Identification of a novel bacterial receptor that binds tail tubular proteins and mediates phage infection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus.
The adsorption of phages to hosts is the first step of phage infection. Studies have shown that tailed phages use tail fibres or spikes to recognize bacterial receptors and mediate adsorption. However, whether other phage tail components can also recognize host receptors is unknown. To identify potential receptors, we screened a transposon mutagenesis library of the marine pathogen Vibrio parahaemolyticus and discovered that a vp0980 mutant (vp0980 encodes a predicted transmembrane protein) could not be lysed by phage OWB. Complementation of this mutant with wild-type vp0980 in trans restored phage-mediated lysis. Phage adsorption and confocal microscopy assays demonstrated that phage OWB had dramatically reduced adsorption to the vp0980 mutant compared to that to the wild type. Pulldown assays showed that phage tail tubular proteins A and B (TTPA and TTPB) interact with Vp0980, suggesting that Vp0980 is a TTPA and TTPB receptor. Vp0980 lacking the outer membrane region (aa 114-127) could not bind to TTPA and TTPB, resulting in reduced phage adsorption. These results strongly indicated that TTPA and TTPB binding with their receptor Vp0980 mediates phage adsorption and subsequent bacterial lysis. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first report of a bacterial receptor for phage tail tubular proteins.


Characterization of long-term in vitro culture-related alterations of human tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells: role for CCN1 in replicative senescence-associated increase in osteogenic differentiation.
Although mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) isolated from bone marrow and adipose tissues are known to be subjected to in vitro culture-related alterations in their stem cell properties, such data have not been reported in human tonsil-derived MSC (T-MSC). Here, we investigated the culture-related changes of phenotypes, the senescence, and the differentiation potential of T-MSC. T-MSC were serially passaged by a standard protocol, and their characteristics were assessed, including MSC-specific surface antigen profiles, the senescence, and the differentiation potentials into adipocytes, chondrocytes and osteocytes. Up to at least passage 15, we found no alterations in either MSC-specific surface marker, CD14, CD34, CD45, CD73 and CD90, or the mRNA expression of embryonic stem cell gene markers, Nanog, Oct4-A and Sox-2. However, the expression of CD146, recently identified another MSC marker, dramatically decreased with increasing passages from ~ 23% at passage 3 to ~ 1% at passage 15. The average doubling time increased significantly from ~ 38 h at passage 10 to ~ 46 h at passage 15. From passage 10, the cell size increased slightly and SA-β-gal staining was evident. Both Alizarin Red S staining and osteocalcin expression showed that the osteogenic differentiation potential increased up to passage 10 and decreased thereafter. However, the adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation potential decreased passage-dependently from the start, as evidenced by staining of Oil Red O and Alcian Blue, respectively. Consistent with a passage-dependent osteogenic differentiation, the expression of CCN1, an angiogenic protein known to be related to both senescence and osteogenesis, also increased up to passage 10. Furthermore, ectopic expression of small interfering RNA against CCN1 at passage 10 significantly reversed Alizarin Red S staining and osteocalcin expression. Altogether, our study demonstrates the characterization of long-term in vitro cultured T-MSC and that CCN1 may be involved in mediating a passage-dependent increase in osteogenic potential of T-MSC.


Bilateral tubal occlusion secondary to asymptomatic ectopic pregnancies.
An infertile woman with normal pelvic anatomy apparently underwent two consecutive asymptomatic tubal pregnancies without surgical intervention. Bilateral tubal obstruction resulted from destruction of the proximal segments of the fallopian tubes. These findings suggest that unrecognized ectopic pregnancies may cause destruction of segments of the fallopian tube and should be considered as an etiology of the rarely noted absence of tubal segments.


High-Performance One-Body Electrochemical Torsional Artificial Muscles Built Using Carbon Nanotubes and Ion-Exchange Polymers.
Electrochemical torsional artificial muscles have the potential to replace electric motors in the field of miniaturization. In particular, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are some of the best materials for electrochemical torsional artificial muscles due to their remarkable mechanical strength and high electrical conductivity. However, previous studies on CNT torsional muscle utilize only half of the whole potential range for torsional actuation because the actuations in the positive and negative voltage ranges offset each other. Here, we used an ion-exchange polymer, poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS), which leads to the participation of only positive ions in the actuation of CNT muscles so that the whole potential range can be used for torsional actuation. As a result, PSS-coated CNT muscle can provide 1.9 times higher torsional actuation compared to neat CNT torsional muscle. This PSS-coated CNT muscle not only provides high performance but also facilitates a one-body system for electrochemical torsional actuation. From these advantages, we implement a one-body torsional muscle for the realization of the forward motion of a model boat. This high performance and one-body structure for electrochemical torsional muscles can be used for further applications, such as soft robotics and implantable devices.


Once upon a time, the Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis.
Recent trials with monoclonal antibodies targeting amyloid-β (Aβ) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) have sparked a renewed interest in disease-modifying therapies. Despite their promise, these trials leave the issue open and posit some doubts about the validity of the Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis (ACH). While some scores of neurocognitive tests improved upon treatment, real-world clinical benefits were minimal. This Viewpoint discusses additional, often overlooked findings from these trials. We also emphasize the multifactorial nature of AD and the need for a broader research perspective beyond the simplistic disease model provided by the ACH.


TCR Pathway Mutations in Mature T Cell Lymphomas.
Mature T cell lymphomas are heterogeneous neoplasms that are aggressive and resistant to treatment. Many of these cancers retain immunological properties of their cell of origin. They express cytokines, cytotoxic enzymes, and cell surface ligands normally induced by TCR signaling in untransformed T cells. Until recently, their molecular mechanisms were unclear. Recently, high-dimensional studies have transformed our understanding of their cellular and genetic characteristics. Somatic mutations in the TCR signaling pathway drive lymphomagenesis by disrupting autoinhibitory domains, increasing affinity to ligands, and/or inducing TCR-independent signaling. Collectively, most of these mutations augment signaling pathways downstream of the TCR. Emerging data suggest that these mutations not only drive proliferation but also determine lymphoma immunophenotypes. For example, RHOA mutations are sufficient to induce disease-relevant CD4+ T follicular helper cell phenotypes. In this review, we describe how mutations in the TCR signaling pathway elucidate lymphoma pathophysiology but also provide insights into broader T cell biology.


Prognostic and predictive biomarkers in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are a diverse group of tumors that derive from epithelial cells with neuroendocrine differentiation. Gastroenteropancreatic NETs are a subset of NET that arise from the gastrointestinal tract. The natural history and prognosis varies widely between different gastroenteropancreatic NETs, highlighting the importance of identifying accurate prognostic and predictive biomarkers. At the 2013 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, De Braud et al. (Abstract #186) and Bellister et al. (Abstract #163) present data on two new possible biomarkers.


[Surgical treatment of gastric, enteric, and pancreatic endocrine tumors Part 1. Treatment of primary endocrine tumors].
Endocrine tumors (ET) of the digestive tract (formerly called neuroendocrine tumors) are rare. They are classified into two principal types: gastrointestinal ET's (formerly called carcinoid tumors) which are the most common, and pancreaticoduodenal ET's. Functioning ET's secrete polypeptide hormones which cause characteristic hormonal syndromes. The management of ET is multidisciplinary. Poorly-differentiated ET's have a poor prognosis and are treated by chemotherapy. Surgical excision is the only curative treatment of well-differentiated ET's. The surgical goals are to: 1. prolong survival by resecting the primary tumor and any nodal or hepatic metastases, 2. control the symptoms related to hormonal secretion, 3. prevent or treat local complications. The most common sites of gastrointestinal ET's ( carcinoids) are the appendix and the rectum; these are often small (<1 cm), benign, and discovered fortuitously at the time of appendectomy or colonoscopic removal. Ileal ET's, even if small, are malignant, frequently multiple, and complicated in 30-50% of cases by bowel obstruction, mesenteric invasion, or bleeding. The carcinoid syndrome (consisting of abdominal pain, flushing, diarrhea, hypertension, bronchospasm, and right sided cardiac vegetations) is caused by the hypersecretion of serotonin into the systemic circulation; it occurs in 10% of cases and is usually associated with hepatic metastases. More than half of the cases of pancreatic ET are non-functional. They are usually malignant and of advanced stage at diagnosis presenting as a palpable or obstructing mass or as liver metastases. Insulinoma and gastrinoma (cause of the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome) are the most common functional ET's. 80% are sporadic; in these cases, tumor size, location, and malignant potential determine the type of resection which may vary from a simple enucleation to a formal pancreatectomy. In 10-20% of cases, pancreaticoduodenal ET presents in the setting of multiple endocrine neoplasia (NEM type I), an autosomal-dominant genetic disease with multifocal endocrine involvement of the pituitary, parathyroid, pancreas, and adrenal glands. For insulinoma with NEM-I, enucleation of lesions in the pancreatic head plus a caudal pancreatectomy is the most appropriate procedure. For gastrinoma with NEM-I, the benefit of surgical resection for tumors less than 2-3 cm in size is not clear. The lesions are frequently small, multiple, and widespread and recurrence is frequent after excision. The long-term prognosis is nevertheless fairly good. But the eventual development of liver metastases which are the most common cause of mortality still argues for an aggressive surgical approach in the early stages of the disease.


