Granules of immune cells are the source of organelles in the regenerated nerves of crayfish antennae.
Regeneration refers to the regrowing and replacing of injured or lost body parts. Crayfish antennae are nervous organs that are crucial for perceiving environmental signals. Immune cells (hemocytes) are responsible for neurogenesis in crayfish. Here, we used transmission electron microscopy to investigate at ultrastructural levels the potential roles of immune cells in nerve regeneration in crayfish antennae after amputation. The results showed that, while all three types of hemocytes were observed during nerve regeneration, granules of semi-granulocytes and granulocytes are the main sources of new organelles such as mitochondria, the Golgi apparatus and nerve fibres in the regenerated nerves of crayfish antennae. We describe the transformation of immune cell granules into different organelles in the regenerating nerve at ultrastructural levels. Also, we observed that the regeneration process speeds up after crayfish moulting. In conclusion, the granules are compacted packages of versatile materials carried by immune cells and can be converted into different organelles during nerve regeneration in crayfish antennae.


Targeted Analysis of Three Hormonal Systems Identifies Molecules Associated with the Presence and Severity of NAFLD.
To investigate circulating levels and liver gene expression of 3 hormonal pathways associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and inflammation to identify leads towards potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We compared circulating levels of (1) proglucagon-derived hormones (glucagon-like peptide [GLP]-1, GLP-2, glicentin, oxyntomodulin, glucagon, major proglucagon fragment [MPGF]), (2) follistatins-activins (follistatin-like [FSTL]3, activin B), (3) IGF axis (insulin-like growth factor [IGF]-1, total and intact IGF binding protein [IGFBP]-3 and IGFBP-4, and pregnancy-associated plasma protein [PAPP]-A) in 2 studies: (1) 18 individuals with early stage NAFLD versus 14 controls (study 1; early NAFLD study) and in (2) 31 individuals with biopsy proven NAFLD (15 with simple steatosis [SS] and 16 with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH]), vs 50 controls (24 lean and 26 obese) (study 2). Liver gene expression was assessed in 22 subjects (12 controls, 5 NASH, 5 NASH-related cirrhosis). Patients in early stages of NAFLD demonstrate higher fasting MPGF and lower incremental increase of glicentin during oral glucose tolerance test than controls. In more advanced stages, FSTL3 levels are higher in NASH than simple steatosis and, within NAFLD patients, in those with more severe lobular and portal inflammation. The IGF-1/intact IGFBP-3 ratio is lower in patients with liver fibrosis. Genes encoding follistatin, activin A, activin B, and the IGF-1 receptor are higher in NASH. MPGF and glicentin may be involved in early stages of NAFLD, whereas FSTL3 and IGF-1/intact IGFBP3 in the progression to NASH and liver fibrosis respectively, suggesting potential as diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets.


Longitudinal Changes in Bone Mineral Measurements Inside and Outside Radiation Fields Used for Cervical Cancer Treatment.
We compared the magnitude of changes in bone mineral density (BMD), within and outside the radiation field, among women who received pelvic radiation therapy (RT) with or without chemotherapy for cervical cancer. In this secondary analysis of a prospective study, we analyzed serial computed tomography scans and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans from 78 patients who received definitive RT or chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for cervical cancer at a single institution from 2008 to 2015. BMD values at L1, L2, L3, and L4 were measured. We compared changes in BMD within the radiation field (ie, at L4) with those outside the field (ie, at L1). Linear mixed models were also used to examine the effect of RT on changes in BMD over time and covariate adjustment. The median age of the 78 patients was 45.5 years (range, 23-88 years); all received RT and 76 (97%) received concurrent CRT. Treatment was associated with significant declines in BMD in all 4 lumbar vertebral bodies over time (P < .05), with nadir at 3 months for L4 and at 1 year for L1. Pairwise comparisons at 3 months and 2 years after treatment indicated that BMD in L4 (within the RT field) had improved (P = .037), but BMD in L1 (outside the RT field) was no different at 3 months and 2 years. Significant BMD declines were observed in all lumbar vertebral bodies immediately after RT. However, in-field vertebral bodies reached nadir BMD earlier than those located outside the RT field. Our results suggest that treatment and patient-related factors other than RT may contribute to declines in BMD after treatment for cervical cancer. Routine bone density screening and post-RT therapy with hormones may be beneficial for selected patients who receive CRT for cervical cancer.


Failure of captopril to prevent nitrate tolerance in congestive heart failure secondary to coronary artery disease.
The possible role of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition in preventing or minimizing tolerance to intravenous nitroglycerin in severe congestive heart failure (CHF) was studied by quantitating the degree of tolerance in 12 patients receiving nitroglycerin (group 1) and in 9 patients (group 2) receiving nitroglycerin and concurrent treatment with captopril (60 +/- 29 mg/day). At peak effect, nitroglycerin produced almost identical hemodynamic changes in both groups, with significant decreases in right atrial and pulmonary arterial wedge pressure, systolic blood pressure and systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances. Cardiac index increased. The extent of nitrate tolerance was calculated for each hemodynamic parameter as the percentage loss of the peak effect achieved by the drug. At 24 hours, 98 +/- 80% of the benefit achieved with respect to right atrial pressure was lost in group 1 and 61 +/- 74% in group 2 (group 1 vs 2, difference not significant). For pulmonary arterial wedge pressure, 51 +/- 31% (group 1) and 85 +/- 53% (group 2) (difference not significant) of the effect was lost, and for cardiac index, 53 +/- 58% (group 1) and 54 +/- 44% (group 2) (difference not significant). Tolerance was also almost identical regarding systolic blood pressure and systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance. Thus, the extent of tolerance to high-dose intravenous nitroglycerin in CHF was unaltered by administration of captopril, indicating that in clinical dosage, counter-regulatory neurohumoral mechanisms involving the renin-angiotensin system appear to be unimportant in its development.


Efficacy of vacuum-assisted closure therapy on rehabilitation during the treatment for surgical site infection after cardiovascular surgery.
Surgical site infection (SSI) after cardiovascular procedures is a severe complication, potentially leading to high morbidity and mortality. In addition, during the treatment of SSI, rehabilitation is delayed, which can severely impair postoperative recovery. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy on rehabilitation during the treatment of SSI after cardiovascular surgery. From January 2008 to March 2015, 10 patients underwent VAC therapy for SSI after cardiovascular operations. The patient characteristics, duration of VAC therapy, time interval from the implementation of VAC to physical therapy (PT) (T1), ambulation (T2) and walking (T3), functional independent measure (FIM), and maximum consecutive walking capacity (MCWC) were retrospectively analyzed. Nine patients underwent mid-sternal incision and one patient underwent thoraco-abdominal incision. The mean time interval from the beginning of VAC therapy to PT, ambulation, and walking was 0.38 ± 0.50, 0.63 ± 0.71, and 1.38 ± 1.86 days, respectively. The average FIM was 84.5 ± 14.0 at the beginning of VAC therapy and 106.7 ± 18.5 at the end of VAC therapy (P = 0.000494). On average, MCWC was 52.3 ± 54.6 m at the installation of VAC therapy and 189.7 ± 152.8 m at the completion of VAC therapy (P = 0.0169). FIM and MCWC improvement rate was better in VAC group than non-VAC group although these data are not suitable for statistical analysis because of a small sample size. Although further studies are warranted, VAC therapy may have a role in facilitating rehabilitation and improving the prognosis of SSI cases after major cardiovascular operations.


Corneal Confocal Microscopy Abnormalities in Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes.
Utility of corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) without neuropathic symptoms or signs and minimal abnormality in large and small nerve fiber function tests remains largely undetermined. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of CCM in comparison to thermal detection thresholds (TDT) testing and nerve conduction studies (NCS) for detecting neuropathy in children with T1DM. A cohort of children and adolescents with T1DM (n = 51) and healthy controls (n = 50) underwent evaluation for symptoms and signs of neurological deficits, including warm detection threshold, cold detection threshold, vibration perception threshold, NCS, and CCM. Children with T1DM had no or very minimal neuropathic symptoms and deficits based on the Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score, yet NCS abnormalities were present in 18 (35%), small fiber dysfunction defined by an abnormal TDT was found in 13 (25.5%) and CCM abnormalities were present in 25 (49%). CCM was abnormal in a majority of T1DM children with abnormal TDT (12/13, 92%) and abnormal NCS (16/18, 88%). CCM additionally was able to detect small fiber abnormalities in 13/38 (34%) in T1DM with a normal TDT and in 9/33 (27%) with normal NCS. CCM was able to detect corneal nerve loss in children with and without abnormalities in TDT and NCS.


Non-specific granulomatous prostatitis.
Between 1963 and 1972, 86 patients with non-specific granulomatous prostatitis were seen. Symptomatology was suggestive of a lower urinary tract infection in the majority of the cases. The most important feature on prostatic examination was the likelihood of confusion with prostatic carcinoma. Management by whatever means yielded uniformly good results. The natural history of this disease seems to be that of gradual resolution.


Multiple batch extraction test to estimate contaminant release parameters using a Bayesian approach.
Industrial activities produce vast amounts of weakly contaminated materials which are commonly reused as filling materials on natural ground. There is a strong demand to define guidelines for the application of these materials, to estimate the leaching potential of contaminants from the materials, and to assess the potential hazard for groundwater pollution. We present a multiple batch experiment, where measurements of liquid-phase concentrations at varying liquid/solid ratios are used to estimate the total mass of contaminant that can be extracted from a contaminated material with a mild extractant like water. Furthermore, the experiment yields estimates of the isotherm describing the partitioning of the contaminant between the solid and liquid phases, and a concentration that might be expected under soil hydraulic conditions representative for the field situation. Model parameters are estimated from liquid-phase concentrations within a Bayesian framework by applying the Shuffled Complex Evolution Metropolis Algorithm (SCEM-UA), an efficient Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampler. A sensitivity analysis and inversions of synthetically generated data corrupted with noise show the general suitability of the proposed method. An uncertainty analysis for model parameters and model predictions shows the expected accuracy of the estimates. An application to concentration measurements obtained from a multiple batch extraction test illustrates the applicability of the approach for a real situation.


