Napsins: new human aspartic proteinases. Distinction between two closely related genes.
cDNA sequences were elucidated for two closely related human genes which encode the precursors of two hitherto unknown aspartic proteinases. The (pro)napsin A gene is expressed predominantly in lung and kidney and its translation product is predicted to be a fully functional, glycosylated aspartic proteinase (precursor) containing an RGD motif and an additional 18 residues at its C-terminus. The (pro)napsin B gene is transcribed exclusively in cells related to the immune system but lacks an in-frame stop codon and contains a number of polymorphisms, one of which replaces a catalytically crucial Gly residue with an Arg. Consideration is given to whether (pro)napsin B may be a transcribed pseudogene or whether its putative protein product undergoes rapid intracellular degradation.


Effects of chronic opioid antagonism on gonadotrophin and ovarian sex steroid secretion during the luteal phase.
Since short-term opioid antagonism increases LH pulsatility during the luteal phase in women, we postulated that prolonged opioid antagonism may also accelerate the LH secretory episodes at this time. If so, the functional and temporal links between secretory episodes of pituitary LH and oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) release from the mature human corpus luteum may be disrupted. Prolonged opioid blockade with the oral antagonist naltrexone (100 mg daily) was effected in eight women during the entire luteal phase of their cycles. Following documented ovulation in both placebo (control) and naltrexone cycles, blood samples were obtained daily and frequently (every 10 minutes for 10 h) on days 6-8 after ovulation. In all blood samples, LH, E2 and P were determined by IRMA. Compared to control cycles, the temporal organization and the endocrine characteristics of the luteal phase remained virtually unchanged during chronic opioid blockade. Periodic fluctuations were detected (by cluster analysis) in LH, E2 and P data series established by frequent sample collections in both the control and naltrexone cycles. LH secretory profiles were remarkably similar during control and naltrexone cycles, and the E2 and P secretory episodes tended to be coupled to LH pulses during both cycles. As determined by time-series analysis, the cross-correlations between the LH/E2 and LH/P data series remained unaltered by opioid blockade. Chronic opioid antagonism with naltrexone did not disrupt the temporal organization or endocrine characteristics of the luteal phase. In particular, prolonged opioid blockade did not change LH secretory patterns. The functional and temporal links between LH inputs and sex steroid release from the mature corpus luteum remained unaffected by prolonged opioid antagonism. In contrast to the effects of short-term opioid blockade on LH pulsatile release during the luteal phase, the effects of chronic opioid antagonism on LH release may be transient and may not persist throughout the entire luteal phase, suggesting desensitization of the opiate receptors.


An update on antimicrobial chemotherapy: 3. Antimicrobial resistance and the oral cavity.
As mentioned in the preceding articles, the widespread appearance of antimicrobial resistance has become a major threat to the effective treatment of infectious disease. However, does this have any relevance to the dental profession? This article relates current knowledge to everyday dental practice.


Superheated steam pyrolysis of biomass elemental components and Sugi (Japanese cedar) for fuels and chemicals.
To develop a novel noncatalytic biomass refinery process that can be used as a portable process, superheated steam pyrolysis was investigated to produce both carbonized solid fuels and chemicals using a large-scale reactor. Individual biomass components and native biomass (Sugi, Japanese cedar) were pyrolyzed. Between 150 and 400 degrees C, the vaporizing fractions of cellulose, xylan, and kraft lignin were summarized using a numerical model. Cellulose was converted to glycolaldehyde, furfural, 5-hydroxymethyl furfural and levoglucosan, whereas xylan was converted to glycolaldehyde, furfural, and acetic acid. Kraft lignin produced a slight yield of phenol and guaiacol. The total vaporization fraction of Sugi and its vaporizing rate were explained sufficiently using a numerical model based on the weighted average of the vaporizing properties of the individual components. However, the yields of phenol, guaiacol, and acetic acid were underestimated, while the yields of furfurals and levoglucosan were overestimated. Possible synergetic effects among chemicals in the superheated steam pyrolysis of native biomass were also discussed.


Rapid and mass production of biopesticide Trichoderma Brev T069 from cassava peels using newly established solid-state fermentation bioreactor system.
Converting agricultural waste into value-added biopesticides to replace chemical pesticides for plant protection is a good alternative for environmental sustainability and resource recycling. In this study, five tropical wastes (cassava peels, banana pseudostem, coconut shell, sugarcane bagasse, and pineapple peels) were screened as substrates for the rapid production of biopesticide Trichoderma Brev T069. Five single tests and a Box-Behnken design (BBD) with response surface methodology were used to optimize the culture conditions to improve the spore yield. The results showed that cassava peel was the optimal solid fermentation substrate, and the optimization enabled a spore yield of 9.31 × 109 spores/g at 3rd day, which was equal to 93.19% of spore yield obtained at 5th day (9.99 × 109 spores/g). A newly packed-bed bioreactor with agitation and ventilation system was developed and used to expand the production that 250 kg of biopesticide (2.89 × 109 spores/g) could be available on the 3rd day. A pot experiment indicated that the biopesticide T. Brev T069 obtained under this production system, when applied at 1 × 107 spores/g of soil had a 64.65% biocontrol efficiency on banana fusarium wilt. This study provides a practical solution for turning a tropical waste into an effective biopesticide which can prevent banana wilt disease, thereby helping to reduce disease management cost and overcome environmental hazards caused by synthetic pesticides.


Disease perceptions among people with Crohn's disease.
The relationship between Crohn's disease (CD) patients' perceptions of overall disease course to severity measures based on current symptomatology has not been fully explored. We sought to characterize CD patient perceptions of both overall disease course and current symptomatology based on an objective symptom scale and to explore the relationship between perceptions and current symptoms. Patients were screened by telephone and those who met inclusion criteria were invited to complete a full, self-administered online survey. Respondents (n = 1205) were predominantly female (66%) and Caucasian (92%); the median age was 44 years. Self-perceived overall disease course was described as "mild" in 16%, "moderate" in 50%, and "severe" in 34%; these correlated poorly with objective measures of current symptomatology. Perceived current symptomatology was "mild" in 61%, "moderate" in 29%, and "severe" in 10%. Patients perceived their overall disease course as more severe than that reflected by current symptomatology. Among 61% who had "mild" disease based on 30-day symptoms, only 16% rated themselves as having a mild disease course overall. Similar results among those in the "moderate" and "severe" overall disease categories indicated poor congruence between perceived overall disease course and measures of current disease symptomatology. Perceptions of overall disease severity may not correlate with disease activity measures based on current symptomatology. Patients rely on physicians to guide treatment choices; thus, a more complete appreciation of patients' disease perceptions that includes both overall disease course and current symptomatology may help inform treatment decisions, and could potentially improve patient care.


Relationship of age to foramen of Huschke and investigation of the development of spontaneous temporomandibular joint herniation.
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, localization, and width of the foramen of Huschke (FH) and the relationship between age and FH. Another aim was to investigate the development of spontaneous temporomandibular joint (TMJ) herniation. This was a retrospective review of high-resolution computed tomography images of the temporal bone of 1025 patients. The prevalence of FH and the axial and sagittal diameters of the foramen were evaluated. Cases were found in which the TMJ had herniated through FH into the EAC. FH was detected in 137 (13.4%) of 1025 patients. The prevalence of FH was higher in females (18.4%) than in males (6.6%) (P<0.001). The presence of FH increased with age (P=0.005). Herniation of the TMJ through FH into the EAC was seen in four patients (0.4%), and 2.9% of patients with FH detected had TMJ herniation into the EAC. As well as being congenital, FH can also be senile; the prevalence may increase with age. Herniation of the TMJ through FH into the EAC is very rare; this was observed in 0.4% of all patients and 2.9% of patients with FH detected.


In vitro effects of matrix peptides on a cultured dermal-epidermal skin substitute.
Composite dermal-epidermal skin substitutes rely on a firm attachment of human keratinocytes (HK) to the dermal substrate for graft survival on the wound. An in vitro study was performed assessing whether the addition of matrix peptides to the dermal substrate effected the epithelial thickness. Cultured grafts were made by attaching HK to the external surface of a collagen-chondroitin 6-sulfate (GAG) membrane and inoculating human fibroblasts (HF) internally. If the matrix peptide (RGD Peptide) was added to the collagen-GAG membrane prior to placement of the HK and HF, the resultant epithelial layer at the end of the normal 4-day culture period was significantly thicker (19.7 +/- 0.9 microns versus 13.5 +/- 1.0 microns). Subjectively, the HF content was also greater on the peptide-treated grafts. When HF were not placed on the cultured graft, i.e., only collagen-GAG membrane, RGD peptide, and HK, the resultant epithelial thickness was even greater (28.3 +/- 1.0 microns). These data suggest that addition of matrix peptides, which increase cell attachment to the dermal substrate, may prove effective in the improvement of this cultured composite dermal-epidermal skin substitute.


Treatment of steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome.
Childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a chronic glomerular disorder, and if untreated, is associated with increased risk of life-threatening infections, thromboembolism, lipid abnormalities, and malnutrition. The aim of the management of NS in children is to induce and maintain complete remission with resolution of proteinuria and edema without encountering serious adverse effects of therapy. Over 90% of cases in children are due to minimal change disease (MCD) and a majority of them will respond to corticosteroid therapy. Steroid sensitive NS is considered to be a relatively benign condition; progression to end stage renal failure is extremely rare and over 80% achieve spontaneous remission in later childhood. The early disease is characterized by a relapsing course, placing the child at risk of acute complications. The occurrence of frequent relapses necessitates clear therapeutic strategies in order to maintain sustained remission and minimize steroid toxicity. Numerous therapeutic regimens have been proposed utilizing steroid sparing agents such as alkylating agents, principally, cyclophosphamide and chlorambucil, calcineurin inhibitors namely cyclosporin A and immunomodulatory drug levamisole with variable success and associated side-effects. It is therefore important that the benefits and risks of these agents are weighed before considering their use in the treatment of patients with NS.


Large transient capacitive currents in wild-type lysosomal Cl-/H+ antiporter ClC-7 and residual transport activity in the proton glutamate mutant E312A.
ClC-7 is a lysosomal 2 Cl-/1 H+ antiporter of the CLC protein family, which comprises Cl- channels and other Cl-/H+ antiporters. Mutations in ClC-7 and its associated β subunit Ostm1 lead to osteopetrosis and lysosomal storage disease in humans and mice. Previous studies on other mammalian CLC transporters showed that mutations of a conserved, intracellularly located glutamate residue, the so-called proton glutamate, abolish steady-state transport activity but increase transient capacitive currents associated with partial reactions of the transport cycle. In contrast, we observed large, transient capacitive currents for the wild-type ClC-7, which depend on external pH and internal, but not external, Cl-. Very similar transient currents were observed for the E312A mutant of the proton glutamate. Interestingly, and unlike in other mammalian CLC transporters investigated so far, the E312A mutation strongly reduces, but does not abolish, stationary transport currents, potentially explaining the intermediate phenotype observed in the E312A mouse line.