How Is the Created Alveolar Space Finally Restored After Maxillary Anterior Segmental Distraction Osteogenesis?
Maxillary anterior segmental distraction osteogenesis (MASDO) for cleft and palate patients is the alternative treatment option to correct malocclusion with maxillary arch deficiency and severe crowding. After MASDO, prosthetic considerations are crucial for patients with cleft lip and palate because it is related to facial esthetics and occlusal function. The objectives of this study were to investigate the final restoration type for created alveolar space by MASDO. Thirteen patients with cleft lip and palate who underwent MASDO and orthodontic treatment from the years 2000 to 2010 in Yonsei University were examined. Final restorations are classified as dental implants, conventional prosthesis, and orthodontic space closure. The relationship between the distracted areas and final restoration type was investigated. The authors evaluated lateral cephalograms obtained at predistraction osteogenesis (pre-DO; T1), postdistraction osteogenesis (post-DO; T2), and debond (T3), and measured changes from T1 to T2 and from T2 to T3. There was no significant difference of final restoration percentage of dental implants, conventional prosthesis, and space closure with orthodontic treatment. However, dental implants and conventional prostheses were applied more frequently in the posterior area and in the anterior area, respectively. The relapse rate was observed as 36.7% and 22.4% in the values of N-A distance and ANB angulation in T2-T3 stage. The MASDO site should be decided, based on final restoration goal. Among the created alveolar spaces, implants were applied mainly to the posterior site and the conventional prostheses were mostly restored to the anterior site. For space closure by orthodontic approach, the area could be both anterior or posterior.


Cholecystokinin is not a peripheral satiety signal in the dog.
The doses of cholecystokinin (CCK) that have been shown to cause satiety after peripheral administration are pharmacological and whether "physiological" doses of exogenous CCK or endogenously released CCK have a satiety effect is not known. The purpose of the present study is threefold: to compare the potency of endogenous and exogenous CCK for their satiety, cholecystokinetic, and pancreozyminic actions; to determine whether small doses of CCK in the presence of gastric distension cause satiety; and to test the satiety effect of CCK administered centrally into the lateral cerebral ventricle. Dogs were prepared with cerebroventricular guides and esophageal and duodenal fistulas (n = 4), with chronic bile fistulas (n = 8), and chronic pancreatic fistulas (n = 7). Satiety effect was quantified in the esophageal fistula dog by the amount of blenderized food sham fed within 7.5 min. Duodenal perfusion of fat, used as a releaser of endogenous CCK, stimulated pancreatic protein, and gallbladder contraction with D50 values of 1.5 and 0.3 mmol/h, respectively, but had no effect on the volume sham fed (316 +/- 82 ml/min without and 371 +/- 41 ml/min with the maximal dose of sodium oleate infused). The D50 values of CCK-8 (pmol X kg-1 X h-1) for satiety and for stimulation of pancreatic enzyme secretion and gallbladder contraction were 440, 120, and 22, respectively. Injection of CCK-8 into the lateral cerebral ventricle inhibited sham feeding in a dose-dependent manner. We conclude that duodenal fat in doses producing maximal gallbladder and pancreatic stimulation has no satiety effect in the dog.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy of aqueous micellar electrolyte solutions: A novel application to infer Dukhin number and zeta potential of a micelle.
The complex permittivities of aqueous SDS solutions, with and without the addition of sodium chloride (NaCl), are measured in the frequency range from 200 MHz to 14 GHz. The SDS concentrations are chosen such that the SDS molecules aggregate to micelles. In this frequency range, the measured spectra allow for the identification of two different relaxation processes. That is, the relaxation of the water molecules at frequencies above 1 GHz and the micellar relaxation at frequencies lower than 1 GHz. It is found that the addition of NaCl to the system mostly affects the micellar relaxation process. In detail, the time constant as well as the amplitude of the relaxation decrease by adding NaCl. These effects are attributed to the change in the solution conductivity that changes the properties of the micelle's electrical double layer. We also extract the Dukhin number of the micelles as a function of surfactant and electrolyte content from the measurements. The Dukhin number is a dimensionless group that describes the influence of the surface conductivity on a phenomena. A regression between Dukhin numbers and free sodium ions is found so that all data collapses on a single curve independent of the surfactant concentration. The surface conductivity is a manifestation of the electrical double layer and we use the Bikerman equation to infer the zeta potential of the micelles. Comparison to literature data shows very good agreement and proves that dielectric relaxation spectroscopy can be engaged to infer the zeta potential of micelles. Abbreviations: CMC critical micelle concentration, DRS dielectric relaxation spectroscopy, EDL electrical double layer.


Genetic and environmental influences on vocabulary IQ: parental education level as moderator.
This article examines how parental education level moderates the genetic and environmental contributions to variation in verbal IQ. Data are from 1909 non-Hispanic Whites and African American sibling pairs from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, which obtained nationally-based samples of identical (MZ) twins, fraternal (DZ) twins, full and half siblings, cousins (in the same household), and biologically unrelated siblings. In the whole sample, the variance estimate for heritability (h2 = .57, SE = .08) was greater than that for shared environment (c2 = .13, SE = .04). Both heritability and the shared environmental estimate were moderated, however, by level of parental education. Specifically, among more highly educated families, the average h2 = .74 (SE = .10) and the average c2 = .00 (SE = .05). Conversely, among less well-educated families, heritability decreased and shared environmental influences increased, yielding similar proportions of variance explained by genetic and environmental factors, average h2 = .26 (SE = .15), and average c2 = .23 (SE = .07).


Aryepiglottic fold and subcutaneous metastases from breast carcinoma.
We report the CT findings in a 77-year-old woman with left-sided aryepiglottic fold metastasis from breast cancer diagnosed 7 years previously. The lesion obliterated the left piriform sinus, had a lobulated contour and showed mild and heterogeneous enhancement on a post-contrast CT examination. Biopsy of the lesion revealed metastasis from poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, compatible with metastasis of the breast carcinoma. Before detection of the laryngeal lesion, a second primary tumor in the right ovary was diagnosed. After right oopherectomy, histopathology revealed clear cell adenocarcinoma. The patient also had multiple subcutaneous metastases and bilateral cervical lymphadenopathies. Chemotherapy was applied to the patient.


Shape modeling and analysis with entropy-based particle systems.
This paper presents a new method for constructing compact statistical point-based models of ensembles of similar shapes that does not rely on any specific surface parameterization. The method requires very little preprocessing or parameter tuning, and is applicable to a wider range of problems than existing methods, including nonmanifold surfaces and objects of arbitrary topology. The proposed method is to construct a point-based sampling of the shape ensemble that simultaneously maximizes both the geometric accuracy and the statistical simplicity of the model. Surface point samples, which also define the shape-to-shape correspondences, are modeled as sets of dynamic particles that are constrained to lie on a set of implicit surfaces. Sample positions are optimized by gradient descent on an energy function that balances the negative entropy of the distribution on each shape with the positive entropy of the ensemble of shapes. We also extend the method with a curvature-adaptive sampling strategy in order to better approximate the geometry of the objects. This paper presents the formulation; several synthetic examples in two and three dimensions; and an application to the statistical shape analysis of the caudate and hippocampus brain structures from two clinical studies.


Asthma control: the right inhaler for the right patient.
Inhaled therapy is the cornerstone of asthma management in that it optimizes the delivery of the medication to the site of action. The effectiveness of inhaled therapy is affected by the correct choice of the device and proper inhalation technique. In fact, this influences the drug delivery and distribution along the bronchial tree, including the most peripheral airways. In this context, accumulating evidence supports the contribution of small airways in asthma, and these have become an important target of treatment. In reality, the "ideal inhaler" does not exist, and not all inhalers are the same. Advances in technology has highlighted these differences, and have led to the design of new devices and the development of formulations characterized by extrafine particles that facilitate the distribution and deposition of the drug particles along the respiratory tract. In addition, efforts have been made to implement adherence to chronic treatment, which translates into clinical benefit. Taken together, the optimal control of asthma depends on the drug that is selected, the device that is employed and the removal of factors that reduce patient's adherence to therapy.


Peritoneal dialysis in infants and children.
Pediatric renal failure patients can be restored to health with peritoneal dialysis more easily, more comfortably, and more safely than with hemodialysis. During the past 3.5 years, we have treated 22 children with either acute (less than 30 days) or chronic (greater than 30 days) peritoneal dialysis (PD) at Henrietta Egleston Hospital for Children. They ranged in age from 2 weeks to 15 1/6 years, mean 5.2 years. The indications for acute dialysis were renal failure following cardiac surgery (4); hemolytic-uremic syndrome (4); and renal failure associated with bromide intoxication (1), congenital urethral stricture (1), or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (1). Chronic dialysis was utilized for end-stage renal disease caused by glomerulonephritis (5), chronic infection (2), hemolytic-uremic syndrome (1), cystinosis (1), congenital renal artery stenosis (1), and unknown etiology (1). Thirty-four adult or pediatric Tenckhoff catheters were utilized to deliver PD for from 6 to 551 days (18 months). Pediatric Tenckhoff catheters must be pre-measured in order to have the Dacron cuffs glued to the appropriate position on the catheter (7-12 cm from the end) to fit the child. There were seven catheter-related infections in four patients; three required catheter revision and four were treated medically. There were eight catheter-related mechanical problems, all of which required re-operation. All of those on chronic PD and seven of those on acute PD survived for an overall survival of 82 per cent. All surviving patients have been restored to health either by recovery of renal function (6 patients), renal transplantation (8 patients), or maintenance of chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (4 patients).


