Methohexital vs midazolam/flumazenil anaesthesia during laryngoscopy under jet ventilation.
In a randomised clinical study, two total intravenous anaesthesia techniques for microlaryngoscopic laser surgery were compared. After an induction dose of 100 mg methohexital, Group I received a maintenance infusion of 10 mg.min-1. In Group II anaesthesia was obtained by 15 mg midazolam followed by 0.1 mg.min-1 continuously and terminated by the injection of flumazenil. For analgesia 5 mg alfentanil were administered. Opiate-induced respiratory depression was antagonised by 0.08 to 0.12 mg naloxone. Prior to, during, and after surgery, adrenergic response was assessed by HPLC-analysis of blood taken from a peripheral vein. Haemodynamic responses to the operation and during the post-operative period were almost identical in both groups. In Group I, the mean recovery period of 14 min was significantly longer than in Group II (9 min), where patients received a mean dose of 0.53 mg (+/- 0.15) flumazenil. Resedation could be observed in all patients receiving flumazenil within 60 min after antagonisation, which was associated with a mean decrease in O2-saturation from 95% to 88%. There was no difference in epinephrine and norepinephrine blood levels between the two groups prior to and during anaesthesia. In all patients, arousal was associated with a significant increase in the epinephrine plasma concentration. While blood levels in Group I decreased during the post-operative period to levels prior to surgery, the concentrations in Group II remained elevated. In one patient who received no naloxone, the reversal of midazolam action induced a 16-fold increase in catecholamine levels (from 50 to 800 ng.l-1) associated with a tachycardia of 170 b.min-1 and hypertension of 160 mmHg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Review article: the potential mechanisms of action of rifaximin in the management of inflammatory bowel diseases.
Gut microbiota dysbiosis contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Although the microbiota's role in IBD pathogenesis, specifically Crohn's disease (CD), provides a rationale for antibiotic treatment, antibiotic use in CD remains controversial. Rifaximin, traditionally identified as a nonsystemic bactericidal antibiotic, may be therapeutically beneficial for inducing CD remission. To examine the role of rifaximin in the management of IBD and its potential mechanisms of action. A literature search using the following strategy: ('inflammatory bowel disease' OR 'Crohn's' OR 'ulcerative'), 'rifaximin' AND ('barrier' OR 'translocation' OR 'adhesion' OR 'internalization' OR 'pregnane X'), AND 'pregnane X' AND ('Crohn's' OR 'ulcerative colitis' OR 'inflammatory bowel disease'). In vitro data suggest rifaximin mediates changes in epithelial cell physiology and reduces bacterial attachment and internalisation. In experimental colitis models, rifaximin antagonised the effects of tumour necrosis factor-α on intestinal epithelial cells by activating pregnane X receptor, which inhibits nuclear factor-κB-mediated proinflammatory mediators and induces detoxification genes (e.g. multidrug resistance 1 and cytochrome P450 3A4). Rifaximin also inhibits bacterial translocation into the mesenteric lymph nodes. Accumulating evidence suggests that mechanisms of action of rifaximin in IBD may not be limited to direct bactericidal activity; therefore, rifaximin could potentially be redefined as a gut environment modulator.


Metagenomics analysis of the key functional genes related to biofouling aggravation of reverse osmosis membranes after chlorine disinfection.
Chlorine disinfection is a common technology to control biofouling in the pretreatment of the reverse osmosis (RO) system for wastewater reclamation. However, chlorine disinfection could even aggravate the RO membrane biofouling because of the changes of microbial community structure. In this study, the mechanism of biofilm formation and EPS secretion after chlorine disinfection was investigated by analyzing the genes coding quorum sensing, exopolysaccharide biosynthesis, and amino acid biosynthesis. After 1, 5, and 15 mg-Cl2/L chlorine disinfection, the relative abundances of the functional genes all increased significantly. Compared with the control group, chlorine-resistant bacteria (Acidovorax, Arenimonas, and Pseudomonas) also harbored higher relative abundances of these functional genes. The high relative abundances of these genes might provide the bacterial community after chlorine disinfection with high potential of biofilm formation and EPS secretion and then cause severe RO membrane biofouling. In the sample with 5 mg-Cl2/L chlorine disinfection, the correlation coefficients (r) between each two of the three kinds of functional genes were more than 0.9 and much stronger than that in the control group. These results indicated that the bacterial community selected by chlorine disinfection could build more stable biofilm to resist chlorine but also could cause more severe RO membrane biofouling.


How often do veterinarians assess the bodyweight and body condition of dogs?
Measurements of bodyweight and body condition are useful for monitoring the state of health of companion animals, but the frequency with which they are used by veterinarians in general practice is not known. Information derived from 148 dogs was analysed to determine how often their bodyweight and body condition had been assessed. Bodyweight had been measured at least once in 103 (70 per cent) of the dogs. The median time between the measurements was 114 days (range five days to 6.8 years), and the median number of consultations per measurement was four (range one to 44). Body composition had been assessed subjectively in 43 (29 per cent) of the dogs. The median time between the assessments was 216 days (21 days to 6.26 years) and the median number of consultations per assessment was seven (two to 43). A recognised body condition score had been assessed in only one dog on one occasion.


A case of adrenocortical carcinoma associated with recurrence after laparoscopic surgery.
Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become increasingly popular because of its minimally invasive nature, but guidelines for selection of cases suitable for this surgical procedure have not been established. We report a 52-year-old woman with adrenocortical carcinoma, manifesting as Cushing's syndrome, treated with laparoscopic adrenalectomy. The tumour was removed in toto and had been histologically diagnosed as adrenocortical adenoma. However, the patient developed intra-abdominal peritoneal dissemination of carcinoma 15 months after surgery. Review of the histopathological findings of the resected adrenocortical tumour revealed that the neoplasm met five out of nine histological criteria for adrenocortical malignancy, and was diagnosed as adrenocortical carcinoma. Histopathological examination of the tumour was also consistent with adrenocortical carcinoma. The patient responded extremely well to chemotherapy, including carboplatin, etoposide and o,p'-DDD (1,1-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane), and a subsequent CT (computed tomography) scan 12 months after the start of chemotherapy demonstrated no evidence of disease. However, the patient developed neurological impairment, including dysarthria, as a side-effect of o, p'-DDD. The patient died of aspiration pneumonia due to a decreased pharyngeal reflex. Postmortem examination revealed no foci of residual carcinoma. This case report emphasizes the importance of excluing possible adrenocortical malignancy in patients considered for laparoscopic adrenalectomy, histopathological diagnosis of adrenocortical malignancy and careful monitoring for neurotoxicity during o,p'-DDD treatment.


India moves to adopt bill that would weaken forest protections.
Government says measure is needed to fight climate change, but conservationists have opposed it.


Dialing down SUN1 for laminopathies.
Laminopathies, caused by mutations in A-type nuclear lamins, encompass a range of diseases, including forms of progeria and muscular dystrophy. In this issue, Chen et al. provide evidence that elevated expression of the nuclear inner membrane protein SUN1 drives pathology in multiple laminopathies.


Successful Recanalization of Native Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion Is Not Associated With Improved Long-Term Survival.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term clinical outcomes after drug-eluting stent-supported percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for native coronary total occlusion (CTO). The benefit of successful recanalization of CTO on prognosis remains uncertain. Between March 2003 and May 2014, 1,173 consecutive patients with CTO of native coronary vessels requiring PCI were enrolled. Drug-eluting stent implantation was performed in all successful procedures (1,004 patients, 85.6%). During a median follow-up of 4.6 years, the adjusted risks of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.53 to 2.04; p = 0.92) and the composite of death or myocardial infarction (HR: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.56 to 1.94; p = 0.89) were found to be comparable between patients with successful and failed CTO-PCI, whereas the adjusted risk of target vessel revascularization (HR: 0.15; 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.25; p < 0.001) and coronary artery bypass grafting (HR: 0.02; 95% CI: 0.006 to 0.06, p < 0.001) was significantly higher in patients with failed CTO-PCI. Among patients (n = 879) in whom complete revascularization for non-CTO vessels was performed, the risk of death or the composite of death or myocardial infarction were not found to differ between patients who underwent successful recanalization of the remaining CTO and patients who did not. This finding was consistent regardless of whether the patient had a multivessel disease including CTO or only had a single CTO disease. Successful CTO-PCI compared with failed PCI was not associated with a lesser risk for mortality. However, successful CTO-PCI was associated with significantly less subsequent coronary artery bypass grafting.


Singlet oxygen-induced inhibition of cardiac sarcolemmal Na+K(+)-ATPase.
We investigated the susceptibility of sarcolemmal Na+K(+)-ATPase to singlet oxygen. The role of this enzyme is regulation of Na+ concentration and thereby membrane potential. Inhibition of Na+ pump would lead to intracellular Ca2+ overload therefore further aggravating the injury caused by free radicals. Incubation of isolated sarcolemmal vesicles with irradiated rose bengal (150 nM) resulted in 86 +/- 1% inhibition of Na+K(+)-ATPase activity and histidine (25-100 mM) protected the enzyme in a dose-dependent fashion whereas SOD, catalase or mannitol (.OH radical scavenger) did not have any effect. Also, the inhibition of Na+K(+)-ATPase activity was dependent on rose bengal concentration, intensity of irradiation, duration of light exposure, showing that inhibition was directly related to amount of singlet oxygen generated. These results show that singlet oxygen may have significant disruptive effects on sarcolemmal function and may represent an important mechanism by which the oxidative injury to the myocardium induces arrhythmogenesis.


Detection of homonuclear decoupled in vivo proton NMR spectra using constant time chemical shift encoding: CT-PRESS.
A new pulse sequence, termed CT-PRESS, is presented, which allows the detection of in vivo 1H NMR spectra with effective homonuclear decoupling. A PRESS sequence with a short echo-time TE, used for spatial localization, is supplemented by an additional 180 degrees pulse. The temporal position of this 180 degree pulse is shifted within a series of experiments, while the time interval between signal excitation and detection is kept constant. CT-PRESS is a two-dimensional (2D) spectroscopic experiment as far as data acquisition and processing are concerned, although only diagonal signals are generated in the 2D spectrum. However, since the principle of constant time chemical shift encoding is used in the t1 domain, effective homonuclear decoupling is obtained by projecting the 2D spectrum onto the corresponding f1 axis. Thus, good spectral resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio are obtained. The main advantage, as compared to localized 2D J-resolved MRS, is that optimized experiments can be performed for coupled resonances of interest by choosing the sequence parameters dependent on the type of multiplets, the J-coupling constants and T2. Major fields of application will be parametric studies on coupled resonances, (e.g., T1, diffusion behavior or magnetization transfer) and/or the detection of spatial and temporal changes of metabolites with coupled spin systes.


