Bioaccessibility and health risk assessment of mercury in cinnabar containing Traditional Chinese Medicines.
Cinnabar (α-HgS), has been formulated in Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) for thousands of years. Since the total Hg content was accepted widely as the toxicity criteria, the safety alerts have been issued about the cinnabar containing TCMs for exceeding Hg limits. However, cinnabar is almost insoluble in water, the oral absorption is extremely low. Hence, it is not suitable to use the total Hg content alone to evaluate the toxicity of cinnabar containing TCMs. In instead, the bioaccessible Hg is a much reasonable safety indicator. In this study, bioaccessible Hg contents of 29 cinnabar containing TCMs were determined by cold vapor-atomic fluorescence spectrometry after in vitro extractions with the simulated gastrointestinal fluids, while the total Hg contents were determined after acid digestion. According to the daily dosages, the bioaccessible Hg exposures of these TCMs were evaluated, and most of them were within the permitted daily exposure set by the International Council for Harmonisation, demonstrating that these TCMs are safe when administrated following the instructions. However, the obtained results also suggested that the Hg exposure could also be influenced by the herbal ingredients in TCMs and the bioactivities in gastrointestinal tract, indicating the possible health risks after excessive or long-term medication of cinnabar containing TCMs. Considering the influencing factors of the Hg intakes after oral administration of cinnabar containing TCMs, the bioaccessible Hg exposure should be considered as a more rational criterion for evaluating the health risks than the total Hg content. Furthermore, precautions should also be taken to ensure safe usages of cinnabar containing TCMs from both the cinnabar contents and the processing procedures points of view, as well as the daily dosage regimen, for all of them are directly related with the bioaccessible Hg exposures.


DIAGEOTROPICA: news from the auxin swamp.
Recently established links between the tomato cyclophilin A-type protein DIAGEOTROPICA and the regulation of polar auxin transport provide first mechanistic insights into the function of this enigmatic locus.


Body size selection inAcanthoscelides alboscutellatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) : I. Entrapment within the fruit ofLudwigia alternifolia (Onagraceae).
Direct observations and analyses of selection occurring in natural populations are rare. The biology of the bruchid beetle,Acanthoscelides alboscutellatus, on its host plant,Ludwigia alternifolia, provides an anusual opportunity to study the process of selection on the morphology of an organism under field conditions.A. alboscutellatus larvae mature within the variably dehiscent fruit ofL. alternifolia. At eclosion, adults are confined within indehiscent fruit but are not confined within dehiscent fruit. Beetles can escape from indehiscent fruit only by forcing their bodies through the fruit's apical pore (a circular opening in the top of the fruit). Thus, during the eclosion stage of this beetle's life cycle the relationship between body size and differential fitness appears to be clearly defined.We examined entrapment ofA. alboscutellatus within indehiscentL. alternifolia fruit in a natural population. Only 8.8% of the beetles that attempted to escape were successful. Smaller beetles were trapped within a narrower range of pore diameters than were larger beetles; and trapped beetles had only limited abilities to enlarge fruit pore diameter. These data suggest (1) that escape from indehiscent fruit is regulated by the relationship between adult body diameter and fruit pore diameter and (2) that adult beetles may experience strong selection for small body diameter (size) within idehiscent fruit.


"It's Not Something I Chose You Know": Making Sense of Pedophiles' Sexual Interest in Children and the Impact on Their Psychosexual Identity.
Sexual interest in children is one of the most strongly predictive of the known risk factors for sexual reconviction. It is an important aspect of risk assessment to identify the presence of such interest, and an important task for treatment providers to address such a sexual interest where it is present. It has been argued that understanding pedophiles' deviant sexual interest in children can enhance risk assessment, management, and treatment planning. This research study aims to explore the phenomenology of deviant sexual interest in children, the impact it has on pedophilic offenders' identities, and their views on the treatability of that interest. The study used semistructured interviews and repertory grids to make sense of participants' experiences. The results revealed three superordinate themes: "'living' with a deviant sexual interest," "relational sexual self," and "possible and feared sexual self." The analysis unpacks these themes and repertory grid analysis is used to explore a subset of participants' identities in more detail. The results reveal that there needs to be an acceptance from both client and therapist that their sexual interest in children may never go away. Through this acceptance, clients could work on enhancing sexual self-regulation, recognizing their triggers, and so managing their sexual thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Implications for treatment are also discussed.


Mesenteric lymphadenitis of swine caused by Rhodococcus sputi.
Rhodococcus sputi caused tuberculosislike lymphadenitis of mesenteric lymph nodes in swine. This is the first study reporting that R. sputi can be a pathogen in swine.


The risk of hepatitis B to hospital personnel. A prospective study among personnel exposed to patients without isolation precaution.
During a two-week period 54 ward personnel were exposed to two patients with severe type B hepatitis. No specific isolation precautions were used other than separate collection of hypodermic needles. During a 22-week follow-up period, there was no evidence of either overt or subclinical hepatitis in development of hepatitis B surface antigen or antibody to the surface antigen that could be attributed to exposure to the patients. This data does not support requirements for cumbersome and complicated isolation procedures during the care of patients with type B hepatitis.


The general movement optimality score: a detailed assessment of general movements during preterm and term age.
To explore the appropriateness of applying a detailed assessment of general movements and characterize the relationship between global and detailed assessment. The analysis was based on 783 video recordings of 233 infants (154 males, 79 females) who had been videoed from 27 to 45 weeks postmenstrual age. Apart from assessing the global general movement categories (normal, poor repertoire, cramped-synchronized, or chaotic general movements), we scored the amplitude, speed, spatial range, proximal and distal rotations, onset and offset, tremulous and cramped components of the upper and lower extremities. Applying the optimality concept, the maximum general movement optimality score of 42 indicates the optimal performance. General movement optimality scores (GMOS) differentiated between normal general movements (median 39 [25-75th centile 37-41]), poor repertoire general movements (median 25 [22-29]), and cramped-synchronized general movements (median 12 [10-14]; p<0.01). The optimality score for chaotic general movements (mainly occurring at late preterm age) was similar to those for cramped-synchronized general movements (median 14 [12-17]). Short-lasting tremulous movements occurred from very preterm age (<32wks) to post-term age across all general movement categories, including normal general movements. The detailed score at post-term age was slightly lower compared to the scores at preterm and term age for both normal (p=0.02) and poor repertoire general movements (p<0.01). Further research might demonstrate that the GMOS provides a solid base for the prediction of improvement versus deterioration within an individual general movement trajectory.


Stability of lyophilized teriparatide, PTH(1-34), after reconstitution.
The peptide teriparatide, also known as parathyroid hormone (1-34), PTH(1-34), was developed for intranasal delivery, requiring extended stability of the reconstituted product for up to four weeks at room temperature. Lyophilized formulations of PTH(1-34), containing glycine and trehalose and using lactate as the buffer, are stable for months upon storage. However, the physical stability of the peptide after reconstitution unexpectedly varied considerably, depending on peptide concentration and storage temperature, with precipitation seen within two to four weeks in some samples. By comparison, equivalent samples that did not undergo lyophilization did not display any precipitation upon storage in the liquid state for as long as twelve weeks. PTH(1-34) appears to adopt a higher order structure that is perturbed by the combined stresses of freezing and drying, leading to greater propensity to aggregate, which is accentuated at higher peptide concentrations and at higher temperatures. The precipitation seems to be correlated with increased amounts of subvisible particles. This study shows the importance of peptide conformation in long-term stability and illustrates the ability of lyophilization to cause increased propensity to aggregate, even in a peptide.


Speaker Gender Representation at the North American Neuromodulation Society Annual Meeting (2017-2021): Have We Made Progress in Closing the Gender Gap?
Speaker gender representation at medical conferences is a significant site of gender disparity. Our primary objective was to quantify the proportion of female speakers and compare plenary session opportunities by gender at the North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS) Annual Conference. Data from the 2017-2021 NANS Annual Conference presentations were abstracted. Primary outcomes included gender composition of speaker slots, gender composition of individual speakers, and comparison of plenary speaker slots by gender. Secondary outcomes included comparisons of session size, age, professional degree, and number of presentations per speaker based on gender. Gender composition of annual speaker slots was (% slots presented by women): 2017:14.6%; 2018:20.5%; 2019:23.5%; 2020:21.0%; 2021:41.4%. Annual gender composition of individual speakers was (% women): 2017:18.7%; 2018:20.6%; 2019:24.6%; 2020:24.9%; 2021:33.8%. Of all speaker slots, the percentage of plenary slots did not differ based on gender, with 11.4% presented by female speakers versus 11.2% presented by male speakers (OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.7-1.5, P=0.893). Compared to male speaker slots, there was an association of lower age (43.9±5.6 vs 50.8±8.9, P<0.001), lower odds of holding a single doctorate degree (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2-0.5, P<0.001), and lower odds of holding a dual MD/PhD or DO/PhD degree (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.5, P<0.001) in female speaker slots. Compared to male speakers, there was an association of higher number of presentations per female speaker at the 2021 NANS Annual Meeting (2.48±1.60 vs 1.79±1.30, P=0.008). Although the volume of female speaker slots and individual speakers trailed behind their male counterparts, female speaker representation steadily increased at each subsequent annual NANS meeting. We identified no difference in plenary session slots based on gender.


Profiling of adrenal corticosteroids in blood and local tissues of mice during chronic stress.
Stress increases plasma concentrations of corticosteroids, however, their tissue levels are unclear. Using a repeated social defeat paradigm, we examined the impact of chronic stress on tissue levels of corticosterone (CORT), progesterone (PROG), 11-deoxycorticosterone (11DOC) and 11-dehydrocorticosterone (11DHC) and on gut microbiota, which may reshape the stress response. Male BALB/c mice, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and 16S RNA gene sequencing were used to screen steroid levels and fecal microbiome, respectively. Stress induced greater increase of CORT in the brain, liver, and kidney than in the colon and lymphoid organs, whereas 11DHC was the highest in the colon, liver and kidney and much lower in the brain and lymphoid organs. The CORT/11DHC ratio in plasma was similar to the brain but much lower in other organs. Stress also altered tissue levels of PROG and 11DOC and the PROG/11DOC ratio was much higher in lymphoid organs that in plasma and other organs. Stress impacted the β- but not the α-diversity of the gut microbiota and LEfSe analysis revealed several biomarkers associated with stress treatment. Our data indicate that social defeat stress modulates gut microbiota diversity and induces tissue-dependent changes in local levels of corticosteroids, which often do not reflect their systemic levels.


