Prevalence of rheumatic diseases in Greece: a cross-sectional population based epidemiological study. The ESORDIG Study.
To assess the prevalence of rheumatic diseases in Greek urban, suburban, and rural adult general populations. This cross-sectional population based epidemiological study of rheumatic diseases in Greece (the ESORDIG Study) was conducted on the total adult population of 2 urban, one suburban, and 4 rural communities (8547 subjects), as well as on 2100 out of 5686 randomly selected subjects in one suburban and one rural community. The study, based on a standardized questionnaire and clinical evaluation and laboratory investigation when necessary, was carried out by rheumatologists who visited the target population at their homes. Either established classification criteria or criteria set for the purposes of the study were used for diagnosis. A total of 8740 subjects participated in the study (response rate 82.1%). The overall age and sex adjusted prevalence (prevalence(asa)) of rheumatic diseases in the total target adult population was 26.9% (95% CI 26.2-27.6), being significantly higher among women (33.7%) than men (19.9%) (p < 0.0005). Disease prevalence(asa) increased significantly with age (p < 0.0005). The most common disease group was low back pain, with a prevalence(asa) of 11.0%, followed by symptomatic peripheral osteoarthritis (7.9%), neck pain (4.8%), miscellaneous rheumatic disorders (4.4%), soft tissue rheumatism disorders (4.3%), and inflammatory rheumatic disease (2.1%). Logistic regression analysis showed a significant positive association of female or male sex, age >or= 50 years, high body mass index, low level of education, moderate or heavy alcohol consumption, and high socioeconomic level with particular diseases or disease groups. These findings indicate rheumatic diseases are very common in the general adult population of Greece; 26.9% of adults currently have active or chronic rheumatic disease in remission.


Different cleavage sites are aligned differently in the active site of M1 RNA, the catalytic subunit of Escherichia coli RNase P.
We have studied RNase P RNA (M1 RNA) cleavage of model tRNA precursors that are cleaved at two independent positions. Here we present data demonstrating that cleavage at both sites depends on the 2'-OH immediately 5' of the respective cleavage site. However, we show that the 2-amino group of a guanosine at the cleavage site plays a significant role in cleavage at one of these sites but not at the other. These data suggest that these two cleavage sites are handled differently by the ribozyme. This theory is supported by our finding that the cross-linking pattern between Ml RNA and tRNA precursors carrying 4-thioU showed distinct differences, depending on the location of the 4-thioU relative to the respective cleavage site. These findings lead us to suggest that different cleavage sites are aligned differently in the active site, possibly as a result of different binding modes of a substrate to M1 RNA. We discuss a model in which the interaction between the 3'-terminal "RCCA" motif (first three residues interact) of a tRNA precursor and M1 RNA plays a significant role in this process.


Single lithium niobate crystal for mode selection and phase modulation in a tunable extended-cavity laser diode.
A 1540-nm external-cavity laser diode with an intracavity electro-optic wavelength tuner is demonstrated. Coarse- and fine-wavelength tuning is achieved with a single lithium niobate wavelength tuner. One section of the crystal is used as a tunable-wavelength filter to tune the wavelength by mode hopping. The other operates as a phase modulator to change the optical length of the cavity and to tune the wavelength continuously. Coarse tuning by mode hopping is obtained over a range of 5.3 nm with a tuning rate of 580 MHz/V. Continuous tuning is obtained over 82% of the free spectral range of the cavity. The wavelength switching time is 10 ns for the cavity used.


Variation of arterial and central venous catheter use in United States intensive care units.
Arterial catheters (ACs) and central venous catheters (CVCs) are common in intensive care units (ICUs). Few data describe which patients receive these devices and whether variability in practice exists. The authors conducted an observational cohort study on adult patients admitted to ICU during 2001-2008 by using Project IMPACT to determine whether AC and CVC use is consistent across U.S. ICUs. The authors examined trends over time and patients more (mechanically ventilated or on vasopressors) or less (predicted risk of hospital mortality ≤2%) likely to receive either catheter. Our cohort included 334,123 patients across 122 hospitals and 168 ICUs. Unadjusted AC usage rates remained constant (36.9% [2001] vs. 36.4% [2008]; P = 0.212), whereas CVC use increased (from 33.4% [2001] to 43.8% [2008]; P < 0.001 comparing 2001 and 2008); adjusted AC usage rates were constant from 2004 (35.2%) to 2008 (36.4%; P = 0.43 for trend). Surgical ICUs used both catheters most often (unadjusted rates, ACs: 56.0% of patients vs. 22.4% in medical and 32.6% in combined units, P < 0.001; CVCs: 46.9% vs. 32.5% and 36.4%, P < 0.001). There was a wide variability in AC use across ICUs in patients receiving mechanical ventilation (median [interquartile range], 49.2% [29.9-72.3%]; adjusted median odds ratio [AMOR], 2.56), vasopressors (51.7% [30.8-76.2%]; AMOR, 2.64), and with predicted mortality of 2% or less (31.7% [19.5-49.3%]; AMOR, 1.94). There was less variability in CVC use (mechanical ventilation: 63.4% [54.9-72.9%], AMOR, 1.69; vasopressors: 71.4% (59.5-85.7%), AMOR, 1.93; predicted mortality of 2% or less: 18.7% (11.9-27.3%), AMOR, 1.90). Both ACs and CVCs are common in ICU patients. There is more variation in use of ACs than CVCs.


Genes flanking Xist in mouse and human are separated on the X chromosome in American marsupials.
X inactivation, the transcriptional silencing of one of the two X chromosomes in female mammals, achieves dosage compensation of X-linked genes relative to XY males. In eutherian mammals X inactivation is regulated by the X-inactive specific transcript (Xist), a cis-acting non-coding RNA that triggers silencing of the chromosome from which it is transcribed. Marsupial mammals also undergo X inactivation but the mechanism is relatively poorly understood. We set out to analyse the X chromosome in Monodelphis domestica and Didelphis virginiana, focusing on characterizing the interval defined by the Chic1 and Slc16a2 genes that in eutherians flank the Xist locus. The synteny of this region is retained on chicken chromosome 4 where other loci belonging to the evolutionarily ancient stratum of the human X chromosome, the so-called X conserved region (XCR), are also located. We show that in both M. domestica and D. virginiana an evolutionary breakpoint has separated the Chic1 and Slc16a2 loci. Detailed analysis of opossum genomic sequences revealed linkage of Chic1 with the Lnx3 gene, recently proposed to be the evolutionary precursor of Xist, and Fip1, the evolutionary precursor of Tsx, a gene located immediately downstream of Xist in eutherians. We discuss these findings in relation to the evolution of Xist and X inactivation in mammals.


Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Maxillary Sinus with Isolated Trigeminal Anesthesia.
Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignant secretory gland tumor. It is characterized by slow growth, long clinical course, local recurrences, and distant metastases. In the sinonasal tract, it most commonly arises in the maxillary sinus. It often presents at an advanced stage with perineural spread (PNS). Our patient presented with left-sided facial numbness without other symptoms. The numbness was localized to the left cheek, left side of nose, and left upper lip. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed an enhancing lesion involving the left maxillary sinus with orbital invasion and posterior extension into the cavernous sinus. Transnasal endoscopic exploration with tissue removal revealed ACC. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan revealed no evidence of distant metastases. Presentation of sinonasal ACC (SNACC) is variable depending on the involved structures. Characteristic PNS with ACC may cause neuropathic symptoms. This case displays a unique presentation of an advanced ACC of the maxillary sinus manifesting as isolated unilateral trigeminal anesthesia without sinonasal symptoms. The patient also failed to demonstrate any ocular or oculomotor symptoms despite extensive involvement of the orbit and surrounding structures. This case highlights the importance of recognizing ACC due to its association with late symptomatic manifestations. It also reinforces the need for clinical diligence with the workup of new onset neuropathic symptoms in the maxillary distribution of the trigeminal nerve.


An ontological model of the practice transformation process.
Patient-centered medical home is defined as an approach for providing comprehensive primary care that facilitates partnerships between individual patients and their personal providers. The current state of the practice transformation process is ad hoc and no methodological basis exists for transforming a practice into a patient-centered medical home. Practices and hospitals somehow accomplish the transformation and send the transformation information to a certification agency, such as the National Committee for Quality Assurance, completely ignoring the development and maintenance of the processes that keep the medical home concept alive. Many recent studies point out that such a transformation is hard as it requires an ambitious whole-practice reengineering and redesign. As a result, the practices suffer change fatigue in getting the transformation done. In this paper, we focus on the complexities of the practice transformation process and present a robust ontological model for practice transformation. The objective of the model is to create an understanding of the practice transformation process in terms of key process areas and their activities. We describe how our ontology captures the knowledge of the practice transformation process, elicited from domain experts, and also discuss how, in the future, that knowledge could be diffused across stakeholders in a healthcare organization. Our research is the first effort in practice transformation process modeling. To build an ontological model for practice transformation, we adopt the Methontology approach. Based on the literature, we first identify the key process areas essential for a practice transformation process to achieve certification status. Next, we develop the practice transformation ontology by creating key activities and precedence relationships among the key process areas using process maturity concepts. At each step, we employ a panel of domain experts to verify the intermediate representations of the ontology. Finally, we implement a prototype of the practice transformation ontology using Protégé.


Uncovering the Roles of Clocks and Neural Transmission in the Resilience of Drosophila Circadian Network.
Studies of circadian locomotor rhythms in Drosophila melanogaster gave evidence to the preceding theoretical predictions on circadian rhythms. The molecular oscillator in flies, as in virtually all organisms, operates using transcriptional-translational feedback loops together with intricate post-transcriptional processes. Approximately150 pacemaker neurons, each equipped with a molecular oscillator, form a circuit that functions as the central pacemaker for locomotor rhythms. Input and output pathways to and from the pacemaker circuit are dissected to the level of individual neurons. Pacemaker neurons consist of functionally diverse subclasses, including those designated as the Morning/Master (M)-oscillator essential for driving free-running locomotor rhythms in constant darkness and the Evening (E)-oscillator that drives evening activity. However, accumulating evidence challenges this dual-oscillator model for the circadian circuit organization and propose the view that multiple oscillators are coordinated through network interactions. Here we attempt to provide further evidence to the revised model of the circadian network. We demonstrate that the disruption of molecular clocks or neural output of the M-oscillator during adulthood dampens free-running behavior surprisingly slowly, whereas the disruption of both functions results in an immediate arrhythmia. Therefore, clocks and neural communication of the M-oscillator act additively to sustain rhythmic locomotor output. This phenomenon also suggests that M-oscillator can be a pacemaker or a downstream path that passively receives rhythmic inputs from another pacemaker and convey output signals. Our results support the distributed network model and highlight the remarkable resilience of the Drosophila circadian pacemaker circuit, which can alter its topology to maintain locomotor rhythms.


