[Interventional angioradiology as a solution for microsurgical flap failure].
The microsurgical failure rate is almost constant for several decades. We present two case reports describing a novel method of free flap salvage using angioradiological techniques. Our first case shows the potential utility of in situ thrombolysis, our second case describes the first use of stents within a microsurgical anastomosis. In boths cases, the flap would have been lost immediately, because flap revisions failed. Thus, before abandoning on a flap, one could perform a simple angiography to evaluate further angioradiological salvage possibilities and hereby contribute to improve long term microsurgical failure rate.


Microvascular reconstruction of the hepatic artery in live donor liver transplantation: experience across a decade.
Hepatic arterial anastomosis by means of a microvascular technique can be performed with a high success rate in live donor liver transplantation in adult recipients. Retrospective analysis of data collected prospectively. Tertiary referral center. From September 28, 1993, through December 23, 2002, 28 children received left lateral segment grafts (n = 23) or left lobe grafts (n = 5), and 124 adults received left lobe (n = 6) or right lobe (n = 118) grafts. Microvascular technique was used for hepatic arterial anastomosis. Attention was paid to exposure, orientation of the axis of arterial ends, and matching of size. Long microinstruments were used for arterial ends deeply located inside an adult's abdominal cavity. An average of 16 stitches was used for a vessel anastomosis 3 mm in diameter. Intraoperative and postoperative Doppler ultrasonography were performed. Hepatic artery thrombosis rate. All hepatic arterial anastomoses were patent after reconstruction. Complications occurred in 3 patients. They had hepatic arterial thrombosis at 19 days, 25 days, and 3 months after liver transplantation. The overall complication rate was 2%. With attention to exposure, appropriate instruments, and experience, a low complication rate of 2% can be achieved in hepatic arterial anastomosis by using a microvascular technique, even in adult patients with the liver graft situated deeply in the abdominal cavity.


Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw leading to sepsis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis: A case report and clinical implications.
Chronic use of bisphosphonates, in combination with immunosuppressive therapy, increases the risk of jaw osteonecrosis. When sepsis occurs in patients receiving bisphosphonate, osteonecrosis of the jaw should be considered a potential source of infection. Reports of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) accompanied by sepsis are limited. A 75-year-old female patient with rheumatoid arthritis, receiving treatment with bisphosphonate and abatacept, developed sepsis secondary to MRONJ. When sepsis occurs in patients receiving bisphosphonate, osteonecrosis of the jaw should be considered a potential source of infection.


Effect of chromate ions on marine microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum.
Effect of chromate ions on the culture of a marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum was studied using an M-PEA-2 fluorimeter, which carries out simultaneous measurement of fluorescence induction and redox transformations of the P700 pigment within a millisecond range. Chromate ions were shown to inhibit electron transport in PS II and decrease the rate of QА reduction. This results in decreased values of the quantum yield of electron transport in PS II (ϕEo) and performance index (PI ABS), lower rates of P700 reduction, and increased energy (DI0/RC) and ΔpH-dependent nonphotochemical quenching (q E ). Emergence of the slow component of P700 reduction was observed, indicating the activation of cyclic transport in the presence of chromate. Performance index (PI ABS), which was the most sensitive parameter, may be recommended for detection of chromate ions at early stages of their toxic action. The fluorescence parameter F O is promising application in biotesting to assess the algal growth rates.


A dormant T-cell population with autoimmune potential exhibits low self-reactivity and infiltrates islets in type 1 diabetes.
The contribution of low-affinity T cells to autoimmunity in the context of polyclonal T-cell responses is understudied due to the limitations in their capture by tetrameric reagents and low level of activation in response to antigenic stimulation. As a result, low-affinity T cells are often disregarded as nonantigen-specific cells irrelevant to the immune response. Our study aimed to assess how the level of self-antigen reactivity shapes T-cell lineage and effector responses in the context of spontaneous tissue-specific autoimmunity observed in NOD mice. Using multicolor flow cytometry in combination with Nur77GFP reporter of TCR signaling, we identified a dormant population of T cells that infiltrated the pancreatic islets of prediabetic NOD mice, which exhibited reduced levels of self-tissue reactivity based on expression of CD5 and Nur77GFP . We showed that these CD5low T cells had a unique TCR repertoire and exhibited low activation and minimal effector function; however, induced rapid diabetes upon transfer. The CD4+ CD5low T-cell population displayed transcriptional signature of central memory T cells, consistent with the ability to acquire effector function post-transfer. Transcriptional profile of CD5low T cells was similar to T cells expressing a low-affinity TCR, indicating TCR affinity to be an important factor in shaping CD5low T-cell phenotype and function at the tissue site. Overall, our study suggests that autoimmune tissue can maintain a reservoir of undifferentiated central memory-like autoreactive T cells with pathogenic effector potential that might be an important source for effector T cells during long-term chronic autoimmunity.


Lack of correlation between hormonal blood levels and endometrial maturation in agonadal women with repeat implantation failure following embryo transfer from donated eggs.
Five women with ovarian failure who repeatedly failed to conceive following embryo transfer from donated eggs underwent endometrial development investigation. One endometrial biopsy was obtained on cycle days 19, 21, and 23 during three consecutive artificially induced cycles. All five patients had only early secretory changes on days 19 and 21. Histological evaluation on cycle day 23 revealed various developmental stages: two women had "in-phase" endometrium, two patients had adequately developed stroma but significantly retarded glandular maturation, and one women showed no progress. The histological findings were conclusive for a significant maturation delay and an impaired endometrial receptivity. There was a lack of correlation between the peripheral hormonal blood levels and the endometrial maturation.


The incidence of herpes zoster in patients with Hodgkin's disease. An analysis of prognostic factors.
The incidence of zoster in 717 patients with Hodgkin's disease was determined by a retrospective chart review. All patients had been treated and followed in one of six cancer centers. Prognostic factors that might predict the subsequent incidence of zoster were examined by univariate and multivariate analytic techniques. Intensity of treatment was a key factor in the incidence of zoster. Thirty-six months after initiation of treatment, patients receiving chemotherapy-radiation-chemotherapy had twice the attack rate (27.3%) of those receiving radiation alone (11.5%). The pediatric age group had a significantly higher attack rate (26.6%) than did adults (18.7%). Stage, histology, and laparotomy did not influence the incidence of zoster.


Preterm birth and detection of common respiratory pathogens among pediatric pneumonia.
Pneumonia complicated by preterm birth is related to adverse clinical sequelae from the neonatal period to childhood. Children with pneumonia during 2009-2021 were enrolled at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. Altogether 20 respiratory pathogens were detected and compared. Among 8,206 children, 779 were in the preterm group with 246 of early-preterm and 533 of late preterm. The positive rates for all viral pathogens were comparable between the preterm group and the full-term group. For bacterial pathogens, higher positive rates for Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were observed in the preterm group. Severe pneumonia developed in 16.52% of all, which was higher in the preterm group than in the full-term group. A significantly higher rate of severe pneumonia was observed in the early-preterm group compared to the late-preterm group. Preterm birth has an impact on the detection of bacterial pathogens in children and is a risk factor for severe pneumonia.


Herbs carbonization and activation for fast sorption of nitrate ions: a new challenge for a full treatment of groundwater pollution.
The evolution of low-cost ecotechnologies in water treatment and purification is highly increased. Face to the growing global demand for eco-friendly water treatment materials, the non-valorized herb-based biomass covering a large area could be a promising alternative. Herbs (HB) are currently one of the cheapest biomasses. Therefore, the utilization of HB for environmental applications is relevant. HB was treated and activated in this work to produce an eco-friendly adsorbent for nitrate removal from groundwater. HB was treated with modified carbonization at 220 °C to produce highly reactive biochar (BCH). Ammonium groups (AM) are immobilized covalently over the BCH surface, and then, the resulting materials BCH-AM are fully characterized. Results showed that ammonium is successfully grafted at the BCH surface, producing a highly stable material. Measurements on nitrate ion adsorption revealed that BCH-AM are of great interest as 80% of nitrate ions (NO3-) were removed. Importantly, the eco-friendly BCH-AM demonstrated the ability to easily desorb the nitrate ions using Na2CO3 as a green eluent. Parametric studies confirmed the effectiveness of the prepared adsorbent and approved that the adsorption occurred by electrostatic interactions. To demonstrate the performance of the adsorbent, BCH-AM was evaluated to remove NO3- from groundwater upstream in a water treatment plant. This work opens an immense perspective for herb biomass to be the actual challenge to resolve environmental problems.


Intestinal obstruction from midgut volvulus after laparoscopic appendectomy.
We present the case of a 30-year-old man who developed a small bowel obstruction from an acute midgut volvulus 8 days after undergoing a laparoscopic appendectomy. There was no evidence of congenital malrotation or midgut volvulus on the initial computed tomography (CT) scan or at laparoscopy. Subsequently, a midgut volvulus developed in the absence of congenital malrotation.


Distribution and population density of the bushcricket Decticus verrucivorus in a damp-meadow biotope.
A population of Decticus verrucivorus (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) was studied in the field over two successive years. The majority of insects accumulate only in certain parts of a diverse habitat. In this area the mean population density of adult Decticus verrucivorus was 3.1/100 m2. Analysis of nearest neighbour distances shows that males have a clumped distribution in the undisturbed habitat. It is concluded that larval distribution reflects the distribution of oviposition sites but that the distribution of adult males, though also depending on the distribution of natural resources and the climatic conditions, is produced mainly by the acoustic interactions with other males. The distribution of adult females does not appear to be determined by the acoustic behaviour of the males. The role of environmental factors such as the availability of food, humidity and temperature, and of the acoustic communication within this species, is discussed with respect to the problem of the high site fidelity of Decticus verrucivorus.