Factors associated with prolonged stay after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in elderly patients.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in elderly patients has been linked to higher complication rates and longer lengths of stay. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors associated with prolonged postoperative hospitalization in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The records of 287 patients aged 65 years or older, who underwent successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy between January 2001 and July 2006, were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical data was abstracted from the chart and compared between patients with a shorter or longer postoperative stay. The median postoperative hospital stay was three days (interquartile range 3-5). Forty-eight patients had complications, with an overall morbidity of 16% and mortality of 0.7%. The only independent predictor of prolonged postoperative stay was the occurrence of any major complication [odds ratio, 3.144; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.882-5.251]. The physiological and operative severity score for the enumeration of mortality and morbidity (POSSUM) and underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were independently associated with major complications. A major complication is the most important cause of prolonged hospital stay after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the elderly. No specific comorbidity has direct impact on the duration of hospitalization, but pulmonary disease is associated with increased risk of major complications.


Interface-Anchored Covalent Organic Frameworks@Amino-Modified Ti3 C2 Tx MXene on Nylon 6 Film for High-Performance Deformable Supercapacitors.
Designing deformable supercapacitors (D-SCs) that have robust skeleton and smoothly active channels for charges kinetic migration and faradic storage are highly crucial for wearable systems. Here, we develop the high-performance D-SCs made of the covalent organic frameworks(COF)@amino-modified Ti3 C2 Tx deposited on decorated nylon 6 (DPA) film (COF@N-Ti3 C2 Tx /DPA) via layer-by-layer fabrication. The hierarchical COF@N-Ti3 C2 Tx /DPA exhibits admirable specific capacitance, rate performance and cycling stability in three-electrode system due to the superior H+ storage property and large interfacial charge transfer clarified by density functional theory calculations. Additionally, the solid-state D-SCs deliver favourable energy density and practical energy-supply applications. Particularly, the solid-state D-SCs present high deformable stabilities, with regard to 80.7, 80.6 and 83.4 % capacitance retention after 5000 bending cycles, 2000 stretching cycles and 5000 folding cycles, separately.


A new method to quantify the effect after subcutaneous injection of lipolytic substances.
Increasing numbers of patients request lipolytic injection therapy for aesthetic indications. However, only the clinical results of these therapies have been published to date. In most cases, pre- and postprocedure photographs and measurements have been presented. As with every other medical procedure, it is necessary to ensure that the results of lipolytic injections are quantified on an objective and scientific basis with comparable data. In the past, the size of fat tissue could not be measured properly with conventional ultrasound systems. High-resolution, real-time three-dimensional (RT-3D) ultrasound is a fairly new method for measuring the volume of tissue. Therefore, this study aimed to measure the interscapular fat bodies of New Zealand rabbits before and after lipolytic therapy with Lipostabil, phosphatidycholine and orciprenalin (Alupent). The ultrasound-controlled injection of the lipolytic substances into the interscapular fat body ensured a precise injection. The RT-3D ultrasound data were compared with the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements performed at the same time. The greatest decrease in volume, up to 44%, was measured with orciprenalin (Alupent). There was a significant correlation between the data from ultrasound imaging and MRI. The data suggest that RT-3D ultrasound imaging could be a simple and fast method for proving the effects on volume size after lipolytic procedures. Of the three investigated substances, orciprenalin (Alupent) showed the highest lipolytic effect in our animal model.


Neurological Involvements in COVID-19: A hospital-based study.
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is the most challenging crisis in the contemporary world. Besides severe pulmonary involvement, the disease also has several extrapulmonary manifestations, and new signs and symptoms are associated with it every dayThe present study aimed to inquire about the frequency of neurological manifestations and risk factors of COVID-19. This retrospective, descriptive study included patients with neurological involvement admitted to the Alborz University of Medical Sciences academic hospitals from March 2020 to July 2020 with confirmed COVID-19 infection. The data included in the analysis were the patient's demographic information, underlying diseases, neurological manifestations, and laboratory findings. The study included ninety-five patients with a mean age of fifty-nine. Neurological symptoms and signs were observed in 91.6% and 10.5% of the patients, respectively. The most frequently associated neurological symptoms of COVID-19 were fatigue (49.5%), headache (47.4%), and dizziness (45.3%). Furthermore, the most common neurological involvements included gait disorders (6.3%), cerebellar dysfunction (4.2%), and cerebrovascular accidents (3.15%). Positive troponin was shown to be the strongest predictor of neurological signs (OR=21, P=0.017), followed by WBC≥15,000 (OR = 20.75, P=0.018) and a history of respiratory disease (OR=7.42, P=0.007). Neurological symptoms were observed in more than 91% of the patients, while neurological signs were present in 10.5% of the COVID-19 patients. Additionally, positive troponin, WBC≥15,000, and a history of respiratory disease were the strongest predictors of neurological signs.


Infraphysiological 17β-estradiol (E2) concentration compromises osteoblast differentiation through Src stimulation of cell proliferation and ECM remodeling stimulus.
It has been shown that 17β-estradiol (E2) helps to prevent bone loss. This study was undertaken to verify whether E2 action in human osteoblasts involves changes in the transcriptional profile of the TNF-α, IFN-γ, NF-κB, TRAIL, TGF-β, MMP2, MMP9, RECK, TIMP1, TIMP2, CDK2, CDK4, SRC, RUNX2, and SHH genes. Infraphysiological doses of E2 elevated mRNAs in all genes except for INF-γ, TRAIL, and TGF-β. Importantly, a significant increase in the CDKs -2 and -4 genes was found, which strongly suggests cell cycle progression, with a potential dependency of Src involvement, as well as a suppression of the osteoblast differentiation machinery, with ECM remodeling being involved. These data suggest that E2 plays an important role in bone formation and remodeling, and Src seems to play a pivotal role in driving cell proliferation and ECM remodeling. Taken together, these findings contribute to an understanding of the effects of infraphysiological E2 on modulating bone homeostasis, favoring bone resorption, and leading to osteoporosis.


Design of transmembrane peptides: coping with sticky situations.
Membrane proteins have central roles in cellular processes ranging from nutrient uptake to cell-cell communication, and are key drug targets. However, research on α-helical integral membrane proteins is in its relative infancy vs. water-soluble proteins, largely because of their water insolubility when extracted from their native membrane environment. Peptides with sequences that correspond to the membrane-spanning segments of α-helical integral membrane proteins, termed transmembrane (TM) peptides, provide valuable tools for the characterization of these molecules. Here we describe in detail protocols for the design of TM peptides from the sequences of natural α-helical integral membrane proteins and outline strategies for their synthesis and for improving their solubility properties.


Air warming and CO2 enrichment cause more ammonia volatilization from rice paddies: An OTC field study.
Ammonia (NH3) volatilization in rice paddies may be affected by elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]) and temperature due to changes in plant and soil nitrogen (N) metabolism. At present, little is known about the individual and combined effects of CO2 enrichment and warming on NH3 volatilization under field conditions. An experiment was conducted in a rice paddy in Central China, after 4 years of warming and CO2 enrichment using open-top chamber (OTC) devices. Compared with ambient conditions, elevated [CO2] had no significant effects on NH3 volatilization, although increases in soil pH and urease activity were observed. The stimulation on plant N assimilation under CO2 enrichment might offset the possible enhancement on NH3 volatilization, as more soil N was absorbed by plant thus reducing NH3 loss potential. Elevated temperature increased NH3 volatilization significantly, which could be attributed to increased soil ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) concentration, pH, and urease activity. Combination of CO2 enrichment and warming caused the highest cumulative NH3 loss, which increased by 26.5% compared with ambient conditions, but the interaction was not significant. Higher plant N uptake, soil NH4+-N concentration, pH and urease activity were also observed with co-elevation of [CO2] and temperature, but the combined effects were variable and not synergistic. Our findings confirm that field warming and CO2 enrichment cause more NH3 volatilization in rice paddies, among which warming effects are dominant, and suggest that improved N management or field practices are required to reduce NH3 losses under future climate change.


Enhancing efficiency and quality of statistical estimation of immunogenicity assay cut points through standardization and automation.
Biotherapeutics can elicit immune responses, which can alter the exposure, safety, and efficacy of the therapeutics. A well-designed and robust bioanalytical method is critical for the detection and characterization of relevant anti-drug antibody (ADA) and the success of an immunogenicity study. As a fundamental criterion in immunogenicity testing, assay cut points need to be statistically established with a risk-based approach to reduce subjectivity. This manuscript describes the development of a validated, web-based, multi-tier customized assay statistical tool (CAST) for assessing cut points of ADA assays. The tool provides an intuitive web interface that allows users to import experimental data generated from a standardized experimental design, select the assay factors, run the standardized analysis algorithms, and generate tables, figures, and listings (TFL). It allows bioanalytical scientists to perform complex statistical analysis at a click of the button to produce reliable assay parameters in support of immunogenicity studies.


Importance of acid phosphatase in response criteria for prostate cancer.
The role of acid phosphatase in the definition of response to treatment for prostate cancer is unclear. To better define its predictive value, especially regarding survival rate, we reviewed the clinical course of 76 men with Stage D2 prostate cancer who were treated with combination chemotherapy.


The effect of motilin on the gastrointestinal propulsion in rats.
We studied the gastrointestinal propulsion in unanaesthetized rats by 51Cr method that permits the simultaneous determination of two functions of the gastric emptying and the intestinal propulsion. The results obtained are as follows: 1) The semi-logarithmic presentation of the gastric emptying showed a linear relationship with the time. 2) When synthetic motilin was subcutaneously injected at the dose of 1 microgram/kg, the gastric emptying was promoted to a statistically significant extent.


