Trypanosoma congolense: lack of correlation between the resistance of cattle subjected to experimental cyclic infection or to field challenge.
Twelve male cattle of the Baoulé breed were exposed to natural trypanosome challenge in an area of high Glossina density, to characterize them as trypanoresistant or trypanosensitive. Weekly blood samples were taken for the determination of parasitemia and packed cell volume, as a measure of anemia. Seven Zebu cattle were also exposed to challenge at the same time. The Zebu proved to be trypanosensitive with high parasitemia, pronounced anemia and died or were drug treated in extremis. Five Baoulé were as sensitive as the Zebu while 7 others were trypanoresistant since they showed little or no patent parasitemia, only mild transient anemia and survived in good condition. The 12 Baoulé were allowed to recover from challenge in the field and along with 7 Zebu were subjected to experimental fly challenge in fly-proof accommodation. Glossina morsitans submorsitans infected with a clone of Trypanosoma congolense derived from the stock Serengeti/71/STIB/212 were allowed to engorge on the shaven flanks of tranquilized animals. All animals showed persistent parasitemia for at least 7 weeks, including all the Baoulé resistant to natural challenge. Two Baoulé, one resistant and one sensitive to natural challenge, and 4/7 Zebu appeared unable to control parasitemia, had severe anemia, and were drug treated in extremis. The remaining Baoulé, 6 resistant and 4 sensitive, appeared to be undergoing spontaneous cure by Week 9-10, as did 3/7 Zebu. In Zebu, anemia was as pronounced as under natural challenge. Three resistant Baoulé maintained packed cell volume above 30 as under field challenge but the others showed marked anemia. On the contrary, 4 sensitive Baoulé showed only slight anemia after artificial fly challenge.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Improving dense conditional random field for retinal vessel segmentation by discriminative feature learning and thin-vessel enhancement.
As retinal vessels in color fundus images are thin and elongated structures, standard pairwise based random fields, which always suffer the "shrinking bias" problem, are not competent for such segmentation task. Recently, a dense conditional random field (CRF) model has been successfully used in retinal vessel segmentation. Its corresponding energy function is formulated as a linear combination of several unary features and a pairwise term. However, the hand-crafted unary features can be suboptimal in terms of linear models. Here we propose to learn discriminative unary features and enhance thin vessels for pairwise potentials to further improve the segmentation performance. Our proposed method comprises four main steps: firstly, image preprocessing is applied to eliminate the strong edges around the field of view (FOV) and normalize the luminosity and contrast inside FOV; secondly, a convolutional neural network (CNN) is properly trained to generate discriminative features for linear models; thirdly, a combo of filters are applied to enhance thin vessels, reducing the intensity difference between thin and wide vessels; fourthly, by taking the discriminative features for unary potentials and the thin-vessel enhanced image for pairwise potentials, we adopt the dense CRF model to achieve the final retinal vessel segmentation. The segmentation performance is evaluated on four public datasets (i.e. DRIVE, STARE, CHASEDB1 and HRF). Experimental results show that our proposed method improves the performance of the dense CRF model and outperforms other methods when evaluated in terms of F1-score, Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) and G-mean, three effective metrics for the evaluation of imbalanced binary classification. Specifically, the F1-score, MCC and G-mean are 0.7942, 0.7656, 0.8835 for the DRIVE dataset respectively; 0.8017, 0.7830, 0.8859 for STARE respectively; 0.7644, 0.7398, 0.8579 for CHASEDB1 respectively; and 0.7627, 0.7402, 0.8812 for HRF respectively. The discriminative features learned in CNNs are more effective than hand-crafted ones. Our proposed method performs well in retinal vessel segmentation. The architecture of our method is trainable and can be integrated into computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) systems in the future.


A comparative study of synbiotic as an add-on therapy to standard treatment in patients with aggressive periodontitis.
The role of synbiotic in the management of aggressive periodontitis (AP) is not well established. We designed this study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of synbiotic as an add-on therapy in the management of AP. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Sixty patients with AP were randomized to two groups of 30 each. Study group received standard treatment, i.e., scaling and root planing along with doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for the 1st day (loading dose) followed by 100 mg once daily for 1 week and synbiotic lozenge twice daily for 8 weeks, whereas control group received standard treatment for 1 week and placebo lozenge for 8 weeks. Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline, 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks. Pearson's Chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance were used to analyze distribution of sex and age, respectively. Differences within the groups were analyzed by Student's paired t-test. Pearson's Chi-square test was applied to measure gingival bleeding index. On comparison at 12 weeks, there was a statistically significant reduction (P < 0.01) in probing depth, clinical attachment loss, oral hygiene index, and bleeding on probing in study group. No Adverse drug reactions were noted. Co-administration of synbiotic lozenge along with standard therapy is highly efficacious in improving periodontal health in patients with AP.


Primary structure and characteristics of a lectin from skin mucus of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica.
Two types of lactose-binding lectins, AJL-1 and AJL-2, were purified from the skin mucus extract of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica by lactose affinity chromatography and subsequent gel filtration. The molecular masses of AJL-1 and AJL-2 were 16,091 and 31,743 Da, respectively. Intact AJL-1 was comprised of two identical 16-kDa subunits having blocked N termini and no disulfide bonds. AJL-2 was a homodimer with disulfide bonds. Based on the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the AJL-2 monomer, the nucleotide sequence of cDNA encoding this lectin was determined by 3'- and 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The deduced amino acid sequence showed approximately 30% homology with C-type lectins, which bind to carbohydrates in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. In addition, AJL-2 exhibited highly conserved consensus amino acid residues of the C-type carbohydrate recognition domain, although this lectin showed Ca(2+)-independent activity. Gene expression of AJL-2 was detected only in the skin by Northern blot analysis, and this lectin localization was demonstrated in the club cells by immunohistochemistry. These results indicate that AJL-2 is secreted on the body surface and function as a component of skin mucus. AJL-2 agglutinated Escherichia coli and suppressed its growth, suggesting that this lectin is involved in host defense.


Temporal profile of thromboxane-prostacyclin imbalance in experimental spinal cord injury.
Thromboxane-prostacyclin imbalance may be an important determinant of platelet-vessel wall interactions that are vital in circulatory homeostasis. In experimental spinal cord injury, the vascular damage contributes substantially to the process of progressive secondary injury culminating in post-traumatic myelopathy. In this study, we found a time-dependent alteration of thromboxane-prostacyclin balance in the injured spinal cord with thromboxane dominance during the first 2 h: a time when maximal vascular injury is reflected by extravasation of 125I-labelled serum albumin. The thromboxane-prostacyclin imbalance reverted to favor prostacyclin by 18 h post-injury. This time-dependent alteration of thromboxane-prostacyclin balance should be considered in the planning of therapeutic attempts to prevent secondary injury by pharmacological modulation of platelet-vessel wall interaction.


Alleviation of copper-induced oxidative damage in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an endogenous gaseous molecule in plants and animals. Recent studies have shown that it is one of the most essential cellular components regulating many aspects of plant growth and development. However, whether CO regulates the green algae adaptive response to heavy metal toxicity is unknown. The present study investigated the role of CO in regulating Cu-induced oxidative stress in eukaryotic algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Cells pretreated with 5 μM CO for 30 min and followed by exposure to 5 μM Cu(II) for 4 days showed attenuated toxicity. The CO-improved growth of algae was correlated with reduced lipid peroxidation and increased chlorophyll accumulation. The beneficial effect of CO was confirmed by histochemical staining with reactive oxygen species. Further, treatment with 5 μM CO increased the activity of catalase with Cu. However, a reduced superoxide dismutase activity was observed in the CO + Cu-treated algae compared to the control (activity of Cu treatment alone). Under the same condition, the activity of ascorbate peroxidase was not significantly changed. These results suggest that CO can play an important role in regulating the response of algae to Cu stress.


Risk factors for major amputation in hospitalized diabetic patients with forefoot ulcers.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors for major amputation in patients hospitalized with diabetic forefoot ulcers. Between January 2003 and December 2018, a total of 1792 diabetic patients were admitted to the diabetic wound center for the management of diabetic foot ulcers. Among the patients, 1032 diabetic patients with forefoot ulcers were included in this study. Nine hundred and eighty-three patients (95%) healed without major amputations while 49 patients (5%) healed after major amputations. Data related to 88 potential risk factors including demographics, ulcer condition, vascularity, bioburden, neurology, and serology were collected from the patients in these two groups for comparison. Among the 88 potential risk factors, 34 showed statistically significant differences between the two groups. In the univariate analysis of 88 risk factors, 33 showed statistically significant differences. In stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis, four of the 33 risk factors remained statistically significant. The multivariate-adjusted odds ratios for gender, magnesium levels, platelet levels, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were 8.216, 2.480, 1.009, and 0.570, respectively. Risk factors for major amputation in patients hospitalized with diabetic forefoot ulcers include male gender, increased magnesium, increased platelet levels, and low levels of HbA1c.


High prevalence of parvovirus B19 infection in patients with chronic kidney disease under hemodialysis: A multicenter study.
Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection is commonly acute and self-limited, but in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients under dialysis treatment, this infection could increase susceptibility to acute and chronic anemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and risk of B19V infection among Brazilian CKD patients under dialysis. A study was conducted among 221 CKD patients and a control group of 142 blood donors. B19V infection was evaluated in serum samples by real-time PCR, and ELISA (anti-B19V IgM and IgG). B19V DNA was detected in 65% (145/221) of CKD patients, which was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in the blood donors (6.3%). Simultaneous detection of B19V IgG and viremia was shown in 40.3% of CKD patients, which was indicative of persistent B19V infection. CKD patients showed an increased risk of developing B19V infection (OR = 28.1, CI = 13.5-58.5, p = 0.001). Despite an absence of clinical signs of B19V infection, these data highlight the importance of B19V infection in this high-risk population, since a persistent B19V infection could become clinically significant after renal transplant. Moreover, the persistent viremia should be considered as a potential risk, mainly because of the contamination of dialysis equipment.