Prevalence of Clostridium botulinum in food raw materials used in REPFEDs manufactured in France.
Food raw materials used in refrigerated processed foods of extended durability (REPFEDs) manufactured in France were surveyed for Clostridium botulinum types A, B and E using PCR-Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay (PCR-ELISA) and mouse bioassay for detection respectively of cells and toxins in enrichment broth. Portions of 25 to 50 g of food were analysed. A total of 8 out of the 102 samples of fish and shellfish, 12 out of the 143 samples of meat and poultry, 1 out of the 62 samples of aroma, sauce and gravy, 4 out of the 25 samples of thickening agents, 3 out of the 26 samples of dehydrated dairy ingredients, and none of the 65 samples of spices, herbs and dehydrated mushroom were positive for C. botulinum in PCR-ELISA, i.e., 6.6% of all the samples tested. The 28 positive samples comprised 10 type A, 10 type B, 4 with both types A and B, and 4 undetermined by PCR typing. No sample positive for type E was detected. Of the 28 samples positive in PCR-ELISA, 15 were also positive in the mouse bioassay. The MPN count was between 1 and 3 C. botulinum/kg of food, which is similar to or in the lower range of values reported in the literature.


Inhibition of Xanthine Oxidase by 4-Nitrocinnamic Acid: In Vitro and in Vivo Investigations and Docking Simulations.
Cinnamic acid and its derivatives have gained significant attention in recent medicinal research due to their broad spectrum of pharmacological properties. However, the effects of these compounds on xanthine oxidase (XO) have not been systematically investigated, and the inhibitory mechanism remains unclear. The objective of this study was to screen 18 compounds and identify the XO inhibitor with the strongest inhibitory effect. Furthermore, we aimed to study the inhibitory mechanism of the identified compound. The effects of the inhibitors on XO were evaluated using kinetic analysis, docking simulations, and in vivo study. Among the compounds tested, 4-NA was discovered as the first XO inhibitor and exhibited the most potent inhibitory effects, with an IC50 value of 23.02 ± 0.12 μmol/L. The presence of the nitro group in 4-NA was found to be essential for enhancing XO inhibition. The kinetic study revealed that 4-NA inhibited XO in a reversible and noncompetitive manner. Moreover, fluorescence spectra analysis demonstrated that 4-NA could spontaneously form complexes with XO, referred to as 4-NA-XO complexes, with the negative values of Δ H and Δ S. research-article Results: This suggests that hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces play crucial roles in the binding process. Molecular docking studies further supported the kinetic analysis and provided insight into the optimal binding conformation, indicating that 4-NA is located at the bottom outside the catalytic center through the formation of three hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, animal studies confirmed that the inhibitory effects of 4-NA on XO resulted in a significant reduction of serum uric acid level in hyperuricemia mice. This work elucidates the mechanism of 4-NA inhibiting XO, paving the way for the development of new XO inhibitors.


[Differences between CD3⁺ TCRvα24⁺ NKT cell and CD3⁺ TCRvβ11⁺ NKT cell in PBMC].
Clarified the differences between CD3(+);TCRvα24(+); NKT cells and CD3(+);TCRvβ11(+); NKT cells in their frequencies, subpopulations, phenotypes and biological functions, so as to fully understand the effects of NKT cells in immune responses. PBMCs from blood donors were isolated and cell surface markers (CD3, TCRvα24, TCRvβ11, CD4, CD8, CD45RA, CD62L, CCR7) and intracellular cytokines (IL-4, IFN-γ) were detected by flow cytometry directly or after stimulation with PMA plus Ionomycin. The mean frequencies of CD3(+);TCRvα24(+); NKT cells and CD3(+);TCRvβ11(+); NKT cells in PBMCs were 0.63% and 0.43% and they varied according to individuals. A small population of NKT cells coexpressed TCRvα24 and TCRvβ11. The subpopulations of CD4(+); NKT 64.35%, CD8(+); NKT 19.04%, CD4(-);CD8(-); NKT 17.18% in human CD3(+);TCRvα24(+); NKT cells and CD4(+); NKT 53.69%, CD8(+); NKT 18.99%, CD4(-);CD8(-); NKT 29.74% in CD3(+);TCRvβ11(+); NKT cells could be identified based upon the expressions of CD4 and CD8 molecules. There were no significant differences between relative subtypes. The frequency of CD45RA(+);CD3(+);TCRvβ11(+); NKT cells(71.14%) was higher than the frequency of CD45RA(+);CD3(+);TCRvα24(+); NKT cells and the differences between them were significant. The differences between the frequencies of CD62L(+);CD3(+);TCRvα24(+); NKT cells(46.26%) and CD62L(+);CD3(+);TCRvβ11(+); NKT cells(42.36%), the frequencies of CCR7(+);CD3(+);TCRvα24(+); NKT cells(9.24%) and CCR7(+);CD3(+);TCRvβ11(+); NKT cells(8.22%) were not significant. There were no significant differences in the secretions of IL-4 by CD3(+);TCRvα24(+); NKT cells(13.01%) and CD3(+);TCRvβ11(+); NKT cells(6.62%), and IFN-γ by CD3(+);TCRvα24(+); NKT cells(38.12%) and CD3(+);TCRvβ11(+); NKT cells(26.95%). However, there were significant differences between the mean frequency of IFN-γ(+);IL-4(+);CD3(+);TCRvα24(+); NKT cells(12.65%) and that of IFN-γ(+);IL-4(+);CD3(+);TCRvβ11(+); NKT cells(3.02%). There were some differences between CD3(+);TCRvα24(+); NKT cells and CD3(+);TCRvβ11(+); NKT cells in their frequencies, phenotypes and productions of cytokines. In all, although their frequencies were low, the complicated phenotypes and high secretions of cytokines(IL-4 and IFN-γ) assigned NKT cells immunoregulatory effects.


Are genetic polymorphisms of tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-10, CD14 endotoxin receptor or manganese superoxide dismutase associated with alcoholic liver disease?
Four polymorphisms have been described associated with either increased risk for alcoholic liver disease (ALD) or more serious histological lesions: tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) G(-238)A, interleukin-10 (IL-10) C(-627)A, promoter of CD14 endotoxin receptor gene C(-159)T and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) C(-1183)T/valine --> alanine. We sought confirmatory evidence, through individual and simultaneous analysis of the four aforementioned polymorphisms, in 176 heavy drinkers: ALD (n = 100) if histology-compatible or clinical evidence of hepatic decompensation; and no evidence of liver disease (NLD) (n = 76) if normal liver tests on two occasions or normal liver histology (steatosis alone). Patients with ALD were older (53+/-10 vs. 48+/-10 years, P<0.05), with a similar sex distribution. TNF-alpha G(-238)A showed no difference in heterozygous GA-genotype prevalence (ALD, 9.0%/NLD, 7.9%). IL-10 C(-627)A showed no difference between groups, either homozygote AA (8.0% vs. 10.5%) or heterozygote CA (34.0% vs. 39.5%). CD14 promoter C(-159)T showed no difference between groups in T-allele frequency, either homozygote TT (27% vs. 21%) or heterozygote CT (49% vs. 50%). Alanine MnSOD allele carriers showed no difference between groups in either the heterozygote (55.0% vs. 49.3%) or homozygote (22% vs. 25%). No difference was observed in the probability of having simultaneously two, three or four of the implicated polymorphisms: respectively, 43%, 33% and 0% in ALD, and 43%, 24% and 5% in NLD (not significant). No association was found between the previously implicated polymorphisms of TNF-alpha, IL-10, CD14 and MnSOD, either individually or simultaneously, and the presence of established ALD.


Acquired and modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in patients treated for cancer.
Cardiac mortality is the leading cause of death secondary to malignancy in survivors of cancer. The field of cardio-oncology is dedicated to identifying and, if possible, modifying risk factors that contribute to significant cardiac morbidity and mortality. Many risk factors for the development of cancer-related cardiotoxicity overlap with risk factors in cardiovascular disease such as hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, and diabetes among others. These risk factors are usually modifiable while others such as genetics, type of malignancy, and need for chemotherapy are less modifiable. This article summarizes acquired and modifiable risk factors in both pediatric and adult patients treated for cancer.


Trauma-related dissociation and the autonomic nervous system: a systematic literature review of psychophysiological correlates of dissociative experiencing in PTSD patients.
Background: Neurophysiological models link dissociation (e.g. feeling detached during or after a traumatic event) to hypoarousal. It is currently assumed that the initial passive reaction to a threat may coincide with a blunted autonomic response, which constitutes the dissociative subtype of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Objective: Within this systematic review we summarize research which evaluates autonomic nervous system activation (e.g. heart rate, blood pressure) and dissociation in PTSD patients to discern the validity of current neurophysiological models of trauma-related hypoarousal. Method: Of 553 screened articles, 28 studies (N = 1300 subjects) investigating the physiological response to stress provocation or trauma-related interventions were included in the final analysis. Results: No clear trend exists across all measured physiological markers in trauma-related dissociation. Extracted results are inconsistent, in part due to high heterogeneity in experimental methodology. Conclusion: The current review is unable to provide robust evidence that peri- and post-traumatic dissociation are associated with hypoarousal, questioning the validity of distinct psychophysiological profiles in PTSD.


Two sisters with isovaleric acidaemia, multiple attacks of ketoacidosis and normal development.
Two sisters with isovaleric acidaemia are described. Both had multiple attacks of acetonaemic vomiting, sometimes leading to subcoma. Despite this they showed a completely normal mental development. Biochemical studies, clinical follow-up and attempts at treatment are presented.