Effects of benzalkonium chloride on histamine H1 receptor mRNA expression in nasal epithelial cells.
To better understand the causes of the exacerbation of rhinitis medicamentosa (RM) induced by oxymetazoline (OMZ) or benzalkonium chloride (BKC), we examined the impact of pretreatment with OMZ or BKC on cultured human nasal epithelial cells. We also examined the effect of mometasone furoate (MF) on the cultured human nasal epithelial cells treated with OMZ or BKC. Cells of the human nasal epithelial cell line HNEpC were treated with OMZ or BKC, and the OMZ- and BKC-induced expression of histamine H1 receptor (H1R) mRNA was assayed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. In some experiments, 1.0×10(-5)M MF was added to the HNEpC cells for 24h before treatment with OMZ or BKC. Treatment with OMZ slightly increased the expression level of H1R mRNA in HNEpC cells. This enhanced expression was not significantly reduced by pretreatment with MF. In contrast, treatment with BKC remarkably increased the expression level of H1R mRNA in HNEpC cells. In addition, this enhanced expression was significantly reduced by pretreatment with MF. These results suggest that the increased expression of H1R mRNA due to treatment with OMZ or BKC might be one of the factors underlying the exacerbation of symptoms in patients with RM and those complicated with allergic rhinitis. The concomitant use of a nasal steroid might reduce the exacerbation of symptoms caused by BKC, although there remains a risk of developing histamine hypersensitivity from the long-term use of a topical steroid-containing BKC.


Terpenoids from Nardostachys jatamansi and their cytotoxic activity against human pancreatic cancer cell lines.
Five previously unreported terpenoids, together with fifteen known analogs, were isolated from a methanol extract of the roots and rhizomes of Nardostachys jatamansi. Their structures, including absolute configurations, were elucidated by spectroscopic data and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra analyses, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction for crystalline compounds. Structurally, (4R,5S,6S,7R)-1(10)-aristolane-8,9-diacid is a novel 8,9-dicarboxylic acid derivative of aristolane-type sesquiterpenoid. (4R,6S,7R,10S)-10-Hydroxyguaia-1(5)-6,7-epoxy-2-one is an undescribed analogue of nardoguaianone K, with a rare 6,7-epoxide group. (4R,5R,6R,8R)-1(10)-Isonardosinone-8-ol-9-one-7,11-lactone is an isonardosinane-type sesquiterpene bearing a γ-lactone ring. Dinardokanshone F is a rare example of a sesquiterpene dimer from N. jatamansi connected by an oxo bridge. The isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against four human pancreatic cancer cell lines (CFPAC-1, PANC-1, CAPAN-2 and SW1990). Compound epoxynardosinone exhibited significant cytotoxicity against CAPAN-2 cell lines with IC50 value of 2.60 ± 1.85 μM. 1-Hydroxylaristolone displayed comparable cytotoxicity on CFPAC-1 cell lines (IC50 1.12 ± 1.19 μM), compared to Taxol (IC50 0.32 ± 0.13 μM). 1-Hydroxylaristolone, 1(10)-aristolane-9β-ol, 1(10)-aristolen-2-one, alpinenone, valtrate isovaleroyloxyhydrine and nardostachin displayed stronger cytotoxicity against PANC-1 cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 0.01 ± 0.01 to 6.50 ± 1.10 μM. 1(10)-Aristolane-9β-ol, 10-hydroxyguaia-1(5)-6,7-epoxy-2-one, nardoguaianone K, nardonoxide, epoxynardosinone, 1(10)-isonardosinone-8-ol-9-one-7,11-lactone, valtrate isovaleroyloxyhydrine and nardostachin showed remarkable cytotoxicity against SW1990 cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 0.07 ± 0.05 to 4.82 ± 6.96 μM. Furthermore, the primary mechanistic study of nardostachin demonstrated that it induced cell apoptosis via the mitochondria-dependent pathway, and induced SW1900 cell arrest at G2/M phase.


A simple derivation of the critical condition for the ultrasonic atomization of polymer solutions.
A simple model is proposed for the ultrasonic atomization of polymer solutions. In this model, the atomization process is approximated as an equilibrium process. It is shown that the minimum attainable droplet size is determined by two parameters, the (Rayleigh) acoustic pressure acting on the surface of the liquid, and the surface tension of the liquid. Increasing the viscosity of the liquid suppresses the formation of small-sized droplets because of increased attenuation of the sound wave and thus decreased acoustic pressure. Lowering the surface tension of the liquid (e.g., by spreading a surfactant film on the liquid surface) has the opposite effect of enhancing the formation of smaller droplets. Also, there exists a maximum limit for the droplet size, because when the produced droplet is too large, the aspiration flow is unable to carry the droplet against sedimentation. These predictions are supported by experimental observations.


Heat stress alters muscle protein and amino acid metabolism and accelerates liver gluconeogenesis for energy supply in broilers.
Heat stress impairs growth performance and alters body protein and amino acid metabolism. This study was investigated to explore how body protein and amino acid metabolism changed under heat stress (HS) and the stress adaptation mechanism. A total of 144 broilers (28 d old) were divided into 3 treatment groups for 1 wk: HS group (32°C), normal control group (22°C), and pair-feeding group (22°C). We found that HS elevated the feed-to-gain ratio, reduced the ADFI and ADG, decreased breast muscle mass and plasma levels of several amino acids (glycine, lysine, threonine, and tyrosine), and increased serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) activity and corticosterone (CORT) level and liver GOT and glutamic pyruvic transaminase activities. Heat stress elevated muscle atrophy F-box mRNA expression and reduced mRNA expression of the 70-kD ribosomal protein S6 kinase in the breast muscle of broilers. Broilers in the HS group exhibited striking increases of mRNA expressions of solute carrier family 1 member 1, family 3 member 1, family 7 member 1, and family 7 member-like in the liver and liver gluconeogenesis genes (PCKc, PCKm, PC, and FBP1) in comparison with the other 2 groups. In conclusion, HS increased the circulating CORT level and subsequently caused muscle protein breakdown to provide amino acid substrates to liver gluconeogenesis responsible for energy supply.


Elimination of chrysanthemum stunt viroid from an infected chrysanthemum cultivar by shoot regeneration from a leaf primordium-free shoot apical meristem dome attached to a root tip.
In this research we eliminated chrysanthemum stunt viroid (CSVd) from a highly infected chrysanthemum cultivar using a newly established method. 'Piato' is one of the most difficult cultivars in which to obtain CSVd-free plants by conventional methods. Leaf primordium-free shoot apical meristems (LP-free SAMs) of 'Piato' plants were dissected and attached to CSVd-free chrysanthemum or cabbage root tips. As shown by nested-PCR, CSVd was not detected in some shoots regenerated on both types of root tip. The production rates of CSVd-free plants using chrysanthemum and cabbage root tips were 14% and 3%, respectively. Regeneration of plants from LP-free SAMs of chrysanthemum plants by attaching these SAMs to root tips is an efficient method of generating CSVd-free chrysanthemum plants.


Type of cigarettes and cancers of the upper digestive and respiratory tract.
The relationship between type of cigarettes smoked and the risk of cancer of upper digestive and respiratory sites was investigated in a case-control study conducted in Northern Italy on 291 males with cancer of the oral cavity or pharynx, 288 with cancer of the esophagus, 162 with cancer of the larynx, and 1,272 control subjects in hospital for acute conditions unrelated to tobacco or alcohol consumption. Using a distinction based on tar-yield or the brand smoked for the longest time (less than 22 mg, low to medium tar; greater than or equal to 22 mg, high tar), the multivariate relative risks among ever-smokers were 8.5 for low/medium and 16.4 for high tar cigarettes for oral and pharyngeal neoplasms, 3.3 and 7.8 for esophageal, and 4.8 and 7.1 for laryngeal cancers. The differences according to type of cigarettes were similar in proportional terms, and hence larger in absolute terms, when analysis was restricted to current smokers only. Thus, these data provide further quantitative evidence on the importance of type of cigarette smoked on the risk of upper-digestive and respiratory tract cancers and have important public health implications.


Naming errors in healthy aging and dementia of the Alzheimer type.
Naming errors were analyzed for healthy younger and older adults and patients with a diagnosis of senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT). Three types of errors were identified, varying in relatedness to the target word: near synonyms; semantically related naming errors; and unrelated naming errors. Older adults made relatively more related errors than did younger adults. SDAT patients were distinguished by the number of unrelated responses given. In addition, SDAT patients who scored within the normal range were identified by the high number of response attempts relative to the number of initial errors. We suggest that error patterns on naming tasks may potentially serve as clinical markers to distinguish healthy older persons with mild naming disorders from patients with SDAT.


Consciousness, information integration, and the brain.
Clinical observations have established that certain parts of the brain are essential for consciousness whereas other parts are not. For example, different areas of the cerebral cortex contribute different modalities and submodalities of consciousness, whereas the cerebellum does not, despite having even more neurons. It is also well established that consciousness depends on the way the brain functions. For example, consciousness is much reduced during slow wave sleep and generalized seizures, even though the levels of neural activity are comparable or higher than in wakefulness. To understand why this is so, empirical observations on the neural correlates of consciousness need to be complemented by a principled theoretical approach. Otherwise, it is unlikely that we could ever establish to what extent consciousness is present in neurological conditions such as akinetic mutism, psychomotor seizures, or sleepwalking, and to what extent it is present in newborn babies and animals. A principled approach is provided by the information integration theory of consciousness. This theory claims that consciousness corresponds to a system's capacity to integrate information, and proposes a way to measure such capacity. The information integration theory can account for several neurobiological observations concerning consciousness, including: (i) the association of consciousness with certain neural systems rather than with others; (ii) the fact that neural processes underlying consciousness can influence or be influenced by neural processes that remain unconscious; (iii) the reduction of consciousness during dreamless sleep and generalized seizures; and (iv) the time requirements on neural interactions that support consciousness.