Pulmonary Vein Isolation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Using a Circular Multipolar Ablation Catheter: Safety and Efficacy Using Low-Power Settings.
The circular irrigated decapolar nMARQ ablation catheter designed for treating atrial fibrillation (AF) has recently been recalled following two deaths due to esoatrial fistula. Injury to the esophagus has been previously reported in up to 50% of patients using 20-25 W unipolar radiofrequency (RF) energy. Low power of 15 W has been proposed to prevent this complication, but the efficacy of this strategy to avoid AF recurrence is unknown. Consecutive patients with drug-refractory, symptomatic AF were included. Under electroanatomical navigation, the nMARQ catheter was used to isolate all PVs by applying 15 W of unipolar RF simultaneously from up to 10 poles during 40 seconds. Multiple applications were used for each vein, until isolation was achieved. Follow-up was performed after a 2-month blanking period. A total of 50 patients (37 males, age 58 ± 10 years) were included. All PVs were acutely isolated without requiring touch-up by conventional ablation catheters. Pericardial effusion occurred in two patients, of whom one required periocardiocentesis. Right phrenic nerve palsy occurred in another patient, which partially resolved. There were no cases of esophageal fistula or stroke. After a follow-up of 15 ± 4 months, AF recurred in 27/50 (54%) patients. The recurrence rate of AF with 15 W unipolar applications is high. Despite use of low power, complications such as pericardial effusion and phrenic nerve palsy may occur.


Optimized method for identification of the proteomes secreted by cardiac cells.
In the past, various studies using different methods have been carried out to analyze proteins secreted by cells. There are several crucial steps that have to be followed to ensure successful secreted proteome detection and identification. Simultaneously with the optimization of the experimental conditions for various cell type culturing and subsequent cell conditioning to obtain conditioned medium with secreted proteins in vitro, the analytical separation methods for fractionation of complex protein mixture and mass spectrometry for protein identification are of high importance. The separation methods primarily used are either gel-based (e.g., 1-DE and 2-DE) or gel-free methods (e.g., liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis). Here we outline an optimized protocol for the preparation and analysis of conditioned medium containing proteins secreted by neonatal cardiac myocytes by using reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) followed by tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Although optimized for neonatal cardiac myocytes, the general steps described in the following chapter can be adapted to other cell types as well.


Pretreatment of yellow pine in an acidic ionic liquid: extraction of hemicellulose and lignin to facilitate enzymatic digestion.
The acidic ionic liquid 1-H-3-methylimidazolium chloride can effectively pretreat yellow pine wood chips under mild conditions for enzymatic saccharification. Wood samples were treated at temperatures between 110 and 150°C for up to 5 h in the ionic liquid and three fractions collected; a cellulose rich fraction, lignin, and an aqueous fraction. This treatment caused the hemicellulose and the lignin to be degraded and dissolved from the cell walls of the pine wood. The lignin was depolymerized and subsequently dissolved in the ionic liquid. This process occurred more quickly at higher temperatures, although at the highest temperatures tested, significant cellulose degradation also occurred. The cellulose rich fraction was saccharified using cellulase from Trichoderma viride, with longer pretreatment times at 130°C resulting in higher glucose yields.


A comparison of Illumina and PacBio methods to build tick salivary gland transcriptomes confirms large expression of lipocalins and other salivary protein families that are not represented in available tick genomes.
Tick saliva helps blood feeding by its antihemostatic and immunomodulatory activities. Tick salivary gland transcriptomes (sialotranscriptomes) revealed thousands of transcripts coding for putative secreted polypeptides. Hundreds of these transcripts code for groups of similar proteins, constituting protein families, such as the lipocalins and metalloproteases. However, while many of these transcriptome-derived protein sequences matches sequences predicted by tick genome assemblies, the majority are not represented in these proteomes. The diversity of these transcriptome-derived transcripts could derive from artifacts generated during assembly of short Illumina reads or derive from polymorphisms of the genes coding for these proteins. To investigate this discrepancy, we collected salivary glands from blood-feeding ticks and, from the same homogenate, made and sequenced libraries following Illumina and PacBio protocols, with the assumption that the longer PacBio reads would reveal the sequences generated by the assembly of Illumina reads. Using both Rhipicephalus zambeziensis and Ixodes scapularis ticks, we have obtained more lipocalin transcripts from the Illumina library than the PacBio library. To verify whether these unique Illumina transcripts were real, we selected 9 uniquely Illumina-derived lipocalin transcripts from I. scapularis and attempted to obtain PCR products. These were obtained and their sequences confirmed the presence of these transcripts in the I. scapularis salivary homogenate. We further compared the predicted salivary lipocalins and metalloproteases from I. scapularis sialotranscriptomes with those found in the predicted proteomes of 3 publicly available genomes of I. scapularis. Results indicate that the discrepancy between the genome and transcriptome sequences for these salivary protein families is due to a high degree of polymorphism within these genes.


Kinetics of iron and copper catalysis of ascorbate oxidation.
The effects of oxidant, pH and ligands on iron- and copper-catalyzed ascorbate oxidation have been examined. The formation of the catalyst-substrate complex is affected by pH, whereas oxidant affects its breakdown. With copper-ion catalysis, ligands inhibit competitively. With iron catalysis, on the other hand, for a series of aminopolycarboxylic ligands at neutral pH, formation of catalyst-substrate is favored by ligands which form more stable iron complexes. Decreased rates caused by changes in metal environment (ligand or pH) may result for competing activities (e.g., catalase activity competing with peroxidase activity). Evidence for a ternary complex (catalyst-substrate-oxidant) is presented.


Responses of pocket gophers (Thomomys bottae) to changes in diet quality.
We examined digestibility of dry matter, nutrients, and fiber, and food intake, metabolic fecal losses, weight change, and gut size of pocket gophers (Thomomys bottae) in relation to diet quality in the laboratory. Pocket gophers were maintained for 15-20 days on one of seven diets which contained from 18% to 56% neutral detergent fiber (NDF). NDF content of the diet was an excellent predictor of diet quality. Digestibility of dry matter, NDF, and nitrogen all decreased with increasing NDF content of the diet. In general, pocket gophers compensated for low diet quality by increasing dry matter intake, but those given high quality forage before the lowest quality diet reduced their intake. Thus, the response of pocket gophers to low quality diets may depend on their body condition. Because increased food intake resulted in increased total metabolic fecal losses and metabolic fecal nitrogen losses, decreasing food intake on low-quality diets may be advantageous. A further response of pocket gophers to decreased food quality was an increase in size of cecum and large intestine, suggesting that fermentation of cell walls became increasingly important as diet quality decreased.


Prediction of primary venous thromboembolism based on clinical and genetic factors within the U.K. Biobank.
Both clinical and genetic factors drive the risk of venous thromboembolism. However, whether clinically recorded risk factors and genetic variants can be combined into a clinically applicable predictive score remains unknown. Using Cox proportional-hazard models, we analyzed the association of risk factors with the likelihood of venous thromboembolism in U.K. Biobank, a large prospective cohort. We then created a polygenic risk score of 36 single nucleotide polymorphisms and a clinical score determined by age, sex, body mass index, previous cancer diagnosis, smoking status, and fracture in the last 5 years. Participants were at significantly increased risk of venous thromboembolism if they were at high clinical risk (subhazard ratio, 4.37 [95% CI, 3.85-4.97]) or high genetic risk (subhazard ratio, 3.02 [95% CI, 2.63-3.47]) relative to participants at low clinical or genetic risk, respectively. The combined model, consisting of clinical and genetic components, was significantly better than either the clinical or the genetic model alone (P < 0.001). Participants at high risk in the combined score had nearly an eightfold increased risk of venous thromboembolism relative to participants at low risk (subhazard ratio, 7.51 [95% CI, 6.28-8.98]). This risk score can be used to guide decisions regarding venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, although external validation is needed.


Antioxidant vitamins and coronary artery disease risk in South African males.
Decreased antioxidant-vitamin nutritional status may increase lipid peroxidation and susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) to oxidative modification. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vitamin nutritional status of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients and to assess the risk of CAD related to each individual antioxidant vitamin. The study was performed as a case-control study with 41 patients with angiographically demonstrated CAD and 41 apparently healthy age- and smoking status-matched controls. Plasma vitamin E, C and A concentrations were significantly decreased in CAD patients compared with controls (p < 0.001) after correcting for significant covariates. Per quartile decrease in vitamin A and E concentrations was associated with increased risk of CAD, even after adjusting for CAD risk factors, while per quartile decrease in vitamin C concentrations was not associated with significant CAD risk after adjusting for CAD risk factors. Decreased vitamin A and E concentrations are independently associated with increased risk of CAD independent from other CAD risk factors in white male South Africans and dietary intervention strategies are advocated.


Rapid purification and revised amino-terminal sequence of hirudin: a specific thrombin inhibitor of the bloodsucking leech.
Hirudin is a specific polypeptide thrombin inhibitor consisting of 65 amino acids that is produced by the leech, Hirudo medicinalis. We describe a rapid method for the purification of hirudin from a leech extract. Crude hirudin, purchased from a commercial source, was first fractionated on a DEAE-HPLC column using a salt gradient. Hirudin activity was monitored by inhibition of the thrombin-mediated hydrolysis of a synthetic substrate H-D-Phenylalanyl-Pipecolyl-Arginine-p-Nitroanilide. The fractions containing antithrombin activity were pooled and further purified by reverse-phase HPLC. The homogeneity of purified hirudin was confirmed by a single amino-terminal sequence for 43 residues with Val-Val as the first two amino acids. Residue 33 was Asn rather than Asp as reported previously.


