guidelines. The advent of deep learning may allow more reliable measurement of RA areas to improve clinical assessments. The aim of this study was to automate cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) RA area measurements and evaluate the clinical utility by assessing repeatability, correlation with invasive haemodynamics and prognostic value. A deep learning RA area CMR contouring model was trained in a multicentre cohort of 365 patients with pulmonary hypertension, left ventricular pathology and healthy subjects. Inter-study repeatability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)) and agreement of contours (DICE similarity coefficient (DSC)) were assessed in a prospective cohort (n = 36). Clinical testing and mortality prediction was performed in n = 400 patients that were not used in the training nor prospective cohort, and the correlation of automatic and manual RA measurements with invasive haemodynamics assessed in n = 212/400. Radiologist quality control (QC) was performed in the ASPIRE registry, n = 3795 patients. The primary QC observer evaluated all the segmentations and recorded them as satisfactory, suboptimal or failure. A second QC observer analysed a random subcohort to assess QC agreement (n = 1018). All deep learning RA measurements showed higher interstudy repeatability (ICC 0.91 to 0.95) compared to manual RA measurements (1st observer ICC 0.82 to 0.88, 2nd observer ICC 0.88 to 0.91). DSC showed high agreement comparing automatic artificial intelligence and manual CMR readers. Maximal RA area mean and standard deviation (SD) DSC metric for observer 1 vs observer 2, automatic measurements vs observer 1 and automatic measurements vs observer 2 is 92.4 ± 3.5 cm2, 91.2 ± 4.5 cm2 and 93.2 ± 3.2 cm2, respectively. Minimal RA area mean and SD DSC metric for observer 1 vs observer 2, automatic measurements vs observer 1 and automatic measurements vs observer 2 was 89.8 ± 3.9 cm2, 87.0 ± 5.8 cm2 and 91.8 ± 4.8 cm2. Automatic RA area measurements all showed moderate correlation with invasive parameters (r = 0.45 to 0.66), manual (r = 0.36 to 0.57). Maximal RA area could accurately predict elevated mean RA pressure low and high-risk thresholds (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve artificial intelligence = 0.82/0.87 vs manual = 0.78/0.83), and predicted mortality similar to manual measurements, both p < 0.01. In the QC evaluation, artificial intelligence segmentations were suboptimal at 108/3795 and a low failure rate of 16/3795. In a subcohort (n = 1018), agreement by two QC observers was excellent, kappa 0.84. Automatic artificial intelligence CMR derived RA size and function are accurate, have excellent repeatability, moderate associations with invasive haemodynamics and predict mortality.


[What to do in cases of inadequate effectiveness of botulinum toxin for the treatment of eyelid cramping?].
In 5-15% of individuals suffering essential blepharospasm, treatment with botulinum toxin is insufficient. In these cases the following measures can be applied: increase the dose, increase or vary the injection sites, change the botulinum toxin medication, use additional oral medication, or perform surgery. Certain measures can also be carried out by the patient. In cases of hemifacial spasm, inadequate results of botulinum toxin injections are even more unusual. But for these cases, additional oral medication or the neurosurgical Janetta operation can be used.


Co/N-doped carbon nanospheres derived from an adenine-based metal organic framework enabled high-efficiency electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia.
Electrocatalytic nitrate (NO3-) reduction provides us a dual-function strategy for N-contaminant removal and value-added ammonia (NH3) synthesis. However, there is still a lack of efficient electrocatalysts for selective NO3- reduction. Herein, we report the development of Co/N-doped carbon nanospheres derived from an adenine-based metal organic framework (Co@NC) as an attractive electrocatalyst for efficient NH3 synthesis through the reduction of NO3-. Such Co@NC manifests a notable faradaic efficiency of 96.5% and a high NH3 yield of up to 758.0 μmol h-1 mgcat.-1 in 0.1 M NO3--containing 0.1 M NaOH. Moreover, it also demonstrates strong electrochemical stability.