The Hidden Cost of Commercial Antibiotic-Loaded Bone Cement: A Systematic Review of Clinical Results and Cost Implications Following Total Knee Arthroplasty.
The purpose of this systematic review is to compare deep prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) between total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients treated with either antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) or plain bone cement, and to explore the potential cost implications of commonly used bone cement regimens. We hypothesized that ALBC would not substantially reduce PJIs and would thereby present an unnecessary cost to the healthcare system. Using the PRISMA guidelines, we reviewed articles through May 2017 involving primary TKA patients with both ALBC cohort and plain bone cement cohort. A meta-analysis was performed comparing the prevalence of deep infections between cohorts. A cost comparison for a hypothetical setting with an annual volume of 1000 TKAs was performed to compare 3 commonly used cement regimens: 2 bags of ALBC used during each case, 1 bag of ALBC with 1 bag of plain cement, and 2 bags of plain cement. Pricing at our institution is $215/bag for commercial ALBC and $60/bag for plain cement. Eight articles were included with a total of 34,664 patients. ALBC did not reduce the PJI (ALBC = 93/8189, 1.1% vs plain = 251/26,475, 0.9%; P = .09). The estimated costs for the 3 bone cement regimens per 1000 primary TKAs were as follows: 2 bags of ALBC = $430,000/y, 1 bag of ALBC +1 bag of plain cement = $275,000/y, and 2 bags of plain cement = $120,000/y. ALBC did not reduce the prevalence of PJI suggesting that ALBC may be an unnecessary cost to the healthcare system. Hospital systems that perform 1000 TKAs/y could save between $155,000 and $310,000/y by switching to plain cement.


Impact of Biofeedback in the Treatment of Nonspecific Persistent Wrist and Forearm Pain in Adolescents.
Biofeedback is a self-regulation technique in which patients learn to control what were once thought to be involuntary bodily processes. The goal of this study was to examine a sample of adolescents with persistent, nonspecific wrist and forearm pain to assess whether biofeedback can improve symptoms. A secondary goal was to identify any shared characteristics. This is a retrospective case series of patients seen by an upper-extremity surgeon and a biofeedback expert at a pediatric hospital from 2011 through 2017. Data collected included Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) scores, pain intensity, frequency, and duration; as well as self-report of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and/or suicidal ideation. Additional data included biological sex, brace or orthosis wear, history of injury, prior medical or surgical treatments, and the presence of paresthesias. Biofeedback sessions were held every 1 to 2 weeks, for typically 5 sessions. Sixteen patients met inclusion criteria; 9 completed biofeedback. Eight patients were female (88%) and 1 was male (11%). The dominant extremity was affected in 8 patients (89%). Seven of the 9 patients who completed biofeedback had improvement or resolution of symptoms (78%). Both patients who completed biofeedback but did not have improvement in pain underwent surgery before biofeedback referral. Three patients reported paresthesias; each had an elevated CDI and MASC score (33%). Six patients did not report paresthesias, and one patient had similar elevated CDI and MASC scores CONCLUSIONS: More females than males were seen and referred to biofeedback in this study group. There appears to be an association between underlying anxiety or depression and the report of paresthesias. Biofeedback is an available nonsurgical treatment modality for persistent wrist and forearm pain that should be considered in appropriate patients. Therapeutic V.


Scaffold-based [Fe]-hydrogenase model: H2 activation initiates Fe(0)-hydride extrusion and non-biomimetic hydride transfer.
We report the synthesis and reactivity of a model of [Fe]-hydrogenase derived from an anthracene-based scaffold that includes the endogenous, organometallic acyl(methylene) donor. In comparison to other non-scaffolded acyl-containing complexes, the complex described herein retains molecularly well-defined chemistry upon addition of multiple equivalents of exogenous base. Clean deprotonation of the acyl(methylene) C-H bond with a phenolate base results in the formation of a dimeric motif that contains a new Fe-C(methine) bond resulting from coordination of the deprotonated methylene unit to an adjacent iron center. This effective second carbanion in the ligand framework was demonstrated to drive heterolytic H2 activation across the Fe(ii) center. However, this process results in reductive elimination and liberation of the ligand to extrude a lower-valent Fe-carbonyl complex. Through a series of isotopic labelling experiments, structural characterization (XRD, XAS), and spectroscopic characterization (IR, NMR, EXAFS), a mechanistic pathway is presented for H2/hydride-induced loss of the organometallic acyl unit (i.e. pyCH2-C[double bond, length as m-dash]O → pyCH3+C[triple bond, length as m-dash]O). The known reduced hydride species [HFe(CO)4]- and [HFe3(CO)11]- have been observed as products by 1H/2H NMR and IR spectroscopies, as well as independent syntheses of PNP[HFe(CO)4]. The former species (i.e. [HFe(CO)4]-) is deduced to be the actual hydride transfer agent in the hydride transfer reaction (nominally catalyzed by the title compound) to a biomimetic substrate ([TolIm](BArF) = fluorinated imidazolium as hydride acceptor). This work provides mechanistic insight into the reasons for lack of functional biomimetic behavior (hydride transfer) in acyl(methylene)pyridine based mimics of [Fe]-hydrogenase.


What are the determinants of wastewater discharge reduction in China? Decomposition analysis by LMDI.
Wastewater discharge reduction (WDR) is a key breakthrough point for China's environmental protection. Based on China's 30 provincial data from 2011 to 2017, this paper applied the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) method to clarify the determinants of WDR at national, regional, and provincial levels. Except for wastewater discharge factor, economic development, and total population, four innovative factors, total water application intensity, water environment cost, water treatment industry development level, and drainage infrastructure investment scale were first proposed in this study. The results indicated that from 2011 to 2017, at the national level, total water application intensity and water treatment industry development level were dominant contributors to WDR, while other factors all inhibited WDR. At the regional level, the results of wastewater discharge factor, economic development, and water environment cost were similar to the national level. The drainage infrastructure investment scale had a positive effect on WDR in Northeast and South China while having a negative effect on other regions. And except for Northeast China, the water treatment industry development level promoted WRD, while the total population inhibited WDR. Finally, the determinants of WDR at the provincial level were investigated. On this basis, targeted corresponding policies were provided in this paper.


A functional and histological study of the combined effects of gentamicin and aminooxyacetic acid on the organ of Corti of the guinea pig.
Aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA) is a transaminase inhibitor that has been shown to protect the inner ear from loud noises. This study was done to determine if it can also protect against the cochleotoxic action of gentamicin. Four groups of guinea pigs were injected with gentamicin in doses approximating a clinical therapeutic dose and then in ototoxic doses. Thereafter animals were treated with parenteral AOAA. The effect on hearing was investigated using Preyer's reflex measurements. All animals were sacrificed and their cochleas were examined histologically using the surface preparation technique and mid-modiolar semithin sections. Histocochleograms were plotted to compare the effects of treatment in the animal groups. There was no difference seen among the groups tested. Cochlear damage was nearly equal in all animals, and AOAA was not found to protect the cochlea against gentamicin-induced ototoxicity of gentamicin. The mechanism of the ototoxicity produced is discussed on the basis of the findings. Additionally, hair cell degeneration was studied after therapeutic doses of gentamicin. Changes seen were found to be equal to or less than 5% of the hair cells and were scattered throughout the entire cochlea.


Transcriptomic responses of the basidiomycete yeast Sporobolomyces sp. to the mycotoxin patulin.
Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by Penicillium expansum, the causal agent of blue mold of stored pome fruits, and several other species of filamentous fungi. This mycotoxin has genotoxic, teratogenic and immunotoxic effects in mammals, and its presence in pome fruits and derived products represents a serious health hazard. Biocontrol agents in the Pucciniomycotina, such as the yeasts Sporobolomyces sp. strain IAM 13481 and Rhodosporidium kratochvilovae strain LS11, are able to resist patulin and degrade it into the less toxic compounds desoxypatulinic acid and ascladiol. In this investigation we applied a transcriptomic approach based on RNAseq to annotate the genome of Sporobolomyces sp. IAM 13481 and then study the changes of gene expression in Sporobolomyces sp. exposed to patulin. Patulin treatment leads to ROS production and oxidative stress that result in the activation of stress response mechanisms controlled by transcription factors. Upregulated Sporobolomyces genes were those involved in oxidation-reduction and transport processes, suggesting the activation of defense mechanisms to resist patulin toxicity and expel the mycotoxin out of the cells. Other upregulated genes encoded proteins involved in metabolic processes such as those of the glutathione and thioredoxin systems, which are essential to restore the cellular redox homeostasis. Conversely, patulin treatment decreased the expression of genes involved in the processes of protein synthesis and modification, such as transcription, RNA processing, translation, protein phosphorylation and biosynthesis of amino acids. Also, genes encoding proteins involved in transport of ions, cell division and cell cycle were downregulated. This indicates a reduction of metabolic activity, probably due to the high energy requirement by the cells or metabolic arrest while recovering from the insult caused by patulin toxicity. Complex mechanisms are activated in a biocontrol yeast in response to patulin. The genes identified in this study can pave the way to develop i) a biodetoxification process of patulin in juices and ii) a biosensor for the rapid and cost-effective detection of this mycotoxin.


Infective endocarditis: a pathophysiologic approach to therapy.
The treatment of infective endocarditis requires a multidisciplinary approach, including the expertise of cardiologists, infectious disease specialists, and cardiothoracic surgeons. By drawing from the pathophysiology, this article discusses a multidimensional approach to the treatment of these difficult patients.


Comparative analysis of ER stress response into HIV protease inhibitors: lopinavir but not darunavir induces potent ER stress response via ROS/JNK pathway.
HIV protease inhibitor (PI)-induced ER stress has been associated with adverse effects. Although it is a serious clinical problem for HIV/AIDS patients, comparative analyses of ER stress induction by clinically used PIs have rarely been done. Especially, there is no report on the differential ER stress response between lopinavir (LPV) and darunavir (DRV), although these PIs are the most clinically used PIs. We show here that LPV induces the most potent CHOP expression, ER stress marker, among the 9 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved PIs in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, several human epithelial cells, and mouse embryonic fibroblasts. LPV induced the most potent ROS production and JNK activation in 9 PIs. A comparison among the most clinically used PIs, ritonavir (RTV), LPV, and DRV, revealed that LPV potently and RTV moderately but not DRV induced ER stress via ROS-dependent JNK activation rather than proteasome inhibition. Finally, we analyzed ER stress induction in tissues of mice intraperitoneally injected with RTV, LPV, and DRV. RTV and LPV but not DRV showed ER stress induction in several mice tissues. In conclusion, we first identify LPV as the most potent ER stress inducing PI among 9 FDA-approved PIs in human cells, and although clinical verification is necessary, we show here that DRV has the advantage of less ROS and ER stress induction potential compared with LPV in vitro and in vivo.