Guidelines for adults on self-medication for the treatment of acute diarrhoea.
Acute uncomplicated diarrhoea is commonly treated by self-medication. Guidelines for treatment exist, but are inconsistent, sometimes contradictory, and often owe more to dogma than evidence. An ad hoc multidisciplinary group has reviewed the literature to determine best practice. In general it is recognized that treatment of acute episodes relieves discomfort and social dysfunction. There is no evidence that it prolongs the illness. Self-medication in otherwise healthy adults is safe. Oral loperamide is the treatment of choice. Older anti-diarrhoeal drugs are also effective in the relief of symptoms but carry the risk of unwanted adverse effects. Oral rehydration solutions do not relieve diarrhoea, and confer no added benefit for adults who can maintain their fluid intake. Probiotic agents are, at present, limited in efficacy and availability. Antimicrobial drugs, available without prescription in some countries, are not generally appropriate for self-medication, except for travellers on the basis of medical advice prior to departure. Medical intervention is recommended for the management of acute diarrhoea in the frail, the elderly (> 75 years), persons with concurrent chronic disease, and children. Medical intervention is also required when there is no abatement of the symptoms after 48 h, or when there is evidence of deterioration such as dehydration, abdominal distension, or the onset of dysentery (pyrexia > 38.5 degrees C and/or bloody stools).


Some unexpected consequences of a simple physical mechanism for voltage-dependent gating in biological membranes.
We consider a model for voltage-dependent gating of channels in which the gating charges are on the channel wall and move only a small distance. When this movement occurs across the closed gate, the charges move through the entire transmembrane potential, which is energetically equivalent to their moving across the entire membrane. The channel exists in two open states, O1 and O2, and two closed states, C1 and C2; each open and closed configuration is divided into two states because of the two possible positions of the gating charges. An unusual property of this model is that the electrical work in going from an open to a closed configuration (for example, in going from O1 to C2) is path dependent, and net work can result from going reversibly around a complete cycle. The model channel, like many biological channels, shows bursting activity. This flickering on and off of the channel enables the gate to sense the electric field and decide if it should be in the open or closed configuration. We prove here some general theorms concerning the electrical work associated with the movements of the walls of channels and the movements of charges on these walls.


High throughput second harmonic imaging for label-free biological applications.
Second harmonic generation (SHG) is inherently sensitive to the absence of spatial centrosymmetry, which can render it intrinsically sensitive to interfacial processes, chemical changes and electrochemical responses. Here, we seek to improve the imaging throughput of SHG microscopy by using a wide-field imaging scheme in combination with a medium-range repetition rate amplified near infrared femtosecond laser source and gated detection. The imaging throughput of this configuration is tested by measuring the optical image contrast for different image acquisition times of BaTiO₃ nanoparticles in two different wide-field setups and one commercial point-scanning configuration. We find that the second harmonic imaging throughput is improved by 2-3 orders of magnitude compared to point-scan imaging. Capitalizing on this result, we perform low fluence imaging of (parts of) living mammalian neurons in culture.


Study of adiponectin in chronic liver disease and cholestasis.
Adiponectin is an adipocytokine suggested to have a hepatoprotective effect. To date, little information is available in the literature regarding changes in serum adiponectin levels in cirrhosis and cholestasis and the associated metabolic disturbances. In order to elucidate the role of adiponectin in chronic liver disease our aim was to determine serum adiponectin in patients with different grades of cirrhosis and cholestasis and to correlate it with markers of liver injury, inflammation and cholestasis. We also aimed to correlate adiponectin with markers of metabolic syndrome such as body mass index and insulin resistance. Forty patients with cirrhosis; 30 patients with cirrhosis and cholestasis; and 20 matched controls were studied. They were subjected to clinical assessment, laboratory investigations: serum bilirubin, ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, GGT, albumin, C-reactive protein, prothrombin activity, fasting blood sugar, insulin. HOMA index was calculated. Abdominal ultrasonography and upper GI endoscopy were performed. Adiponectin was elevated in patients with cirrhosis and cirrhosis/cholestasis and was significantly higher in Child A and B. Adiponectin showed correlation with liver cell injury, marker of inflammation, synthetic liver function and markers of cholestasis. Adiponectin did not correlate with complications of cirrhosis as ascites and esophageal varices nor did it correlate with BMI or HOMA. Adiponectin is elevated in cirrhosis and shows correlation with degree of hepatocellular injury and cholestasis. Finally, adiponectin levels in cirrhosis do not correlate with parameters of body composition or metabolism but exclusively with reduced liver function.


Ultrasound of extravascular lung water: a new standard for pulmonary congestion.
Extravascular lung water (EVLW) is a key variable in heart failure management and prognosis, but its objective assessment remains elusive. Lung imaging has been traditionally considered off-limits for ultrasound techniques due to the acoustic barrier of high-impedance air wall. In pulmonary congestion however, the presence of both air and water creates a peculiar echo fingerprint. Lung ultrasound shows B-lines, comet-like signals arising from a hyper-echoic pleural line with a to-and-fro movement synchronized with respiration. Increasing EVLW accumulation changes the normal, no-echo signal (black lung, no EVLW) into a black-and-white pattern (interstitial sub-pleural oedema with multiple B-lines) or a white lung pattern (alveolar pulmonary oedema) with coalescing B-lines. The number and spatial extent of B-lines on the antero-lateral chest allows a semi-quantitative estimation of EVLW (from absent, ≤5, to severe pulmonary oedema, >30 B-lines). Wet B-lines are made by water and decreased by diuretics, which cannot modify dry B-lines made by connective tissue. B-lines can be evaluated anywhere (including extreme environmental conditions with pocket size instruments to detect high-altitude pulmonary oedema), anytime (during dialysis to titrate intervention), by anyone (even a novice sonographer after 1 h training), and on anybody (since the chest acoustic window usually remains patent when echocardiography is not feasible). Cardiologists can achieve much diagnostic gain with little investment of technology, training, and time. B-lines represent 'the shape of lung water'. They allow non-invasive detection, in real time, of even sub-clinical forms of pulmonary oedema with a low cost, radiation-free approach.


Non-monophyletic taxa and cryptic species--evidence from a molecular phylogeny of leaf-warblers (Phylloscopus, Aves).
The avian taxa Cryptigata and Acanthopneuste have been treated either as subgenera within Phylloscopus (leaf-warblers), or as a distinct genus and an informal group, respectively. The circumscriptions of these taxa have varied between authors. We estimated the phylogeny, based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b and 12S genes and the nuclear myoglobin intron II, of all except two of the species placed in the Cryptigata and Acanthopneuste groups, as well as two recently described species and representatives of all subgenera and major clades in Phylloscopus and Seicercus recognized by previous studies. Neither Cryptigata nor Acanthopneuste is found to be monophyletic. The polytypic species P. reguloides and P. davisoni show deep divergences between some of their respective subspecies, and the latter species is non-monophyletic. We propose that the former be split into three species and the latter into two species. Seicercus xanthoschistos is nested in a clade that includes only Phylloscopus, and we recommend that it be placed in Phylloscopus. The rate of morphological divergence varies considerably among the taxa in this study. Our results emphasize the importance of dense taxon sampling in intrageneric phylogenetic studies.


On Whether Task Experience of the Peer Differentially Impacts Feedback Scheduling and Skill Acquisition of a Learner.
Previous research has shown that peers without task experience provided knowledge of results (KR) as effectively as performers who self-controlled their own KR schedule (McRae et al., 2015). In the present experiment, a group of participants first practiced a motor task while self-controlling their KR during a defined acquisition period. Twenty-four hours after their last retention trial, these participants with motor experience then provided KR to a learner during their skill acquisition. Participants were required to learn a serial-timing task with a goal of 2,500 ms. Participants completed a defined acquisition period and then returned 24 h later for a retention test. In retention, learners who received KR from experienced peers were predicted to outperform learners who received KR from inexperienced peers. The results showed that performers learned the task similarly, independent of the peer's previous task experience. However, the peer groups differed in their frequency of providing KR to the learner and showed a discrepancy between their self-reported KR provision strategy and when they actually provided KR. The results have theoretical implications for understanding the impact of self-control in motor learning contexts.


Differential expression of cysteine proteases in developmental stages of the parasitic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis.
An expressed sequence tag database of the freshwater fish parasite, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ciliophora) was analyzed to seek for proteases potentially involved in the invasion and degradation of host tissues during infection. The translation of the database revealed two cathepsin L cysteine proteases (Icp1 and Icp2) of the C1A peptidase subfamily. The analysis of Icp1 and Icp2 sequences suggested that both proteases would be synthesized as preproproteins, with a mature domain of 27.9 and 22.8 kDa, respectively. Their expression level was determined in the trophont parasitic stage, in the tomont reproductive stage, and in the theront infective stage by real-time RT-PCR. ICP1 and ICP2 were significantly upregulated in trophont and theront stages in comparison with the tomont stage. Mature peptides of Icp1 and Icp2 were identified in crude extracts of I. multifiliis trophonts by LC-MS/MS. Zymograms showed three to seven activity bands at the optimum pH of cathepsin L cysteine proteases. Two bands displaying cysteine protease activity were identified by inhibition with E-64. They represented the major proteolytic activity of the trophont stage at pH 5-7, suggesting that cysteine proteases play an important role in the infection process.


