The clinical significance of the complete type of suprapatellar membrane.
The plicae are synovial septa remaining in adult life that existed in early fetal life. The suprapatellar plica separates the suprapatellar pouch from the knee joint. The plica syndrome has clinical significance, which has been occasionally overlooked, but the pathophysiology of symptomatic plicae may be hard to explain. To evaluate the clinical significance of the suprapatellar plicae, the authors reviewed 34 cases in 23 patients with vague pain around the knee and a total septum of the suprapatellar plica at arthroscopic examination from September 1991 to December 1993. The follow-up period was from 6 months to 2 years and 9 months. The most common presenting symptom was chronic mild knee pain, aggravated by prolonged squatting or standing, with other patients reporting recurrent swelling, instability, giving-way, or a feeling of snapping. The objective findings include palpable band on the superomedial side, audible snapping, and local tenderness, but there were no significant abnormal findings in the laboratory. The radiographic findings were few, with sclerosis of the articular surface of the patella in 2(6%), malalignment in 1(3%), and mild degenerative change in 4 cases(12%). Five of 11 patients evaluated by bone scan had increased uptake around the patellofemoral joint, and 7 of 13 knees had a relatively small suprapatellar bursa on conventional arthrogram or pneumoarthrogram. At arthroscopy, a suprapatellar plicae with complete septum was identified in 30 of 34 cases (88%) and associated lesions presented as meniscal tears, loose body, and discoid meniscus without tear. The complete plicae were surgically excised under arthroscopic control in 30 patients and the results were excellent in 22 patients (73%), good in 5 (17%), and poor in 3 (10%)at 17 months follow-up; there were no failures. In our opinion, the complete suprapatellar plica is clinically significant in patients who have equivocal diagnosis of knee problems and further studies of the pathophysiology of complete suprapatellar plica are needed.


Association between dependency and long sleep duration among elderly people: a community-based study.
Long sleep duration is a common sleep disorder among elderly people. Dependency increases with increasing age. This study aimed to assess the association between dependency and long sleep duration among elderly people. This study is a population-based cross-sectional study. A total of 1152 participants aged ≥ 60 years were selected from 26 locations in China by a complex multistage sampling design. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Sleep duration was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Dependency was assessed using Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-II. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the efficacy of sleep-related factors and psychological factors for sleep duration. Analysis of covariance and logistic regression analysis were performed to evaluate the association between the dependency score and sleep duration, and the strength of dependency effect on sleep duration. A total of 1120 participants were valid for the analysis. Among them, 15.8% of participants had a dependency score ≥60 points. The results of hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis showed that sleep duration was positively associated with dependency scores. Analysis of covariance indicated a J-shaped association between dependency scores and sleep duration. The results of logistic regression analysis showed dependency was significantly associated with long sleep duration, and the odds ratio was 3.52 (95% CI, 1.87-6.63; P < 0.001). Dependency was significantly associated with long sleep duration among elderly people. The results suggested that dependent intervention may be a strategy that needs urgent implementation to reduce long sleep duration among elderly people.


Membrane fatty acids and erythrocyte Li-Na countertransport in nephrotic syndrome and their relationship.
Cholesterol/phospholipids molar ratio and fatty acid composition have been estimated in erythrocyte membrane of 12 patients suffering from nephrotic syndrome and compared to values obtained in 23 normal subjects matched for sex and age. The membrane lipid composition has been correlated with the activity of erythrocyte Li-Na countertransport of the same subjects. The results show a significant increase in cholesterol/phospholipids ratio and total saturated fatty acids when erythrocytes of nephrotic patients are compared to normal erythrocytes, whereas total unsaturated fatty acids were lower in nephrotics (p less than 0.002). Li-Na countertransport was higher in nephrotics (p less than 0.001) and it was positively correlated with the total amount of saturated fatty acids of the erythrocyte membrane (r = +0.451; p less than 0.01). On the contrary, Li-Na countertransport was negatively correlated with the total amount of unsaturated fatty acids (r = -0.468; p less than 0.01).


Photodynamic therapy of virus-associated epithelial tumours of the face in organ transplant recipients.
The benefit for organ recipients is still counteracted by the side effects of immunosuppression. Among other effects, there is a 50-250 times increased risk of developing malignant skin tumours. Because these malignomas are known to develop particularly aggressivly, there is a special need for an efficient therapy. Here we demonstrate the treatment response to aminolaevulinic acid (ALA)-based photodynamic therapy (PDT) in these patients. Five organ recipients with multiple tumours of the face were multifocally treated with ALA-PDT (32 tumours in all). After topical application of ALA using a thermogel, irradiation was done with a 635 nm diode laser (Ceralas 635, Biolitec, Jena, Germany). After intervals of 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks, therapeutic efficacy was assessed. There was complete remission in 24 tumours (75%). In six tumours (18.8%) a second or third PDT session was necessary for complete clinical remission. In two tumours (5.6%, invasive squamous cell carcinomas) the lesions were refractory to PDT. ALA-PDT is a valuable therapeutic alternative for the treatment of multifocal skin tumours in organ-transplanted patients. Furthermore, we see a growing role of ALA-PDT also for patients with frequently relapsing tumours of the skin with known genetically determined tumourigenesis (Gorlin-Goltz syndrome).


Air pollution and hospitalization due to angina pectoris in Tehran, Iran: a time-series study.
Health effects of air pollution have been studied in many different parts of the world. Although a fairly large number of studies have explored the cardiovascular impacts of air pollution, because of its unique location we studied the association between air pollutants and hospital admissions due to angina pectoris in Tehran for the first time. This is a retrospective time-series study. The variables of the study include the levels of five air pollutants-nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O(3)), sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), and particulate matter <10 microm in aerodynamic diameter (PM(10))-as independent variables; daily hospitalizations due to angina pectoris in 25 academic hospitals in Tehran as the dependent variable; and mean daily temperature and humidity, seasonality, time trend, and day of the week as potential confounders. All variables were measured during a 5-year period from 21 March 1996 to 20 March 2001. The data of mean daily levels of NO(2), CO, O(3), SO(2), and PM(10) were collected from one of the stations of Tehran's Air Quality Control Corp. Data were analyzed using Poisson regression models. Relative risks of angina pectoris admissions were calculated for an increase in 1mg/m(3) for CO and 10 microg/m(3) for the other pollutants. Daily admissions due to angina pectoris were significantly related to the CO level, after controlling for confounder effects. Each unit increase in the CO level caused a 1.00934 increase in the number of admissions (95% CI, 1.00359--1.01512). This association was verified with a lag of 1 day. There was no significant association between the other air pollutants and the number of daily admission due to angina pectoris. We found that with increasing levels of the pollutant CO, the number of admissions due to cardiac angina rose. Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death in Iran. Air pollution control will reduce the number of this preventable disease and resulting deaths.


Measurement and correlation of acoustic cavitation with cellular bioeffects.
Using broadband noise as a measure of cavitation activity, this study determined the kinetics of cavitation during sonication of Optison contrast agent and tested whether cellular bioeffects can be predicted by cavitation dose. Cell suspensions were exposed to ultrasound at varying acoustic frequency, pressure, exposure time, Optison concentration and cell type to obtain a broad range of bioeffects, i.e., intracellular uptake and loss of viability, as quantified by flow cytometry. We found that cavitation activity measured by broadband noise increased and peaked within 20 ms and then decayed with a half-life of tens to hundreds of milliseconds. Intracellular uptake and loss of viability correlated well with the cavitation dose determined by the time integral of broadband noise magnitude. These results demonstrate that broadband noise correlates with bioeffects over a broad range of experimental conditions, which suggests a noninvasive feedback method to control ultrasound's bioeffects in real time.


Dynamic Evaluation of Coronary Anomalies Originating from the Opposite Sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS).
Coronary anomalies originating from the opposite sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS) are a rare anomaly associated with sudden cardiac death. Dynamic, invasive evaluation using coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound, and fractional flow reserve can more clearly identify important pathophysiologic variants and guide treatment. This dynamic evaluation can assist the clinician in the appropriate surgical and percutaneous treatment options and aid in patient counseling. Long-term outcomes data regarding treatment and prognosis is still lacking.


Changes in heart rate associated with contest outcome in agonistic encounters in lobsters.
Agonistic contests between lobsters housed together in a confined space progress through encounters of increasing intensity until a dominance relationship is established. Once this relationship is established, losing animals continually retreat from the advances of winners. These encounters are likely to consume much energy in both winning and losing animals. Therefore, one might expect involvement of many physiological systems before, during and after fights. Here, we report effects of agonistic encounters on cardiac frequency in winning and losing adult lobsters involved in dyadic interactions. The results show that: (i) small but significant increases in heart rate are observed upon chemical detection of a conspecific; (ii) during agonistic interactions, further increases in heart rate are seen; and (iii) ultimate winners exhibit greater increases in heart rate lasting longer periods of time compared to ultimate losers. Heart rate in winners remains elevated for at least 15 min after the contests have ended and animals have been returned to their home tanks. Reduced effects are seen in second and third pairings between familiar opponents. The sustained changes in heart rate that we observe in winning lobsters may result from hormonal modulation of cardiac function related to the change in social status brought about by contest outcome.


Carbon-coated cobalt oxide porous spheres with improved kinetics and good structural stability for long-life lithium-ion batteries.
Current anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) mainly suffer from poor electronic conductivity and large volume expansion upon cycling. Improving kinetics and designing good morphology structural stability of electrode materials can effectively enhance the lithium storage performances of LIBs. In this study, we successfully synthesized hierarchical carbon-coated cobalt oxide (C@CoO) porous spheres with improved kinetics and good structural stability, which were investigated by ex situ electrochemical impedance spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction. We also optimized the preparation conditions of the C@CoO porous spheres. The C@CoO350 porous spheres exhibited good electrochemical performances including the high 2nd specific capacity of 811mAhg-1 at 0.1Ag-1 and good rate property of 450mAhg-1 at 4Ag-1. Furthermore, it demonstrated an excellent cyclic stability with a high capacities of 669mAhg-1 after 400 cycles at 0.5Ag-1. Results demonstrated that C@CoO350 porous spheres are promising LIBs anodes.