Comparison of the Structured Consent Process Using Modified Delphi Technique with the Standard Process in Obtaining Informed Consent for Procedures in ENT by PHASE III MBBS Students.
Communication skill is a core competency and the training must begin in the undergraduate period itself. The Phase III MBBS students during their ENT posting are required to obtain informed consent for procedures and surgeries in ENT which forms the basis for efficient communication skills in house-surgency (internship) and residency. Informed consent taking is an important aspect and in the clinical postings, the teaching of communication skills along with history taking and physical examination can go a long way in making a strong foundation to good doctor patient relationships. This study aimed to compare the structured consent process using modified Delphi technique with the standard process in obtaining informed consent for procedures in ENT by PHASE III MBBS students. The need to sensitise the MBBS students on appropriate consent taking procedures with familiarisation of the essential elements of the Kalamazoo consensus statement were raised, accepted and final OSCE assessment attributes decided by the modified Delphi technique. The Modified Delphi technique is a unique means to obtain opinions of experts across the field in various spheres so as to identify lacunae if any in the existing teaching with means to reach a valid and reliable consensus. Our study included Phase III MBBS students posted to the Department of ENT, Govt Medical College Kozhikode during Jan-Feb 2022 wherein one batch of 30 students were taught with 2 classes on informed consent taking by the structured process obtained after Modified Delphi technique and included as; "MD" group and another batch of 30 students from the entire batch taught by the standard process was included as; "T" group respectively. After completion of the clinical postings an assessment was carried out with OSCE stations in Mar 2022; wherein 10 students were evaluated for each of the 6 common ENT procedures, 5 students from "T" group and 5 students from "MD" group respectively. Median total score of MD group was 6.5 (3.25-8) and median score of T group was 4.5 (2.25-6.75). The difference in mean ranks of these scores was statistically significant, p < 0.0001. The feedback assessment using the questionnaire with Likert scale had all 30(100%) students recommend this method of structured consent taking for enhancement of communications skills. However 20% of the students were not satisfied with the teaching learning method expressing the need for more time allocation and demonstrations. Informed consent taking requires the appropriate training in the undergraduate period itself as seen by the improved OSCE scores on assessment after teaching by the structured consent taking process as well as from the feedback of the students.


Hemodynamic effects of levobupivacaine after pediatric caudal anesthesia evaluated by transesophageal doppler.
The aim of this study is to determine if there are significant differences in hemodynamic effects between combined general-regional anesthesia using levobupivacaine 0.25% 2 ml x kg(-1) via the caudal route in comparison with balanced general anesthesia using continuous infusion of remifentanil in young children undergoing genitourinary surgery. 62 ASA I-II pediatric patients (12 female, 50 male) aged 6 months to 7 years undergoing genitourinary surgery were included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated into one of two groups of 31 patients each. Group Caud received caudal blockade with levobupivacaine 0.25% 2 mg x kg(-1) in combined general-regional anesthesia and Group Gen received balanced general anesthesia with remifentanil. The noninvasive hemodynamic parameters were measured in each group 5 min after induction of general anesthesia or caudal block (Tcaud), after further 5 min coincident with skin incision (Tsi), 10 min after skin incision (T10i), at the end of surgical procedure (Tend). The time between Tcaud and Tsi was 10 min and the measurements during the interval time T10i-Tend were performed every 15 min according to the duration of surgical procedures. There was a decrease in all measured hemodynamic parameters at skin incision. The decreases occurred in both groups with those in the caudal group occurring at skin incision and those in the balanced anesthesia group occurring at 10 min after skin incision. These variations showed no significant differences for any of the stated outcomes; neither between the groups at each time point nor in the caudal in comparison with baseline measurements. Using transesophageal Doppler no differences in hemodynamic parameters could be detected between balanced general anesthesia with either caudal levobupivacaine or remifentanil infusion. Both techniques showed good hemodynamic stability with only minor changes from baseline over time which are unlikely to be of clinical significance except possibly in patients with preexisting cardiovascular compromise. Other studies with noninvasive monitoring in a larger population are required to better understand the consequences of caudal blockade on CO and on regional blood flow in infants.