Comparison of relative areas of interest between major depression disorder and postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression (PPD) is defined as a major depressive disorder (MDD) beginning after childbirth. Wide debates aim to better understand PPD's specificities compared with MDD. One of the keys in differentiating PPD from MDD is to systematically study scientific "Areas Of Interest" (AOIs) of these disorders. In November 2021, we performed an extraction and textual computational analysis of associated terms for PPD and MDD, using the biomedical database PubMed. We performed an undirected lexical network analysis to map the 150 first terms in space. Then, we used an unsupervised machine learning technique to detect word patterns and automatically cluster AOIs with a topic-modeling analysis. We identified 30,000 articles of the 554,724 articles for MDD and 15,642 articles for PPD. Four AOIs were detected in the MDD network: mood disorders and their treatments, risk factors, consequences and quality of life, and mental health and comorbidities. Five AOIs were detected in the PPD network: mood disorders and treatments, risk factors, consequences and child health, patient's background, and the challenges of screening. Limitations are both methodological, in particular due to the qualitative interpretation of AOIs, and are also related to the difficult transferability of these research results to the clinical practice. The partial overlap between AOIs for MDD and for PPD suggest that the latter is a particular form of the former.


Diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma in due time: a practical approach.
The quick diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and its clear-cut differentiation from diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is of great clinical importance because treatment strategies for these two disease entities differ markedly. As these two lymphomas are difficult to distinguish using the current World Health Organization classification, we studied 39 cases of highly proliferative peripheral blastic B-cell lymphoma (HPBCL) to establish a practical differential-diagnostic algorithm. Characteristics set for BL were a typical morphology, a mature B-cell phenotype of CD10+, Bcl-6+ and Bcl-2- tumour cells, a proliferation rate of >95%, and the presence of C-MYC rearrangements in the absence of t(14;18)(q32;q21). Altogether, these characteristics were found in only five of 39 cases, whereas the majority of tumours revealed mosaic features. We then followed a pragmatic stepwise approach for a classification algorithm that included the assessment of C-MYC status to stratify HPBCL into four predefined diagnostic categories (DC), namely DC I (5/39, 12.8%): 'classical BL', DC II (11/39, 28.2%): 'atypical BL', DC III (9/39, 23.1%): 'C-MYC+ DLBCL' and DC IV (14/39, 35.9%): 'C-MYC- HPBCL'. This proposal may serve as a robust and objective operational basis for therapeutic decisions for HPBCL within 1 week and is applicable to be evaluated for its prognostic relevance in clinical trials with uniformly treated patients.


Prepubertal children exposed to concentrated disadvantage: An exploratory analysis of inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.
It is unclear whether physiologic and metabolic biomarkers are associated with chronic stressors evidenced during early childhood. Cross-sectional data were obtained from a cohort of healthy, prepubertal (Tanner stage < 2) children (n = 96; age: 8.06 [7.8] years; M = 51 [53%]; F = 45 [47%]; African-American = 26 [27%]; Caucasian = 70 [73%]; with obesity = 21 [22%]; without obesity = 75 [78%]) from the MET study. Body mass index z-score (z_BMI), total body fat (BF), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), intrahepatic and intramyocellular lipids, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured. Chronic stress was assessed using neighborhood concentrated disadvantage index (CDI) for the U.S. Census tracts in which participants resided. Spearman's rank correlations were used to examine relationships, accounting for sex and race. CDI was not positively associated with inflammatory and metabolic markers of dysfunction. However, z_BMI (-0.234, P = 0.023), BF (-0.228, P = 0.028, n = 95), and VAT (-0.241, P = 0.042, n = 74) were significantly negatively associated with CDI. When stratifying by race, these relationships remained significant in Caucasian children only. These findings suggest chronic stress during early childhood is not associated with inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers, typically observed in adults. Therefore, exposure to stress during this critical developmental period may remain latent and emerge during a later developmental stage.


Limits of reproducibility of mitral pulsed Doppler spectra.
The total intrinsic variability of pulsed Doppler spectra of mitral blood flow was evaluated in this study. Doppler examinations were performed in 10 normal volunteers (7 men, 3 women), ages 29 to 57 years (mean 41) with an interval period of 3 months. The recordings were made in the apical 4-chamber view, using a 2.25-MHz transducer. The sample was placed approximately 1 cm proximal (left atrium) and 1 cm distal (left ventricle) from the middle of the anulus of the mitral valve at the onset of diastole. Processing of the raw Doppler spectra was done in a way that avoided subjective manipulation by the investigators. Mitral peak velocities, accelerations and spectral widths were measured in early diastole and late diastole. From the parameters under investigation, maximal velocities showed the best reproducibility with a range of coefficients of variation of 9 to 13%. Peak acceleration in early diastole and spectral widths showed rather large coefficients of variation, ranging from 19 to 30 and 14 to 24%, respectively. Mitral pulsed Doppler spectra in the left atrium were more reproducible than in the left ventricle.


Absorption of intact proteins by the intestinal epithelium of trout, Salmo gairdneri. A luminescence enzyme immunoassay and cytochemical study.
In the rainbow trout, a carnivorous species with a stomach, orally administered horseradish peroxidase (HRP) crossed the intestinal epithelium into the circulation. The protein first appeared in the blood 7 to 8 h after intubation, and could be assayed up to 24 h after administration. The method used, which combines ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay) and chemiluminescence, enabled the transfer to be measured quantitatively. There was a direct correlation between the quantity ingested and the quantity transferred to the plasma within the experimental limits chosen. The clearance was monophasic and exponential (clearance rate: 3% per minute). Up to 6% of the ingested HRP was transferred to the blood. By cytochemistry it was possible to demonstrate that the protein crossed the intestinal cells at the level of the posterior segment, escaping the particularly intense intracellular lysosomal digestion. After entering the intercellular space, HRP was transferred to the interstitial space of the subepithelial lamina propria. During this transfer the HRP was in close contact with infiltrated macrophages and leukocytes resembling lymphoid cells. Thus, the passage of these protein particles could be the first indispensable step in the possible triggering of a local and/or a systemic immune response.


Triazolothiadiazoles and triazolothiadiazines--biologically attractive scaffolds.
Contemporary medicinal chemistry faces diverse challenges from several directions, including the need for both potency and specificity of any therapeutic agent. Therefore, in the present perspective, the triazolothiadiazoles and triazolothiadiazines with broad spectrum biological profile have matured into indispensable heterocyclic scaffolds. This review article is an effort to summarize medicinal chemistry investigations over the last decade, in search for new N-bridged heterocycles which can be a rich source of promising biological activities.


A novel extracellular glycosidase activity from Rhodotorula mucilaginosa: its application potential in wine aroma enhancement.
The aim of the work was to evaluate the application potential of a glycosidase extract of one indigenous non-Saccharomyces strain in wine aroma enhancement. The isolate was selected from a local winemaking region in China for its high β-glucosidase level and was identified as Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. The tolerance of the glycosidase extract to the typical winemaking conditions was assessed using the activity of its β-glucosidase. After that, the hydrolysis capacity of R. mucilaginosa glycosidase for liberation of grape aroma glycosides was characterized in comparison to commercial enzyme preparations. Results of this work revealed that glycosidase extract from R. mucilaginosa proved to be active in the presence of 0-20% (w/v) glucose, 0-20% (v/v) ethanol and at pH 3·0-5·0. In the hydrolysis of aroma precursors, enzymes obtained from different origins possessed various levels of specificity and activity, showing high origin dependence (α = 0·05). Compared to commercial enzymes, the indigenous R. mucilaginosa glycosidase extract presented better catalytic preference for the 'fruity and floral' glycosides of benzenic compounds and C13 -norisoprenoids, but less sensitivity to the glycosides of C6 compounds and volatile phenols. This work presents a novel extracellular glycosidase preparation from an indigenous Rhodotorula mucilaginosa strain selected from a local winemaking region in China. This enzyme extract exhibits strong tolerance towards winemaking conditions. It shows hydrolysis specificity for glycosides of benzenic compounds and C13 -norisoprenoids, proving a potential candidate for improving floral and fruity aroma characteristics of wine.


An effective modular approach for crowd counting in an image using convolutional neural networks.
Abrupt and continuous nature of scale variation in a crowded scene is a challenging task to enhance crowd counting accuracy in an image. Existing crowd counting techniques generally used multi-column or single-column dilated convolution to tackle scale variation due to perspective distortion. However, due to multi-column nature, they obtain identical features, whereas, the standard dilated convolution (SDC) with expanded receptive field size has sparse pixel sampling rate. Due to sparse nature of SDC, it is highly challenging to obtain relevant contextual information. Further, features at multiple scale are not extracted despite some inception-based model is not used (which is cost effective). To mitigate theses drawbacks in SDC, we therefore, propose a hierarchical dense dilated deep pyramid feature extraction through convolution neural network (CNN) for single image crowd counting (HDPF). It comprises of three modules: general feature extraction module (GFEM), deep pyramid feature extraction module (PFEM) and fusion module (FM). The GFEM is responsible to obtain task independent general features. Whereas, PFEM plays a vital role to obtain the relevant contextual information due to dense pixel sampling rate caused by densely connected dense stacked dilated convolutional modules (DSDCs). Further, due to dense connections among DSDCs, the final feature map acquires multi-scale information with expanded receptive field as compared to SDC. Due to dense pyramid nature, it is very effective to propagate the extracted feature from lower dilated convolutional layers (DCLs) to middle and higher DCLs, which result in better estimation accuracy. The FM is used to fuse the incoming features extracted by other modules. The proposed technique is tested through simulations on three well known datasets: Shanghaitech (Part-A), Shanghaitech (Part-B) and Venice. Results justify its relative effectiveness in terms of selected performance.