Comparison of two tests for detecting carcinogenic HPV in women with Papanicolaou smear reports of ASCUS and LSIL.
The detection of cancer-associated types of human papillomavirus (HPV) in cervical specimens predicts the presence and future development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). The purposes of this study were (1) to determine the efficacy of a second-generation assay by hybrid capture (HC II) to detect carcinogenic HPV from residual cervical cells of a liquid-based cervical cytologic specimen, and (2) to compare the performance of this second-generation test with the first-generation hybrid capture (HCT) HPV test of material from direct cervical sampling to detect CIN in women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) Papanicolaou (Pap) smear reports. Women with a recent Pap smear report of ASCUS or LSIL had a sampling of the cervix using either an Ayre's spatula and cytobrush or an Accellon device sampling for liquid-based cytologic system HC II HPV testing, followed by a Dacron swab sampling of the cervix for standard HCT HPV testing of the paired specimens. All women received colposcopy examinations including cervical biopsy and endocervical curettage, when indicated, to determine criterion standards for comparison. Paired swabs and liquid-based cervical specimens from 242 women were available for testing by standard HCT and the newer HC II HPV DNA assays. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for detecting CIN grade 2 or 3 (CIN 2/3) were 61.9%, 57.0%, 12.0%, and 94.0%, respectively, for the HCT test, and 90.5%, 29.4%, 10.9%, and 97.0%, respectively, for the liquid-based cytology HC II assay. When only women with an initial ASCUS Pap smear report were considered, the HC II test results were 88.9%, 40.3%, 9.1%, and 98.2%, respectively. Testing for lower genital tract carcinogenic HPV DNA using a cervical cytology liquid transport media residual sample is clinically feasible. The new HC II microplate HPV test achieved a greater test sensitivity for detecting carcinogenic HPV and correspondingly of CIN 2/3 compared with the currently available first-generation HC HPV test. Use of a liquid-based cervical cytology system combined with intermediate triage by HC II testing of residual cells for carcinogenic HPV alone may help to efficiently identify CIN 2/3 in women who have a prior screening Pap smear report of ASCUS.


Esophageal phytobezoar in a horse.
A 23-year-old Thoroughbred stallion was admitted to the hospital for treatment of acute esophageal obstruction. Clinical examination and contrast radiography confirmed the presence of an esophageal obstruction. The horse was euthanatized, and examination revealed a bolus of feed material occluding the esophageal lumen 6 cm caudal to the thoracic inlet, with underlying necrosis of the esophageal mucosa. A large pulsion diverticulum was identified in the caudocervical portion of the esophagus. Apparently, the phytobezoar was formed within the esophageal diverticulum and subsequently became dislodged, occluding the esophagus.


Surface landmark quantification of embryonic mouse craniofacial morphogenesis.
Morphometric quantification of subtle craniofacial variation in studies of experimentally modified embryonic mice has proved valuable in determining the effects of developmental perturbations on craniofacial morphogenesis. The direct comparison of landmark coordinate data from embryos of many different mouse strains and mouse models can advance our understanding of the bases for craniofacial variation. We propose a standard set of craniofacial surface landmarks, for use with embryonic day (E) 10.5-12.5 mice, to serve as the foundation for this type of data compilation and analysis. We quantify the intra- and inter-observer landmark placement variation associated with each landmark and determine how the results of a simple ontogenetic analysis might be influenced by selection of landmark set. Intraobserver landmark placement error for experienced landmarkers generally remains below 0.1 mm, with some landmarks exhibiting higher values at E11.5 and E12.5. Interobserver error tends to increase with embryonic age and those landmarks defined on wide inflections of curves or facial processes exhibit the highest error. Landmarks with highest intra- or inter-observer are identified and we determine that their removal from the dataset does not significantly change the vectors of craniofacial shape change associated with an ontogenetic regression. Our quantification of landmark placement error demonstrates that it is preferable for a single observer to identify all landmark coordinates within a single study and that significant training and experience are necessary before a landmarker can produce data for use in larger meta-analyses. However, we are confident that this standard landmark set, once landmarks with higher error are removed, can serve as a foundation for a comparative dataset of facial morphogenesis across various mouse populations to help identify the developmental bases for phenotypic variation in the craniofacial complex.


Risk factors for possible REM sleep behavior disorder: A CLSA population-based cohort study.
To assess sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and clinical correlates of idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) in a 30,097-person national cohort. Participants 45 to 85 years of age in Canada were collected as part of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Possible RBD (pRBD) was screened with the REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Single-Question Screen, a questionnaire with 94% specificity and 87% sensitivity. To improve diagnostic accuracy, those screening positive for apnea or non-REM parasomnia (young-onset pRBD) and those self-reporting dementia or Parkinson disease were excluded. A series of sociodemographic, lifestyle, and mental health variables were analyzed cross-sectionally. Potential correlates were assessed via multivariable logistic regression. Of 30,097 participants, 958 (3.2%) were identified as having pRBD. Male sex (odds ratio [OR] 2.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.78-2.44) and lower education (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92-0.98) were associated with pRBD. Participants with pRBD had smoked more (pack-years OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.01) and were more likely to be moderate to heavy drinkers (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.04-1.51). There was a strong association between pRBD and self-reported antidepressant treatment for depression (OR 2.77, 95% CI 2.23-3.45), psychological distress (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.44-1.80), mental illness (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.75-2.49), and posttraumatic stress disorder (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.97-3.65). Our study replicated previous reported associations between pRBD and smoking, low education, and male sex and found previously unreported links with alcohol use and psychological distress. Risk factors for pRBD differ from those previously defined for neurodegenerative synucleinopathies.


Classification of plant associated bacteria using RIF, a computationally derived DNA marker.
A DNA marker that distinguishes plant associated bacteria at the species level and below was derived by comparing six sequenced genomes of Xanthomonas, a genus that contains many important phytopathogens. This DNA marker comprises a portion of the dnaA replication initiation factor (RIF). Unlike the rRNA genes, dnaA is a single copy gene in the vast majority of sequenced bacterial genomes, and amplification of RIF requires genus-specific primers. In silico analysis revealed that RIF has equal or greater ability to differentiate closely related species of Xanthomonas than the widely used ribosomal intergenic spacer region (ITS). Furthermore, in a set of 263 Xanthomonas, Ralstonia and Clavibacter strains, the RIF marker was directly sequenced in both directions with a success rate approximately 16% higher than that for ITS. RIF frameworks for Xanthomonas, Ralstonia and Clavibacter were constructed using 682 reference strains representing different species, subspecies, pathovars, races, hosts and geographic regions, and contain a total of 109 different RIF sequences. RIF sequences showed subspecific groupings but did not place strains of X. campestris or X. axonopodis into currently named pathovars nor R. solanacearum strains into their respective races, confirming previous conclusions that pathovar and race designations do not necessarily reflect genetic relationships. The RIF marker also was sequenced for 24 reference strains from three genera in the Enterobacteriaceae: Pectobacterium, Pantoea and Dickeya. RIF sequences of 70 previously uncharacterized strains of Ralstonia, Clavibacter, Pectobacterium and Dickeya matched, or were similar to, those of known reference strains, illustrating the utility of the frameworks to classify bacteria below the species level and rapidly match unknown isolates to reference strains. The RIF sequence frameworks are available at the online RIF database, RIFdb, and can be queried for diagnostic purposes with RIF sequences obtained from unknown strains in both chromatogram and FASTA format.


Ethnic and diet-related differences in the healthy infant microbiome.
The infant gut is rapidly colonized by microorganisms soon after birth, and the composition of the microbiota is dynamic in the first year of life. Although a stable microbiome may not be established until 1 to 3 years after birth, the infant gut microbiota appears to be an important predictor of health outcomes in later life. We obtained stool at one year of age from 173 white Caucasian and 182 South Asian infants from two Canadian birth cohorts to gain insight into how maternal and early infancy exposures influence the development of the gut microbiota. We investigated whether the infant gut microbiota differed by ethnicity (referring to groups of people who have certain racial, cultural, religious, or other traits in common) and by breastfeeding status, while accounting for variations in maternal and infant exposures (such as maternal antibiotic use, gestational diabetes, vegetarianism, infant milk diet, time of introduction of solid food, infant birth weight, and weight gain in the first year). We demonstrate that ethnicity and infant feeding practices independently influence the infant gut microbiome at 1 year, and that ethnic differences can be mapped to alpha diversity as well as a higher abundance of lactic acid bacteria in South Asians and a higher abundance of genera within the order Clostridiales in white Caucasians. The infant gut microbiome is influenced by ethnicity and breastfeeding in the first year of life. Ethnic differences in the gut microbiome may reflect maternal/infant dietary differences and whether these differences are associated with future cardiometabolic outcomes can only be determined after prospective follow-up.


A systematic review of the evidence for telemedicine in burn care: with a UK perspective.
A comprehensive systematic review of telemedicine in burn care was carried out. Studies published between 1993 and 2010 were included. The main outcome measures were the level of evidence, technical feasibility, clinical feasibility, clinical management and cost effectiveness. The search strategy yielded 24 studies, none of which were randomised. There were only five studies with a control group, and in three of these the patients act as their own controls. Four studies performed quantitative cost analysis, and five more provide qualitative cost analysis. All studies demonstrate technical and clinical feasibility. If the significant potentials of telemedicine to assist in the acute triage, management guidance and outpatient care are to be realised, then research needs to be undertaken to provide evidence for such investment.