Chelator-mediated iron efflux from reticulocytes.
The mechanism by which bipyridine and phenanthroline types of iron chelator inhibit iron uptake from transferrin and iron efflux mediated by pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone was investigated using rabbit reticulocytes with the aim of providing more information on the normal process of iron uptake by developing erythroid cells. It was shown that the chelators block cellular uptake by chelating the iron immediately after release from transferrin while it is still in the membrane fraction of the cells. The iron-chelator is then released from the cells by a process which is very similar to that of transferrin release with respect to kinetics and sensitivity to incubation temperature and the effects of metabolic inhibitors and other chemical reagents. These results are compatible with the conclusion that both transferrin and the iron-chelators in the cells are mainly present in endocytotic vesicles and are released from the cells by exocytosis. The chelators were also shown to block the pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone-mediated efflux of iron from cells which had taken up iron in the presence of isoniazid, an inhibitor of haem synthesis, by chelating the iron in the cytosol and the mitochondria. In this case, the iron-chelator complexes were not released from the cells. Measurement of the diethyl ether/water partition coefficients of bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline and their iron complexes gave much higher values for the free chelators, supporting the concept that the chelators trap the iron intracellularly because of differences in the lipid solubility and, hence, membrane permeability to the free chelators and their iron complexes.


Taking high-stakes venture to make ends meet? Determinants and impacts of international migration of Ethiopians to the Middle East.
Ethiopia is one of the major origins for international migrants to the Middle East in Africa regardless of the risks and the abuses that migrants face. The study aims to analyse the determinants of international migration of Ethiopians to the Middle East and its impact on the income of households staying behind particularly in the Dessie Zuria district of the Amhara region in Ethiopia. Data were randomly collected from 346 households and analysed using descriptive statistics, logit regression, and Propensity Score Matching (PSM) models. The logit regression analysis indicates that bigger family size, network with migrants/returnees, and the presence of peer/family pressure influence the probability of international migration positively. On the contrary, being a male household head, ownership of larger farmland and livestock, and participation in additional non-farm activities determine international migration negatively. The findings from the PSM model revealed that international migration increased the annual income of migrant-sending households by 13,079.51 ETB per year over non-migrant sending households. However, the benefits enjoyed by the families staying behind have been at the expense of migrants, whose income is hard-earned and they often take a risky route to reach the destination regions. The findings call for an integrated policy approach to control population pressure that depletes the key financial and physical assets of households in the origin and thus forces individuals to look for alternative livelihood strategies such as migration. Location-specific policy interventions are needed to create non-farm and alternative livelihoods, improve agricultural productivity, and access information to reduce exaggerated and misleading information about the destination areas.


Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams of lecithin-based microemulsions: influence of monoalkylphosphates.
The formation of macroscopically homogeneous, stable, fluid, optically transparent, isotropic solutions (microemulsions) was delineated, at 25 degrees C, for systems containing water, soybean lecithin, sodium monoalkylphosphate (hexyl or ocytl), alcohol and isopropyl myristate. Six straight or branched alcohols (1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, 1-pentanol, 2-pentanol, 3-pentanol) were investigated as co-surfactants. A constant lecithin/alcohol mixing ratio was used, while the aqueous phase consisted of a solution of alkylphosphates at different concentrations. An increase of the microemulsion domain was seen by increasing the concentration of the alkylphosphate. With 0.2m hexylphosphate, as aqueous phase, the microemulsion domain consisted of a single, region, that, in the presence of butylic alcohols, spanded the greater portion of the phase diagram. In the presence of amyl alcohols the area of this region was much smaller. With 0.2 m octylphosphate the realm of existence of the microemulsions, except for 1-pentanol, consisted of two regions separated by a liquid-crystal region. With all the alcohols examined, the liquid-crystal phase solubilized a larger amount of oil in the presence of octylphosphate than in the presence of hexylphosphate. The stability ranges of microemulsions in systems containing soybean, lecithin, alcohol, water, and isopropyl myristate can be greatly increased by using a second hydrophobic amphiphile, such as hexylphosphate, to adjust the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance or the spontaneous peaking properties of lecithin-alcohol systems.