Malnutrition in patients treated for oral or oropharyngeal cancer--prevalence and relationship with oral symptoms: an explorative study.
This study aimed to assess prevalence of malnutrition after treatment for oral/oropharyngeal cancer and to explore how oral symptoms relate to malnutrition after treatment. In this cross-sectional study, malnutrition (weight loss ≥ 10% in 6 months or ≥ 5% in 1 month), oral symptoms (EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire and additional questions to assess chewing problems), dental status, trismus and dietary intake were assessed in 116 adult patients treated for oral/oropharyngeal cancer. Prevalence of malnutrition was 16% (95%CI: 10% to 23%). Prevalence of malnutrition in the period 0-3 months after treatment was significantly higher (25%) than in the periods >3-12 months (13%) and >12-36 months after treatment (3%, p = 0.008). Logistic multivariate regression analysis revealed that swallowing problems (p = 0.021) and insufficient protein intake were significantly related to malnutrition (p = 0.016). In conclusion, malnutrition is a considerable problem in patients treated for oral/oropharyngeal cancer, shortly after treatment. Of all oral symptoms, only swallowing problems were significantly related to malnutrition in the period after treatment for oral/oropharyngeal cancer.


Vital staining of nerve structures with fluorescent dyes and optical determination of acetylcholine in the somatic muscle of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris.
Experiments with fluorescent dyes showed that high concentrations of K(+) ions in the medium depolarize the membrane and enhance exo-endocytosis in nerve structures, which is accompanied by an increase in acetylcholine concentration in the somatic muscle of earthworm. In the presence of BAPTA and without Ca(2+) exo-endocytosis is sharply decelerated, the level of acetylcholine in the muscle decreases, but remains relatively high.


Bend induced by the phage phi 29 transcriptional activator in the viral late promoter is required for activation.
Transcription initiation from the Bacillus subtilis phage phi 29 late A3 promoter requires the viral protein p4, a transcriptional activator. Protein p4 binds to a region of the A3 promoter, located between nucleotides -50 and -100 relative to the transcription start site, that presents a sequence-directed curvature. This curvature is enhanced when protein p4 binds to the promoter. A number of deletion mutants at the carboxyl end of protein p4 have been constructed and their behavior as transcriptional activators of the late A3 promoter has been investigated. The binding of these deletion mutants to the late A3 promoter has been analyzed by gel retardation, DNase I footprinting, methylation interference and circular permutation assays. The results suggest that the last 12 amino acid residues of protein p4, six of which are positively charged, although not involved in the specific recognition of the promoter are responsible for part of the bend induced by protein p4 in its binding site. Evidence is presented which suggests that full induction of this curvature is needed for the transcription activation process. A model is proposed for protein p4 interaction with the A3 promoter, in which the bend is induced in two steps: first, two monomers of protein p4 bind to the inverted recognition sequences, subsequent interaction between them generating a bend between these sequences; second, the highly basic carboxyl terminus of protein p4 establishes non-specific electrostatic interactions with the DNA backbone inducing a bend at both ends of the protein p4 binding region.


Development and validation of a reliable method for studying the distribution pattern for opiates metabolites in brain.
Brain distribution pattern of "street" heroin metabolites (morphine and codeine) was investigated in two fatalities due to "acute narcotism". A suitable sample pretreatment prior to solid-phase-extraction was developed to achieve a good recovery of the analytes and to eliminate the interfering species. After derivatization with MSTFA, samples were analyzed by GC/MS. Specificity, accuracy, precision and linearity of the method were evaluated; LOD and LOQ were, respectively, 10ng/25ng for morphine and 5ng/10ng for codeine. This method was applied to the analysis of six brain areas (hippocampus, frontal lobe, occipital lobe, nuclei, bulb and pons) coming from two cases of heroin-related deaths. No evidence of accumulation of metabolites in a specific brain region was found.


Mapping of multifocal breast cancer to achieve negative margins: A new step in the evolution of conservative breast surgery(A cohort study).
•Conservative breast surgery is the standard technique in breast cancer.•Multifocal breast cancer is a risk factor for involved margins.•Positive margins are considered one of the predictors for local recurrence.•Preoperative wire mapping after breast marking by the surgeon increase the chance to have negative margins.


Gly482Ser mutation impairs the effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α on decreasing fat deposition and stimulating phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase expression in hepatocytes.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) is a transcriptional coactivator of nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ that critically regulates glucose and fat metabolism. Although clinical evidence suggests that Gly482Ser polymorphism of PGC-1α is associated with an increased incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, a direct role for Gly482Ser mutation in altering PGC-1α actions on hepatocyte fat deposition remains to be explored. We hypothesized that Gly482Ser mutation impairs the abilities of PGC-1α in ameliorating overnutrition-induced hepatocyte fat deposition and in stimulating hepatocyte expression of cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-C; encoded by a key PGC-1α target gene). In the present study, treatment of cultured hepatocytes with palmitate induced fat deposition, serving as a cell model of hepatic steatosis. Upon overexpression of wild-type PGC-1α, H4IIE cells exhibited a significant decrease in palmitate-induced hepatocyte fat deposition compared with control cells and/or cells upon overexpression of mutant PGC-1α (Gly482Ser). Overexpression of wild-type PGC-1α, but not mutant PGC-1α, also caused a significant increase in hepatocyte expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1a, a rate-determining enzyme that transfers long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for oxidation. In addition, overexpression of mutant PGC-1α did not stimulate PEPCK-C expression as overexpression of wild-type PGC-1α did, likely due to a decrease in the ability of mutant PGC-1α in increasing PEPCK promoter transcription activity. Together, these results suggest that Gly482Ser mutation impairs the abilities of PGC-1α in decreasing fat deposition and in stimulating PEPCK-C expression in cultured hepatocytes.


Adipose‑derived mesenchymal stem cells exhibit tumor tropism and promote tumorsphere formation of breast cancer cells.
Mesenchymal stem cells reportedly have a marked effect on tumor growth or suppression. However, it remains uncertain whether adipose‑derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) from grafted fat can contribute to breast cancer growth and recurrence. In the present study, interactions between ADSCs and MCF‑7 breast cancer cells were evaluated in a Matrigel co‑culture system and in an in vivo nude mouse model. Results suggested that MCF‑7 cells exerted tumor tropism effects on ADSCs and this may be regulated by chemokines, such as the macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‑1δ and MIP‑3α. Additionally, ADSCs significantly induced tumorsphere formation in vitro and promoted tumorigenicity in vivo. RT‑qPCR analysis indicated that tumorsphere formation by MCF‑7 cells was associated with the induction of stem‑like properties, which was mediated by epithelial‑-mesenchymal transition. Together, the present findings indicated that ADSCs exhibit tropism and induce tumorsphere formation of MCF‑7 cells.


Early effects of COVID-19 pandemic-related state policies on housing market activity in the United States.
I use daily and weekly data from 100 metropolitan areas in 2020 to investigate the effects of state-level policies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic on various indicators of U.S. housing market activity. Measures of housing market activity include change in new listings, total inventory, newly pending sales, median list price, web traffic to for-sale homes, and average number of days to pending sale status. Using event study and difference-in-differences models, I find that the closure of non-essential businesses in certain states was associated with up to an 11-percentage point decrease in new home listings and a 3.5 percentage point decrease in total inventory relative to the same period in 2019. I also find that school closures may affect some outcomes.


An analysis of air transport results in the sick newborn II. Antenatal and neonatal referrals.
The neonatal intensive-care unit at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center admits approximately 350 infants each year. At least half of these infants are referred, and, since 1973, there has been a steady increase in antenatal referrals. In 1975, in utero referrals exceeded neonatal referrals. The entire perinatal population of two referring hospitals was retrospectively evaluated in order to compare neonatal and in utero transfers. The neonatal transfers had higher-than-predicted mortality rate, while the in utero referrals had not only lower-than-predicted mortality rate, but the survivors had a shorter hospital stay. The combined neonatal/perinatal regionalization program resulted in a perinatal mortality rate of eight and 7.6 per 1,000 births in the two hospitals during the study period.


Factors contributing to corneal decompensation with the Stableflex lens.
A retrospective review was conducted on 38 eyes with Stableflex intraocular lenses in which the lenses were removed or the eye had penetrating keratoplasty. Preoperative axial length measurements were significantly lower in eyes with Stableflex lenses than in control eyes. Based on these data, axial length measurements may be valuable in predicting which eyes will develop corneal problems with small-diameter, closed-loop anterior chamber lenses. Axial lengths may also be beneficial in deciding preoperatively which eyes may need smaller-size anterior chamber lenses of other designs. This is believed to be the first report linking short axial lengths to problems with anterior chamber lenses and recommending the use of axial length measurements for preoperative sizing of anterior chamber lenses.


Effect of ventilation strategy during cardiopulmonary bypass on postoperative pulmonary complications after cardiac surgery: a randomized clinical trial.
To determine whether maintaining ventilation during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with a different fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) had an impact on the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). A total of 413 adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with CPB were randomly assigned into three groups: 138 in the NoV group (received no mechanical ventilation during CPB), 138 in the LOV group (received a tidal volume (VT) of 3-4 ml/kg of ideal body weight with the respiratory rate of 10-12 bpm, and the positive end-expiratory pressure of 5-8 cmH2O during CPB; the FiO2 was 30%), and 137 in the HOV group (received the same ventilation parameters settings as the LOV group while the FiO2 was 80%). The primary outcomes were the incidence and severity of PPCs during hospitalization. The composite incidence of PPCs did not significantly differ between the NoV (63%), LOV (49%) and HOV (57%) groups (P = 0.069). And there was also no difference regarding the incidence of PPCs between the non-ventilation (NoV) and ventilation (the combination of LOV and HOV) groups. The LOV group was observed a lower proportion of moderate and severe pulmonary complications (grade ≥ 3) than the NoV group (23.1% vs. 44.2%, P = 0.001). Maintaining ventilation during CPB did not reduce the incidence of PPCs in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1800015261. Prospectively registered 19 March 2018. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=25982.