Hemodynamic and hormonal effects of neutral endopeptidase inhibitor SCH 39370 in sheep.
Whole body clearance of atrial natriuretic factor is due to both receptor uptake and enzymatic degradation initiated by neutral endopeptidase 24.11. The effects of neutral endopeptidase inhibition have been studied in seven sodium-replete sheep using SCH 39370, a specific and potent inhibitor of neutral endopeptidase, in the presence or absence of exogenous hormone [rat ANF-(101-126), 2.4 pmol/kg/min for 2 hours]. SCH 39370 alone (2.5 mg/kg bolus) increased plasma atrial natriuretic factor and plasma cyclic GMP levels, lowered arterial pressure for periods beyond changes in plasma atrial natriuretic factor or cyclic GMP, and suppressed both plasma aldosterone and cortisol levels when compared with vehicle injections. The effects of SCH 39370 were similar to or exceeded those of atrial natriuretic factor infusions, which induced significantly greater increases in plasma atrial natriuretic factor (p = 0.01). Neither agent alone was natriuretic. When SCH 39370 and atrial natriuretic factor were given together, plasma cyclic GMP but not atrial natriuretic factor levels were increased (p = 0.013) compared with atrial natriuretic factor infusion alone, and the half-life was prolonged (p = 0.002) in the presence of SCH 39370. The hypotensive response was greater than that induced by atrial natriuretic factor alone (p = 0.03) but not different from SCH 39370 alone. Inhibitory effects of SCH 39370 on aldosterone levels were similar in the presence of absence of exogenous atrial natriuretic factor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Cancer-cell-specific induction of apoptosis using mesoporous silica nanoparticles as drug-delivery vectors.
Targeted delivery of the chemotherapeutic agent methotrexate (MTX) to cancer cells using poly(ethyleneimine)-functionalized mesoporous silica particles as drug-delivery vectors is reported. Due to its high affinity for folate receptors, the expression of which is elevated in cancer cells, MTX serves as both a targeting ligand and a cytotoxic agent. Enhanced cancer-cell apoptosis (programmed cell death) relative to free MTX is thus observed at particle concentrations where nonspecific MTX-induced apoptosis is not observed in the nontargeted healthy cell line, while corresponding amounts of free drug affect both cell lines equally. The particles remain compartmentalized in endo-/lysosomes during the time of observation (up to 72 h), while the drug is released from the particle only upon cell entry, thereby inducing selective apoptosis in the target cells. As MTX is mainly attached to the particle surface, an additional advantage is that the presented carrier design allows for adsorption (loading) of additional drugs into the pore network for therapies based on a combination of drugs.


Land, language, and loci: mtDNA in Native Americans and the genetic history of Peru.
Despite a long history of complex societies and despite extensive present-day linguistic and ethnic diversity, relatively few populations in Peru have been sampled for population genetic investigations. In order to address questions about the relationships between South American populations and about the extent of correlation between genetic distance, language, and geography in the region, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) hypervariable region I sequences and mtDNA haplogroup markers were examined in 33 individuals from the state of Ancash, Peru. These sequences were compared to those from 19 American Indian populations using diversity estimates, AMOVA tests, mismatch distributions, a multidimensional scaling plot, and regressions. The results show correlations between genetics, linguistics, and geographical affinities, with stronger correlations between genetics and language. Additionally, the results suggest a pattern of differential gene flow and drift in western vs. eastern South America, supporting previous mtDNA and Y chromosome investigations.


Clinical update regarding general anesthesia-associated neurotoxicity in infants and children.
The U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) recently released a warning stating that 'repeated or lengthy use of general anesthetic and sedation drugs during surgeries or procedures in children younger than 3 years or in pregnant women during their third trimester may affect the development of children's brains' (www.fda.gov/ucm582356.htm). The goal of this article is to review the most recent clinical studies which provide evidence that these concerns may be overstated for the majority of healthy young children who require surgery and anesthesia. Three large retrospective matched cohort studies published within the past year provide data on a total of 59 814 children exposed to general anesthesia before age 4 (including 30 021 <2 years and 9814 multiple exposure). All three studies independently conclude that neither exposure to anesthesia in children under 2 years of age nor multiple exposures are associated with adverse neurodevelopmental consequences in the patient populations studied. Biological, environmental, and social factors were found to be of far greater import. These findings suggest that anesthetic neurotoxicity is not a major contributory pathway for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in the majority of healthy children who require surgery before 3 years of age. Future work should focus on the particular vulnerabilities of the fetus, premature infant, and children with developmental disabilities, major congenital, cardiac or neurological abnormalities not specifically addressed by these studies.


Modulation of intestinal epithelium homeostasis by extra virgin olive oil phenolic compounds.
Dietary habits have been strongly linked to the maintenance of intestinal epithelium homeostasis, whose alteration may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases and cancer. Polyphenols are among those dietary components suggested to be beneficial for gut health. Within a balanced Mediterranean type diet, a good portion of ingested polyphenols comes from olives and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Most of them reach the intestine, where they may be directly absorbed or metabolized under absorption. Others undergo an extensive gastrointestinal biotransformation, producing various metabolites that retain the potential beneficial effect of the parent compounds, or exert a more efficient biological action themselves. Ingested EVOO polyphenols (EVOOP) and their metabolites will be particularly concentrated in the intestinal lumen, where they might exert a significant local action. In this review we summarize the few studies that investigated the effect of EVOOP at the intestinal level, focusing on the possible mechanism of action in relation to their interaction with the microbiota, and their ability to potentially modulate the oxidative status of the intestinal epithelial layer, inflammation and immune response.


Impacts of rural worker migration on ambient air quality and health in China: From the perspective of upgrading residential energy consumption.
In China, rural migrant workers (RMWs) are employed in urban workplaces but receive minimal resources and welfare. Their residential energy use mix (REM) and pollutant emission profiles are different from those of traditional urban (URs) and rural residents (RRs). Their migration towards urban areas plays an important role in shaping the magnitudes and spatial patterns of pollutant emissions, ambient PM2.5 (fine particulate matter with a diameter smaller than 2.5 μm) concentrations, and associated health impacts in both urban and rural areas. Here we evaluate the impacts of RMW migration on REM pollutant emissions, ambient PM2.5, and subsequent premature deaths across China. At the national scale, RMW migration benefits ambient air quality because RMWs tend to transition to a cleaner REM upon arrival at urban areas-though not as clean as urban residents'. In 2010, RMW migration led to a decrease of 1.5 μg/m3 in ambient PM2.5 exposure concentrations (Cex) averaged across China and a subsequent decrease of 12,200 (5700 to 16,300, as 90% confidence interval) in premature deaths from exposure to ambient PM2.5. Despite the overall health benefit, large-scale cross-province migration increased megacities' PM2.5 levels by as much as 10 μg/m3 due to massive RMW inflows. Model simulations show that upgrading within-city RMWs' REMs can effectively offset the RMW-induced PM2.5 increase in megacities, and that policies that properly navigate migration directions may have potential for balancing the economic growth against ambient air quality deterioration. Our study indicates the urgency of considering air pollution impacts into migration-related policy formation in the context of rapid urbanization in China.


Integrating Omic Data with a Multiplex Network-based Approach for the Identification of Cancer Subtypes.
Comprehensive characterization and identification of cancer subtypes have a number of applications and implications in life science and cancer research. Technologies centered on the integration of omics data hold great promise in this endeavor. This paper proposed a multiplex network-based approach for integrative analysis of heterogeneous omics data. It represents a useful alternative network-based solution to the problem and a significant step forward to the methods in which each type of data is treated independently. It has been tested on the identification of the subtypes of glioblastoma multiforme and breast invasive carcinoma from three omics data. The results obtained have shown that it has achieved the performance comparable to state-of-the-art techniques (Normalized Mutual Information > 0.8). In comparison to traditional systems biology tools, the proposed methodology has several significant advantages. It has the ability to correlate and integrate multiple data levels in a holistic manner which may be useful to facilitate our understanding of the pathogenesis of diseases and to capture the heterogeneity of biological processes and the complexity of phenotypes.


Submarine thermal sprirngs on the galapagos rift.
The submarine hydrothermal activity on and near the Galápagos Rift has been explored with the aid of the deep submersible Alvin. Analyses of water samples from hydrothermal vents reveal that hydrothermal activity provides significant or dominant sources and sinks for several components of seawater; studies of conductive and convective heat transfer suggest that two-thirds of the heat lost from new oceanic lithosphere at the Galápagos Rift in the first million years may be vented from thermal springs, predominantly along the axial ridge within the rift valley. The vent areas are populated by animal communities. They appear to utilize chemosynthesis by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria to derive their entire energy supply from reactions between the seawater and the rocks at high temperatures, rather than photosynthesis.


Relation of body fatness and its distribution to cardiovascular risk factors in young blacks and whites. The role of insulin.
Persons whose body fat is distributed predominantly in the abdomen compared with the hips are at increased risk of several chronic diseases. This study examined the cross-sectional relation of percent body fat, computed from skinfold thickness, and fat distribution, measured by the waist-to-hip girth ratio, to physiologic cardiovascular risk factors in a biracial sample (blacks and whites) of young adults aged 18-30 years. The subjects were persons who were examined at baseline (1984-1986) in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study in four US metropolitan areas. The two hypotheses tested were that 1) after adjusting for percent body fat, waist-to-hip girth ratio is associated with several physiologic risk factors, and 2) fasting concentrations of serum insulin partly explain such association. Percent body fat was significantly associated with all measured blood lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, uric acid, and blood pressure. Waist-to-hip girth ratio was significantly, although more weakly, associated in multivariate models with blood concentrations of triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, HDL2 cholesterol, apolipoproteins A-I and B, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (in women only), uric acid, and systolic blood pressure, but was not associated in either sex with total cholesterol, HDL3 cholesterol, or diastolic blood pressure. Fasting serum insulin concentrations were significantly associated with percent body fat (Pearson r = 0.45-0.53), waist-to-hip girth ratio (Pearson r = 0.18-0.27), and most of the physiologic risk factors. Inclusion of fasting insulin in multivariate models reduced, but rarely eliminated, associations between waist-to-hip girth ratio and the physiologic risk factors. These findings suggest that obese young adults, especially those with abdominal fat preponderance, carry a physiologic profile that places them at higher risk of cardiovascular disease, and that fasting insulin concentrations are only partly explanatory.