Intracranial Mycotic Aneurysm in a Patient with Abdominal Actinomycosis.
Actinomycosis of the central nervous system is extremely rare. A 73-year-old woman with a history of abdominal actinomycosis presented with sudden-onset headache. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a nodular lesion at the left precentral gyrus. A cerebral angiogram confirmed a fusiform aneurysm arising from the precentral branch of the left middle cerebral artery. High-resolution vessel wall imaging revealed circumferential wall enhancement of the aneurysm and multifocal enhancement of the M3 and M4 segments of both middle cerebral arteries. The patient had received a 4-week course of antibiotics, but follow-up angiography demonstrated no shrinkage or resolution of the aneurysm. Trapping combined with revascularization was successfully performed for refractory mycotic aneurysms.


Effects of ultrasonic treatment on zeolite synthesized from coal fly ash.
The synthesis of zeolites from three samples of fly ash was carried out through a low-temperature (25-60°C) hydrothermal process with a NaOH pre-fusion treatment preceded by sonication. The results were compared with those of conventional hydrothermal syntheses. XRD and SEM investigations demonstrate that the application of ultrasonic treatment facilitates the formation of zeolites at a lower-temperature (25°C) than syntheses not preceded by sonication. No significant difference in type, temperature of crystallization, or amount of zeolites synthesized was noted between the three different samples of fly ash, implying that the chemical composition of fly ash had little influence on the zeolite product within the compositional range of these fly ash precursors. Although there appears to be a correlation between the SiO(2)/Al(2)O(3) ratio of the fly ash and the temperature of zeolite formation by conventional synthesis, no correlation was apparent when ultrasonic pre-treatment was used at low-temperatures.


Novel semi-decentralised mobile system for the sanitization and dehydration of septic sludge: a pilot-scale evaluation in the Jordan Valley.
The provision of effective sanitation strategies has a significant impact on public health. However, the treatment of septic sludge still presents some challenges worldwide. Consequently, innovative technologies capable of an effective and efficient sludge treatment, mostly at a decentralized level, are in high demand to improve sanitation provision. To address this problem, this study evaluates a novel semi-decentralised mobile faecal sludge treatment system, the pilot-system for which consists of a combination of several individual processes including mechanical dewatering (MD), microwave (MW) drying, and membrane filtration (ultrafiltration [UF] and reverse osmosis [RO]). The system evaluation was carried out by treating raw, partially digested faecal sludge (FS) from septic tanks-hence, septic sludge (SS)-in the Jordan Valley, Jordan. The pilot-scale system exhibited an effective and flexible treatment performance for (i) sanitizing faecal sludge and related liquid streams (MW and UF); (ii) reducing the treated sludge mass (and sludge volume) (MD and MW); and (iii) producing a high-quality treated liquid stream ideal for water reclamation applications (UF and RO). The MD process removed approximately 99% of the initial SS water content. The MW drying system completely removed E. coli and dehydrated the dewatered sludge at low energy expenditures of 0.75 MJ kg-1 and 5.5 MJ kg-1, respectively. Such energy expenditures can be further reduced by approximately 40% by recovering energy in the condensate and burning the dried sludge, which can then be reused inland applications. The membrane filtration system (UF and RO) was able to produce high-quality treated water that is ideal for the water reuse applications that irrigation requires, as well as meeting the Jordanian standard 893/2006. In addition, the system can also be powered by renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic energy. Therefore, this research demonstrates that the evaluated semi-decentralised mobile system is technically feasible for the in situ treatment of SS (sanitization and dehydration), while also being effective for simultaneously recovering valuable resources, such as energy, water, and nutrients.


Ubiquitin-specific protease 22: a novel molecular biomarker in cervical cancer prognosis and therapeutics.
Ubiquitin-specific protease 22 (USP22) exhibits an important function in tumor progression and oncogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of USP22 and the association with its potential targets in patients with cervical cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first study that determines the relationship between USP22 expression and clinicopathological significance in cervical cancer. The immunohistochemistry results showed that USP22 protein was overexpressed in cervical cancer samples compared with normal cervical tissues (P < 0.001). Moreover, clinicopathological analysis showed that USP22 expression was highly related to International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, Ki67, lymph node metastasis, and histology grade. The results of Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients with high USP22 expression had significantly shorter overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) than patients with low expression of USP22 (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that USP22 expression status was an independent prognostic marker for both OS and DFS of patients with cervical cancer. It is suggested that USP22 overexpression may be associated with poor prognosis in cervical cancer. It may represent a novel prognostic biomarker or a target for improving the treatment efficiency of patients with cervical cancer.


PepYLCIV and PepYLCAV resistance gene Pepy-2 encodes DFDGD-Class RNA-dependent RNA polymerase in Capsicum.
A begomovirus resistance gene Pepy-2 encoding the DFDGD-Class RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 3a was identified in pepper (C. annuum) through the forward and reverse genetic analyses. In several countries throughout the world, the whitefly-transmitted begomovirus causes massive yield losses in pepper (Capsicum spp.) production. Although introgression of the genetic resistance against begomovirus to commercial cultivars is strongly required, the recently discovered recessive resistance gene pepy-1, which encodes the messenger RNA surveillance factor Pelota, is the only begomovirus resistance gene identified in Capsicum so far. In this study, we fine-mapped another begomovirus resistance gene from PG1-1 (C. annuum), which is resistant to pepper yellow leaf curl Indonesia virus (PepYLCIV) and pepper yellow leaf curl Aceh virus (PepYLCAV), to further speed up the marker-assisted breeding of begomovirus resistance in peppers. A single dominant locus, Pepy-2, conferring resistance against PepYLCIV in PG1-1 was identified on chromosome 7 by screening recombinants from the F2 and F3 segregating populations derived from a cross between PG1-1 and begomovirus susceptible SCM334. In the target region spanning 722 kb, a strong candidate gene, the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 3a (CaRDR3a), was identified. The whole-genome and transcriptome sequences of PG1-1 and SCM334 revealed a single Guanine (G) deletion in CaRDR3a first exon, causing a frameshift resulting in loss-of-function in SCM334. In addition, multiple loss-of-function alleles of CaRDR3a were identified in the reference sequences of C. annuum, C. chinense, and C. baccatum in the public database. Furthermore, virus-induced gene silencing of CaRDR3a in PG1-1 resulted in the loss of resistance against PepYLCIV. PG1-1 and the DNA marker developed in this study will be useful to breeders using Pepy-2 in their breeding programs.


Organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition of 2,4-pentandione to nitroolefins.
[reaction: see text] A novel binaphthyl-derived amine thiourea organocatalyst has been developed and demonstrated to efficiently catalyze Michael addition reactions (using as low as 1 mol % loading) of diketones to nitroalkenes with remarkably high enantioselectivities.


Cesarean sections and early-term births according to Robson classification: a population-based study with more than 17 million births in Brazil.
Cesarean section (CS) rates are increasing worldwide and are associated with negative maternal and child health outcomes when performed without medical indication. However, there is still limited knowledge about the association between high CS rates and early-term births. This study explored the association between CSs and early-term births according to the Robson classification. A population-based, cross-sectional study was performed with routine registration data of live births in Brazil between 2012 and 2019. We used the Robson classification system to compare groups with expected high and low CS rates. We used propensity scores to compare CSs to vaginal deliveries (1:1) and estimated associations with early-term births using logistic regression. A total of 17,081,685 live births were included. Births via CS had higher odds of early-term birth (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.32-1.32) compared to vaginal deliveries. Births by CS to women in Group 2 (OR 1.50; 95% CI 1.49-1.51) and 4 (OR 1.57; 95% CI 1.56-1.58) showed the highest odds of early-term birth, compared to vaginal deliveries. Increased odds of an early-term birth were also observed among births by CS to women in Group 3 (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.29-1.31), compared to vaginal deliveries. In addition, live births by CS to women with a previous CS (Group 5 - OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.35-1.37), a single breech pregnancy (Group 6 - OR 1.16; 95% CI 1.11-1.21, and Group 7 - OR 1.19; 95% CI 1.16-1.23), and multiple pregnancies (Group 8 - OR 1.46; 95% CI 1.40-1.52) had high odds of an early-term birth, compared to live births by vaginal delivery. CSs were associated with increased odds of early-term births. The highest odds of early-term birth were observed among those births by CS in Robson Groups 2 and 4.


Leptospiral outer membrane protein LipL32 induces inflammation and kidney injury in zebrafish larvae.
Leptospirosis is an often overlooked cause of acute kidney injury that can lead to multiple organ failure and even death. The principle protein that conserved in many pathogenic leptospires is the outer membrane protein LipL32. However, the role of LipL32 in the pathogenesis of renal injury in leptospirosis is not entirely clear. Here we studied the effects of LipL32 on the developing kidney in zebrafish larvae. Incubation of zebrafish larvae with Leptospira santarosai serovar Shermani induced acute tubular injury predominantly in the proximal pronephric ducts. Furthermore, microinjection of lipl32 mRNA or recombinant LipL32 protein into zebrafish larvae increased macrophage accumulation and disrupted the basolateral location of NA-K-ATPase in pronephric ducts. These changes led to substantial impairment of the pronephric kidney structure. We further demonstrated that morpholino knockdown of tlr2, but not tlr4, reduced the LipL32-induced leukocyte infiltration and kidney injury. These data demonstrate that LipL32 contributes to the renal pathology in leptospirosis and gives some clues to the potential virulence of LipL32. Our results support the use of zebrafish as a model organism for studying the disease mechanism of leptospiral infection. This model might permit the future exploration of the virulence and molecular pathways of different leptospiral outer membrane proteins.


Allergy to venom from bee or wasp: the relation between clinical and immunological reactions to insect stings.
Sixty-three patients, applying to the casualty ward after a bee or wasp sting, were tested. On the day of admission, and 4 weeks later, blood was sampled to measure specific IgE and IgG against bee and wasp venom and total IgE. Four weeks after the insect sting, all patients were examined with skin-prick test (1, 10 and 100 micrograms/ml), and intracutaneous test (0.05 ml of extract 1.0 microgram/ml). The amount of venom-specific IgE and IgG increased significantly during the 4-week period, venom-specific IgE was most pronounced in patients experiencing the most severe clinical reactions. However, no significant correlations were found between the results of the immunological tests carried out 4 weeks after the insect sting and the clinical reaction upon the insect sting.


Laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch: technique and initial experience.
The duodenal Switch (DS) is a variant of the biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity. The laparoscopic DS (LapDS) operation is described, and the early surgical outcomes of 16 patients are reported. Postoperative stay was 5 to 8 days. Local wound infection at a trocar site was the most common local complication. LapDS is an advanced, complex and feasible technique in bariatric surgery.


Notes from the field: eye injuries sustained at a foam party--Collier County, Florida 2012.
On May 26, 2012, the Collier County Health Department was notified by law enforcement and hospital personnel that approximately 40 persons had sought care at local emergency departments because of severe eye irritation and pain. Patients reported that they had attended a foam party at a local nightclub the night before. Syndromic surveillance activities carried out by the Florida Department of Health identified 35 patients who had visited an emergency department in Collier County on May 26 with a chief complaint related to eye injuries, well above the expected number of less than 10.


Organizational correlates of access to primary care and mental health services in drug abuse treatment units.
Primary care and mental health services improve drug abuse treatment clients' health and treatment outcomes. To examine the association between clients' access to these services and the characteristics of drug treatment organizations, we analyze data from a national survey of the unit directors and clinical supervisors of 618 outpatient drug abuse treatment programs in 1995 (88% response rate). In multivariate models controlling for client characteristics and urban location, public units, units with more human resources, and methadone programs delivered more primary care services. Public units, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations-accredited units, nonmethadone units, and units with more staff psychiatrists or psychologists delivered more mental health services. We conclude that organizational factors may influence drug abuse treatment clients' access to primary care and mental health services. Changes in the treatment system that weaken or eliminate public programs, over-burden staff, de-emphasize quality standards or lessen methadone availability may erode recovering clients' tenuous access to these services.


Molecular Assemblies Offering Hydrogen-Bonding Cavities: Influence of Macrocyclic Cavity and Hydrogen Bonding on Dye Adsorption.
This work presents a set of Hg macrocycles of amide-phosphine-based ligands offering H-bonding cavities of different dimensions. Such macrocycles are shown to selectively adsorb anionic dyes followed by neutral dyes as well as Prontosil, a biologically relevant antibiotic, within their cavities with the aid of H-bonding-assisted encapsulation. Kinetic experiments supported by spectroscopic and docking studies illustrate the importance of the cavity structure as well as H-bonds for the selective adsorption of dyes.


Drug-induced severe adverse reaction enhanced by human herpes virus-6 reactivation.
Reactivation of certain latent viruses has been linked with a more severe course of drug-induced hypersensitivity reaction (HSR). For example, reactivation of human herpes virus (HHV)-6 is associated with severe organ involvement and a prolonged course of disease. The present study discusses an HSR developed in a previously healthy male exposed to ceftriaxone, doxycycline, vancomycin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole; TMP/SMX). Initially, the patient presented clinical manifestations of HSR, as well as clinical and laboratory measurements compatible with liver and renal failure. Moreover, the patient presented skin desquamation compatible with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis. During the reaction, it was observed HHV-6 reactivation. The severity of clinical symptoms is correlated with HHV-6 titer, as well as with results of the in vitro lymphocyte toxicity assay (LTA). Serum levels of a large panel of cytokines are compared between the patient, a large population of SJS patients, and a cohort of healthy controls, using data collected by our laboratory over the years. HHV-6 was measured in the cell culture media from lymphocytes incubated with each of the 4 drugs. Moreover, we describe a new assay using cytokines released by patient lymphocytes following in vitro exposure to the incriminated drugs as biomarkers of HSR. Based on LTA results, HHV-6 reactivation and cytokine measurements, we establish that only doxycycline and TMP/SMX were involved in the HSR. As result of this analysis, the patient could continue to use the other 2 antibiotics safely.


Adoption and Usage of Video Telehealth in a Large, Academic Department of Surgery.
To understand the impact that video telehealth has on outpatient visit volume and reimbursement as a method of maintaining care. As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread across the United States starting in 2020, it caused numerous areas of medicine and healthcare to reexamine how we provide care to patients across all disciplines. One method clinicians used to rapidly adapt to these transformed settings was video telehealth, which was previously rarely used. This retrospective review examined outpatient volume and reimbursement data of a large, academic department of surgery. The study reviewed data during 2 time periods: pre-COVID-19 (February 1, 2020, to March 15, 2020) and COVID-19 (March 16, 2020, to April 30, 2020). During the period of February 1 to April 30, 13,193 outpatient visits were analyzed. The pre-COVID-19 group contained 9041 (68.5%) visits, whereas the COVID-19 group contained 4152 (31.4%) visits. All divisions noted a drop in visit volume from pre-COVID-19 compared with COVID-19. There was rapid adoption of video telehealth during COVID-19, which made up most patient visits during that time (61.3%). We also found that video telehealth led to significant reimbursements while also allowing patients in numerous states to receive care. Previously, video telehealth was used by clinicians in a small portion of outpatient visits. However, safety concerns surrounding COVID-19 forced multiple changes to the way care is provided. Although outpatient volume at our center was less than that before the pandemic, video telehealth was rapidly adopted by providers and allowed for safe and effective outpatient care to patients in a high number of states while still being reimbursed at a high rate.


Generation of reassortant influenza viruses within the non-industrial poultry system.
We compared the genetic and biologic characteristics of 35 influenza viruses of different epidemiological backgrounds in Korea, including H3N2 canine influenza virus (CIV). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that chicken adapted H9N2 viruses (A/chicken/Korea/96006/96 [CK/Kor/96006-like]) have acquired aquatic avian gene segments through reassortment, and these reassorted H9N2 viruses were more frequently detected from minor poultry species than from industrial poultry. Conversely, gene segments from CK/Kor/96006-like viruses were also detected in most of the viruses from domestic ducks. Interestingly, domestic ducks, rather than wild aquatic birds, harbored close relatives of all eight gene segments of H3N2 CIV, which preferred binding to avian receptors. Therefore, bidirectional virus transmission events are assumed to have occurred between land-based poultry and aquatic poultry, in particular within the non-industrial poultry system. These events have contributed to the generation of a novel reassortant, H3N2 CIV. To prevent generating other reassortants capable of interspecies transmission, gene movements in the non-industrial poultry systems should be clarified and managed.


Expression of interferon genes in murine macrophages: Possible role of endogenous interferon in the modulation of cell differentiation.
The expression of interferon (IFN)-β gene was studied in mouse peritoneal macrophages (PM) harvested from normal mice (lps ( n )) or LPS-hyporesponsive mice (lps ( d )). A strong direct correlation between the LPS response of PM and their capacity to expressing basal levels of IFN was found. The results suggest that the constitutive expression of IFN-β gene can play an important role not only in the resistance to viral infection but also in the modulation of cell differentiation.


Childhood Poverty, Cumulative Risk Exposure, and Mental Health in Emerging Adults.
One out of four American children are born into poverty, but little is known about the long-term, mental health implications of early deprivation. The more time in poverty from birth-age-9, the worse mental health as emerging adults (n = 196, M = 17.30 years, 53% male). These results maintain independently of concurrent, adult income levels for self-reported externalizing symptoms and a standard learned helplessness behavioral protocol, but internalizing symptoms were unaffected by childhood poverty. We then demonstrate that part of the reason why early poverty exposure is harmful to mental health among emerging adults is because of elevated cumulative risk exposure assessed at age 13. The significant, prospective, longitudinal relations between early childhood poverty and externalizing symptoms plus learned helplessness behavior are mediated, in part, by exposure to a confluence of psychosocial (violence, family turmoil, child separation from family) and physical (noise, crowding, substandard housing) risk factors during adolescence.


Hepatitis B virus genetic diversity in Argentina: dissimilar genotype distribution in two different geographical regions; description of hepatitis B surface antigen variants.
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) molecular epidemiological data of Argentina are still scarce, since most of the previous analyses have been performed in the Metropolitan Region. To deepen the current molecular and epidemiological information about the geographical distribution of HBV genotypes and subgenotypes, and to describe the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) variants circulating in Argentina. Eighty-eight Argentine partial HBsAg sequences from both the Northern and the Metropolitan Regions of the country were analyzed along with 67 Argentine HBV sequences existing in GenBank. Phylogenetic and amino acid sequence analysis grouped the 88 samples as genotypes A (14.8%), D (21.6%) and F (63.6%). In the Northern Region, 44 out of the 48 sequences analyzed (91.7%) grouped as genotype F. Differently, in the Metropolitan Region, the 40 samples grouped as genotype F (30.0%), genotype D (42.5%), and genotype A (27.5%). An elevated proportion (14.8%) of the genomes presented mutations in the major hydrophilic region (MHR). The different genotype distribution in both Argentine regions indicates that the epidemiological landscape of HBV infection appears to be the result of the diverse human migratory movements that have given shape to the present population. Our findings show that the prevalence of HBsAg variants is quite significant among the Argentine population.


[Physicochemical and biological properties of the agents isolated from a patient with amyotrophic leukospongiosis and monkeys with experimentally reproduced disease].
The paper describes isolation from the brain of a patient who died of amyotrophic leukospongiosis (ALSP) and from squirrel monkeys with experimentally induced disease of heretofore unknown agents whose reproduction in continuous cell lines (HEp-2, CV-1, Vero) was accompanied by a significant increase in the mitotic activity of cells and adsorption of human 0(1) and M. rhesus erythrocytes. The blood sera from patients with ALSP and a monkey with experimental disease were found to contain a factor specifically inhibiting the hemadsorption phenomenon and the increase of the mitotic activity in the infected cell cultures. Investigations of the properties of the isolates showed them to have a buoyant density of 1.18 g/cm3 in a 20-60% sucrose gradient, to incorporate radioactive precursors of RNA and protein synthesis, and to be highly resistant to the effect of some physical and chemical factors. The data obtained suggest that the isolates differ from all the presently known conventional viruses but have some similarity with etiological agents of slow infections and may be classified as unconventional viruses.