A deletion in an indole synthase gene is responsible for the DIMBOA-deficient phenotype of bxbx maize.
The biosynthesis of DIMBOA, a pesticidal secondary metabolite of maize, branches off the tryptophan pathway. We have previously demonstrated that indole is the last intermediate common to both the tryptophan and hydroxamic acid pathways. The earliest discovered mutant in the DIMBOA pathway, bxbx (benzoxazineless), is deficient in the production of DIMBOA and related compounds. This paper presents evidence that a gene identified by Kramer and Koziel [Kramer, V. C. & Koziel, M. G. (1995) Plant Mol. Biol. 27, 1183-1188] as maize tryptophan synthase alpha (TSA) is the site of the genetic lesion in the DIMBOA-deficient mutant maize line bxbx. We demonstrate that the TSA gene has sustained a 924-bp deletion in bxbx compared with its counterpart in wild-type maize. We report that the TSA gene maps to the same location as the bxbx mutation, on the short arm of chromosome 4. We present evidence that the very early and very high level of expression of TSA corresponds to the timing and level of DIMBOA biosynthesis but is strikingly different from the expression of the maize tryptophan synthase beta (TSB) genes. We show that feeding indole to bxbx seedlings restores their ability to synthesize DIMBOA. We conclude that the maize enzyme initially named tryptophan synthase alpha in fact is a DIMBOA biosynthetic enzyme, and we propose that it be renamed indole synthase. This work confirms and enlarges upon the findings of Frey et al. [Frey, M., Chomet, P., Glawischniq, E., Stettner, C., Grün, S., Winklmair, A., Eisenreich, W., Bacher, A., Meeley, R. B., Briggs, S. P., Simcox, K. & Gierl, A. (1997) Science 277, 696-699], which appeared while the present paper was in review.


MR imaging of sports injuries of the elbow.
Recent clinical experience has shown MR imaging to provide useful information in detecting, assessing, and characterizing sports-related disorders of the elbow. This article discusses features of MR imaging, including noninvasivness; accurate depiction of structures (muscles, ligaments, and tendons), and presence and extent of bone and soft tissue pathology; and visualization (nerves, bone marrow, and hyaline cartilage). The article also reviews ongoing improvements in surface coil design, and newer pulse sequences resulting in MR images that are higher in quality and available more quickly.


Measurement in the study of menstrual health and hygiene: A systematic review and audit.
The lack of established measurement tools in the study of menstrual health and hygiene has been a significant limitation of quantitative studies to date. However, there has been limited exploration of existing measurement to identify avenues for improvement. We undertook two linked systematic reviews of (1) trials of menstrual health interventions and their nested studies in low- and middle-income countries, (2) studies developing or validating measures of menstrual experiences from any location. Systematic searching was undertaken in 12 databases, together with handsearching. We iteratively grouped and audited concepts measured across included studies and extracted and compared measures of each concept. A total of 23 trials, 9 nested studies and 22 measure development studies were included. Trials measured a range of outcomes including menstrual knowledge, attitudes, and practices, school absenteeism, and health. Most measure validation studies focused on assessing attitudes towards menstruation, while a group of five studies assessed the accuracy of women's recall of their menstrual characteristics such as timing and cycle length. Measures of menstrual knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and restrictions were inconsistent and frequently overlapped. No two studies measured the same menstrual or hygiene practices, with 44 different practices assessed. This audit provides a summary of current measures and extant efforts to pilot or test their performance. Inconsistencies in both the definition and operationalisation of concepts measured in menstrual health and hygiene research should be addressed. To improve measurement, authors should clearly define the constructs they aim to measure and outline how these were operationalised for measurement. Results of this audit indicate the need for the development and validation of new measures, and the evaluation of the performance of existing measures across contexts. In particular, the definition and measurement of menstrual practices, knowledge, attitudes, norms and restrictions should be addressed. CRD42018089884.


Design, Synthesis, In Vitro and In Silico Studies of New Thiazolylhydrazine-Piperazine Derivatives as Selective MAO-A Inhibitors.
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) isoenzymes are very important drug targets among neurological disorders. Herein, novel series of thiazolylhydrazine-piperazine derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their MAO-A and -B inhibitory activity. The structures of the synthesized compounds were assigned using different spectroscopic techniques such as 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and HRMS. Moreover, the prediction of ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Elimination) parameters for all of the compounds were performed using in silico method. According to the enzyme inhibition results, the synthesized compounds showed the selectivity against MAO-A enzyme inhibition. Compounds 3c, 3d and 3e displayed significant MAO-A inhibition potencies. Among them, compound 3e was found to be the most effective derivative with an IC50 value of 0.057 ± 0.002 µM. Moreover, it was seen that this compound has a more potent inhibition profile than the reference inhibitors moclobemide (IC50 = 6.061 ± 0.262 µM) and clorgiline (IC50 = 0.062 ± 0.002 µM). In addition, the enzyme kinetics were performed for compound 3e and it was determined that this compound had a competitive and reversible inhibition type. Molecular modeling studies aided in the understanding of the interaction modes between this compound and MAO-A. It was found that compound 3e had significant and important binding property.


Treatment of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia with rituximab.
Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) is a low-grade lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma in which CD20 is usually expressed on tumor cells. There is evidence that patients with WM may benefit from treatment with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab. We performed a prospective phase II study to clearly define the activity of rituximab in patients with this disease. Twenty-seven patients with WM were treated with rituximab 375 mg/m(2) intravenously (IV) for 4 weeks. Three months after completion of rituximab, patients without evidence of progressive disease received repeat 4-week courses of this agent. All patients were symptomatic, their median age was 72 years, and 15 patients were previously untreated. Twelve patients (44%; 95% confidence interval, 25.5% to 64.7%) achieved a partial response after treatment with rituximab. Median time to response was 3.3 months (range, 2.2 to 7.1 months). Responses occurred in six (40%) of 15 previously untreated patients and in six (50%) of 12 pretreated patients. Patients with a serum immunoglobulin M less than 40 g/L had a significantly higher response rate. The median time to progression for all patients was 16 months, and with a median follow-up of 15.7 months, nine of 12 responding patients remain free of progression. Treatment with rituximab was well tolerated, with approximately one fourth of patients experiencing some mild form of infusion-related toxicity, usually fever and chills. Our prospective data indicate that rituximab is well tolerated and active in patients with WM. Previously untreated and pretreated patients seem to benefit equally. Repeat 4-week courses of rituximab may prolong the duration of response of the disease, but this observation requires confirmation in prospective, randomized trials. Furthermore, studies that will combine rituximab with chemotherapy may be relevant.


Factor analysis using delta-rule wake-sleep learning.
We describe a linear network that models correlations between real-valued visible variables using one or more real-valued hidden variables-a factor analysis model. This model can be seen as a linear version of the Helmholtz machine, and its parameters can be learned using the wake-sleep method, in which learning of the primary generative model is assisted by a recognition model, whose role is to fill in the values of hidden variables based on the values of visible variables. The generative and recognition models are jointly learned in wake and sleep phases, using just the delta rule. This learning procedure is comparable in simplicity to Hebbian learning, which produces a somewhat different representation of correlations in terms of principal components. We argue that the simplicity of wake-sleep learning makes factor analysis a plausible alternative to Hebbian learning as a model of activity-dependent cortical plasticity.


Normative data for Chinese compound remote associate problems.
The Remote Associates Test (RAT) is a well-known measure of creativity, with each item on the RAT is composed of three unrelated stimulus words. The participant's task is to find an answer in the form of a word that could combine with each of the stimulus words, thus forming three new actual nouns. Researchers have modified the RAT to develop compound remote associate problems that emphasize combining vocabulary to form compound words. In the field of creativity research for Mandarin speakers, the Chinese RAT has been widely applied for over 10 years. The original RAT, compound remote associate problems, and Chinese RAT have various common advantages, such as being convenient to use and having objective scoring; additionally, the development of items for certain tests is easy and satisfies the requirements of psychological assessments in terms of the quantity of items. Currently, many language editions of the RAT and compound remote associate problems already exist. In particular, the English and Italian versions of these tests already have derived normative data. Because approximately 20% of the world's population are native Mandarin speakers, and because increasing numbers of people are choosing Mandarin as a second language, the need to increase Mandarin-language resources is growing; however, normative data for the Chinese RAT still do not exist. To address this issue, in the present study we developed Chinese compound remote associate problems and analyzed the passing rates by items, problem solving times, and various normative data, using the responses of 253 subjects in three experiments.