The running kinematics of free-roaming giraffes, measured using a low cost unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The study of animal locomotion can be logistically challenging, especially in the case of large or unhandleable animals in uncontrolled environments. Here we demonstrate the utility of a low cost unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in measuring two-dimensional running kinematics from free-roaming giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa) in the Free State Province, South Africa. We collected 120 Hz video of running giraffes, and calibrated each video frame using metatarsal length as a constant object of scale. We tested a number of methods to measure metatarsal length. The method with the least variation used close range photography and a trigonometric equation to spatially calibrate the still image, and derive metatarsal length. In the absence of this option, a spatially calibrated surface model of the study terrain was used to estimate topographical dimensions in video footage of interest. Data for the terrain models were collected using the same equipment, during the same study period. We subsequently validated the accuracy of the UAV method by comparing similar speed measurements of a human subject running on a treadmill, with treadmill speed. At 8 m focal distance we observed an error of 8% between the two measures of speed. This error was greater at a shorter focal distance, and when the subject was not in the central field of view. We recommend that future users maximise the camera focal distance, and keep the subject in the central field of view. The studied giraffes used a grounded rotary gallop with a speed range of 3.4-6.9 ms-1 (never cantering, trotting or pacing), and lower duty factors when compared with other cursorial quadrupeds. As this pattern might result in adverse increases in peak vertical limb forces with speed, it was notable to find that contralateral limbs became more in-phase with speed. Considering the latter pattern and the modest maximal speed of giraffes, we speculate that tissue safety factors are maintained within tolerable bounds this way. Furthermore, the angular kinematics of the neck were frequently isolated from the pitching of the body during running; this may be a result of the large mass of the head and neck. Further field experiments and biomechanical models are needed to robustly test these speculations.


Communication: Importance of rotationally inelastic processes in low-energy Penning ionization of CHF3.
Low energy reaction dynamics can strongly depend on the internal structure of the reactants. The role of rotationally inelastic processes in cold collisions involving polyatomic molecules has not been explored so far. Here we address this problem by performing a merged-beam study of the He((3)S1)+CHF3 Penning ionization reaction in a range of collision energies E/kB = 0.5-120 K. The experimental cross sections are compared with total reaction cross sections calculated within the framework of quantum defect theory. We find that the broad range of collision energies combined with the relatively small rotational constants of CHF3 makes rotationally inelastic collisions a crucial player in the total reaction dynamics. Quantitative agreement between theory and experiment is only obtained if the energy-dependent probability for rotational excitation is included in the calculations, in stark contrast to previous experiments where classical scaling laws were able to describe the results.


Effect of Vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation on neuropsychiatric symptoms and immune response in HIV-positive patients.
Micronutrients such as B12 and folic acid deficiencies are found in higher number in HIV-infected patients. We conducted a study to examine the effect of Vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation on neuropsychiatric manifestations, CD4 count, and anthropometric measurements in HIV-positive patients. Three different groups of HIV patients, namely, HIV patients with tuberculosis, HIV patients with neuropsychiatric manifestations, and asymptomatic HIV patients with 50 patients in each group were included in the study. Baseline and follow-up CD4 count, anthropometric measurements, neuropsychiatric assessments, Vitamin B12, and folic acid estimation were done. The prevalence of folic acid deficiency was 27.1% in Group I, 31.9% in Group II, and 23.4% in Group III. The prevalence of Vitamin B12 deficiency was 8.16% in Group I, 6.12% in Group II, and 4.16% in Group III. HIV patients with neuropsychiatric manifestations were noted to have the lowest mean mini-mental score. After the supplementation of vitamins, anthropometric measurements, MMSE as well as Hamilton depression scores, improved in all the three groups whereas Hamilton anxiety scores improved only in Group III. The CD4 count also improved in Groups I and II after the supplementation of vitamins. Folic acid deficiency was highest among neuropsychiatric patients. The majority of people who had a folic acid deficiency have shown improvement in their neuropsychiatric assessment scores as well as CD4 count after its supplementation.


Shared phenotypes among segmental progeroid syndromes suggest underlying pathways of aging.
Segmental progeroid syndromes are those whose phenotypes resemble accelerated aging. Here we analyze those phenotypes and hypothesize that short telomeres produce the same group of symptoms in a variety of otherwise unrelated progeroid syndromes. Specific findings are the following: (a) short telomeres in some progeroid syndromes cause an alopecia/osteoporosis/fingernail-atrophy group of symptoms; (b) fingernail atrophy in progeroid syndromes resembles the natural slowing of nail growth that occurs in normal aging and nail growth velocity, and may be a marker of replicative aging in keratinocyte stem cells; (c) alopecia and reduced hair diameter parallel the nail results; (d) osteoporosis in Dyskeratosis Congenita resembles age-related osteoporosis, but the same is not true of other progerias; and (e) gray hair is associated with short telomeres, but may also involve reactive oxygen species. On the basis of these results, we make several predictions and discuss how the segmental quality of progeroid syndromes may provide insight into normative aging.


Sedentarisation of cattle farmers in the derived savannah region of south-west Nigeria: results of a survey.
The aim of this study was to assess the process and extent of sedentarisation among Fulani cattle owners in the derived savannah zone of south-west Nigeria. The results, based on a survey of 66 randomly-selected cattle owners, indicate an on-going process of settlement. Previously cattle owners visited the zone for dry season grazing but an increasing number were found to be settling and becoming mixed livestock/crop farmers. Generally herd sizes were larger among recent settlers but with longer duration of settlement and with cattle rearers' involvement in crop production, the herds became less mobile between seasons and herd size decreased and the proportion of farms with mixed zebu/trypanotolerant cattle herds increased. There was also evidence that some indigenous Yoruba crop farmers were becoming mixed farmers by purchasing cattle, hiring Fulani herdsmen for management, then taking up the management themselves.


Comparison of Different Nutritional and Lifestyle Factors between Glaucoma Patients and an Age-Matched Normal Population.
To compare nutritional and lifestyle factors between glaucoma patients and an age-matched control group. One hundred and ninety (190) glaucoma patients were enrolled in this study. The control group comprised 97 age-matched participants. Data on physical activity, nicotine smoking, and several nutritional habits like coffee and alcohol consumption as well as high-salt and high-protein intake were collected using a standardised questionnaire. Age and gender were not statistically significantly different between the groups. There was a tendency for higher physical activity in the glaucoma group in comparison to the control group (47.3 vs. 35.4%; p = 0.056). Statistically significantly more glaucoma patients were nonsmokers (n = 169; 89.4%) compared to the control group (n = 64; 66.7%; p = 0.001). Glaucoma patients were also more often teetotal compared to the control group (21.6% compared to 14.4%; p < 0.001). Similarly, more glaucoma patients drank larger amounts of coffee in comparison to the control group (p = 0.001). One hundred and seventy-six (96.7%) glaucoma patients and 88 (90.7%) control subjects had high-protein intake (p = 0.035). High-salt intake was significantly lower in the glaucoma group (69.3 vs. 73.2%; p = 0.018). Of the 190 glaucoma patients, 81 had early visual field impairments (MD > - 6 dB) and 109 patients had moderate (MD between - 6 dB and - 12 dB) to severe (MD < - 12 dB) visual field defects. The severity of visual field defects, whether early, moderate, or severe, had no statistically significant impact on lifestyle parameters. Contrary to our original hypothesis that glaucoma patients would tend to follow an unhealthier lifestyle than the control group, the opposite was seen. Presumably, the cause of this healthier lifestyle is the desire to contribute positively through the course of the disease.


Detection of opium alkaloids in a Cypriot base-ring juglet.
A method has been developed for extracting poppy alkaloids from oily matrices, specifically lipid residues associated with archaeological ceramics. The protocol has been applied to fresh and artificially aged poppyseed oil and to residue from a Late Bronze Age Cypriot juglet in the collections of the British Museum. The juglet is of a type that has been linked with ancient trade in opium due to its poppy-head shape and wide distribution; it is a rare example of an intact vessel with contents sealed inside. Bulk analysis of the residue by GC-EI-MS and pyGC-EI-MS indicated a degraded plant oil and possible presence of papaverine. Analysis of the alkaloid extracts by HPLC-ESI-MS using both triple quadrupole and FTICR mass spectrometers detected the five primary opium alkaloids in fresh poppyseed oil and papaverine in most of the aged samples. Papaverine and thebaine were detected in the juglet residue, providing the first rigorous chemical evidence to support a link between this vessel type and opium, or at least poppies. The association of opium with oil raises new questions about the ancient purpose of the commodities within these vessels, and the low levels (ng g-1) of opiates detected in this unusually well-preserved residue shed doubt on the scope for their detection in more fragmentary ceramic remains (potsherds). Papaverine was found to exhibit challenging carryover behaviour in all the analytical methods used in this study. The phenomenon has not been reported before and should be considered in future analyses of this analyte in all application areas.


Morphological and physiological profile of elite basketball players in Belgian.
The current study aimed to gain insight into the physiological profile of elite basketball players in Belgium in relation to their position on the field. The group consisted of 144 players, divided into 5 groups according to position (point guards [PGs], shooting guards [SGs], small forwards [SFs], power forwards [PFs], and centers [Cs]). The anthropometrics were measured and the subjects underwent fitness tests (incremental running test, 10-m sprint, 5 ×-10 m, squat and countermovement jump, isokinetic test) to obtain insight into endurance, speed, agility, and power. The parameters of these tests were compared among the different positions by means of 1-way variance analysis (MANOVA). Tukey post hoc tests were performed in case of a significant MANOVA. It was observed that Cs were taller and heavier and had a higher percentage body fat than PGs and SGs. For the anaerobic sprint test Cs were slower than the other positions. For the 5 × 10-m the PGs and SGs were faster than SFs and PFs. For the jump test Cs displayed a significantly lower absolute performance than the other positions. PGs and SGs had a higher VO(2peak) and speed at the anaerobic threshold than PFs and Cs. The isokinetic strength test showed that the quadriceps muscle group of Cs could exert a higher torque during knee extension than the other positions. The current study showed that the physiological profile of elite players in the Belgian first division differs by player position. More specifically, guards were characterized by high endurance, speed, and agility, whereas centers and power forwards had higher muscle strength than the other positions.