The foxglove, "The old woman from Shropshire" and William Withering.
Though he received his medical education in Edinburgh, William Withering was born and bred, and conducted his practice, in the Midlands of England, where he collaborated closely with medical and nonmedical colleagues who were pioneers of intellectual thought during the industrial revolution. Because of his profound botanical knowledge, he was able to identify Digitalis purpurea as the essential ingredient in a prescription dispensed by a herbalist, and systematically proceeded to show its value in patients with cardiac failure. He identified the cardinal symptoms of digitalis intoxication and worked out effective rules for the prescription of an infusion of digitalis. Withering's careful observations were also extended to botany and geology, and he was a key figure in the intellectual and scientific life of his area, a man whose legacy is not only the agent he identified but also the scrupulous way in which he evaluated it.


Supracondylar process of the humerus causing brachial artery compression and digital embolization in a fast-pitch softball player. A case report.
The supracondylar process of the humerus is a rare abnormality found in 0.4-2.7% of the population. It has been documented to cause neurovascular compression in the upper extremity owing to its local impingement on the median nerve and brachial artery at its medial location on the humerus just proximal to the elbow. The authors report the first known case of digital ischemia from embolization of thrombus caused by local compression of the brachial artery attributed to a supracondylar process.


Human health hazards of poly aromatic hydrocarbons in Nigerian smokeless tobacco.
Recently we investigated the heavy metal hazards of Nigerian smokeless tobacco products 'STP'. Since 'STPs' are advocated as safer alternatives to cigarets, the public health implication should be ascertained. This is a risk assessment of poly aromatic hydrocarbons 'PAHs' in 'STPs' used in Nigeria. Thirty 'STPs' from different parts (South East, South West, Niger Delta and North Central) of Nigeria were studied. The 15 PAHs were assayed using gas chromatographic system (6890 series and 6890 plus) equipped with a quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (Agilent 5975 MSD) after ultrasonic extraction of the 'STPs' and clean up of the extract. Toxicity equivalent of benzo[a]pyrene concentration(μg/kg) in 'STPs'were determined. The daily exposure and the cancer risk associated with exposure to STP were calculated. Sample A1 (south east) had the highest concentration of PAH 225.84 μg/kg, while sampleA3 (North central) had the least PAH concentration of 1.09 μg/kg. 'STPs' from South East showed highest levels of PAHs. The total B[a]P TEQ of the 'STPs' from the South East ranged from 0.24 to 29.23, South West ranged from 0.94 to 14.55, Niger Delta ranged from 2.28 to 22.88, and North Central ranged from 0.11 to 9.47. The calculated risk estimates for 'STPs' from the South East ranged from 5.43 E-05 to 4.50 E-07, South West 2.70 E-05 to 1.74 E-06, Niger Delta 4.30 E-05 to 4.20 E-06, and North Central 1.75 E-05 to 2.08 E0-7. Although the calculated risk estimates seem to be within or below the the U.S. EPA cancer risk range of 1 × 10-4-1 × 10-6, the total B[a]P TEQ of the STPs suggest a more indepth risk assessment in animal model to ascertain the safety of PAHs in Nigerian 'STPs'.


Border distinctness in amblyopia.
On the basis of the contrast sensitivity loss in amblyopia which mainly affects higher spatial frequencies, one would expect amblyopes to perceive sharp edges as blurred. We show that they perceive sharp edges as sharp and have veridical edge blur perception. Contrary to the currently accepted view, this suggests that the amblyopic visual system is not characterized by a blurred visual representation.


Pediatric growth hormone therapy in Greece: analysis of the Hellenic cohort of the GeNeSIS study.
To describe the data from the Greek cohort of the Genetics and Neuroendocrinology of Short Stature International Study (GeNeSIS). GeNeSIS was a prospective, open-label, multinational, observational study collecting information on clinical outcomes and treatment safety of children with growth disorders treated with growth hormone (GH), according to national indications. After informed consent, 305 patients (143 females), including 255 patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and 30 with Turner syndrome (TS), from eight investigational sites, were enrolled in Greece. Demographic data, treatment efficacy, and adverse events were reported at the discretion of attending physicians. Treatment with GH was undertaken for 247/255 patients with GHD and 29/30 with TS. The majority of patients treated with GHD (73.7%) and TS (84%) with recorded Tanner stage were prepubertal at enrolment. Among patients treated with GHD and TS, 70.45% and 55% were GH-naïve at study entry, respectively. Height standard deviation score (SDS), height velocity SDS, and height SDS-target height SDS numerically improved during the 4-year observation period. The effect of GH treatment was more prominent in the first year of treatment, especially in the GHD group. In the Greek cohort of GeNeSIS, GHD is the most frequent indication for GH treatment, followed by TS. While the latter is diagnosed somewhat earlier, GH treatment is not as efficacious as for patients with GHD. No major safety issues were reported during follow-up. The results, which are in accordance with the international literature, should be interpreted in the context of observational studies.


Two tests of peripheral blood by standard methods were negative for Von Hippel-Lindau mutations: A case report.
Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) is an autosomal dominant, inherited syndrome with variants in the VHL gene causing predisposition to multi-organ benign and malignant neoplasms. Approximately 95-100% of individuals with clinical VHL receive a positive result when they undergo standard genetic testing on DNA extracted from blood. Here, we present the case of an individual with a clinical diagnosis of VHL disease where peripheral blood DNA analysis did not detect a VHL variant. Our patient is a-38-year-old male whose chief complaints are right shoulder and back pain for almost a year. Cranial Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed multiple space occupying lesions in cerebellar hemisphere. Spine MRI showed the formation of intraspinal cavities in cervical 5 to thoracic 10 plane, enhanced lesions in the thoracic 8 vertebral plane. Abdominal MRI showed very weakly enhanced nodules on the left kidney and multiple cystic lesions of pancreas. Our case, without a family history, fulfilled clinical criteria for VHL but initially received negative germline VHL results through multigene panel testing on DNA extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. One year later, the second peripheral blood send for germline molecular genetic testing was also negative. Although the patient tested negative for the classic VHL gene, the possibility of somatic mosaicism could not be ruled out. Instead of repeating classic testing, next-generation sequencing, multi-tissue analysis or/and genetic testing of offspring is an efficient tool to identify VHL mosaic mutation.


Thermal analysis technology to utilize waste biomass and waste heat to produce high-quality combustible gas through simulations and experiments.
To ensure the proper utilization of waste biomass (WB) and high-temperature waste heat, this study proposes a new method for obtaining gaseous fuels by pyrolyzing WB and using waste heat in the converter vaporization cooling flue (CVCF). This study is theoretically based on the simulation software Factsage 6.1 and the release patterns of the gaseous products including CO, H2, CH4 and CO2 obtained from waste biomass, were studied at different temperatures and pressures. Thermogravimetric-mass spectrometer (TG-MS) was used to investigate the pyrolysis of WB at heating rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 °C/min from room temperature to 1400 °C. Kinetics parameters were calculated by using the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) models. To investigate the effects of temperature, a settling furnace was also used to simulate CVCF. Thermal decomposition produced the primary gases namely CO, CH4, and H2. Pyrolysis had an average activation energy of 183.29 kJ/mol. As the temperature increased from 800 °C to 1200 °C, the CO content increased from 39.7 % to 48.9 % and the H2 content increased from 35 % to 45.1 %. As the temperature rose from 800 to 1200 °C, the lower heating value (LHV) increased from 11.38 to 12.05 MJ/Nm3. The findings primarily confirmed the feasibility of injecting biomass into the CVCF to generate gaseous fuels from waste heat.


Microanatomy of the lung parenchyma of a tegu lizard Tupinambis nigropunctatus.
The combined techniques of light microscopy, scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy were used for the first time to study the structure of unicameral lungs of a Tegu lizard (Tupinambis nigropunctatus). The lungs are prolate spheroid bags with blood supplied by superficial branches of a dorsal pulmonary artery and returned by diffuse, more deeply located veins. The primary bronchus enters the medial aspect near the apex of the lung. The lung wall is composed of trabeculae: (1) arranged in a faviform pattern, (2) forming individual faveoli (gas exchange chambers) which appear deepest in the cranial one-half of the lung, (3) all of which have a smooth muscle core overlain by either a ciliated or nonciliated epithelium. A ciliated epithelium lines the luminal surfaces of the large primary trabeculae and parts of smaller secondary trabeculae; it is composed of cone-shaped cells with ciliated-microvillous surfaces, and of columnar serous secreting cells. Nonciliated epithelium covers the luminal surface of portions of some secondary trabeculae, abluminal surfaces of primary and secondary trabeculae and all surfaces of the small tertiary trabeculae forming the faveoli. The nonciliated epithelium overlies an extensive superficial capillary network. The blood-gas barrier (0.7-1.0 μm thick) is composed of a thin cytoplasmic flange of Type I pneumonocytes, a thick homogeneous basal lamina and an attenuated endothelial cytoplasm. Numerous surfactant-producing Type II pneumonocytes are closely associated with the Type I pneumonocytes. The nonrespiratory ciliated epithelium may function in humidification of air and clearing of the lungs.


Hormonal and social modulation of cloacal muscle activity in female Japanese quail.
Japanese quail are an important model for the discovery of neuroendocrine mechanisms of sexual behavior. In common with most birds and many other vertebrates, there are no genitalia of the mammalian kind (no phallus or vagina). Instead, close contact between the cloacal openings of the male and female is critical for successful mating. Prior research has shown that males produce distinctive rhythmic movements of the foam gland portion of the cloacal sphincter muscle (RCSMs) in response to social stimuli (presentation of a conspecific female or male). These RCSMs enhance the male's fertilization success. Females, unlike males, do not show cloacal sphincter movements to social stimuli (Experiment 1) and female cloacal sphincter muscle activity immediately following copulation does not predict fertilization success (Experiment 2). Females implanted with testosterone propionate (TP), however, show large numbers of male-typical RCSMs in response to social stimuli (Experiment 3). The results of Experiment 3 show that rhythmic movements of the cloacal sphincter muscle shown by TP-treated females are regulated by distal (visual) stimuli and therefore by the brain. They also show that the absence of socially modulated RCSMs in normal females is an activational hormone phenomenon (a sex difference produced by adult hormonal dimorphism), rather than a reflection of prior hormonal organization. These results add to an understanding of the hormonal basis of sex differences in motor mechanisms of sexual behavior in non-mammalian species.