In vitro expression of the restriction endonucleases LlaMI and ScrFI isolated from Lactococcus lactis M19 and UC503.
A new restriction endonuclease LlaMI has been characterized in Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris M19. LlaMI recognizes the sequence 5'-CCNGG-3' and cuts after the second cytosine. This restriction endonuclease is related to commercially available ScrFI but not identical to it. Comparative analysis of the predicted amino acid sequences of LlaMI and ScrFI indicates five non-conservative amino acid changes between these two restriction enzymes. These two enzymes were expressed in vitro as histidine-tagged fusion proteins. LlaMI was shown to be more sensitive to high salt concentration than ScrFI. Southern blotting and hybridization analysis indicate that the gene for LlaMI R/M system is chromosomally encoded.


Allergenic properties of rat urine and pelt extracts.
We studied the relative diagnostic efficacy of skin tests and RAST assays in laboratory animal allergy in 16 rat-sensitive animal workers with the use of epithelial extract and urinary antigens from three inbred rat strains. RAST inhibition was used to evaluate possible urinary antigen-strain specificity. The urinary antigens were more reliable skin test and RAST reagents than were epithelial extracts; data from urinary antigen testing correlated better with historical data. RAST inhibition did not detect strain specificity among the urinary antigens. Antigens in rat urine appear to be of better diagnostic value than do epithelial extracts.


Failure to demonstrate papovavirus tumor antigen in human cerebral neoplasms.
Cell cultures derived from 80 brain tumors failed to show the intranuclear tumor (T) antigen common to cells transformed by simian virus 40 (SV40) or BK or JC viruses.


[Innovations in liver surgery through transplantation from living donors].
Living-donor liver transplantation was introduced into clinical practice in the early 1990s. At first the results were unsatisfactory, but today's results after living donation are as good as those obtained after conventional liver transplantation with full-sized organs. With minimally invasive diagnostic methods, it is now possible to determine the quality of potential donor livers and exclude focal lesions and anatomical variants which influence the strategy of organ retrieval procedures. Donor liver resection is done without hilar occlusion after determining the anatomical variants of the bile system (especially for right lobes) and localizing of the course of the middle hepatic vein. Microsurgical techniques are used for reconstruction of the biliary system and hepatic vessels. Living-donor liver transplantation allows us to investigate the complex changes after liver resection. The surgical techniques and pathophysiological postoperative changes can be adapted unconventionally to complex oncological liver resections. Therapeutic optimization and better risk management are becoming possible for liver resections.


Contamination occurs during ACL graft harvesting and manipulation, but it can be easily eradicated.
Why anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) autograft soaking in a 5 mg/ml vancomycin solution decreases the rate of infection has not been well-explained. One hypothesis is that grafts can be contaminated during harvesting and vancomycin eradicates the bacteria. The purpose of the present study is to assess how the vancomycin solution acts against ACL graft contamination during graft harvesting and preparation. The study was carried out in three university hospitals over a period of 6 months. After sample size calculation, 50 patients were included in the study. Three samples were taken from each ACL graft. Sample 1 was obtained immediately after graft harvesting. After graft manipulation and preparation, the remaining tissue was divided into two parts. The raw sample was denominated sample 2 and sample 3 consisted of the rest of the remaining tissue that had been soaked in the vancomycin solution. All the cultures were incubated at 37 °C with 5% CO2 in agar plates for 7 days (aerobically) or 14 days (anaerobically) and inspected daily for microbial growth. Any bacterial growth and the number of colony forming units were reported. In seven cases (14%), either sample 1 or sample 2 was positive. In five of the cases (10%), only the sample after graft preparation was positive (sample 2). In two cases (4%), sample 1 and sample 2 were positive for the same bacteria. Isolated microorganisms corresponded to coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) and Propionibacterium acnes. No bacterial growth was observed in sample 3 (p < 0.001). Thus, none of those seven positive cases (0%) were positive after vancomycin soaking (p < 0.001). In the series, ACL graft harvesting and manipulation leads to bacterial contamination in 14% of the cases. This contamination is fully eradicated after soaking in the vancomycin solution in this series. Level II.


[Role of echocardiography in the hemodynamic monitorization of critical patients].
The use of echocardiography in intensive care units in shock patients allows us to measure various hemodynamic variables in an accurate and a non-invasive manner. By using echocardiography not only as a diagnostic technique but also as a tool for continuous hemodynamic monitorization, the intensivist can evaluate various aspects of shock states, such as cardiac output and fluid responsiveness, myocardial contractility, intracavitary pressures, heart-lung interaction and biventricular interdependence. However, to date there has been little guidance orienting echocardiographic hemodynamic parameters in the intensive care unit, and intensivists are usually not familiar with this tool. In this review, we describe some of the most important hemodynamic parameters that can be obtained at the patient bedside with transthoracic echocardiography in critically ill patients.


Effects of cis-resveratrol on inflammatory murine macrophages: antioxidant activity and down-regulation of inflammatory genes.
This study investigated for the first time the effects of the cis isomer of resveratrol (c-RESV) on the responses of inflammatory murine peritoneal macrophages, namely on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) during the respiratory burst; on the biosynthesis of other mediators of inflammation such prostaglandins; and on the expression of inflammatory genes such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-2 and inducible cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. Treatment with 1-100 microM c-RESV significantly inhibited intracellular and extracellular ROS production, and c-RESV at 10-100 microM significantly reduced RNS production. c-RESV at 1-100 microM was ineffective for scavenging superoxide radicals (O(2)(.-)), generated enzymatically by a hypoxanthine (HX)/xanthine oxidase (XO) system and/or for inhibiting XO activity. However, c-RESV at 10-100 microM decreased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADH/NADPH) oxidase activity in macrophage homogenates. c-RESV at 100 microM decreased NOS-2 and COX-2 mRNA levels in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) interferon gamma (IFN-gamma)-treated macrophages. At 10-100 microM, c-RESV also significantly inhibited NOS-2 and COX-2 protein synthesis and decreased prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production. These results indicate that c-RESV at micromolar concentrations significantly attenuates several components of the macrophage response to proinflammatory stimuli (notably, production of O(2)(.-)(-) and of the proinflammatory mediators NO(.-) and PGE(2)).


The log S-log z diagram for radio galaxies and its relation to cosmology.
An examination of the flux S and redshift z of radio galaxies in the third Cambridge catalogue lends some encouragement to the steady state cosmology.


IMRT treatment of anal cancer with a scrotal shield.
The risk of sterility in males undergoing radiotherapy in the pelvic region indicates the use of a shielding device, which offers protection to the testes for patients wishing to maintain fertility. The use of such devices in the realm of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in the pelvic region can pose many obstacles during simulation, treatment planning, and delivery of radiotherapy. This work focuses on the development and execution of an IMRT plan for the treatment of anal cancer using a scrotal shielding device on a clinical patient. An IMRT plan was developed using Eclipse treatment planning system (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA), using a wide array of gantry angles as well as fixed jaw and fluence editing techniques. When possible, the entire target volume was encompassed by the treatment field. When the beam was incident on the scrotal shield, the jaw was fixed to avoid the device and the collimator rotation optimized to irradiate as much of the target as possible. This technique maximizes genital sparing and allows minimal irradiation of the gonads. When this fixed-jaw technique was found to compromise adequate coverage of the target, manual fluence editing techniques were used to avoid the shielding device. Special procedures for simulation, imaging, and treatment verification were also developed. In vivo dosimetry was used to verify and ensure acceptable dose to the gonads. The combination of these techniques resulted in a highly conformal plan that spares organs and risk and avoids the genitals as well as entrance of primary radiation onto the shielding device.


The Human Glioblastoma Cell Culture Resource: Validated Cell Models Representing All Molecular Subtypes.
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent and malignant form of primary brain tumor. GBM is essentially incurable and its resistance to therapy is attributed to a subpopulation of cells called glioma stem cells (GSCs). To meet the present shortage of relevant GBM cell (GC) lines we developed a library of annotated and validated cell lines derived from surgical samples of GBM patients, maintained under conditions to preserve GSC characteristics. This collection, which we call the Human Glioblastoma Cell Culture (HGCC) resource, consists of a biobank of 48 GC lines and an associated database containing high-resolution molecular data. We demonstrate that the HGCC lines are tumorigenic, harbor genomic lesions characteristic of GBMs, and represent all four transcriptional subtypes. The HGCC panel provides an open resource for in vitro and in vivo modeling of a large part of GBM diversity useful to both basic and translational GBM research.


Preventive antepartum care.
As the role of the obstetrician-gynecologist evolves to include primary care, the obstetrician must assume greater responsibility for providing prenatal preventive care, particularly regarding the STORCH(5) pathogens.


Alternatives to antibiotics to control bacterial infections: luminescent vibriosis in aquaculture as an example.
The massive (mis)use of antibiotics to control infections in aquaculture has resulted in the development of resistant strains, which have rendered antibiotic treatments ineffective. Moreover, the horizontal transfer of resistance determinants to human pathogens and the presence of antibiotic residues in aquaculture products for human consumption constitute important threats to public health. Therefore, to make the aquaculture industry more sustainable, new strategies to control infections are urgently needed.


Craniosynostosis.
Craniosynostosis affects approximately one infant out of one thousand. Increase of intracranial pressure and risks of functional problems are more frequent than previously thought, especially in single-suture synostosis. Frontocranial remodeling will correct both functional and esthetic consequences of craniosynostosis. The best time for surgery is the first year of life, 2-3 months of age for the brachycephalies, and 6-9 months of age for the other craniosynostoses. Not only does growth not deteriorate after forehead remodeling, but the adjacent orbitonasal areas improve with time. In Crouzon's disease and Apert's syndrome, early frontal advancement does not prevent the midface retrusion, and a radical frontofacial advancement may be occasionally indicated in very severe cases. Frontocranial remodeling is also indicated in children presenting with sequelae of classical neurosurgical treatment or those who have had no treatment.