Minimally Invasive Approach to Facial Rejuvenation: The Authors' Preferred Approach.
The highest level of esthetic treatment serves not only as a procedure but also as an artistic creation under the limitations of medicine. Based on oriental esthetic and anatomic features, the authors have proposed the " Future Codes" design in Chinese calligraphy describing the art of facial rejuvenation in Asians to help doctors perform well. The concept encompasses a systematic overall design for the art of facial rejuvenation in Asians, associated with beautiful meanings and is easy to learn and perform safely, including the 5 principles of minimally invasive facial rejuvenation: adding, subtracting, tightening, brightening and flexing.


Fangorn Forest (F2): a machine learning approach to classify genes and genera in the family Geminiviridae.
Geminiviruses infect a broad range of cultivated and non-cultivated plants, causing significant economic losses worldwide. The studies of the diversity of species, taxonomy, mechanisms of evolution, geographic distribution, and mechanisms of interaction of these pathogens with the host have greatly increased in recent years. Furthermore, the use of rolling circle amplification (RCA) and advanced metagenomics approaches have enabled the elucidation of viromes and the identification of many viral agents in a large number of plant species. As a result, determining the nomenclature and taxonomically classifying geminiviruses turned into complex tasks. In addition, the gene responsible for viral replication (particularly, the viruses belonging to the genus Mastrevirus) may be spliced due to the use of the transcriptional/splicing machinery in the host cells. However, the current tools have limitations concerning the identification of introns. This study proposes a new method, designated Fangorn Forest (F2), based on machine learning approaches to classify genera using an ab initio approach, i.e., using only the genomic sequence, as well as to predict and classify genes in the family Geminiviridae. In this investigation, nine genera of the family Geminiviridae and their related satellite DNAs were selected. We obtained two training sets, one for genus classification, containing attributes extracted from the complete genome of geminiviruses, while the other was made up to classify geminivirus genes, containing attributes extracted from ORFs taken from the complete genomes cited above. Three ML algorithms were applied on those datasets to build the predictive models: support vector machines, using the sequential minimal optimization training approach, random forest (RF), and multilayer perceptron. RF demonstrated a very high predictive power, achieving 0.966, 0.964, and 0.995 of precision, recall, and area under the curve (AUC), respectively, for genus classification. For gene classification, RF could reach 0.983, 0.983, and 0.998 of precision, recall, and AUC, respectively. Therefore, Fangorn Forest is proven to be an efficient method for classifying genera of the family Geminiviridae with high precision and effective gene prediction and classification. The method is freely accessible at www.geminivirus.org:8080/geminivirusdw/discoveryGeminivirus.jsp .


Comparison of 2 blind approaches to the paravertebral brachial plexus regional block in canine cadavers.
The paravertebral brachial plexus block (PVB) provides thoracic limb analgesia. The objective was to describe a blind craniocaudal (CC) approach to the PVB and compare its accuracy, time, and difficulty of performance with a blind dorsoventral (DV) approach. The operator was initially trained by experienced clinicians to perform both approaches on 5 cadavers. Next, a CC or DV approach to the PVB was performed on both thoracic limbs of 20 cadavers (20 for each approach). Methylene blue dye was equally divided into 4 aliquots to stain the ventral branches of the sixth to eighth cervical and first thoracic spinal nerves. Successfully stained (stain ≥ 1 cm) spinal nerves were counted. The time to perform each approach was recorded and ease of performance was scored using a numerical scale (1 "easy" to 4 "difficult"). The phrenic nerve was checked for stain. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare approaches. The data are presented as median (interquartile range; minimum to maximum range). The number of stained nerves with the CC approach 3 (1; 2 to 4), was higher than the DV approach 2 (2; 0 to 4) (P = 0.002). The time (in seconds) to perform the CC approach 125 (79; 70 to 194), was not different from the DV approach 142 (54; 101 to 232) (P = 0.084). The CC approach 2 (2; 1 to 4) was easier to perform than the DV approach 3 (1; 2 to 4) (P = 0.024). No phrenic nerve staining was observed with either approach. The CC approach is an alternative to the DV approach for performing the PVB in dogs.


Tale of two churches: differential impact of a church-based diabetes control programme among Pacific Islands people in New Zealand.
To compare the impact on weight and exercise of a 2-year church-based diabetes risk reduction programme in four churches in South Auckland, New Zealand. A prospective non-randomized controlled study of a modular lifestyle and diabetes awareness intervention programme applying community development principles. The study involved four complete church congregations, two Samoan and two Tongan, with 516 participants at commencement. Risk of Type 2 diabetes is high among both ethnic groups. Overall, 285 subjects were available for their second assessment. In one intervention church, weight gain was controlled (vs. control 0 +/- 4.8 vs. +3.1 +/- 9.8 kg, respectively; P=0.05), diabetes knowledge (+46 +/- 26% vs. +4 +/- 17%; P<0.001) and regular exercise (at least 3 days per week: +22% vs. -8%; P=0.032) increased and readiness to change weight (P=0.007) shifted towards maintenance (e.g. maintenance +41% vs. +8%, respectively). The other intervention church increased diabetes knowledge (+19 +/- 24 vs. +8 +/- 25; P<0.024), but no other significant personal changes occurred. Attendance and perceived utility of the programme were greater in the first intervention church. A moderate intensity, community-based, structured diabetes awareness and lifestyle programme can reduce diabetes risk, but increasing diabetes knowledge alone is not necessarily associated with healthier lifestyle choices. Continuous and detailed monitoring of penetration of interventions may be essential to help guide the timing of interventions and identify the need for additional strategies to increase participation and motivation.


The effect of tissue and cellular pH on the selective biodistribution of porphyrin-type photochemotherapeutic agents: a volumetric titration study.
Volumetric titration of aqueous solutions of haematoporphyrin IX (HP) yields two inflexion points, whereas four pK values can be obtained via mathematical fitting of the experimental data. Assignment of all pK protonation sites is made. A zwitterion is proposed as the neutral species of HP. Evaluation of the pK values of HP in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) leads to a drastically altered ionic species distribution. On the basis of the distribution diagrams obtained, a pH-sensitive twofold mechanism is proposed for the selective biodistribution of porphyrin-type photochemotherapeutic agents, one involving tissue distribution and the other involving cell membrane penetration by the neutral zwitterion.


High-density scalp electroencephalogram dataset during sensorimotor rhythm-based brain-computer interfacing.
Real-time functional imaging of human neural activity and its closed-loop feedback enable voluntary control of targeted brain regions. In particular, a brain-computer interface (BCI), a direct bridge of neural activities and machine actuation is one promising clinical application of neurofeedback. Although a variety of studies reported successful self-regulation of motor cortical activities probed by scalp electroencephalogram (EEG), it remains unclear how neurophysiological, experimental conditions or BCI designs influence variability in BCI learning. Here, we provide the EEG data during using BCIs based on sensorimotor rhythm (SMR), consisting of 4 separate datasets. All EEG data were acquired with a high-density scalp EEG setup containing 128 channels covering the whole head. All participants were instructed to perform motor imagery of right-hand movement as the strategy to control BCIs based on the task-related power attenuation of SMR magnitude, that is event-related desynchronization. This dataset would allow researchers to explore the potential source of variability in BCI learning efficiency and facilitate follow-up studies to test the explicit hypotheses explored by the dataset.


Genome-wide diversity and structure variation among lablab [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet] accessions and their implication in a Forage breeding program.
Most orphan crops have not been fully sequenced, hence we rely on genome sequences of related species to align markers to different chromosomes. This hinders their utilisation in plant population improvement programs. Utilising the advances in the science of sequencing technologies, the population structure, relatedness, and genetic diversity among accessions can be assessed quickly for better exploitation in forage breeding programs. Using DArTseq technology, we studied the genetic and structural variation in 65 Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet conserved gene-bank accessions using 9320 DArTseq-based SNPs and 15,719 SilicoDart markers. These markers had a low discriminating ability with mean polymorphic information content (P.I.C.) of 0.14 with DArTseq-based SNPs and 0.13 with SilicoDart markers. However, the markers had a high mean call rate of 73% with DArTseq-based SNPs and 97% with SilicoDart markers. Analysis of molecular variance revealed a high within populations variance (99.4%), indicating a high gene exchange or low genetic differentiation (PhiPT = 0.0057) among the populations. Structure analysis showed three allelic pools in variable clusters of ΔK = 3 and 6. Phylogenetic tree of lablab accessions showed three main groups with variable membership coefficients. Most pairs of accessions (40.3%) had genetic distances between 0.10 and 0.15 for SilicoDart markers, while for DArTseq-based SNPs, (46.5%) had genetic distances between 0.20 and 0.25. Phylogenetic clustering and minimum spanning analysis divided the 65 accessions into three groups, irrespective of their origin. For the first time, this study produced high-density markers with good genom coverage. The utilisation of these accessions in a forage program will base on the information from molecular-based grouping. The outcomes uncovered the presence of noteworthy measure of variety in Uganda, CIAT and ILRI accessions, thus demonstrating an opportunity for further marker-trait-association studies. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10722-021-01171-y.


Perioperative outcomes of robotic and laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer: a propensity score-matched analysis.
Robotic colorectal surgery is becoming the preferred surgical approach for colorectal cancer (CRC). It offers several technical advantages over conventional laparoscopy that could improve patient outcomes. In this retrospective cohort study, we compared robotic and laparoscopic surgery for CRC using a national cohort of patients. Using the colectomy-targeted ACS-NSQIP database (2015-2020), colorectal procedures for malignant etiologies were identified by CPT codes for right colectomy (RC), left colectomy (LC), and low anterior resection (LAR). Optimal pair matching was performed. "Textbook outcome" was defined as the absence of 30-day complications, readmission, or mortality and a length of stay < 5 days. We included 53,209 out of 139,759 patients screened for eligibility. Laparoscopic-to-robotic matching of 2:1 was performed for RC and LC, and 1:1 for LAR. The largest standardized mean difference was 0.048 after matching. Robotic surgery was associated with an increased rate of textbook outcomes compared to laparoscopy in RC and LC, but not in LAR (71% vs. 64% in RC, 75% vs. 68% in LC; p < 0.001). Robotic LAR was associated with increased major morbidity (7.1% vs. 5.8%; p = 0.012). For all three procedures, the mean conversion rate of robotic surgery was lower than laparoscopy (4.3% vs. 9.2%; p < 0.001), while the mean operative time was higher for robotic (225 min vs. 177 min; p < 0.001). Robotic surgery for CRC offers an advantage over conventional laparoscopy by improving textbook outcomes in RC and LC. This advantage was not found in robotic LAR, which also showed an increased risk of serious complications. The associations highlighted in our study should be considered in the discussion of the surgical management of patients with colorectal cancer.