Robot-assisted early mobilization of intensive care patients: a feasibility study protocol.
Early mobilization positively influences the outcome of critically ill patients, yet in clinical practice, the implementation is sometimes challenging. In this study, an adaptive robotic assistance system will be used for early mobilization in intensive care units. The study aims to evaluate the experience of the mobilizing professionals and the general feasibility of implementing robotic assistance for mobilization in intensive care as well as the effects on patient outcomes as a secondary outcome. The study is single-centric, prospective, and interventional and follows a longitudinal study design. To evaluate the feasibility of robotic-assisted early mobilization, the number of patients included, the number of performed VEM (very early mobilization) sessions, and the number and type of adverse events will be collected. The behavior and experience of mobilizing professionals will be evaluated using standardized observations (n > 90) and episodic interviews (n > 36) before implementation, shortly after, and in routine. Patient outcomes such as duration of mechanical ventilation, loss of muscle mass, and physical activity will be measured and compared with a historical patient population. Approximately 30 patients will be included. The study will provide information about patient outcomes, feasibility, and the experience of mobilizing professionals. It will show whether robotic systems can increase the early mobilization frequency of critically ill patients. Within ICU structures, early mobilization as therapy could become more of a focus. Effects on the mobilizing professionals such as increased motivation, physical relief, or stress will be evaluated. In addition, this study will focus on whether current structures allow following the recommendation of mobilizing patients twice a day for at least 20 min. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05071248 . Date: 2021/10/21.


Hillslopes record the growth and decay of landscapes.
Earth's surface archives the combined history of tectonics and erosion, which tend to roughen landscapes, and sediment transport and deposition, which smooth them. We analyzed hillslope morphology in the tectonically active Dragon's Back Pressure Ridge in California, United States, to assess whether tectonic uplift history can be reconstructed using measurable attributes of hillslope features within landscapes. Hilltop curvature and hillslope relief mirror measured rates of vertical displacement caused by tectonic forcing, and their relationships are consistent with those expected when idealizing hillslope transport as a nonlinear diffusion process. Hilltop curvature lags behind relief in its response to changing erosion rates, allowing growing landscapes to be distinguished from decaying landscapes. Numerical modeling demonstrates that hillslope morphology may be used to infer changes in tectonic rates.


Angular variation of linewidths in single-crystal EPR spectra.
We present the angular variation of the resonance magnetic fields as well as the angular variation of the linewidths obtained from single-crystal electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of Delta+ [Cr((-)chxn)(3lambda lambda lambda)]3+ (chxn = trans-1,2-cyclohexanediamine) doped into the nitrate salt of the isostructural Rh(III) ion Delta+ [Rh((-)chxn)(3lambda lambda lambda](NO3)3)3.H2O. An analysis of the angular variation of the resonance magnetic fields indicates axial symmetry for the cation. An analysis of the angular variation of the linewidths, on the other hand, reveals that not all the paramagnetic sites have perfect axial symmetry.


An electrogenerated chemiluminescence sensor prepared with a graphene/multiwall carbon nanotube/gold nanocluster hybrid for the determination of phenolic compounds.
A dispersible graphene/multiwall carbon nanotube/gold nanocluster (GP/MWCNTs/AuNCs) hybrid in aqueous solution was prepared in situ, and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. Based on the fact that phenolic compounds can enhance the electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) signal at the GP/MWCNTs/AuNCs modified glassy carbon electrode in the presence of peroxydisulfate, an ECL sensor was proposed for the determination of phenolic compounds with high sensitivity, good repeatability and stability. Due to its fascinating features, such as good water solubility and excellent stability, the GP/MWCNTs/AuNCs hybrid would offer a suitable catalytic platform for phenolic compounds and provide potential promise for the construction of ECL sensors.


The turnover of terminal AMP of rat liver tRNA relative to that of internal AMP was studied in presence of various inhibitors. Actinomycin D and aflatoxin B(1), which strongly depress transcription in liver, lead to an increase of the specific radioactivity of external AMP/specific radioactivity of internal AMP ratio. On the contrary, drugs which inhibit the in vivo incorporation of aminoacids determine a significant decrease of this ratio.


Flexible emotion regulatory selection when coping with COVID-19-related threats during quarantine.
The COVID-19 pandemic poses significant emotional challenges that individuals need to select how to regulate. The present study directly examined how during the pandemic, healthy individuals select between regulatory strategies to cope with varying COVID-19-related threats, and whether an adaptive flexible regulatory selection pattern will emerge in this unique threatening global context. Accordingly, this two-study investigation tested how healthy individuals during a strict state issued quarantine, behaviorally select to regulate COVID-19-related threats varying in their intensity. Study 1 created and validated an ecologically relevant set of low and high intensity sentences covering major COVID-19 facets that include experiencing physical symptoms, infection threats, and social and economic consequences. Study 2 examined the influence of the intensity of these COVID-19-related threats, on behavioral regulatory selection choices between disengagement via attentional distraction and engagement via reappraisal. Confirming a flexible regulatory selection conception, healthy individuals showed strong choice preference for engagement reappraisal when regulating low intensity COVID-19-related threats, but showed strong choice preference for disengagement distraction when regulating high intensity COVID-19-related threats. These findings support the importance of regulatory selection flexibility for psychological resilience during a major global crisis.


Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy site metastasis.
Metastases to gastrostomy sites are a rare but significant complication of percutaneous endoscopic gastrotomy (PEG) placement in cancer patients. Both direct seeding and hematogenous spread have been suggested as possible mechanisms. This article outlines the incidence, presentation, pathogenesis, and management of PEG-site metastases.


Combined use of tannic acid-type organic composite adsorbents and ozone for simultaneous removal of various kinds of radionuclides in river water.
Tannic acid-type organic composite adsorbents (PA316TAS, AR-01TAS, PYRTAS, WA10TAS, WA20TAS, and WA30TAS), combined with hydrolyzed and sulfonated tannic acid (TAS) and porous-type strongly basic anion-exchange resin (PA316), benzimidazole-type anion-exchange resin embedded in high-porous silica beads (AR-01), pyridine-type anion-exchange resin (PYR), acrylic-type weakly basic anion-exchange resin (WA10), or styrene-type weakly basic anion-exchange resins (WA20 and WA30) for simultaneous removal of various kinds of radionuclides in river water were successfully synthesized. The adsorption behavior of twelve kinds of simulated radionuclides (Mn, Co, Sr, Y, Ru, Rh, Sb, Te, Cs, Ba, Eu, and I (I- and IO3-)) on these composite adsorbents has been studied in real river water at room temperature. PA316TAS adsorbents showed much higher distribution coefficients (Kd) for all metal ions. TAS structure has more selective adsorption ability for Mn, Co, Sr, Y, Cs, Ba, Eu, and IO3-. On the other hand, Y, Ru, Rh, Sb, Te, Eu, I (I- and IO3-) were adsorbed on both PA316 and TAS structures. To evaluate the validity of these mechanistic expectations, the respective chemical adsorption behaviors of Mn, Co, Sr, etc. and PA316TAS adsorbent were examined in river water ranging in temperature from 278 to 333 K. As was expected, one adsorption mechanism for Mn, Co, Sr, Cs, and Ba systems and two types of adsorption mechanisms for Y, Ru, Rh, Sb, Te, Eu, I (I- and IO3-) systems were observed. On the other hand, the precipitation of Mn, Co, Y, Ru, Rh, Te, and Eu was formed by ozonation for river water, that is, ozone can transform Mn, Co, Y, Ru, Rh, Te, and Eu ions into the insoluble precipitates. Hence, one straight line for Sr, Cs, Ba systems and two types of straight lines for Sb, I (I- and IO3-) systems were obtained in river water treated with ozone. The chromatography experiments of Cs, Sr, I (I- and IO3-) were carried out to calculate their maximum adsorption capacities. The obtained maximum adsorption capacities of Cs, Sr, and I- mixed with IO3- were 1.7 × 10-4 (Cs), 1.8 × 10-3 (Cs/O3), 7.8 × 10-5 (Sr), 5.6 × 10-4 (Sr/O3), 5.4 × 10-2 (I- and IO3-), 3.1 × 10-2 (I- and IO3-/O3) mol/g - PA316TAS. It was discovered that the maximum adsorption capacities of I- and IO3- for the composite adsorbent is unprecedented high and the capacity become much greater than an order of magnitude, compared with those of previous reports. This phenomenon suggests the formation of electron-donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes or pseudo EDA complex. Based on these results, it was concluded that the combined use of tannic acid-type organic composite adsorbents and ozone made it possible to remove simultaneously and effectively various kinds of radionuclides in river water in the wide pH and temperature ranges.


Absorbent Markov chains as a model for the study of the evolution of proteins.
The formalism of absorbent Markov chains, previously developed by Kemeny & Snell (1960) is used as a model for the study of the evolution of proteins. Within the limits of statistical analysis used, the amino acid substitution frequencies of McLachlan (1972) are explained by the numerical values derived from the model used. In addition, the amino acid composition of proteins is partially explained and the relative mutability of amino acids receives a new interpretation in the light of the above mentioned stochastic model. The results show that some basic aspect of protein evolution can be predicted by a stochastic model and therefore a significant component of protein evolution is driven by a random element.


Ambulation in severe arthrogryposis.
Functional ambulation occurred in 22 of 36 severely affected arthrogrypotic patients. Functional ambulation in these patients required hip motion to within 30 degrees of full extension and knee motion to within 20 degrees of full extension. Ambulation also required hip extensor strength of good (grade 4), quadriceps strength of fair (grade 3), or crutchable upper extremities and orthotic substitutes. Foot and spine deformities also interfered with ambulatory ability.


Prognoses of patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure are closely associated with altered SOCS1 mRNA expression and cytokine production following glucocorticoid treatment.
Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) 1 plays a crucial role in the immune response and might contribute to the prognoses of liver failure treated with glucocorticoid. We recruited 47 acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF) patients receiving glucocorticoid treatment and 30 healthy controls to determine the potential effects of glucocorticoid on the transcriptional level of SOCS1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. On the third and twenty-eighth days of glucocorticoid treatment, SOCS1 expression was negatively correlated with model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor-necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were statistically lower, while the SOCS1 transcription level was higher in survivors than non-survivors both in pre- and post-treatment ACHBLF patients. The methylation rate of the SOCS1 promoter in ACHBLF patients was higher than in healthy control patients as determined by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. The mRNA level of SOCS1 in methylated promoters was significantly lower than from patients with unmethylated SOCS1 promoters. interferon (IFN)-γ-responsive and STAT1-dependent gene expression was higher in survivors and was dramatically decreased with rising expression of SOCS1 after glucocorticoid treatment. Mortality rates were significantly higher in methylated patients than for those without methylation at the end of a 90-day follow-up. Furthermore, we found that five in six surviving patients displayed demethylated SOCS1 on the twenty-eighth day after treatment, while that number was 3 in 10 in the non-survivors. These findings suggested that ACHBLF patients without SOCS1 methylation may have a favorable response to corticosteroid treatment.