Impact of Progressive Site-Directed Therapy in Oligometastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer on Subsequent Treatment Response.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of progressive site-directed therapy (PSDT) for oligometastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (OM-CRPC) on the efficacy of subsequent androgen receptor axis-targeted (ARAT) drugs, and to demonstrate the possibility of prolonging overall survival (OS). We performed a retrospective analysis of 15 OM-CRPC patients who underwent PSDT and subsequently received first-line ARAT drugs (PSDT group) and 13 OM-CRPC patients who were treated with first-line ARAT drugs without PSDT (non-PSDT group). PSDT was performed with the intention of treating all progressing sites detected by whole-body diffusion-weighted MRI with radiotherapy. Thirteen patients (86.7%) treated with PSDT had a decrease in PSA levels, which was at least 50% in 10 (66.7%) patients. The median PSA progression-free survival (PFS) for PSDT was 7.4 months. The median PSA-PFS for ARAT was 27.2 months in patients in the PSDT group and 11.7 months in the non-PSDT group, with a significant difference between the two groups (hazard ratio [HR], 0.28; p = 0.010). The median OS was not reached in the PSDT group and was significantly longer than 44.5 months in the non-PSDT group (HR, 0.11; p = 0.014). In OM-CRPC, PSDT may improve the efficacy of subsequent ARAT and OS.


Incisional hernia treatment with polypropylene graft: results of 10 years.
To report herein our results of tension-free repair of large incisional hernia with polypropylene mesh using a modification of the method that was described by Usher. Two hundred ninety-one patients who were operated on between January 1994 and December 2004 were studied. Two hundred thirty-two patients were female (79.7%), and 59 were male (20.3%). The average follow-up period was 55 months. The patients were evaluated for infection, recurrences, hematoma and seroma formation, sinuses and enterocutaneous fistula formation. Infection was observed in eight patients (2.7%). Graft removal due to infection was encountered only in two patients (0.6%). Recurrence was observed in six patients (2.1%). Two patients (0.6%) developed hematoma while another two developed seroma. No patient developed enterocutaneous fistula. By using our modified technique we can decrease the expected complications after tension-free repair of large incisional hernias.


Low inductance transverse gradient system of restricted length.
A new transverse gradient coil assembly of restricted length is presented. The coil is symmetric, has the advantage of simplicity, generates a remarkably large volume of uniform transverse gradient field, features very low inductance, and can therefore be suitable for applications requiring fast switched gradients. A prototype coil has been constructed to check computer simulations and to compare measured parameters of the system with those expected. Coils of this type may be used for MRI of the human head, and of animals, and for NMR microimaging.


A surface plasmon resonance study of the interactions between the component subunits of protein kinase CK2 and two protein substrates, casein and calmodulin.
Surface plasmon resonance has been used to study the interaction between the subunits composing protein kinase CK2 (two catalytic, alpha-subunits, and two regulatory, beta-subunits), as well as the interaction of each subunit with two types of protein substrates, casein, the phosphorylation of which is activated by the regulatory subunit, and calmodulin, which belongs to the kind of substrates on which the catalytic subunit is downregulated by the regulatory subunit. The interaction of casein with the catalytic subunit differs from the interaction with the holoenzyme. Similarly to the interaction with the regulatory subunit, the catalytic subunit interacts with the protein substrate forming a very stable, irreversible complex. The reconstituted holoenzyme, however, binds casein reversibly, displaying a binding mode similar to that displayed by the regulatory subunit. The interaction of calmodulin with the catalytic subunit gives place, like in the case of casein, to an irreversible complex. The interactions with the regulatory subunit and with the holoenzyme were practically negligible, and the interaction with the regulatory subunit disappeared upon increasing the temperature value to close to 30 degrees C. The presence of polylysine induced a high increase in the extent of calmodulin binding to the holoenzyme. The results obtained suggest that CK2beta subunit and protein substrates share a common, or at least an overlapping, site of interaction on the catalytic subunit. The interaction between both subunits would prevent substrates from binding irreversibly to alpha subunit, and, at the same time, it would generate a new and milder site of interaction between the whole holoenzyme and the protein substrate. The main difference between casein and calmodulin would consist in the lower affinity display by the last for the new site generated upon the binding of the regulatory subunit, in the absence of polycations like polylysine.


Mortality results for randomised controlled trial of early elective surgery or ultrasonographic surveillance for small abdominal aortic aneurysms. The UK Small Aneurysm Trial Participants.
Early elective surgery may prevent rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms, but mortality is 5-6%. The risk of rupture seems to be low for aneurysms smaller than 5 cm. We investigated whether prophylactic open surgery decreased long-term mortality risks for small aneurysms. We randomly assigned 1090 patients aged 60-76 years, with symptomless abdominal aortic aneurysms 4.0-5.5 cm in diameter to undergo early elective open surgery (n=563) or ultrasonographic surveillance (n=527). Patients were followed up for a mean of 4.6 years. If the diameter of aneurysms in the surveillance group exceeded 5.5 cm, surgical repair was recommended. The primary endpoint was death. Mortality analyses were done by intention to treat. The two groups had similar cardiovascular risk factors at baseline. 93% of patients adhered to the assigned treatment. 309 patients died during follow-up. The overall hazard ratio for all-cause mortality in the early-surgery group compared with the surveillance group was 0.94 (95% CI 0.75-1.17, p=0.56). The 30-day operative mortality in the early-surgery group was 5.8%, which led to a survival disadvantage for these patients early in the trial. Mortality did not differ significantly between groups at 2 years, 4 years, or 6 years. Age, sex, or initial aneurysm size did not modify the overall hazard ratio. Ultrasonographic surveillance for small abdominal aortic aneurysms is safe, and early surgery does not provide a long-term survival advantage. Our results do not support a policy of open surgical repair for abdominal aortic aneurysms of 4.0-5.5 cm in diameter.


[Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase activities and lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme spectrum in human myocardium after sudden death caused by acute alcohol intoxication and ischemic heart disease].
Alterations in activities of lactate- and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases and in the LDHisozyme spectra in human heart muscle after sudden death, caused either by acute ethanol intoxication or by ischemic heart disease, were characterized by inhibition of aerobic oxidation and activation of the glycolytic pathway of energy formation.


Modulator effects of interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha on AMPA-induced excitotoxicity in mouse organotypic hippocampal slice cultures.
The inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) have been identified as mediators of several forms of neurodegeneration in the brain. However, they can produce either deleterious or beneficial effects on neuronal function. We investigated the effects of these cytokines on neuronal death caused by exposure of mouse organotypic hippocampal slice cultures to toxic concentrations of AMPA. Either potentiation of excitotoxicity or neuroprotection was observed, depending on the concentration of the cytokines and the timing of exposure. A relatively high concentration of mouse recombinant TNF-alpha (10 ng/ml) enhanced excitotoxicity when the cultures were simultaneously exposed to AMPA and to this cytokine. Decreasing the concentration of TNF-alpha to 1 ng/ml resulted in neuroprotection against AMPA-induced neuronal death independently on the application protocol. By using TNF-alpha receptor (TNFR) knock-out mice, we demonstrated that the potentiation of AMPA-induced toxicity by TNF-alpha involves TNF receptor-1, whereas the neuroprotective effect is mediated by TNF receptor-2. AMPA exposure was associated with activation and proliferation of microglia as assessed by macrophage antigen-1 and bromodeoxyuridine immunohistochemistry, suggesting a functional recruitment of cytokine-producing cells at sites of neurodegeneration. Together, these findings are relevant for understanding the role of proinflammatory cytokines and microglia activation in acute and chronic excitotoxic conditions.


Serological evidence that dry heating of clotting factor concentrates prevents transmission of non-A, non-B hepatitis.
A new test for antibodies specific for an agent causing non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH) was used to screen 45 children with coagulation disorders who received factor concentrates. It was found that the test results correlated with clinical evidence of NANBH and that heat treatment of concentrates (80 degrees C for 72 hours) appears to have prevented transmission of NANBH.


Effect of ligand activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-beta/delta (PPARbeta/delta) in human lung cancer cell lines.
There is compelling evidence that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-beta/delta (PPARbeta/delta) mediates terminal differentiation and is associated with inhibition of cell growth. However, it was recently suggested that growth of two human lung cancer cell lines is enhanced by PPARbeta/delta. The goal of the present study was to provide insight in resolving this controversy. Therefore, the effect of ligand activation of PPARbeta/delta in A549 and H1838 human lung cancer cell lines was examined using two high affinity PPARbeta/delta ligands. Ligand activation of PPARbeta/delta caused up-regulation of a known PPARbeta/delta target gene, angiopoietin-like 4 (Angptl4) but did not influence expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) or phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt), and did not affect cell growth. Results from this study demonstrate that two human lung cancer cell lines respond to ligand activation of PPARbeta/delta by modulation of target gene expression (Angptl4), but fail to exhibit significant modulation of cell proliferation.


A novel protoapigenone analog RY10-4 induces breast cancer MCF-7 cell death through autophagy via the Akt/mTOR pathway.
Protoapigenone is a unique flavonoid and enriched in many ferns, showing potent antitumor activity against a broad spectrum of human cancer cell lines. RY10-4, a modified version of protoapigenone, manifested better anti-proliferation activity in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. The cytotoxicity of RY10-4 against MCF-7 cells is exhibited in both time- and concentration-dependent manners. Here we investigated a novel effect of RY10-4 mediated autophagy in autophagy defect MCF-7 cells. Employing immunofluorescence assay for microtubule-associated protein light-chain 3 (LC3), monodansylcadaverine staining, Western blotting analyses for LC3 and p62 as well as ultrastructural analysis by transmission electron microscopy, we showed that RY10-4 induced autophagy in MCF-7 cells but protoapigenone did not. Meanwhile, inhibition of autophagy by pharmacological and genetic approaches significantly increased the viability of RY10-4 treated cells, suggesting that the autophagy induced by RY10-4 played as a promotion mechanism for cell death. Further studies revealed that RY10-4 suppressed the activation of mTOR and p70S6K via the Akt/mTOR pathway. Our results provided new insights for the mechanism of RY10-4 induced cell death and the cause of RY10-4 showing better antitumor activity than protoapigenone, and supported further evidences for RY10-4 as a lead to design a promising antitumor agent.