EUS-guided biliary drainage with LAMS for distal malignant biliary obstruction when ERCP fails: single-center retrospective study and maldeployment management.
EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) with Lumen Apposing Metal Stent (LAMS) is a mini-invasive approach for jaundice palliation in distal malignant biliary obstruction (D-MBO) not amenable to ERCP, with good efficacy and not exiguous adverse events. From January 2015 to December 2019, we retrospectively enrolled all the EUS-BD with electrocautery-enhanced LAMS for biliary decompression in unresectable D-MBO and failed ERCP. Primary study aims were to evaluate technical/clinical success and AEs rate. In case of maldeployment, we estimated the efficacy of an intra-operative rescue therapy. Secondary aims were to assess the jaundice recurrence and gastric outlet obstruction symptoms. Thirty-six EUS-BD were enrolled over a cohort of 738 patients (ERCP cannulation failure rate was 2.6%): 31 choledocho-duodenostomy and 5 cholecystogastrostomy. A pre-loaded guidewire through the LAMS was systematically used in case of common bile duct ≤ 15 mm or scope instability for a safe/preventive biliary entryway in case of intra-procedural complications. Technical success was 80.6% (29/36 patients). Seven cases of LAMS maldeployment during EUS-guided choledocho-duodenostomy were successfully treated with RT by an over-the-wire fully-covered Self-Expandable Metal Stent (FC-SEMS). The FC-SEMS was released through the novel fistula tract in endoscopic fashion in 5/7 cases and transpapillary in percutaneous-transhepatic-endoscopic rendezvous (1/7) and laparoscopic-endoscopic rendezvous (1/7) in the two remaining cases. The total efficacy of rescue therapy was 100%. Same-session duodenal SEMS was placed in 17 patients with optimal gastric outlet obstruction management. Final clinical success was 100% and no other late adverse events or FC-SEMS migration were observed. EUS-BD with LAMS is effective for jaundice palliation after ERCP failure but with considerable adverse events. Maldeployment remains a serious complication with fatal evolution if not correctly recognized/managed. Rescue therapy must be promptly applied especially in tertiary-care centers with highly skilled endoscopists, interventional radiologist and dedicated surgeon.


Calix[4]arene-based covalent organic frameworks with host-guest recognition for selective adsorption of six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in food followed by UHPLC-MS/MS detection.
Long-term ingestion or exposure to food contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) may cause potential harm to human health. Due to the low contents of PFASs in complex food matrices, it is of great significance to develop adsorbents with excellent properties to enrich PFASs before analysis. Herein, calix[4]arene (CX4) was used as building block to prepare ordered crystalline covalent organic frameworks (COFs). The perfect combination of the host-guest recognition ability of CX4 and the porosity of COFs makes the CX4-COFs selective and high adsorption capacity for linear molecular PFASs (261-1055 mg/g). The adsorption behavior and mechanism were verified by isotherm adsorption experiments and simulation calculations. The CX4-COFs were then used as adsorbents for membrane solid-phase extraction (M-SPE), combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) to determine PFASs in food. The method has low detection limits (0.11-0.28 ng/kg) and good precision (1.3%-9.8%), and has been successfully applied to the simultaneous enrichment and determination of six PFASs in fish, shrimp and shellfish. Satisfactory recoveries (79.9%-118%) were obtained. This study provides a new strategy for preparing CX4-COFs containing macrocyclic molecules with different morphologies and expands the application of COFs as attractive enrichment media for sample pretreatment.


Construction of disulfide containing redox-responsive polymeric nanomedicine.
Disulfide bonds (S-S) are widely found in chemistry, biology, and materials science. Polymer nanomaterials containing disulfide bonds with a variety of excellent properties have great potential as drug and gene delivery carriers. The disulfide bond can exist stably in extracellular environment, but upon entering cancer cells, it will undergo a sulfhydryl-disulfide bond exchange reaction with glutathione (GSH) in the cytoplasm, causing the disulfide bond cleavage. Therefore, polymeric nanomaterials containing disulfide bonds are promising in cancer treatment due to the elevated GSH concentration inside cancer cells. This review highlights various synthetic approaches to prepare disulfide containing redox-responsive polymeric nanomedicine, including synthesis of disulfide bonds containing polymers, construction of polymeric nanoparticle with shell or core crosslinked disulfide bonds, preparation of polymer-drug conjugates via disulfide linkers, and disulfide linked responsive payloads.


Angiotensin II inhibits adenylate cyclase from adrenal cortex glomerulosa zone.
Angiotensin binding and the effects of angiotensin on adenylate cyclase activity were determined on purified membranes from the glomerulosa zone of bovine adrenal cortex. Angiotensin II inhibited adenylate cyclase activity in a dose-dependent manner with an A50-value of 2 nM. The angiotensin effect required the presence of GTP. Angiotensin also inhibited ACTH-stimulated activity. Angiotensin binding was sensitive to the same effectors which influenced angiotensin-induced adenylate cyclase inhibition. In the presence of NaCl 100 mM and magnesium, angiotensin interacted with a single population of binding sites (Kd = 4 nM and maximal binding capacity of 440 fmol/mg protein). These results and published data suggest that the ability to inhibit adenylate cyclase might be a general property of angiotensin receptors.


[Pattern of injuries to the surgical team during ophthalmosurgical interventions].
Accidental sharp injuries among the health-care workers are frequent, especially in the surgical disciplines. Because there are only limited data available about accidental sharp injuries in small surgical disciplines, we investigated the occurrence of sharp injuries among ophthalmosurgeons in Switzerland. An anonymous questionnaire was sent to all 500 members of the Swiss Ophthalmological Association. We asked how often the surgeons or any member of the surgical team suffered injury during an ophthalmic surgery within the last 2 years and which instrument had caused the injury. Using linear regression we analysed the connection between the occurrence of injuries and various factors, e.g., the age or experience of the surgeon, whether any actions in the case of an injury were taken, whether the event was documented and whether actual guidelines were followed. In the 117 analysed questionnaires we counted 193 injuries. 42.7 % of the surgeons (n = 50, 95 % CI 33.7 % - 51.8 %) had injured themselves at least once during the past two years and 59.8 % of the surgeons (n = 70, 95 % CI 50.9 % - 68.7 %) reported injuries among the rest of the surgical team. On average, surgeons were injured 0.66 times in two years (range 0-4 injuries per person). Most injuries were caused by hollow needles [28.2 % of self injuries (95 % CI 18.2 % - 38.2 %)], 24.3 % of injuries of team members (95 % CI 16.5 % - 32.1 %). 53.0 % of the surgeons (n = 63, 95 % CI 44.0 % - 62.0 %) reported the case whereas 18.8 % (n = 22, 95 % CI 11.7 % - 25.9 %) never reported them. Some questionnaires did not contain the answers to those last questions. Using chi-square, we could observe more injuries in the middle-age section and in surgeons with 11-30 years of surgical experience (p < 0.05). The regression did not show any dependence on the rate of injuries on the surgeon's experience and the number of performed surgeries. We conclude that in ophthalmosurgery sharp injuries to surgeons or their surgical team happen frequently and only about 50 % of the cases are reported. This study shows that there is room for improvement concerning the documentation and the actions taken after an injury. Thereby potential sources of danger could be better monitored.


Faecal incontinence and mode of first and subsequent delivery: a six-year longitudinal study.
To investigate the prevalence of persistent and long term postpartum faecal incontinence and associations with mode of first and subsequent deliveries. Longitudinal study. Maternity units in Aberdeen, Birmingham and Dunedin. Four thousand two hundred and fourteen women who returned postal questionnaires three months and six years postpartum. Symptom data were obtained from both questionnaires and obstetric data from case-notes for the index birth and the second questionnaire for subsequent births. Logistic regression investigated the independent effects of mode of first delivery and delivery history. Incontinence to bowel motions three months and six years after index birth. For delivery history, the outcome was incontinence only at six years. The prevalence of persistent faecal incontinence was 3.6%. Almost 90% of these women reported no symptoms before their first birth. The forceps delivery of a first baby was independently predictive of persistent symptoms (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.40-3.04). A caesarean section first birth was not significantly associated with persistent symptoms (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.64-1.81). Delivering exclusively by caesarean section also showed no association with subsequent symptoms (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.72-1.50) but ever having forceps was significantly predictive (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.18-1.87). Other factors independently associated with persistent faecal incontinence were older maternal age, increasing number of births and Asian ethnic group. Birthweight and long second stage were not significantly associated. The risk of persistent faecal incontinence is significantly higher after a first delivery by forceps. We found no evidence of a lower risk of subsequent faecal incontinence for exclusive caesarean section deliveries.


The effect of LSD on the surface of neuroepithelial cells.
The neuroepithelial cells of 10 control chick embryos and of 22 exposed to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) (50 microgram/ml) were examined in scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In specimens exposed to LSD, the cells are swollen and their surface loses its cytoplasmic projections. Labelling techniques applied in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) show that ruthenium red attaches to the surface of the neuroepithelial cells in the form of a continuous dark line in both controls and treated specimens. However, when cationized ferritin or lanthanum is used, the label appears in the form of a continuous line in the controls whereas it is discontinuous in specimens exposed to LSD. These observations suggest that LSD alters the components of the neuroepithelial cell surface in the young chick embryo.


Some characteristics of a natural infection by parainfluenza-3 virus in a group of calves.
Parainfluenza-3 (Pi3) virus infection in a group of 25 calves is described. The virus was isolated from the lungs of four calve at days 6, 7, 13 and 55 after they were housed together at birth. Intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies were seen by light microscopy in bronchial and bronchiolar epithelial cells of two of these calves. Virus infected cells were detected by electron microscopy in three of the four calves. Haemagglutination inhibition antibodies to Pi3 virus were found in the sera of the calves. Despite the virus being present in the group from one week, a significant increase in antibody titre was found in only two animals although all the calves were in contact with each other during the study period. The pulmonary lesions in the four infected calves consisted of a bronchitis and bronchiolitis with infiltration of the walls and lumena of these structures by neutrophils and an adjacent neutrophil infiltration of alveoli some of which were collapsed.