Prostate cancer radiogenomics reveals proliferative gene expression programs associated with distinct MRI-based hypoxia levels.
The biology behind individual hypoxia levels in patient tumors is poorly understood. Here, we used radiogenomics to identify associations between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based hypoxia levels and biological processes derived from gene expression data in prostate cancer. For 85 prostate cancer patients, MRI-based hypoxia images were constructed by combining diffusion-weighted images reflecting oxygen consumption and supply. The ability to differentiate hypoxia levels in these images was verified by comparison with matched biopsy sections stained for the hypoxia marker pimonidazole. For MRI-defined hypoxia levels, corresponding hypoxic fractions were calculated and correlated with biopsy gene expression profiles. Biological processes were predicted by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and validated by immunohistochemistry (Ki67 proliferation marker, reactive stroma grade) and RT-PCR (MYC). Genes with correlation between expression level and hypoxic fraction were identified for 56 MRI-based hypoxia levels. At all levels, GSEA identified proliferation as the predominant biological process enriched among the correlating genes. Two independent proliferative gene signatures were developed. The Peak1 signature, upregulated at moderate/severe hypoxia, reflected MYC upregulation and high Ki67-proliferation index of cancer cells in pimonidazole-positive regions. The Peak2 signature, upregulated at mild to non-hypoxic levels, was associated with fibroblast gene signature and reactive stroma grade. High scores of both Peak1 and Peak2 indicated elevated risk of biochemical recurrence in multiple cohorts. Radiogenomics identified two gene expression programs activated at different hypoxia levels, reflecting proliferation of cancer cells and stroma cells. Genes involved in these programs could be candidate targets for intervention.


Recognition of SV40-VP2 in the infected cell by antipeptide antibodies.
Antipeptide antibodies were elicited against two synthetic peptides corresponding to amino acids 47-55 and 98-103 of the structural protein VP 2 of SV 40. The induced antibodies proved to be VP 2-specific in an immunoblot. In immunofluorescence these antibodies showed a discrete nuclear and perinuclear staining pattern. In immune electron microscopy studies the induced antibodies did not bind to major virions suggesting that VP 2 is not present at the surface of SV 40 particles.


Validation of surgical site infection surveillance data in Scotland.
Validation of surveillance data is necessary to ensure its scientific credibility, to identify methodological problems within the surveillance programme, to help increase compliance and participation in the surveillance programme, and to identify data quality issues at local level. Surgical site infection surveillance (SSIS) in Scotland has been implemented in collaboration between Health Protection Scotland (HPS) and staff in acute divisions in Scotland. A team at HPS carried out a study to validate the SSIS data reported to them. The aims of the validation study were: (i) to measure the completeness of the denominator data; (ii) to measure the accuracy of all SSIS data items reported to HPS; and (iii) to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the SSIs reported to HPS against the SSIs validated as part of this study. The methodology utilized for validation of SSIS data was based on an evaluation research approach. The evaluation research approach involves a range of investigative activities, aimed at judging the worth of a programme or practice, and measures SSIS in terms of structure, process and outcome. The completeness of the denominator and the means of identifying eligible patients was identified. Descriptive information about how SSIS data were collected and managed at hospital level was collated, and the accuracy and completeness of the reported SSIS data were measured by case note review of selected cases. SSIS data from 27 hospitals in 15 acute divisions and one special health board were validated. The results indicated that a total of 91% of the procedures carried out (denominator) during a specified three-month period were reported to HPS. The case notes validated over 90% of records reported to HPS; however, there was variation in data quality between hospitals. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the SSIs reported to HPS were 96.7, 99.0, 94.6 and 99.4%, respectively. Where problems with data were identified at local level, hospitals have been offered guidance to improve their data. As a result of this study, HPS are confident that the Scottish SSIS data are reliable and robust.


An approach to primary bone tumors.
This article is designed to provide the busy, practicing physician with the essential information needed to approach the patient with a primary bone tumor. An algorithm provides a suitable method of assessing most patients with bone tumors, recognizing slight modification is necessary in each case. Following this approach should allow successful accomplishment of the therapeutic triad: (1) do not "over-treat" a benign bone tumor, (2) do not "under-treat" a malignant bone tumor, and (3) do not misdirect the biopsy approach to the lesion so as to convert a more conservative operation into a more radical operation.


Immunologic regulation of bone development.
A regulatory network comprised of transcription factors PU.1, Ikaros, E2A, EBF, and Pax5 control B cell fate specification and differentiation. Early B Cell Factor-1 (EBF-1) is essential for B cell fate specification while Pax5 is required for B cell development. Mice deficient in Pax5 or EBF-1 have a developmental arrest of B cell differentiation at the pro-B cell stage, which results in the absence of mature B cells. We analyzed the bone phenotype of Pax5 and EBF-1 wild-type (+/+) and homozygous mutant (-/-) mice to determine if the loss of these transcription factors regulated bone cell development. Bones from Pax5-/- mice were strikingly osteopenic 15 days after birth, with increased numbers of osteoclasts, and decreased trabecular number. The number of osteoblasts in Pax5-/- bones and their function in vitro were not different from controls. In addition, Pax5 was not expressed by wild-type osteoblasts. To investigate the origin of the in vivo increase in osteoclasts, Pax5-/- or +/+ spleen cells were cultured with M-CSF and RANKL and multinucleated, TRAP' cells counted. Cells from Pax5-/- spleen produced 5-10 times more osteoclasts than did controls. Tibia from EBF-1-/- mice had a striking increase in osteoblasts lining bone surfaces. Consistent with this was an increase in osteoid thickness and in the bone formation rate. This correlated with a 2-fold increase in serum osteocalcin. However, in vitro proliferation and ALP of mutant osteoblasts did not differ from control. In contrast, osteoclast number was similar in 4 week-old +/+ and -/- mice; however, at 12 weeks the number of osteoclasts was more than twice that of controls These data correlated with an increase in bone volume at 12 weeks of age. The most striking aspect of the EBF-1-/- bones was the presence of adipocytes, which filled the marrow space. The adipocytes in the marrow were present at both 4 and 12 weeks of age. Increased fat was also seen in the liver of mutant mice. However, subcutaneous fat was almost absent in EBF-1-/- mice. Importantly, EBF-1 mRNA was expressed in wild-type osteoblasts and in adipocytes. Loss of EBF-1 and Pax5 causes distinct, non-overlapping bone phenotypes. It is important to understand why this network of transcription factors, which are so important for B cell development, have such striking effects on bone cell growth and development.


Modafinil for the treatment of diminished responsiveness in a patient recovering from brain surgery.
This case report reviews the history and post-operative status of a 77-year-old woman who underwent transcallosal resection of an intra-ventricular haemorrhagic subependymoma and who remained in a deep post-operative state of lethargy and listlessness. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and detailed clinical observations. The patient (GCS=8) was initiated on methylphenidate 20 mg per day on the 6th day after surgery, but treatment was discontinued 2 days later due to elevated blood pressure and persistent tachycardia. Pemoline 37.5 mg per day was initiated, but treatment was stopped after 3 days due to lack of response. Treatment with modafinil 400 mg per day was initiated on the 11th day after surgery and the patient's consciousness level rapidly improved on the 14th day. On the 16th day after surgery, she was completely alert (GCS=15). Modafinil appeared to be beneficial for improving wakefulness and responsiveness in a patient with central nervous system trauma in the post-operative state.


12-hydroxy-5Z, 8Z, 10E, 14Z, eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) stimulates cAMP production in normal human fibroblasts.
We report here that the 12-lipoxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid, 12-hydroxy-5Z, 8Z, 10E, 14Z, eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE), stimulates cAMP production in human fibroblasts among various cultured cell lines tested. Although 12-HETE seemed to stimulate the phospholipase C (PLC)-protein kinase C (PKC) system, inhibitors against PLC and PKC did not reduce the cAMP production induced by 12-HETE, indicating that the activation of PLC-PKC system is not positively coupled with the stimulation of cAMP production. On the other hand, the cAMP production induced by 12-HETE was dependent on the Ca2+/calmodulin system in the cells. The results suggest that 12-HETE specifically stimulates Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent adenylyl cyclase to increase cAMP level in the fibroblasts.


Effects of depletion of brain catecholamines during the development of morphine dependence on precipitated withdrawal in rats.
The significance of long term depletion of brain catecholamines (CSs) for the development of morphine dependence and for the expression of morphine withdrawal was studied in rats which were implanted with morphine pellets for 10 days. CAs were depleted by inhibition of tyrosine-hydroxylase with alpha-methyl-tyrosine (AMT) or by destruction of catecholaminergic nerve terminals wit6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). In the "acute" experiments these drugs were applied within 24 hrs before precipitation of withdrawal; in the "chronic" experiments drug administration was started before the first implantation and in the case of AMT, continued repeatedly thereafter. With either method, "acute" depletion of brain CAs resulted in reduced intensity of withdrawal. When CAs were kept low through the whole time of morphine exposure and also at the time of withdrawal, the intensity of withdrawal was normal in the case of 6-OHDA administration and only slightly decreased in the case of AMT. When AMT administration was discontinued 40 hrs before precipitation of withdrawal the withdrawal pattern occurred with unchanged intensity. Our experimental data are compatible with the assumption that long lasting depletion of brain CAs is compensated for by induction of neuronal supersensitivity for noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine (DA). While both CAs play an important role in the full expression of the withdrawal syndrome their possible involvement in mechanisms leading to dependence seems to be unlikely although final statements cannot be made by the presented experiments.


Can Ebola Virus Vaccines Have Universal Immune Correlates of protection?
Testing vaccine efficacy against the highly lethal Ebola virus (EBOV) in humans is almost impossible due to obvious ethical reasons and the sporadic nature of outbreaks. For such situations, the 'animal rule' was established, requiring the product be tested in animal models, expected to predict the response observed in humans. For vaccines, this testing aims to identify immune correlates of protection, such as antibody or cell-mediated responses. In the wake of the 2013-2016 EBOV epidemic, and despite advancement of promising candidates into clinical trials, protective correlates remain ambiguous. In the hope of identifying a reliable correlate by comparing preclinical and clinical trial data on immune responses to vaccination, we conclude that correlates are not universal for all EBOV vaccines.


Chylous ascites and chylothorax as presenting manifestations of stomach carcinoma.
Chylous ascites and chylothorax appeared as the presenting symptoms of metastatic carcinoma of the stomach in a 69-year-old male. Although in the last decade malignancies, predominantly lymphomas, have been responsible for most cases of spontaneous chylous ascites or chylothorax, carcinoma of the stomach was very rarely described as the cause of this entity. The criteria for diagnosis of chylous fluid and the etiology and treatment of this condition are reviewed.