Factorial experimental design for recovering heavy metals from sludge with ion-exchange resin.
Wastewaters containing heavy metals are usually treated by chemical precipitation method in Taiwan. This method can remove heavy metals form wastewaters efficiently, but the resultant heavy metal sludge is classified as hazardous solid waste and becomes another environmental problem. If we can remove heavy metals from sludge, it becomes non-hazardous waste and the treatment cost can be greatly reduced. This study aims at using ion-exchange resin to remove heavy metals such as copper, zinc, cadmium, and chromium from sludge generated by a PCB manufacturing plant. Factorial experimental design methodology was used to study the heavy metal removal efficiency. The total metal concentrations in the sludge, resin, and solution phases were measured respectively after 30 min reaction with varying leaching agents (citric acid and nitric acid); ion-exchange resins (Amberlite IRC-718 and IR-120), and temperatures (50 and 70 degrees C). The experimental results and statistical analysis show that a stronger leaching acid and a higher temperature both favor lower heavy metal residues in the sludge. Two-factors and even three-factor interaction effects on the heavy metal sorption in the resin phase are not negligible. The ion-exchange resin plays an important role in the sludge extraction or metal recovery. Empirical regression models were also obtained and used to predict the heavy metal profiles with satisfactory results.


The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of the antispermatozoal antibodies.
An immune-enzymatic method was developed for the determination of antispermatozoal antibodies. Sera of 94 infertile patients were studied with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Twelve patients were positive for antispermatozoal antibodies. Forty-six of these patients were studied also with the gelatin agglutination test (GAT). Eight sera were positive in the ELISA and nine in the GAT. With ELISA, immunoglobulin classes can be demonstrated; in fact, nine of our patients were positive for IgG and three for IgM. In all patients the IgA titer was less than 1:16. In addition, 61 seminal fluid specimens were studied by ELISA, and 7 were positive. The serum and seminal fluid of 12 patients were simultaneously studied. Seminal fluid was positive in only three patients, serum was positive in four, whereas serum and seminal fluid were both negative in five. This study illustrates that ELISA is apparently less sensitive than GAT; however, it is certainly more practical and an easier method for antibody research in sera and in seminal fluid.


Segmental duplications and the evolution of the primate genome.
Initial human genome sequence analysis has revealed large segments of nearly identical sequence in particular chromosomal regions. The recent origin of these segments and their abundance (approximately 5%) has challenged investigators to elucidate their underlying mechanism and role in primate genome evolution. Although the precise fraction is unknown, some of these duplicated segments have recently been shown to be associated with rapid gene innovation and chromosomal rearrangement in the genomes of man and the great apes.


The role of genetic variability in the SLC6A4, BDNF and GABRA6 genes in anxiety-related traits.
The aims of this study were to test the individual association of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4), the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF) and the GABA(A) α(6) receptor subunit gene (GABRA6) with anxiety-related traits and to explore putative gene-gene interactions in a Spanish healthy sample. A sample of 937 individuals from the general population completed the Temperament and Character Inventory questionnaire to explore Harm Avoidance (HA) dimension; a subsample of 553 individuals also filled in the Big Five Questionnaire to explore the Neuroticism dimension. The whole sample was genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism (SLC6A4 gene), the Val66Met polymorphism (BDNF gene) and the T1521C polymorphism (GABRA6 gene). Homozygous individuals for the T allele of the T1512C polymorphism presented slightly higher scores for HA than C allele carriers (F = 2.96, P = 0.019). In addition, there was a significant gene-gene interaction on HA between the 5-HTTLPR and Val66Met polymorphisms (F = 3.4, P = 0.009). GABRA6 emerges as a candidate gene involved in the variability of HA. The effect of a significant gene-gene interaction between the SLC6A4 and BDNF genes on HA could explain part of the genetic basis underlying anxiety-related traits.