Occurrence of melatonin and indolic compounds derived from l-tryptophan yeast metabolism in fermented wort and commercial beers.
Melatonin and serotonin are bioactive compounds present in foods and beverages and related to neuroprotection and anti-angiogenesis, among other activities. They have been described in wines and the role of yeast in their formation is clear. Thus, this study evaluates the content of these bioactives and other related indolic compounds in beer. For this purpose, commercial beers were analyzed by a validated UHPLC-HRMS method and sample treatment optimized due to the low concentrations expected. Moreover, a wort was fermented with different commercial beer yeast (Abbaye, Diamond, SafAle, SafLager) in order to monitor the formation of these bioactives during the elaboration process. Results show that indolic compounds such as N-acetylserotonin and 3-indoleacetic acid are produced during the alcoholic fermentation of wort. Moreover, the occurrence of four indolic compounds (5-hydroxytryptophan, N-acetylserotonin, 3-indoleacetic acid, l-tryptophan ethyl ester) in commercial beers is reported for the first time.


[Social media-Chances and risks for rheumatology].
The use of social media and social networks has increased significantly in recent years. They are becoming progressively more important as information channels in private and professional contexts. Also, in medicine, social media are already being used in a variety of ways. For example, professional societies and patient interest groups are being increasingly represented in social networks. The broad use and wide audience of these networks offer new opportunities for the field of rheumatology. This review article provides an overview of the characteristics of some major social media platforms and systematically analyses the existing publications in the context of rheumatology. Furthermore, advantages, but also potential risks that may arise due to social media use are being addressed.


Hypermagnesemia in a constipated female.
Hypermagnesemia is a rare condition that is usually iatrogenic. Magnesium oxide (MgO) ingestion by constipated patients with prolonged colonic retention contributes to hypermagnesemia. Treatment of hypermagnesemia includes discontinuation of the magnesium use, gastrointestinal (GI) decontamination, and removal of magnesium from the serum by dialysis. Calcium acts as an antagonist in hypermagnesemia. A 72-year-old woman presented with constipation and MgO ingestion. The patient was brought to our department due to altered mental status and progressive general weakness. Laboratory tests showed a magnesium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Bradycardia and hypotension developed with rebound hypermagnesemia after incomplete dialysis. Abdomen computed tomography showed hyperdense MgO tablets retained in the colon. A magnesium-free laxative was used for GI decontamination. Despite the use of high-dose inotropics and an elevated trigger for transcutaneous pacing, the cardiac performance improved minimally. Although our patient responded to calcium administration with hemodynamic improvement, prolonged hypotension and decreased perfusion led to hypoxic encephalopathy. This report demonstrates that MgO tablets retained in the GI tract without adequate decontamination result in continuous absorption and rebound of hypermagnesemia. This report also addresses the importance of GI decontamination in the treatment of hypermagnesemia.


Ischemic Stroke Predictors in Patients Presenting with Dizziness, Imbalance, and Vertigo.
To identify predictors of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) among patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with dizziness, imbalance, or vertigo (DIV) based on demographic and clinical characteristics. We identified patients admitted to the hospital after presenting to the ED with DIV from the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database of New York from 2010 to 2014. Demographic and clinical characteristics were systematically collected. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine predictors of a discharge diagnosis of AIS. Among 77,993 patients with DIV, 3857 (4.9%) had a discharge diagnosis of AIS. Admission presentation of imbalance, African-American race, history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, tobacco use, atrial fibrillation, and prior AIS due to extracranial artery atherosclerosis were each positively associated with an AIS diagnosis independently. Factors negatively associated with an AIS discharge diagnosis included: admission presentation of vertigo, female sex, age > 81, history of anemia, coronary artery disease, asthma, depressive disorders, and anxiety disorders. Multiple potential positive and negative predictive AIS risk factors were identified. Combining with currently available centrally-caused dizziness prediction tools, these newly identified factors could provide more accurate AIS risk stratifying method for DIV patients.


Transition from Training to Surgical Practice.
Surgical training graduates require a period of adjustment as they transform from trainees to experienced surgeons. Making a smooth transition is important for patient safety and new surgeon success. A subset of current graduates does not feel confident to enter directly into practice. Residency design with curriculum refocus, credentialing to encourage graded responsibility, and increased operative exposure is necessary. Onboarding programs should include formal mentoring, career counseling, proctoring by senior surgeons, and objective review of outcomes. The ACS developed a one-year TTP program to provide independent decision-making, operative autonomy, mentoring by senior surgeons, and practice management experience.


Serum nitric oxide is associated with the risk of chronic kidney disease in women: Tehran lipid and glucose study.
Background and aim This study was conducted to investigate the association between serum nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods We recruited 3462 and 2504 participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS), for a cross-sectional and prospective analysis, respectively. Serum NOx concentrations were measured at baseline (2006-2008), and demographics, anthropometrics and biochemical variables were evaluated at baseline and again after 3 years (2009-2011). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and CKD were defined. Association between serum NOx and CKD in the cross-sectional phase and the predictability of NOx in CKD occurrence were assessed using multivariable logistic regression models with adjustment for confounders. Results Mean age of participants was 45.0 ± 15.9 years at baseline and 40.5% were male. The prevalence of CKD was 17.9% (13.4% in men, 21.0% in women) at baseline, at which point, marginally significant odds of CKD in the highest tertile of serum NOx in men (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 0.96-2.45, p for trend = 0.047) and a significant odds of CKD in women (OR = 2.48, 95% CI = 1.76-3.49, p for trend = 0.001) were observed. After a 3-year follow-up, in women, risk of CKD was higher in the highest compared to the lowest NOx tertiles (OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.10-3.14, p for trend = 0.032) but no significant association was observed in men. Conclusion Serum NOx level was found to be an independent predictor of CKD in women; it could be a valuable surrogate for prediction of renal dysfunction in women and help to identify high-risk subjects.


Effect of energy substrate manipulation on tumour cell proliferation in parenterally fed cancer patients.
The effects of isocaloric carbohydrate-based vs. fat-based total parenteral nutrition (TPN) regimens on cancer cell proliferation and host nutritional status were evaluated in 27 patients with tumours of the gastro intestinal tract consecutively assigned to receive for 14 days: a glucose-based (A) or a lipid-based (B) TPN formula, or an oral diet (C) isocaloric and isonitrogenous to A and B. Cancer cell replication rate was evaluated by thymidine labelling index (LI) on tumour samples before and at the end of each nutritional regimen. The number of replicating cells increased by 32.2% in patients receiving regimen A. LI decreased by 24.3% in patients given regimen B. LI values were slightly increased (+15%) in patients maintained on regimen C. Nutritional status remained within normal limits. None of the LI changes observed between and within the three arms of the trial were found to be statistically significant. Thus we failed to prove that glucose consistently stimulates or lipids inhibit tumour proliferation despite a trend in this sense.


Addition of MoodGYM to physical treatments for chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial.
Low back pain (LBP) is prevalent, costly and disabling. A biopsychosocial treatment approach involving physical and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is recommended for those with chronic LBP. It is not known if online psychological coaching tools might have a role in the secondary prevention of LBP related disability. To assess the effectiveness of an internet-delivered psychological program (MoodGYM) in addition to standard physical treatment in patients with chronic non-specific LBP at medium risk of ongoing disability. A multisite randomized controlled trial was conducted with 108 participants (aged mean 50.4 ± 13.6 years) with chronic LBP attending one of six private physiotherapy or chiropractic clinics. Disability (Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire) and self-efficacy (Patient Self-Efficacy Questionnaire), were assessed at baseline, post-treatment (8-weeks) with follow-up at six- and twelve-months. Participants were randomized into either the intervention group, MoodGYM plus physical treatments, or the control group which received physical treatments alone. No statistically significant between group differences were observed for either disability at post-treatment (Effect size (standardised mean difference) 95% CI) RMD - 0.06 (- 0.45,0.31), 6-months RMD 0.01 (- 0.38,0.39) and 12-months - 0.20 (- 0.62,0.17) or self-efficacy at post-treatment PSEQ 0.06 (- 0.31,0.45), 6-months 0.02 (- 0.36,0.41) and 12-months 0.21 (- 0.16,0.63). There was no additional benefit of an internet-delivered CBT program (MoodGYM) to physical treatments in those with chronic non-specific LBP at medium risk of ongoing disability measured at post-treatment, or at 6 and 12 months. This trial was prospectively registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Number (ACTRN) 12615000269538.


Mycotoxin production byAlternaria strains isolated from tomatoes affected by Blackmold in Argentina.
A survey on 28 samples of Blackmold" affected tomatoes cultivated in Argentina was made.A. alternata was the most frequently occurring species.A. tenuissima, A. longipes yUdocladium spp. were also isolated. All theAlternaria strains (25) were able to produce mycotoxins, including Alternariol, Alternariol Monomethyl Ether and Tenuazonic Acid, on autoclaved rice (at 25°C and 8°C) and in fresh surface disinfected tomatoes at 25°C.


The renal lesions of tuberosclerosis (cysts and angiomyolipoma)--screening with sonography and computerized tomography.
The two most common sonographic abnormalities in the kidneys of 23 tuberous sclerosis (TS) patients ranging in age from newborn to 30 years are angiomyolipomas (12/23) (AML) and renal cysts (10/23). These usually both occur in the same patient with only 9 cases (39%) having sonographically normal kidneys. Of the 14 affected patients, 2 had cysts without AML and 4 others had AML without cysts. The sonographic appearance of an AML varied from a large 6 cm solid mass with little increased echogenicity (1/12) to subtle small (4 mm) extremely echogenic regions in the periphery of the kidney (11/12). The sonographic appearance of the cysts were anechoic lesions varying in size from 2 mm to 2 cm with thin uniform posterior walls and posterior enhancement. Renal lesions are found more frequently with increasing age. Sonography is the preferred screening procedure for the renal lesions of T.S.