Calreticulin-independent regulation of the platelet integrin alphaIIbbeta3 by the KVGFFKR alphaIIb-cytoplasmic motif.
The platelet integrin alphaIIbbeta3 alters conformation in response to platelet activation and ligand binding, although the molecular mechanisms involved are not known. We previously showed that a lipid modified peptide, corresponding to the membrane proximal 989KVGFFKR995 portion of the alphaIIb cytoplasmic tail, independently activates platelet alphaIIbbeta3. Calreticulin (CRT) is a potential integrin regulatory protein based on its interaction with the highly conserved alpha-integrin sequence KxGFFKR. We therefore examined the possible interaction of calreticulin and alphaIIbbeta3 in human platelets. We demonstrate that calreticulin in platelets is localised to the granulomere. In contrast, the known integrin-binding protein talin accumulates at the periphery of spreading platelets and colocalises with alphaIIbbeta3 during the process of adhesion. An interaction between calreticulin and alphaIIbbeta3 could not be demonstrated using co-immunoprecipitation techniques under various platelet activation states, even in the presence of covalent chemical crosslinkers. Thus, calreticulin does not functionally interact with the major integrin in human platelets. In order to identify proteins that interact with the integrin KVGFFKR motif we then used a peptide 'pull-down' assay from platelet lysates with biotinylated peptides and demonstrate that only the alphaIIb and beta3 subunits selectively and individually interact with this sequence. This interaction is divalent cation-dependent, has high-affinity, and occurs both with purified alphaIIbbeta3 complex and with electroeluted alpha and beta subunits. Thus, our data show that the conserved integrin KVGFFKR domain interacts primarily with the alpha and beta cytoplasmic tails and not with CRT in human platelets.


The discovery of moriniafungin, a novel sordarin derivative produced by Morinia pestalozzioides.
A novel sordarin derivative, moriniafungin (1), containing a 2-hydroxysebacic acid residue linked to C-3' of the sordarose residue of sordarin through a 1,3-dioxolan-4-one ring was isolated from the fungus Morinia pestalozzioides. Isolation of moriniafungin employed a highly specific bioassay consisting of a panel of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains containing chimeric eEF2 for Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida lusitaniae, Crytpococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus as well as wild type and human eEF2. Moriniafungin exhibited an MIC of 6 microg/mL versus Candida albicans and IC(50)'s ranging from 0.9 to 70 microg/mL against a panel of clinically relevant Candida strains. Moriniafungin was shown to inhibit in vitro translation in the chimeric S. cerevisae strains at levels consistent with the observed IC(50). Moriniafungin has the broadest antifungal spectrum and most potent activity of any natural sordarin analog identified to date.


SMARThivCD4mos: a complexity-free and cost effective model technology for monitoring HIV patients CD4 number in resource-poor settings.
We design a "simple" and "low cost" model technology for monitoring HIV patients CD4 number in resource-poor settings: SMARThivCD4mos. Cost and complexity are the major challenges to the developing world in transferring and implementing HIV surveillance technologies. We previously proposed a "three tests" combo kit model for improving HIV patients monitoring standards in resource-poor settings. From the pool of recommended alternative CD4 counting technologies, our "three tests" combo kit model retained the Capcellia technology for its "simplicity". However, compared to other CD4 counting technologies, such as Dynabeads, the Capcellia technology is "expensive". Here, we describe a cost reduction strategy of the Capcellia technology.


Purification and characterization of an antibacterial protein from haemolymph of Sarcophaga peregrina (flesh-fly) larvae.
Three antibacterial proteins were induced when the body wall of Sarcophaga peregrina (flesh-fly) larvae was injured with a hypodermic needle. These proteins were separated and one was purified to homogeneity. The molecular weight of the purified protein was 5000 and its amino acid composition was similar to that of cecropins, which are antibacterial proteins in Hyalophora cecropia (cecropia moth) pupae. This protein was found to have bactericidal activity and to be effective at a concentration of 0.1 micrograms/ml against certain Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.


Chronic scopolamine-injection-induced cognitive deficit on reward-directed instrumental learning in rat is associated with CREB signaling activity in the cerebral cortex and dorsal hippocampus.
Scopolamine, a nonselective muscarinic receptor antagonist, has been used in experimental animal models of dementia. It has been demonstrated to disrupt performances in a battery of behavioral tests. However, no attempt has been made to determine how scopolamine-treated animals would respond to a series of reward-directed instrumental learning (RDIL) tasks. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of chronic intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine in Wistar rats on RDIL, as well as on the expression of memory-related molecules in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) and cerebral cortex (CCx). The effects of the pretraining injection of scopolamine on the acquisition of instrumental response (experiment 1) were first investigated. Then, the effects of post-training manipulation on the maintenance of instrumental response and the responses to changes in contingency degradation and signal discrimination were assessed (experiment 2). Finally, the expression of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB), phosphorylated CREB, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the DH and CCx were examined using Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The acquisition of instrumental conditioning is more vulnerable than its maintenance. The 3.0-mg/kg dose of scopolamine rendered rats unable to make adaptive changes in facing contingency degradation and correct responses in signal discrimination tasks. Furthermore, CREB signaling was inactivated by pretraining scopolamine treatment in both the DH and CCx. Nevertheless, this pathway was selectively suppressed by post-training treatment only in the CCx during memory reconsolidation. The results suggest that scopolamine-induced cognitive deficits on RDIL are related to the distinguishing alteration of CREB signaling in the DH and CCx.


Second-order convergence analysis for Hall effect and electromagnetic force on ternary nanofluid flowing via rotating disk.
The purpose of this research was to estimate the thermal characteristics of tri-HNFs by investigating the impacts of ternary nanoparticles on heat transfer (HT) and fluid flow. The employment of flow-describing equations in the presence of thermal radiation, heat dissipation, and Hall current has been examined. Aluminum oxide (Al2O3), copper oxide (CuO), silver (Ag), and water (H2O) nanomolecules make up the ternary HNFs under study. The physical situation was modelled using boundary layer analysis, which generates partial differential equations for a variety of essential physical factors (PDEs). Assuming that a spinning disk is what causes the flow; the rheology of the flow is enlarged and calculated in a rotating frame. Before determining the solution, the produced PDEs were transformed into matching ODEs using the second order convergent technique (SOCT) also known as Keller Box method. Due to an increase in the implicated influencing elements, several significant physical effects have been observed and documented. For resembling the resolution of nonlinear system issues come across in rolling fluid and other computational physics fields.


[On the fauna and ecology of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in forest-steppe and steppe regions of Western Siberia].
Fauna and ecology of the mosquitoes from the southern forest-steppe (Chany Lake) and the northern steppe (Karasuksky lakes) have been investigated during 2004-2006. Species composition, dominant species, biotopical and seasonal distribution are examined. Detailed data on the biotopical and seasonal distribution, sex ratio and terms of development for the dominant species Coquillettidia richiardii (Ficalbi, 1889) are reported.


Bias in correlations from selected samples of relatives: the effects of soft selection.
Martin and Wilson (1982) describe two forms of sampling bias in twin studies. One is "hard selection," where individuals above a threshold participate, and those below do not. The second is "soft selection," where the probability of including a pair of relatives varies over the range of the character. We present an alternative model of soft selection which has strikingly different consequences for the resemblance between relatives. In general, the softer the threshold, the more the correlation resembles that in the underlying population. Results are presented where the probability of selection equals the cumulative distribution function of a normal distribution with 10% of the variance of the selected variable. In these circumstances, soft selection usually leads to less severely attenuated correlations than truncate selection.


Artificial intelligence software can generate residency application personal statements that program directors find acceptable and difficult to distinguish from applicant compositions.
Create personal statements using an artificial intelligence program for anesthesiology residency applications that residency program directors rate as acceptable. Generate two personal statements and survey program directors. Anesthesiology residency training programs. We instructed ChatGPT, a new artificial-intelligence software program, to generate two 400-word personal statements using the common applicant experiences of involvement in athletics or gourmet cooking. We sent the generated personal statements to anesthesia program directors and asked them if the statements were acceptable for application to their individual programs, to rate them as poor, good, or excellent, and determine if they could detect anything in the statements that indicated they were not written by an applicant. Ninety-four program directors received and opened the survey, and 31 responded. Twenty-eight (90%) responding directors found the personal statement with athletic experience acceptable, with 22 (74%) rating it as good or excellent. Nineteen (61%) program directors did not detect anything in the statement to distinguish it from an applicant-written composition. Twenty-nine (97%) program directors found the personal statement with cooking experience acceptable, with 19 (63%) finding it good or excellent. Twenty-four (80%) directors did not detect anything in the statement to distinguish it from an applicant-written composition. ChatGPT can create personal statements for residency applications that program directors find acceptable and difficult to differentiate from personally crafted statements. Applicants may stop using expensive contractor application services and start using artificial intelligence software to create their personal statements because of its quickness, low cost, and high quality.


Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing.
Approximately 8 million people in the United States report some degree of dysphagia annually; as the population continues to age, this will become a greater problem. A comprehensibly performed and interpreted fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing provides invaluable information for the evaluation and management of individuals with dysphagia or aspiration, or both. Review. The state-of-the-art technique, interpretation, predictive value, and safety of fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing was reviewed.