Adherence to oral antidiabetic medications in the pediatric population with type 2 diabetes: a retrospective database analysis.
Little has been done in assessing adherence to oral antidiabetic (OAD) medications in the pediatric population presenting with type 2 diabetes. This study provided information on adherence rates in the Texas Medicaid pediatric population with type 2 diabetes, which is rare in the literature. The knowledge of adherence rates in the pediatric population with type 2 diabetes might help improve the care given to pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes. To describe OAD medication use, and assess trends in medication adherence and persistence among Texas pediatric Medicaid patients. Texas Medicaid prescription claims data of patients between 10 and 18 years of age, with at least 2 prescriptions of the same OAD medication from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2009, were analyzed. Adherence was assessed using the medication possession ratio (MPR) as a proxy. A total of 3109 patients met the study's inclusion criteria. The mean (SD) age of the 3109 eligible patients was 14.2 (2.3) years; 60% were Hispanics, 14% were blacks, 13% were whites, and another 13% were other minority races; 67% of the population were females; and 91% were on metformin of the 6 OAD medications included in the study The overall mean (SD) MPR for patients was 44.69% (27.06%). Adherence differed by gender (P < 0.0001), race (P < 0.0001), and age category (P < 0.0001). Males had higher mean (SD) MPR (47.47% [27.42%]) compared with females (43.29% [26.78%]). Mean MPR for whites (50.04% [29.65%]) was significantly higher compared with blacks (44.24% [26.16%]) and Hispanics (42.50% [26.10%]). Patients ≤12 years of age had significantly higher mean MPR (48.82% [27.37%]) compared with those in older age categories. Logistic regression analysis suggested that age was significantly related (odds ratio [OR] = 0.91; 95% CI, 0.87-0.95) to being adherent (MPR ≥80%). Males were 25% (OR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.02-1.53; P = 0.034) more likely to be adherent (MPR ≥80%) compared with females, and whites were twice as likely to be adherent (MPR ≥80%) compared with Hispanics (OR = 2.02; 95% CI, 1.54-2.66; P = 0.0012). Overall, mean (SD) days to nonpersistence was 108 (86) days. Persistence was significantly and negatively associated with age (P < 0.0001). White race was significantly related to longer persistence. Adherence and persistence to OAD medications in the selected Texas Medicaid pediatric population between 10 and 18 years was generally suboptimal, especially in adolescents.


Anal margin carcinoma: 21 cases treated at the Institut Curie by exclusive conservative radiotherapy.
Between 1962 and 1980, 21 patients with anal margin carcinoma were treated with exclusive radiotherapy. They were divided into 4 T1, 7 T2, 8 T3 and 2 T4 cases; only 3 cases presented with an N1 lymph node involvement (1 T2 and 2 T3). The tumor dose was 65 Gy in 22 fractions and 55 days; the inguinal dose was 50 Gy in 15 sessions and 50 days for prophylactic irradiation performed in 9/18 N0 patients, and 65 Gy with a limited 15 Gy boost for the 3 N1 cases. The results are: for T1, 4 patients alive and well out of 4; for T2, 3 out of 7; for T3, 2 out of 8; for T4, 2 out of 2. The overall survival was 11 out of 21 after 5 years. Severe complications occurred in 2 patients out of 21. Sphincter preservation was obtained in 9 patients out of 10 cured cases.


The influence of rehabilitation on behaviour modification in COPD.
Psychological and social factors are important in functioning and well-being of patients with chronic lung disease. While a rehabilitation programme of 4-10 weeks may optimise physical function, maintenance of results of rehabilitation depends for a substantial part on psychological factors such as mood, coping and lifestyle. Behavioural research suggests that modifying behavioural patterns and coping styles takes time and improvement of depressive state or symptoms may also take months. While no clear recommendations can be abstracted from the present literature concerning composition and duration of psychosocial programmes, we would suggest a duration of the programme of at least 3 months with inclusion of structured psychosocial elements aiming at behaviour modification. Regular physical and social activities in the post-rehabilitation period are necessary for relapse prevention. Evidence for this approach, however, is up to now only circumstantial. Further research should focus on maintaining results of rehabilitation and in particular on the role of psychological factors.


10 ways to reduce medical malpractice exposure.
Communicating with patients, keeping accurate records and actually taking time to examine patients are three of the top 10 ways to avoid a lawsuit. Find out more in this article by a doctor who's reviewed over 200 malpractice cases.


Lsi2: A black box in plant silicon transport.
Silicon (Si) is widely considered a non-essential but beneficial element for higher plants, providing broad protection against various environmental stresses (both biotic and abiotic), particularly in species that can readily absorb the element. Two plasma-membrane proteins are known to coordinate the radial transport of Si (in the form of Si(OH)4) from soil to xylem within roots: the influx channel Lsi1 and the efflux transporter Lsi2. From a structural and mechanistic perspective, much more is known about Lsi1 (a member of the NIP-III subgroup of the Major Intrinsic Proteins) compared to Lsi2 (a putative Si(OH)4/H+ antiporter, with some homology to bacterial anion transporters). Here, we critically review the current state of understanding regarding the physiological role and molecular characteristics of Lsi2. We demonstrate that the structure-function relationship of Lsi2 is largely uncharted and that the standing transport model requires much better supportive evidence. We also provide (to our knowledge) the most current and extensive phylogenetic analysis of Lsi2 from all fully sequenced higher-plant genomes. We end by suggesting research directions and hypotheses to elucidate the properties of Lsi2. Given that Lsi2 is proposed to mediate xylem Si loading and thus root-to-shoot translocation and biosilicification, it is imperative that the field of Si transport focus its efforts on a better understanding of this important topic. With this review, we aim to stimulate and advance research in the field of Si transport and thus better exploit Si to improve crop resilience and agricultural output. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11104-021-05061-1.


Proof of concept study for using UR10 robot to help total hip replacement.
The demand for total hip replacement (THR) for treating osteoarthritis has grown substantially worldwide. The existing robotic systems used in THR are invasive and costly. This study aims to develop a less-invasive and low-cost robotic system to assist THR surgery. A preliminary robotic reaming system was developed based on a UR10 robot equipped with a reamer to cut acetabulum. A novel approach was proposed to cut through a 5 mm hole in femur such that the operation is less invasive to the patients. The average error of the cutting hemisphere by the robotic reaming system is 0.1182 mm which is smaller than the average result reaming by hand (0.1301 mm). The robotic reaming can help make THR procedures less invasive and more accurate. Moreover, the system is expected to be significantly less expensive than the robotic systems available in the market at present.


Measurement of gastric emptying rate.
Gastric emptying rate was measured chronically using an electromagnetic probe inserted into the proximal duodenum via a duodenal cannula. Each duodenal gush was identified and its value calculated on the basis of pre-established threshold and timing criteria which eliminate shifts in the baseline and artefacts due to the presence of particles. The net flow of digestive contents and the aboral cumulative flow were displayed online. This system has been used in sheep for continuous measurement of duodenal flow over periods of 3-5 weeks.


CT demonstration of interlobar fissure calcification due to asbestos exposure.
This is the second report of calcification of the major fissure in asbestos-related pleural disease and the first in which CT was necessary to visualize its presence. This case illustrates that CT may have an additional important use in the radiologic evaluation of individuals who have had asbestos exposure.


Work-Related Asthma.
Summarize developed evidence-based diagnostic and treatment guidelines for work-related asthma (WRA). Comprehensive literature reviews conducted with article critiquing and grading. Guidelines developed by a multidisciplinary expert panel and peer-reviewed. Evidence supports spirometric testing as an essential early test. Serial peak expiratory flow rates measurement is moderately recommended for employees diagnosed with asthma to establish work-relatedness. Bronchial provocation testing is moderately recommended. IgE and skin prick testing for specific high-molecular weight (HMW) antigens are highly recommended. IgG testing for HMW antigens, IgE testing for low-molecular weight antigens, and nitric oxide testing for diagnosis are not recommended. Removal from exposure is associated with the highest probability of improvement, but may not lead to complete recovery. Quality evidence supports these clinical practice recommendations. The guidelines may be useful to providers who diagnose and/or treat WRA.


Sensitivity of HaCat keratinocytes to diabetogenic toxins.
Metabolic, genetic and environmental factors very likely play an important role in the development of skin lesions in diabetes mellitus. While these lesions are involved in secondary diabetes complications, various diabetogenic genotoxic agents may induce direct skin damage. In the present study we examined the potential of known diabetogenic agents (streptozotocin (STZ) and alloxan (AL)), with different mechanisms of action, for induction of direct injury in an immortal human keratinocyte HaCat cell line. In contrast to STZ, which induces alkylation of DNA, a genotoxic effect of AL is achieved through reactive oxygen species. We found that HaCat cells are highly sensitive to STZ, but not to AL. At a concentration of 10mM STZ, cell viability decreased to 32 +/-13% of control (P<0.05), as compared to 82 +/-14% with 10mM of AL. Cells treated with 10 and 20mM STZ showed a significant increase in apoptosis (3.9- and 6.7-fold), but not in necrosis, compared to naive cells (P<0.05). In contrast to STZ, no increase in apoptotic and necrotic cell death was observed after AL treatment. Pretreatment with non-metabolizable 3-O-methyl glucose (3-OMG), which can blockade glucose transporter, or with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (nicotinamide or 3-aminobenzamide), did not protect keratinocytes from STZ injury. Our results show that STZ, but not AL, is highly toxic to the HaCat cell line. Unlike insulin-producing cells, STZ-induced injury of immortal human keratinocyte HaCat cells is independent of the glucose transporters as well as of the activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase.