47,XX,UPD(7)mat,+r(7)pat/46,XX,UPD(7)mat mosaicism in a girl with Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS): possible exclusion of the putative SRS gene from a 7p13-q11 region.
Maternal uniparental disomy for chromosome 7 (UPD7) may present with a characteristic phenotype reminiscent of Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS). Previous studies have suggested that approximately 10% of SRS patients have maternal UPD7. We describe a girl with a mos47,XX,+mar/46,XX karyotype associated with the features of SRS. Chromosome painting using a chromosome 7 specific probe pool showed that the small marker was a ring chromosome 7 (r(7)). PCR based microsatellite marker analysis of the patient detected only one maternal allele at each of 16 telomeric loci examined on chromosome 7, but showed both paternal and maternal alleles at four centromeric loci. Considering her mosaic karyotype composed ofdiploid cells and cells with partial trisomy for 7p13-q11, the allele types obtained at the telomeric loci may reflect the transmission of one maternal allele in duplicate, that is, maternal UPD7 (complete isodisomy or homodisomy 7), whereas those at the centromeric loci were consistent with biparental contribution to the trisomic region. It is most likely that the patient originated in a 46,XX,r(7) zygote, followed by duplication of the maternally derived whole chromosome 7 in an early mitosis, and subsequent loss of the paternally derived ring chromosome 7 in a subset of somatic cells. The cell with 46,XX,r(7) did not survive thereafter because of the monosomy for most of chromosome 7. If the putative SRS gene is imprinted, it can be ruled out from the 7p11-q11 region, because biparental alleles contribute to the region in our patient.


Evodiamine from Evodia rutaecarpa induces apoptosis via activation of JNK and PERK in human ovarian cancer cells.
Evodiamine (EVO; 8,13,13b,14-tetrahydro-14-methylindolo[2'3'-3,4]pyrido[2,1-b]quinazolin-5-[7H]-one derived from the traditional herbal medicine Evodia rutaecarpa was reported to possess anticancer activity; however, the anticancer mechanism of EVO against the viability of human ovarian cancer cells is still unclear. A number of studies showed that chemotherapeutic benefits may result from targeting the endoplasmic reticular (ER) stress signaling pathway. The objective of the study is to investigate the mechanism by which ER stress protein PERK plays in EVO-induced apoptosis of human ovarian cancer cells. Cell death analysis was performed by MTT assay, DNA fragmentation assay, and Giemsa staining. DiOC6 staining was used for mitochondrial membrane potential measurement. Protein levels were analyzed by Western blotting. Pharmacological studies using MAPK inhibitors and PERK inhibitor GSK2606414 were involved. The viability of human ovarian cancer cells A2780, A2780CP, ES-2, and SKOV-3 was inhibited by EVO at various concentrations in accordance with increases in the percentage of apoptotic cells, DNA ladders, and cleavage of caspase 3 and poly(ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP) proteins. Decreased viability of cells was reversed by adding caspase inhibitors VAD and DEVD in SKOV-3 and A2780CP cells, and incubation of cells with JNK inhibitor SP600125 (SP) and JNKI, but not other MAPK and AKT inhibitors including PD98059, SB203580, significantly prevented the apoptosis elicited by EVO in human ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, increased expression of phospho-eIF2α (peIF2α) and phospho-PERK (pPERK) proteins was detected in EVO-treated human ovarian cancer cells, and that was inhibited by adding JNK inhibitors SP600125 and JNKI. Application of a PERK inhibitor GSK2606414 showed a significant protection of human ovarian cancer cells A2780 and A2780CP from EVO-induced apoptosis. EVO disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was also inhibited by adding JNK or PERK inhibitors. The structure-activity relationship study indicated that the alkyl group at position 14 in EVO is important for apoptosis induction via activation of JNK and PERK in human ovarian cancer cells. Evidence supporting EVO induction of apoptosis via activation of JNK and PERK to disrupt MMP in human ovarian cancer cells is provided, and the alkyl at position 14 is a critical substitution for the apoptotic actions of EVO.


Gold Nanorod Rotary Motors Driven by Resonant Light Scattering.
Efficient and robust artificial nanomotors could provide a variety of exciting possibilities for applications in physics, biology and chemistry, including nanoelectromechanical systems, biochemical sensing, and drug delivery. However, the application of current man-made nanomotors is limited by their sophisticated fabrication techniques, low mechanical output power and severe environmental requirements, making their performance far below that of natural biomotors. Here we show that single-crystal gold nanorods can be rotated extremely fast in aqueous solutions through optical torques dominated by plasmonic resonant scattering of circularly polarized laser light with power as low as a few mW. The nanorods are trapped in 2D against a glass surface, and their rotational dynamics is highly dependent on their surface plasmon resonance properties. They can be kept continuously rotating for hours with limited photothermal side effects and they can be applied for detection of molecular binding with high sensitivity. Because of their biocompatibility, mechanical and thermal stability, and record rotation speeds reaching up to 42 kHz (2.5 million revolutions per minute), these rotary nanomotors could advance technologies to meet a wide range of future nanomechanical and biomedical needs in fields such as nanorobotics, nanosurgery, DNA manipulation and nano/microfluidic flow control.


Die Beugungserscheinungen: a Tribute to F. M. Schwerd's Monumental Work on Fraunhofer Diffraction.
The painstaking labors of a professor in Speyer, Germany, produced a most remarkable work on Fraunhofer diffraction over a century ago. Die Beugungserscheinungen by F. M. Schwerd (published in Mannheim in 1835) was profusely illustrated with excellent drawings of the calculated amplitude and intensity distributions of the Fraunhofer patterns of many interesting apertures and arrays. Some of these were carefully hand-colored to show the spectral distribution produced with white light. This paper provides a brief biographical sketch of Schwerd, and presents the beautiful experimental verification, which has recently been obtained with the aid of a computer generated diffraction plate, of the astounding accuracy of one of his color drawings.


Effects of high-dose heroin versus morphine in intravenous drug users: a randomised double-blind crossover study.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of high doses of injected opiates as prescribed maintenance in intravenous drugs users. This was accomplished via a randomised double-blind study with crossover at an outpatient clinic in Bern, Switzerland. The subjects were 39 patients with a long history of intravenous opioid use and persistent abuse despite treatment; they were randomly allocated to two groups. Group A was started on controlled injection of graduated doses of morphine up to a satisfying individual dose and was then switched as a double blind to heroin at a randomly determined day between week three and four. Subsequently this group was given heroin for the remaining two to three weeks of the study. Group B was started on heroin and was then switched to morphine in the same manner. Equipotent solutions of 3% morphine and 2% heroin were administered. The main outcome measures were clinical observations, structural interviews and self report of subjective experiences to assess the effects of the drugs. In 16 cases, the study had to be discontinued owing to severe morphine-induced histamine reactions. Thirteen participants in Group B presented these adverse reactions on the day of the switch-over. Full data were thus only obtainable for 17 participants. Average daily doses were 491 mg for heroin and 597 mg for morphine. The findings indicate that heroin significantly produced a lower grade of itching, flushing, urticaria and pain/nausea. A negative correlation between dose and euphoria was observed for both heroin and morphine. The authors concluded that as heroin produces fewer side effects it is the preferred high-dose maintenance prescription to morphine. The perceived euphoric effects are limited in both substances.


The three-dimensional easy morphological (3-DEMO) classification of scoliosis, part II: Repeatability.
In the first part of this study we proposed a new classification approach for spinal deformities (3-DEMO). To be valid, a classification needs to overcome the repeatability issue which is inherent both in the used classificatory system and in the measured object. The aim of this study is to present procedures and results obtained within the repeatability of 3-DEMO classification for scoliosis analysis. We acquired the data of 100 pathological and 20 normal spines with an optoelectronic system (AUSCAN) and of two dummies with simulated spine deformity. On the obtained 3D reconstruction of the spine, we considered the coronal view with a spinal reference system (Top View) and its three related parameters, defined in part I, constituting the 3-DEMO classification. We calculated the repeatability coefficient for the subjects (two acquisitions for each subject with a time interval of 26 +/- 12 sec), whereas we evaluated the system measurement error calculating the standard deviation of 50 consecutive acquisitions for each dummy. Comparing the results of the two types of acquisition, it emerged that the main part of parameters variability was due to postural adjustments The proportion of agreement for the 3-DEMO parameters gives a k value above 0.8; almost 10% of patients changed classification because of postural adjustments, but none had a "mirror-like" variation nor a change in more of one parameter at a time Repeatability coefficient is lower than the previously calculated normative limits. The 3-DEMO classification has a high repeatability when evaluated with an optoelectronic system such as the AUSCAN System, whose systematic error is very low. This means that the implied physiological phenomenon is consistent and overcomes the postural variability inherent in the measured object (normal or pathological subject).