Severe pathogenic variants of intestinal sucrase-isomaltase interact avidly with the wild type enzyme and negatively impact its function and trafficking.
Sucrase-isomaltase (SI) is the major disaccharidase of the small intestine, exhibiting a broad α-glucosidase activity profile. The importance of SI in gut health is typified by the development of sucrose and starch maldigestion in individuals carrying mutations in the SI gene, like in congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency (CSID). Common and rare defective SI gene variants (SIGVs) have also been shown to increase the risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with symptoms and clinical features similar to CSID and also in symptomatic heterozygote carriers. Here, we investigate the impact of the most abundant and highly pathogenic SIGVs that occur in heterozygotes on wild type SI (SIWT) by adapting an in vitro system that recapitulates SI gene heterozygosity. Our results demonstrate that pathogenic SI mutants interact avidly with SIWT, negatively impact its enzymatic function, alter the biosynthetic pattern and impair the trafficking behavior of the heterodimer. The in vitro recapitulation of a heterozygous state demonstrates potential for SIGVs to act in a semi-dominant fashion, by further reducing disaccharidase activity via sequestration of the SIWT copy into an inactive form of the enzymatic heterodimer. This study provides novel insights into the potential role of heterozygosity in the pathophysiology of CSID and IBS.


Embedding a genetic counselor into oncology clinics improves testing rates and timeliness for women with ovarian cancer.
Germline genetic testing is crucial to the care of ovarian cancer patients, and as part of the guideline-based care for ovarian cancer patient's adherence to this recommendation has been low. We sought to determine whether embedding a genetic counselor (GC) within a medical and gynecologic oncology clinic would increase testing rates and improve the timeliness of testing. Prospective cohort study of 358 ovarian cancer patients seen by medical and gynecologic oncologists between 2013 and 2015. Rates of referrals, completion of counseling, and genetic testing and timeliness of counseling were abstracted before and after a GC was embedded in the clinic in 2014. An additional year of data (2015) was collected to evaluate sustainability of the intervention. Between 2013 and 2015, 88-92% of women were referred for genetic testing, but in 2013 only 66% completed counseling and 61% were tested. After a GC was embedded in the clinic in 2014, more than 80% of referred women completed counseling and germline genetic testing. Time to genetic counseling also decreased from a median of 107 to 40 days, irrespective of age and cancer family history (p < 0.01). Embedding a GC into the workflow for ovarian cancer patients is an effective way of improving access to genetic counseling, testing rates, and the timeliness of testing.


Anomalies of the middle ear.
Malformations of the ossicles in 52 ears of 48 patients were analyzed on the basis of surgical findings. The external meatus of each of these ears was patent. The long process of the incus and the stapes are frequently involved in this series of observations. There are distinct groups of ossicular anomalies, in each of which patients show similar degrees of hearing loss and ossicular findings. These include spindle handle, malleus bar, and dislocated annulus. Spindle handle gets its name from the shape of the malleus handle. There is disconnection between the long process of the incus and the capitulum of the stapes. Malleus bar is a kind of malleus fixation, in which a small bony bar connects the tip of the malleus handle to the posterior wall of the tympanic cavity. In the dislocated annulus, the annulus is dislocated cranially in relation to the middle-ear structures. Anomalies of the ossicle are usually present. Surgical repairs for these conditions are discussed.


Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a rare neuropathic pain disorder characterized by recurrent, paroxysmal episodes of short-lasting severe electric shock-like pain along the sensory distribution of the trigeminal nerve. Recent classification systems group TN into 3 main categories depending on the underlying pathophysiology. This article will present a case history and review the epidemiology, diagnostic criteria, classification, clinical features, diagnostic investigations, pathophysiology, and management of TN.


Low oxygen affects photophysiology and the level of expression of two-carbon metabolism genes in the seagrass Zostera muelleri.
Seagrasses are a diverse group of angiosperms that evolved to live in shallow coastal waters, an environment regularly subjected to changes in oxygen, carbon dioxide and irradiance. Zostera muelleri is the dominant species in south-eastern Australia, and is critical for healthy coastal ecosystems. Despite its ecological importance, little is known about the pathways of carbon fixation in Z. muelleri and their regulation in response to environmental changes. In this study, the response of Z. muelleri exposed to control and very low oxygen conditions was investigated by using (i) oxygen microsensors combined with a custom-made flow chamber to measure changes in photosynthesis and respiration, and (ii) reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR to measure changes in expression levels of key genes involved in C4 metabolism. We found that very low levels of oxygen (i) altered the photophysiology of Z. muelleri, a characteristic of C3 mechanism of carbon assimilation, and (ii) decreased the expression levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and carbonic anhydrase. These molecular-physiological results suggest that regulation of the photophysiology of Z. muelleri might involve a close integration between the C3 and C4, or other CO2 concentrating mechanisms metabolic pathways. Overall, this study highlights that the photophysiological response of Z. muelleri to changing oxygen in water is capable of rapid acclimation and the dynamic modulation of pathways should be considered when assessing seagrass primary production.


Loneliness, social isolation, and health complaints among older people: A population-based study from the "Good Aging in Skåne (GÅS)" project.
To explore associations between perceived loneliness, social isolation, and health complaints among older people. 5804 participants from the Swedish population study "Good Aging in Skåne" were included. Structured interviews and questionnaires were used to assess perceived loneliness, social isolation, 30 somatic and mental-health related symptoms, socio-demographics, lifestyle, and health. The mentioned symptoms were divided into seven symptom domains: depressive, tension, gastrointestinal- and urinary, musculoskeletal, metabolic, cardiopulmonary, and head-related symptoms. Multiple linear regression was performed to assess associations between reported symptoms and degree of perceived loneliness and social isolation. Multiple logistic regression models were constructed to investigate associations between the prevalence of symptoms in the symptom domains and perceived loneliness and social isolation. 60% of the participants reported feeling lonely at least occasionally. Social isolation was noted by 6%. Higher levels of perceived loneliness were associated to an increased number of reported symptoms. Lonely participants had a higher prevalence of symptoms in all investigated symptom domains, ranging from 67% (gastrointestinal-urinary) to 96% (depressive) for the group experiencing constant loneliness. Perceived loneliness is a common condition among older people in modern day Sweden and potentially harmful for their subjective well-being and health.


A meta-analysis on burden of postpartum depression and its predictors among lactating women in East African countries from 1998 up to 2018.
Postpartum depression is a common mental illness that affects lactating women. This not only makes daily activities difficult for them, but it also affects child's future lives. There is little evidence of about postpartum depression and its factors in East African countries, which piqued the authors' interest in conducting a study on this matter for future decision- and policy-making. The protocol for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses was followed. To identify published articles, all major databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, WHOLIS, Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and reference lists were used. In addition, shelves, author contact, Google and Google Scholar were also used to identify unpublished studies. Joanna Briggs Institute-Meta-Analysis of Statistical Assessment and Review Instrument was used for critical appraisal of studies. STATA software version 14 was used for the analysis. The random-effect model was used to estimate postpartum depression with 95% confidence interval, while subgroup analysis and meta-regression were used to identify potential sources of heterogeneity and associated factors, respectively. Furthermore, Egger's test and trim-and-fill analysis were used to check for publication bias. Postpartum depression was found in 24% of lactating women in East African countries (95% confidence interval: 17.79-30.20). Postpartum depression was associated with being married (odds ratio = 2; 95% confidence interval: 1.05-3.81), domestic violence (odds ratio = 6.34; 95% confidence interval: 4:11-9.78), a lack of support (odds ratio = 6.59; 95% confidence interval: 1.98-21.89), and a lack of empowerment (odds ratio = 2.79; 95% confidence interval: 1.12-6.92). In East Africa, the prevalence of postpartum depression among lactating women is high and rising, as per global postpartum depression estimates. Therefore, the primary focus should be on women's domestic violence prevention mechanisms. Existing national policies and development agendas must prioritize strategies for women's support and empowerment. Future research into the relationship between marriage and postpartum depression is required.


[Oncologic surgical procedures in ambulatory and brief inpatient surgery].
The number of surgical interventions in an outpatient clinic setting has continuously increased. An important advantage of such approach is the low infection rate. From an economic point of view, this setting leads to lower costs and, subsequently, lower charges to the health insurance companies according to the today's contracts. However, an essential prediction for surgical interventions in an outpatient clinic setting is that there is no increased risk compared with interventions of hospitalized patients. Taking this in consideration, we conclude that the very specific onco-surgical interventions can only be executed in a hospital setting because of their risk profile and the characteristics of tumor patients.


[The behaviour of serum-coeruplasmin in women with intrauterine pessary containing copper (author's transl)].
In 50 women before and 10--35 weeks after insertion of a Copper-T-200 serum concentration of Caeruloplasmin was assayed. A decrease of serum concentration with statistical significance (p less than 0,0001) was determined. In 22 women before and 4--5 weeks after removal of a Copper-T-200 serum concentration of Caeruloplasmin was assayed. An increase of serum concentration with statistical significance (p less than 0.01) was determined.


Utilizing Implementation Science to Bridge Cerebrovascular Health Disparities: a Local to Global Perspective.
Stroke is a prime example of a medical disorder whose incidence, prevalence, and outcomes are strongly characterized by health disparities across the globe. This scoping literature review seeks to depict how implementation science could be utilized to advance health equity in the prevention, acute treatment, and post-acute management of stroke in the underserved regions of high-income countries as well as in all low-income countries. A major reason for the persisting and widening cerebrovascular disease disparities is that evidence-based stroke prevention and treatment interventions have been differentially translated (if at all) to various populations and settings. The field of implementation science is endowed with frameworks, theories, methodological approaches, and outcome measures, including equity indices, which could be harnessed to facilitate the translation of evidence-based interventions into clinical practice for underserved and vulnerable communities. Encouragingly, there are several novel frameworks, which eminently merge implementation science constructs with health equity determinants, thereby opening up key opportunities to bridge burgeoning worldwide gaps in cerebrovascular health equity.


A circulating complex between ASAT and IgG in serum in an apparently healthy woman.
An elevated level of serum aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) activity in a subjectively healthy woman was shown to be due to circulating ASAT:IgG complexes. The complexes were demonstrated by taking advantage of the specific interaction between protein A and IgG. Thus, greater than 90% of the patient's ASAT activity in serum could be bound to protein A-Sepharose demonstrating that nearly all the patient's serum ASAT was complexed to IgG. The ASAT-binding capacity of patient serum was calculated as approximately 850 micrograms ASAT/l which corresponds to about 0.01% of patient's IgG.