Does obesity associate with mortality among Hispanic persons? Results from the National Health Interview Survey.
To evaluate the association between BMI: kg/m(2) and mortality among Hispanic adults. Eight years (1997-2004) of National Health Interview Survey data linked to public-use mortality follow-up data through 2006 were acquired. Using Cox proportional hazards regression, separate models for two attained age strata (18 to <60 years, ≥60 years) adjusting for sex, smoking, and physical activity with over 38,000 analyzable respondents were fit. Among those aged ≥60 years, underweight (BMI ≤ 18.5) associated with elevated mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38-3.46), whereas overweight (BMI of 25 to <30) and obesity grade 1 (BMI of 30 to <35) associated with reduced mortality (HRs = 0.79; 95% CI, 0.65-0.95 and 0.71; 95% CI, 0.56-0.91), respectively. There were no significant associations between BMI and mortality among the 18 to <60 years attained age strata or among never smokers for either age strata. Overweight and obesity are not obviously associated with elevated mortality among Hispanic adults.


Identification and characterization of zebrafish SULT1 ST9, SULT3 ST4, and SULT3 ST5.
By searching the GenBank database, we identified sequences encoding three new zebrafish cytosolic sulfotransferases (SULTs). These three new zebrafish SULTs, designated SULT1 ST9, SULT3 ST4, and SULT3 ST5, were cloned, expressed, purified, and characterized. SULT1 ST9 appeared to be mostly involved in the metabolism and detoxification of xenobiotics such as β-naphthol, β-naphthylamine, caffeic acid and gallic acid. SULT3 ST4 showed strong activity toward endogenous compounds such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), pregnenolone, and 17β-estradiol. SULT3 ST5 showed weaker, but significant, activities toward endogenous compounds such as DHEA and corticosterone, as well as xenobiotics including mestranol, β-naphthylamine, β-naphthol, and butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA). pH-dependency and kinetic constants of these three enzymes were determined with DHEA, β-naphthol, and 17β-estradiol as substrates. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to examine the expression of these three new zebrafish SULTs at different developmental stages during embryogenesis, through larval development, and on to maturity.


Nutrition labeling statement. The Board of the National Nutrition Consortium.
The National Nutrition Consortium Board commends the FDA for its efforts to provide nutrition information to the consumer. We emphasize the necessity of supporting this system with a comprehensive nutrition education program. The system should lend itself to providing as much information as is possible about the total food supply. Changes in the current system must be based on well-designed and carefully analyzed consumer research data.


Evaluation of active camera control systems in gynecological surgery: construction, handling, comfort, surgeries and results.
Surgeon-controlled endoscope leading assistance systems are a novelty in endoscopic surgery. These systems were evaluated for their applicability and reliability in operative gynecology. In this regard, we evaluated possible methods of operation, operative time, setup time, and comfort for the surgeon, complications, blood transfusions, length of stay, hemoglobin levels, and demographic data. Two systems with technically identical camera control systems were applied, the SOLOASSISTTM system and the Einstein VisionTM 3D system. The arm systems are attached to the operating table and controlled by surgeon via a manual control, a remote control or a foot switch. Comfort for the surgeon was evaluated using a questionnaire (scale 1-5; 1 "very good", 5 "poor"). All data were collected prospectively in a database (IBM SPSS Statistics 20) and evaluated. One hundred and four patients underwent surgery supported by an active control system. In 43 (41 %) cases, oncological interventions were performed. Average setup time was 7 (3-30) min. There was a significant learning curve regarding the mounting of the system after 20 operations (p = 0.045). Overall comfort was rated as "good", divided into control 2.2 (2-4), physical effort 2.1 (1-4), picture quality 1.6 (1-3), and overall satisfaction 2.1 (1-4). About 75 unwanted camera movements were noticed in 104 surgeries. Complications occurred in no case (0 %). The application of an active camera control system was evaluated to be safe for all gynecological laparoscopies. Picture blur is avoided even during prolonged complex procedures. Moreover, the assistant is able to support the surgeon with two instruments, with the result that the presence of a second assistant is not required for complex interventions. Causing only minimal setup time, the examined active control systems improve the effectiveness of surgeries. The physical effort required for the assistant decreases and, by reducing tiring operations and tremor, subsequently, higher precision is reached.