The role of increasing detection in the rising incidence of prostate cancer.
To assess the reasons for the dramatic surge in prostate cancer incidence from 1986 to 1991. Population-based study of incidence rates and procedures used to detect and diagnose prostate cancer derived from Medicare claims data and the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program from 1986 to 1991. Four SEER areas (Connecticut; Atlanta, Ga; Detroit, Mich; and Seattle--Puget Sound, Wash) covering approximately 6% of the US population. A 5% random sample of male fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older without cancer, and all men with prostate cancer diagnosed at 65 years of age and older residing in the four areas. The age-adjusted rates of prostate cancer incidence, prostate needle biopsy, transurethral resection of the prostate, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, and transrectal ultrasound. The age-adjusted incidence rate of prostate cancer among men aged 65 years and older in the four SEER areas rose 82% from 1986 to 1991, with the largest annual increases occurring in 1990 (20%) and 1991 (19%). Prostate needle biopsy rates increased while the use of transurethral resection of the prostate declined from 1986 to 1991. The rising needle biopsy rate has been driven by an exponential increase in PSA testing in the general population from 1988 to 1991 and, to a much lesser extent, the increasing use of transrectal ultrasound since 1986. The use of PSA or transrectal ultrasound has increased across age and race groups and in different geographic areas. However, there remain wide geographic variations in the use of PSA screening. The recent dramatic epidemic of prostate cancer is likely the result of the increasing detection of tumors resulting from increased PSA screening. The magnitude and rapidity of the incidence rise suggest that changes in the intensity of medical surveillance is the most plausible explanation for this trend. The rapid diffusion of screening interventions that have the ability to detect latent asymptomatic disease leads to important concerns regarding costs and patient quality of life for men aged 65 years and older. Geographic variability in the adoption of PSA testing underscores uncertainty and disagreement about its value for reducing prostate cancer mortality. More research is required to determine the effectiveness of screening for prostate cancer.


Antidepressant-like effect of Salvia sclarea is explained by modulation of dopamine activities in rats.
The purpose of the present study was to screen aromatic essential oils that have antidepressant effects to identify the regulatory mechanisms of selected essential oils. The antidepressant effects of essential oils of Anthemis nobilis (chamomile), Salvia sclarea (clary sage; clary), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), and Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) were assessed using a forced swim test (FST) in rats. Rats were treated with essential oils by intraperitoneal injection or inhalation. Serum levels of corticosterone were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Among the essential oils tested, 5% (v/v) clary oil had the strongest anti-stressor effect in the FST. We further investigated the mechanism of clary oil antidepression by pretreatment with agonists or antagonists to serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), adrenaline, and GABA receptors. The anti-stressor effect of clary oil was significantly blocked by pretreatment with buspirone (a 5-HT(1A) agonist), SCH-23390 (a D(1) receptor antagonist) and haloperidol (a D(2), D(3), and D(4) receptor antagonist). Our findings indicate that clary oil could be developed as a therapeutic agent for patients with depression and that the antidepressant-like effect of clary oil is closely associated with modulation of the DAnergic pathway.


A Phase I Trial of Berberine in Chinese with Ulcerative Colitis.
The Chinese natural product, berberine, has biological properties that support its potential efficacy as a colon cancer prevention agent. Its longstanding use in China to treat gastrointestinal tract and rheumatologic disorders is generally regarded as safe, supporting initial investigations in an at-risk population, such as individuals with ulcerative colitis. However, the safety of berberine in this population is not established. Individuals living in China with biopsy-proven ulcerative colitis, ≤grade 2 dysplasia, and with a ulcerative colitis disease activity index (UCDAI) score ≤1 on mesalamine, were randomized 3:1 in a double-blind phase I trial to berberine 900 mg/day or placebo for 3 months, with the primary objective of assessing safety. Blood samples and biopsies of the colorectum, from prespecified locations, were collected prior to and following therapy. Secondary endpoints included changes in UCDAI score, and in tissue and plasma markers of inflammation. Of toxicities at least possibly related, one episode of grade 3 elevation in transaminases and one episode of grade 1 nausea were observed among 12 individuals on berberine, and none were observed among 4 on placebo. The mean plasma berberine concentration was 3.5 nmol/L after berberine treatment, significantly higher than 0.5 nmol/L with placebo. Berberine significantly decreased the Geboes grade in colonic tissue, but had a nonsignificant effect on other tissue or blood biomarkers related to cell growth and inflammation. The combination of berberine and mesalamine is well tolerated in Chinese with ulcerative colitis and may enhance mesalamine's anti-inflammatory effects in colonic tissue.


Unilateral NMR applied to the conservation of works of art.
In conventional NMR, samples from works of art in sizes above those considered acceptable in the field of art conservation would have to be removed to place them into the bore of large superconducting magnets. The portable permanent-magnet-based systems, by contrast, can be used in situ to study works of art, in a noninvasive manner. One of these portable NMR systems, NMR-MOUSE(R), measures the information contained in one pixel in an NMR image from a region of about 1 cm(2), which can be as thin as 2-3 microm. With such a high depth resolution, profiles through the structures of art objects can be measured to characterize the materials, the artists' techniques, and the deterioration processes. A novel application of the technique to study a deterioration process and to follow up a conservation treatment is presented in which micrometer-thick oil stains on paper are differentiated and characterized. In this example, the spin-spin relaxation T (2) of the stain is correlated to the iodine number and to the degree of cross-linking of the oil, parameters that are crucial in choosing an appropriate conservation treatment to remove them. It is also shown that the variation of T (2) over the course of treatments with organic solvents can be used to monitor the progress of the conservation interventions. It is expected that unilateral NMR in combination with multivariate data analysis will fill a gap within the set of high-spatial-resolution techniques currently available for the noninvasive analysis of materials in works of art, where procedures to study the inorganic components are currently far more developed than those suitable for the study of the organic components.


The expression of ob gene is not acutely regulated by insulin and fasting in human abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue.
The regulation of ob gene expression in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue was investigated using a reverse transcription-competitive PCR method to quantify the mRNA level of leptin. Leptin mRNA level was highly correlated with the body mass index of 26 subjects (12 lean, 7 non-insulin-dependent diabetic, and 7 obese patients). The effect of fasting on ob gene expression was investigated in 10 subjects maintained on a hypocaloric diet (1045 KJ/d) for 5 d. While their metabolic parameters significantly changed (decrease in insulinemia, glycemia, and resting metabolic rate and increase in plasma ketone bodies), the caloric restriction did not modify the leptin mRNA level in the adipose tissue. To verify whether insulin regulates ob gene expression, six lean subjects underwent a 3-h euglycemic hyperinsulinemic (846 +/- 138 pmol/liter) clamp. Leptin and Glut 4 mRNA levels were quantified in adipose tissue biopsies taken before and at the end of the clamp. Insulin infusion produced a significant threefold increase in Glut 4 mRNA while leptin mRNA was not affected. It is concluded that ob gene expression is not acutely regulated by insulin or by metabolic factors related to fasting in human abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue.


Non-Alcoholic Fatty Pancreatic Disease: A Review of Literature.
There is an epidemic of obesity worldwide. The prevalence of obesity has doubled over the last three decades. Obesity, especially abdominal obesity is associated with insulin resistance that can lead to pancreatic steatosis and non-alcoholic fatty pancreatic disease (NAFPD). NAFPD describes a phenotype entity ranging from deposition of fat in the pancreas to pancreatic inflammation, and resultant fibrosis, which is similar to that of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFPD may represent a meaningful manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Pancreatic steatosis can be diagnosed on ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In addition to a correlation between pancreatic steatosis and metabolic syndrome, pancreatic steatosis may lead to a worse outcome in pancreatitis and may be an etiological factor in pancreatic cancer, but we need further research to examine the associations, pathophysiology, and the impact of pancreatic steatosis and NAFPD on the human health.


Plasma ficolin levels and risk of nephritis in Danish patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Given the scavenging properties of ficolins, we hypothesized that variation in the plasma concentrations of the three ficolins may be associated with development of lupus nephritis (LN), type of LN, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and/or mortality among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE patients attending a Danish tertiary rheumatology referral center were included. Plasma concentrations of ficolin-1, ficolin-2, and ficolin-3 were determined and dichotomized by the median into high and low. LN was defined by clinical criteria; type of LN by renal biopsy; ESRD follow-up time was defined as time from onset of LN to the development of ESRD or censoring at the end of follow-up. The study included 112 SLE patients with median disease duration of 8 years of which 53 (47%) had LN at the time of inclusion. During a median follow-up of 10 years, five patients developed ESRD. Sixteen patients died. Odds ratios (ORs) of LN were 1.2 (95% CI: 0.6-2.7), 4.1 (95% CI: 1.7-9.7), and 0.9 (95% CI: 0.4-2.0) for patients with low ficolin-1, ficolin-2, and ficolin-3 plasma levels, respectively. The distribution of histological classes differed between patients with high and low plasma levels of ficolin-1 (p = 0.009). Patients with high ficolin-1 plasma levels had an increased risk of ESRD. There was no association between the levels of the analyzed plasma ficolins and mortality. Low plasma ficolin-2 levels were associated with an increased risk of having LN. High plasma levels of ficolin-1 were associated with the histological subtype of LN and development of ESRD.


Increased throughput and reduced carryover of mass spectrometry-based proteomics using a high-efficiency nonsplit nanoflow parallel dual-column capillary HPLC system.
We report a new design of a fully automated, high-efficiency parallel nonsplit nanoflow capillary HPLC system, coupled on-line with linear ion trap (LTQ) and high performance nanoelectrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (nanoESI LTQ-FTICR MS). The system, intended for high-throughput proteome analysis of complex protein mixtures, notably serum and plasma, consists of two reversed-phase trap columns for large volume sample injection with high speed sample loading and desalting and two reversed-phase analytical capillary columns. Through a nanoscale two-position, 10-port switching valve, the whole system is terminated by a 10 microm i.d. of nanoemitter mounted on the nanoelectrospray source in front of the sampling cone of the LTQ-FTICR MS. Gradient elution to both nanoflow-rate capillary columns is simultaneously delivered by a single HPLC system via two independent binary gradient pump systems. The parallel capillary column approach eliminates the time delays for column regeneration/equilibration since one capillary column is used for separating the sample mixtures and delivering the separated fractions to the MS, while the other capillary column is being regenerated and equilibrated. The reproducibility of retention time and peak intensity of the present automated parallel nanoflow-rate capillary HPLC system is comparable to that obtained using a single column configuration. Replicate injections of tryptic digests indicated that this system provided good reproducibility of retention time and peak area on both columns with average CV values of less than 1.08% and 7.04%, respectively. Throughput was increased to 100% for 2-h LC-MS analysis compared to the single capillary column LC-MS pipeline. Application of this system is demonstrated in a plasma proteomic study. A total of 312 868 MSMS events were acquired and 1564 proteins identified with high confidence (Protein Prophet > or = 0.9, and peptides matched > or = 2). Comparison of a series of plasma fractions run using the single-column LC-MS versus the parallel-column LC-MS demonstrated that parallel-column LC-MS system significantly reduced the sample carryover, improved MS data quality and increased the number of MS/MS sequence scan events.