B cell receptor crosstalk: B cells express osteopontin through the combined action of the alternate and classical BCR signaling pathways.
Classical BCR signaling requires a number of signalosome mediators that are bypassed when BCR signaling follows an alternate pathway produced by prior exposure of B cells to IL-4. The two pathways, classical and alternate, co-exist in IL-4-treated B cells. Here we report that operation of the IL-4-induced alternate pathway in combination with the classical pathway changes the nature of the B cell response to BCR engagement so that the cytokine, osteopontin (Opn), is produced and secreted. Although Opn expression by B cells has not previously been noted, anti-Ig-induced secretion by IL-4-treated B cells amounts to levels comparable to those secreted by activated T cells. However, unlike T cell Opn expression, B cell expression of Opn is not mediated by T-Bet. Because elevated levels of IL-4 occur in association with severe illness, and because Opn is strongly associated with autoimmunity, these results suggest that the IL-4-induced alternate BCR signaling pathway may participate in the pathophysiology of autoimmune dyscrasias.


SHORT REPORT Competence unfurled: Developing portfolio practice.
In this report some of the characteristics of competence are explored. Learning is identified as a feature of competence. If occupational therapists are to survive and thrive in a changing world they need to develop and use their learning skills effectively to maintain competence and to develop proficiency and expertise. Occupational therapists should take steps to document evidence of evolving competence in order to demonstrate professional growth over time, and justify continued registration with their regulatory body.


Emergency revascularization of acute internal carotid artery occlusion: Follow the spike, it guides you.
The present study sought to examine the incidence of the angiographic "spike sign" and to assess its predictive significance for achieving carotid revascularization in 54 patients with acute internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusions that required urgent endovascular revascularization. Clinical and imaging files of consecutive patients with ICA occlusion who were treated in a tertiary care academic medical center from 2011-2015 were retrospectively examined under Institutional Review Board approval with a waiver of the requirement for informed consent. All proximal ICA occlusions were treated by stent-assisted carotid angioplasty, and all distal embolic occlusions were managed with stent-assisted mechanical thrombectomy. The study included 24 patients with acute ICA occlusion (group 1) and 30 patients with tandem ICA-intracranial occlusions (group 2). The spike sign was seen in 16/24 patients in group 1 (67%), and successful ICA revascularization was achieved in 14/16 (88%). The sign was seen in 26/30 patients in group 2 (87%), and ICA revascularization was successful in all 26 (100%). The remaining 12 patients had no spike sign, and ICA revascularization was successful in only 7/12 (58%). The spike sign is a transient finding that represents the proximal patent remnant of the stenotic corridor in fresh clot. Acute ICA occlusion frequently leaves the spike sign as a marker of the recent thrombotic event. The spike vertex points to the "path of least resistance" for the guidewire to cross the occlusion and engage the true arterial lumen, a critical step during ICA endovascular revascularization.


Evaluation of single domain antibodies as nuclear tracers for imaging of the immune checkpoint receptor human lymphocyte activation gene-3 in cancer.
Recent advancements in the field of immune-oncology have led to a significant increase in life expectancy of patients with diverse forms of cancer, such as hematologic malignancies, melanoma and lung cancer. Unfortunately, these encouraging results are not observed in the majority of patients, who remain unresponsive and/or encounter adverse events. Currently, researchers are collecting more insight into the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie these variable responses. As an example, the human lymphocyte activation gene-3 (huLAG-3), an inhibitory immune checkpoint receptor, is increasingly studied as a therapeutic target in immune-oncology. Noninvasive molecular imaging of the immune checkpoint programmed death protein-1 (PD-1) or its ligand PD-L1 has shown its value as a strategy to guide and monitor PD-1/PD-L1-targeted immune checkpoint therapy. Yet, radiotracers that allow dynamic, whole body imaging of huLAG-3 expression are not yet described. We here developed single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) that bind huLAG-3 and showed that these sdAbs can image huLAG-3 in tumors, therefore representing promising tools for further development into clinically applicable radiotracers.


Awareness, attitude and behavior regarding proton pump inhibitor among medical staff in the Southwest of China.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the most frequently prescribed classes of drug in the world and there is a growing number of publications on correct versus incorrect use of PPIs worldwide. The knowledge of PPIs among the medical staff is essential for improving the rationality of PPI application. The present study aimed to investigate awareness, attitude and behavior toward PPI use among medical staff in the Southwest of China. The present descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 900 medical staff from three professional groups (300 doctors, 300 nurses and 300 pharmacists) in China. The study data were collected through a self-designed questionnaire which included demographics, awareness, attitude and behavior toward PPI use. The study was carried out in 22 hospitals in Luzhou between February and June 2018. Of 900 surveys issued, 851valid questionnaires (295doctors, 268 nurses and 288 pharmacists) were returned. Of all respondents, 33.25% were men and 66.75% were women. The score related to PPI awareness score of medical staff was low (59.47 ± 15.75). The level of awareness of pharmacist was significantly higher than that of doctors and nurses (P < 0.01), which was related to gender, age, occupation, educational level, professional title, hospital nature and hospital grade. Similarly, on the attitude towards PPI use, the pharmacists scored also significantly higher than doctors and the nurses (P < 0.01). Three hundred eighty-one of 851 medical staff had used PPI in the past 1 year, of which omeprazole was the most widely used. Among doctors, nurses and pharmacists, the usage rate of PPI was 50.85, 42.16, 40.97%, respectively. The use frequency was related to occupation and professional title. The score about the behavior toward PPIs of the nurses was also significantly lower than that of doctors and pharmacists (P < 0.01). The study indicated that the medical staff lack of awareness concerning rational use of PPI in China, especially nurse. Thus, it is necessary to call for action on the improvement of PPI awareness and medication-taking behaviors to reduce PPI overuse and to promote the rationality of PPI application.


NK-mediated reduction of malignancy in human melanoma cells treated with theophylline.
Theophylline-treated cells of the human melanoma line showed an increase in NK-sensitivity in vitro and a concomitant decrease in tumorigenicity and spontaneous metastasis in Balb/c nude mice. The MeWo cells were heterogeneous and contained related subpopulations which were cloned to produce two cell lines, one hypodiploid (Cd-16) and one hypotetraploid (Ct-1). Prolonged (3 months) or short-term (4 days) treatment of these cell lines with 1 mM theophylline markedly reduced the incidence and size of tumors in Balb/c nude mice early after s.c. injection and their ability to metastasize spontaneously to the lung was also reduced. The effect was much more pronounced with Cd-16 cells, which contain amplified DNA compared to Ct-1 cells which lack DNA amplification. Part of the tumor inhibition caused by theophylline was due to natural killer (NK) cells. Thus, in vivo treatment of nude mice with anti-asialo GM1, a procedure known to remove NK cells, partially reversed the inhibitory effects of theophylline on tumor formation and generation of metastasis by Cd-16 cells. Consistent with this observation theophylline treatment enhanced the in vitro NK sensitivity of Cd-16 cells four-fold whereas Ct-1 was enhanced only slightly. The data suggest that theophylline can act preferentially on certain tumor cell subpopulations to enhance their NK-sensitive phenotype and thereby inhibit their capacity to form tumors and to metastasize in nude mice.


Small-bowel obstruction in pregnancy after Scopinaro weight reduction operation. A case report.
A case of small-bowel volvulus occurring during pregnancy after pancreaticobiliary bypass for morbid obesity is presented. The association between pregnancy, previous small-bowel bypass surgery and intestinal volvulus is discussed.


Effects of cimetidine on ciclosporin population pharmacokinetics and initial dose optimization in aplastic anemia patients.
The present study aimed to explore the effects of cimetidine on ciclosporin population pharmacokinetics and initial dose optimization in aplastic anemia patients. Aplastic anemia patients were used to establish a population pharmacokinetic model by the nonlinear mixed effect (NONMEM), and concentrations of ciclosporin were simulated by Monte Carlo method. With the same weight, the ciclosporin clearance rates were 0.387:1 in patients with or without cimetidine, respectively. In the measured ciclosporin concentrations, compared to aplastic anemia patients without cimetidine, ciclosporin concentrations were higher in patients with cimetidine (P < 0.01). Further research found that at the same body weight and same dose, ciclosporin concentrations in aplastic anemia patients with cimetidine were indeed higher than those in patients without cimetidine (P < 0.01). The initial recommended ciclosporin dose for patients without cimetidine were 7mg/kg splited into two doses for weight of 40-60kg, and 6mg/kg splited into two doses for weight of 60-100kg. The patients with cimetidine were recommended to take 3mg/kg ciclosporin splited into two doses for weight of 40-100kg. It was the first time to explore the effects of cimetidine on ciclosporin population pharmacokinetics and initial dose optimization in aplastic anemia patients. Patients coadministration of cimetidine, may need low ciclosporin dose.


Exercise oscillatory ventilation in heart failure.
Ventilation inefficiency has become a matter of interest for heart failure (HF) specialists, the most remarkable being exertional oscillatory ventilation (EOV). EOV is an abnormal ventilatory phenomenon, originally described as anecdotal, but now considered a marker of disease severity and worst prognosis in HF. EOV is a cyclic fluctuation of minute ventilation (VE) and expired gas kinetics occurring during exercise: it is a slow, prominent, consistent rather than random, fluctuation in VE that may be evanescent or transient and can follow several distinct patterns. In contrast to the periodic breathing observed in Cheyne-Stokes respiration and central sleep apnea, the gradual increase and decrease in minute ventilation (VE) are not spaced by periods of apnea. This review will discuss EOV in HF and the overlap with Cheyne-Stokes respiration.