[Vaccination against influenza, pneumococcus and herpes zoster in the elderly Survey of prescribing physicians: assessment of knowledge and identification of obstacles to the prescription of vaccination].
Vaccination coverage is insufficient for influenza, pneumococcus, and herpes zoster in people over the age of 65 in France, even though these are common infectious diseases. Using a computerised questionnaire, the aim of our study was to assess the knowledge of general practitioners, geriatricians, infectious diseases specialists and interns in the Loire region about the vaccination against these three diseases in elderly subjects, to identify the obstacles to vaccination, and to evaluate whether the provision of knowledge modifies the prescriptions and vaccination recommendations made to patients. Of the 125 responses from doctors and interns, 90.2 % are correct for influenza, 69.2 % for pneumococcus, and 32.8 % for herpes zoster, with no significant difference between specialities. By providing information, practitioners are more willing to vaccinate their patients against influenza (99 %), pneumococcus (93 %), and herpes zoster (39 %). The main obstacles to vaccination are the patient's refusal (85 %), the doctor's lack of knowledge and time (70 % and 41 % respectively), doubts about the vaccine's effectiveness (28 %), and fear of side effects (21 %).


BRCA1 and p53: compensatory roles in DNA repair.
The BRCA1 breast cancer susceptibility gene has been implicated in many cellular processes, yet its specific mechanism of tumor suppression remains unclear. BRCA1 plays a role in several DNA repair pathways including nucleotide excision repair (NER). Loss of the p53 tumor suppressor gene, a key regulator of NER, is an important and necessary event in the pathogenesis of BRCA1-mutated tumors. Here we discuss the role of BRCA1 and NER in breast cancer and the interactions of BRCA1 with p53 in breast tumorigenesis and suggest approaches for risk assessment and chemotherapeutic management of BRCA1-related breast cancer.


An attempt to perform water balance in a Brazilian municipal solid waste landfill.
This paper presents an attempt to model the water balance in the metropolitan center landfill (MCL) in Salvador, Brazil. Aspects such as the municipal solid waste (MSW) initial water content, mass loss due to decomposition, MSW liquid expelling due to compression and those related to weather conditions, such as the amount of rainfall and evaporation are considered. Superficial flow and infiltration were modeled considering the waste and the hydraulic characteristics (permeability and soil-water retention curves) of the cover layer and simplified uni-dimensional empirical models. In order to validate the modeling procedure, data from one cell at the landfill were used. Monthly waste entry, volume of collected leachate and leachate level inside the cell were monitored. Water balance equations and the compressibility of the MSW were used to calculate the amount of leachate stored in the cell and the corresponding leachate level. Measured and calculated values of the leachate level inside the cell were similar and the model was able to capture the main trends of the water balance behavior during the cell operational period.


Geospatial intelligence system for evaluating the work environment and physical load of factory workers.
This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of methods for evaluating the environmental and physical loads on workers in manufacturing plants, considering their locations. Participants were employees of DENSO CORPORATION's manufacturing facilities, and environmental sensors (for temperature and humidity) and BLE beacons were installed to cover the work area. Questionnaires were completed by the participants twice to assess their thermal comfort and fatigue in the work environment. The results showed that a regression prediction model with an adjusted R-squared of 0.418 for fixed-point temperature and 0.495 for perceived temperature was developed for thermal comfort. No linear relationship was found between environmental factors and fatigue, and a decision tree analysis was conducted. Relative humidity and activity level, along with temperature, were selected as predictor variables. The findings suggest that it is possible to estimate the work environment and workload without adding additional measurement-related burdens or challenges. This highlights the usefulness of the proposed method, which takes into account the environmental distribution throughout the work area rather than relying solely on conventional fixed-point observation data, for assessing workers' exposure to the environment and preventing occupational accidents.Clinical Relevance- The proposed approach, combining indoor localization with environmental status, can estimate the condition of workers and is expected to be a good solution for preventing occupational accidents and enhancing workers' health.


Antiinflammatory properties of HDL.
There are several well-documented functions of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) that may explain the ability of these lipoproteins to protect against atherosclerosis. The best recognized of these is the ability of HDL to promote the efflux of cholesterol from cells. This process may minimize the accumulation of foam cells in the artery wall. However, HDL has additional properties that may also be antiatherogenic. For example, HDL is an effective antioxidant. The major proteins of HDL, apoA-I and apoA-II, as well as other proteins such as paraoxonase that cotransport with HDL in plasma, are well-known to have antioxidant properties. As a consequence, HDL has the capacity to inhibit the oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in a process that reduces the atherogenicity of these lipoproteins. HDL also possesses other antiinflammatory properties. By virtue of their ability to inhibit the expression of adhesion molecules in endothelial cells, they reduce the recruitment of blood monocytes into the artery wall. These antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties of HDL may be as important as its cholesterol efflux function in terms of protecting against the development of atherosclerosis.


A new coprecipitation methodology with lutetium hydroxide for preconcentration of heavy metal ions in herbal plant samples.
A new coprecipitation methodology that used lutetium hydroxide as a precipitant for Cu(II), Pb(II), Mn(II), Co(II), Cd(II), Fe(III), and Ni(II) ions in herbal plant and water samples for analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry has been investigated. The parameters such as pH, amount of lutetium, and volume of aqueous sample were optimized for the recovery of these seven metals. The effects of concomitant ions on the separation-preconcentration of analytes were also checked. The validation of the procedure was checked with addition recovery tests and analysis of Standard Reference Material 1570a-Trace Elements in Spinach Leaves and TMDA-70 fortified lake water Certified Reference Material. The LODs for analyte ions were in the range of 1.7-7.2 microg/L. The application of the present procedure was successfully performed for the analysis of analyte contents of herbal plant samples from Turkey.


Organizing pneumonia presenting as a solitary nodular shadow on a chest radiograph.
The role of infection as a cause of focal organizing pneumonia (OP) is not fully understood. This study aimed to determine the clinical, radiological and pathological characteristics of patients with OP presenting a solitary nodular shadow on a chest radiograph. Fourteen patients who presented with a solitary nodular shadow on a chest radiograph, pathologically diagnosed as OP after surgical resection, were allocated into two groups according to the histological findings. The first had OP with aggregates of neutrophils in airways and/or pulmonary parenchyma with or without necrosis or destruction of lung architecture (group 1: OP with neutrophilic infiltration; n = 10). The second consisted of patients with OP presenting neither neutrophilic infiltration, necrosis nor destruction of lung architecture (group 2: OP without neutrophilic infiltration; n = 4). Cough, sputum, and chest pain were the common symptoms in both groups of patients. Computed tomography (CT) revealed that all nodules in both groups were located in the peripheral lung parenchyma and had irregular margins, and their shapes varied from round to wedge-shaped. Haemophilus influenzae was isolated from sputum or transbronchial aspirates from 3 patients in group 1. The specimens resected from patients with focal OP mostly show small aggregates of neutrophils. However, the dominant histological feature is OP and neutrophilic infiltration, suggesting infection was a minor histological component in all cases. Clinical symptoms and chest CT findings did not clearly distinguish these two groups of patients. It is thus reasonable to place these OPs in the same category and to treat them in the same way. Surgical excision appears to be the only method for a precise diagnosis.


Expression profiles of neotropical termites reveal microbiota-associated, caste-biased genes and biotechnological targets.
Termites are well recognized by their complex development trajectories, involving dynamic differentiation process between non-reproductive castes, workers and soldiers. These insects are associated with endosymbiotic microorganisms, which help in lignocellulose digestion and nitrogen metabolism. Aiming to identify genes harbouring biotechnological potential, we analyzed workers and soldiers RNA-Seq data of three neotropical termites: Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), Velocitermes heteropterus (Isoptera: Termitidae) and Cornitermes cumulans (Isoptera: Termitidae). We observed differences in the microbiota associated with each termite family, and found protists' genes in both Termitidae species. We found an opposite pattern of caste-biased gene expression between H. tenuis and the termitids studied. Moreover, the two termitids are considerably different concerning the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Functional annotation indicated considerable differences in caste-biased gene content between V. heteropterus and C. cumulans, even though they share similar diet and biological niche. Among the most DEGs, we highlighted those involved in caste differentiation and cellulose digestion, which are attractive targets for studying more efficient technologies for termite control, biomass digestion and other biotechnological applications.


Targeting Importin-α7 as a Therapeutic Approach against Pandemic Influenza Viruses.
Viral drug resistance is believed to be less likely to occur if compounds are directed against cellular rather than viral proteins. In this study, we analyzed the feasibility of a crucial viral replication factor, namely, importin-α7, as a cellular drug target to combat pandemic influenza viruses. Surprisingly, only five viral lung-to-lung passages were required to achieve 100% lethality in importin-α7⁻/⁻ mice that otherwise are resistant. Viral escape from importin-α7 requirement was mediated by five mutations in the viral ribonucleoprotein complex and the surface glycoproteins. Moreover, the importin-α7⁻/⁻ mouse-adapted strain became even more virulent for wild-type mice than the parental strain. These studies show that targeting host proteins may still result in viral escape by alternative pathways, eventually giving rise to even more virulent virus strains. Thus, therapeutic intervention strategies should consider a multitarget approach to reduce viral drug resistance. IMPORTANCE Here, we investigated the long-standing hypothesis based on in vitro studies that viral drug resistance occurrence is less likely if compounds are directed against cellular rather than viral proteins. Here, we challenged this hypothesis by analyzing, in an in vivo animal model, the feasibility of targeting the cellular factor importin-α7, which is crucial for human influenza virus replication and pathogenesis, as an efficient antiviral strategy against pandemic influenza viruses. In summary, our studies suggest that resistance against cellular factors is possible in vivo, and the emergence of even more virulent viral escape variants calls for particular caution. Thus, therapeutic intervention strategies should consider a multitarget approach using compounds against viral as well as cellular factors to reduce the risk of viral drug resistance and potentially increased virulence.