Lycopene attenuates Aβ1-42 secretion and its toxicity in human cell and Caenorhabditis elegans models of Alzheimer disease.
Growing evidence suggests concentration of lycopene was reduced in plasma of patients with Alzheimer disease (AD). Lycopene, a member of the carotenoid family, has been identified as an antioxidant to attenuate oxidative damage and has neuroprotective role in several AD models. However, whether lycopene is involved in the pathogenesis of AD and molecular underpinnings are elusive. In this study, we found that lycopene can significantly delay paralysis in the Aβ1-42-transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans strain GMC101. Lycopene treatment reduced Aβ1-42 secretion in SH-SY5Y cells overexpressing the Swedish mutant form of human β-amyloid precursor protein (APPsw). Next, we found lycopene can down-regulate expression level of β-amyloid precursor protein(APP) in APPsw cells. Moreover, lycopene treatment can not change endogenous reactive oxygen species level and apoptosis in APPsw cells. However, lycopene treatment protected against H2O2-induced oxidative stress and copper-induced damage in APPsw cells. Collectively, our data support that elevated lycopene contributes to the lower pathogenesis of AD. Our findings suggest that increasing lycopene in neurons may be a novel approach to attenuate onset and development of AD.


Data-driven predictive modeling of PM2.5 concentrations using machine learning and deep learning techniques: a case study of Delhi, India.
The present study intends to use machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models to forecast PM2.5 concentration at a location in Delhi. For this purpose, multi-layer feed-forward neural network (MLFFNN), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF) and long short-term memory networks (LSTM) have been applied. The air pollutants, e.g., CO, Ozone, PM10, NO, NO2, NOx, NH3, SO2, benzene, toluene, as well as meteorological parameters (temperature, wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, evaporation, humidity, pressure, etc.), have been used as inputs in the present study. Moreover, this is one of the first papers that employ aerodynamic roughness coefficient as an input parameter for the prediction of PM2.5 concentration. The result of the study shows that the LSTM model with index of agreement (IA) 0.986, root mean square error (RMSE) 21.510, Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency index (NSE) 0.945, (coefficient of determination)R2 0.945, and (correlation coefficient)R 0.972 is the best performing technique for the prediction of PM2.5 followed by MLFFNN, SVM, and RF models. The sensitivity analysis for the LSTM model reported that PM10, wind speed, NH3, and benzene are the key influencing parameters for the estimation of PM2.5. The findings in this work suggest that the LSTM could advance in PM2.5 forecasting and thus would be useful for developing fine-scale, state-of-the-art air pollution forecasting models.


Sleep quality and emotion recognition in individuals with and without internalizing psychopathologies.
Separate lines of research indicate sleep quality may impact recognition of facial expressions in anxious or depressed individuals. This study examined facial emotion recognition ability in the context of self-perceived sleep quality and anxiety and depression symptom levels in individuals with and without internalizing psychopathologies. Seventy anxious and/or depressed patients and 24 demographically matched healthy controls completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), standard measures of anxiety and depression, and an Emotion Recognition Task comprising negative and positive facial expressions. Analyses of variance results revealed patients reported worse sleep quality than controls. Linear mixed-effects models indicated that all participants demonstrated better emotion recognition abilities in identifying positive versus negative emotions. For reaction time, but not accuracy, regression results revealed significant individual differences, with worse sleep quality predicting slower reaction times for positive faces, specifically for happiness. The use of a subjective measure of sleep quality and a specific behavioral paradigm for emotion recognition may impact the generalizability of the findings. Associations between task performance and emotional valence of facial expression implies that poor sleep quality, beyond internalizing symptom severity, may disrupt emotion processing.


Methylprednisolone acetate mitigates IL1β induced changes in matrix metalloproteinase gene expression in skeletally immature ovine explant knee tissues.
This study aimed at evaluating the effect of methylprednisolone (MPA) on messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels in immature ovine knee joint tissue explants following interleukin (IL)1β induction and to assess responsiveness of the explants. Explants were harvested from the articular cartilage, synovium, and infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) from immature female sheep. Methylprednisolone. The samples were allocated into six groups: (1) control, (2) MPA (10-3 M), (3) MPA (10-4 M), (4) IL1β, (5) IL1β + 10-3 M MPA, or (6) IL1β + 10-4 M MPA. mRNA expression levels for molecules relevant to inflammation, cartilage degradation/anabolism, activation of innate immunity, and adipose tissue/hormones were quantified. Fold changes with MPA treatment were compared via the comparative CT method. Methylprednisolone treatment significantly suppressed MMPs consistently across the cartilage (MMP1, MMP3, and MMP13), synovium (MMP1 and MMP3), and IPFP (MMP13) (all p < 0.05). Other genes that were less consistently suppressed include endogenous IL1β (cartilage) and IL6 (IPFP) (all p < 0.05), and others not affected either by IL-1 exposure or subsequent MPA include TGFβ1, TLR4, and adipose-related molecules. Methylprednisolone significantly mitigated IL1β induced mRNA expression for MMPs in the immature cartilage, synovium, and IPFP, but the extent of the responsiveness was tissue-, location-, and gene-specific.


Single-walled carbon nanotubes promotes wood formation in Populus davidiana × P.bolleana.
Abundant studies have revealed that single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) regulate plant growth. However, whether or how SWCNTs influence plant wood formation remains largely unknown. In this report, we found that SWCNTs had positive effects on poplar growth, as reflected by significantly increased plant height, leaf size, and fresh and dry weight. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that the SWCNTs were absorbed in the exposed poplar root cells. A relatively higher content of cellulose and lignin was observed in the SWCNTs-treated poplar stems than in those of the control plants. It also showed darker phloroglucinol staining in the stems of exposed plants than that in control plants. Further analysis showed that the activities of key enzymes related to cellulose synthesis (cellulose synthase, CesA) and lignin biosynthesis (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, PAL; cinnamate 4-hydroxylase, C4H; 4-coumarate:CoA ligase, 4CL; cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, CAD) increased significantly after SWCNTs treatment. Consistent with the change trend of enzyme activity, the relative expression levels of a few lignin- and cellulose-related genes were activated by SWCNTs. Taken together, we proposed that SWCNTs have positive effects on poplar wood formation by modifying the expression of enzymes involved in the cellulose and lignin synthesis pathways. Our data suggest the modifications of wood formation through SWCNTs application could be a useful strategy for improvement of wood bioengineering.


Molecular systematics of Tanaidacea (Crustacea: Peracarida) based on 18S sequence data, with an amendment of suborder/superfamily-level classification.
Phylogenetic relationships within Tanaidacea were analyzed based on sequence data for the 18S rRNA gene. Our results strongly supported a monophyletic group composed of Neotanaidae, Tanaoidea, and Paratanaoidea, with the first two taxa forming a clade. These results contradict three previously suggested hypotheses of relationships. Based on the molecular results, and considering morphological similarities/differences between Neotanaidomorpha and Tanaidomorpha, we demoted Suborder Neotanaidomorpha to Superfamily Neotanaoidea within Tanaidomorpha; with this change, the classification of extant tanaidaceans becomes a two-suborder, four-superfamily system. This revision required revision of the diagnoses for Tanaidomorpha and its three super-families. The results for Apseudomorpha were ambiguous: this taxon was monophyletic in the maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses, but paraphyletic in the maximum parsimony and minimum evolution analyses.


Exploring drought-responsive crucial genes in Sorghum.
Drought severely affects global food production. Sorghum is a typical drought-resistant model crop. Based on RNA-seq data for Sorghum with multiple time points and the gray correlation coefficient, this paper firstly selects candidate genes via mean variance test and constructs weighted gene differential co-expression networks (WGDCNs); then, based on guilt-by-rewiring principle, the WGDCNs and the hidden Markov random field model, drought-responsive crucial genes are identified for five developmental stages respectively. Enrichment and sequence alignment analysis reveal that the screened genes may play critical functional roles in drought responsiveness. A multilayer differential co-expression network for the screened genes reveals that Sorghum is very sensitive to pre-flowering drought. Furthermore, a crucial gene regulatory module is established, which regulates drought responsiveness via plant hormone signal transduction, MAPK cascades, and transcriptional regulations. The proposed method can well excavate crucial genes through RNA-seq data, which have implications in breeding of new varieties with improved drought tolerance.


UK's fruit and vegetable supply increasingly dependent on imports from climate vulnerable producing countries.
Domestic contribution to total fruit and vegetable supply in the UK decreased from 42% in 1987 to 22% in 2013. The impact of this changing pattern of UK fruit and vegetable imports, from countries with different vulnerabilities to projected climate change, on the resilience of the UK food system is currently unknown. Here, we used the UN FAO bilateral trade database over a period of 27 years to estimate changes in fruit and vegetable supply in the UK, and the NDGAIN climate vulnerability categories to assess the climate vulnerability of countries supplying fruit and vegetables to the UK. The diversity of fruit and vegetable supply has increased from 21 crops, comprising the top 80% of all fruit and vegetables supplied to the UK in 1987, to 34 crops in 2013. The contribution of tropical fruits has rapidly increased while that of more traditional vegetables, such as cabbages and carrots, has declined. The proportion of fruit and vegetables supplied to the UK market from climate vulnerable countries increased from 20% in 1987 to 32% in 2013. Sensitivity analyses - using climatic and freshwater availability indicators - supported these findings. Increased reliance on fruit and vegetable imports from climate vulnerable countries could negatively affect the availability, price and consumption of fruit and vegetables in the UK, affecting dietary intake and health particularly of older people and low-income households. Inter-sectoral actions across agriculture, health, environment, and trade are critical in both the UK and countries that export to the UK to increase the resilience of the food system, and support population health.


Association of Perioperative Myocardial Injury with 30-Day and Long-Term Mortality in Older Adult Patients Undergoing Orthopedic Surgery in China.
BACKGROUND Myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS) is common and associated with postoperative mortality. We assessed MINS occurrence and association with 30-day and long-term mortality in older adult patients undergoing orthopedic surgery in China. MATERIAL AND METHODS This was a retrospective study of consecutive patients who underwent orthopedic surgery between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2017, at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital. MINS was defined as postoperative troponin I peak elevation above the 99th percentile upper reference limit (>0.034 µg/L) within 30 days after surgery. Outcomes were 30-day postoperative mortality and long-term all-cause mortality. RESULTS From 34 901 patients, 5897 (16.9%) had serial troponin I measurements, and 266 (4.5%) had MINS after surgery. Mean patient age was 71.1±9.2 years; 32.9% were male. Among patients with MINS, 180 had myocardial infarction (MI) (3.2%). Patients with MI had higher 30-day and long-term mortality than those without MI (8.9% vs 1.2%; P<0.016 and 18.9% vs 3.5%; P=0.001). Male sex (OR 5.87, 95% CI 1.75-19.67; P=0.004), RCRI ≥2 (OR 5.05, 95% CI 1.67-15.31; P=0.004), and MI (OR 9.13, 95% CI 1.13-73.63; P=0.011) were independently associated with 30-day mortality. Age (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03-1.11; P=0.001), male sex (HR 2.96, 95% CI 1.51-5.80; P=0.002), RCRI ≥2 (HR 2.01, 95% CI 1.03-3.94; P=0.041), orthopedic trauma (HR 3.40, 95% CI 1.00-11.44; P=0.049), and MI (HR 7.33, 95% CI 2.22-24.20; P=0.001) were predictors of 2-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS Perioperative MI was independently associated with 30-day and long-term mortality after orthopedic surgery, providing a potential indicator of high risk of mortality in patients who could benefit from targeted prevention and intervention.