Perceptions and Correlates of Distress Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Stress Management Strategies Among Adults With Diabetes: A Mixed-Methods Study.
Greater risk of adverse health outcomes and public health measures have increased distress among people with diabetes during the coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The objectives of this study were to explore how the experiences of people with diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic differ according to sociodemographic characteristics and identify diabetes-related psychosocial correlates of COVID distress. Patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes were recruited from clinics and community health centres in Toronto, Ontario, as well as patient networks. Participants were interviewed to explore the experiences of people with diabetes with varied sociodemographic and clinical identities, with respect to wellness (physical, emotional, social, financial, occupational), level of stress and management strategies. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the relationships between diabetes distress, diabetes self-efficacy and resilient coping with COVID distress. Interviews revealed that specific aspects of psychosocial wellness affected by the pandemic, and stress and illness management strategies utilized by people with diabetes differed based on socioeconomic status, gender, type of diabetes and race. Resilient coping (β=-0.0517; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.0918 to -0.0116; p=0.012), diabetes distress (β=0.0260; 95% CI, 0.0149 to 0.0371; p<0.0001) and diabetes self-efficacy (β=-0.0184; 95% CI, -0.0316 to -0.0052; p=0.007) were significantly associated with COVID distress. Certain subgroups of people with diabetes have experienced a disproportionate amount of COVID distress. Assessing correlates of COVID distress among people with diabetes will help inform interventions such as diabetes self-management education to address the psychosocial distress caused by the pandemic.


The natural decline of Wuchereria bancrofti infection in a vector control situation in the Solomon Islands.
In a situation where filariasis and malaria are transmitted by the same vector, as seen here in the Solomon Islands, the Malaria Eradication Programme aimed at controlling the vector, was found to have an effect on both diseases. In an area of Choiseul island first surveyed by the author in 1970, three follow-up surveys were conducted--in 1974, 1975 and 1976. These showed a progressive decrease in persons infected. When the densities, especially the median microfilarial counts, were expressed as percentage values of the pre-spray survey, there was found to be a proportional decrease over eight years. It is possible that the Anopheline vector needs to be reduced less for the cessation of transmission of filariasis than for malaria. A theoretical ratio was calculated and supporting field evidence presented.


Kruppel-like factor 13 inhibits cell proliferation of gastric cancer by inducing autophagic degradation of β-catenin.
Zinc protein KLF13 is a tumor-suppressive member of Kruppel-like factors family, and yet the effect of KLF13 on gastric cancer has not been reported. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of KLF13 in gastric cancer and explored underlying molecular mechanisms. Firstly, it was found that KLF13 expression was significantly decreased in gastric cancer tissues and cancer cells compared with adjacent normal tissues and normal gastric epithelial cells, respectively. KEGG_Pathway and GO_BP analyses suggested that KLF13 was associated with CELL_CYCLE and CELL_PROLIFERATION. Then, our results further demonstrated that KLF13 could obviously inhibit gastric cancer proliferation and induce cell arrest at G2/M phase. Mechanistically, KLF13 decreased expressions of β-catenin and its target genes, CCND1 and MYC, via triggering autophagic degradation of β-catenin. KLF13 up-regulation facilitated co-localization and binding of β-catenin with autophagy protein p62, and exogenous overexpression of β-catenin or blocking autophagy process appeared to reverse KLF13-induced inhibition of gastric cancer proliferation. Furthermore, KLF13 overexpression promoted the expression of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2, Ubc13 which is responsible for catalyzing the synthesis of 'Lys-63'-linked polyubiquitin chains and increased the binding of β-catenin with E3 ubiquitin ligase, TRAF6. In vivo, KLF13 overexpression also suppressed xenograft tumor growth of gastric cancer and down-regulated expressions of Ki67, β-catenin, Cyclin D1, and c-Myc in tumor tissues. Collectively, these data firstly demonstrated the involvement of KLF13 in inhibiting cell proliferation of gastric cancer through promoting autophagy-dependent degradation of β-catenin, which reinforced the evidence for suppressive roles of KLF13 in human tumors.


Evaluation of switch from satellite laboratory to central laboratory for testing of intraoperative parathyroid hormone.
The aim of this study was to evaluate testing turnaround time (TAT) and incision to close time in parathyroid surgeries before and after switching intraoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) testing from a near point of care location to a central clinical laboratory. This retrospective study covered a ten-year period. Both testing locations used the same Roche Diagnostics PTH immunoassay but on different analyzers. The predominant site for surgeries was the main operating rooms (ORs) in an adjacent building, with a limited number of parathyroid surgeries performed at a more distant ambulatory surgery center (ASC). Under ideal conditions, TAT for near point-of-care testing was 20 min, although multiple factors could increase TAT. Incision to close time from the electronic health record was used to define time of surgery. A total of 897 unique patients were identified for which 3031 orders for intraoperative PTH were placed (383 unique patients and 1244 orders after switch in testing site). The average total TAT times for testing (mean ± SD) in the central laboratory were 23.9 ± 16.0 min (median, 22 min) for all specimens, 22.8 ± 7.9 min (median, 21 min) for main OR specimens, and 26.4 ± 7.1 min (median, 25 min) for ASC specimens. Incision to close time for parathyroidectomies showed decreases in mean, median, and standard deviation following testing change. Surgery time for parathyroidectomies may remain consistent or decrease if intraoperative PTH testing is moved from a near point of care to a central laboratory.


Somatic cell-oocyte interactions in mouse oogenesis: stage-specific regulation of mouse oocyte protein phosphorylation by granulosa cells.
The relative rate of synthesis of a number of proteins and the protein phosphorylation pattern of growing and fully grown oocytes were influenced by the presence of granulosa cells. In particular, a 74-kDa phosphorylated protein was detected only in granulosa cell-enclosed growing mouse oocytes. When reaggregated with granulosa cells, the growing oocyte displayed the phosphorylated form of the 74-kDa protein but when oocytes were cultured on Sertoli cell monolayers or in granulosa cell-conditioned medium the 74-kDa protein was not phosphorylated. We propose that (1) granulosa cells regulate protein phosphorylation in mouse oocytes; (2) a 74-kDa protein is phosphorylated only in growing oocytes when surrounded by granulosa cells; and (3) granulosa cells, but not Sertoli cells, are competent to send the appropriate "signal" to the growing oocyte.


Rapid detection of leukemia-associated translocation fusion genes using a novel combined RT-PCR and flow cytometric method.
Efficient detection of recurrent translocation-associated fusion genes is of critical importance for the diagnosis, prognosis and post-therapeutic monitoring of many leukemias. Typically, the presence of such translocations is revealed by RT-PCR technique, followed by Southern blot hybridization to ensure specificity of the PCR product. Though widely employed, post-PCR analysis of this type is relatively laborious and time-intensive. As a departure from standard analytic approaches, we have developed a robust novel method combining both high specificity and sensitivity, based on polystyrene bead capture of fluorescently labeled PCR products, with subsequent analysis by flow cytometry. Results from cell line and patient sample evaluations indicate that this method may be easily incorporated into the diagnostic molecular laboratory as a rapid and cost-effective alternative to currently employed techniques.


An injectable biodegradable temperature-responsive gel with an adjustable persistence window.
ɛ-Caprolactone (CL) and 3-benzyloxymethyl-6-methyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dion (fLA), with a benzyloxymethyl group at the 3-position of the lactide, were randomly copolymerized. The methoxy polyethylene glycol (MPEG)-b-[poly(ɛ-caprolactone)-ran-poly(3-benzyloxymethyl lactide) (PCL-ran-PfLA)] diblock copolymers were designed such that the PfLA content (0-15 mol%) in the PCL segment was varied. The MPEG-b-(PCL-ran-PfLA) diblock copolymers were derivatized by introducing a pendant benzyl group (MC(x)L(y)-OBn), hydroxyl group (MC(x)L(y)-OH), or carboxylic acid group (MC(x)L(y)-COOH) at the PfLA segment. The derivatized MPEG-b-(PCL-ran-PfLA) diblock copolymer solutions exhibited sol-to-gel phase transitions upon a temperature increase. The sol-to-gel phase transition depended on both the type of functional pendant group on the PfLA and the PfLA content in the PCL segment. MC(x)L(y)-COOH diblock copolymer solutions formed gels immediately after injection into Fischer rats. The gels gradually degraded over a period of 0-6 weeks after the initial injection, and the rate of degradation increased for higher concentrations of PfLA. Immunohistochemical characterization showed that the in vivo MPEG-b-(PCL-ran-PfLA) diblock copolymer gels provoked only a modest inflammatory response. These results show that the MPEG-b-(PCL-ran-PfLA) diblock copolymer gel described here may serve as a minimally invasive therapeutic, in situ-forming gel system with an adjustable temperature-responsive and in vivo biodegradable window.


[Testicular torsion: review of 42 cases].
Forty two cases of Testicular Torsion in children aged under 9 are presented. Diagnosis and therapy are discussed; an accurate and prompt diagnosis is emphasized on to decide on the proper surgical correction to achieve testes preservation.


On Broca, brain, and binding: a new framework.
In speaking and comprehending language, word information is retrieved from memory and combined into larger units (unification). Unification operations take place in parallel at the semantic, syntactic and phonological levels of processing. This article proposes a new framework that connects psycholinguistic models to a neurobiological account of language. According to this proposal the left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG) plays an important role in unification. Research in other domains of cognition indicates that left prefrontal cortex has the necessary neurobiological characteristics for its involvement in the unification for language. I offer here a psycholinguistic perspective on the nature of language unification and the role of LIFG.


Novel low voltage and solution processable organic thin film transistors based on water dispersed polymer semiconductor nanoparticulates.
Two novel organic thin film transistor structures that combine a hygroscopic insulator with the use of water-dispersed polymer nanoparticles as the active layer are presented. In the first device structure, the semiconducting layer was fabricated from a nanoparticulate suspension of poly-(3-hexylthiophene) prepared through a mini-emulsion process using sodium dodecyl sulfate as the surfactant whereas a surfactant-free precipitation method has been used for the second device structure. In both cases, fully solution processable transistors have been fabricated in a top gate configuration with hygroscopic poly(4-vinylphenol) as the dielectric layer. Both device structures operate at low voltages (0 to -4V) but exhibit contrasting output characteristics. A systematic study is presented on the effect of surfactant on the synthesis of semiconducting nanoparticles, the formation of thin nanoparticulate films and, consequently, on device performance.