Leucine-rich repeat glycoproteins of the extracellular matrix.
The extracellular matrix plays an integral role in the pivotal processes of development, tissue repair, and metastasis by regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, and migration. This review is focused on a family of related glycoproteins represented by at least one member in all specialized extracellular matrices. This family currently comprises nine members grouped together on the basis of their presence in the extracellular matrix and by virtue of a leucine-rich repeat motif that dominates the structure of the core protein. It is likely that most, if not all the members of this group exist as proteoglycans in some tissues, and thus have been termed the Small Leucine-Rich Proteoglycan family, or SLRPs. The leucine-rich repeat (LRR) is usually present in tandem array and has been described in an increasing number of proteins, giving rise to a LRR-superfamily. The LRR domain of the SLRP family is unique within the superfamily in that it is flanked by cysteine clusters, and the 24 amino acid consensus for SLRP members is x-x-I/V/L-x-x-x-x-F/P/L-x-x-L/P-x-x-L-x-x-L/I-x-L-x-x-N-x-I/L, where x is any amino acid. Enormous progress has been made in describing the membership, structure and localization of this family, and recently new insight has emerged into the putative function of these molecules not just as modulators of matrix assembly but also on their intriguing role in regulating cell growth, adhesion, and migration. Determination of membership, structure and putative function of this fascinating class of molecules is summarized in this review.


Dome Laminotomies at Adjacent Segments in Cervical Laminoplasty.
Cervical laminoplasty is an established and effective surgical treatment for neurologic dysfunction associated with cervical myelopathy. "Dome laminotomies" involve undercutting the laminae adjacent to the laminoplasty levels to decompress and prevent spinal cord kinking on the lamina edges. The technique allows for a decrease in the number of instrumented laminae, smaller surgical exposure, and preservation of muscular attachments at the top of C2 and C7. We investigated whether dome laminotomies are associated with satisfactory neurologic and pain outcome. This study involved a retrospective review of consecutive patients treated at a single institution between November 2015 and September 2018. The patients underwent a C3-C6 laminoplasty with dome laminotomies of the caudal edge of C2 and the cranial edge of C7 lamina. Postoperative evaluations of pain, myelopathy symptoms, and complications occurred at early (mean, ∼2 months) and late (mean, ∼15 months) time points. Twenty-one patients were enrolled (mean age, 62 years). Mean axial pain score improved significantly at both the early (P = .02) and late (P = .045) postoperative evaluations compared with the mean baseline pain score. A total of 92% of patients experienced resolution of baseline hand dysfunction at the early postoperative follow-up, and 84% maintained it at the late follow-up. Two-thirds of patients experienced (late) significant improvement (P < 0.05) in baseline balance impairment. Postoperative response rates for urinary dysfunction were 58% (early) and 42% (late). There were no wound complications, late neurologic deterioration, kyphosis, or C5 palsy. C3-C6 laminoplasty with C2 and C7 dome laminotomies was safe, well tolerated, and associated with satisfactory early and late improved neurologic function and decreased pain.


Role of specific distorted metal complexes in exciton self-trapping for hybrid metal halides.
A methodology enabling the discovery of hybrid metal halide phosphors through the selection of structural networks, which exhibit a specific distorted environment of the metal ions associated with the self-trapping of excitons, is proposed. This approach is demonstrated with the synthesis of an efficient near-UV emitting hybrid cadmium halide phosphor.


Synergistic anti-candidal activity and mode of action of Mentha piperita essential oil and its major components.
Mentha piperita L. (Lamiaceae) has been used in folk medicine since antiquity. Its essential oil (mint EO) and major bioactive components have antimicrobial properties but their mechanism of action is still not clear. The present work aims to elucidate M. piperita's anti-Candida activity and mode of action. Chemical constituents of mint EO were identified by GC-MS by injecting 0.1 ml sample in a splitless mode. MIC was determined by the broth dilution method. Synergy with fluconazole (FLC) was evaluated by checkerboard assay and FICI. Mid log phase cells harvested from YPD media were used for proton extrusion measurement and the rate of glucose-induced H(+) efflux gives PM-ATPase activity. Cell membrane integrity was estimated by total ergosterol content and scanning microscopy at respective MIC and sub-MIC values. In vitro hemolytic activity was performed to rule out possible cytotoxicity of the test compounds. The MIC value of mint EO, carvone, menthol, and menthone was 225, 248, 500, and 4200 µg/ml, respectively. At their respective MICs, these compounds showed 47, 42, 35, and 29% decrease in PM-ATPase activity besides showing synergy with FLC. In case of FLC-resistant strains, the decrease in H(+) efflux was by 52, 48, 32, and 30%, a trend similar to the susceptible cases. Exposed Candida cells showed a 100% decrease in the ergosterol content, cell membrane breakage, and alterations in morphology. Our studies suggest that mint EO and its lead compounds exert antifungal activity by reducing ergosterol levels, inhibiting PM-ATPase leading to intracellular acidification, and ultimately cell death. Our results suggest that mint EO and its constituents are potential antifungal agents and need to be further investigated.


A pyrene based fluorescent turn-on chemosensor: aggregation-induced emission enhancement and application towards Fe3+ and Fe2+ recognition.
A pyrene-based probe bearing benzothiazole ionophore (Py-BTZ) was synthesised as a "turn-on" fluorescent chemosensor for the detection of Fe3+ and Fe2+ ions in CH3CN : H2O (1 : 1, v/v) solvent mixes. The chemosensor showed optical as well as colorimetric changes towards Fe3+ and Fe2+ ions along with a remarkable enhancement in fluorescence emission. The detection limit of Py-BTZ towards Fe3+ and Fe2+ ions was found to be 2.61 μM and 2.06 μM, respectively. The binding of Py-BTZ with Fe3+ and Fe2+ was determined by using FT-IR experiments. Interestingly, Py-BTZ shows aggregation induced emission enhancement (AIEE) properties in polar solvent mixes such as CH3CN : H2O (1 : 1, v/v).


The availability of references and the sponsorship of original research cited in pharmaceutical advertisements.
The primary goal of pharmaceutical advertisements is to convince physicians to prescribe the manufacturer's product. We sought to determine what materials are cited in support of claims in pharmaceutical ads and medical research articles, and whether health care professionals seeking to verify the claims could obtain these references. We reviewed 438 unique ads from the 1999 issues of 10 American medical journals, and a random sample of 400 references in medical research articles selected from the same journals. We classified references as journal article, data on file, meeting abstract or presentation, book or monograph, marketing report, prescribing information, government document or Internet site. We attempted to confirm or obtain each reference through library and Internet searches or by direct request from the manufacturer. The main outcome we sought to determine was the availability of the reference to a clinician. We also ascertained the source of funding for original research cited in the ads and the research articles. In the 438 ads with medical claims, 126 contained no references and 312 contained 721 unique references. Of these ad references, 55% (396/721) cited journal articles and 19% (135/721) cited data on file. In contrast, in the sample of research article references, 88% (351/400) cited journal articles and 8% (33/400) cited books. Overall, 84% of the citations from the ads were available: 98% of journal articles, 86% of books, 71% of meeting abstracts or presentations and 20% of data-on-file references. In all, 99% of the sample of research article references were available. We determined that 58% of the original research cited in the pharmaceutical ads was sponsored by or had an author affiliated with the product's manufacturer, as compared with 8% of the articles cited in the research articles. Many pharmaceutical ads contain no references for medical claims. Although references to journal articles were usually obtainable, other published sources were not as easily acquired. The majority of unpublished data-on-file references were not available, and the majority of original research cited to substantiate claims in the pharmaceutical ads was funded by or had authors affiliated with the product's manufacturer.


Do sensorial manipulations affect subjects differently depending on their postural abilities?
To examine whether sensorial manipulation affects subjects differently according to their postural performance and the strategies used. The literature showed that the level of competition of soccer players influences their postural performance and strategy. Eight high-level (HL) professional soccer players and nine regional-level (RL) soccer players were tested (1) in a reference condition and (2) in a manipulated sensorial condition (MAN). The MAN condition consisted of perturbing the proprioceptive and exteroceptive information. For each postural condition, balance was assessed by measuring the centre of foot pressure using a force platform during a test of bipedal standing posture. The postural control was less perturbed in the HL than in the RL players in the two postural conditions. Moreover, the group-condition interaction showed that the postural control was less disturbed in the HL than in the RL players when the sensory information was manipulated. The HL soccer players probably possessed a better internal model of verticality than the RL players. Subjects who had a better postural control level were less disturbed by sensorial manipulation than the others in postural regulation.


Japanese version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index: validity and reliability in patients with acne.
Patient-reported quality of life is strongly affected by some dermatologic conditions. We developed a Japanese version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI-J) and used psychometric methods to examine its validity and reliability. The Japanese version of the DLQI was created from the original (English) version, using a standard method. The DLQI-J was then completed by 197 people, to examine its validity and reliability. Some participants completed the DLQI-J a second time, 3 days later, to examine the reproducibility of their responses. In addition to the DLQI-J, the participants completed parts of the SF-36 and gave data on their demographic and clinical characteristics. Their physicians provided information on the location and clinical severity of the skin disease. The participants reported no difficulties in answering the DLQI-J items. Their mean age was 24.8 years, 77.2% were female, and 78.7% had acne vulgaris. The mean score of DLQI was 3.99(SD: 3.99). The responses were found to be reproducible and stable. Results of principal-component and factor analysis suggested that this scale measured one construct. The correlations of DLQI-J scores with sex or age were very poor, but those with SF-36 scores and with clinical severity were high. The DLQI-J provides valid and reliable data despite having only a small number of items.