Sleep restriction impairs blood-brain barrier function.
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a large regulatory and exchange interface between the brain and peripheral circulation. We propose that changes of the BBB contribute to many pathophysiological processes in the brain of subjects with chronic sleep restriction (CSR). To achieve CSR that mimics a common pattern of human sleep loss, we quantified a new procedure of sleep disruption in mice by a week of consecutive sleep recording. We then tested the hypothesis that CSR compromises microvascular function. CSR not only diminished endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase, endothelin1, and glucose transporter expression in cerebral microvessels of the BBB, but it also decreased 2-deoxy-glucose uptake by the brain. The expression of several tight junction proteins also was decreased, whereas the level of cyclooxygenase-2 increased. This coincided with an increase of paracellular permeability of the BBB to the small tracers sodium fluorescein and biotin. CSR for 6 d was sufficient to impair BBB structure and function, although the increase of paracellular permeability returned to baseline after 24 h of recovery sleep. This merits attention not only in neuroscience research but also in public health policy and clinical practice.


Complete genome sequence of Amycolatopsis orientalis CPCC200066, the producer of norvancomycin.
Amycolatopsis orientalis CPCC200066 is an actinomycete exploited commercially in China for the production of norvancomycin, an important glycopeptide antibiotic structurally close to the well-known vancomycin. The availability of the complete genome sequence of CPCC200066 would greatly strengthen our understanding of the regulation pattern of norvancomycin biosynthesis and ultimately improve its production, as well as potentiate discoveries of novel bioactive compounds. Here we report the complete genome sequence of A. orientalis CPCC200066, a circular chromosome consisting of 9,490,992bp. Forty putative secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters, including norvancomycin, were predicted, covering 20.3% of the whole genome. To facilitate genetic manipulation of this strain, an efficient transformation system was established by constructing a novel integrative vector pIMBT1, which could be transferred into CPCC200066 by electroporation with high efficiency. ΦBT1 attB sites were also identified in other known Amycolatopsis genomes, indicating pIMBT1's prospect to be a novel vector for genus Amycolatopsis.


Mortality in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease. Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease.
A study of the natural history of sickle hemoglobinopathies was begun in March 1979. By August 1987, a total of 2824 patients less than 20 years of age were enrolled. There have been 14,670 person-years of follow-up. Seventy-three deaths have occurred. Most of the deaths were in patients with hemoglobin SS. The peak incidence of death was between 1 and 3 years of age, and the major cause in these young patients was infection. Cerebrovascular accidents and traumatic events exceeded infections as a cause of death in patients greater than 10 years of age. There was limited success in identifying risk factors for death. Comparison of this study's overall mortality of 2.6% (0.5 deaths per 100 person-years) with previous reports indicates improvement of survival in US patients less than 20 years of age with sickle hemoglobinopathies. This improvement is most likely due to parental education and counseling about the illness and the early institution of antibiotics in suspected infections.


Long-term potentiation and activity-dependent retinotopic sharpening in the regenerating retinotectal projection of goldfish: common sensitive period and sensitivity to NMDA blockers.
The regenerating retinotectal projection in goldfish goes through an activity-driven refinement that appears to involve the elimination of inappropriate branches from early arbors. Retinotopically appropriate branches may be stabilized because the normally correlated firing of neighboring ganglion cells causes summation of their postsynaptic responses and increases their effectiveness by a Hebbian mechanism. In this study, I report that the regenerating projection has an increased capacity for long-term potentiation (LTP) that may be related to the activity-driven sharpening. In the normal projection, field potentials, reflecting currents from EPSPs elicited by optic nerve shock, are large (greater than 4 mV) and very stable. In newly regenerated projections, field potentials are initially small (less than 1 mV), but a train of 20 stimuli at 0.1 Hz results in a large (100-200%) increase in amplitude that is stable for at least 8 hr, and in 3 cases overnight. The capacity for potentiation is greatest from 20 to 40 d postcrush, the time just after arrival of the optic fibers, and during the period of retinotopic sharpening. A greater-than-normal capacity for potentiation persists for many months. Topical application of NMDA receptor blockers AP5 or AP7 at 25 microM prevents potentiation without decrementing ongoing responses. The closely related agent AP6, which is not an NMDA receptor blocker, does not prevent potentiation. In addition, infusion of the NMDA receptor blockers AP5 or AP7 into the tectal ventricle (4 microliters/d of 500 microM solution) for 2-3 weeks during regeneration prevented retinotopic sharpening, as assessed by electrophysiological mapping. At each tectal point, responsive areas in the visual field were enlarged to 28 degrees vs 11-12 degrees in control regenerates and normals. This was comparable to data from fish regenerating with activity blocked with intraocular tetrodotoxin or synchronized by stroboscopic illumination and indicates uncorrected errors in targeting of regenerated arbors (Schmidt, 1985). The results support the involvement of NMDA receptors in sharpening and suggest that the initial step in stabilizing appropriate branches may be a long-lasting increase in synaptic gain.


Purification of surfactant protein D (SP-D) from pooled amniotic fluid and bronchoalveolar lavage.
Surfactant protein SP-D is a multimeric collagenous lectin, called collectin. SP-D is a multifunctional, pattern recognition innate immune molecule, which binds in a calcium dependent manner to an array of carbohydrates and lipids, thus offering resistance to invading pathogens, allergen challenge, and pulmonary inflammation. SP-D is predominantly found in the endoplasmic reticulum of type 2 pneumocytes and in the secretory granules of Clara or non-ciliated bronchiolar cells. The highest expression of SP-D is observed in the distal airways and alveoli. There is also an extra pulmonary existence of SP-D. The common sources of native full-length human SP-D are bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) washings from normal or preferably patients suffering from alveolar proteinosis who overproduce SP-D in the lungs. Amniotic fluid collected at the term during parturition is another reasonable source. Here, we describe a simple and rapid method of purifying native SP-D away from SP-A which is also present in the same source. We also describe procedures of expressing and purifying a recombinant fragment of human SP-D (rhSP-D) comprising trimeric neck and carbohydrate recognition domains that has been shown to have therapeutic effects in murine models of allergy and infection.


Inhibitory effect of hericenone B from Hericium erinaceus on collagen-induced platelet aggregation.
Platelet aggregation in the blood vessel causes thrombosis. Therefore, inhibitors of platelet aggregation promise to be preventive or therapeutic agents of various vascular diseases, including myocardial infarction and stroke. In the present study, we found that hericenone B had a strong anti-platelet activity and it might be a novel compound for antithrombotic therapy possessing a novel mechanism. Prior to this study, we examined anti-platelet aggregation activity of ethanol extracts of several species of mushrooms, and found that extract of Hericium erinaceus potently inhibited platelet aggregation induced by collagen. Therefore, we first fractionated the ethanol extract of H. erinaceus to identify the active substances. The anti-platelet activity of each fraction was determined using washed rabbit platelets. As a result, an active component was isolated and identified as hericenone B. Hericenone B selectively inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation, but it did not suppress the aggregation induced by U46619 (TXA₂ analogue), ADP, thrombin, or adrenaline. Furthermore, hericenone B did not inhibit arachidonic acid- or convulxin (GPVI agonist)-induced platelet aggregation. Therefore, hericenone B was considered to block collagen signaling from integrin α2/β1 to arachidonic acid release. Moreover, we found that collagen-induced aggregation was inhibited by hericenone B in human platelets, similar to in rabbit platelets.


Role of expected reward in frontal eye field during natural scene search.
When a saccade is expected to result in a reward, both neural activity in oculomotor areas and the saccade itself (e.g., its vigor and latency) are altered (compared with when no reward is expected). As such, it is unclear whether the correlations of neural activity with reward indicate a representation of reward beyond a movement representation; the modulated neural activity may simply represent the differences in motor output due to expected reward. Here, to distinguish between these possibilities, we trained monkeys to perform a natural scene search task while we recorded from the frontal eye field (FEF). Indeed, when reward was expected (i.e., saccades to the target), FEF neurons showed enhanced responses. Moreover, when monkeys accidentally made eye movements to the target, firing rates were lower than when they purposively moved to the target. Thus, neurons were modulated by expected reward rather than simply the presence of the target. We then fit a model that simultaneously included components related to expected reward and saccade parameters. While expected reward led to shorter latency and higher velocity saccades, these behavioral changes could not fully explain the increased FEF firing rates. Thus, FEF neurons appear to encode motivational factors such as reward expectation, above and beyond the kinematic and behavioral consequences of imminent reward.


Asthma self-management: a study in an emergency room of a chest hospital in delhi, India.
Poorly controlled asthma imposes a considerable burden and is a serious public health problem in the developing world. A key challenge for healthcare professionals is to help patients to engage in self-management behaviours with optimal adherence to appropriate treatment. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pattern of self-management in asthmatic patients enrolled as out-patients in a tertiary care referral public chest hospital, in Delhi, India. The study population was adult asthma patients (n=200) visiting the emergency room (December 2008-December 2009) of a chest hospital for asthma exacerbation. The data was collected through a questionnaire regarding the self-management of asthma. Enrolled patients (64.0% female) were registered as asthma out-patients in the study hospital for a mean of 5.4±4.4 years. Patients visiting the emergency room (ER) and having an unscheduled visit to doctor at least twice in the previous 12 months were 86.5% and 91.0%. Patients were classified according to the disease severity as having intermittent (17.0%) or persistent (83.0%) asthma. Not all patients had metered dose inhalers at home. Only 2.0% of patients were prescribed peak flow meters and were keeping a diary of their readings. With one exception, patients did not have written action plans for treatment provided by doctor or health facility. No statistical difference was found in the pattern of self-management of patients having persistent or intermittent asthma. Findings revealed poor self-management of asthma and poor communication from doctors regarding self-management to the patients. Suitable actions and interventions are needed by health professionals to implement patient self-management asthma programme for optimum asthma control.