Advanced glycation endproducts in horses with insulin-induced laminitis.
Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer, inflammatory conditions and diabetic complications. An interaction of AGEs with their receptor (RAGE) results in increased release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing damage to susceptible tissues. Laminitis, a debilitating foot condition of horses, occurs in association with endocrine dysfunction and the potential involvement of AGE and RAGE in the pathogenesis of the disease has not been previously investigated. Glucose transport in lamellar tissue is thought to be largely insulin-independent (GLUT-1), which may make the lamellae susceptible to protein glycosylation and oxidative stress during periods of increased glucose metabolism. Archived lamellar tissue from horses with insulin-induced laminitis (n=4), normal control horses (n=4) and horses in the developmental stages (6h, 12h and 24h) of the disease (n=12) was assessed for AGE accumulation and the presence of oxidative protein damage and cellular lipid peroxidation. The equine-specific RAGE gene was identified in lamellar tissue, sequenced and is now available on GenBank. Lamellar glucose transporter (GLUT-1 and GLUT-4) gene expression was assessed quantitatively with qRT-PCR in laminitic and control horses and horses in the mid-developmental time-point (24 h) of the disease. Significant AGE accumulation had occurred by the onset of insulin-induced laminitis (48 h) but not at earlier time-points, or in control horses. Evidence of oxidative stress was not found in any group. The equine-specific RAGE gene was not expressed differently in treated and control animals, nor was the insulin-dependent glucose transporter GLUT-4. However, the glucose transporter GLUT-1 was increased in lamellar tissue in the developmental stages of insulin-induced laminitis compared to control horses and the insulin-independent nature of the lamellae may facilitate AGE formation. However, due to the lack of AGE accumulation during disease development and a failure to detect an increase in ROS or upregulation of RAGE, it appears unlikely that oxidative stress and protein glycosylation play a central role in the pathogenesis of acute, insulin-induced laminitis.


Monitoring wound healing of elastic cartilage using multiphoton microscopy.
To demonstrate the ability of multiphoton microscopy (MPM) for monitoring wound healing of elastic cartilage. In a rabbit ear model, four cartilage specimen groups at 1-day, 1-, 4-, 20-week healing time points as well as a normal elastic cartilage were examined with MPM without using labeling agents. MPM images at wound margins were obtained from specimens at different healing stages, compared with the Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stained images. Image analysis was performed to characterize the collagen morphology for quantifying the wound healing progression of elastic cartilage. MPM provided high-resolution images of elastic cartilage at varying depths. Comparisons of the images of specimens at different healing stages show obvious cell growth and matrix deposition. The results are consistent with the histological results. Moreover, quantitative analysis results show significant alteration in the collagen cavity size or collagen orientation index during wound healing of elastic cartilage, indicating the possibility to act as indicators for monitoring wound healing. Our results suggested that MPM has the ability to monitor the wound healing progression of elastic cartilage, based on the visualization of cell growth and proliferation and quantitative characterization of collagen morphology during wound healing.


Magnitude of common mental disorders and associated factors among patients with Epilepsy in Amhara regional state, Northwest Ethiopia.
Common mental disorders are severe and frequent co-morbid psychiatric illnesses with epilepsy. Different study findings across the world showed that patients with epilepsy have a higher burden of mental disorders than the general population. However, these issues in patients with epilepsy have been consistently undiagnosed. The study aimed to screen common mental disorders and the determinants among patients with epilepsy attending at Fenote Selam hospital. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with Epilepsy from March 10 to May 15, 2019. Patients were assessed for the risk of common mental disorders using a pretested, structured, self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ-20). The collected data were entered into Epi-data version 3.1 software and analyzed using R version 4.0 software. Descriptive statistics were computed using frequency, percent, mean, and standard deviations. A simple logistic regression model was fit to identify the association and strength of exploratory variables and common mental disorders at a 95% confidence interval and p-value < 0.05. The study included 202 patients diagnosed with epilepsy and yielded a response of 91.4%. About 53% of the patients were males. The magnitude of common mental disorders among patients with epilepsy was 57.9% (95% CI: 44.56, 71.24). Being more than one substance user (AOR = 5.7; 95%CI: 1.6, 20.7) and Not having social support (AOR = 4.3; 95%CI: 1.5, 11.9) were the identified determinants of common mental disorders. The magnitude of common mental disorders among patients with epilepsy were high. Not having social support and khat chewing were the identified risk factors significantly associated with common mental disorders. Early screening and treatments are the key interventions to prevent complications and deaths from common mental disorders.


Congenital nasal obstruction: clinical and radiologic review.
Congenital nasal obstruction can result in neonatal respiratory distress because neonates are obligate nasal breathers. Therefore, all physicians who deal with infants should be familiar with the structural abnormalities, masses, and syndromes that cause nasal obstruction, so that appropriate work-up and treatment can be promptly initiated. This paper reviews the embryology of the nasal passage and then continues with the different causes of nasal obstruction. Special attention is paid to the presentation, physical exam findings, and imaging modality of choice.


Mediators of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in the relationship between ondansetron pre-treatment and the mortality of ICU patients on mechanical ventilation: Causal mediation analysis from the MIMIC-IV database.
The mortality of critically ill patients undergoing mechanical ventilation (MV) is high and few strategies are available. We explored the relationship between ondansetron pre-treatment, the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mortality of ventilated patients in the intensive care unit. We developed a retrospective cohort study that involved patients undergoing MV in the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. Causal mediation analysis was conducted to assess the relationship of ondansetron use and mortality and to explore the potential causal pathway mediated by the NLR or PLR. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. A total of 17 927 eligible patients took part in the study (5665 had taken ondansetron before MV initiation and 12 262 patients had not). The odds ratio (OR) for 28-day mortality for ondansetron use uncorrelated with the mediator (NLR, PLR) was 0.72 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.64-0.81, P < .001). Ondansetron was also associated with a reduction in 28-day mortality after controlling for the mediator of NLR (OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.97-0.99, P < .01). For the indirect effect, the NLR could explain 13.47% (95% CI = 8.59-20.54%, P < .01) of the impact of ondansetron use on 28-day mortality. The proportion mediated increased to 21.50% (95% CI = 12.36-47.44%, P < .01) for 90-day mortality. Adjusted mediation analysis revealed no suggestion of a causal mediation pathway for this effect by the PLR (P = .12). NLR may play substantial roles in the relationship between ondansetron pre-treatment before initiation of mechanical ventilation and the reduction of death risk in ventilated patients.


Interstitial cells of Cajal in the human fetal small bowel as shown by c-kit immunohistochemistry.
Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) express the tyrosine kinase receptor c-kit, which is required for their development and spontaneous pacemaker activity in the bowel. From murine models it has been proposed that ICCs do not develop until after birth, but more recent findings indicate that c-kit is expressed early in the embryonic period. The temporal development of ICCs in the human gut remains unknown. To investigate ICCs in the human fetal small bowel using c-kit immunohistochemistry. Small bowel specimens were obtained at post mortem examination of 16 fetuses and nine neonates, eight of whom were premature, born at gestational ages of 13 to 41 weeks, without gastrointestinal disorders. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on material fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin. The specimens were exposed to antibodies raised against c-kit (an ICC marker) and neurone specific enolase (a general neuronal marker). The ABC complex method was used to visualise binding of antibodies to the corresponding antigens. c-kit immunoreactive cells were visualised from 13 weeks of gestation. The immunoreactivity was mainly localised in association with the myenteric plexus. From about 17-18 weeks of gestation, the ICCs formed a layer along the myenteric plexus, whereas this layer appeared to be disrupted at 13-16 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSIONS ICCs are c-kit immunoreactive at least from a gestational age of 13 weeks in the human fetal small intestine. From 17-18 weeks of gestation until birth, they form a continuous layer around the myenteric ganglia.


Development of a radioimmunoassay for the measurement of prostacyclin metabolites in unextracted plasma.
Levels of plasma 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF 1 alpha) measured in normal subjects by radioimmunoassay show wide variation. In an attempt to develop a sensitive, specific and reproducible assay for the measurement of the circulating metabolites of prostacyclin (PGI2) we examined the different variables involved in radioimmunoassay such as choice of buffer; incubation time and temperature; amount of radioisotope tracer added and the separation method. The method described gives good reproducibility and shows good correlation with in vivo and in vitro doses of PGI2.


Evaluation of the results of delayed rhinoplasty in cleft lip and palate patients. Functional and aesthetic implications and factors that affect successful nasal repair.
Patients born with cleft lip and palate (CLP) present with a variety of nasal deformities. These are either congenital or iatrogenic. Our aim was to establish a correlation between aesthetic and functional nasal impairments in patients with CLP whose nasal reconstruction had been delayed. Fifty-four randomly selected patients with CLP deformities, all of whom had delayed nasal repairs were evaluated objectively, aesthetically in three planes, and functionally for symptoms of nasal obstruction, chronic maxillary sinusitis, and olfactory disturbances. Aesthetically the patients were analysed from 1:1 life-size full face, profile, and submental-vertex photographs, and full skull cephalograms. Nasal patency was assessed by rhinomanometry. The presence of chronic maxillary sinusitis and olfactory disturbances were deduced from the history. The degree of nasal dismorphism correlated with the severity of nasal functional impairments. Delayed nasal repairs in patients with CLP did not produce satisfactory aesthetic or functional results, probably because growth was retarded and midfacial development was disturbed at the time of delayed rhinoplasty and resulted in asymmetry. In CLP the nose should be repaired during the early primary cheilorhinoplasty, as this is essential for the restoration of a normally functioning and aesthetically pleasing nose.


Rehabilitation of children and adults who have neuromuscular diseases.
Neuromuscular diseases are a broad group of disorders that affect the motor unit. Recent advances in genetics and molecular biology have greatly furthered understanding of these diseases. Unfortunately, this has not greatly modified treatment strategies. This article addresses some common features of these diseases, and some less commonly addressed issues.


Purification and biochemical properties of complex flagella isolated from Rhizobium lupini H13-3.
1. The complex flagella of Rhizobium lupini H13-3 differ from plain bacterial flagella in the fine structure of their filaments dominated by conspicuous helical bands, in their fragility and their resistance against heat decomposition. To elucidate the basis of these differences, the composition of complex filaments and their subunits was analysed. 2. Isolated complex flagella containing the filament and hook protions were purified by differential centrifugation. Hooks were separated by ultracentrifugation after acid degradation of filaments at pH 2. The complex filaments consist of 43 000 dalton monomers (cx-flagellin), the hooks are composed of 41 000 dalton subunits. 3. Amino acid analysis of cx-flagellin indicated the presence of approx. 417 amino acid residues. These comprise 47% hydrophobic residues and 21% Asp and Glu (or amides), but no Cys, His, Pro and Trp. No carbohydrate, phosphate or lipid moieties have been detected. Fingerprint analysis after tryptic digestion yields approx. 36 peptides, about half of them clustered in the neutral region. A comparison with the composition of varous known flagellins from plain flagella indicates a 7% higher content of hydrophobic amino acid residues in complex filaments; this is largely compensated for by the higher content of Glu and Asp (presumably as Gln and Asn) in plain filaments. 4. Immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis of cx-flagellin yield single precipitin bands indicating homogeneity. In contrast, isoelectric focusing lead to three close-running bands around pH4.7. When isolated, the two major bands again produced an "isoelectric spectrum" suggesting that it reflects an allomorphism of cx-flagellin. 5. Self-assembly experiments with cx-flagellin lead to coiled fibres including helical regions, but not to intact filaments. The products resemble heat-denatured complex filaments and may represent intermediates between monomers and complete polymers.