Factors influencing the entrapment of hydrophilic compounds in nanocapsules prepared by interfacial polymerisation of water-in-oil microemulsions.
This study demonstrates the effect of drug properties and method of loading (sorption and encapsulation) on entrapment within poly(alkyl cyanoacrylate) nanocapsules prepared by interfacial polymerisation of biocompatible water-in-oil microemulsions. For small molecular weight compounds (<1000 Da), entrapment efficiency is more dependent on charge of the compound than on the method used for entrapment. Entrapment efficiency within the negatively charged nanocapsules (zeta potential approximately -30 mV) was in the order cationic compound > neutral compound > anionic compound. Only minimal differences for entrapment efficiency were noted between sorption (addition of the compound 4 h after initiation of the polymerisation) and encapsulation (addition of the compound to microemulsion prior to polymerisation). For high molecular weight compounds, the method used for entrapment however, is very important. For hydrophilic macromolecules such as proteins, high entrapment efficiencies can only be achieved by encapsulation. Entrapment of such compounds seems to be independent of the net charge of the compound being encapsulated but depended on the molecular weight. For nanocapsules prepared by interfacial polymerisation of water-in-oil microemulsions, these findings are useful as a foundation in the development of nanocapsules with desired properties.


Origin of diverse phosphorylation patterns in the ERBB system.
Intercellular signals induce various cellular responses, including growth, proliferation, and differentiation, via the dynamic processes of signal transduction pathways. For cell fate decisions, ligand-binding induces the phosphorylation of ERBB receptors, which in turn activate downstream molecules. The ERBB family includes four subtypes, which diverged through two gene duplications from a common ancestor. Differences in the expression patterns of the subtypes have been reported between different organs in the human body. However, how these different expression properties influence the diverse phosphorylation levels of ERBB proteins is not well understood. Here we study the origin of the phosphorylation responses by experimental and mathematical analyses. The experimental measurements clarified that the phosphorylation levels heavily depend on the ERBB expression profiles. We developed a mathematical model consisting of the four subtypes as monomers, homodimers, and heterodimers and estimated the rate constants governing the phosphorylation responses from the experimental data. To understand the origin of the diversity, we analyzed the effects of the expression levels and reaction rates of the ERBB subtypes on the diversity. The difference in phosphorylation rates between ERBB subtypes showed a much greater contribution to the diversity than did the dimerization rates. This result implies that divergent evolution in phosphorylation reactions rather than in dimerization reactions after whole genome duplications was essential for increasing the diversity of the phosphorylation responses.


Identification of side chains on 1,2,5-thiadiazole-azacycles optimal for muscarinic m1 receptor activation.
Series of analogs to the functional m1 selective agonist, xanomeline (hexyloxy-TZTP), were evaluated for their in vitro m1 efficacy in cell lines transfected with the human m1 receptor. Systematic variation of the side chain and the azacyclic ring led to the discovery of potent muscarinic agonists with robust m1 efficacy, all having the phenylpropargyloxy/thio as the side chain. The most selective compound was the phenylpropargylthio-[3.2.1] endo analog 28, which is a potent and efficacious m1 agonist with no m2 activity.


Development of a method for the determination of citrinin in barley, rye and wheat by solid phase extraction on aminopropyl columns and HPLC-FLD.
A method for the determination of the mycotoxin citrinin (CT) in rye, wheat and barley is described. The proposed method is based on ethyl acetate extraction, solid phase clean-up (SPE) on aminopropyl columns and reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (RP-HPLC-FLD). The limits of detection and quantification of CT amounted to 0.6-0.9 μg/kg and 1.7- 3.3 μg/kg with mean recovery rates in the range of 77-92% (RSD 4.8-5.5%). This method can also be used for the determination of CT in red-fermented rice.


Unsupervised image classification of medical ultrasound data by multiresolution elastic registration.
Thousands of medical images are saved in databases every day and the need for algorithms able to handle such data in an unsupervised manner is steadily increasing. The classification of ultrasound images is an outstandingly difficult task, due to the high noise level of these images. We present a detailed description of an algorithm based on multiscale elastic registration capable of unsupervised, landmark-free classification of cardiac ultrasound images into their respective views (apical four chamber, two chamber, parasternal long axis and short axis views). We validated the algorithm with 90 unselected, consecutive echocardiographic images recorded during daily clinical work. When the two visually very similar apical views (four chamber and two chamber) are combined into one class, we obtained a 93.0% correct classification (chi2 = 123.8, p < 0.0001, cross-validation 93.0%; chi2 = 131.1, p < 0.0001). Classification into the 4 classes reached a 90.0% correct classification (chi2 = 205.4, p < 0.0001, cross-validation 82.2%; chi2 = 165.9, p < 0.0001).


Fabrication of an ultrasensitive electrochemical immunosensor for CEA based on conducting long-chain polythiols.
A conducting long-chain polythiols (poly (2-aminothiophenol), PATP) was synthesized by a chemical polymerization process and combined with Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) to prepare a novel, sensitive and label-free electrochemical biosensor by adsorption of carcinoembryonic antibody (anti-CEA) on the PATP-AuNPs modified gold electrode. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used to characterize the recognition of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Under the optimized conditions, the proposed immunosensor displayed a good amperometric response to CEA with linear range from 1 fg mL(-1) to 10 ng mL(-1) and a detection limit of 0.015 fg mL(-1) (signal/noise=3). The results demonstrated that the immunosensor has advantages of high sensitivity, wide linear range, good repeatability, and good selectivity. Importantly, the results of the detection of clinical serum specimens with the proposed sensor were well consistent with the data determined by micropartical enzyme immunoassay (MPEI), showing that the present work provides a promising ultrasensitive immunoassay strategy for clinical applications.


Human gastric glycoproteins corresponding to paradoxical concanavalin A staining.
Glycoproteins were isolated from human gastric mucosa, and their reactivities with concanavalin A, periodate oxidation and subsequent reduction, are described. Gastric glycoproteins corresponding to the paradoxical concanavalin A staining-class II and III mucins were proved biochemically. The analytical results suggest that N-acetylglucosamine residues in the glycoproteins mediate the interaction with concanavalin A.


Point-of-Care Testing of Hemostasis in Cardiac Surgery.
An excessive perioperative blood loss, that requires transfusion of blood products, sometimes occurs in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass for cardiac surgery. Blood loss and transfusion requirements in these patients may be reduced with a better control of heparin treatment and its reversal. Blood component administration in patients with excessive post-cardiopulmonary bypass bleeding has been empiric for a long time due to turnaround times of laboratory coagulation tests. Devices are now available for rapid, point-of-care assessment of hemostasis alterations to allow an appropriate, targeted therapy. In particular, a quick evaluation of platelet and coagulation defects with new point-of-care devices can optimize the administration of pharmacological and transfusion-based therapy in patients with excessive bleeding after cardiopulmonary bypass.


Vascular responsiveness in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Ischemic heart disease and peripheral vascular diseases are prevalent in COPD and it is estimated that any 10% decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) is associated with 30% increased cardiovascular risk of death. Endothelial dysfunction may be one of the mechanistic pathways that link between COPD and cardiovascular mortality. Our aim was to study the vascular reactivity of patients with stable COPD and to try to correlate endothelial dysfunction, vascular reactivity and functional capacity of these patients that eventually may lead to cardiovascular mortality. This was a prospective study. Twenty-three consecutive ambulatory COPD patients were enrolled. All were smoking men, aged 64.4 ± 8.4 years. Twenty-two healthy volunteers aged 44.7 ± 11.7 years, BMI of 25.2 ± 4.2, height of 172 ± 8 cm served as the control group. Vascular studies included endothelial function and ankle brachial index. Baseline diameter of the brachial artery was larger in COPD patients compared with controls. The absolute change in diameter post hyperemia was significantly less in patients (0.004 ± 0.02 cm vs. 0.05 ± 0.02 cm, p<0.001) and COPD patients responded to hyperemia by constriction instead of dilatation (FMD% was -0.6 ± 6.3% in patients vs. 15.6 ± 7.6% in controls, p<0.001). There was no difference in ABI in patients and controls (0.95 ± 0.26 vs. 1.06 ± 0.16, p=0.07). We found that patients with COPD have dilated arteries, have impaired ability to respond to high shear stress that triggers nitric oxide dependent flow mediated dilatation, and have also impaired ability to function - represented by the poor 6 minute walk test.


Characterization of the precursor form of type VI collagen.
Well characterized monospecific antisera against pepsin-extracted bovine type VI collagen were used to identify and characterize the intact form of type VI collagen. In immunoblotting experiments the antisera reacted with the pepsin-resistant fragments of the alpha 1(VI) and alpha 3(VI) chains, but not with the fragment of the alpha 2(VI) chain. Extracts obtained from uterus and aorta with 6 M guanidine HCl contained two immunoreactive polypeptides of Mr = 190,000 and 180,000 based on globular protein standards. Cleavage of extracts with pepsin generated the previously characterized pepsin-resistant fragments of alpha 1(VI) and alpha 3(VI), indicating that the higher molecular weight polypeptides represent the intact parent chains, alpha 1(VI) and alpha 3(VI). Digestion of extracts with bacterial collagenase released an Mr = 100,000 noncollagenous fragment from the alpha 1(VI) chain. Thus, intact type VI collagen in tissues contains a relatively short triple helical domain and at least one very large globular domain which is sensitive to pepsin but resistant to collagenase digestion. Immunoblotting revealed a polypeptide of Mr = 240,000, which we suggest represents the pro-alpha 1(VI) chain, in the culture medium of bovine fibroblasts. Bands intermediate in molecular weight between 240,000 and 190,000 were identified in cell layers. These findings establish type VI collagen as a protein with very large nontriple helical domains, a property that undoubtedly plays an important role in its function.