Ecotoxicity and biodegradability of an alkyl ethoxysulphate surfactant in coastal waters.
Alkyl ethoxysulphates (AES) are anionic surfactants widely used in numerous commercial and industrial applications. In spite of the high AES volume consumption a few data concerning the occurrence, fate and effects of AES in marine environments are reported in literature. The objective of this study is to evaluate the biodegradability and toxicity of AES in pristine sea water. Ultimate biodegradation was studied according to the guideline 835.3160 "Biodegradability in sea water" proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Acute toxicity of AES was studied to the microalgae Nannochloropsis gaditana, Isochrysis galbana, Chaetoceros gracilis, Dunaliella salina and Tetraselmis chuii and the invertebrate Artemia franciscana, using culture growth inhibition and death, respectively, as effect criteria. During the degradative process two different stages were observed, which were better described with the first order and logistic kinetic models, respectively. Lag times were 3.3 (stage A) and 26.5 (stage B) days whereas half-lives were 18.6 (stage A) and 49.8 (stage B) days. AES inhibited the microalgae growth, with 96-h EC50 values ranging from 4.68 g L(-1) for D. salina to 24.02 mg L(-1) for I. galbana. Mean 48- and 72-h LC50 values for A. franciscana were 38.30 and 23.92 mg L(-1), respectively. The results indicate an extensive biodegradability of AES in sea water, although at a very slow rate. Acute toxicity was highly dependent on the species tested, being the green alga D. salina the most affected organism. The present study provides relevant data concerning the biodegradability and adverse effects of an AES surfactant on marine organisms, which are useful to establish water quality criteria in a regulatory framework.


Synaptic remodeling, lessons from C. elegans.
Sydney Brenner's choice of Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism for understanding the nervous system has accelerated discoveries of gene function in neural circuit development and behavior. In this review, we discuss a striking example of synaptic remodeling in the C. elegans motor circuit in which DD class motor neurons effectively reverse polarity as presynaptic and postsynaptic domains at opposite ends of the DD neurite switch locations. Originally revealed by EM reconstruction conducted over 40 years ago, DD remodeling has since been investigated by live cell imaging methods that exploit the power of C. elegans genetics to reveal key effectors of synaptic plasticity. Although synapses are also extensively rewired in developing mammalian circuits, the underlying remodeling mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we highlight the possibility that studies in C. elegans can reveal pathways that orchestrate synaptic remodeling in more complex organisms. Specifically, we describe (1) transcription factors that regulate DD remodeling, (2) the cellular and molecular cascades that drive synaptic remodeling and (3) examples of circuit modifications in vertebrate neurons that share some similarities with synaptic remodeling in C. elegans DD neurons.


Fat-saturated contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI in evaluation of osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma.
To assess contrast-enhanced (C+), fat-saturated (FatSat), T1-weighted (T1W) imaging in the characterization of the soft tissue mass associated with primary bone tumors, we compared it with T2-weighted (T2W) imaging in patients with osteosarcoma (n = 36) and Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (Ewing sarcoma; n = 11). Periosseous tumor compared with normal muscle had greater contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) on the FatSat T1W C+ image than on T2W for 81% (38/47; P < .0001) of patients. The CNR of periosseous tumor compared with subcutaneous fat was greater on FatSat T1W C+ for 98% (46/47; P < .0001). Radiologists found it easier to evaluate neurovascular bundle proximity to tumor with FatSat T1W C+ images than with T2W for 64% of patients (30/47; P < .0001). They judged FatSat T1W C+ superior to T2W for periosseous tumor conspicuity and visualization of soft tissue necrosis in 62% (29/47; P < .0001). In patients with osteosarcoma or Ewing sarcoma, FatSat T1W C+ imaging may replace T2W imaging for soft tissue mass evaluation, especially if contrast is being used for dynamic enhancement.


Design and realization of transparent solar modules based on luminescent solar concentrators integrating nanostructured photonic crystals.
Herein, we present a prototype of a photovoltaic module that combines a luminescent solar concentrator integrating one-dimensional photonic crystals and in-plane CuInGaSe2 (CIGS) solar cells. Highly uniform and wide-area nanostructured multilayers with photonic crystal properties were deposited by a cost-efficient and scalable liquid processing amenable to large-scale fabrication. Their role is to both maximize light absorption in the targeted spectral range, determined by the fluorophore employed, and minimize losses caused by emission at angles within the escape cone of the planar concentrator. From a structural perspective, the porous nature of the layers facilitates the integration with the thermoplastic polymers typically used to encapsulate and seal these modules. Judicious design of the module geometry, as well as of the optical properties of the dielectric mirrors employed, allows optimizing light guiding and hence photovoltaic performance while preserving a great deal of transparency. Optimized in-plane designs like the one herein proposed are of relevance for building integrated photovoltaics, as ease of fabrication, long-term stability and improved performance are simultaneously achieved. © 2015 The Authors. Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.


An unusual case of intrarenal coiled and ruptured guidewire.
To the best of our knowledge there are only 3 reports of fractured guidewires inside the pelvicalyceal system, successfully removed with endourology techniques, and this is the first one presenting a tightly coiled intraparenchymal section. A 59-year-old woman was hospitalized for surgical treatment of a right kidney of reduced size. Past history revealed pyelolithotomy for a staghorn stone 14 months earlier at another Institution with subsequent ureteral obstruction, one failed attempt at ureteral double-J catheter insertion and one failed attempt at percutaneous nephrostomy placement 5 months postoperatively. Another nephrostomy was placed, but left indwelling briefly. CT scan demonstrated a small-size kidney with residual stone fragments and presence of a "device" in the lower pole. The tapered distal extremity of an hydrophilic guidewire, with a tightly coiled central section wedged in the renal tissue was found inside the nephrectomy specimen. While the Radiologist who read the CT scan hypothesized that the "device" was a fragment of double-J ureteral stent or nephrostomy catheter, it consisted of the hydrophilic extremity of a guidewire, broken during a previous attempt at nephrostomy placement. Perirenal fibrosis and inappropriate angle between the needle and the lower calyx are the likely causes of guidewire coiling during its advancement and subsequent rupture during withdrawal. Urologists must be aware that, although percutaneous nephrostomy has a very high technical success rate, unusual complications like guidewire fracture may occur, and that modern imaging techniques can provide an accurate picture of this condition.


Transition-metal dioxides: a case for the intersite term in Hubbard-model functionals.
Triatomic transition-metal oxides in the "inserted dioxide" (O-M-O) structure represent one of the simplest examples of systems that undergo qualitative geometrical changes via subtle electronic-structure modulation. We consider here three transition-metal dioxide molecules (MO(2) where M = Mn, Fe, or Co), for which the equilibrium structural (e.g., bent or linear geometry) and electronic (e.g., spin or symmetry) properties have been challenging to assign both theoretically and experimentally. Augmenting a standard density-functional theory (DFT) approach with a Hubbard term (DFT+U) occasionally overlocalizes the 3d manifold, leading to an incorrect bond elongation and, in turn, poor equilibrium geometries for MO(2) molecules, while preserving good spin-state splittings. Proper description of both geometry and energetics for these molecules is recovered; however, through either calculating DFT+U relaxations at fixed M-O bond lengths or by inclusion of an intersite interaction term V that favors M(3d)-O(2p) interactions. In this latter case, both U and V are calculated fully from first-principles and are not fitting parameters. Finally, we identify an approach that more accurately determines the Hubbard U over a coordinate in which the covalent character of bonding varies.


A New Perspective on the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and Sleep Deprivation-Related Consequences: Can Curcumin Help?
Sleep disturbances, as well as sleep-wake rhythm disorders, are characteristic symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) that may head the other clinical signs of this neurodegenerative disease. Age-related structural and physiological changes in the brain lead to changes in sleep patterns. Conditions such as AD affect the cerebral cortex, basal forebrain, locus coeruleus, and the hypothalamus, thus changing the sleep-wake cycle. Sleep disorders likewise adversely affect the course of the disease. Since the sleep quality is important for the proper functioning of the memory, impaired sleep is associated with problems in the related areas of the brain that play a key role in learning and memory functions. In addition to synthetic drugs, utilization of medicinal plants has become popular in the treatment of neurological diseases. Curcuminoids, which are in a diarylheptanoid structure, are the main components of turmeric. Amongst them, curcumin has multiple applications in treatment regimens of various diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, cancer, inflammatory diseases, and aging. Besides, curcumin has been reported to be effective in different types of neurodegenerative diseases. Scientific studies exclusively showed that curcumin leads significant improvements in the pathological process of AD. Yet, its low solubility hence low bioavailability is the main therapeutic limitation of curcumin. Although previous studies have focused different types of advanced nanoformulations of curcumin, new approaches are needed to solve the solubility problem. This review summarizes the available scientific data, as reported by the most recent studies describing the utilization of curcumin in the treatment of AD and sleep deprivation-related consequences.