Effects of some pyrazinecarboxamides on sodium transport in frog skin.
1 The inhibitory effect of amiloride (N-amidino-3,5-diamino-6-chloropyrazinecarboxamide) on sodium transport in isolated skin of frog has been compared with 17 of its analogues. The dissociation constant of amiloride for passive sodium channels was 181.9 +/- 8.9 nM, and the maximal percentage inhibition of sodium transport was 101.3 +/- 0.4% (means of 123 measurements) when measured at a sodium concentration of 111 mM. 2 The N-benzylamidino and N-o-chlorobenzylamidino compounds had affinities approximately 20 times larger than those for amiloride, and produced maximal inhibition of transport. 3 Substitution of chlorine in the 6-position by other halogens showed that the bromo-compound was equally active to amiloride, whereas the iodo derivative had an affinity equal to 15% of that for amiloride. 4 Substitution in the 5-amino group in 10 compounds reduced the affinities to less than 1% of that of amiloride, without affecting their ability to produce complete inhibition of transport. 5 N-Amidino-3,5-diaminopyrazinecarboxamide was unique in that it produced an unusual concentration-response relationship.


The effect of compression on clinical diagnosis of glaucoma based on non-analyzed confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy images.
To evaluate the effect of different image compression formats of non-analyzed Heidelberg Retina Tomography (HRT; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) images on the diagnosis of glaucoma by ophthalmologists. Thirty-three topographic and reflectance images taken with the HRT representing different levels of disease were transformed using nine different compression formats. Three independent ophthalmologists, masked as to contour line and stereometric parameters, classified the original and compressed HRT images as normal, suspected glaucoma, or glaucoma, and Kappa agreement coefficients were calculated. The Tagged Image File Format had the largest file size and the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) 2000 format had the smallest size. The highest Kappa coefficient value was 1.00 for all ophthalmologists using the Tagged Image File Format. Kappa values for JPEG formats were all in the range of good to excellent agreement. Kappa values were lower for Portable Network Graphic and Graphics Interchange Format compression formats. Image compression with JPEG 2000 at a ratio of 20:1 provided sufficient quality for glaucoma analysis in conjunction with a relatively small image size format, and may prove to be attractive for HRT telemedicine applications. Further clinical studies validating the usefulness of interpreting non-analyzed HRT images are required.


The Role of Language in Structuring Social Networks Following Market Integration in a Yucatec Maya Population.
Language is the human universal mode of communication, and is dynamic and constantly in flux accommodating user needs as individuals interface with a changing world. However, we know surprisingly little about how language responds to market integration, a pressing force affecting indigenous communities worldwide today. While models of culture change often emphasize the replacement of one language, trait, or phenomenon with another following socioeconomic transitions, we present a more nuanced framework. We use demographic, economic, linguistic, and social network data from a rural Maya community that spans a 27-year period and the transition to market integration. By adopting this multivariate approach for the acquisition and use of languages, we find that while the number of bilingual speakers has significantly increased over time, bilingualism appears stable rather than transitionary. We provide evidence that when indigenous and majority languages provide complementary social and economic payoffs, both can be maintained. Our results predict the circumstances under which indigenous language use may be sustained or at risk. More broadly, the results point to the evolutionary dynamics that shaped the current distribution of the world's linguistic diversity.


Covid-19 and school closure: Examining the impact on private mid-range and low-fee private basic schools in Ghana.
The Covid-19 lockdown implemented globally to prevent the spread of the virus has led to the closure of schools. However, insight into the impact of the lockdown on private schools and the responses it has elicited is limited, especially across the African continent. This article examines the impact of the lockdown on private basic schools in Ghana and how they responded to the closure. Following "organizational ambidexterity" and qualitative interviews with nine proprietors of private schools in Ghana, the study found that the schools' closure had a negative impact on private basic schools in five crucial ways: disruption to teaching and learning, difficulty in retrieving unpaid teaching fees, inability to pay staff salaries and statutory payments, underutilization of existing assets, and the cost of storing unused stock. The article offers suggestions to the government to support private schools that are broadening educational access at thin profit margins.


Water quality and trace metal distribution in a pristine Lake in the Lake basin in Kenya.
Water and surface sediment samples taken from various locations within Lake Kanyaboli in the Lake Victoria basin were analysed to determine the concentration and distribution of heavy metals. There were wide ranges in concentrations of the metals among the sampling points analysed. Sediment concentrations (microg/g dry weight) ranged from n.d.-2.54 (Ag), 0.25-1.08 (Cd), 0.89-1.64 (Co), 3.7-7.73 (Cr), 1.80-30.27 (Cu), 1073-2627 (Mn), 22.61-55.60 (Ni), 11.42-153.9 (Pb), 40.46-154.7 (Sn) and 65.0-146.5 (Zn). Dissolved metal concentrations (microg/L) ranged from n.d.-9.22 (Ag), n.d.-5.54 (Cd), n.d.-8.30 (Co), 5.26-60.82 (Cr), 10.96-43.11 (Cu), 184.7-375.9 (Mn), 1.84-38.3 (Ni), 5.98-47.77 (Pb), n.d.-540.6 (Sn) and 14.5-55.9 (Zn). Compared with WHO standards and other freshwaters worldwide, this lake was found to be unpolluted, with all metals, except Mn, being detected at concentrations lower than the highest desirable levels and maximum permissible levels. Some of the toxic metals, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd (in sediment) and Ag, Co and Pb (in water) were detected at lower concentrations than those found in the polluted Kisumu Pier in Winam Gulf in the Lake basin, which confirms the anthropogenic influence on the latter.


Caloric consumption during early mobilisation of mechanically ventilated patients in Intensive Care Units.
To evaluate a) the magnitude of the increase in caloric consumption due to early mobilisation of patients with mechanical ventilation (MV) in Intensive Care Units (ICU) as part of routine care, b) whether there are differences in caloric consumption due to active or passive mobilisation, and c) whether early mobilisation in routine care would lead to additional nutritional requirements. Prospective, observational, multi-centre study. Medical, surgical and neurological ICUs from three centres. Patients on MV in ICU who were mobilised out of bed as part of routine care. Caloric consumption was assessed in 66 patients by indirect calorimetry at six time points: (1) lying in bed 5-10 min prior to mobilisation, (2) sitting on the edge of the bed, (3) standing beside the bed, (4) sitting in a chair, (5) lying in bed 5-10 min after mobilisation, and (6) 2 h after mobilisation. Differences in caloric consumption in every mobilisation level vs. the baseline of lying in bed were measured for 5 min and found to have increased significantly by: +0.4 (Standard Deviation (SD) 0.59) kcal while sitting on the edge of the bed, +1.5 (SD 1.26) kcal while standing in front of the bed, +0.7 (SD 0.63) kcal while sitting in a chair (all p < 0.001). Active vs. passive transfers showed a higher, but non-significant consumption. A typical sequence of mobilisation including sitting on edge of the bed, standing beside the bed, sitting in a chair (20 min) and transfer back into bed, would require an additional 4.56 kcal compared to caloric consumption without mobilisation. Based on this data, routine mobilisation of MV patients in ICU increases caloric consumption, especially in active mobilisation. Nevertheless, an additional caloric intake because of routine mobilisation does not seem to be necessary.


CYP2S1 is a synthetic lethal target in BRAFV600E-driven thyroid cancers.
BRAFV600E is the most common genetic alteration and has become a major therapeutic target in thyroid cancers; however, intrinsic feedback mechanism limited clinical use of BRAFV600E specific inhibitors. Synthetic lethal is a kind of interaction between two genes, where only simultaneously perturbing both of the genes can lead to lethality. Here, we identified CYP2S1 as a synthetic lethal partner of BRAFV600E in thyroid cancers. First, we found that CYP2S1 was highly expressed in papillary thyroid cancers (PTCs) compared to normal thyroid tissues, particularly in conventional PTCs (CPTCs) and tall-cell PTCs (TCPTCs), and its expression was positively associated with BRAFV600E mutation. CYP2S1 knockdown selectively inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tumorigenic potential in nude mice, and promoted cell apoptosis in BRAFV600E mutated thyroid cancer cells, but not in BRAF wild-type ones. Mechanistically, BRAFV600E-mediated MAPK/ERK cascade upregulated CYP2S1 expression by an AHR-dependent pathway, while CYP2S1 in turn enhanced transcriptional activity of AHR through its metabolites. This AHR/CYP2S1 feedback loop strongly amplified oncogenic role of BRAFV600E in thyroid cancer cells, thereby causing synthetic lethal interaction between CYP2S1 and BRAFV600E. Finally, we demonstrated CYP2S1 as a potential therapeutic target in both BRAFV600E-drived xenograft and transgenic mouse models by targetedly delivering CYP2S1-specific siRNA. Altogether, our data demonstrate CYP2S1 as a synthetic lethal partner of BRAFV600E in thyroid cancers, and indicate that targeting CYP2S1 will provide a new therapeutic strategy for BRAFV600E mutated thyroid cancers.


Determinants governing BRC function evaluated by mutational analysis of Brh2 in Ustilago maydis.
BRC is a short evolutionarily conserved sequence motif generally arranged in multiple tandem repeats that is present as a defining feature in members of the BRCA2 tumor suppressor protein family. From crystallographic studies of a co-complex, the human BRC4 was found to form a structural element that interacts with RAD51, a key component in the DNA repair machinery directed by homologous recombination. The BRC is distinguished by two tetrameric sequence modules with characteristic hydrophobic residues separated by an intervening spacer region marked by certain highly conserved residues forming a hydrophobic surface for interaction with RAD51. It is present as a single copy in Brh2 of Ustilago maydis, the only reported example of a fungal BRCA2 ortholog. By comparative sequence analysis, examples of BRCA2 orthologs were identified in other fungal phyla, some of which featured multiple tandem repeats like those found in mammals. An expeditious biological assay system was developed for evaluating the two-tetramer module model and assessing the importance of particular conserved amino acid residues of BRC contributing to Brh2 functionality in DNA repair. This work was aided by the finding that the human BRC4 repeat could substitute completely for the endogenous BRC element in Brh2, while the human BRC5 repeat could not. In a survey of point mutations of certain residues, certain BRC mutant variants termed antimorphs were identified that caused a DNA repair phenotype more severe than the null.