Language function and dysfunction among Chinese- and English-speaking polyglots: cortical stimulation, Wada testing, and clinical studies.
Language functions in a group of Chinese- and English-speaking polyglots living in a multiracial society have been investigated by several methods: the effects of cortical stimulation on object-naming and reading tasks in patients who required awake craniotomy, lateralization of cerebral dominance for speech by the Wada Test, and the pattern of language loss and recovery following stroke. The data indicate that these polyglots were all left hemisphere dominant for the languages tested: no consistent evidence for increased participation by the right hemisphere for language functions was found. The cortical stimulation experiments provided data most compatible with the "differential localization" model of cerebral localization in bilingualism. The variable which most influenced performance in all of these investigations was which language was used primarily for speaking as well as reading and writing at the time of the study.


Comparing the potential of MEG and EEG to uncover brain tracking of speech temporal envelope.
During connected speech listening, brain activity tracks speech rhythmicity at delta (∼0.5 Hz) and theta (4-8 Hz) frequencies. Here, we compared the potential of magnetoencephalography (MEG) and high-density electroencephalography (EEG) to uncover such speech brain tracking. Ten healthy right-handed adults listened to two different 5-min audio recordings, either without noise or mixed with a cocktail-party noise of equal loudness. Their brain activity was simultaneously recorded with MEG and EEG. We quantified speech brain tracking channel-by-channel using coherence, and with all channels at once by speech temporal envelope reconstruction accuracy. In both conditions, speech brain tracking was significant at delta and theta frequencies and peaked in the temporal regions with both modalities (MEG and EEG). However, in the absence of noise, speech brain tracking estimated from MEG data was significantly higher than that obtained from EEG. Furthemore, to uncover significant speech brain tracking, recordings needed to be ∼3 times longer in EEG than MEG, depending on the frequency considered (delta or theta) and the estimation method. In the presence of noise, both EEG and MEG recordings replicated the previous finding that speech brain tracking at delta frequencies is stronger with attended speech (i.e., the sound subjects are attending to) than with the global sound (i.e., the attended speech and the noise combined). Other previously reported MEG findings were replicated based on MEG but not EEG recordings: 1) speech brain tracking at theta frequencies is stronger with attended speech than with the global sound, 2) speech brain tracking at delta frequencies is stronger in noiseless than noisy conditions, and 3) when noise is added, speech brain tracking at delta frequencies dampens less in the left hemisphere than in the right hemisphere. Finally, sources of speech brain tracking reconstructed from EEG data were systematically deeper and more posterior than those derived from MEG. The present study demonstrates that speech brain tracking is better seen with MEG than EEG. Quantitatively, EEG recordings need to be ∼3 times longer than MEG recordings to uncover significant speech brain tracking. As a consequence, MEG appears more suited than EEG to pinpoint subtle effects related to speech brain tracking in a given recording time.


Visual field asymmetries for rhyme and syntactic category judgments in monolinguals and fluent early and late bilinguals.
A tachistoscopic study investigated hemispheric specialization among monolingual and fluent French-English bilingual adults for speeded rhyme and syntactic category matching. A right visual field superiority was obtained for both types of verbal judgments. This effect was more pronounced in late bilinguals than in early bilinguals or monolinguals. In addition, bilingual subgroup differences in response latency and strategy were found, suggesting a preference for semantic processing among early bilinguals and for surface processing among late bilinguals, consistent with previous findings. Possible theoretical implications of these differences are outlined.


The effect of in vivo exposure to diesel exhaust on rat hepatic and pulmonary microsomal activities.
The effect of exposure to three concentrations of diesel exhaust on several heptic and pulmonary activities has been tested. After one year of exposure, the ability of liver microsomes to oxidize benzo[alpha]pyrene to more polar metabolites was not increased. Further studies with liver microsomes showed that, after several months of exposure, there was no evidence for the induction of either cytochrome P-450, cytochrome P-448 or NADPH dependent cytochrome c reductase. The ability of pulmonary microsomes to generate polar metabolites from benzo[alpha]pyrene was impaired after one year of exposure to the highest concentration of exhaust (1500 micrograms m-3). The process by which the exposure causes this inhibition is not clear.


Bereavement affinities: A qualitative study of lived experiences of grief and loss.
Attending to bereaved peoples' lived experiences offers considerable potential for better understanding how to improve support following loss. In-depth interviews (n = 36) and solicited diaries (n = 23) were conducted with bereaved adults following a death in palliative or residential aged care. A constructivist grounded theory approach guided data analysis, through which three themes were derived: making sense of the lived experience of bereavement; relationships in bereavement; and bereavement over time. The results reveal the nuances within everyday experiences of bereavement, in particular the multiplicity of affinities, present or lacking, in social support and recognition.


Gene expression changes in sickle cell reticulocytes and their clinical associations.
Transcriptional changes in compensatory erythropoiesis in sickle cell anemia (SCA) and their disease modulation are unclear. We detected 1226 differentially expressed genes in hemoglobin SS reticulocytes compared to non-anemic hemoglobin AA controls. Assessing developmental expression changes in hemoglobin AA erythroblasts for these genes suggests heightened terminal differentiation in early erythroblasts in SCA that diminishes toward the polychromatic to orthochromatic stage transition. Comparison of reticulocyte gene expression changes in SCA with that in Chuvash erythrocytosis, a non-anemic disorder of increased erythropoiesis due to constitutive activation of hypoxia inducible factors, identified 453 SCA-specific changes attributable to compensatory erythropoiesis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in SCA contain elevated proportions of erythroid progenitors due to heightened erythropoiesis. Deconvolution analysis in PBMCs from 131 SCA patients detected 54 genes whose erythroid expression correlated with erythropoiesis efficiency, which were enriched with SCA-specific changes (OR = 2.9, P = 0.00063) and annotation keyword "ubiquitin-dependent protein catabolic process", "protein ubiquitination", and "protein polyubiquitination" (OR = 4.2, P = 7.5 × 10-5). An erythroid expression quantitative trait locus of one of these genes, LNX2 encoding an E3 ubiquitin ligase, associated with severe pain episodes in 774 SCA patients (OR = 1.7, P = 3.9 × 10-5). Thus, erythroid gene transcription responds to unique conditions within SCA erythroblasts and these changes potentially correspond to vaso-occlusive manifestations.


The potential of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for the determination of carbon inventories in soils.
Investigations have shown that near- and mid-infrared reflectance spectroscopy can accurately determine organic-C in soil. Efforts have also demonstrated that both can differentiate between organic and inorganic-C in soils, but the mid-infrared produces more accurate calibrations. Nevertheless, the greatest benefit would come with in situ determinations where factors such as particle size, sample heterogeneity and moisture can be important. While the variations in large (> 20 mesh) particle size can adversely effect calibration accuracy, efforts have demonstrated that the scanning of larger amounts of sample can overcome this, but the effects of moisture have not been fully explored. While under in situ conditions C distribution and sample heterogeneity are a problem for any analytical method, the rapid analysis possible with spectroscopic techniques will allow many more samples to be analyzed. In conclusion, near- and mid-infrared spectroscopy have great potential for providing the C values needed for C sequestration studies.


Effect of starvation on work capacity and voluntary skeletal muscle function in man.
Post-operative fatigue is a well-known clinical problem even after uncomplicated surgery. In the multifaceted post-operative state, several factors other then the surgical trauma may influence muscular function, such as an insufficient nutritional intake. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fasting on work capacity and voluntary skeletal muscle function. Eight healthy lean volunteers, age range 25-43 years, were studied the day before starvation, at the end of the fasting period of 5 days, and after another 3-4 days on a normal diet. Hand grip strength was assessed as maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and physical working capacity was investigated with successively increased work load on a cycle ergometer until near exhaustion. After 5 days of total starvation, MVC remained unchanged but physical working capacity was reduced from 220 +/- 18 watt to 199 +/- 22 watt (p < 0.05). Corresponding heart rate, estimated effort and leg tiredness were not changed. A poor nutritional intake per se may therefore be a less important factor causing post-operative muscle fatigue than the operation itself.


Pancreatic ascites haemoglobin up-regulates the HIF/VEGF pathway in the lung in severe acute pancreatitis.
Extracellular haemoglobin (EHb) is considered a toxic molecule due to its cytotoxicity and peroxidase activity. EHb may release free hemin that increases vascular permeability, leukocyte recruitment, and adhesion molecule expression. Pancreatitis-associated ascitic fluid is reddish and may contain cell-free hemoglobin. Our aim was to determine the role of EHb in the local and systemic inflammatory response during severe acute pancreatitis in rats. To this end, taurocholate-induced necrotizing pancreatitis in rats was used. EHb levels were quantified in ascites and plasma and the hemolytic action of ascitic fluid was tested. Furthermore, we assessed if peritoneal lavage prevented the increase in EHb levels in plasma during pancreatitis. Finally, hemoglobin was purified from rat erythrocytes and administered i.p. to assess the local and systemic effects of ascitic-associated EHb during acute pancreatitis. EHb levels markedly increased in ascitic fluid and plasma during necrotizing pancreatitis. Peroxidase activity was very high in ascites. The peritoneal lavage abrogated the increase in cell-free hemoglobin in plasma. The administration of EHb enhanced ascites, dramatically increased abdominal fat necrosis, up-regulated tumor necrosis factor-a, interleukin 1ß and interleukin 6 gene expression and decreased expression of interleukin 10 in abdominal adipose tissue during pancreatitis. EHb enhanced the gene expression and protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and other hypoxia inducible factor-related genes [inducible nitric oxide synthase (inos), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (enos) and hexokinase 2] in the lung. EHb also increased myeloperoxidase activity in the lung. In conclusion, extracellular hemoglobin contributes to the inflammatory response in severe acute pancreatitis through abdominal fat necrosis and inflammation and increasing VEGF and leukocyte infiltration in the lung.


Collaborative planning principles for disaster preparedness.
Natural and technological hazards can have consequences of a scale and severity far exceeding most human experience. Massive earthquakes predicted as imminent for some regions of the world, fires engulfing large tracts of land and the global COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 illustrate several key preparedness challenges. The hazards literature stresses the importance of involving communities in decisions before, during and after calamitous events occur. Currently, community planning and hazard risk management planning are largely carried out in separate tracks that seldom intersect. We propose that hazard risk managers may benefit from integrating in their approaches collaborative planning principles, especially at the pre-disaster stage. We further propose that community planners deliberately consider hazards and integrate the potential consequences of a disaster into routine plan-making, boosting communities' resilience. Finally, since citizen involvement is necessary but burdensome in both planning and hazards management, we suggest a set of criteria for considering who-from among the many community and public stakeholders-should be involved, when, and how.