Molecular and cytogenetic organization of the 5S ribosomal DNA array in chicken (Gallus gallus).
The 5S ribosomal (r) RNA genes encode a small (approximately 120-bp) highly-conserved component of the large ribosomal subunit. The objective of the present research was to study the molecular and cytogenetic organization of the chicken 5S rDNA. A predominant 2.2-kb gene (5Salpha) consisting of a coding and intergenic spacer (IGS) region was identified in ten research and commercial populations. A variant gene repeat of 0.6kb (5Sbeta) was observed in some of the populations. Genetic linkage analysis and cytogenetic localization by fluorescence in-situ hybridization assigned the 5S rDNA to chromosome 9. The 5S rDNA array was determined to be 80.2 +/- 7.0 kb upon electrophoretic sizing following EcoRV digestion. Sequence analysis of 5Salpha IGS regions revealed considerable conservation between chicken subspecies (98.4% identity) as well as homology with vertebrate Pol III promoter and regulatory sequence motifs. Minor intraindividual sequence variation within 1000 bp of IGS was observed in four cloned Red Jungle Fowl (Gallus gallus gallus) 5Salpha repeats (95.5% identity in this region). Sequence comparisons between IGS regions of 5Salpha and 5Sbeta genes indicated two short continuous (>20bp) and many short non-continuous homologous regions as well as other conserved features such as promoter and termination motifs.


Organo-vanadium compounds are potent activators of the protein kinase B signaling pathway and protein tyrosine phosphorylation: mechanism of insulinomimesis.
Organo-vanadium compounds (OVC) have been shown to be more effective than inorganic vanadium compounds in ameliorating glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance in rodent models of diabetes mellitus. However, the precise molecular mechanism of OVC efficiency remains poorly defined. Since inorganic vanadium compounds have been found to activate several key components of the insulin signaling cascade, such as protein kinase B (PKB), the objective of the present study was to investigate if stimulation of PKB and its downstream target glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), are responsible for the more potent insulinomimetic effects of OVC. Among several vanadium compounds tested, vanadium (IV) oxo bis (acetylacetonate) and vanadium (IV) oxo bis(maltolato) markedly induced the phosphorylation of PKB as well as GSK-3beta compared to vanadyl sulfate (VS), an inorganic vanadium salts in Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing the insulin receptor (IR). Furthermore, the OVC were stronger inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) activity than VS. The higher PTPase inhibitory potential of the OVC was associated with more robust tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular proteins, including the IRbeta subunit and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1). In addition, greater IRS-1/p85alpha interaction was elicited by the OVC than by VS. These data indicate that the higher PTPase inhibitory potential of OVC translates into greater phosphorylation of PKB and GSK-3beta, which, in turn, may contribute to a more potent effect of OVC on glucose homeostasis.


Effectiveness of different combinations of urea and vermicompost on yield of bitter gourd (Momordicacharantia).
Exclusive use of organic manure in bitter gourd cultivation slows nutrient release, affecting root growth, while inefficient application of fertilizers during transplanting and development stages leads to nutrient losses and increased production costs. The research aimed to evaluate the efficiency of different combinations of urea and vermicompost in bitter gourd production and address the challenges associated with the use of only organic manure. The field experiment conducted in Tulsipur, Dang, utilized a six-treatment randomized complete block design with four replications. The treatments consisted of varying proportions of the recommended dose of urea (16 g plant-1) and vermicompost (280 g plant-1). Among the treatments, T3 (50% urea and 50% vermicompost) exhibited the most prevalent diameter (3.854 cm), length (16.32 cm), fruit count (1.391), weight plant-1 (189.2 g), and weight plot-1 (1848 g) while T4 (25% urea and 75% vermicompost) showed the quickest first flowering (30.37 days) and fruiting (33.75 days). T2 (75% urea and 25% vermicompost) recorded the highest vine length (222.5 cm). Statistically significant differences were observed in most recorded characteristics for T3. The results highlight the slow-release nutrient benefits and soil improvement properties of vermicompost, complemented by the quick-release nutrient attributes of urea. The traits with the lowest yield were observed in the control group (T6). A 50% combination of recommended urea dose and vermicompost is recommended for bitter gourd cultivation, leading to improved growth, yield, and quality, underscoring the benefits of organic fertilizer in this situation. The study's findings contribute to the scientific understanding of optimizing fertilization practices in bitter gourd production, minimizing production costs, reducing nutrient losses, and environmental pollution.


Retracted: Analysis of the Correlation between Football Education Environment and Students' Psychology Health Based on Gauss Characteristics.
[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/9429846.].


Neuroprotective effects of KCL-440, a new poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor, in the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model.
It is reported that ischemic brain injury is mediated by the activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). In this study, we examined the pharmacological profile of KCL-440, a new PARP inhibitor, and its neuroprotective effects in the rat acute cerebral infarction model induced by photothrombotic middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. In an in vitro study, KCL-440 exhibited potency with regard to inhibition of PARP activity, with an IC50 value of 68 nM. An in vivo pharmacokinetic study showed that the brain concentration of KCL-440 was sufficient to inhibit PARP activity during the intravenous infusion of KCL-440 at the rate of 1 mg/kg/h. KCL-440 at various doses or saline was administered for 24 h immediately after the MCA occlusion. Administration of KCL-440 led to a dose-dependent reduction in the infarct size at 24 h after MCA occlusion. Infarct sizes were 44.8% +/- 3.0% (n = 8), 40.5% +/- 1.1% (n = 8), 38.2% +/- 1.4% (n = 8), 35.1% +/- 2.1% (n = 8), 34.2% +/- 2.3% (n = 7), 32.6% +/- 1.9% (n = 8), and 31.0% +/- 2.1% (n = 5) at doses of 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 mg/kg/h. When compared to the control group, a statistically significant difference was observed in the doses that were higher than 0.03 mg/kg/h. When the infusion of KCL-440 (1 mg/kg/h, n = 8) was started at 1 h after the MCA occlusion, a significant reduction in infarct size was observed; this was not observed when KCL-440 infusion was started 2 or 3 h after the MCA occlusion. Furthermore, increased poly(ADP-ribose) immunostaining was confirmed at the ischemic border zone 2 h after the MCA occlusion, and it was reduced by KCL-440 treatment. These results suggest that KCL-440 is a possible neuroprotective agent with high blood-brain barrier permeability and high PARP inhibitory activity.


Do Single Men Smell and Look Different to Partnered Men?
Previous research indicates human body odor (BO) can signal kinship, sickness and genetic compatibility. Based on research indicating single males have higher testosterone levels than partnered males and that higher testosterone levels are associated with stronger smelling BO, the current study aimed to determine if, by extension of previous findings, single males' BO smells stronger than partnered males' BO. Eighty-two heterosexual women aged 18-35 years rated the BO and faces of six different males also aged 18-35 years. Consistent with the hypothesis, single men's BO smelled stronger than partnered men's BO and single men's faces were rated as more masculine than partnered men's faces. The possible advantages of females being able to identify single males are addressed in the Discussion.


Rhodium-catalyzed cyclization reaction of 1,6-enynes with arylboronic acids through beta-hydride elimination/hydrorhodation sequence.
Methoxy-substituted 1,6-enynes react with arylboronic acids in the presence of a rhodium(I) complex to give arylated cyclization products. This occurs by a multi-step mechanism consisting of rhodium/boron transmetalation, intermolecular carborhodation, intramolecular carborhodation, beta-hydride elimination, hydrorhodation, and beta-oxygen elimination. A shift of the position of a carbon-carbon double bond is observed, suggesting that the beta-hydride elimination/hydrorhodation process is repeatedly taking place.


The validity of d' measures.
Subliminal perception occurs when prime stimuli that participants claim not to be aware of nevertheless influence subsequent processing of a target. This claim, however, critically depends on correct methods to assess prime awareness. Typically, d' ("d prime") tasks administered after a priming task are used to establish that people are unable to discriminate between different primes. Here, we show that such d' tasks are influenced by the nature of the target, by attentional factors, and by the delay between stimulus presentation and response. Our results suggest that the standard d' task is not a straightforward measure of prime visibility. We discuss the implications of our findings for subliminal perception research.


Differences in Cardiometabolic Comorbidities Between Black and White Persons Living With Multiple Sclerosis.
To determine differences in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension in Black patients compared with White patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Cross-sectional database review. Large academic medical center research records database. A total of 3191 patient cases (N=3191; 77% female, 34% Black) identified by MS diagnosis within the medical record. Not applicable. Diagnosis codes for type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Body mass index (BMI), race, age, and sex were collected. Analysis of variance (continuous variables) and chi-square analyses (categorical variables) were conducted to determine differences in obesity, diabetes, and hypertension between race and sex. Logistic regression was conducted to determine odds ratios (ORs) of developing diabetes and hypertension based on race, sex, BMI, and age. Black patients were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed as having diabetes (OR, 2.15 [95% CI, 1.70-2.72]; P<.0001) or hypertension (OR, 2.44 [95% CI, 2.05-2.91], P<.0001) compared with White patients. Sex did not present a greater likelihood of being diagnosed as having diabetes; however, men were 1.22 times more likely be diagnosed as having hypertension compared with women (95% CI, 1.01-1.49; P=.0439). Increased age and BMI were also significantly associated with likelihood of diagnosis of diabetes and hypertension (age: diabetes OR, 1.05 [95% CI, 1.04-1.06], P<.0001; hypertension OR, 1.06 [95% CI, 1.05-1.06], P<.0001; BMI: diabetes obese vs normal: OR, 2.11 [95% CI, 1.43-3.11], P=.0002; hypertension: obese vs normal: OR, 1.72 [95% CI, 1.39-2.13], P<.0001). Black patients with MS are significantly more likely to have cardiometabolic conditions than White patients. These conditions have been associated with poorer health outcomes for people with MS and may have some effect on the differences in MS disease course reported in Black patients.


Hybrid resection of massive rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor using laparoscopic and transanal approaches.
Rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare, and radical surgery such as abdominoperineal resection is necessary for large rectal GISTs to obtain tumor-free resection margins. Here, we describe a 77-year-old man with a locally advanced non-metastatic GIST in the left anterolateral wall of the lower rectum. Tumor size was estimated to be 73 mm, and invasion of the left seminal vesicle and prostate was suspected. Chemotherapy with imatinib mesylate reduced the tumor size, creating a slight gap between the tumor and anterior organs. Therefore, we performed sphincter-sparing partial rectal resection using a hybrid method of laparoscopic and transanal approaches. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient remains disease-free on adjuvant chemotherapy 12 months after surgery. This case suggests that a hybrid method of laparoscopic and transanal surgery allows oncological and function-preserving excision of large rectal GISTs.