Closed oocyte vitrification and storage in an oocyte donation programme: obstetric and neonatal outcome.
Does closed oocyte vitrification in an oocyte donation programme have an impact on obstetric and neonatal outcome? Obstetric and neonatal outcomes after closed system vitrification of donor oocytes appear to be reassuring. The use of fresh oocytes has not been proved to be superior to the use of vitrified donor oocytes in terms of survival, embryo development and clinical pregnancies. Those studies used open devices to prove the non-superiority. Very limited information is available on the comparison of open and closed devices, and the results for survival, embryo development and pregnancy outcomes are conflicting. Data on obstetric and neonatal outcome from vitrified oocytes are scarce. Only one large report is available after the use of donor oocytes vitrified with an open device. Retrospective observational study performed at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel, Belgium. All 117 oocyte recipient cycles between March 2010 and August 2014 with the use of a closed vitrification device and leading to a pregnancy beyond 20 weeks were included in this study. All recipient warming cycles with a pregnancy beyond 20 weeks from vitrified donor oocytes: results from the fresh embryo transfers. For 117 recipient cycles, a total of 793 oocytes were warmed of which 657 (82.8%) survived and 499 (76.0%) were fertilized. Nineteen single and 98 double embryo transfers led to 95 singleton and 22 twin pregnancies. Hypertensive disorders, haemorrhages and gestational diabetes were reported in 22/112 (19.6%), 30/112 (26.8%) and 13/112 (11.6%) of the pregnancies, respectively. No major adverse neonatal outcomes were observed. Congenital malformations were observed in 11 out of 139 children; for one an elective termination was performed at 25 weeks. Since March 2010, almost all oocytes for donation are vitrified in our centre. Therefore, no recent data are available to control the outcomes of fresh oocyte donations. The reassuring results obtained in the current study show that closed system vitrification devices for donor oocytes may be used as an alternative to open devices which have been linked to possible cross-contamination issues. None. N/A.


Dynamic Transcriptome-Proteome Correlation Networks Reveal Human Myeloid Differentiation and Neutrophil-Specific Programming.
Human neutrophilic granulocytes form the largest pool of innate immune cells for host defense against bacterial and fungal pathogens. The dynamic changes that accompany the metamorphosis from a proliferating myeloid progenitor cell in the bone marrow into a mature non-dividing polymorphonuclear blood cell have remained poorly defined. Using mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics combined with transcriptomic data, we report on the dynamic changes of five developmental stages in the bone marrow and blood. Integration of transcriptomes and proteome unveils highly dynamic and differential interactions between RNA and protein kinetics during human neutrophil development, which can be linked to functional maturation of typical end-stage blood neutrophil killing activities.


Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in normotensive individuals undergoing two single exercise sessions: resistive exercise training and aerobic exercise training.
To assess the influence of 2 single exercise sessions on blood pressure in sedentary normotensive individuals: one of resistive exercise training (circuit weight training) and the other of aerobic exercise training. Using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, this study assessed 25 individuals as follows: in a controlled situation at rest (ABPM 1); after resistive exercise training (ABPM 2); and after aerobic exercise training (ABPM 3). Resistive exercise training was performed as circuit weight training with an intensity of 40% of each individual's maximum strength. The aerobic exercise training was performed on a cycloergometer with intensity between 60% and 70% of the maximum heart rate (HR) reached during previous exercise testing. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) values during 24 hours and during subperiods of wakefulness and sleep showed no statistically significant variations when the results obtained at rest were compared with those of ABPM2 and ABPM3, and when the results of ABPM2 were compared with those of ABPM3. The mean heart rate during 24 hours and in the wakefulness period showed significant increases (P<0.05), when ABPM2 was compared with ABPM3. A single session of resistive exercise training in normotensive individuals was sufficient to cause significant reductions in blood pressure levels after exercise in the period of sleep. The session of aerobic exercise training in these same individuals was more effective in significantly reducing blood pressure levels.


A Signature of Attention-Elicited Electrocortical Activity Distinguishes Response From Non-Response to the Non-Stimulant Atomoxetine in Children and Adolescents With ADHD.
Atomoxetine has several characteristics that make it an attractive alternative to stimulants for treating ADHD, but there are currently no tests identifying individuals for whom the medication should be a first-line option. Within the ADHD Controlled Trial Investigation Of a Non-stimulant (ACTION) study, we examined neuro-cortical activity in 52 youth with ADHD. Baseline event-related potentials (ERP) were compared between those who subsequently responded to 6 weeks of atomoxetine versus those who did not. Responders were distinguished by significantly lower auditory oddball N2 amplitudes than both non-responders and typically developing controls, particularly in the right frontocentral region ( p = .002, Cohen's d = 1.1). Leave-one-out cross validation determined that N2 amplitude in this region was able to accurately predict non-responders with a specificity of 80.8%. There were no P3 differences between responders and non-responders. The N2 amplitude is a biomarker that may have utility in predicting response to atomoxetine for youth with ADHD.


Effects of halothane and sevoflurane on inhibitory neurotransmission to medullary expiratory neurons in a decerebrate dog model.
In canine expiratory bulbospinal neurons, 1 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) halothane and sevoflurane reduced the glutamatergic excitatory drive at a presynaptic site and enhanced the overall gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated inhibitory input. The authors investigated if this inhibitory enhancement was mainly caused by postsynaptic effects. Two separate anesthetic studies were performed in two sets of decerebrate, vagotomized, paralyzed, and mechanically ventilated dogs during hypercapnic hyperoxia. The effect of 1 MAC halothane or sevoflurane on extracellularly recorded neuronal activity was measured during localized picoejection of the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol and the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline. Complete blockade of GABAA-mediated inhibition with bicuculline was used to assess the prevailing overall inhibitory input to the neuron. The neuronal response to muscimol was used to estimate the anesthetic effect on postsynaptic GABAA receptor function. Halothane at 1 MAC depressed the spontaneous activity of 12 expiratory neurons 22.2 +/- 14.8% (mean +/- SD) and overall glutamatergic excitation 14.5 +/- 17.9%. Overall GABA-mediated inhibition was enhanced 14.1 +/- 17.9% and postsynaptic GABAA receptor function 74.2 +/- 69.2%. Sevoflurane at 1 MAC depressed the spontaneous activity of 23 neurons 20.6 +/- 19.3% and overall excitation 10.6 +/- 21.7%. Overall inhibition was enhanced 15.4 +/- 34.0% and postsynaptic GABAA receptor function 65.0 +/- 70.9%. The effects of halothane and sevoflurane were not statistically different. Halothane and sevoflurane at 1 MAC produced a small increase in overall inhibition of expiratory premotor neuronal activity. The increase in inhibition results from a marked enhancement of postsynaptic GABAA receptor function that is partially offset by a reduction in presynaptic inhibitory input by the anesthetics.


Characteristics of intestinal-related lymphoid hyperplasia in children and its correlation with intussusception of children.
Primary intussusception in children is a common acute abdominal disease. The cause of this disease is still not fully understood. Many articles have reported that children with intussusception are often accompanied by hyperplasia of mesenteric lymph nodes and submucosal lymphoid tissue of the terminal ileum. Therefore, hyperplasia of intestinal-associated lymphoid tissue (mesenteric lymph nodes and submucosal lymphoid tissue of the intestinal tract) may be one of the main causes of intussusception. However, the characteristics and differences of intestinal-associated lymphoid tissues in healthy children and children with intussusception at different ages have not been reported. In addition, the relationship between mesenteric lymph nodes and intestinal submucosal lymphatic tissue also needs to be further understood. 73 patients with intussusception during the recovery phase who were treated in our hospital from October 2019 to October 2021 were collected as the observation group, while 101 children with healthy physical examination or diseases unrelated to intestinal lymphoid hyperplasia were collected as the control group. They were divided into different age groups of 1-6 months, 7-12 months, 13-18 months, 19-24 months, 25-36 months, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, and 7-8 years old. Ultrasonography was used to explore and scan mesenteric lymph nodes in fixed areas of the right lower abdomen and around the umbilicus. The size (cm3) and number (n) of detectable lymph nodes in each region were recorded and calculated, and the total mesenteric lymph node volume (cm3) of the right lower abdomen (RLTMLNV) and periumbilical region (PTMLNV) was calculated, respectively. The total mesenteric lymph node volume of each region in different ages of the two groups was analyzed. (1) There were significant differences between the control group and the observation group in the right lower abdominal total mesenteric lymph nodes volume (RLTMLNV) and the periumbilical total mesenteric lymph nodes volume (PTMLNV) (P = 0.001). The mesenteric lymph nodes in the observation group showed severe hyperplasia. (2) Children with intussusceptions are usually accompanied by severe mesenteric lymphoid hyperplasia. The mean volume value of RLTMLNV was greater than that of PTMLNV. Especially within 2 years of age, the mean value of RLTMLNV was significantly higher than that of PTMLNV with statistical significance (P < 0.05). (3) In normal children (control group), lymph nodes in the right lower abdomen and periumbilical area showed low hyperplasia, and there was a significant difference between age groups of < 2 years old and 2-8 years old (p = 0.001). In the children with intussusception (observation group), the hyperplasia of mesenteric lymph nodes in the right lower abdomen and around the umbilicus was severe. There was no significant difference in the proliferation of mesenteric lymphoid tissue among different age groups in the right lower abdomen (P = 0.834). There was also no significant difference in hyperplasia of periumbilical mesenteric lymphoid tissue among different age groups (P = 0.097). Our research shows: (1) The occurrence of primary intussusception in children is related to the hyperplasia of intestinal-associated lymphoid tissue. (2) Children with intussusceptions were usually accompanied by severe mesenteric lymphoid hyperplasia. The mesenteric lymphoid hyperplasia was more evident in the right lower abdominal ileocecal area than in the periumbilical area before 2 years of age. RLTMLNV has better predictability of intussusception than PTMLNV. The occurrence of intussusceptions was more closely related to the hyperplasia of intestinal-associated lymphoid tissue in the right lower abdomen. (3) Normal children showed a low degree of mesenteric lymphoid hyperplasia before 2 years old, moderate hyperplasia after 2 years old, and mesenteric lymphoid hyperplasia in the right lower abdominal ileocecal area was basically the same as the periumbilical area. The lymphatic tissue of the right lower abdomen and periumbilical mesentery in children with intussusceptions showed severe hyperplasia, and there were no significant differences among different age groups.