Preconditioning stimuli do not benefit the myocardium of hypoxia-tolerant rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
In many vertebrates, a short episode of oxygen lack protects against myocardial necrosis during a subsequent, longer period of oxygen deprivation. This protective effect, termed preconditioning, also improves the functional recovery. Improved functional recovery has been reported for hypoxia-sensitive, in situ perfused rainbow trout hearts, but appears absent in another strain of rainbow trout that has a more hypoxia-tolerant heart. The results for the hypoxia-tolerant rainbow trout heart, however, might have occurred because the preconditioning stimuli were insufficient in either intensity or type to elicit cardioprotective effects. In the present study, we attempted to induce preconditioning in in situ perfused hearts from hypoxia-tolerant rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss), acclimated and tested at 10 degrees C, by either doubling the anoxic preconditioning stimulus (PO(2) of the perfusate <0.5 kPa) relative to earlier studies or by using short exposures to high concentrations of adrenaline. In addition, anoxic-preconditioning experiments were conducted at an acutely elevated temperature (15 degrees C) to increase myocardial sensitivity to oxygen lack. The effect of preconditioning stimuli was assessed by measuring cardiac performance before and after exposure to a 20-min anoxic challenge. In addition, myocardial condition was evaluated at the termination of the experiment by measuring myocardial concentrations of glycogen, high energy phosphates and lactate, as well as activities of pyruvate kinase and lactate dehydrogenase. Maximal cardiac performance in oxygenated control hearts was unchanged by the 2-h experimental protocol, whereas inclusion of a 20-min period of anoxia led to 25 and 35% reductions in maximal cardiac performance at 10 and 15 degrees C, respectively. Reduced contractility, however, could not be ascribed to myocardial necrosis, as the biochemical and energy state of the hearts was unaffected. Hence, anoxic exposure merely stunned the myocardium. At 10 degrees C, neither the anoxic nor adrenergic preconditioning protocols improved post-anoxic cardiac performance. Further, the preconditioning protocols did not reduce post-anoxic myocardial dysfunction at 15 degrees C, despite the increased cardiac sensitivity to anoxia at this temperature. Thus, despite using strong and different preconditioning stimuli compared with earlier studies, the cardio-protective effect of preconditioning seems to be absent in rainbow trout hearts that are inherently more hypoxia-tolerant.


Maternal asthma and placental morphometry: effects of severity, treatment and fetal sex.
Asthma is the most common respiratory disease to complicate pregnancy. Although adverse effects on the fetus have been documented, there is a paucity of information regarding the effects of asthma, and its treatment, on placental morphology. The aim of this study was to test for volumetric differences in placental composition between non-asthmatic pregnancies and those associated with maternal asthma grouped according to asthma severity and glucocorticoid (GC) treatment. Each placenta was weighed and random samples of tissue were fixed in formalin-saline, embedded in wax and analysed by design-based stereology. Volume densities of parenchymal compartments (peripheral villi and maternal intervillous space) and residual non-parenchyma were estimated by test point counting and converted to absolute volumes by taking into account placental size. Relative and absolute lengths of villi and capillaries were also estimated and used to derive secondary quantities related to villous capillarization and maturation. Between-group comparisons were drawn by two-way analysis of variance with group and fetal sex as the principal factors. Compared to non-asthmatic controls, asthmatics had reduced absolute volumes of fetal capillaries which was most marked in those with moderate/severe asthma and those using low and high doses of inhaled GCs. Changes in the total length and mean cross-sectional area of capillaries and peripheral villi were also observed. Lengths were greater in mild asthmatics and lowest in those with high GC usage. Calibre areas were lower in mild asthmatics and villous calibres in the high GC group were greater than those in asthmatics not taking GCs. Those making greatest use of inhaled GCs also had villi which were hypovascularized in terms of capillary:villus length ratios. The findings suggest that the morphometric differences in fetoplacental vascularity are likely to be due to the effects of asthma and use of inhaled GCs rather than the effects of maternal or fetal hypoxic stress.


ATR kinase supports normal proliferation in the early S phase by preventing replication resource exhaustion.
The ATR kinase, which coordinates cellular responses to DNA replication stress, is also essential for the proliferation of normal unstressed cells. Although its role in the replication stress response is well defined, the mechanisms by which ATR supports normal cell proliferation remain elusive. Here, we show that ATR is dispensable for the viability of G0-arrested naïve B cells. However, upon cytokine-induced proliferation, Atr-deficient B cells initiate DNA replication efficiently, but by mid-S phase they display dNTP depletion, fork stalling, and replication failure. Nonetheless, productive DNA replication and dNTP levels can be restored in Atr-deficient cells by suppressing origin firing, such as partial inhibition of CDC7 and CDK1 kinase activities. Together, these findings indicate that ATR supports the proliferation of normal unstressed cells by tempering the pace of origin firing during the early S phase to avoid exhaustion of dNTPs and importantly also other replication factors.


Visible-Light-Driven Selective Oxidative Coupling of Amines to Imines by Bismuth-Rich Bismuth Oxybromide in Water.
Photocatalytic selective oxidative coupling of amines is a promising method for imine synthesis. Bismuth-rich bismuth oxybromide photocatalysts have been found to exhibit improved conversion and selectivity for the visible-light-driven selective oxidative coupling of amines to imines in water. Benzylamines with either electron-withdrawing or electron-donating groups undergo good conversion (94-99 %) and excellent selectivity (93-98 %) to the corresponding imines. The average apparent quantum efficiency at 455 nm is 57.4 %. Active species trapping experiments, isotope experiments, and in situ infrared spectroscopy reveal that water both serves as solvent and participates in the coupling reaction as a reactant. This work provides a green and environmentally friendly method for the efficient synthesis of imines with bismuth-rich bismuth oxyhalides and reveals water is involved in the oxidative coupling mechanism of benzylamines.


Cardiac valve replacement in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.
Valve replacement in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients is being performed with increasing frequency, but the early and late results in these immunocompromised patients are not known. A 10-year retrospective clinical review was undertaken; patients and their physicians were contacted for follow-up clinical status. Twenty-two HIV-infected patients underwent valve replacement between 1990 and 1999, with no operative or hospital deaths. Mean patient age was 37.6 years; 15 were men. Indications for operation were heart failure in 59% (13/22) and sepsis in 91% (20/22). There were 12 aortic valve replacements, seven mitral valve replacements, and three double valve replacements. Mechanical valves were used in 11, bioprostheses in seven, and homografts in four. Follow-up information was available in 20 of 22 patients (84%). At mean follow-up of 5 years, there were 10 late deaths, due to: intracerebral hemorrhage (2), heart failure (2), unknown cause (2), renal failure (1), AIDS (1), sepsis (1) and endocarditis (1). Of the 20 patients with active preoperative endocarditis, 4 (20%) developed recurrent endocarditis; freedom from recurrent endocarditis was 83% at 1 year. Intravenous drug abuse was reported in 16 patients; survival among these patients was 94% at 1 month and 50% at 5 years. Recurrent endocarditis was only seen in patients with continued intravenous drug abuse. Valve replacement in HIV-infected patients has low operative risk, but late results are poor when HIV infection is associated with intravenous drug abuse, probably due to immunocompromise and continued high-risk behavior.


Abatacept and sodium thiosulfate for treatment of recalcitrant juvenile dermatomyositis complicated by ulceration and calcinosis.
We report the successful use of abatacept and sodium thiosulfate in a patient with severe recalcitrant juvenile dermatomyositis complicated by ulcerative skin disease and progressive calcinosis. This combination therapy resulted in significant reductions in muscle and skin inflammation, decreased corticosteroid dependence, and halted the progression of calcinosis.


Early Changes of Mannose-Binding Lectin, H-Ficolin, and Procalcitonin in Patients with Febrile Neutropenia: A Prospective Observational Study.
The significance of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and H-ficolin deficiency in febrile neutropenic (FN) patients and the correlation of these markers along with consecutive C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) levels during the infectious process are investigated. Patients with any hematological malignancies who were defined to have "microbiologically confirmed infection", "clinically documented infection", or "fever of unknown origin" were included in this single-center prospective observational study. Serum levels of CRP, PCT, MBL, and H-ficolin were determined on 3 separate occasions: at baseline (between hospital admission and chemotherapy), at the onset of fever, and at the 72nd hour of fever. Forty-six patients (54% male, mean age 41.7 years) with 61 separate episodes of FN were evaluated. Eleven patients (23.9%) had "microbiologically confirmed infection", 17 (37%) had "clinically documented infection", and 18 (39.1%) had "fever of unknown origin". Fourteen (30.4%) patients had low (<500 ng/mL) initial MBL levels and 7 (15.21%) had low (<12,000 ng/mL) H-ficolin levels. Baseline MBL and H-ficolin levels did not significantly change on the first and third days of fever (p=0.076). Gram-negative bacteremia more frequently occurred in those with low initial MBL levels (p=0.006). PCT levels were significantly higher in those with microbiologically documented infections. Mean and median PCT levels were significantly higher in cases with bacteremia. There was no significant difference between hemoculture-positive and-negative patients in terms of CRP levels. Monitoring serum H-ficolin levels was shown to be of no benefit in terms of predicting severe infection. Low baseline MBL levels were correlated with high risk of gram-negative bacteremia; however, no significant correlation was shown in the follow-up. Close monitoring of PCT levels is warranted to provide more accurate and specific data while monitoring cases of bacteremia.