A cross-national comparative study on the influence of individual life course factors on mammography screening.
Drawing on insights from the life course perspective, the aim of this paper is to gain a better understanding of persistent socioeconomic inequalities related to the uptake of mammography screening in 13 European countries. We examine whether these inequalities originate in childhood and relate them to the history and progression of each country's screening programs. Retrospective data from the third wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement (SHARELIFE) is analyzed by means of event-history analyses to examine the role of childhood preventive health behavior on mammography screening initiation. The results are framed within the context of policy developments concerning mammography screening in each of the separate European countries. Childhood preventive health care behavior predicts mammography screening in 9 of the 13 countries after conventional measurements of socioeconomic position in childhood and adulthood are accounted for. Net effects of education and income are still found for respectively 6 and 7 countries, but in about half of these countries national screening programs are able to reduce the social gradient. Very strong cohort and period effects are found for every country. In a substantial number of the European countries, socioeconomic inequalities in preventive health behavior originate in childhood, which point to the deeply rooted nature of these inequalities. A long-term perspective is essential to further unravel how health policies can reduce or eliminate these persistent inequalities.


History of the synthesis and pharmacology of isosorbide dinitrate.
A major research program in the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, in the 1930s was the preparation of a large number of sugar alcohols and their anhydrides as substitute carbohydrates for diabetic diets. As an outgrowth of this work, many of these polyols were converted to their nitrate esters and investigated for their vasodilating properties. The organic nitrates that were synthesized were examined for their potency, duration of action, and possible therapeutic use. It was demonstrated that, contrary to prior belief, the depressor and vasodilating action was exhibited by their own molecular structure and not through hydrolysis and reduction to nitrite. The search for the finer mechanism(s) of action on the vascular musculature showed that these nitrated polyols and their anhydrides inhibited arterial adenosine triphosphatase, although this enzyme inhibition did not correlate with pharmacologic activity. Today the mechanism of action of these drugs is not clearly understood at the cellular level. The 1,4:3,6-dianhydrosorbitol 2,5-dinitrate (isosorbide dinitrate) was synthesized, studied, and reported in 1940. It appeared to be a useful drug because blood levels of the unhydrolyzed ester were found to persist for long periods of time. Subsequent clinical studies in the 1960s demonstrated its prophylactic value in angina pectoris and its prolonged action as a therapeutic asset. In 1967 the mononitrate was shown to be formed in vivo when the dinitrate was administered orally and has been studied as the possible pharmacodynamically active moiety.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Production of lipids in 10 strains of Chlorella and Parachlorella, and enhanced lipid productivity in Chlorella vulgaris.
We tested 10 different Chlorella and Parachlorella strains under lipid induction growth conditions in autotrophic laboratory cultures. Between tested strains, substantial differences in both biomass and lipid productivity as well as in the final content of lipids were found. The most productive strain (Chlorella vulgaris CCALA 256) was subsequently studied in detail. The availability of nitrates and/or phosphates strongly influenced growth and accumulation of lipids in cells by affecting cell division. Nutrient limitation substantially enhanced lipid productivity up to a maximal value of 1.5 g l(-1) day(-1). We also demonstrated the production of lipids through large-scale cultivation of C. vulgaris in a thin layer photobioreactor, even under suboptimal conditions. After 8 days of cultivation, maximal lipid productivity was 0.33 g l(-1) day(-1), biomass density was 5.7 g l(-1) dry weight and total lipid content was more than 30% dry weight. C. vulgaris lipids comprise fatty acids with a relatively high degree of saturation compared with canola oil offering a possible alternative to the use of higher plant oils.


Altered androgen regulation of differentiated ventral prostate function during aging of the AXC rat.
We have examined testosterone regulation of differentiated androgen responsive ventral prostate function in aging AXC rats as a possible means of identifying age-related changes in prostate gene function. Concerning cellular content of functional macromolecules, we identified three categories of age-related change in ventral prostate: (1) diminutions completely reversible by short-term chronic testosterone treatment, as exemplified by androgen receptor content; (2) diminutions partially reversible by testosterone treatment, as exemplified by prolactin receptor content and L-ornithine-decarboxylase (ODC) activity; and (3) diminutions not reversed by exogenous testosterone treatment, as exemplified by S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase (AMDC) activity. A fourth category of alteration revealed apparent age-related changes in polyamine homeostasis. The anabolic products of ODC and AMDC activities, putrescine, spermidine and spermine, showed an age-related diminished dependence between the activities of ODC and AMDC and ventral prostate polyamine content. The possibility that these changes reflect age-related alterations in ventral prostate gene activity is under investigation.


Antimicrobials use and their indications in dairy farm and individual farmer production conditions in southern India.
Antimicrobials use (AMU) is the key driver for development of antimicrobials resistant (AMR) pathogen in human and veterinary medicines. Therefore, understanding AMU pattern is prerequisite for focused intervention on AMR. The aim of this study was to understand the AMU pattern and their indications in dairy farm and individual farmer production conditions in southern India. Treatment registers of 6 years (2012 to 2017) containing 3178 cases from dairy farm and 12,057 cases during 2017-2019 under individual farmer production conditions were collected and analyzed by log-linear model. Seasons were classified as rainy (Jul-Oct), winter (Nov-Feb), and summer (Mar-June) as per climatic conditions in the study area. It is observed that mastitis, lameness, and reproductive problems were major health disorders among treated animals in farm and individual farmer production conditions. Season had significant influence on proportional rates of various health disorders in crossbred cows under both the production conditions. AMU pattern was different between the breeds and production conditions. Antibiotics were the most commonly used group of drugs (23-28%) than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (20%), antihistamine (17%), and nutrient supplements (14-16%). Antibiotics were mostly used for mastitis (47-67%) than other conditions like fever (18%), reproductive problems (15%), and lameness (16%). For treating mastitis, cephalosporins and gentamicin were most commonly used under individual farmer production condition, while penicillin group was frequently used in farm. It is concluded that mastitis is the most common indication for AMU in dairy animals and thus developing appropriate guidelines for mastitis treatment and control is necessary to reduce overall AMU.


2-Mercaptoethanol protects against DNA double-strand breaks after kidney ischemia and reperfusion injury through GPX4 upregulation.
Kidney ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is characterized by tubular cell death. DNA double-strand breaks is one of the major sources of tubular cell death induced by IRI. 2-Mercaptoethanol (2-ME) is protective against DNA double-strand breaks derived from calf thymus and bovine embryo. Here, we sought to determine whether treatment with 2-ME attenuated DNA double-strand breaks, resulting in reduced kidney dysfunction and structural damage in IRI. Kidney IRI or sham-operation in mice was carried out. The mice were treated with 2-ME, Ras-selective lethal 3, or vehicle. Kidney function, tubular injury, DNA damage, antioxidant enzyme expression, and DNA damage response (DDR) kinases activation were assessed. Treatment with 2-ME significantly attenuated kidney dysfunction, tubular injury, and DNA double-strand breaks after IRI. Among DDR kinases, IRI induced phosphorylation of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related (ATR), but IRI reduced phosphorylation of other DDR kinases including ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related, checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1), Chk2, and Chinese hamster cells 1 (XRCC1). Treatment with 2-ME enhanced phosphorylation of ATM and ATM-mediated effector kinases in IRI-subjected kidneys, suggesting that 2-ME activates ATM-mediated DDR signaling pathway. Furthermore, 2-ME dramatically upregulated glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in IRI-subjected kidneys. Inhibition of GPX4 augmented adverse IRI consequences including kidney dysfunction, tubular injury, DNA double-strand breaks, and inactivation of ATM-mediated DDR signaling pathway after IRI in 2-ME-treated kidneys. We have demonstrated that exogenous 2-ME protects against DNA double-strand breaks after kidney IRI through GPX4 upregulation and ATM activation.


Effects of urea on freeze-thaw stability of starch-based wood adhesive.
Urea was used to improve the freeze-thaw (F/T) stability of a renewable starch-based wood adhesive (SWA). The improved stability was supported by the enhanced viscosity stability and bonding performance stability after repeated F/T cycling. The results of dynamic time sweep experiments, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance (PNMR) showed that the improved stability can be due to the ability of urea to inhibit the retrogradation of starch molecules in the starch-based wood adhesive system. Urea can be used as an effective additive for improving storage properties of starch-based wood adhesive in low temperature environment. Approximately 15% (w/w) urea was the determined optimal dosage.


Metabolic cost of development, regeneration, and reproduction in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea.
Planaria are known for their ability to completely regenerate upon fissioning or experimental amputation. Yet, metabolic costs of regeneration have not been directly measured in planaria. Our goal was to establish the relationships between oxygen consumption (V̇O2), regeneration, and reproductive mode for asexual and sexual strains of Schmidtea mediterranea. We hypothesized that V̇O2 would vary by regeneration day for both sexual and asexual S. mediterranea, reflecting different costs of tissue reconstruction, but with an additional cost for regenerating sexual organs. Testes regeneration and body mass, as indicators of regeneration progress, and routine mass-specific V̇O2 as a function of maturity, regeneration, and reproductive mode, were measured over a 22-day regeneration period. Testes growth was highest in sexually mature adults, ~1/2 that in 14-day post-amputation sexual adults, and not detectable in juveniles and hatchlings. Mass-specific routine V̇O2 in sexuals was highest in mature controls at ~23 μl O2/g/h, but only half that in juveniles, hatchlings, and 14 day post-amputation adults. Both intact and 14-day post-amputation asexuals had a mass-specific routine V̇O2 of ~10-12 μl O2/g/h. The sum of V̇O2 of all amputated sections was ~100% higher than pre-amputation levels in the first 6 days of regeneration in asexuals, but not sexuals. There was no significant difference in V̇O2 of head, middle, and tail sections during regeneration. Overall, the highest metabolic costs associated with regeneration occurred during the initial 1-6 days of regeneration in both strains, but regeneration costs for sexual structures were not reflected in major V̇O2 differences between sexual and asexual strains.