NMR studies of A.C mismatches in DNA dodecanucleotides at acidic pH. Wobble A(anti).C(anti) pair formation.
Two-dimensional proton NMR studies were undertaken on the d(C-G-A-G-A-A-T-T-C-C-C-G) duplex (designated A.C 12-mer) where the A at the mismatch site is flanked by G residues and the d(C-G-C-G-A-A-T-T-C-A-C-G) duplex (designated C.A 12-mer) where the A at the mismatch site is flanked by C residues in an attempt to elucidate the role of flanking base pairs on the structure of the A.C mismatch. The exchangeable and nonexchangeable proton spectra of these two dodecanucleotides have been completely characterized by two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) experiments in H2O and D2O solution at acidic pH. The NOE distance connectivities demonstrate that both A and C at the mismatch site are stacked into a right-handed helix between flanking G.C base pairs and exhibit anti-glycosidic torsion angles. The proton chemical shifts and NOE patterns are consistent with Wobble A.C pairing for the A.C 12-mer and C.A 12-mer duplexes in solution and demonstrate that the A.C mismatches introduce local conformational perturbations that do not extend to the central AATT segment. We detect that amino protons of adenosine (approximately 9.2 ppm) but not of cytidine at the A.C mismatch site in both duplexes on lowering the pH below 6.


Isolated subpulmonary membrane causing critical neonatal pulmonary stenosis with concordant atrioventricular and ventriculoarterial connections.
We report a rare case of isolated subpulmonary membrane leading to critical pulmonary stenosis in an infant. This anomaly needs to be differentiated from valvar pulmonary stenosis as both anomalies require different modality of treatment (surgical/catheter).


Oral health, oral pain, and visits to the dentist: neighborhood influences among a large diverse urban sample of adults.
The objective of this study was to assess the association between oral health and individual-level characteristics as well as both socioeconomic position (SEP) and service provision characteristics at the neighborhood level. Multilevel logistic analysis was undertaken of data from the Neighbourhood Effects on Health and Well-being Study in Toronto comprising 2,412 participants living in 47 neighborhoods and 87 census tracts. Three oral health outcomes were investigated: last dental visit, self-rated oral health, and self-rated oral pain. Results indicated that SEP was significantly associated with no dental visits in the last year, poor self-rated oral health, and experiencing oral pain after adjusting for age, gender, and immigrant status. Lack of dental insurance was associated with no visits to the dentist in the last year and poor self-rated oral health; however, no association was observed with oral pain. In adjusted regression models, few neighborhood level variables were significantly associated with dental visits and self-rated oral health and no neighborhood variables were associated with oral pain. Based on these results, SEP appears to be important in evaluating oral health outcomes. While insignificant in this study, neighborhood factors are important when considering the impact of service provision on oral health.


Thyroid hormone suppression of hepatic levels of phenobarbital-inducible P-450b and P-450e and other neonatal P-450s in hypophysectomized rats.
Mechanism of developmental suppression of cytochrome P-450 (P-450) in rat livers was studied using Western blots. The contents of phenobarbital (PB)-inducible P-450b and P-450e, expressed constitutively in livers, were higher in neonate than in adult rats. The contents were also 10 approximately 50 fold higher in hypophysectomized than in intact adult male rats. Administration of L-triiodothyronine (T3, 50 micrograms/kg) or human growth hormone (4 U/kg) reversed almost completely the increased amounts of P-450b and P-450e. T3-induced suppression was also observed on two other neonatal P-450s (P-450 6 beta-1 and P-448-H), which are expressed in neonatal periods in livers. The postnatal developmental profiles of hepatic P-450b were correlated inversely with that of serum free T3 level in rats reported (Walker et al. (1980) Pediat. Res. 14, 249). These results suggest, in addition to pituitary growth hormone (Yamazoe et al. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 7423), the possible involvement of T3 on the suppressive regulation of PB-inducible and other neonatal P-450s.


[Mathematical simulation of the cooling and solidifying process in improving the quality of dental castings].
CASTS-3D (Computer Aided Solidification Technologies) is a FEM software system for the simulation of heat transfer, melt flow and solidification problems for foundry purposes. This software system may basically be applied to dental castings as well--especially if the FEM software system is optimized and exact data on the thermophysical properties of the dental alloys are provided.


Gastroesophageal reflux: a potential source of confusion in technetium thyroid scanning:case report.
Technetium-99m as pertechnetate, excreted into the stomach after intravenous injection and refluxed as high as the cervical esophagus can present a confusing picture during thyroid scintigraphy if one is not aware of this possibility. The typical appearance of refluxed tracer is presented, and a simple method for eliminating the confusion is suggested.


Cross-cultural adaptation of the Leg Ulcer Measurement Tool for Brazil: nursing methodology research.
to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Leg Ulcer Measurement Tool to Brazilian Portuguese. methodological study involving the steps of initial translation, synthesis of translations, back-translation, expert panel and pretest. For analysis by the expert committee, the content validity index was calculated and in the pretest for practicality, the agreement rate was calculated. Satisfactory agreement was considered when > 0.8 and 80%, respectively. the initial steps of translation were satisfactorily developed and there was little disagreement between the translators. In the expert panel, was obtained significant concordance of 0.97. The pretest was performed with ten nurses and 30 patients. The feasibility of the translated version was evaluated with 100% agreement. the instrument presented a high level of concordance among the experts during all steps and showed content validity thereby making the adaptation appropriate for the Brazilian context.


Treatment of compartment syndrome: transverse fasciotomy as an adjunct to longitudinal dermatofasciotomy: an in vitro study.
This study describes a previously unpublished technique for compartment release that combines adjunctive transverse fasciotomies with a limited longitudinal dermatofasciotomy and compares its efficacy with a standard extensile longitudinal dermatofasciotomy. Limited 10-cm longitudinal dermatofasciotomies were performed bilaterally on 14 cadaveric specimens (28 legs). Next, we performed transverse fasciotomies on 1 limb and performed extensions of the longitudinal incision on the contralateral limb. Subsequent changes in compartment pressures were recorded after each release. Two-tailed paired and unpaired Student t tests were performed for statistical analysis with significance set at P < 0.05. Anatomy laboratory. After a 10-cm longitudinal dermatofasciotomy, the average compartment pressure was 17 +/- 7.1 mm Hg proximally and 15.5 +/- 7.4 mm Hg distally. With an extensile 16-cm longitudinal incision, a significant decrease in compartment pressure was seen both proximally (6.5 +/- 3.1 mm Hg) and distally (4.7 +/- 4.7 mm Hg). With adjunctive transverse fasciotomies, a significant reduction in compartment pressure also was observed proximally (6.9 +/- 6.1 mm Hg) and distally (6.1 +/- 5.4 mm Hg). There was no statistically significant difference in compartment pressures between an extensile 16-cm incision and 10-cm incision combined with transverse fasciotomies both proximally and distally (P = 0.84 and P = 0.5, respectively). A combined approach of transverse fasciotomies with a limited longitudinal dermatofasciotomy in this in vitro compartment syndrome study is as effective as a standard 16-cm longitudinal release in the anterior compartment of this cadaveric leg model.


An analysis of the effect of intravitreal blood on visual acuity.
We investigated the effect of diffuse hemorrhage on Snellen visual acuity in a model of vitreous hemorrhage in phakic and aphakic eyes. Two cylindrical test chambers with optical paths of 17 mm and 23 mm were constructed to simulate the effect of vitreous hemorrhage in phakic and aphakic eyes. The visual acuity was measured in two subjects in a double-masked fashion for 17 dilutions of whole blood between 1/100 and 1/12,800. The visual acuity decreased approximately linearly between the 1/800 and 1/4,800 dilutions of blood. The visual acuity was 20/20 in all dilutions of blood higher than 1/4,800. The visual acuity was reduced to hand motions or worse with 12.5 microliter of blood in the 5-ml test chamber under all test conditions. The visual acuity was 20/20 in all tests with 1.04 microliter of blood in the test chamber. The visual acuity decreased from 20/20 to hand motions with only a twelve-fold change in concentration of blood in the test chamber.


[Unruptured asymptomatic brain aneurysms: modern approaches to the choice of surgical method and treatment outcomes].
In recent years, significant attention has been paid to preventive vascular neurosurgery. Treatment of unruptured asymptomatic brain aneurysms is one of the sections of this surgery. To evaluate treatment outcomes in patients with unruptured asymptomatic brain aneurysms who underwent treatment chosen on the basis of criteria adopted at the Burdenko Neurosurgery Center. There were 2814 unruptured asymptomatic brain aneurysms in 2334 patients for the period from 1995 to 2019. Microsurgical operations for unruptured asymptomatic brain aneurysms were performed in 64.9% of cases, endovascular procedures - in 35.1% of patients. Endovascular operations were usually performed for ICA aneurysms and posterior aneurysms of circle of Willis. Microsurgical operations were mainly performed in patients with aneurysms of anterior and middle cerebral arteries. Favorable outcomes (GOS grade V-IV) were obtained in most patients (98.3%). Incidence of severe complications was similar in both groups, mortality rate was 0.3% and 0.4%, respectively. Currently, there is a tendency towards annual increase in the number of surgeries for unruptured brain aneurysms. Anatomical and morphological characteristics of aneurysm should be considered to achieve favorable clinical results. At the same time, comprehensive analysis of each case and identification of individual risk factors will eliminate serious complications of surgical treatment.


A new helvolic acid derivative from an endophytic Fusarium sp. of Ficus carica.
A new helvolic acid derivative named helvolic acid methyl ester (1), together with two known helvolic acid compounds, helvolic acid (2) and hydrohelvolic acid (3), were isolated from the fermentation of endophytic fungus Fusarium sp. in Ficus carica leaves. Their structures were elucidated and identified by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1-3 showed potent antifungal and antibacterial activities.