Severe hypercalcemia secondary to parathyroid adenoma: Series of four consecutive cases at a tertiary care hospital in Qatar.
In most cases of parathyroid adenoma (PA), it is not palpable and physical examination shows no remarkable findings. Hence diagnosis requires an index of suspicion. The current paper describes four cases of severe hypercalcemia secondary to PA. Case 1 - 29 years old Sudanese female with history of nausea/vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite and bone aches. She had large palpable left lower neck swelling, and high calcium and PTH. Ultrasound (US) neck and SPECT/CT scan after sestamibi injection showed left inferior PA. Case 2-73 years old Sudanese male referred with history of abdominal pain and flatulence. He had severely high calcium, elevated parathormone (PTH), and high 24-hour urine calcium. US and SPECT/CT showed a left inferior PA. Case 3-54 years old Bangladeshi male, referred with history of renal colic/urolithiasis. Laboratory results showed severely high calcium and PTH levels. US and SPECT/CT scan showed right inferior PA. Case 4-35 years old Tunisian female, 12 weeks pregnant, referred with recurrent nausea and vomiting of increasing frequency from the second week of pregnancy. Laboratory tests revealed severe hypercalcemia and high PTH. US showed two parathyroid lesions. The patients were admitted as emergency cases and investigations diagnosed severe hypercalcemia secondary to PA. All patients underwent neck exploration and PA excision. Histology confirmed PA. The four cases were swiftly assessed and treated before progressing into the more serious hypercalcemic crisis which can lead to grave consequences, particularly in the case of the pregnant female. All patients recovered with no complications and were clinically well with normal calcium level on follow up. Severe hypercalcemia must be swiftly and thoroughly assessed to prevent the more serious hypercalcemic crisis. Clinicians need to be suspicious of parathyroid adenoma as a probable cause. Severe hypercalcemia is often accompanied with vomiting, and in pregnant females, this could be mistaken for hyperemesis gravidarum. Excision of the parathyroid adenoma treats the condition and follow up of serum calcium and PTH confirms the favorable outcome of surgery.


Presentation of laryngeal papilloma in childhood: the Leeds experience.
The human papilloma virus (HPV) can cause laryngeal papillomatosis in childhood. The aetiology is thought to be vertical transmission. Clinically these children are usually asymptomatic for the first 6 months of life. As the papillomas develop locally, symptoms begin to develop. The symptoms range from voice change to frank hoarseness, and 'noisy' breathing, most commonly inspiratory stridor. Clinical images from microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy over a 12-year period were assessed for laryngeal papilloma. In Leeds seven cases presented to the specialist centre over the past 12 years, the average age at presentation was 6.8 years and duration of onset of symptoms to specialist review was 21 months. Five of the children had been treated for asthma and two presented in extremis. The take home message for clinicians is hoarse voice associated with shortness of breath needs specialist referral.


The Ayurvedic medicine Clitoria ternatea--from traditional use to scientific assessment.
Clitoria ternatea L. (CT) (Family: Fabaceae) commonly known as 'Butterfly pea', a traditional Ayurvedic medicine, has been used for centuries as a memory enhancer, nootropic, antistress, anxiolytic, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, tranquilizing and sedative agent. A wide range of secondary metabolites including triterpenoids, flavonol glycosides, anthocyanins and steroids has been isolated from Clitoria ternatea Linn. Its extracts possess a wide range of pharmacological activities including antimicrobial, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, diuretic, local anesthetic, antidiabetic, insecticidal, blood platelet aggregation-inhibiting and for use as a vascular smooth muscle relaxing properties. This plant has a long use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for several diseases and the scientific studies has reconfirmed those with modern relevance. This review is an effort to explore the chemical constituents, pharmacological and toxicity studies of CT, which have long been in clinical use in Ayurvedic system of medicine along with a critical appraisal of its future ethnopharmacological potential in view of many recent findings of importance on this well known plant species.


Insight on the microscopic binding mechanism of bisphenol compounds (BPs) with transthyretin (TTR) based on multi-spectroscopic methods and computational simulations.
Thyroid hormones are involved in numerous physiological processes as regulators of metabolism, regulating organ growth, and mental state. Bisphenol compounds (BPs) are recognized as chemicals that interfere with endocrine balance. Because BPs have a similar structure to thyroxine, they can compete for binding to thyroid protein and disrupt the normal physiological activity of the thyroid system. In this study, three typical bisphenol compounds were selected to explore the interaction between BPs and TTR by computer simulations and multi-spectroscopic methods. The results revealed that BPs quenched the endogenous fluorescence of TTR via the combination of static quenching and non-radiative energy transfer, and the van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding played a synergistic role in the binding process of BPs and TTR. Furthermore, the three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, which were employed to determine the conformation of protein, revealed that binding of BPs with TTR could induce conformational changes in TTR. In addition, the binding sites and the residues surrounding the BPs within the TTR were determined through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Therefore, this work provides new insights into the interaction between BPs and TTR to evaluate the potential toxicity of BPs.


Sapling growth as a function of light and landscape-level variation in soil water and foliar nitrogen in Northern Michigan.
Interspecific differences in sapling growth responses to soil resources could influence species distributions across soil resource gradients. I calibrated models of radial growth as a function of light intensity and landscape-level variation in soil water and foliar N for saplings of four canopy tree species, which differ in adult distributions across soil resource gradients. Model formulations, characterizing different resource effects and modes of influencing growth, were compared based on relative empirical support using Akaike's Information Criterion. Contrary to expectation, the radial growth of species associated with lower fertility (Acer rubrum and Quercus rubra) was more sensitive to variation in soil resources than the high fertility species Acer saccharum. Moreover, there was no species tradeoff between growth under high foliar N versus growth under low foliar N, which would be expected if growth responses to foliar N mediated distributions. In general, there was functional consistency among species in growth responses to light, foliar N, and soil water availability, respectively. Foliar N influenced primarily high-light growth in F. grandifolia, A. rubrum, and Q. rubra (but was not significant for A. saccharum). In A. saccharum and A. rubrum, for which soil water availability was a significant predictor, soil water and light availability simultaneously limited growth (i.e., either higher light or water increased growth). Simple resource-based models explained 0.74-0.90 of growth variance, indicating a high degree of determinism. Results suggest that nitrogen effects on forest dynamics would be strongest in high-light early successional communities but that water availability influences growth in both early successional and understory environments.


Celiac artery compression syndrome in children, adolescents, and young adults: clinical and color duplex sonographic features in a series of 59 cases.
Abdominal pain is one of the most common conditions in childhood and adolescence. Celiac artery compression syndrome (CACS) is rarely suspected in this population. We present clinical and sonographic features from a series of 59 patients with this disorder. A total of 3449 patients from 0 to 18 years were investigated with 7639 abdominal color duplex sonographic examinations. Celiac artery flow velocity was measured at the branching off from the aorta in inspiration, expiration, and in between. Diagnosis of CACS was made if a greater than 2-fold acceleration of peak systolic flow in the celiac artery compared to the abdominal aorta or a peak systolic velocity greater than 200 cm/s was measured in the mid position and if a variation of flow velocity occurred during respiration. In 22 cases, angiography (21 magnetic resonance angiography and 1 digital subtraction angiography) was used to prove sonographic diagnosis. Fifty-nine patients (among them 81% female) from 22 months to 19 years (clustering between 14 and 17 years) fulfilling color Doppler sonographic criteria of CACS were found, for a prevalence of 1.7%. Their symptoms included, among others, abdominal pain (71%), nausea (29%), thoracic pain (22%), heartburn (17%), weight loss (15%), vomiting (15%), systolic murmur (15%), postprandial accentuation of symptoms (15%), diarrhea (14%), respiratory discomfort (14%), and syncope (12%). Celiac artery compression syndrome is more prevalent than expected, and conditions not usually connected to the disease were found. Alertness to CACS is recommended, especially in patients with a combination of characteristic symptoms. Color Doppler sonography is the modality of choice for diagnosing CACS.


Estimation of task workload from EEG data: new and current tools and perspectives.
We report, as part of the EMBC meeting Cognitive State Assessment (CSA) competition 2011, an empirical comparison using robust cross-validation of the performance of eleven computational approaches to real-time electroencephalography (EEG) based mental workload monitoring on Multi-Attribute Task Battery data from eight subjects. We propose a new approach, Overcomplete Spectral Regression, that combines several potentially advantageous attributes and empirically demonstrate its superior performance on these data compared to the ten other CSA methods tested. We discuss results from computational, neuroscience and experimentation points of view.


X-ray radiation-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction in human epithelial Caco-2 cell monolayers.
Radiation therapy and unwanted radiological or nuclear exposure, such as nuclear plant accidents, terrorist attacks, and military conflicts, pose serious health issues to humans. Dysfunction of the intestinal epithelial barrier and the leakage of luminal antigens and bacteria across the barrier have been linked to various human diseases. Intestinal permeability is regulated by intercellular structures, termed tight junctions (TJs), which are disrupted after radiation exposure. In this study, we investigated radiation-induced alterations in TJ-related proteins in an intestinal epithelial cell model. Caco-2 cells were irradiated with 2, 5, and 10 Gy and harvested 1 and 24 h after X-ray exposure. The trypan blue assay revealed that cell viability was reduced in a dose-dependent manner 24 h after X-ray exposure compared to that of non-irradiated cells. However, the WST-8 assay revealed that cell proliferation was significantly reduced only 24 h after radiation exposure to 10 Gy compared to that of non-irradiated cells. In addition, a decreased growth rate and increased doubling time were observed in cells irradiated with X-rays. Intestinal permeability was significantly increased, and transepithelial electrical resistance values were remarkably reduced in Caco-2 cell monolayers irradiated with X-rays compared to non-irradiated cells. X-ray irradiation significantly decreased the mRNA and protein levels of ZO-1, occludin, claudin-3, and claudin-4, with ZO-1 and claudin-3 protein levels decreasing in a dose-dependent manner. Overall, the present study reveals that exposure to X-ray induces dysfunction of the human epithelial intestinal barrier and integrity via the downregulation of TJ-related genes, which may be a key factor contributing to intestinal barrier damage and increased intestinal permeability.