Prognostic value of the early lung ultrasound B-line score for postoperative pulmonary insufficiency in patients undergoing thoracic surgery: an observational study.
Postoperative pulmonary insufficiency (PPI) is an important contributor to morbidity and mortality after thoracic surgery. Lung ultrasound is a reliable tool for assessing respiratory function. We sought to determine the clinical value of the early lung ultrasound B-line score for predicting changes in pulmonary function after thoracic surgery. Eighty-nine patients undergoing elective lung surgery were included in this study. The B-line score was determined 30 min after removal of the endotracheal tube, and the PaO2/FiO2 ratio was recorded 30 min after extubation and on the third postoperative day. Patients were divided into normal (PaO2/FiO2 ≥ 300) and PPI (PaO2/FiO2 < 300) groups according to their PaO2/FiO2 ratios. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify independent predictors of postoperative pulmonary insufficiency. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed for significantly correlated variables. Eighty-nine patients undergoing elective lung surgery were included in this study. We evaluated 69 patients in the normal group and 20 in the PPI group. Patients conforming to NYHA class 3 at administration were significantly more represented in the PPI group (5.8 and 55%; p < 0.001). B-line scores were significantly higher in the PPI group than in the normal group (16; IQR 13-21 vs. 7; IQR 5-10; p < 0.001). The B-line score was an independent risk factor (OR = 1.349 95% CI 1.154-1.578; p < 0.001), and its best cutoff value for predicting PPI was 12 (sensitivity: 77.5%; specificity: 66.7%). Lung ultrasound B-line scores 30 min after extubation are effective in predicting early PPI in patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Trial registration This study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR2000040374).


Estrogen-dependent and progesterone-arrested synthesis and secretion of sulfated glycoproteins in luminal epithelia of rat uteri.
1. 35SO4 administered intraperitoneally was specifically incorporated into a glycopeptide component separated by electrophoresis of the glycosaminoglycan fraction prepared from the uterine epithelia (luminal), as well as the uterine fluid of ovariectomized rats treated with estradiol-17 beta, in contrast to the rats without estrogen treatment. 2. The epithelial cells of uteri isolated from estrogen-treated ovariectomized rats incorporated 35SO4 in vitro into at least two macromolecular components. The larger molecular weight component (sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacryl-amide gel electrophoresis and/or gel filtration) labelled with 35S was observed in both the cytosol and particulate fractions, whereas the smaller molecular weight component labelled with 35S was found only in the particulate fraction. 35SO4 was also incorporated into two macromolecular components in the incubation medium, similarly to the particulate fraction. A 35 SO4-labelled glycopeptide similar to that from the epithelial particulate fraction and the incubation medium, and not from the epithelial cytosol fraction. 3. Progesterone, in contrast to estrogen, did not stimulate the sulfated blycoprotein synthesis. Moreover, progesterone administered together with or after estrogen-administration completely arrested the estrogen-dependent synthesis and secretion of the sulfated glycoproteins in the uterine epithelia.


Characterization of a nonglycosylated single chain urinary plasminogen activator secreted from yeast.
Using site-directed mutagenesis, we have changed the asparagine in human single-chain urinary plasminogen activator (u-PA) at position 302 to an alanine. This alteration removes the only known amino acid residue glycosylated in the protein. The single-chain u-PA containing an alanine residue at position 302 instead of asparagine (scu-PA(N302A] cDNA gene was expressed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Secretion of the protein product into the culture broth was achieved by replacing the human secretion signal codons with those from yeast invertase, adding a yeast promoter from the constitutively expressed glycolytic genes triosephosphate isomerase or phosphoglycerate kinase, and integrating multiple copies of these transcriptional units into the genome of yeast strains carrying the "supersecreting" mutation ssc1. When fermented in a fed-batch mode, these recombinant baker's yeast strains secreted scu-PA(N302A) in a strongly growth-associated manner. Greater than 90% of the u-PA found in the culture broth was in the single-chain form. Scu-PA(N302A) was purified to homogeneity using two chromatography steps. The purified protein had a molecular weight of 47,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and lacked any detectable N-linked glycosylation. The in vitro fibrinolytic properties of scu-PA(N302A) were found to be essentially equivalent to those of natural single-chain u-PA derived from the human kidney cell line TCL-598. Since scu-PA(N302A) lacks the immunogenic N-linked carbohydrate pattern of yeast, it may be a useful therapeutic agent which can be produced economically by yeast fermentation.


One in Three Luxembourg Residents Report their Mental Health Declined during the COVID-19 Crisis.
COVID-19 has had unprecedented effects on people around the world, causing even the best performing communities to live in uncertainty for the future. How are people coping? We - the general public, the academic community, and policy makers - need answers. To that end we analyse novel data for Luxembourg, finding one third of residents report their mental health declined during lockdown and young adults (ages 18-44) fared the worst. The most important contributors observed are physical health, income, and employment characteristics, such as working from home, which people seemed to enjoy. To limit collateral damage on mental health, various tools are available, which we briefly discuss.


Prevertebral tendinitis: how to avoid unnecessary surgical interventions.
Prevertebral tendinitis is an inflammatory process that affects the cervicothoracic prevertebral muscles. Because of its clinical presentation and imaging features in computed tomography scans, prevertebral tendinitis can easily be mistaken for deep cervical abscess formation. Totally different therapy regimens require clinical and diagnostic pathways for sufficient differentiation between those two pathologic entities. Case series with comparison. In 10 patients with prevertebral tendinitis, we evaluated the symptoms, laboratory reports, and radiological imaging findings. We compared these data to 65 patients with a deep cervical abscess formation. The basic radiologic imaging procedure was contrast-enhanced computed tomography. For detection of prevertebral tendinitis, we performed magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion-weighted images and calculated the apparent diffusion coefficient map. Patients with prevertebral tendinitis complained of severe neck pain, globus sensation, and neck stiffness. Diffusion-weighted images showed a typical benign prevertebral effusion. Computed tomography scans showed amorphous calcifications in the tendon of the prevertebral muscles. The C-reactive protein values were slightly increased in patients with prevertebral tendinitis, and white blood cell count remained normal. In comparison to patients with deep cervical abscess formation, the C-reactive protein and white blood cell count was significantly lower (P < .05) in the prevertebral tendinitis cases. Prevertebral tendinitis should be considered when patients suffer from neck pain, neck stiffness, and globus sensations despite low signs of inflammation in the laboratory report. To confirm the diagnosis, the best imaging feature is magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion-weighted images and apparent diffusion coefficient map.


Combinatorial inhibition of Tec kinases BTK and ITK is beneficial in ameliorating murine sclerodermatous chronic graft versus host disease.
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is the major factor limiting the widespread use of potentially curative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT). Chronic GVHD is characterized by the activation of alloreactive donor immune cells, especially B- and T-cells, leading to tissue damage and pathogenic fibrosis. In this study, we used highly specific next-generation inhibitors of ITK (PCYC-274), BTK (PCYC-804), and ibrutinib-like BTK/ITK inhibitors (PCYC-914 and PCYC-401) in the B10.D2 → BALB/C model of murine sclerodermatous cGVHD. From the third week onward, allogeneic recipients in each group of respective Tec kinase inhibitors were treated three times weekly with inhibitors at doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg or with saline control via oral gavage. Overall, we found that selective BTK inhibition was less effective than combined ITK/BTK or ITK inhibition in lengthening survival and reducing symptoms of cGVHD. ITK inhibition was most efficacious, with PCYC-274 and PCYC-401 demonstrating a nearly 50 percent reduction in GVHD scoring even at the 10 mg/kg dose, while 30 mg/kg of these compounds almost completely ameliorated GVHD symptomology. BTK/ITK and ITK-treated mice showed significant reductions in overall pathology. Significant reductions in dermal thickness and fibrosis were shown for all treatment groups. There was evidence of mixed Th1 and Th2 cytokine profiles in the skin of mice with dermal cGVHD, as both IFN-gamma and IL-4 were upregulated in the allogeneic control group, while kinase inhibition significantly reduced levels of these cytokines. Using an in vitro model of T-cell polarization, Th1 cell production of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were partially blocked by ITK. Th2 cell production of IL-4 was almost completely blocked synergistically by ITK and BTK inhibition. BTK-specific inhibition was unable to block either Th1 or Th2 cytokine production. Taken together, these results confirm previous reports that ITK-focused inhibition inhibits Th1 and Th2 cells. Additionally, the compound's effects on T-cell proliferation were tested by CFSE assay. Pure ITK inhibition was most effective at blocking T-cell proliferation, with no proliferation in PCYC-274-treated cells even at 0.1uM. PCYC-401 and PCYC-914 showed some inhibition at lower doses, with complete inhibition evident at 10uM. PCYC-804 was only partially able to block proliferation even at 10uM. In conclusion, we observed substantial benefit for differential inhibition of Tec kinases in GVHD, with ITK being most efficacious and Th1 cells being more resistant to inhibition, matching the previously reported findings of a Th2 to Th1 selective pressure in cells treated with ibrutinib. Our data warrants the further development of ITK and ITK/BTK inhibitors with specific inhibitory ratios to improve the treatment of GVHD and other T-cell mediated diseases.


Inferior vena cava resection and reconstruction for retroperitoneal tumor excision.
This study reviews the results of en bloc resection of the inferior vena cava (IVC) for malignant tumor excision and reconstruction. A prospective database was reviewed. IVC resection was categorized as suprarenal, perirenal, infrarenal, or extensive (>one segment resected). Repairs were divided into primary, patch, or circumferential. Tumor type, perioperative morbidity, mortality, and graft patency were recorded. Between 1990 and 2011, 47 patients (21 women; mean age, 56; range, 35-89 years) underwent IVC resection for en bloc tumor excision. Sarcomas were most common (36 [77%]: 30 primary IVC). Eleven patients had primary IVC repair, nine patch repair (two autogenous), and 27 had circumferential replacement with a polytetrafluoroethylene ringed graft. Extensive IVC reconstruction in 18 patients included the entire IVC, with renal (RV) and hepatic vein reimplantation in eight; suprarenal and perirenal in six (seven RVs reimplanted); and infrarenal and perirenal in four (four RVs reimplanted). Nine single-segment IVC replacements were infrarenal. Morbidity was 10.6%: one each with bowel obstruction, chyle leak, renal failure with complete recovery (left RV reimplant, right nephrectomy), reoperation for bleeding, and IVC graft thrombosis. Morbidity did not differ by type of reconstruction. There was no mortality. Follow-up ranged from 1.5 to 216 months (18 years) with a mean of 3.5 years. Computed tomography or duplex scans were available in 28 of 47 patients and in 15 of 27 patients in group 3 at a mean follow-up of 36 and 20 months, respectively. One IVC graft thrombosis was documented at 10 months after chemotherapy/sepsis. Tumor recurrence caused three graft stenoses. Cumulative 5-year patency in group 3 was 80% (imaging) and 92% (clinical). Lower extremity edema was universally avoided. Cumulative 5-year survival for the series was 45% ± 8.5%. Mean long-term survival was 5.8 ± 0.56 years (range, 4 months-17 years), with a significant difference between primary or patch (mean, 6.5 years) and circumferential or extensive repair (mean, 4.2 years; P < .005). Cumulative (47% vs 52%) and mean (3.1 vs 3.6 years; P > .12) survival was similar between patients with single-segment and extensive IVC resection and replacement. IVC resection and reconstruction for en bloc tumor excision is safe, even when extensive repairs are necessary. Replacement of the IVC with prosthetic graft avoids extremity venous complications and likely contributes to quality of survival. Survival depends on tumor behavior and degree of IVC involvement, where primary and patch repair has a better prognosis than circumferential resection.