Potential adverse effect of tyrosinase inhibitors on teleosts:A review.
Coloration plays a crucial role in the social communication and survival of organisms. Multidisciplinary studies have been conducted to elucidate the correlation between coloration and melanin biosynthesis (referred as melanogenesis). The multi-copper enzyme tyrosinase catalyzes the first two steps of melanogenesis for coloration in teleosts. Due to the increasing demand of tyrosinase inhibitors for the production of skin whitening cosmetics, hypopigmentation pharmaceuticals, and anti-browning agents, a large number of natural and synthetic inhibitors have been developed over the past few decades. Although a number of previous studies have focused on human use and toxicity, such as the increased cytotoxic effects of ROS-generating compounds, their ecotoxicological impacts on aquatic organisms are still poorly understood. Hence, the focus of the present review is to describe the role of coloration in teleosts as well as potential ecotoxicological effects elicited by exposure to tyrosinase inhibitors. Furthermore, this review introduces our recently registered adverse outcome pathway (AOP) related to tyrosinase inhibition and population decline in teleosts.


Danish women's preferences regarding gynecological examination support international recommendations: A cross-sectional study.
Gynecological examinations (GEs) are challenging for many women. Several recommendations and guidelines have emerged, partly based on common sense and clinicians' consensus. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding women's opinions. Therefore, this study aimed to describe women's preferences and experiences in relation to GEs and investigate whether they are dependent on their socioeconomic status. In Denmark, GEs are typically performed by general practitioners or resident specialists in gynecology (RSGs) in gynecological hospital departments. This cross-sectional questionnaire and register study included approximately 3000 randomly selected patients who visited six RSGs from January 1, 2020, to March 1, 2021. The main outcome measurement involved women's preferences and experiences regarding GEs. Overall, 37% of the women thought that a changing room was important, 20% preferred a garment to cover themselves, 18% preferred a separate examination room, and 13% thought that the presence of a chaperone was important. Compared with working and retired women, more women outside the workforce felt insufficiently informed, considered their experience with RSGs unprofessional, and found GEs painful. Our results support existing recommendations regarding GEs and the related environment, confirming that privacy and modesty are factors to take into consideration as they are of concern for a relatively large group of women. Thus, providers should focus on women outside the workforce, because this group appears to feel vulnerable in this environment.


Play fighting of rats in comparative perspective: a schema for neurobehavioral analyses.
Play fighting is a commonly reported form of play in the young of many mammals. Most of the studies on the neurobehavioral mechanisms regulating this behavior have focused on the laboratory rat. The rationale for doing so has been primarily on practical grounds. This paper seeks to answer the question. "How good is the rat as a model of mammalian play fighting?" A review of the detailed structure of play fighting in rats and other mammals reveals that play fighting is not a unitary activity, but rather has distinct components with each having distinct regulatory mechanisms. The rat is typical of many other mammals for some features of play fighting, but not others. Therefore, two conclusions are drawn from this review. First, given that play fighting is a composite category of behavior, questions regarding its underlying neurobehavioral mechanisms need to be narrowly constructed, so as to deal with highly specific mechanisms. For example, what mechanism regulates the pubertal decline in play fighting? Second, the rat is shown to be a good model species for the study of some features of play fighting, but it cannot be assumed to represent an "average" mammal for all features.


[Bilateral rupture of two head flexors with synchondrolysis of the base of the skull in a horse].
Bilateral rupture of the musculus longus capitis from the tuberculum musculare of the os occipitale and of the musculus rectus capitis ventralis from the os occipitale combined with a synchondrolysis of the synchondrosis sphenooccipitalis in a 17 months old thoroughbred stallion is reported.


A retrospective study of canine prostatic diseases from 2002 to 2009 at the Alfort Veterinary College in France.
A retrospective study was used to investigate the incidence of prostatic diseases in a large population of dogs at Alfort Veterinary Hospital and to clarify epidemiologic features, which might be of a great help to veterinarians in managing and discriminating prostatic disorders. During the investigation period, a total of 72,300 male dogs (coming mainly from the Ile-de-France region) were registered in the Alfort Veterinary College database, and 481 of them (0.7%) were found to have prostatic disorder. The diagnosis was carried out on the basis of clinical signs and ultrasound findings. Among dogs experiencing a prostatic disorder, most frequently recorded diseases were benign prostatic hyperplasia (45.9%) and prostatitis (38.5%), followed by abscesses (7.7%), cysts (5.0%), neoplasia (2.6%), and squamous metaplasia (0.2%). Our study revealed an incidence of 0.3% of prostatic disorders observed in intact male dogs, except in the case of prostatic neoplasia. The mean age of the dogs experiencing prostatic disorders was 8.6 ± 3.2 years. This was significantly different (P < 0.001). Large dogs were significantly more affected by prostatic disorders (P < 0.05), except for prostatic neoplasia. A breed predisposition was suspected in German Shepherd (odds ratio [OR] = 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5-2.9), Rottweiler (OR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2-2.7), American Staffordshire Terrier (OR = 3.8; 95% CI: 2.5-5.8), Berger de Beauce (OR = 3.7; 95% CI: 2.2-6.1), and Bernese Mountain Dog (OR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.3-4.7).


Mitogroup: continent-specific clusters of mitochondrial OXPHOS complexes based on nuclear non-synonymous polymorphisms.
OXPHOS polymorphisms are known to be population specific and to influence disease. Previous studies have focused on mtDNA polymorphisms. Based on a world sampling of 629 unrelated individuals, we have now studied the polymorphisms of the 80 genes encoding OXPHOS nuclear subunits. We have shown that (i) amino-acid replacement frequencies are significantly correlated with their pathogenicity probability, and (ii) populations can be distinguished based only on amino-acid replacements in nuclear encoded OXPHOS subunits. These results are congruent with the major mtDNA haplogroups, which suggests that OXPHOS complexes are different across the populations in both nuclear and in mitochondrial encoded subunits.


Trying to lose or maintain weight during pregnancy-United States, 2003.
Current pregnancy weight gain recommendations are for women to gain between 15 and 40 pounds; weight loss or weight maintenance is not recommended. However, for many women, overweight and obesity are chronic conditions, and commitment to weight loss or maintenance could override advice to gain weight during pregnancy. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of trying to lose or maintain weight among U.S. women during pregnancy. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System is a state-based, random-digit-dialed telephone survey of noninstitutionalized, U.S. civilians aged > or =18 years. We identified women aged 18-44 years who reported being pregnant during 2003 (n = 2,464), assessed the prevalence of trying to lose or maintain weight and assessed independent associations with selected demographic, clinical, and behavioral factors using multinomial logistic regression. Among women who reported being pregnant, 7.5% (confidence interval [CI] = 5.7-9.8%) and 34.3% (CI = 31.0-37.7%) were trying to lose or maintain weight, respectively. Among women who reported trying to lose or maintain weight, exercise was a more prevalent weight control strategy than dietary change. After adjustment, women who drank alcohol during the past 30 days (Odds ratio [OR] = 8.86, CI: 4.51-17.42) or women who received advice in the past year to lose weight (OR = 9.10, CI: 3.20-25.87) were more likely to report trying to lose weight; women advised to maintain (OR = 0.20, CI: 0.07-0.60) or gain (OR = 0.04, CI: 0.01-0.23) weight were less likely to report trying to lose weight. Despite guidelines to gain weight during pregnancy, about 8% and 34% of U.S. pregnant women reported trying to lose or maintain weight, respectively. Providers may encounter an increasing number of pregnant women whose weight control intentions conflict with current guidelines for pregnancy weight gain. Further research in this area is warranted.


Monitoring the development of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-associated resistant HIV-1 using an electrochemiluminescence-based reverse transcriptase polymerase assay.
Reverse transcriptase (RT) plays an essential role in the HIV-1 replication process, which converts a single-strand RNA into a double-strand DNA via polymerase and RNase H activities. Therefore, inhibition of RT has been one of the primary therapeutic strategies for suppressing the replication of HIV-1. To facilitate the process of discovering the next generation of antiretroviral agents, this study presents a highly sensitive and nonradioactive RT polymerase assay that is based on electrochemiluminescence (ECL) technology, where a ruthenylated dUTP (Ru-dUTP) is employed as one of the dNTPs. The concentration of the RT enzymes required for the assay can be as low as 1 pM, enabling us to evaluate inhibitors with low picomolar potency. More importantly, the assay is capable of detecting endogenous RT activity in cell-free viruses. Therefore, the assay was applied to monitor the development of resistance mutation(s) by viruses under the treatment with a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) in cell culture. The magnitude of resistance of the resulting mutant viruses was assessed directly by the assay, eliminating the need for cloning, expressing, and purifying the RT mutants.


Progress in construction and release of natural polysaccharide-platinum nanomedicines: A review.
Natural polysaccharides are natural biomaterials that have become candidate materials for nano-drug delivery systems due to their excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility. Platinum (Pt) drugs have been widely used in the clinical therapy for various solid tumors. However, their extensive systemic toxicity and the drug resistance acquired by cancer cells limit the applications of platinum drugs. Modern nanobiotechnology provides the possibility for targeted delivery of platinum drugs to the tumor site, thereby minimizing toxicity and optimizing the efficacies of the drugs. In recent years, numerous natural polysaccharide-platinum nanomedicine delivery carriers have been developed, such as nanomicelles, nanospheres, nanogels, etc. Herein, we provide an overview on the construction and drug release of natural polysaccharide-Pt nanomedicines in recent years. Current challenges and future prospectives in this field are also put forward. In general, combining with irradiation and tumor microenvironment provides a significant research direction for the construction of natural polysaccharide-platinum nanomedicines and the release of responsive drugs in the future.