Double-Decker Paramagnetic {(K)(H3 Hhp)2 }⋅2- Radical Dianions Comprising Two [30]Trithia-2,3,5,10,12,13,15,20,22,23,25,30-Dodecaazahexaphyrins and a Potassium Ion.
Reduction of free-base [30]trithia-2,3,5,10,12,13,15,20,22,23,25,30-dodecaazahexaphyrin (H3 Hhp) yields {cryptand[2.2.2](K)}2 {(K)(H3 Hhp)2 }⋅4C6 H4 Cl2 (1) containing double-decker {(K)(H3 Hhp)2 }⋅2- radical dianions, whose structure was elucidated using X-ray diffraction. Potassium ion forms 12 short (K+ )⋅⋅⋅N(H3 Hhp) contacts with two H3 Hhp macrocycles in the 3.048-3.157 Å range. Dianions have S=1/2 spin state manifesting an effective magnetic moment of 1.64 μB at 300 K and a narrow Lorentzian electron paramagnetic resonance signal. Quantum chemical calculations support the ionic nature of the (K+ )-N(H3 Hhp) interactions and the nearly equal distribution of the -1.5 charge over each macrocycle. H3 Hhp takes the role of an aza-crown ether in free-base reduced state and forms a new type of double-decker complex.


Supramolecular self-assembly on a solid support: metal-directed complementarity.
Resin immobilised (poly)-2,2'-bipyridines have been prepared and used as templates for the copper(II)-mediated assembly of alkene-functionalised 2,2'ratio6',2''-terpyridines which undergo subsequent templated metathesis to form complementary poly-2,2'ratio6',2''-terpyridine strands.


Life-threatening risk factors and the role of intestinal transplantation in patients with intestinal failure.
We elucidated the life-threatening risk factors for intestinal failure (IF) and characterized the role of intestinal transplantation (ITx) in affected patients. We conducted a retrospective review of 38 patients with short bowel (SB) and 19 with motility disorders (MD). The SB patients were divided into three categories according to the length of their residual small bowel and the presence of the ileocecal valve. The four disease subcategories were grouped into two categories: low-risk category (mild and moderated SB) and high-risk category (extensive SB and MD). The age at the introduction of parenteral nutrition (PN) was <1 year in 50 patients (infant group, IG) and 1-15 years in 7 patients (pediatric group, PG). Enteral autonomy was rarely achieved in the high-risk category (p < 0.0001). IG was associated with a higher incidence of developing intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) (p = 0.004). Eight patients died, due to IFALD in four, sepsis in three and acute heart failure in one. Twenty-eight patients (49 %) are currently alive without PN, including four after ITx. The treatment of high-risk IF is still challenging. Inclusion of ITx in appropriate timing, along with aggressive medical, nutritional and surgical management, may reduce advanced morbidity and mortality of high-risk IF.


Adverse childhood experiences and all-cause mortality risk in adulthood.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been associated with mortality risk in adulthood. It is unclear, however, whether ACEs perpetrated beyond parents may be associated with mortality risk, if the risk is accumulative or plateaus at a certain frequency, whether associations differ dependent on ACE types, whether types interact with one another, or if observed effects differ by sex. To examine associations between ACEs and mortality risk. 6319 participants (age range 25-74 years, mean [SD] 46.91 [12.95] years; 51.6 % female) followed from 1995/96 to 2018 as part of the survey of Midlife Development in the United States. ACE variables were self-reported exposure to 20 ACE types from five categories: physical abuse, emotional abuse, socioeconomic disadvantage, adverse family structure, and poor health at age 16 years. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate mortality risk. ACEs were accumulatively associated with increased mortality risk in adjusted models (HR = 1.033; p ≤ .001, 95 % CI, 1.014-1.053). The association was linear. Only physical abuse (HR = 1.05; p = .024, 95 % CI, 1.01-1.10) remained significantly predictive of increased mortality risk adjusting for other types. No interaction by sex or amongst ACE types was observed. ACEs may be cumulatively associated with increased mortality risk, such that each individual ACE increases risk. Physical abuse may be an important ACE type within a mortality risk context. Individual ACE types warrant further study as each type may have their own differential impact on mortality risk.


Short- and long-chain perfluoroalkyl substances in the water, suspended particulate matter, and surface sediment of a turbid river.
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have attracted attentions all around the world. However, little is known about their distribution among water, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and sediment phases in rivers, especially for the short-chain PFASs. In this work, the Yellow River, the largest turbid river in the world, was selected as a case to study eleven kinds of PFASs in the three phases of rivers. These PFASs included C4-C12 perfluorinated carboxylates (PFCAs), perfluorobutyl sulfonate (PFBS), and perfluorooctansulfonate (PFOS), among which C4-C7 PFCAs and PFBS belong to short-chain PFASs, while C8-C12 PFCAs and PFOS belong to long-chain PFASs. The results showed that the total PFAS concentration ranged from 44.7ngL(-1) to 1.52μgL(-1) in the water, from 8.19 to 17.4ngg(-1) in the sediment, and from 3.44 to 14.7ngg(-1) in the SPM. Short-chain PFASs predominated in the water and could reach up to 88.8% of the total PFAS concentration in water, while long-chain PFASs prevailed in the sediment and SPM. The PFAS concentration in SPM showed a significant negative correlation with SPM concentration in river water (p<0.01). The distribution coefficients (Kd) of PFASs between sediment/SPM and water increased with their chain length and there was a positive correlation between logKd and logKow (octanol-water partition coefficients). The total annual flux of all the eleven PFASs was estimated at 3.88tons for the Yellow River into the Bohai Sea, among which the PFOA flux was the highest (0.90tons). The widely occurrence and high concentrations of short-chain PFASs in the Yellow River indicates the shift of manufacturing focus of perfluoroalkyl chemicals from traditional long-chain ones to short-chain ones. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate the eco-environmental risks of these short-chain PFASs in water environments.


Bothrops jararacussu snake venom decreases CD1d, CD83, and CD86 expression on bone marrow-derived dendritic cells.
This study was designed to characterize mice bone marrow (BM) and bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC) and to compare the surface markers expression and inflammatory cytokine liberation in response to LPS and Bothrops jararacussu venom (BjV) stimulation. Typical morphology was observed in BM and BMDCs from the 4th up to the 8th day of culture using recombinant mouse GM-CSF and IL-4. A high basal level of MHC-II, CD1d, CD83, CD11c, CD80, and low CD86 was expressed by BM cells. After stimulation with GM-CSF/IL-4 for BMDCs differentiation, the BM cells differentiated into BMDCs presented MHC-II, CD1d, CD83, CD11c, CD86, and CD80 expression on the 4th - 8th day accompanied with high levels of TNF-α liberated. The difference between the surface markers' expression was observed in this time course in which CD1d, CD11c, and CD80 remained in high levels of expression, while MHC-II and CD83 showed moderate expression during the differentiation period. Also, cytokines liberation was monitored over the period of the BMDCs culture, and on the 6th day, low levels of IL-6 and IL-1β were found, while high levels of TNF-α on the 4th and 8th days, both of which contributed to the maturity of the BMDCs. Maturation of DCs with LPS showed significant upregulation of surface markers (MHC-II, CD1d, CD83, CD86, CD80) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) liberation. On the other hand, BjV induced a decrease in CD1d, CD11c, CD83, and CD86 expression in mature BMDCs which was not observed when LPS was used to stimulate BMDCs which probably induces impairment in T-cell activation.


ASSOCIATION OF ISOMETRIC STRENGTH OF HIP AND KNEE MUSCLES WITH INJURY RISK IN HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY RUNNERS.
High school cross country runners have a high incidence of overuse injuries, particularly to the knee and shin. As lower extremity strength is modifiable, identification of strength attributes that contribute to anterior knee pain (AKP) and shin injuries may influence prevention and management of these injuries. To determine if a relationship existed between isometric hip abductor, knee extensor and flexor strength and the incidence of AKP and shin injury in high school cross country runners. Sixty-eight high school cross country runners (47 girls, 21 boys) participated in the study. Isometric strength tests of hip abductors, knee extensors and flexors were performed with a handheld dynamometer. Runners were prospectively followed during the 2014 interscholastic cross country season for occurrences of AKP and shin injury. Bivariate logistic regression was used to examine risk relationships between strength values and occurrence of AKP and shin injury. During the season, three (4.4%) runners experienced AKP and 13 (19.1%) runners incurred a shin injury. Runners in the tertiles indicating weakest hip abductor (chi-square = 6.140; p=0.046), knee extensor (chi-square = 6.562; p=0.038), and knee flexor (chi-square = 6.140; p=0.046) muscle strength had a significantly higher incidence of AKP. Hip and knee muscle strength was not significantly associated with shin injury. High school cross country runners with weaker hip abductor, knee extensor and flexor muscle strength had a higher incidence of AKP. Increasing hip and knee muscle strength may reduce the likelihood of AKP in high school cross country runners. 2b.


Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of surface modification polymeric nanoparticles.
The objective of this study is to investigate the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of free breviscapine (BVP) and coated BVP-loaded poly (D, L-lactic acid) nanoparticles (BVP-PLA-NPs) in rats after i.v. administration. Coated BVP-PLA-NPs were prepared by the spontaneous emulsification solvent diffusion method and characterized. The BVP content in the NPs, the biological samples and in vitro release was measured by the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The mean sizes of coated BVP-PLA-NPs were 177 and 319 nm with a narrow distribution and smooth sphere shapes, entrapment efficiency of 86.9% and 93.1%, respectively. Drug release profiles in phosphate buffer and plasma exhibited a biphasic release phenomenon. After i.v. administration of free BVP and NPs suspensions in rats, area under plasma concentration-time curve and elimination t(1/2) were increased 9.3-fold and 10.9-fold for 177 nm of NPs, and 4.4-fold and 17.1-fold for 319 nm of NPs compared with that of free BVP, respectively. NPs were mainly distributed in liver, spleen, heart and brain. In addition, NPs could penetrate blood brain barrier (BBB) and the particle size had some effect on pharmacokinetics and biodistribution. Coated BVP-PLA-NPs could effectively avoid the capture by the reticuloendothelial system and prolong the half-life of BVP. Moreover, these NPs could penetrate BBB and enhance the accumulation of BVP in brain.


Corporatized Radiology: From Down Under to Over Here?
In this article, we reflect on the current state of corporatized radiology, forces driving consolidation, and alternatives to corporatization that allow radiologists to maintain their autonomy while providing the highest level of care to their medical communities.