A study on agent-based secure scheme for electronic medical record system.
Patient records, including doctors' diagnoses of diseases, trace of treatments and patients' conditions, nursing actions, and examination results from allied health profession departments, are the most important medical records of patients in medical systems. With patient records, medical staff can instantly understand the entire medical information of a patient so that, according to the patient's conditions, more accurate diagnoses and more appropriate in-depth treatments can be provided. Nevertheless, in such a modern society with booming information technologies, traditional paper-based patient records have faced a lot of problems, such as lack of uniform formats, low data mobility, slow data transfer, illegible handwritings, enormous and insufficient storage space, difficulty of conservation, being easily damaged, and low transferability. To improve such drawbacks, reduce medical costs, and advance medical quality, paper-based patient records are modified into electronic medical records and reformed into electronic patient records. However, since electronic patient records used in various hospitals are diverse and different, in consideration of cost, it is rather difficult to establish a compatible and complete integrated electronic patient records system to unify patient records from heterogeneous systems in hospitals. Moreover, as the booming of the Internet, it is no longer necessary to build an integrated system. Instead, doctors can instantly look up patients' complete information through the Internet access to electronic patient records as well as avoid the above difficulties. Nonetheless, the major problem of accessing to electronic patient records cross-hospital systems exists in the security of transmitting and accessing to the records in case of unauthorized medical personnels intercepting or stealing the information. This study applies the Mobile Agent scheme to cope with the problem. Since a Mobile Agent is a program, which can move among hosts and automatically disperse arithmetic processes, and moves from one host to another in heterogeneous network systems with the characteristics of autonomy and mobility, decreasing network traffic, reducing transfer lag, encapsulating protocol, availability on heterogeneous platforms, fault-tolerance, high flexibility, and personalization. However, since a Mobile Agent contacts and exchanges information with other hosts or agents on the Internet for rapid exchange and access to medical information, the security is threatened. In order to solve the problem, this study proposes a key management scheme based on Lagrange interpolation formulas and hierarchical management structure to make Mobile Agents a more secure and efficient access control scheme for electronic patient record systems when applied to the access of patients' personal electronic patient records cross hospitals. Meanwhile, with the comparison of security and efficacy analyses being the feasibility of validation scheme and the basis of better efficiency, the security of Mobile Agents in the process of operation can be guaranteed, key management efficacy can be advanced, and the security of the Mobile Agent system can be protected.


Cancer incidence and all-cause mortality among civilian men and women employed by the Royal Norwegian Navy between 1950 and 2005.
We aimed to investigate cancer incidence and all-cause mortality in a cohort of 8358 civilians (5134 men and 3224 women) employed by the Royal Norwegian Navy at any time between 1950 and 2005. The cohort was followed for cancer incidence and all-cause mortality from 1960 through 2015. Standardised incidence ratios (SIR) and mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated from national rates. Separate SIRs were calculated for a subgroup of male workshop workers and another of female cleaners. Overall cancer incidence among men was similar to the reference rate; male breast cancer was more frequent (SIR = 3.23). Male workshop workers showed a SIR of 1.77 for stomach cancer, while their incidence of lympho-haematopoietic cancers was half that of the reference rates. Women had increased risks of overall cancer (SIR = 1.11), lung cancer (SIR = 1.35), and ovarian cancer (SIR = 1.39). Female cleaners showed a SIR of 2.33 for bladder cancer and a lowered incidence of brain cancer (SIR = 0.18). In the overall cohort, all-cause mortality was lower than expected for men (SMR = 0.92) and closer to the reference rate for women (SMR = 0.95). In men, we observed a lowered all-cause mortality and an excess of stomach cancer in workshop workers. In women, increased risks of overall cancer, lung cancer and ovarian cancer was seen. An increased risk of bladder cancer and a lowered incidence of brain cancer was observed among female cleaners.


Effect of altering pump flow rate on cerebral blood flow and metabolism in infants and children.
The effects of reduced pump flow rate (PFR) on cerebral blood flow, cerebral oxygen consumption (CMRO2), oxygen extraction, cerebral vascular resistance, and total body vascular resistance were examined in 27 pediatric patients during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (hCPB). During steady state hCPB the extracorporeal flows were randomly adjusted to a conventional PFR and a reduced PFR for each patient. The reduced pump flow rates were dictated by surgical needs. Cerebral blood flow measured using Xenon 133 clearance, and CMRO2 and oxygen extraction were calculated. Our results demonstrated that cerebral blood flow and CMRO2 are unchanged if pump flow rates are reduced by 35% to 45% of conventional PFRs at moderate and deep hypothermic temperatures. Reductions in PFR of 45%-70% from conventional PFRs affect the brain differently during either moderate or deep hCPB. At moderate hCPB (26 degrees to 29 degrees C), reductions in PFRs of 45% to 70% resulted in a significant decrease in cerebral blood flow and CMRO2, whereas oxygen extraction increased in a compensatory manner. During deep hCPB (18 degrees to 22 degrees C), PFR reductions of 45% to 70% of conventional PFR significantly reduced cerebral blood flow and CMRO2 but did not increase oxygen extraction, suggesting that at deep hypothermic temperatures, cerebral blood flow and CMRO2 exceed cerebral metabolic needs. Cerebral vascular resistance increased significantly with decreasing temperature but was not affected by pump flow reductions. We have derived indices for minimal acceptable low-flow cardiopulmonary bypass based on the known effects of temperature on cerebral metabolism and have speculated on its utility based on our limited data and a literature review.


Osteoporosis. Clinical features, prevention, and treatment.
Osteoporosis is a significant and growing problem among the elderly. Although therapies exist to treat established disease, preventive measures that maintain bone mass throughout life are preferable. Osteoporosis is a condition resulting in an increased risk of skeletal fractures owing to a reduction in the volume of bone tissue. There is a preservation of the normal ratio of unmineralized-to-mineralized bone matrix. This disease affects postmenopausal women most frequently, and a link clearly exists between estrogen deficiency and accelerated bone loss. Diet, exercise, and other forms of treatment exist for well-established disease.


Production of abnormal proteins in E. coli stimulates transcription of lon and other heat shock genes.
The product of the lon gene in Escherichia coli, protease La, plays an important role in the degradation of abnormal proteins. To determine whether the presence of abnormal proteins stimulates expression of this gene, we examined its transcription using a lon-lacZ operon fusion. After the cells synthesized large amounts of aberrant polypeptides (e.g. following incorporation of the arginine analog, canavanine, or production of incomplete proteins with puromycin, or induction of translational errors with streptomycin), these cells showed a two- to threefold increase in lon--lacZ expression. Furthermore, synthesis of a single cloned protein, e.g. human tissue plasminogen activator, caused a similar increase in lon transcription. This induction of lon by abnormal proteins requires the heat shock regulatory gene htpR and was not seen in htpR- cells. Under these various conditions, other heat shock proteins were also induced. Thus, the appearance of aberrant cell proteins may be a common signal under many adverse conditions for the induction of cell protease (or proteases) and other heat shock proteins.


Bias due to conjunctiva hue and the clinical assessment of anemia.
The influence of conjunctiva hue on the clinical evaluation of anemia was tested by three educated non-clinicians, trained for such a purpose, in 219 healthy ambulatory subjects. Over 27% of conjunctivae were classified as pink and 72.8% as reddish; the three observers agreed on 8.2% of the pink and on 49.8% of the reddish. Anemia (hemoglobin below 10.0 g/dl) was detected in 5.4% of the subjects with pink hue, and in 3.4% of subjects with reddish hue. Between 39.7 and 62.2% of the subjects with pink conjunctiva were misclassified as anemic by at least one worker, and between 20.0 and 50.0% of those with reddish conjunctiva were misclassified as not anemic. Overall agreement on conjunctiva hue for the 219 worker pairs ranged from 69.0 to 75.0%; the three kappa coefficients were between 0.27 and 0.34. The importance of conjunctiva hue variation will depend on the objective of the assessment and on the availability of laboratory tests. Bias due to conjunctiva hue should be stressed when clinicians and field personnel are under training.


Autonomous proliferation of neural precursors in the tadpole retina revealed after partial removal of the embryonic eyebud.
The cellular mechanisms that regulate cell division in the developing vertebrate nervous system are essentially unknown. Using the frog retina as a model system, we tested the hypothesis that proliferation is regulated by feedback signals that encode the total number of cells in the population. To alter the number of cells in the retina, we surgically removed approximately half of the embryonic eyebud. In a previous study, cell counts made immediately after partial ablation showed that the number of proliferating, undifferentiated cells was reduced to 70% of the number in the contralateral control eye, while the number of postmitotic, differentiated cells was reduced to 47%. In this study, we sought to determine whether these reduced cell number of affected proliferation, which was assessed by counting the total number of cells present at various times after surgery. The partially ablated retinas consistently had fewer cells than the contralateral retinas. Analyses of the cell numbers suggested that there was little or no change in mitotic rate in the partially ablated retinas and that the decreased production of both differentiated and undifferentiated cells was due almost entirely to the reduction in the number of dividing cells. There is thus no evidence that retinal stem cells up-regulate their production of new cells in response to a reduction of either the stem cells themselves or of their descendants. This lack of response to population size indicates that, in contrast to many non-neural stem cell systems, proliferation of neural stem cells is not regulated by a feedback mechanism but instead is largely autonomous.