Paclitaxel resistance in untransformed human mammary epithelial cells is associated with an aneuploidy-prone phenotype.
Despite its increasing clinical use, almost no data are currently available about paclitaxel effects on non-cancerous mammary epithelial cells. We have previously established paclitaxel-resistant sub-cell lines (paclitaxel-surviving populations, PSPs; n=20), and sensitive controls (control clones, CCs; n=10), from the untransformed human mammary epithelial cell line HME1. In this study, we aimed to establish whether paclitaxel resistance was associated with a modified sensitivity to paclitaxel-induced aneuploidy. For this purpose, we analysed basal and paclitaxel-induced chromosome missegregation, apoptosis and aberrant spindle multipolarisation as well as microtubular network composition for each subline. PSP sublines showed higher basal and paclitaxel-induced chromosome missegregation than the CC sublines. This phenomenon was associated with resistance to paclitaxel-induced apoptosis. No significant difference in paclitaxel-induced spindle pole abnormalities between CC and PSP sublines was found. Besides, we showed that a majority of PSPs display a constitutively disrupted microtubular network composition due to aberrant tubulin expression and post-translational modifications. These results clearly indicate that paclitaxel resistance in untransformed human mammary epithelial cells is related to an increased susceptibility to acquire aneuploidy in response to this agent. The consequences of these paclitaxel-associated alterations could be deleterious as they can potentially trigger tumorigenesis.


Stroke detection with 3 different PET tracers.
Stroke is a common cause of patient morbidity and mortality, being the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a proven tool for oncology patients, and may have utility in patients with stroke. We demonstrate findings of stroke incidentally detected on oncologic PET/CTs using 18F-FDG, 11C-Choline, and 68Ga-DOTATATE radiotracers. Specifically, focal 11C-Choline or 68Ga-DOTATATE uptakes localized in areas of MRI confirmed ischemia, and paradoxically increased 18F-FDG activity was visualized surrounding a region of hemorrhage, in different patients. These cases demonstrate that PET may have utility in evaluating patients with stroke based on flow dynamics, metabolic activity, and receptor expression.


FACS-based genome-wide CRISPR screens define key regulators of DNA damage signaling pathways.
DNA damage-activated signaling pathways are critical for coordinating multiple cellular processes, which must be tightly regulated to maintain genome stability. To provide a comprehensive and unbiased perspective of DNA damage response (DDR) signaling pathways, we performed 30 fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-based genome-wide CRISPR screens in human cell lines with antibodies recognizing distinct endogenous DNA damage signaling proteins to identify critical regulators involved in DDR. We discovered that proteasome-mediated processing is an early and prerequisite event for cells to trigger camptothecin- and etoposide-induced DDR signaling. Furthermore, we identified PRMT1 and PRMT5 as modulators that regulate ATM protein level. Moreover, we discovered that GNB1L is a key regulator of DDR signaling via its role as a co-chaperone specifically regulating PIKK proteins. Collectively, these screens offer a rich resource for further investigation of DDR, which may provide insight into strategies of targeting these DDR pathways to improve therapeutic outcomes.


Attitudes towards older adults (80 years and older): A measurement with the ageing semantic differential - A cross-sectional study of Austrian students.
The aims of the study were to investigate the four-factor structure of the German version of the Aging Semantic Differential (ASD) and to gain initial insights into the attitudes of nursing, medical and humanities students towards older people in Austria. A cross-sectional study design with a convenience sample was chosen. The ASD was completed by 255 Austrian nursing, medicine, and humanities students, who described their attitudes towards persons who are 80 years of age and older. The applicability of the four-factor structure (instrumentality, autonomy, acceptability and integrity) of the German version was confirmed by performing a confirmatory factor analysis. The mean age of students in our sample was 23.6 years; 79% of these were female. The sample displayed negative attitudes regarding the factors of autonomy and instrumentality, but more positive attitudes regarding the factors integrity and acceptability. The attitudes of the students in the three study programmes differed, with the medical students displaying the most negative attitudes. Students who displayed positive attitudes had statistically significantly higher levels of knowledge about ageism and better possibilities to hold personal conversations with older people (80+) in the family or circle of friends. We conclude that having more knowledge about ageism and close personal contacts to older persons can support positive attitudes towards older individuals.


Surgical technique of anterior cruciate ligament ligamentoplasty with pedicular hamstrings via an inside-out approach: BIOFAST hamstring tendons graft.
This surgical technique of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction uses a 4-stranded hamstring tendons graft (HG), via an inside-out approach with a femoral cortical button and a tibial screw. It offers preservation of the tibial attachment of the hamstrings and enables double tibial fixation: biological and mechanical. This technique, "BIOFAST HG", does not require any calculation of the length of the tunnels, nor the use of different sized, or adjustable, buttons. If the sliding in the femoral tunnel fails, it is possible to easily convert to a so-called "classic technique". The first 60 cases were reviewed with a conversion rate of 3%. This technique allows the benefits of a pedicled graft over the classic HG technique in a simple way, with minimal conversions to the classic technique.


Cholesterol-rich lipid rafts are involved in neuropeptide FF anti-nociceptin/orphanin FQ effect.
The participation of a signaling platform to the anti-nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) effect of neuropeptide FF (NPFF) receptors was investigated in both acutely dissociated neurons and SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. The NPFF anti-N/OFQ, not anti-μ opioid effect, on the Ca2+ transient triggered by depolarization was reversed by methyl-β-cyclodextrin which depletes cholesterol from cell membranes. While the inactive α-cyclodextrin had no effect. By using [35 S]GTPγS binding assay, a significant 20% decrease in the activity of nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptors induced by the NPFF analog 1DMe was observed in detergent-resistant membranes, but not in total membranes of SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, siRNA knock-down of G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 indicated that G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2, but not protein kinase C, acted as the mediator in the NPFF anti-N/OFQ process. These data indicate that cholesterol-rich lipid rafts play an important role in the anti-N/OFQ effect of NPFF receptors. We proposed the participation of a signaling platform to the anti-Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) effect of Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) receptors both in mouse neurons and SH-SY5Y cells, with GRK2 protein acting as the mediator in this process. These findings should provide a more precise way to understand the anti-opioid effect of NPFF. NOP, Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ peptide.


Projected Savings Associated with Lowering the Risk of Total Hip Arthroplasty Revision Due to Dislocation in Patients with Spinopelvic Pathology.
In the United States (US), total hip arthroplasty (THA) is the most common hospital inpatient operation among Medicare beneficiaries and is ranked fourth when considering all payers. Spinopelvic pathology (SPP) is associated with an increased risk of THA revision (rTHA) due to dislocation. Several strategies have been proposed to mitigate the risk of instability in this population, including use of dual-mobility implants, anterior-based surgical approaches, and technology-assistance (digital 2D/3D pre-surgical planning, computer navigation, and robotic assistance). For primary THA (pTHA) patients with SPP who subsequently undergo rTHA due to dislocation, we aimed to estimate (1) target population size; (2) economic burden; and (3) 10-year projected savings to the US payer of lowering the risk of rTHA due to dislocation among pTHA patients with SPP. A budget impact analysis from the US payer perspective was undertaken using published literature; American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons American Joint Replacement Registry 2021 Annual Report; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services MEDPAR 2019; and National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2019. Expenditures were inflation-adjusted to 2021 US dollars using the Medical Care component of the Consumer Price Index. Sensitivity analyses were performed. The target population size in 2021 was estimated at 5040 (range, 4830-6309) for Medicare (fee-for-service plus Medicare Advantage) and 8003 (range, 7669-10,018) for all-payer. Annual rTHA episode-of-care (through 90 days) expenditures for Medicare and all-payer were $185 million and $314 million, respectively. Using a 4.14% compound annual growth rate from NIS, the estimated number of applicable rTHA procedures that will be performed from 2022-2031 was 63,419 Medicare and 100,697 all-payer. With each 10% reduction in relative risk of rTHA due to dislocation, Medicare and all-payer could save $233 million and $395 million, respectively, over a 10-year period. Among pTHA patients with spinopelvic pathology, a modest reduction in the risk of rTHA due to dislocation could achieve substantial cumulative savings to payers while improving healthcare quality.


Exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics reduces bacterial and fungal biomass in microfabricated soil models.
Nanoplastics have been proven to induce toxicity in diverse organisms, yet their effect on soil microbes like bacteria and fungi remains largely unexplored. In this paper, we used micro-engineered soil models to investigate the effect of polystyrene (PS) nanospheres on Pseudomonas putida and Coprinopsis cinerea. Specifically, we explored the effects of increasing concentrations of 60 nm carboxylated bovine serum albumin (BSA) coated nanospheres (0, 0.5, 2, and 10 mg/L) on these bacterial and fungal model organisms respectively, over time. We found that both microorganisms could disperse through the PS solution, but long-distance dispersal was reduced by high concentrations. Microbial biomass decreased in all treatments, in which bacteria showed a linear dose response with the strongest effect at 10 mg/L concentration, and fungi showed a non-linear response with the strongest effect at 2 mg/L concentration. At the highest nanoplastics concentration, the first colonizing fungal hyphae adsorbed most of the PS nanospheres present in their vicinity, in a process that we termed the 'vacuum cleaner effect'. As a result, the toxicity effect of the original treatment on subsequently growing fungal hyphae was reduced to a growth level indistinguishable from the control. We did not find evidence that nanoplastics are able to penetrate bacterial nor fungal cell walls. Overall, our findings provide evidence that nanoplastics can cause a direct negative effect on soil microbes and highlight the need for further studies that can explain how the microbial stress response might affect soil functions.


NHC-catalyzed [12+2] reaction of polycyclic arylaldehydes for access to indole derivatives.
An N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed enantio- and diastereoselective [12+2] cycloaddition is disclosed to rapidly construct sophisticated molecules bearing a tricyclic core and morpholine moiety. The success of our reaction relies on the NHC-catalyzed remote sp3 (C-H) bond activation of a 5H-benzo[a]pyrrolizine-3-carbaldehyde under oxidative conditions. Preliminary studies revealed that our products exhibit superior in vitro bioactivities against two plant pathogens to commercial Bismerthiazol (BT) and Thiodiazole Copper (TC).


Characterizing flocculation under heterogeneous turbulence.
This study investigated the impact of turbulent heterogeneity in a flocculation reactor on particle aggregation and breakup. In particular, the influence of average characteristic velocity gradient (G), particle concentration, and coagulation mechanism (sweep floc vs charge neutralization) on the floc growth, steady-state size, and variance was analyzed. Experiments were performed in a bench-scale reactor with a low-shear axial-flow impeller using a photometric dispersion analyzer (PDA). Results indicated that as G increased, floc growth increased while the mean size and variance in the floc size distribution decreased. In addition, floc growth, mean size, and variance increased with increasing primary particle concentration and when the coagulation mechanism was switched from charge neutralization to sweep floc. Lastly, floc growth, mean size, and variance were found to vary spatially in the reactor at low G values with larger floc size and growth rate in the bulk region and a larger variance in the impeller discharge region.