Longitudinal study of HTLV-III-infected chimpanzees by lymphocyte subpopulation analysis.
Following inoculation with plasma from human patients with AIDS, two chimpanzees demonstrated specific antihuman T-cell leukemia virus type 3 (HTLV-III) antibodies. One of the two chimpanzees also developed massive lymphadenopathy that persisted for 32 weeks and demonstrated a concurrent and more frequent depression of total T cells (T3) and T helper cells (T4) with a decrease in the ratios of T4 to T suppressor cells (T8). These results indicate that chimpanzees demonstrate a range of T-cell subpopulations during infection and disease induced by HTLV-III.


The detection of Mycoplasma (formerly Eperythrozoon) wenyonii by 16S rDNA PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis.
Although the role of Mycoplasma wenyonii in disease is still subject to some debate, infections have been reported to result in parasitaemia, anaemia, scrotal and hind limb oedema, tachycardia, pyrexia, infertility, swollen teats, prefemoral lymphadenopathy and decreased milk production. Previously, diagnosis of M. wenyonii has been based on blood smears but is not specific for M. wenyonii and can be difficult to interpret. We have previously described the use of PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) for the detection and differentiation of Mycoplasma species. DGGE enables the rapid and specific identification of Mycoplasma species and is ideally suited to detecting both mixed infections and new and unusual species. In this study, we have used DGGE with universal primers to detect M. wenyonii DNA from blood samples. DGGE can be used on blood samples as a rapid and specific test for M. wenyonii and can also be used as a screening test for other blood borne pathogens.


Comparison of clinical outcome of lumbar spinal stenosis surgery in patients with and without osteoporosis: a prospective cohort study.
Osteoporosis is one of the most important risk factors for failure of the spine instrumentation. Management of patients with osteoporosis who requires spinal surgery because of the difficulty in instrument placement and the potential complications is still a challenge. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical outcome of lumbar spinal canal stenosis after instrumentation in patients with and without osteoporosis. This prospective cohort study was performed from June 2018 to December 2020, in Be'sat Hospital, Hamadan, Iran. The sample consisted of patients over 50 years old referred to Be'sat Hospital with a diagnosis of lumbar spinal canal stenosis who underwent instrumental surgery (n = 107). Based on bone densitometry, the sample was divided into two groups with osteoporosis (n = 34) and without osteoporosis (n = 73). To collect data, we used a three-part researcher-made questionnaire (demographic information, medical records information, and paraclinical parameters). Statistical analyzes were performed by the Fisher Exact, chi-square, independent t-test, Multiple ANCOVA, Mann-Whitney and the Rank Wilcoxson tests using Stata version 17 software. The mean age (SD) of patients in the two groups with and without osteoporosis was 67.9 (7.0) and 59.1 (5.1) years, respectively (p = 0.001). The results indicated that a significant difference was observed between the two groups in sex (p = 0.032), educational status (p = 0.001), marital status (p = 0.023), employment status (p = 0.004), menopausal status (p = 0.018), taking corticosteroids (p = 0.028), and body mass index (p = 0.015). Also, there was a significant difference between two groups in the loosening of instrument (p = 0.039), the postoperative pain intensity (p = 0.007), fusion (p = 0.047), and neurogenic claudication (p = 0.003). Based on multiple ANCOVA test, there was not a significant difference between two groups in the clinical and paraclinical charatecristics (p > 0.05). The mean (SD) of T-Score in the osteoporosis group was 3.06 (0.37). This study provides evidence that there is no significant difference in the clinical outcomes of lumbar spine instrumentation due to spinal canal stenosis in patients with and without osteoporosis. Because of the high cost of specific instrumentation developed for patients with osteoporosis and their unavailability, it seems that the use of conventional instrumentation along with complete treatment of osteoporosis can help improve the clinical outcome of surgery in these patients.


Challenges of midwifery staff at Tehran hospitals: A qualitative study from the midwifery managers perspective.
This study aimed to investigate the challenges faced by midwifery staff working in hospitals from midwifery manager's perspectives and provide suggestions to solve them. Descriptive qualitative study. The study was conducted in Tehran in 2021. Data were collected using fifteen semi-structured interviews conducted with hospitals' clinical midwifery managers over 7 months. The interview data were grouped into three themes: recruitment, development, and maintenance. The midwifery workforce would face significant challenges in training hospitals. Lack of suitable patterns of midwifery workforce management, the non-optimal midwives' utilization and deployment, unclear job boundaries, weak training programs for the midwives' professional development, and unpleasant working atmosphere were the main challenges. A well-defined task description for midwives to determine their position in all spheres of reproductive health service provision, create training courses based on skill gaps, and focus on improving labour relations and organizational culture are suggested. Midwifery managers were interviewed. They talked about their experience with midwifery workforce challenges.


Instant center of rotation estimation using the Reuleaux technique and a Lateral Extrapolation technique.
A mathematical model of a rolling wheel was used to investigate the errors encountered when the Reuleaux technique is employed to estimate planar instant centers of rotation (ICRs). The investigation showed that large errors can result when this pole measurement technique is applied to objects rotating more than 12 degrees. The investigation also showed that these errors can be substantially reduced by applying a new Lateral Extrapolation technique to the pole data. When the Reuleaux technique is applied to marks on a 10cm radius wheel, the resulting offset errors from the ICR are 3.96cm for a 45 degrees roll and 1cm for a 12 degrees roll. Following lateral extrapolation, these offset errors reduce to 0.52cm for the 45 degrees roll and less than 0.04cm for the 12 degrees roll. Thus, the extrapolation technique is over seven times more accurate for a 45 degrees roll, and over 25 times more accurate for a 12 degrees roll. The extrapolation technique has been validated with the model for joints that exhibit both slip and roll, such as the knee. As joint ICR pathway measurement can be used to detect pathology, these accuracy improvements offer potential benefits for clinical applications.


Clinical characteristics of MRI-negative temporal lobe epilepsy.
To investigate the characteristics of patients with MRI-negative temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) (1.5 T brain MRI) in comparison with: (i) patients with hippocampal sclerosis (HS)-TLE; (ii) persons with non-HS structural TLE; and (iii) patients with dual pathology. This was a retrospective study. All patients with an electro-clinical diagnosis of TLE were studied at the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, from 2008 until 2020. Six hundred and forty-one patients were studied [273 (42.6%) HS, 154 (24.0%) non-HS structural TLE, 174 (27.1%) MRI-negative TLE, and 40 (6.2%) dual pathology]. The groups differed significantly. Important dissimilarities included: (i) compared with HS-TLE group, patients with MRI-negative TLE more often had a family history of epilepsy and less often had a history of febrile convulsion; (ii) compared with non-HS structural TLE group, patients with MRI-negative TLE more often had focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures, less often had focal seizures with impaired awareness, and more often had a family history of epilepsy; (iii) compared with the dual pathology group, patients with MRI-negative TLE less often were male and less often had a history of febrile convulsion. Patients with MRI-negative TLE are not a homogenous group of people and it is not necessarily a distinct entity from other forms of TLE either. With the emergence of advanced imaging technologies, the underlying pathologies of MRI-negative TLE may be revealed.


A comparison of an inductively coupled implanted coil with optimized surface coils for in vivo NMR imaging of the spinal cord.
A study was performed to determine whether an implanted, inductively coupled nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging spine coil could provide a significant gain in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on images of the spinal cord relative to the SNR of optimized surface coils. Implanted coils were surgically affixed to the upper lumbar spine (first lumbar through third lumbar vertebrae) in a total of four adult cats. The implanted coil was inductively coupled to an external 12 x 12 cm square surface coil that was mounted on a 14-cm diameter Plexiglas cradle (Townsend Industries, Des Moines, IA). Two similar cradles were prepared with transmit-only 12 x 12 cm surface coils and either a receive-only 6 x 6 cm square surface coil or a receive-only quadrature coil pair (two 4 x 6 cm coils overlapped slightly to minimize their mutual inductance) with the same surface area (6 x 6 cm). A total of five single-slice, T1-weighted spin-echo images (TR = 500 ms, TE = 30 ms, 4-mm slice thickness) were acquired from a 1-liter saline phantom and from the second lumbar spinal level in an adult cat with a normal, uninjured spinal cord. On the spinal cord images, the quadrature coil exhibited a factor of 1.65 increase in SNR relative to the single-turn surface coil, whereas the implanted coil achieved a factor of 2.19 increase in SNR. The improved SNR for the quadrature and implanted coils was observed as a dramatic improvement in the clarity of the images.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Evolution Arrests Invasions of Cooperative Populations.
Population expansions trigger many biomedical and ecological transitions, from tumor growth to invasions of non-native species. Although population spreading often selects for more invasive phenotypes, we show that this outcome is far from inevitable. In cooperative populations, mutations reducing dispersal have a competitive advantage. Such mutations then steadily accumulate at the expansion front, bringing invasion to a halt. Our findings are a rare example of evolution driving the population into an unfavorable state, and they could lead to new strategies to combat unwelcome invaders.


Resource partitioning and interspecific competition in a tropical hermit crab community.
1) The relative intensities of inter- and intra-specific competition for a given set of resources can be estimated from data on resource partitioning if enough is known about resource population dynamics and resource movement. 2) There is abundant evidence that hermit crabs compete for empty gastropod shells. Different hermit crab species usually differ in their use of empty shells and habitat. 3) A model of empty shell population dynamics is developed to allow competition ratios to be calculated from data on resource partitioning among sympatric hermit crabs. 4) Ratios of inter- and intra-specific competition are estimated for the species in a tropical hermit crab community. Results indicate that interspecific competition is at least an order of magnitude less than intraspecific. Species are not close to any limiting similarity. 5) The fact that competition ratios in the Panamanian hermit crab community are substantially less than figures proposed by other authors for other communities may reflect the use of inappropriate methods for determining competition coefficients (competition ratios) in earlier studies.