Safety and efficacy of postoperative adjuvant therapy with atezolizumab and bevacizumab after radical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.
The effects of postoperative adjuvant therapy for high-risk recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in immunotherapy are still under investigation. This study evaluated the preventive effects and safety of postoperative adjuvant therapy, including atezolizumab, and bevacizumab, against the early recurrence of HCC with high-risk factors. The complete data of HCC patients who underwent radical hepatectomy with or without postoperative adjuvant therapy after two-year follow-up were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into high-risk or low-risk groups based on HCC pathological characteristics. High-risk recurrence patients were divided into postoperative adjuvant treatment and control groups. Due to the difference in approaches in postoperative adjuvant therapies, they were divided into transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), atezolizumab, and bevacizumab (T + A), and combination (TACE+T + A) groups. The two-year recurrence-free survival rate (RFS), overall survival rate (OS), and associated factors were analyzed. The RFS in the high-risk group was significantly lower than that in the low-risk group (P = 0.0029), and the two-year RFS in the postoperative adjuvant treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P = 0.040). No severe complications were observed in those who received atezolizumab and bevacizumab or other therapy. Postoperative adjuvant therapy was related to two-year RFS. TACE, T + A, and the combination of these two approaches were comparable in reducing the early recurrence of HCC without severe complications.


Cellular and histochemical characteristics of osteoid formed in experimental fluoride poisoning.
The present study on the cellular and histochemical characteristics of osteoid formed in iliac crest bone during fluoride poisoning in rabbits was carried out as there is no information available to date either on its structural or biochemical characteristics. Osteoid formation in bone is prevalent both in fluorosis and in sodium fluoride therapy for osteoporosis. The report provides evidence which indicates that fluoride induces osteophytic activity leading to the formation of cartilagenous loci (fibrocartilage) in bone, the matrix of which is loaded with glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and proteoglycans. The occurrence of dermatan sulphate is demonstrated histochemically. Accumulation of dermatan sulphate in the cartilagenous matrix possibly prevents the normal process of mineralization.


Posthysterectomy carcinoma of the fallopian tube presenting as vaginal adenocarcinoma: a case report.
The clinical and pathological features of a case of adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tube with a unique presentation are described. The 68-year-old patient presented with vaginal bleeding 25 years after a vaginal hysterectomy. Pelvic examination revealed a 0.5-cm nodule of tumor involving the mucosa of the vaginal apex. At laparoscopy, the left fallopian tube was dilated and adherent to the vaginal vault. Pathological examination of the upper vaginectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy specimen revealed a primary papillary adenocarcinoma of the left fallopian tube that had invaded directly into the mucosa of the vaginal apex. Vaginal involvement, either at the time of presentation or subsequently in the course of the disease, is very rare in patients with carcinoma of the fallopian tube.


KIAA0649, a 1A6/DRIM-interacting protein with the oncogenic potential.
We identified a 1A6/DRIM (down-regulated in metastasis) interacting protein, KIAA0649 during the yeast two-hybrid screen. The interaction between KIAA0649 and 1A6/DRIM was further confirmed by GST-pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation assays. KIAA0649 was originally identified from human brain tissue. However, its biological function remains unknown. In this report, we showed that KIAA0649 mRNA is widely expressed in human multiple tissues and cell lines. We have also demonstrated that KIAA0649 has oncogenic characteristics: it enhances colony formation, allows anchorage-independent growth. Moreover, KIAA0649 exogenous expression in NIH3T3 fibroblasts caused tumor development in nude mice.


Vibrational frequencies and structural determination of dicyanodifluorosulfur.
The normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of dicyanodifluorosulfur are examined theoretically using the Gaussian03 set of quantum chemistry codes. Each of the vibrational modes was assigned to one of six types of motion predicted by a group theoretical analysis (CN stretch, SC stretch, SF stretch, FSC bend, SCN bend, and CSC bend) utilizing the C(2v) symmetry of the molecule. A set of uniform scaling factors was derived for each type of motion. Predicted infrared and Raman intensities are reported.


Spontaneous verbal labeling: visual memory and reading ability in children with cleft.
The purpose of this study was to examine different types of short-term memory deficits (visual versus verbal) of children with cleft and to determine what type of memory deficits were associated with reading disorders. The study examined memory and reading in 48 consecutive cases of children with cleft, aged 7 to 9 years. A memory test designed to assess memory modalities (verbal-visual) was administered, along with tests of reading ability. Visual and verbal memory were examined with a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The memory pattern indicated greatest deficit in visual memory. Two subgroups were formed, according to whether or not there was evidence of visual memory impairment. A hit rate predicting reading disability based on group membership was calculated to be 65%. Visual memory was significantly correlated with reading ability (r = .48). A brief visual memory test was almost as good as Full Scale IQ in predicting reading disability.


Portal hypertension and chronic pancreatitis complicating an inflammatory aortic aneurysm.
A case of inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is described in which the inflammatory process extended to the porta hepatis leading to portal hypertension, and to the root of the small bowel mesentery with associated chronic pancreatitis. We have been unable to find a similar case recorded in the literature.


Decelerating inspiratory flow waveform improves lung mechanics and gas exchange in patients on intermittent positive-pressure ventilation.
The effects of two inspiratory flow waveforms (WFs), decelerating and constant have been studied in 14 patients undergoing intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (IPPV). With tidal volume (VT), inspiratory time, inspiratory-expiratory (I/E) ratio and frequency being kept constant, the decelerating waveform produced statistically significant reduction of peak pressure, total respiratory resistance, work of inspiration, ratio of dead space to tidal volume (VD/VT) and alveolar-arterial gradient for oxygen (A-a)PO2. There was significant increase in total static and kinetic compliances and PaO2, with no significant changes in PaCO2, in cardiac output (CO) and in other haemodynamic measurements.


[Influence of hyperthermia on toxic side effects of cytostatic agents (author's transl)].
14 patients with tumors in generalised stages (Hodgkin's disease, oat-cell-carcinoma, Fibrosarcoma, acute leukemia) were treated altogether 54 times with cytostatics in combination with hyperthermia. The temperature was induced by microwaves with a frequency of 27 MHz. A temperature of 40 degrees C was reached after 40 min. At this point cytostatics were applicated; afterwards the temperature was maintained for one hour at 40-40,5 degrees C. Cardia, pulmonary and circulatory complications did not occur. Controls of the laboratory parameters could exclude effects on electrolytes, muscles, blood, liver and kidney. The laboratory controls were made before, during, immediately after and 24 h after hyperthermia. There were no signs for an enhancement of toxicity typical for cytostatics. The observations are compared to the results of other investigators. To date the therapeutic effect of this treatment can not be stated.


Identification and molecular characterization of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) gene in the intertidal copepod Tigriopus japonicus.
In copepods, no information has been reported on the structure or molecular characterization of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) gene. In the intertidal copepod Tigriopus japonicus, we identified a NOS gene that is involved in immune responses of vertebrates and invertebrates. In silico analyses revealed that nitric oxide (NO) synthase domains, such as the oxygenase and reductase domains, are highly conserved in the T. japonicus NOS gene. The T. japonicus NOS gene was highly transcribed in the nauplii stages, implying that it plays a role in protecting the host during the early developmental stages. To examine the involvement of the T. japonicus NOS gene in the innate immune response, the copepods were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and two Vibrio sp. After exposure to different concentrations of LPS and Vibrio sp., T. japonicus NOS transcription was significantly increased over time in a dose-dependent manner, and the NO/nitrite concentration increased as well. Taken together, our findings suggest that T. japonicus NOS transcription is induced in response to an immune challenge as part of the conserved innate immunity.


Endometrial morphology of women using a d-norgestrel-releasing intrauterine device.
Endometrial biopsies were obtained from 12 volunteers treated with d-norgestrel-releasing intrauterine devices (IUDs) with two different release rate. Four subjects scheduled for hysterectomy had d-norgestrel-releasing IUDs inserted approximately 1 month prior to surgery. The effect of d-norgestrel on the endometrium and fallopian tubes of the removed uteri was examined. A uniform suppression of the endometrium with glandular atrophy and decidualization of the stroma was found in all of the endometrial specimens. Moreover, changes similar to those observed during the luteal phase and early pregnancy could be seen in the tubal epithelium.


Neighborhood factors influence physical activity among African American and Hispanic or Latina women.
This study investigated the relationship between neighborhood street-scale elements, such as traffic lights and crossing aids, and physical activity (PA) adoption and maintenance in African American and Hispanic or Latina women. Women (N=309) participated in a 6-month intervention and completed baseline and post-intervention assessments of PA. Trained field assessors completed the Pedestrian Environment Data Scan in participants' neighborhoods. Adjusted linear regression models found attractiveness for bicycling significantly predicted post-intervention accelerometer-measured PA. Greater traffic control devices and crossing aids were associated with greater PA among women assigned to the PA intervention group, and greater street amenities were associated with greater PA among those in the comparison group. Neighborhood factors may interact favorably with behavioral interventions to promote PA adoption and maintenance, and should be considered in health promotion efforts.


Quinacrine inhibits oxygen radicals release from human alveolar macrophages.
We examined the effect of quinacrine, an anti-malarial drug which inhibits phospholipase A2, on phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) stimulated alveolar macrophage oxygen radical secretion. This drug suppressed 30% of radicals release, which was 70% of the amount inhibited by superoxide dismutase, a specific inhibitor of oxygen radicals. In addition, this reduction was at the same magnitude as dexamethasone. This and previous results on other inflammatory cells support the assumption that quinacrine may have a beneficial effect on bronchial asthma.


Controversy in Purchasing Prescription Drugs Online in China.
China's government is considering legalization of online prescription drugs to increase the pharmaceutical market and enhance access to necessary medicines. However, challenges such as a shortage of licensed pharmacists and drug quality issues have raised concerns and delayed consensus on the proposal. China's government must address the most pressing issues so it can render a decision on online prescription sales.