Reproduction of waxed functional occlusal patterns in fired ceramics.
A useful procedure allows reproduction of ideally waxed-up occlusions in typical fixed ceramics. For skilled laboratory technicians this procedure will be adaptable to some restorations.


Intra-operative parathyroid hormone kinetics and influencing factors with high baseline PTH: a prospective study.
Intra-operative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) kinetics and therefore the efficacy of IOPTH utilization as a predictor of cure are likely to be affected by baseline IOPTH levels, vitamin D deficiency and parathyroid weight. Consecutive subjects with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT, n = 51) undergoing parathyroidectomy with IOPTH monitoring were studied prospectively during the period October 2009-November 2011. Samples were collected pre-incision, pre-excision and post-excision (5, 10, 15 min). Iterative analysis of IOPTH kinetics and half-life calculation was carried out in subgroups. Nonparametric testing was used for group statistics. Hypovitaminosis D (25(OH)D3 < 50 nm) was present in 39 (76%), serum PTH > 1000 ng/l in 23 (45%), and giant parathyroid adenoma (weight > 3000 mg) in 23 (45%). The percentage drop at 10 min was significantly higher in large adenomas (weight > 3000 mg). Miami and 5 min criteria showed the highest negative predictive value and maximum accuracy. The average percentage IOPTH drop observed at 5 min post-excision was 79.8%. Kinetic analysis showed a mean half-life of PTH of 2.57 ± 0.27 min (range: 0.07-11.55). IOPTH monitoring is reliable even in patients with extremely high baseline IOPTH value, with a greater percentage drop at 5 and 10 min post-excision. In patients with high baseline IOPTH, a 50% decay in PTH value at 5 min may be indicative of cure, obviating the need for 10 and 15 min samples. IOPTH kinetics are altered by adenoma weight but not affected by vitamin D status or baseline IOPTH levels.


Post-traumatic splenic hematoma hidden by an overdistended stomach: use of nasogastric to avoid pitfalls.
The use of a nasogastric tube to empty the stomach contents prevents compression of the splenic parenchyma and allows clear visualization of the anterior medial border of the spleen and perisplenic area. Unsuspected superficial lacerations or a contained hematoma by the splenic capsule may become apparent only following this procedure. A representative case is reported. Routine application of this simple procedure aids avoiding occasional pitfalls and helps in early diagnosis of splenic injury at the time of a CT study.


Impaired spatial working memory learning and performance in normal aged rhesus monkeys.
Aged non-human primates may have deficits in a variety of cognitive functions. However, it is possible that at least some age-related performance deficits relate to a deficit in initial task learning. To assess this, aged rhesus monkeys were trained to perform a Self-Ordered Spatial Search (SOSS) task using the same training and testing parameters used previously with normal young animals. Aged animals failed to reach criterion at the easiest task level. In an attempt to improve learning, a group of aged animals were first trained on SOSS using a standard 5s ITI, followed by trials with low inter-trial interference (e.g., a stimulus used in a trial would not be used again for the next 2 trials) or with trials in which the spatial distance between the stimuli on the screen was maximized. Because performance improved but failed to reach criterion, this was followed by sessions with increasing ITIs (from 5 s to 10 or 15 s). Only increasing the ITI improved the performance of the aged animals enough to allow them to learn the task to criterion. Once the criterion was reached, memory was taxed by increasing the delay between stimulus presentations and increasing the number of spatial positions to be remembered. Performance declined for young animals, but even more so for aged animals. The results of the present study suggests that aged primates have difficulty initially learning a complex working memory task, and that the ITI may be an important parameter to manipulate to improve learning. However, once the task is learned, performance of aged animals is inferior to that of young animals, particularly when memory demands are increased.


Reconstitution in vitro of sulfobromophthalein transport by bilitranslocase.
Liposomes containing 150 mM KCl and 0.48 mM sulfobromophthalein have been prepared. The internal pH was set at 6.5, a value at which sulfobromopthalein is colorless. When brought to alkaline pH a certain amount of the dye is deprotonated and can be read spectrophotometrically as external sulfobromophthalein. Upon addition of Triton X-100 the membrane is dissolved and all sulfobromophthalein present in the preparation may be measured. Addition of bilitranslocase to such a preparation of liposomes causes the internal sulfobromophthalein to leave the internal compartment. The rate of this phenomenon may be followed directly and shown to be greatly accelerated by the addition of valinomycin. The latter finding indicates that sulfobromophthalein transport occurs in response to a membrane diffusion potential created by permeabilisation to K+ of liposomes brought about by valinomycin (uniport). The permeability change induced by bilitranslocase is specific and does not reflect an alteration of the normal impermeability of liposomes to small ions such as protons or Ca2+.


Tailoring the cell: a glimpse of how plant viruses manipulate their hosts.
Viruses are intracellular parasites that completely rely on the molecular machinery of the infected host to complete their cycle. Upon invasion of a susceptible cell, viruses dramatically reshape the intracellular environment to suit their needs, in a complex process that requires the fine manipulation of multiple aspects of the host cell biology, including those enabling replication of the viral genome, facilitating suppression or avoidance of anti-viral plant defence mechanisms, and supporting precise intra-cellular and inter-cellular trafficking of viral components. This tailoring of the cell to fit viral functions occurs through the coordinated action of fast-evolving, multifunctional viral proteins, which efficiently target host factors. In this review, we intend to offer a glimpse of how plant viruses manipulate their hosts from a cell biology perspective, focusing on recent advances covering three specific aspects of the viral infection: viral manipulation of organelle function; virus-induced formation of viral replication complexes through membrane remodelling; and viral evasion of autophagy.


Effects of low-energy He-Ne laser irradiation on posttraumatic degeneration of adult rabbit optic nerve.
Axons of the mammalian peripheral and central nervous systems degenerate after nerve injury. We have recently found that He-Ne laser irradiation may prevent some of the consequences of the injury in peripheral nerves of mammals. In the present study, the efficacy of the laser in treating injured neurons of the mammalian CNS was tested. Optic nerves of adult rabbits were exposed daily for 8-14 days to He-Ne laser irradiation (14 min, 15 mW) through the overlying muscles and skin. As a result of this treatment, the injured nerves maintained their histological integrity, which is invariably lost in injured mammalian CNS neurons.


Measurement of interstitial lactate during hypoxia-induced dilatation in isolated pressurised porcine coronary arteries.
Lactate is formed in the coronary arterial wall and in the myocardium as a consequence of ischaemia and infarction. We combined direct measurement of coronary artery diameter and interstitial arterial wall lactate concentration ex vivo in order to ascertain the possible role of lactate in hypoxia-induced vasodilatation. The wall of porcine coronary arteries, precontracted during an intraluminal pressure of 40 mmHg by addition of prostaglandin F2alpha, was cannulated using a microdialysis catheter, and exposed to hypoxia for 60 min, followed by 45 min of reoxygenation. The exchange fraction of [14C]lactate over the microdialysis membrane increased from 0.38 +/- 0.04 to 0.52 +/- 0.05 (P < 0.001) during the study period. Coronary artery diameter increased by 15.5 +/- 2.0 % (n = 20) during hypoxia (P < 0.001, compared to normoxic controls) and interstitial lactate concentration rose from 1.07 +/- 0.21 to 2.50 +/- 0.40 mmol x l(-1) during hypoxia (P < 0.01) and was unchanged in controls. The increase in coronary artery diameter correlated with the increase in interstitial lactate concentration in the period between 30 and 60 min of hypoxia (r = 0.62; P = 0.02). Dichloroacetate (10(-5) M), an agent that reduces lactate generation by activating pyruvate dehydrogenase, abolished hypoxia-induced lactate production, but caused a further increase in coronary arterial diameter (30.2 +/- 4.4 %, n = 9; P < 0.001 vs. hypoxia and no dichloroacetate). Under control conditions, the addition of L-lactate (10(-3)-10(-2) M) increased dose-dependently coronary arterial diameter by 22.0 +/- 4.2 % (n = 5) and interstitial lactate concentration from 0.52 +/- 0.04 to 5.70 +/- 0.66 mmol x l(-1) (P < 0.001). There was a correlation between the increase in coronary artery diameter and interstitial lactate concentration (r = 0.60; P = 0.02). The present observations represent the first direct measurements of metabolites by microdialysis in a blood vessel wall. The lactate concentration may affect, but is not essential for, hypoxia-induced vasodilatation in porcine coronary arteries.


Nonhomogeneity of dusty crystals and plasma diagnostics.
Real dusty crystals are inhomogeneous due to the presence of external forces. We suggest approximations for calculations of different types of inhomogeneous dust crystals (DC's) (chain and DC's with a few slabs) in the equilibrium state. The results are in a good agreement with experimental results and can be used as an effective diagnostic method for many dusty systems.


A mutation causing constitutive synthesis of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in Escherichia coli is located within the pdhR gene.
The aceE-aceF-lpd genes encoding the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex of Escherichia coli are preceded by a gene encoding a putative transcriptional regulator, PdhR (formerly designated GenA). Enzymological tests and studies with pdhR-lacZ and aceE-lacZ translational fusions have shown that a constitutive mutation (acec816), which increases PDH complex synthesis to the pyruvate-induced level in the absence of inducer, is recessive to the wild-type pdhR gene in trans. Sequence comparisons further showed that the acec816 mutation affects a single site in the pdhR gene leading to an Arg118 (CGU)-->Cys (UGU) substitution in the PdhR protein. The results support the view that synthesis of the PDH complex is regulated from the pdhR promoter of a pdhR-aceEF-lpd operon.


High-density genotyping and linkage disequilibrium in the human genome using chromosome 22 as a model.
Technology and genetics have advanced to the point where genotyping thousands of individuals at thousands of marker locations around the whole human genome is possible. The whole-genome scan for detection of complex disease genes is a widely discussed topic. We review some of the recent high-density genotyping experiments and discuss related details, particularly the extent and variability of linkage disequilibrium. We also discuss the quality of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in public databases and its consequences to the number of SNPs required for large-scale genotyping projects.