Effect of zinc on growth performance and cellular metabolic stress of fish exposed to multiple stresses.
Global warming due to increasing temperature and contamination in aquatic environment has been found to be inducing cellular metabolic stress in fish. The present study focused on temperature and contamination in aquatic ecosystems and its alleviation/mitigation. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the role of zinc to improve growth performance, cellular metabolic stress, and digestive enzymes of the Pangasianodon hypophthalmus reared under lead (Pb) and high temperature. Two hundred and seventy-three fishes were distributed randomly into seven treatments, each with three replicates. Three isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets with graded levels of zinc at 0 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 20 mg/kg were prepared. The Pb in treated water was maintained at the level of 1/21th of LC50 (4 ppm) and maintained at a temperature of 34 °C in exposure groups. The growth performance in terms of weight gain (%), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and specific growth rate (SGR) was found to be inhibited, and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was enhanced in the Pb and high temperature-exposed group, whereas zinc supplementation has improved weight gain (%), FCR, PER, and SGR. The liver, gill, muscle, and kidney tissues of carbohydrate metabolic enzymes (LDH and MDH), protein metabolic enzymes (ALT and AST), and liver, gill, and muscle G6PDH and ATPase as well as intestinal digestives enzymes (proteases, amylase, and lipase) and intestinal ALP were significantly affected (p < 0.01) by Pb and high temperature exposure to P. hypophthalmus. We herein report the role of zinc in mitigating cellular metabolic stress in fish exposed to Pb and high temperature.


Are liveable neighbourhoods safer neighbourhoods? Testing the rhetoric on new urbanism and safety from crime in Perth, Western Australia.
New urbanism advocates for the design of the compact, pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use developments thought to promote walking. New urbanist proponents also claim their developments incur other social and wellbeing benefits, including enhanced safety from crime; however there is limited empirical evidence supporting this. We tested the premise that new urbanism inhibits crime by examining the relationship between compliance with a planning policy based on new urbanism and: (1) residents' reports of victimisation; and (2) objective crime measures. RESIDE Participants (n = 603) who had lived in their new developments for 36 months completed a questionnaire that included items on their experiences of victimisation. Detailed measures quantifying the degree to which these developments (n = 36) complied with the policy requirements were generated in Geographic Information Systems. Logistic regression examined the associations between policy compliance and self-report victimisation, and negative binomial log-linear models examined area-level associations between compliance and objective crime. For each 10% increase in overall policy compliance, the odds of being a victim reduced by 40% (OR = 0.60, CI = 0.53-0.67, p = 0.000). Findings for the individual policy 'elements' were consistent with this: for each 10% increment in compliance with the community design, movement network, lot layout and public parkland elements, the odds of victimisation reduced by approximately 6% (p = 0.264), 51% (p = 0.001), 15% (p = 0.000) and 22% (p = 0.001) respectively. However, while policy compliance correlated with lower odds of self-report victimisation among residents, the associations between compliance and development-wide (objective) crime were positive but non-significant. The results indicate that planning policies based on new urbanism may indeed deliver other social and wellbeing benefits for residents, however they also hint that the design of an 'objectively' safe place may differ from the design of a 'subjectively' safe space.


A diagnostic approach to different types of non-A non-B acute hepatitis through the evaluation of the lobular distribution of hepatocytic damage.
The activity in the serum of three hepatic mitochondrial enzymes, glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), ornithine carbamyl transferase (OCT) and mitochondrial glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (m-GOT), all of which show different lobular distribution in the liver, was investigated in order to clarify the usefulness of determinations of these enzymes for the diagnosis of different types of acute non-A non-B (NANB) hepatitis. In NANB hepatitis, there were two different histological types: portal and non-portal. In most portal cases, the GDH/OCT ratios were lower than 0.35, but the ratios were higher than 0.36 in all non-portal cases. The prognosis of the portal group and the short incubation group of NANB hepatitis was better than that of the non-portal and the long incubation group, respectively. The cases showing GDH/OCT ratios of less than 0.35 clearly displayed better prognoses than the cases showing high GDH/OCT ratios. These findings implied that the low GDH/OCT group may have been infected by particular viruses and that ratio determination is useful for the diagnosis of NANB hepatitis caused by different viruses.


Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 serotype(s): Is it a matter of time?
Since its identification in late 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has undergone numerous mutations, resulting in the emergence of several viral variants, which may differ in transmissibility, virulence and/or evasion from host immunity. Particularly, immunity-related changes have been well documented in the Omicron variant, including reports of escaping neutralizing antibodies induced by infection/vaccination with heterologous SARS-CoV-2 or used in serological therapy. These findings may encourage some discussions about the possibility that Omicron is a distinct SARS-CoV-2 serotype. To contribute to this issue, we combined concepts from immunology, virology and evolution and performed an interesting brainstorm on the hypothesis that Omicron is a distinct SARS-CoV-2 serotype. Furthermore, we also discussed the likelihood of emergence of SARS-CoV-2 serotypes over time, which may not necessarily be related to Omicron. Finally, insights into this topic may have direct implications for vaccine formulations, immunodiagnostic platforms and serological therapies, contributing to better management of future outbreaks or waves.


Individual differences in working memory capacity predict visual attention allocation.
To the extent that individual differences in working memory capacity (WMC) reflect differences in attention (Baddeley, 1993; Engle, Kane, & Tuholski, 1999), differences in WMC should predict performance on visual attention tasks. Individuals who scored in the upper and lower quartiles on the OSPAN working memory test performed a modification of Egly and Homa's (1984) selective attention task. In this task, the participants identified a central letter and localized a displaced letter flashed somewhere on one of three concentric rings. When the displaced letter occurred closer to fixation than the cue implied, high-WMC, but not low-WMC, individuals showed a cost in the letter localization task. This suggests that low-WMC participants allocated attention as a spotlight, whereas those with high WMC showed flexible allocation.


A new state observer for active disturbance rejection control with measurement noise and output delay using the PDE-backstepping predictor.
This paper designs a new observer to address the issue of disturbance rejection in nonlinear plants with sense delay and measurement noise. The effect of sensor delay is characterized as a transport equation, and a predictor-based extended state observer has been designed using the PDE (partial differential equation) backstepping method. A cascaded ESO (extended state observer) architecture has been introduced to further reduce the limitation of measurement noise on observer bandwidth. This new cascade observer is capable of rapidly and accurately reconstructing system signals and compensating for output delay while avoiding the amplification of measurement noise. The numerical example has demonstrated the efficacy of the proposed observer structure, and extensive comparative experimental results have further confirmed its superiority.


The genetics of vitiligo in Korean patients.
Vitiligo is a common disorder whose exact cause is unknown, but genetic factors are thought to be involved. We analyzed 120 Korean proband families to clarify which genetic factors are involved in the pathogenesis of vitiligo in Korean patients. The genetics of vitiligo were analyzed in 120 Korean proband families out of 1030 vitiligo patients. Each family was analyzed through a proband afflicted with vitiligo. In 51 (42.5%) of 120 proband families, at least one first-degree relative of the proband had vitiligo. The incidence of those affected among 1755 relatives (first-, second-, and third-degree) was found to be 8.0+/-0.6%. There was a statistically significant departure for segregation analysis which was inconsistent with inheritance as an autosomal or X-linked locus model. On the basis of our results, the inheritance pattern of vitiligo is more likely to tend toward the model of multifactorial inheritance. The threshold trait among first-degree relatives (7.2%) appeared to tend more toward the square root of the frequency in the general population (10%) than towards those of dominant (50%) or recessive (25%) models. These results indicate that there are certain genetic factors involved in the etiology of vitiligo, and that vitiligo seems to have a polygenic nature.


Biological and clinical characterization of paclitaxel poliglumex (PPX, CT-2103), a macromolecular polymer-drug conjugate.
Paclitaxel is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent; however, its therapeutic index is limited by low tumor exposure and high systemic exposure. Paclitaxel poliglumex (PPX) is macromolecular drug conjugate that links paclitaxel with a biodegradable polymer, poly-L-glutamic acid. PPX enhances tumor exposure by taking advantage of the hyperpermeable vasculature and suppressed lymphatic clearance characteristic of tumor tissue. The release of paclitaxel from the polymeric backbone is, at least in part, dependent on the metabolism of PPX by the lysosomal protease cathepsin B, which is upregulated in many tumor types. Retrospective analysis of clinical data from two phase III trials in advanced lung cancer suggests that PPX activity may be modulated by estradiol: a trend toward improved survival in the PPX arm compared with the control arm was observed in female, but not in male patients. Estrogens are known to induce cathepsin B activity; cathepsin B-mediated proteolysis is a key enzymatic processing step in PPX metabolism. The association between estrogens and PPX activity is being further explored in ongoing preclinical studies. An additional phase III trial will enroll women with advanced NSCLC to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of PPX in relation to pre- and post-menopausal estrogen levels.


Administration of cultured autologous bone marrow stromal cells into cerebrospinal fluid in spinal injury patients: a pilot study.
To determine whether intrathecal administration of cultured autologous bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) is safe and feasible for treatment of subacute spinal injury. Five patients with complete tetraplegia due to cervical spinal injury on admission were included. A small amount of bone marrow was obtained during surgery for spinal fusion. BMSCs were cultured, reaching 107-108 cells. The properties and functional efficacy of the BMSCs were verified with surface marker analysis and a neurite extension test. BMSCs were administered by lumbar puncture. The patients were closely observed for 6 months, and the Committee on Effectiveness and Safety of Clinical Treatment (CESCT) evaluated safety. No adverse responses were observed in biochemical and radiographic examinations. The CESCT did not recognize any harmful effects of the transplantation, and concluded it was safe for treatment. The patients were further followed up for 1 to 4 years with no adverse responses. The recovery of American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) B and C patients at transplantation was rapid and remarkable, but gradual or limited in AIS A patients. This study demonstrated that intrathecal administration of cultured autologous BMSCs is safe and feasible for treatment of spinal cord injury.


Transcriptional activation of endogenous rat retrovirus with and without hypomethylation of proviral DNA.
Induction of latent, endogenous retrovirus from normal vertebrate cells has been reported following exposure in-vitro to the thymidine analog 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), as well as to the cytidine analog 5-azacytidine (azaC). Although the mode of action of BrdU is still unclear, azaC is known to cause the hypomethylation of DNA in replicating cells. This work was performed in order to determine whether a common molecular mechanism existed. Although both drugs were equally effective in the induction of the same proviral DNA in normal rat embryo cells, only azaC-treated sequences demonstrated extensive hypomethylation of proviral genes. In contrast, viral-specific sequences from BrdU-treated DNA were indistinguishable from untreated samples with respect to digestion with Hpa II and Msp I. It is likely, therefore, that the drugs effect viral induction by different mechanisms, and that hypomethylation of structural genes may not be a requisite for transcriptional activation in general of proviral DNA.