Current analytical strategies for the determination of quinolone residues in milk.
Quinolones are potent antibacterial drugs extensively utilized for treating bacterial infections in poultry. However, the presence of quinolone antibiotic residues in milk is a matter of concern due to potential health risks and adverse effects on milk quality. This review provides an overview of current analytical strategies for the determination of quinolone residues in milk. Various sample preparation techniques, such as liquid-phase extraction, solid-phase extraction and QuEChERS, are discussed, along with detection methods including instrument-based detection, immune-based detection, and microbial detection. The advantages and limitations of each method are highlighted, as well as their applicability in different stages of milk production. Additionally, recent advancements in sample preparation and detection methods are presented. This comprehensive review aims to contribute to the development of accurate and reliable methods for the detection of quinolone residues in milk, ensuring the safety and quality of dairy products.


Hierarchical thermoplastic biocomposites reinforced with flax fibres modified by xyloglucan and cellulose nanocrystals.
This work is focused on the modification of the interphase zone in short flax fibres / polypropylene (PP) composites by a bio-inspired modification of fibres called "nanostructuration" that uses the adsorption of biomass by-products, i.e. cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and xyloglucan (XG), to create hierarchical flax fibres. The wettability and interfacial adhesion study reveals a strong decrease in the polar character of CNC modified flax fibres, hence increasing the work of adhesion with PP. Moreover, combining XG/CNC modified interphases with MAPP coupling agent enhances the ultimate mechanical properties of biocomposites with higher tensile strength and work of rupture, and modifies failure mechanisms as revealed by in situ micro-mechanical tensile SEM experiments. Bio-based hierarchical composites inspired by naturally occurring nanostructures open a new path for the development of sustainable composites with enhanced structural properties.


ILC Differentiation in the Thymus.
The thymus provides a microenvironment conducive to the differentiation of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), supplying IL-7 as well as Notch ligands. Early T cell precursors also express a number of obligatory transcription factors essential for ILC differentiation. Therefore, the thymus could be a powerhouse for ILC production. However, coordinated regulation by transcription factors and T cell receptor signaling events ensure that T cell production is the dominating output of the thymus. One group of the key regulators are the basic helix-loop-helix E protein transcription factors and their inhibitors, Id proteins. When E protein activities are downregulated, T cell development is blocked and massive ILC2 production occurs in the thymus. Normally, the thymus indeed generates a small number of ILCs, mostly group 2 ILCs (ILC2s). It has been shown in vitro that ILC2s can be differentiated from multipotent early T cell progenitors (ETPs) as well as committed T cell precursors. Moreover, thymus-derived ILC precursors have been found in the blood of adult mice. They then home to peripheral tissues and undergo differentiation into distinct ILC subsets. These ILC precursors may replenish tissue ILC pools in steady state or on demand in pathophysiological conditions. Collectively, emerging evidence suggests that the thymus plays an underappreciated role in ILC homeostasis.


Pheochromocytoma with angiomatous features. A case report and ultrastructural study.
A functional pheochromocytoma of the adrenal gland but with an angiomatous histologic pattern was studied by light and electron microscopy. Although this tumor had typical clinical and gross anatomic features, its light microscopic appearance was unique and, to our knowledge, has not been previously described. Fine structural study provided insight into the intracellular pathways of catecholamine granule formation.


Multigate Doppler measurements of ultrasonic attenuation and blood hematocrit in human arteries.
A clinically applicable method for noninvasive measurement of hematocrit based on 20 MHz multigate Doppler ultrasound was developed. The ultrasound attenuation coefficient in blood is obtained by measuring the power of the signal coming from gates at different depths. A robust averaging method is introduced, which provides stable and repeatable results by using the echo signals from all depths inside the vessel. In vitro measurements have been done on porcine blood with hematocrit ranging from 3.0% to 65.0%. Steady and pulsatile flow conditions have been simulated using a peristaltic pump. The attenuation coefficient indicated the linear relation to hematocrit. The resulting correlation coefficient was R = 0.999 for the continuous blood flow and R = 0.992 for pulsatile flow. In vivo measurements have been performed in the brachial artery in 43 patients with hematocrit in the range of 32.0% to 49.3%. The mean absolute error has been 3.24% with a standard deviation of 3.72%.


The wide fixture: a solution for special bone situations and a rescue for the compromised implant. Part 1.
This paper describes a new 5.0-mm-diameter self-tapping implant, a modification of the standard Brånemark fixture designed to increase the amount of bone-to-titanium surface contact and to capture dense bone at the lateral and crestal borders of the alveolus. Indications for its use include (1) areas of inadequate bone height, (2) areas of poor bone quality (type IV), and (3) immediate replacement of non-integrated or fractured implants. This preliminary report discusses the design alterations and surgical techniques available to treat these difficult bone situations.


Spectroscopic analysis of chlorophyll model complexes: methyl ester ClFe(III)pheophorbides.
As models for chlorophyll a (Chl a), methyl ester ClFe(III)pheophorbides (1, pheophorbide a; 2, mesopheophorbide a; and 3, mesopyropheophorbide a) were examined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) absorption and resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy. The infrared (IR) chlorin band above 1600 cm-1, assigned as a Ca-Cm mode (Andersson et al. (1987) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 109, 2908-2916) is shown to be metal-sensitive and responsive to spin state and coordination number for dihydroporphyrins, as well as being diagnostic for the chlorin vs. porphyrin or bacteriochlorin macrocycle. Frequency variations for this metallochlorin IR band thus parallel those of the v10 RR mode of porphyrins in their predictive utility. Qy excitation SERRS spectra of Chl a were compared with Qy excitation RR spectra of 1 and methyl Ni(II)pyropheophorbide a. The data demonstrate that 5-coordinate ClFe(III)pheophorbides are better models for chlorophylls than are ruffled 4-coordinate Ni(II)pheophorbides. Major spectral differences between the three chlorophyll models are associated with the C-9 keto and/or C-10 carbomethoxy vibrational modes. The approx. 1700 cm-1 IR band was formerly assigned solely to v(C = O) of the C-9 keto group. However, this IR feature shifts down to approx. 1685 cm-1 and nearly doubles in intensity when the C-10 carbomethoxy is removed, as for 3. Similar frequency downshifts coupled with intensity increases in the IR are found in the literature on chlorophylls. RR spectra of pheophorbides having the C-10 carbomethoxy group (1 and 2) have bands at both approx. 1700 and approx. 1735 cm-1. However, the C-9 keto v(C = O) mode of pyrophorbins also downshifts to approx. 1685 cm-1, as in the IR spectra. The approx. 1735 cm-1 ester RR mode disappears in the case of pyrophorbins, and is never RR active for nonconjugated esters of porphyrins or chlorins. These data demonstrate an interaction between the C-10 and C-9 carbonyls of phorbins. They also indicate that phorbins tend toward conjugation of the C-10 ester. Biological examples of such conjugation effects have recently been reported, e.g., for the Chl a pi-cation radical (Heald et al. (1988) J. Phys. Chem. 92, 4820-4824). Because the phorbin E ring is the major structural feature distinguishing chlorophylls from non-photosynthetic systems, the participation of the C-10 ester in ring conjugation is suggestive of its biological importance.


Two-dimensional echocardiography in cardiac tamponade occurring after cardiac surgery.
Cardiac tamponade is an important complication after cardiac surgery, yet little has been published on the echocardiographic diagnosis of this situation. The two-dimensional echocardiograms of 11 patients who required surgical relief of cardiac tamponade complicating cardiac surgery were therefore reviewed. Four had nonloculated pericardial effusions surrounding both ventricles. The other seven patients had a loculated posterior pericardial effusion; in three of these the effusion altered left ventricular posterior wall contour so that it was concave toward the effusion in the long-axis view; in two, a strikingly abnormal motion of the left ventricular posterior wall was noted, such that the width of the posterior pericardial space diminished in systole and widened abruptly in early diastole. The quantity of pericardial contents (fluid, blood or clot) evacuated surgically was smaller than usually encountered in patients with tamponade due to various "medical" conditions. Thus, unlike tamponade with other pericardial effusions, tamponade after cardiac surgery is due to a pericardial effusion that is smaller in volume, often loculated posteriorly and associated with certain unique two-dimensional echocardiographic features.


Estimation of colchicine in a poisoned patient by using high performance liquid chromatography.
A rapid method was developed for the estimation of colchicine in plasma. The method was used to determine colchicine levels in a fatal case of colchicine self-poisoning.


Imaging surface plasmon resonance system for screening affinity ligands.
A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) system for screening ligands for application in affinity chromatography is described. A combinatorial library of 13 ligands was synthesised, characterised and immobilised to agarose beads and gold SPR devices. Binding and elution behaviour and a range of K(AX) values (10(3) to 10(5) M(-1)) were measured against two target proteins, an insulin analogue (MI3) and a recombinant clotting factor (rFVIIa), in order to create a relational database between the traditional chromatographic format and the new SPR screening system. The SPR transducer surface was fabricated with affinity ligands in a two-dimensional, spatially addressable format, which was durable (>100 cycles) and stable over 6 months. The imaging SPR system comprised a direct optical, CCD-based, instrument capable of imaging the change in refractive index created by biochemical interactions and allowed affinity ligands to be evaluated 15-fold faster with 130-fold less target protein than conventional chromatographic methods. The binding and elution data from both the SPR and chromatographic systems for both target proteins were comparable, with the K(AX) value generating a nearly linear correlation (R(2)=0.875) and a slope bias of approximately 2.5+/-0.25-fold higher for the SPR system. The imaging SPR system has proven capable of screening and evaluating affinity ligands for potential use in the recovery of biopharmaceutical proteins.


Surface Reconstruction of Lead-Free Perovskite Cs2Ag0.6Na0.4InCl6:Bi by Hydroxylation with Blue-Light-Excited Performance.
Molecular surface reconfiguration strategies have been instrumental to performance improvements of halide perovskite photovoltaic applications in recent years. However, research into the optical properties of the lead-free double perovskite Cs2AgInCl6 on the complex reconstructed surface is still lacking. Here, blue-light excitation in double perovskite Cs2Na0.4Ag0.6InCl6 with Bi doping has been successfully achieved by excess KBr coating and ethanol-driven structural reconstruction. Ethanol drives the formation of hydroxylated Cs2-yKyAg0.6Na0.4In0.8Bi0.2Cl6-yBry in the Cs2Ag0.6Na0.4In0.8Bi0.2Cl6@xKBr interface layer. The hydroxyl group adsorbed on the interstitial sites of the double perovskite structure induces a transfer of local space electrons to the [AgCl6] and [InCl6] octahedral regions, enabling them to be excited with blue light (467 nm). The passivation of KBr shell reduces the non-radiative transition probability of excitons. Blue-light-excited flexible photoluminescence devices based on hydroxylated Cs2Ag0.6Na0.4In0.8Bi0.2Cl6@16KBr are fabricated. The application of hydroxylated Cs2Ag0.6Na0.4In0.8Bi0.2Cl6@16KBr as down-shift layer in GaAs photovoltaic cell module can increase its power conversion efficiency by 3.34%. The surface reconstruction strategy provides a new way to optimize the performance of lead-free double perovskite.