Psychological Analysis of Religious Experience: The Construction of the Intensity of Religious Experience Scale (IRES).
The aim of this article is to present the issues of religious experience, and the associated experience of God's presence and God's absence, and then its operationalization, as well as to construct the Intensity of Religious Experience Scale, IRES (Skala Intensywności Doświadczenia Religijnego, SIDR). The value of psychometric tool, the reliability and validity, were assessed. The study was conducted in three steps. Study 1 concerned the generalization of statements related to conception of Catholic religious experience; i.e., the subjective feeling whether one experiences God's presence and God's absence, and how such beliefs affect certain aspects of a person's life. Study 2 was carried out on the sample of 217 people and was designed to perform Exploratory Factor Analysis and to assess three-week test-retest reliability of the IRES. Study 3 was based on the sample of 368 people and was aimed to perform Confirmatory Factor Analysis and concurrent validation of the IRES. The analysis of the religious experience showed that this kind of human experience has its own structure. The explication of the subject has confirmed the existence of two positive factors of religious experience; i.e., a subjective sense of experience of God's presence and God's absence that can influence on life of people living in the Catholic religion environment.


Synergistic apoptosis following endoplasmic reticulum stress aggravation in mucinous colon cancer.
Mucinous colon cancers (MCC) are characterized by abundant production of mucin 2 (MUC2) protein and are less sensitive to standard systemic chemotherapy. We postulated that severe/persistent endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) aggravation in MCC would overwhelm compensatory cytoprotective pathways and induce apoptosis. Basal levels of ERS markers were higher in MCC and dnTCF-LS174T cells than non-mucinous tumors and these levels were significantly increased by combinatorial treatment with ERS aggravators celecoxib + orlistat. Combination treatment inhibited cell viability and synergistically induced apoptosis. Treatment-induced cell death was ERS-dependent, apoptotic pathways were not activated following knockdown of ERS protein CHOP. Dual drug treatment significantly reduced mucinous tumor growth in vivo and induced ERS and apoptosis, consistent with in vitro experiments. Novel therapies are needed since MCC are more resistant to standard systemic chemotherapy. This study suggests ERS aggravation is a viable therapeutic strategy to reduce tumor growth in MCC.


The mediating role of telomere length in multi-pollutant exposure associated with metabolic syndrome in adults.
Metabolic syndrome is a chronic and complex disease characterized by environmental and genetic factors. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study assessed the relationship between exposure to a mixture of environmental chemicals and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and further examined whether telomere length (TL) moderated these relationships. A total of 1265 adults aged > 20 years participated in the study. Data on multiple pollutants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phthalates, and metals), MetS, leukocyte telomere length (LTL), and confounders were provided in the 2001-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The correlations between multi-pollutant exposure, TL, and MetS in the males and females were separately assessed using principal component analysis (PCA), logistic and extended linear regression models, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), and mediation analysis. Four factors were generated in PCA that accounted for 76.2% and 77.5% of the total environmental pollutants in males and females, respectively. The highest quantiles of PC2 and PC4 were associated with the risk of TL shortening (P < 0.05). We observed that the relationship between PC2, PC4, and MetS risk was significant in the participants with median TL levels (P for trend = 0.04 for PC2, and P for trend = 0.01 for PC4). Furthermore, mediation analysis revealed that TL could explain 26.1% and 17.1% of the effects of PC2 and PC4 associated with MetS in males, respectively. The results of BKMR model revealed that these associations were mainly driven by 1-PYE (cPIP = 0.65) and Cd (cPIP = 0.29) in PC2. Meanwhile, TL could explain 17.7% of the mediation effects of PC2 associated with MetS in the females. However, the relationships between pollutants and MetS were sparse and inconsistent in the females. Our findings suggest that the effects of the risk of MetS associated with mixed exposure to multiple pollutants are mediated by TL, and this mediating effect in the males is more pronounced than that in the females.


Desiccation, predation, and mussel-barnacle interactions in the northern Gulf of California.
Field experiments were conducted in order to determine the potential for desiccation and predation to mediate the effect of mussels (Brachidontes semilaevis) on barnacles (Chthamalus anisopoma) in the highly seasonal northern Gulf of California. We did this by removing both mussels and a common mussel predator (Morula ferruginosa: Gastropoda) and by spraying selected sites with sea water during summertime spring low tides. We also determined the effect of crowding on resistance to desiccation in barnacles, and the effect of barnacles on colonization by mussels. The mussel-barnacle community was not affected by keeping experimental quadrats damp during daytime low tides throughout the summer. Exposure to summertime low tides, however, did affect the survivorship of isolated, but not crowded, barnacles; and barnacle clumps enhanced the recruitment of mussels. Hence crowding in barnacles had a positive effect on both barnacle survivorship and mussel recruitment. Morula had a negative effect on mussel density, and mussels had a negative effect on barnacle density. The effect of Morula on barnacle density was positive, presumably due to its selective removal of mussels. These results suggest an indirect mutualism between barnacles and the gastropod predator, because barnacles attract settlement or enhance the survival of mussels, and the predator reduces the competitive effect of mussels on barnacles.


The octave illusion in relation to handedness and familial handedness background.
The octave illusion is produced by a dichotic sequence of tones that alternate in frequency between 400 and 800 Hz, such that when the right ear receives 400 Hz the left ear receives 800 Hz; and vice versa. Most listeners obtain the illusion of a single high tone in one ear alternating with a single low tone in the other ear. Further, most right-handers hear the high tone on the right and low tone on the left. The present study examined localization patterns in this illusion as a function of handedness and also of familial handedness background. The effect of handedness was highly significant: the tendency to hear the high tone on the right and the low tone on the left was lower among mixed handers and left-handers than among right-handers. The effect of familial handedness background was also highly significant: the tendency to hear the high tone on the right and the low tone on the left was lower among those with a sinistral familial background than among those with a purely dextral familial background. These findings are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that perception of the illusion serves as a reflection of the direction of cerebral dominance in most individuals.


Abnormality of erythrocyte membrane protein in a case of congenital stomatocytosis.
A new method of membrane protein analysis was used to demonstrate an erythrocyte membrane protein anomaly. Our approach employed electrofocusing linked to sodiumdodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. We observed an aberrant protein, isoelectric at approximately pH 4.5 with an apparent molecular weight of approximately 25,000 in membrane preparations from a patient with congenital stomatocytosis. This protein has not been observed in any healthy donor examined to date.


Control of heparinization by activated clotting time during bypass with improved postoperative hemostasis.
Heparin and protamine dosages monitored during open-heart operations by activated clotting time (ACT) have been reported to be superior to dosage schedules based on body weight or body surface area. To evaluate the automated ACT, 114 consecutive open-heart operations performed between October, 1974, and December, 1975, were studied. Fifty-eight operations prior to April, 1975, using a standard heparin-protamine protocol (Group I) were compared with 56 operations from April to December, 1975, monitored with an automated ACT (Group II). The two groups were similar with respect to surgical procedures, pump time, and perfusion techniques. The protamine/heparin ratio was 25% less in Group II compared with Group I, and the 12-hour postoperative blood loss was 48% less in Group II. The automated ACT is a reliable, rapid, and simple test that has resulted in improved hemostasis following cardiac operation.


Population structure of pierid butterflies : III. Pest populations of Colias philodice eriphyle.
Mark-release-recapture techniques were used to study alfalfa pest populations of Colias philodice eriphyle. Two new methods for estimating relative catchability and residence rates were used to compare males to females. The results show that: (1) both sexes had limited dispersal, with mean individual ranges less than 100 m; (2) males were more abundant than females; (3) males and females had similar residence times; (4) males were more catchable than females in uncut fields, but not in cut fields. Explanations for the differences between the sexes are considered. Females may be less catchable in uncut fields because they spend less time in flight than males. Males may be more abundant than females because they develop faster, and may have lower pre-adult mortality. The differences between the sexes are discussed with respect to reproductive strategy. Comparisons with non-pest C.p. eriphyle show differences between pest and non-pest populations. Pest C.p. eriphyle were more sedentary. The residence times were similar for pest and non-pest populations, but pest C.p. eriphyle probably have longer "reproductive life-spans". Mid-summer broods of the pest population were partially overlapping; the non-pest population has discrete broods. Pest population density varied less between years than non-pest population density. The differences between pest and non-pest C.p. eriphyle support the idea of ecological diversity among conspecific populations.


Functional implications of femoral offset following hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fracture.
Inadequate reconstruction of femoral offset after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is associated with unfavourable outcomes, but its importance following hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fracture is unknown. Our study examined the correlation between reconstructed femoral offset and functional outcome 12 months after post traumatic hemiarthroplasty in 126 prospectively enrolled elderly patients. Rotation-corrected femoral offset (FORC), relative femoral offset (FORL) and contralateral femoral offset (FOC) were measured on anteroposterior radiographs. The Harris Hip Score (HHS) was the primary outcome measure; the timed up and go (TUG) test and Lawton instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) score were secondary outcomes. Correlations were sought using the Spearman correlation coefficient (r). Sample size was calculated using an Altman nomogram, with the power set at 80 %, the significance level of 0.05 and a standardised difference of 0.75. The mean reconstructed FORC was 41 mm (17-67 mm) and showed a linear relationship and excellent correlation with the FOC. At 12 months, we found a significant positive correlation between FORC and HHS (r = 0.303, p = 0.025) and IADL (r = 0.325, p = 0.013), but not TUG (r = -0.026, p = 0.863). These findings were confirmed by bivariate and multivariate correlation between FORL and functional outcome parameters. We found a clinically relevant relationship between femoral offset and functional outcome after hemiarthroplasty in elderly patients, comparable with that of THA, for treating osteoarthritis.