Organized mesoporous TiO2 films exhibiting greatly enhanced performance in dye-sensitized solar cells.
The Pluronic P123 templated mesoporous TiO2 film was grown via layer-by-layer deposition and characterized by a novel methodology based on the adsorption of n-pentane. Multiple-layer depositions did not perturb the mesoporous structure significantly. Our TiO2 film was sensitized by a newly developed Ru-bipyridine dye (N945) and was applied as a photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cell. The 1-microm-thick mesoporous film, made by the superposition of three layers, showed enhanced solar conversion efficiency by about 50% compared to that of traditional films of the same thickness made from randomly oriented anatase nanocrystals.


The occurrence of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides in non-target raptor species in Norway.
Second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) are commonly used for rodent pest control in Norway resulting in the potential exposure of non-target raptor species. In this study the occurrence of flocoumafen, difethialone, difenacoum, bromadiolone and brodifacoum was determined in the livers of five species of raptors found dead in Norway between 2009 and 2011. The SGARs brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum and flocoumafen were detected in golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and eagle owl (Bubo bubo) livers at a total SGAR concentration of between 11 and 255 ng/g in approximately 70% of the golden eagles and 50% of the eagle owls examined in this study. In the absence of specific golden eagle and eagle owl toxicity thresholds for SGARs, a level of >100 ng/g was used as a potential lethal range, accepting that poisoning may occur below this level. Thirty percent (7/24) of the golden eagle and eagle owl livers contained total SGAR residue levels above this threshold. Further estimation of the potential mortality impact on the sampled raptor populations was not possible.


Clathrin-mediated hemoglobin endocytosis is essential for survival of Leishmania.
Leishmania is auxotroph for heme. Previously, we have shown that Leishmania acquire heme from the degradation of endocytosed hemoglobin via a specific receptor located in the flagellar pocket. Here, we report the cloning and expression of clathrin heavy chain from Leishmania (Ld-CHC) and provide evidences that Ld-CHC is localized in flagellar pocket and regulates Hb-endocytosis in Leishmania. Kinetic analysis of Hb trafficking in GFP-Ld-CHC overexpressed Leishmania reveals that Hb is internalized through Ld-CHC coated region and remains associated with Ld-CHC containing vesicles at early time points of internalization and subsequently starts dissociating from Hb-containing vesicles at later time points indicating that clathrin-coating and uncoating regulate Hb trafficking in Leishmania. Interestingly, overexpression of dominant negative mutant of clathrin heavy chain of Leishmania (GFP-Ld-CHC-Hub) blocks the Hb internalization and causes severe growth defect in parasite. Moreover, we have shown that chlorpromazine, a pharmacological agent, blocks Hb internalization in Leishmania by depolymerizing Ld-CHC and thereby inhibits the growth of the parasites. Taken together, our results have shown that Hb endocytosis in Leishmania is a clathrin dependent process and is essential for the survival of the parasites.


Involvement of oxidative stress and caspase 2-mediated intrinsic pathway signaling in age-related increase in muscle cell apoptosis in mice.
Apoptosis has been implicated as a mechanism of loss of muscle cells in normal aging and plays an important role in age-related sarcopenia. To test the hypothesis that caspase 2 and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK)-mediated intrinsic pathway signaling contribute to skeletal muscle cell apoptosis in aging, we compared activation of caspase 2 and JNK and the in vivo expression of 4-hydroxynonenal protein adducts (4-HNE), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), BAX, and phospho-BCL-2 in gastrocnemius muscles of young (5 months old) and old (25 months old) mice. A distinct age-related increase in 4-HNE and iNOS expression was readily detected in mice. Increased oxidative stress and iNOS induction were further accompanied by a decrease in G6PDH expression, activation of caspase 2 and JNK, and inactivation of BCL-2 through phosphorylation at serine 70, and caspase 9 activation. Regression analysis further revealed that increased muscle cell death in aging was significantly correlated with changes in the levels of these molecules. Taken together, our data indicate that caspase 2 and JNK-mediated intrinsic pathway signaling is one of the mechanisms involved in age-related increase in muscle cell apoptosis.


Morphometric and cytophotometric investigations of lobular neoplasia of the breast with ductal involvement.
The two different types, A and B, of in situ lobular neoplasia of the breast can be distinguished by cytomorphological means. DNA-measurements of type A are preponderantly diploid while those of type B vary from diploidy to hyperteraploidy with a maximum in the hyperdiploid range. The results indicate a higher potential of malignancy in type B. Homogenous ductular cell proliferations in the immediate neighbourhood of a lobular neoplasia display virtually the same distribution of DNA-values. Such evidence suggests that ductular changes and concomitant intralobular lesions have a common genesis, showing also a similar tendency towards malignant changes.


The gut microbiota metabolite indole increases emotional responses and adrenal medulla activity in chronically stressed male mice.
The gut microbiota produces metabolites that are an integral part of the metabolome and, as such, of the host physiology. Changes in gut microbiota metabolism could therefore contribute to pathophysiological processes. We showed previously that a chronic and moderate overproduction of indole from tryptophan in male individuals of the highly stress-sensitive F344 rat strain induced anxiety-like and helplessness behaviors. The aim of the present study was to extend the scope of these findings by investigating whether emotional behaviors of male mice that are moderately stress-sensitive but chronically exposed to environmental stressors would also be affected by indole. We colonized germ-free male C3H/HeN mice with a wild-type indole-producing Escherichia coli strain, or with the non-indole producing mutant. Gnotobiotic mice were subjected to an unpredictable chronic mild stress procedure, then to a set of tests aimed at assessing anxiety-like (novelty and elevated plus maze tests) and depression-like behaviors (coat state, splash, nesting, tail suspension and sucrose tests). Results of the individual tests were aggregated into a common z-score to estimate the overall emotional response to chronic mild stress and chronic indole production. We also carried out biochemical and molecular analyses in gut mucosa, plasma, brain hippocampus and striatum, and adrenal glands, to examine biological correlates that are usually associated with stress, anxiety and depression. Chronic mild stress caused coat state degradation and anhedonia in both indole-producing and non-indole producing mice, but it did not influence behaviors in the other tests. Chronic indole production did not influence mice behavior when tests were considered individually, but it increased the overall emotionality z-score, specifically in mice under chronic mild stress. Interestingly, in the same mice, indole induced a dramatic increase of the expression of the adrenomedullary Pnmt gene, which is involved in catecholamine biosynthesis. By contrast, systemic tryptophan bioavailability, brain serotonin and dopamine levels and turnover, as well as expression of gut and brain genes involved in cytokine production and tryptophan metabolism along the serotonin and kynurenine pathways, remained similar in all mice. Chronic indole production by the gut microbiota increased the vulnerability of male mice to the adverse effects of chronic mild stress on emotional behaviors. It also targeted catecholamine biosynthetic pathway of the adrenal medulla, which plays a pivotal role in body's physiological adaptation to stressful events. Future studies will aim to investigate the action mechanisms responsible for these effects.


Self-reported heart disease among Arab and Chaldean American women residing in southeast Michigan.
This study estimates the prevalence of heart disease among Arab and Chaldean American women and examines the association between Arab and Chaldean ethnicity and heart disease among a sample of women. This was a cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of 2084 Arab, Chaldean, and African American women aged > or = 18 years who completed a survey that was distributed at churches, mosques, and small businesses in southeast Michigans. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the association between ethnicity and self-reported heart disease before and after adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic status, health care, chronic conditions, and health behavior variables. A sample of 2084 Arab, Chaldean, and African American women 18 years of age and older. The overall prevalence of heart disease was 5.1%. Estimates were higher for Arabs (7.1%), lower for Chaldeans (6.6%), and lowest among African Americans (1.8%). In the unadjusted model, Chaldeans and Arabs were four times more likely to have heart disease than were African Americans. However, in the fully adjusted model, the association between Chaldean or Arab ethnicity and heart disease was no longer statistically significant. Arab or Chaldean ethnicity was not significantly associated with self-reported heart disease among women, which suggests that other factors account for this relationship. Future studies should collect more detailed socioeconomic status, acculturation, and health behavior information.


Production of bioethanol from pre-treated cotton fabrics and waste cotton materials.
This study highlights the potential of cotton fabric as a promising feedstock for the production of bioethanol as renewable biofuel. The effect of corona pre-treatment of non-mercerized and mercerized cotton fabrics on glucose and ethanol yield is discussed. Fermentation kinetics for ethanol production and the basic process parameters were assessed and compared. Corona pre-treatment of cotton fabrics led to an increase in the glucose yield (compared to control sample) during enzymatic hydrolysis, and consequently the ethanol yield during fermentation by yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus. The system with mercerized cotton fabric was found to be superior obtaining an ethanol productivity of 0.900g/Lh and ethanol yield of 0.94g/g (based on glucose) after 6h of fermentation time. The similar results were obtained during processing of waste cotton materials performed under the same process conditions. The obtained results showed that cotton fabric could become an alternative feedstock for the bioethanol production. For potential industrial implementation the waste mercerized cotton scraps would be the materials of choice.


Variants in toll-like receptor 1 and 4 genes are associated with Chlamydia trachomatis among women with pelvic inflammatory disease.
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are involved in the innate immune response. We examined whether TLR variants are associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection among women with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). We tested whether 18 tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (tagSNPs) assayed in 4 TLR genes (TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, TLR6) and 2 adaptor molecules (TIRAP, MyD88) were associated with C. trachomatis among 205 African American women with clinically suspected PID from the PID Evaluation and Clinical Health Study. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). An empirical P value of <.004 was considered significant. Women with PID who carried the TLR4 rs1927911 CC genotype had significantly increased odds of C. trachomatis (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.6-8.8; P = .002). The TLR1 rs5743618TT genotype was also associated with C. trachomatis (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.3-6.2; P = .008). Among African American women with PID, variants in the TLR1 and TLR4 genes, which may increase signaling, were associated with increased C. trachomatis infection.