The impact of healing time before loading on orthodontic mini-implant stability: a histomorphometric study in minipigs.
To evaluate healing time before loading, areas compression and tension and location of insertion on mini-implant stability. Six minipigs were used. Each animal received 3 mini-implants in each quadrant: 1 mini-implant was used as an unloaded control (G1, n=24); the other 2 were loaded with 150g-force at three time intervals (G2: immediate loading, G3: after 15 days and G4: after 30 days), with 16 mini-implant in each experimental group. After 120 days, tissue blocks of the areas of interest were harvested. Clinical analysis (exact Fisher test) determined the survival rate. Histological analysis (Kontron KS 300™, Zeiss) quantified the fractional bone-to-implant contact (%BIC) and bone area (%BA) at each healing time point, areas of interest, and insertion site (ANOVA and t tests for dependent and independent samples). The mini-implant survival rates were G1: 71%, G2: 50%, G3: 75% and G4: 63%, with no statistical differences between them. The groups presented similar %BIC and %BA. There were no differences between the compression and tension sides or maxillary and mandibular insertion sites. These results suggest that low-intensity immediate or early orthodontic loading does not affect mini-implant stability, because similar histomorphometric results were observed for all the groups, with partial osseointegration of the mini-implants present.


Electrophysiological evidence for the modular organization of the reticular formation: sympathetic controlling circuits.
Cross-correlation analysis revealed that the discharges of cat medullary reticular neurons located in the recording field of a single microelectrode were synchronized on a time scale of a few ms. The incidence of short time scale interactions was significantly greater when both members of a neuronal pair had activity temporally related to postganglionic inferior cardiac sympathetic nerve discharge than when only one member had sympathetic nerve-related activity. The data support the view that the reticular formation is organized into functionally distinct modules that are potentially interactive.


RX for social death: the cancer patient as counselor.
Cancer patients frequently encounter psychological problems distinct from those with other serious illnesses. Cancer's deadly nature and its drastic treatment often alienate patients from relatives and caregivers. The CanCervive program trained cancer patients to counsel other patients. They functioned as role models and provided opportunities for catharsis. Yet their own unresolved conflicts often led them to overidentify with patients. Volunteers lacked insight into their own feelings of stress at seeing dying patients and their own guilt over their relatively advantaged medical status. Despite this, they helped patients cope with their insecurities and dependency needs, and assisted with professional education.


Quality of life after donor nephrectomy for living donor kidney transplantation at Srinagarind Hospital.
To determine the quality of life (QoL) of donors who have undergone nephrectomy for living donor kidney transplantation at Srinagarind Hospital, using the Thai version of the Short-Form, 36-item, health survey (SF-36). The SF-36 questionnaires were sent by mail to 93 living donors who underwent nephrectomy between Jan 1, 1990 and Dec 31, 2008. The first part collected demographic data and the donor/recipient relationship, the second surveyed QoL, and the third asked about decision-making, donation-related stress and feedback. Forty-nine questionnaires were returned completed (30 women; 19 men: mean age 44.2 +/- 9.5 (range, 28-65) years). Thirty-one participants (61%) were siblings of the recipients. The QoL scores were not significantly different from the general Thai population; albeit nominally higher for mental health and social function. Upon reflection, only 5 (10%) had second thoughts. Donor nephrectomy did not affect QoL; thus, from that perspective living kidney transplantation is a suitable procedure for donors.


Comparison of three core buildup materials used in conjunction with two post systems in endodontically treated anterior teeth.
Fifty extracted maxillary central incisors with the crowns removed 1 mm coronal to the labial cementoenamel junction were endodontically treated. Post spaces were made 7 mm into the roots prior to cementing a 13-mm post with zinc phosphate cement. Twenty-five of the teeth were restored using a #6 (0.060-inch) Para-Post, and the remaining 25 teeth were restored with a #6 Para-Post Plus. Three core buildup materials, Ketac-Silver, Miracle Mix, and Tytin alloy were used in conjunction with the posts. Cast gold copings 10 mm in height with 1 mm collar on the root were cemented to the buildups. The teeth were loaded to failure at 130 degrees to the long axis of the root from the lingual with an Instron testing machine. The mean failure load of all of the teeth in this study was 21.6 kg. All of the teeth failed when the posts dislodged from the canals. The Para-Post Plus was not significantly more retentive than the Para-Post. No failures occurred within the buildup materials. No significant differences were demonstrated between the mean failure loads of the different buildup materials. Increased buccolingual root diameter, however, had a positive correlation (r = 0.46) with higher failure loads which was statistically significant (p less than 0.001).


[Determination of the tumor cell mass and its significance as a parameter for prognosis and therapy in patients with multiple myeloma].
In 19 patients with multiple myeloma tumor cell mass was determined. In addition the influence of tumor cell number on certain clinical parameters as well as on survival time has been analysed. In some patients the behaviour of tumor cell number in the course of different therapeutic regimen was studied. A close correlation between tumor cell mass on the one side and certain clinical parameters as well es more objective rationale for planning further therapy regimen can be obtained with the application of this method.


Residual piperonyl butoxide in agricultural products.
The residual levels of piperolyn butoxide (PB) in agricultural products were investigated for 531 samples of 10 species. For the determination of PB a high speed liquid chromatograph equipped with a fluorometric detector was used. The detection limit of PB was 0.1 ppm. PB was detected from 3 barleys and 3 wheats harvested in U.S.A. ans Australia. It was not detected from the others. The residual range was from 0.2 to 1.4 ppm.


Corrigendum to: The association between sodium intake and coronary and carotid atherosclerosis in the general Swedish population.
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/ehjopen/oead024.][This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/ehjopen/oead024.].


[An economic analysis of the morbidity with temporary loss of work capacity in the electrolysis shop of a nonferrous metallurgical engineering combine].
An economic evaluation is made on temporary disability because of disease of trauma, for a three-year period in one shop of technological plant for nonferrous metallurgy. The established, by means of economics-mathematical method, not produced production sums up to approximately 18 million leva.


Appropriate control of ex vivo gene therapy delivering basic fibroblast growth factor promotes successful and safe development of collateral vessels in rabbit model of hind limb ischemia.
In our previous study, adenovirus-mediated ex vivo gene transfer of basic fibroblast growth factor promoted significant collateral vessel development in a rabbit model of hind limb ischemia. The present study examined how to control the efficacy and safety of this gene therapy, and also evaluated the feasibility of repeat application of this procedure. Modified hFGF gene with the secretory signal sequence was adenovirally transferred to cultured autologous fibroblasts, and various numbers of the cells (2 x 10(5), 1 x 10(6), 5 x 10(6), or 2.5 x 10(7)) or vehicle was injected through the left internal iliac artery in rabbits in whom the left femoral artery had been excised 21 days previously. Twenty-eight days after cell administration, calf blood pressure ratio, angiographic score, blood flow in the internal iliac artery, and capillary density of muscle tissue were measured to analyze collateral vessel development and tissue perfusion in the ischemic limb. To assess delivery efficiency and viral contamination, the distribution of injected cells and the time course of blood anti-adenovirus antibody titer were examined in rabbits treated with various numbers of gene-transduced cells. In addition, animals received two injections, 21 days apart, of fibroblasts infected with adenovirus vector containing the luciferase gene, and luciferase expression was measured to evaluate whether the present therapy is repeatable. At 28 days after cell administration, significant collateral vessel development without detectable side effects was observed in rabbits who received 5 x 10(6) or 2.5 x 10(7) cells, compared with those who received vehicle, and no significant development was detected in animals with fewer than 5 x 10(6) cells (P <.01 for calf blood pressure ratio and capillary density, P <.05 for angiographic score and maximum blood flow). There was no difference in collateral augmentation between rabbits with 5 x 10(6) and 2.5 x 10(7) cells. However, in animals with 2.5 x 10(7) cells a large number of injected cells accumulated in the lungs, anti-adenovirus antibody titer increased significantly, and calf blood pressure in the left hind limb of two rabbits decreased immediately after injection. Luciferase analysis showed very low gene expression after repeated administration. These findings suggest that 5 x 10(6) is a suitable number of cells to induce appropriate collateral vessel development and minimize potential side effects of this procedure. Despite use of ex vivo gene transfer, repeat administration of the cells was not feasible. Clinical relevance Since the present study determined the appropriate conditions for effective and safe stimulation of collateral vessels, the clinical relevance of the ex vivo therapy might be carried forward. However, the findings raised another issue that should be resolved before clinical application; that is, the number of gene-transduced cells able to be injected was strictly limited. To estimate the therapeutic range of cell number in humans, additional experiments using large animals are desirable.


Application of rhamnolipid and surfactin for enhanced diesel biodegradation--effects of pH and ammonium addition.
This study investigated the effects of pH and ammonium concentrations on the potential application of two biosurfactants, surfactin (SF) and rhamnolipid (RL), for enhanced diesel biodegradation with a series of bench-scale experiments. In general, compared to the experiments without biosurfactant addition, adding RL or SF to diesel-water systems at concentrations above their critical micelle concentration (CMC) values benefited diesel emulsification, and therefore enhanced diesel biodegradation. The effects of pH on RL or SF-enhanced biodegradation of diesel were in good agreement with the trends of emulsion index values for RL or SF addition, respectively, under different pH conditions, suggesting that enhanced diesel emulsification by RL or SF addition promoted biodegradation of diesel. In diesel-water systems with 50mg/L of RL addition, an optimum pH condition for microbial growth and diesel biodegradation was found to be at a pH 7.2, while decreasing pH to 5.2 or increasing it to 8.4 reduced those parameters considerably. For the cases where 40 mg/L of SF was added, the enhancing ability shared a general trend with that observed for adding 50mg/L of RL as the pH increased from 5.2 to 7.2. Further increase of pH to 8.4, however, did not seem to negatively influence biodegradation and biomass growth. With respect to the effects of ammonium concentration on diesel biodegradation in diesel-water systems with 50mg/L of RL addition, an optimum ammonium addition for microbial growth and diesel biodegradation was found between 200 and 300 mg-N/L, but a dramatic decrease in growth and biodegradation occurred at ammonium addition up to 450 mg-N/L. For the cases where 40 mg/L of SF was added, an increase of ammonium addition from 50 to 200mg-N/L substantially increased microbial growth and biodegradation of diesel. Further increase of ammonium concentration to 450 mg-N/L, however, did not further improve diesel biodegradation.