Vacuum-assisted closure for the treatment of parastomal skin necrosis: a novel approach to an unusual complication. Report of a case.
Extensive peristomal skin necrosis is an unusual complication, which is difficult to manage because of frequent contamination from the stoma site. This wound leads to difficulty in applying the stoma appliance. This case report describes the successful use of the vacuum-assisted closure system in the management of a patient who developed peristomal skin necrosis after emergency Hartmann's procedure.


Kinder- und Jugendgynakologiekongresse. bericht der osterreichischen arbeitsgemeinschaft fur kinder- und jugendgyn akologie, sektion der osterreichischen gesellschaft fur gyn akologie und geburtshilfe
Leider besteht fur diesen Artikel keine Zusammenfassung. Als Einstieg stellen wir den Textanfang zur Verfugung. Vom 20. bis 22. Februar 1998 fand das 3. Berliner Symposium fur Kinder- und Jugendgynakologie statt; Veranstalter war die Deutsche Arbeitsgemeinschaft Kinder- und Jugendgynakologie in Zusammenarbeit mit der Osterreichischen und Schweizerischen Arbeitsgemeinschaft Kinder- und Jugendgynakologie. Das Symposium wurde in bewahrter Form von Marlene Heinz organisiert und war wieder ein grosser Erfolg, gekennzeichnet durch einen ausgezeichneten Besuch.


Structure-function analysis of a lupus anti-DNA autoantibody: central role of the heavy chain complementarity-determining region 3 Arg in binding of double- and single-stranded DNA.
To determine the contribution of the somatic point mutations and that of the complementarity-determining region (CDR)3 Arg to DNA binding, we engineered the germline V(H) and V(kappa) gene revertant and site-mutagenized the CDR3 Arg residues of the mutated and "antigen-selected" mAb 412.67. This anti-DNA autoantibody was derived from B-1 cells of a lupus patient and bore two H-CDR3 Arg, Arg105 and Arg107, encoded by N segment additions, and one kappa-CDR3 Arg, Arg97, resulting from a point mutation (Kasaian et al. 1994. J. Immunol. 152: 3137-3151; Kasaian et al. 1995. Ann. N.Y Acad. Sci. 764: 410-423). The germ-line revertant bound double-stranded (ds) DNA and single-stranded (ss) DNA as effectively as its wild-type counterpart (relative avidity: 6.4x10(-7) and 9.9x10(-9) vs. 6.7x10(-7) and 9.1 x10(-9) g/microl), raising the possibility that an antigen other than DNA was responsible for the selection of the mAb 412.67 V(H) and V(kappa) point mutations. H-CDR3 Arg105 and Arg107 were both required for dsDNA binding, but either Arg105 or Arg107 was sufficient for ssDNA binding. The central role of Arg105 and Arg107 in DNA binding reflected their solvent-exposed orientation at the apex of the H-CDR3 main loop. Consistent with its inward orientation afar from the antigen-binding surface, the kappa-CDR3 Arg97 played no role in either dsDNA or ssDNA binding.


Time-resolved optical spectroscopy and structural dynamics following photodissociation of carbonmonoxyhemoglobin.
A summary is presented of our current understanding of the kinetics of ligand rebinding and conformational changes at room temperature following photodissociation of the carbon monoxide complex of hemoglobin with pulsed lasers. The events which occur subsequent to excitation have been followed over 12 decades in time, from about 100 fs to the completion of ligand rebinding at about 100 ms. Experiments with picosecond and subpicosecond lasers by others, together with molecular dynamics simulations, indicate that by 1 ns the deoxyhemoglobin photoproduct is in a thermally equilibrated ground electronic state, so that subsequent processes are unaffected by the initial laser excitation. The principal results have been obtained from time-resolved optical absorption spectroscopy using a sensitive nanosecond laser spectrometer. Five relaxations have been observed which are interpreted as geminate rebinding at about 50 ns that competes with motion of the ligand away from the heme which produces a tertiary conformational change, a second tertiary conformational change at 0.5-1 microseconds, transition from the R to T quaternary structure at about 20 microseconds, and overall bimolecular rebinding of ligands from the solvent to the R and T quaternary structures at about 200 microseconds and 10 ms. Assuming that the dissociation pathway in photolysis experiments is the reverse of the association pathway, we find that for the R state there is a 40% probability that the ligand will bind to the heme after entering the protein, and a 60% probability that it will return to the solvent. Studies on the alpha-subunit of an iron-cobalt hybrid hemoglobin indicate that carbon monoxide enters the protein at the same rate for both R and T quaternary structures. For the alpha-subunit in the T state the probability of binding after entry is much lower, and the ligand returns to the solvent more than 99% of the time, accounting for the 60-fold overall lower association rate. This decreased probability of binding results from a decreased rate of binding to the heme from within the protein, and not an increased rate of return to the solvent. There are still unresolved problems on the basic structural description of carbon monoxide binding and dissociation, particularly the functional significance of the tertiary relations in both the R and T states, and the precise number of kinetic barriers within the protein.


Data for Politics: Creating an International Research Infrastructure Measuring Democracy.
Questions such as how democratic a country is, how free are its media, or how independent is its judiciary are highly important to researchers and decision makers. We describe a research infrastructure that produces the world's largest dataset on democracy, governance, human rights, and related topics. The dataset is far more resolved and accurate than previous efforts, currently covers 202 political units from 1789 until the present, and is regularly updated each spring. The infrastructure involves an online survey of over 3,000 experts from 180 countries. Survey design and advanced statistical techniques are crucial for assuring data validity. The infrastructure also provides reports and analyses based on the data and easy-to-use tools for exploring and graphing the data.


Neurohormonal and inflammatory markers as predictors of short-term outcome in patients with heart failure and cardiac resynchronization therapy.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy is a modality with proven morbidity and mortality benefit in advanced systolic heart failure. Nevertheless, not all patients respond favorably to CRT. Natriuretic peptides and inflammatory markers are elevated in congestive heart failure and reflect disease severity. To test whether an early change in neurohormonal and inflammatory markers after implantation can predict the clinical response to CRT. The study group included 32 patients with advanced symptomatic systolic heart failure and a prolonged QRS complex who were assigned to undergo CRT. Baseline plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide and high sensitivity C-reactive protein were determined in the peripheral venous blood and coronary sinus, Post-implantation levels were determined 2 weeks post-procedure in the PVB. Baseline levels and their change in 2 weeks were correlated with all-cause mortality and hospitalization for congestive heart failure. At baseline, coronary sinus levels of BNP but not hsCRP were significantly elevated compared to the PVB. Compared to baseline levels, BNP and hsCRP decreased significantly within 2 weeks after the implantation (BNP mean difference 229.1 +/- 102.5 pg/ml, 95% confidence interval 24.2-434, P< 0.0001; hsCRP mean difference 5.2 +/- 2.4 mg/dl, 95% CI 0.3-10.1, P= 0.001). During a mean follow-up of 17.7 +/- 8.2 months 6 patients died (18.7%) and 12 (37.5%) were hospitalized due to exacerbation of CHF. Baseline New York Heart Association and CSBNP levels predicted CHF-related hospitalizations. HsCRP levels or their change over 2 weeks did not predict all-cause mortality or hospitalizations. BNP levels in the CS and peripheral venous blood during biventricular implantation and 2 weeks afterwards predict clinical response and may guide patient management.


Comparison of multislice computed tomography and endoscopic ultrasonography with operative and histological findings in suspected pancreatic and periampullary malignancy.
This study compared multislice computed tomography (MSCT) with endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic and periampullary malignancy. Data were collected prospectively on patients having MSCT and EUS for suspected pancreatic and periampullary malignancy. Eighty-four patients had MSCT and EUS, of whom 35 underwent operative assessment (29 resections). In assessing malignancy, there was no significant difference between MSCT and EUS, and agreement was good (82 per cent, kappa = 0.49); the sensitivity and specificity of MSCT were 97 and 87 per cent, compared with 95 and 52 per cent respectively for EUS (P = 0.264). For portal vein/superior mesenteric vein invasion, MSCT was superior (P = 0.017) and agreement was moderate (72 per cent, kappa = 0.42); the sensitivity and specificity were 88 and 92 per cent for MSCT, and 50 and 83 per cent for EUS. For resectability, there was no significant difference and agreement was good (78 per cent, kappa = 0.51). EUS had an impact on the management of 14 patients in whom MSCT suggested benign disease or equivocal resectability. MSCT is the imaging method of choice for pancreatic and periampullary tumours. Routine EUS should be reserved for those with borderline resectability on MSCT.


Time from ACL injury to reconstruction and the prevalence of additional intra-articular pathology: is patient age an important factor?
Meniscus and cartilage lesions have been reported to be prevalent during delayed reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Relatively, little work has been done exploring the influence of patient age on this relationship. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the effect of time from ACL injury to reconstruction on the prevalence of associated meniscal and chondral injury is influenced by patient age. It was hypothesized that patients in whom the time from ACL injury to reconstruction exceeds 12 weeks will exhibit an increased prevalence of medial compartment pathology relative to those reconstructed within 12 weeks of injury in patients of all ages. Data detailing time from ACL injury to reconstruction and the prevalence of intra-articular findings were obtained in 311 of 489 consecutive patients undergoing primary isolated ACL reconstruction. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether the time from ACL injury to reconstruction was <12 weeks or at least 12 weeks. The prevalence of associated intra-articular injury was then compared between the two groups. Patients were then stratified based on age (22 years and under vs. over the age of 22), and the analysis was repeated on both groups. Analysis of all patients together revealed a significantly higher prevalence of medial meniscus injury (p = 0.013) and medial compartment chondral injury (p < 0.0005) in patients in whom the time from ACL injury to reconstruction exceeded 12 weeks. The prevalence of lateral meniscal injury did not increase with increasing time ACL injury to surgery. Among patients aged 22 years and under, there was no increase in the prevalence of intra-articular pathology in any compartment in the late reconstruction group. In contrast, among patients over the age of 22, there was a significant increase in the prevalence of medial chondral injury (p = 0.042) in the late reconstruction group. The prevalence of injuries to the meniscus and articular cartilage in the medial compartment of the knee is increased with increasing time from ACL injury to reconstruction. This relationship may vary depending on patient age. Patients over the age of 22 exhibit a higher prevalence of intra-articular injury with delayed reconstruction, while no such differences are noted among younger patients. Retrospective comparative study, level III.