The Boström-Kugelberg pseudo-isochromatic plates. How efficient is the third edition?
The third edition of the Boström-Kugelberg pseudo-isochromatic plates was printed to the best possible visual match with the second edition. Slight colour differences between the 2 editions initiated this study where 72 colour defectives and 57 normal trichromats were tested with the plates and classified with the aid of Nagel's anomaloscope. Of the defectives, the plate test disclosed all but two anomalous trichromats. One normal subject was falsely classified as defective. The plates had to be shown twice according to the instructions since otherwise 13 of the 53 normals were misclassified. Three plates were shown to have low sensitivity; one is best used as a demonstration plate, and the other two can be deleted without lost efficiency. Forty-eight of the colour defectives were also studied with Farnsworth's lantern. The correlation between the numbers of plate and signal errors was weak. All subjects who failed the lantern test made several plate errors, but 15 subjects who passed the lantern test, made two or more errors on the plate test. The outcome of the plate test does not give evidence of the subject's lantern test performance.


Brain potentials to sexually suggestive whistles show meaning modulates the mismatch negativity.
Electroencephalographic data suggest that spoken words produce an enhanced output of the brain's automatic deviance detection system, as reflected by the mismatch negativity. Using meaningful and nonmeaningful whistles, we sought to distinguish the effect of semantic content on the brain's deviance detection system from language-specific stimulus features. In the meaningful condition, study participants heard a human 'wolf whistle', which is commonly interpreted as an unsolicited expression of sexual attention. In the nonmeaningful condition participants heard an acoustically identical, but digitally rearranged, version of the wolf whistle. The mismatch negativity amplitude was significantly larger when the infrequent stimulus was meaningful than when it was meaningless. These data suggest that enhanced mismatch negativity magnitude was due to the semantic valence of the eliciting deviant.


Effect of competing solutes on arsenic(V) adsorption using iron and aluminum oxides.
The study focused on the effect of several typical competing solutes on removal of arsenic with Fe2O3 and Al2O3. The test results indicate that chloride, nitrate and sulfate did not have detectable effects, and that selenium(IV) (Se(IV)) and vanadium(V) (V(V)) showed slight effects on the adsorption of As(V) with Fe2O3. The results also showed that adsorption of As(V) on Al2O3 was not affected by chloride and nitrate anions, but slightly by Se(IV) and V(V) ions. Unlike the adsorption of As(V) with Fe2O3, that with Fe2O3 was affected by the presence of sulfate in water solutions. Both phosphate and silica have significant adverse effects on the adsorption of As(V) adsorption with Fe2O3 and Al2O3. Compared to the other tested anions, phosphate anion was found to be the most prominent solute affecting the As(V) adsorption with Fe2O3 and Al2O3. In general, Fe2O3 has a better performance than Al2O3 in removal of As(V) within a water environment where multi competing solutes are present.


Induction of plasma cell tumours with 2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane (pristane) and paraffin oil (paraffinum perliquidum) in BALB/c mice simultaneously exposed to sustained antigenic stimulation with bovine serum albumin (BSA).
Plasmacytomas were readily induced in BALB/c mice by three bimonthly i.p. injections of 0.5 ml pristane or paraffin oil. Additionally, two groups of mice were simultaneously given a prolonged antigenic stimulation with bovine serum albumin (BSA). The tumour incidence found in mice treated with pristane and BSA (75%) was higher than the plasmacytoma incidence in mice subjected to paraffin oil and BSA inoculations (53.7%, p = 0.05). The sustained antigenic stimulation with BSA had no effect on cumulative plasmacytoma incidence.


Polarized infrared reflectance spectra of brushite (CaHPO4·2H2O) crystal investigation of the phosphate stretching modes.
Polarized infrared (IR) reflectance measurements at near-normal incidence were recorded from the ac-plane of a monoclinic brushite (CaHPO4·2H2O) crystal in the 800-1200 cm(-1) spectral range (P-O stretching modes). The adjustment of these data, on the basis of a dispersion analysis (DA) model for monoclinic case, allowed the determination of oscillators parameters for the four P-O stretching observed modes of the phosphate group.


Lower airway inflammation in infants with cystic fibrosis detected by newborn screening.
Controversy exists over whether the lower airway inflammation that characterizes cystic fibrosis (CF) is initiated primarily by the genetic defect. To determine if inflammation precedes infection, we examined bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid cytology, cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha), and free neutrophil elastase activity from 70 CF (aged 1.5-71 months) children detected by newborn screening and 19 (aged 2.0-48 months) controls with chronic stridor. CF subjects were selected and categorized as pristine (13 aged </= 6 months, lacking prior respiratory symptoms and exposure to antibiotics, and without respiratory pathogens on BAL), infected (42 with viruses or >/= 10(5) colony-forming units/ml of pathogenic bacteria in BAL), and uninfected (15 aged > 6 months, asymptomatic, not taking antibiotics at bronchoscopy, and free of pathogens in their BAL). To further resolve if inflammation develops without infection, inflammatory mediators in paired annual BAL samples from 38 CF subjects were measured, and results were grouped according to whether BAL showed persistence (n = 6), acquisition (n = 8), clearance (n = 13), or absence (n = 11) of infection. While pristine, uninfected, and control subjects had similar BAL profiles, infected patients showed elevated inflammatory indices, including increased IL-10 (P < 0.001). Pristine subjects had the fewest signs of inflammation. Analysis of BAL pairs found differences between the four infection groups for changes in neutrophil percentages, IL-8 (P < 0.001), and free neutrophil elastase (P = 0.009). Infection was associated with elevated inflammatory mediators in BAL fluid. In contrast, minimal or reduced signs of inflammation accompanied absence of eradication of infection from BAL fluid. We conclude that in CF, infection initiates and sustains airway inflammation.


Corneal foreign body injury during overnight orthokeratology lens wear: a case report.
A case of asymptomatic corneal foreign body injury during orthokeratology lens wear is reported. An 8-year-old Chinese female myopic child with 21 months of overnight orthokeratology lens wear experienced a corneal foreign body injury without symptoms. The foreign body was removed and the eye treated with prophylactic antibiotic and ocular lubricant. Orthokeratology treatment was resumed 4 weeks after initial detection and management and a small residual corneal scar remained. The mechanisms, differential diagnoses, management and role of neural sensitivity in corneal foreign body injury during orthokeratology lens wear are discussed. Clinicians should be aware that subtle corneal insult may be without symptoms during prolonged overnight orthokeratology lens wear.


The new macrolide antibiotics: azithromycin, clarithromycin, dirithromycin, and roxithromycin.
To review the chemistry, antimicrobial spectrum, pharmacokinetics, clinical trials, adverse effects, and drug interactions of four new macrolide antibiotics: azithromycin, clarithromycin, dirithromycin, and roxithromycin. Information was obtained from comparative clinical trials, abstracts, conference proceedings, and review articles. Indexing terms included azithromycin, clarithromycin, dirithromycin, erythromycin, roxithromycin, and macrolide antibiotics. Emphasis was placed on comparative clinical trials involving the new macrolide antibiotics. Data from human studies published in the English language were evaluated. Trials were assessed by sample size, macrolide dosage regimen, and therapeutic response. The erythromycins have gained widespread use in treating a variety of infections. Although they are effective, limitations include the need to administer four times a day and the intolerable adverse gastrointestinal effects. Four of the more extensively studied agents, azithromycin, clarithromycin, dirithromycin, and roxithromycin, are currently being studied in patients. Based on the studies to date, the newer macrolides may offer several advantages over erythromycin, including: (1) greater antimicrobial activity against certain organisms; (2) longer elimination half-life, thus allowing less frequent administration; and (3) lower incidence of adverse gastrointestinal effects. The new macrolide antibiotics appear to offer an improvement over erythromycin. Definitive conclusions about the role of these drugs should await completion of ongoing clinical studies.


Advance health care directives and "public guardian": the Italian supreme court requests the status of current and not future inability.
Advance health care decisions animate an intense debate in several European countries, which started more than 20 years ago in the USA and led to the adoption of different rules, based on the diverse legal, sociocultural and philosophical traditions of each society. In Italy, the controversial issue of advance directives and end of life's rights, in the absence of a clear and comprehensive legislation, has been over time a subject of interest of the Supreme Court. Since 2004 a law introduced the "Public Guardian," aiming to provide an instrument of assistance to the person lacking in autonomy because of an illness or incapacity. Recently, this critical issue has once again been brought to the interest of the Supreme Court, which passed a judgment trying to clarify the legislative application of the appointment of the Guardian in the field of advance directives.


Bilateral spontaneous carotid artery dissection.
Bilateral internal carotid artery dissections have been reported, but spontaneous bilateral dissections are rare. Internal carotid artery dissection can present with a spectrum of symptoms ranging from headache to completed stroke. Two cases of spontaneous bilateral carotid artery dissection are presented, one with headache and minimal symptoms and the other with a stroke syndrome. No cause could be found in either case, making the dissections completely spontaneous. Bilateral internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD) should be considered in young patients with unexplained head and neck pain with or without focal neurological symptoms and signs. The increasing availability of imaging would sustain the higher index of suspicion.


Heart rate variability and biomarkers of systemic inflammation in patients with stable coronary heart disease: findings from the Heart and Soul Study.
Chronic low-grade systemic inflammation is a key component in atherogenesis. Decreased heart rate variability (HRV), a strong predictor of cardiovascular events, has been associated with elevations in circulating levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, and fibrinogen in apparently healthy individuals. We investigated whether decreased HRV is associated with inflammatory markers in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). We studied the relationship between HRV and CRP, IL-6, and fibrinogen in 862 outpatients with CHD. All participants provided fasting blood samples and underwent 24-h ambulatory monitoring to assess time-domain measures of HRV (MeanNN, SDNN, SDANN, and RMSSD). Regression analyses were adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index, smoking, diabetes, beta blocker use, and cardiopulmonary history. MeanNN, SDNN, and SDANN were significantly and inversely associated with CRP and IL-6 levels in age-adjusted models and after adjustment for all covariates (p ≤ 0.02). MeanNN, SDNN, and SDANN were also inversely associated with fibrinogen levels in age-adjusted models (p < 0.03), but not significantly so in multivariable-adjusted models. Reduced vagal modulation of heart rate (RMSSD) was not significantly associated with any inflammatory measures. Reduced cardiac autonomic control is associated with increased systemic inflammation in patients with stable CHD. This relationship was largely independent of important covariates.