In vivo high-resolution conductivity imaging of the human leg using MREIT: the first human experiment.
We present the first in vivo cross-sectional conductivity image of the human leg with 1.7 mm pixel size using the magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) technique. After a review of its experimental protocol by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), we performed MREIT imaging experiments of four human subjects using a 3 T MRI scanner. Adopting thin and flexible carbon-hydrogel electrodes with a large surface area and good contact, we could inject as much as 9 mA current in a form of 15 ms pulse into the leg without producing a painful sensation and motion artifact. Sequentially injecting two imaging currents in two different directions, we collected induced magnetic flux density data inside the leg. Scaled conductivity images reconstructed by using the single-step harmonic B(z) algorithm well distinguished different parts of the subcutaneous adipose tissue, muscle, crural fascia, intermuscular septum and bone inside the leg. We could observe spurious noise spikes in the outer layer of the bone primarily due to the MR signal void phenomenon there. Around the fat, the chemical shift of about two pixels occurred obscuring the boundary of the fat region. Future work should include a fat correction method incorporated in the MREIT pulse sequence and improvements in radio-frequency coils and image reconstruction algorithms. Further human imaging experiments are planned and being conducted to produce conductivity images from different parts of the human body.


Antioxidant activity, inhibition of nitric oxide overproduction, and in vitro antiproliferative effect of maple sap and syrup from Acer saccharum.
Antioxidant activity, inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) overproduction, and antiproliferative effect of ethyl acetate extracts of maple sap and syrup from 30 producers were evaluated in regard to the period of harvest in three different regions of Québec, Canada. Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values of maple sap and syrup extracts are, respectively, 12 +/- 6 and 15 +/- 5 micromol of Trolox equivalents (TE)/mg. The antioxidant activity was also confirmed by a cell-based assay. The period of harvest has no statistically significant incidence on the antioxidant activity of both extracts. The antioxidant activity of pure maple syrup was also determined using the ORAC assay. Results indicate that the ORAC value of pure maple syrup (8 +/- 2 micromol of TE/mL) is lower than the ORAC value of blueberry juice (24 +/- 1 micromol of TE/mL) but comparable to the ORAC values of strawberry (10.7 +/- 0.4 micromol of TE/mL) and orange (10.8 +/- 0.5 micromol of TE/mL) juices. Maple sap and syrup extracts showed to significantly inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced NO overproduction in RAW264.7 murine macrophages. Maple syrup extract was significantly more active than maple sap extract, suggesting that the transformation of maple sap into syrup increases NO inhibition activity. The highest NO inhibition induced by the maple syrup extracts was observed at the end of the season. Moreover, darker maple syrup was found to be more active than clear maple syrup, suggesting that some colored oxidized compounds could be responsible in part for the activity. Finally, maple syrup extracts (50% inhibitory concentration = 42 +/- 6 microg/mL) and pure maple syrup possess a selective in vitro antiproliferative activity against cancer cells.


Improving creativity performance by short-term meditation.
One form of meditation intervention, the integrative body-mind training (IBMT) has been shown to improve attention, reduce stress and change self-reports of mood. In this paper we examine whether short-term IBMT can improve performance related to creativity and determine the role that mood may play in such improvement. Forty Chinese undergraduates were randomly assigned to short-term IBMT group or a relaxation training (RT) control group. Mood and creativity performance were assessed by the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) questionnaire respectively. As predicted, the results indicated that short-term (30 min per day for 7 days) IBMT improved creativity performance on the divergent thinking task, and yielded better emotional regulation than RT. In addition, cross-lagged analysis indicated that both positive and negative affect may influence creativity in IBMT group (not RT group). Our results suggested that emotion-related creativity-promoting mechanism may be attributed to short-term meditation.


Neuromorphic implementations of neurobiological learning algorithms for spiking neural networks.
The application of biologically inspired methods in design and control has a long tradition in robotics. Unlike previous approaches in this direction, the emerging field of neurorobotics not only mimics biological mechanisms at a relatively high level of abstraction but employs highly realistic simulations of actual biological nervous systems. Even today, carrying out these simulations efficiently at appropriate timescales is challenging. Neuromorphic chip designs specially tailored to this task therefore offer an interesting perspective for neurorobotics. Unlike Von Neumann CPUs, these chips cannot be simply programmed with a standard programming language. Like real brains, their functionality is determined by the structure of neural connectivity and synaptic efficacies. Enabling higher cognitive functions for neurorobotics consequently requires the application of neurobiological learning algorithms to adjust synaptic weights in a biologically plausible way. In this paper, we therefore investigate how to program neuromorphic chips by means of learning. First, we provide an overview over selected neuromorphic chip designs and analyze them in terms of neural computation, communication systems and software infrastructure. On the theoretical side, we review neurobiological learning techniques. Based on this overview, we then examine on-die implementations of these learning algorithms on the considered neuromorphic chips. A final discussion puts the findings of this work into context and highlights how neuromorphic hardware can potentially advance the field of autonomous robot systems. The paper thus gives an in-depth overview of neuromorphic implementations of basic mechanisms of synaptic plasticity which are required to realize advanced cognitive capabilities with spiking neural networks.


Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation developed during incomplete epidural anesthesia -A case report-.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained tachyarrhythmia, and occurs in organic heart disease such as rheumatic, atherosclerotic and hypertensive heart disease. In recent studies, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems have been shown to have important roles in initiating paroxysmal AF. We report here a patient who developed paroxysmal AF that might be a result of an imbalance of the sympathetic-parasympathetic systems due to epidural anesthesia, and that was potentiated by pain with inadequate analgesia. A 69-year-old woman was scheduled for operation of a right-sided ankle fracture. Twenty minutes after epidural drug injection, paroxysmal AF occurred. Even after intravenous administration of esmolol and digoxin, AF continued. After transfer to the intensive care unit, her heart rate gradually decreased and AF disappeared. During perioperative anesthetic management, the proper preoperative prevention and intraoperative treatment are needed in AF high-risk patients.


Mechanism of insulin-induced paralysis of muscles from potassium-depleted rats.
Zinc-free insulin elicited a reduction in the potassium conductance of muscle fibers from potassium-depleted muscle, which led to depolarization, blockage of action-poteintial mechanism, and paralysis. These changes are proposed as the mechanism of insulin-induced paralysis in patients with hypokalemic periodic paralysis. A similar effect by concanavalin a suggests that the effect may be mediated through the insulin receptors.


Dietary intake in infants with complex congenital heart disease: a case-control study on macro- and micronutrient intake, meal frequency and growth.
Children with severe congenital heart disease (CHD) need considerable nutritional support to reach normal growth. The actual intake of macro- and micronutrients in outpatient CHD infants over a 6-month period in infancy is not described in the literature. The present study aimed to prospectively investigate the distribution between macro- and micronutrient intake, meal frequency and growth in children with CHD. At 6, 9 and 12 months of age, a 3-day food diary and anthropometric data were collected in 11 infants with severe CHD and 22 healthy age- and feeding-matched controls. Macro- and micronutrient intake, meal frequency and growth were calculated. Compared to the healthy controls, CHD infants had a statistically significantly higher intake of fat at 9 months of age (4.8 versus 3.6 g kg(-1) day(-1) ), a higher percentage energy (E%) from fat, (40.6% versus 34.5%) and a lower E% from carbohydrates (46.1% versus 39.6%) at 12 months of age, and a lower intake of iron (7.22 versus 9.28 mg day(-1) ) at 6 months of age. Meal frequency was significantly higher at 6 and 9 months of age (P < 0.01). Mean Z-score weight for height, weight for age and body mass index for age were significant lower (P < 0.01) at all time points. Despite a higher intake of energy from fat and a higher meal frequency, the intake does not meet the needs for growth, and the results may indicate a low intake of micronutrients in CHD infants.


Nef triggers a transcriptional program in T cells imitating single-signal T cell activation and inducing HIV virulence mediators.
Gene expression profiling was used to explore the role of Nef in HIV. Nef induces a transcriptional program in T cells that is 97% identical to that of anti-CD3 T cell activation. This program is inhibited in the presence of cyclosporin. A requirement for TCR zeta and ZAP-70 is demonstrated for formation of the complete profile. Among eight factors particular to the anti-CD3 activation profile are IL16 and YY1, negative regulators of HIV transcription. In contrast, Nef exclusively upregulates factors positively regulating HIV, including Tat-SF1, U1 SNRNP, and IRF-2. New genes associated with Nef include CDK9, the induction of which enhances Tat function. Thus, Nef acts as a master switch early in the viral life cycle, forcing an environment conducive to dynamic viral production.


Longitudinal changes of fractional anisotropy in Alzheimer's disease patients treated with galantamine: a 12-month randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study.
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) demonstrates decline of fractional anisotropy (FA) as a marker of fiber tract integrity in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We aimed to assess the longitudinal course of white matter microstructural changes in AD and healthy elderly control (HC) subjects and to evaluate the effects of treatment with the cholinesterase inhibitor galantamine on white matter microstructure in AD patients. We enrolled 28 AD patients and 11 healthy elderly control subjects (HC). AD patients were randomly assigned to 6-month double-blind galantamine treatment or placebo, with a 6-month open-label extension phase. DTI was performed at baseline, as well as at 6 and 12-month follow-up in AD patients. The HC subjects underwent DTI at baseline and 12-month follow-up without treatment. We measured FA in regions of interest covering the posterior cingulate and corpus callosum. At 6-month follow-up, the AD group showed significant FA decline in the left posterior cingulate. FA decline was significantly preserved in the posterior body of the corpus callosum in AD group with treatment compared to placebo. At 12-month follow-up, the AD patients showed no differences in FA decline between initial treatment and placebo groups after the 6-month open-label extension phase. A significant FA decline occurred in the left posterior cingulate across the AD and HC groups without between-group differences. DTI demonstrated FA decline in intracortically projecting fiber tracts in aging and AD over 1 year. Galantamine had limited impact on regional FA decline, which was not preserved after additional 6-month open-label treatment.