Management of children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease.
The management of children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease requires all the skills offered by the health care team. This article reviews the principles of therapy, the specifics of therapy, and the attitudes of the authors relating to long-term management of these patients. Specific recommendations relating to nutritional support for patients are also made. A pertinent updated bibliography is also given.


Polarographic measurement of oxygen uptake by astrocytes in primary cultures using the tissue-culture flask as the respirometer chamber.
Oxygen uptake was measured in primary cultures of astrocytes from the brain hemispheres of newborn DBA mice by the aid of an oxygen electrode inserted directly into the culture flask, i.e. using the flask, completely filled with MEM medium, as the respirometer chamber. The respiration was initially intense (300 mumol per hr per 100 mg protein) but declined somewhat during the 6 hr of measurement, probably due to a depletion of intermediary metabolites released to the large surplus of medium. The respiratory rates were approximately identical in the presence of a CO2/bicarbonate and a HEPES buffer. Exposure to a high concentration of potassium led to a transient stimulation of the oxygen uptake to almost 100%, a response that was very easily observed using the present method. Since no mechanical damage was inflicted upon the cells, culturing could be continued, if so desired, after the measurement.


Direct correlation between void formation and lithium dendrite growth in solid-state electrolytes with interlayers.
Solid-state Li-ion batteries with lithium anodes offer higher energy densities and are safer than conventional liquid electrolyte-based Li-ion batteries. However, the growth of lithium dendrites across the solid-state electrolyte layer leads to the premature shorting of cells and limits their practical viability. Here, using solid-state Li half-cells with metallic interlayers between a garnet-based lithium-ion conductor and lithium, we show that interfacial void growth precedes dendrite nucleation and growth. Specifically, void growth was observed at a current density of around two-thirds of the critical current density for dendrite growth. Computational calculations reveal that interlayer materials with higher critical current densities for dendrite growth also have the largest thermodynamic and kinetic barriers for lithium vacancy accumulation at their interfaces with lithium. Our results suggest that interfacial modification with suitable metallic interlayers decreases the tendency for void growth and improves dendrite growth tolerance in solid-state electrolytes, even in the absence of high stack pressures.


Height and subjective well-being in Italy.
Using an Italian survey, we investigate the effect of height on individual happiness. We find that a large part of the effect of height on well-being is driven by a positive correlation between height and economic and health conditions. However, for young men the effect of height on happiness persists even after controlling for these variables, implying that height is associated with some psycho-social direct effects on well-being. Consistent with this hypothesis, we find that men care not only about their own height but also about the height of others in their reference group. Well-being is greater for individuals who are taller than other men in their reference group. Results are robust to different definitions of reference group and controlling for a number of other reference group characteristics.


Self-injurious behaviors in eating-disordered patients.
High rates of self-injurious behaviors (SIBs) have been described in eating-disordered patients. The present study in 134 female inpatients suffering from an eating disorder (ED) confirmed this: 44% of the total group reported at least one form of SIB (mostly hair pulling, scratching, cutting, or bruising) with a mean age at onset of 17.5 years. No major differences have been found between the subgroups (anorexics, bulimics). The considerable number of patients who did not feel any pain during SIB showed more tendency towards dissociative experiences. Those who admitted SIB reported higher levels of psychological dysfunctioning, dissociative experiences, and impulsiveness.


Habituation, memory and the brain: the dynamics of interval timing.
Memory decay is rapid at first and slower later-a feature that accounts for Jost's memory law: that old memories gain on newer ones with lapse of time. The rate-sensitive property of habituation-that recovery after spaced stimuli may be slower than after massed-provides a clue to the dynamics of memory decay. Rate-sensitive habituation can be modeled by a cascade of thresholded integrator units that have a counterpart in human brain areas identified by magnetic source imaging (MSI). The memory trace component of the multiple-time-scale model for habituation can provide a 'clock' that has the properties necessary to account for both static and dynamic properties of interval timing: static proportional and Weber-law timing as well as dynamic tracking of progressive, 'impulse' and periodic interval sequences.


Monte Carlo determination of k Q and k Qmsr values for the exradin A26 ionisation chamber for the Varian TrueBeam.
We have calculated conversion factors, k Q for the A26 micro ionisation chamber along with machine specific reference beam quality factors, k Qmsr, for a number of field sizes and beam qualities for the Varian TrueBeam accelerator. The A12 ionisation chamber was simulated alongside the A26, so as to validate against known literature values. Both ionisation chambers were modelled from manufacturer data sheets and schematics. The egs_chamber Monte Carlo user code was used to simulate each absorbed dose relevant to the beam quality conversion factors k Q and k Qmsr. Tabulated spectra for beam energies of 4 through 25 MV were used in the k Q calculations for both investigated chambers. Varian TrueBeam phase space files for 6 MV flattened as well as 6 and 10 MV unflattened beams were used in the simulations of the A26 chamber in field sizes from 2 × 2 cm square to 20 × 20 cm square in order to determine k Qmsr values. The PDD(10)x values of the tabulated spectra were found to be within variation between studies, with an average deviance of 0.4% from one prior study. The simulated A12 k Q values matched the accepted literature values with an average variation of <0.1%. The A26 k Q values match the manufacturer provided values to within 0.5%. For all investigated field sizes the k Qmsr values are within 0.006 of unity. There is no published data for this chamber for a direct comparison, but there is similarity between these results and results from other chambers regularly used in similar circumstances. Furthermore, the agreement of the simulated k Q values to knowns, and the agreement of the PDD(10)x factors would suggest the correctness and accuracy of the study.


Variation in the human lymphocyte sister-chromatid exchange frequency: results of a long-term longitudinal study.
The variation in lymphocyte sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency as a function of time was investigated in nonsmokers and smokers. The smokers were divided into 3 groups depending on their smoking status. The group termed 'smokers' participated in a program to stop smoking but did not reduce or eliminate their use of tobacco; 'smoke enders' successfully completed the smokending program and remained free of tobacco for the duration of the study, while the 'variable' group stopped smoking for a limited time but then resumed smoking. 8 or more blood samples per person were obtained over a period of at least 12 months. The SCE frequencies for each of these groups were compared with each other and with those of two previous longitudinal study groups from our laboratory. The proportion of high-frequency cells (HFCs) was also determined for each sample. The results confirm our previous finding that SCE frequencies and the proportion of HFCs observed in separate samples from the same individual are more likely to be different as the time between samples increases. We also show that smokers have significantly more SCEs and HFCs than do nonsmokers, that SCE frequencies in smokers do not decline for at least 12 months when smoking is stopped, and that among smokers, significant seasonal variation in the SCE frequency occurs. These results provide useful information concerning the effects of smoking upon SCE frequencies, and will be helpful in designing and interpreting the results of long-term human population cytogenetic studies.


Changes in pulmonary function after definitive radiotherapy for NSCLC.
The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with early and long-term pulmonary function (PF) changes after definitive radiotherapy for NSCLC patients. PF was measured by spirometry i.e. forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1), and forced vital capacity (FVC). Early (within the first year) PF change was analyzed in 211 patients with 986 pairs of PF-tests (PFTs). Long-term PF change was analyzed relative to the PF at 12months after radiotherapy in 106 patients (1286 PFTs). To investigate the impact of patient and treatment related factors on PF, they were tested as covariates in multivariable analysis. Early PF change was quantified at six months after the start of radiotherapy. Smoking status and increasing V60 was associated with a significant decrease in PF, whereas smoking was protective. In addition, neoadjuvant chemotherapy had a negative impact on FVC. Long-term FEV1 and FVC were analyzed using linear regression. Treatment year and V60 had a significant impact on loss of FEV1. V60 had a significant impact on FVC changes. In this study, early PF change reached a plateau at 6months after the start of radiotherapy for NSCLC. Large volume of lung receiving high dose was associated with long-term FEV1 change.


Blunt thoracic aortic injuries: CT characterisation and treatment outcomes of minor injury.
Computed tomography (CT)-defined anatomical differentiation of minor and major blunt traumatic aortic injuries (TAIs) was applied to determine injury grade and management/outcomes in minor TAIs, and if the presence of peri-aortic mediastinal haematoma (MH) correlated with TAI grade. Admission chest CT of blunt TAI cases during 2005-2011 were reviewed by consensus and categorised as major or minor. Minor was defined as pseudoaneurysm <10 % normal aortic lumen, intimal flap or contour abnormality. Presence/absence of MH was determined. Clinical management/outcome was ascertained from medical records. Of 115 TAIs, 42 were minor (33 with MH, 9 without). Among the 73 with major TAI, 3 had no MH. Twenty-six (62 %) minor TAI patients were managed medically, 12 (29 %) percutaneous stent-grafts, 2 (5 %) died of non-aortic causes and 2 (5 %) underwent surgery. Of 26 managed without intervention, none developed complications from TAI at last clinical or CT follow-up. The relationship between presence/absence of peri-aortic MH and grade of TAI was statistically significant. More than a third of multi-detector (MD) CT-diagnosed TAIs were minor. Minor TAIs treated medically were stable at last follow-up, suggesting this is a reasonable initial management approach. Absence of MH cannot be relied upon to exclude minor TAI, indicating the need for careful direct aortic inspection. • MDCT can differentiate minor from major blunt traumatic aortic injuries. • About one-third of MDCT-diagnosed blunt traumatic aortic injuries are minor. • Minor aortic injuries are not necessarily accompanied by mediastinal haemorrhage. • MDCT diagnosis of minor aortic injury supports application of medical management.