The value of the soluable intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels in matermal serum for determination of occult chorioamnionitis in premature rupture of membranes.
To compare the diagnostic value of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) with that of c-reactive protein (CRP) for detecting chorioamnionitis (CAM) in serum of women with premature rupture of membranes (PROM), 55 pregnant women with PROM, including 18 pregnant women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and 20 normal pregnant women at term (TPROM) were studied. Maternal serum were measured by Sandwish enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) for sICAM. CAM was histologically confirmed after delivery. The results revealed that (1) maternal serum levels of sICAM-1 and CRP were significantly higher in women with PROM than those without it; (2) maternal serum levels of sICAM-1 and CRP were significantly higher in women with CAM than those without it; (3) serum levels of sICAM-1 in PPROM women were similar to those in TPROM women, whereas serum levels of CRP in PPROM women were significantly higher than those in TPROM women; (4) the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, Kappa index and area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of maternal serum sICAM-1 (cutoff 104.7 ng/ml) and CRP (cutoff 1.03 mg/dl) for diagnosing CAM were 100%, 91.2%, 87.5%, 100%, 0.20, 0.995 and 81.0%, 73.5%, 65.4%, 86.2%, 0.13, 0.811, respectively; (5) among the mild histological CAM group, severe histological CAM group and clinical CAM group, the difference in maternal serum levels of sICAM-1 were significantly (P<0.001), with the order of concentration from high level to low level corresponding to the severity of CAM. It is concluded that maternal serum level of ICAM-1 is superior to that of CRP as biomarker for diagnosing intraamniotic infection in pregnant women with PROM.


Studies of cyanide poisoning.
The use of amyl nitrite and phenoxybenzamine in the treatment of acute cyanide poisoning was evaluated. Sixty anesthetized beagle dogs were injected i.v. with sodium cyanide (2.5 mg/kg) and were followed for changes in the heart rate, electrocardiogram, respiration, blood pressure and methemoglobin concentration. Twenty control dogs died within 5 to 7 min, showing severe bradycardia, a sharp drop in arterial blood pressure, and respiratory paralysis. Pretreatment with phenoxybenzamine (0.5 mg/kg) prevented these changes in 8 of 10 dogs; however, this drug was ineffective if given after the cyanide. In contrast, amyl nitrite given after cyanide administration reversed both the cardiovascular changes and the respiratory paralysis in 24 of the 30 dogs studied. These changes occurred before the formation of significant amounts of methemoglobin and indicate that early death caused by cyanide may be due in part to cardiovascular-respiratory failure in addition to the classic poisoning of the cytochrome oxidase system. These studies indicate that phenoxybenzamine prevents and amyl nitrite reverses the otherwise lethal effects of cyanide.


Characterization of target gene regulation by the two Epstein-Barr virus oncogene LMP1 domains essential for B-cell transformation.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes multiple human cancers, including B-cell lymphomas. In cell culture, EBV converts healthy human B-cells into immortalized ones that grow continuously, which model post-transplant lymphomas. Constitutive signaling from two cytoplasmic tail domains of the EBV oncogene latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is required for this transformation, yet there has not been systematic analysis of their host gene targets. We identified that only signaling from the membrane proximal domain is required for survival of these EBV-immortalized cells and that its loss triggers apoptosis. We identified key LMP1 target genes, whose abundance changed significantly with loss of LMP1 signals, or that were instead upregulated in response to switching on signaling by one or both LMP1 domains in an EBV-uninfected human B-cell model. These included major anti-apoptotic factors necessary for EBV-infected B-cell survival. Bioinformatics analyses identified clusters of B-cell genes that respond differently to signaling by either or both domains.


Adsorption of phenanthrene on activated carbon increases mineralization rate by specific bacteria.
Bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in soil is affected by PAH sorption to solid phase. We studied the influence of activated carbon (AC) on phenanthrene (PHE) mineralization by five degrading bacterial strains isolated from contaminated soil. PHE adsorption on AC was important and reduced PHE aqueous concentration up to 90%. PHE degradation was improved in the presence of activated carbon with three of the bacterial strains, named NAH1, MATE3 and MATE7, which produced biofilms, whereas it was not improved with the two other ones, which did not produce biofilms, MATE10 and MATE12. Monitoring PHE distribution during incubation showed that aqueous PHE concentration was significantly higher with the biofilm-producing NAH1 than with MATE10. Bacterial adhesion on AC was also investigated. The precoating of AC with PHE increased NAH1 and MATE3 adhesion to the solid surface (>16 and >13%, respectively). Bacterial properties, such as biofilm production and adhesion to AC capacity seemed to be related to their ability to optimize PHE degradation by improving PHE diffusion and reducing diffusion path length.


Role of red blood cells in the early stages of platelet activation by collagen.
Red blood cells (RBC) increase the proaggregatory capacity of a cell-free supernatant obtained by stimulating platelet-rich plasma (PRP) samples with collagen (1 microgram/ml) as measured by the BASIC wave; this effect increases with the number of RBC and is proportionally greater with a lower number of platelets or when lower collagen concentrations are used. Aspirin (ASA) modifies the RBC behaviour in relation to their platelet-collagen interaction. This is demonstrated by the fact that when PRP and RBC obtained from the same subjects before and two hours after the ingestion of ASA (0.5 g) were mixed, it was found that non-ASA-RBC stimulate ASA-PRP, probably through a platelet cyclooxygenase independent pathway; ASA-RBC, however, stimulate non-ASA-PRP, but not ASA-PRP, which suggests that they may need an active platelet cyclooxygenase system for their action. This effect of ASA on RBC is not transient and was also observable 48 h after ASA ingestion. In addition, it was found that ASA-RBC greatly increase the activation of a mixture containing a small proportion of non-ASA-PRP in ASA-PRP, a situation that is expected to be encountered "in vivo" after ASA treatment. This effect of ASA-RBC on platelet activation may help to explain the sometimes contradictory clinical effect of aspirin as an antithrombotic drug.


Aortic stenosis in adults. Non-invasive estimation of pressure differences by continuous wave Doppler echocardiography.
The peak and mean aortic transvalvar pressure differences measured invasively and non-invasively by continuous wave Doppler echocardiography were compared in 87 consecutive patients with aortic stenosis. The mean values were calculated from the maximal velocities of the aortic jet recorded with a spectral display of the Doppler frequency shifts and by applying a modified Bernoulli equation. Technically satisfactory velocity curves for estimating the mean pressure differences could not be obtained in three patients and invasive measurements were not obtained in two. In all patients the peak transvalvar pressure difference was calculated since the aortic jet was identified non-invasively. The peak and mean pressure differences measured invasively and non-invasively correlated well--with only minor underestimation of the pressure differences measured with the Doppler technique--regardless of age, sex, and the presence or absence of aortic valvar regurgitation, or other valvar lesions. With a systematic search for the highest velocities in the aortic jet and with on line spectral analysis of the Doppler frequencies the peak and the mean aortic pressure differences can be determined non-invasively with a high degree of precision in almost all patients.


Two-dimensional XXZ -Ising model on a square-hexagon lattice.
We study a two-dimensional XXZ -Ising model on a square-hexagon (denoted for simplicity by 4-6) lattice with spin 1/2. The phase diagram at zero temperature is discussed, where five states are found, two types of ferrimagnetic states, two types of antiferromagnetic states, and one ferromagnetic state. To solve this model, we have mapped onto the eight-vertex model with union Jack interaction term, and it was verified that the model cannot be completely mapped onto eight-vertex model. However, by imposing an exact solution condition, we have found the region where the XXZ -Ising model on 4-6 lattice is exactly soluble with one free parameter, particularly for the case of symmetric eight-vertex model condition. In this manner we have explored the properties of the system and have analyzed the interacting competition parameters which preserve the region where there is an exact solution. Unfortunately the present model does not satisfy the free fermion condition of the eight-vertex model, unless for a trivial solution. Even so, we are able to discuss the critical point region, beyond the region of exact resolvability.


Oxyphil cell function in secondary parathyroid hyperplasia.
Oxyphil cell function in secondary parathyroid hyperplasia due to chronic renal failure was evaluated using in situ hybridization and heterotransplantation of parathyroid tissue. In situ hybridization and histologic analysis were performed on continuous frozen sections using 22 parathyroid tissues. A restricted area composed exclusively of oxyphil cells was observed in 10 specimens, and an area of only chief cells was found in 12 specimens. Silver grains demonstrating the existence of parathyroid hormone (PTH) mRNA were 18.8 +/- 7.8 (mean +/- SD) in oxyphil cells while those in chief cells were 17.2 +/- 7.5. PTH mRNA was abundant in both the oxyphil and chief cells. Further analysis of oxyphil cell function was assessed by the heterotransplantation of parathyroid nodules, consisting exclusively of oxyphil or chief cells, into nude mice. The function of these implants was assessed by measuring the concentration of human intact PTH which did not cross-react with mouse PTH. Serum PTH concentrations were correlated with the volume of implanted tissue. Elevations of PTH concentrations were similar in the mice transplanted with oxyphil or chief cells, indicating that both cell types had similar PTH secretory activity. The basic histologic characteristics of both cell types were not altered following transplantation. These results demonstrate that oxyphil cells in secondary parathyroid hyperplasia synthesize and secrete PTH, and that this secretion contributes to the pathophysiology of hyperparathyroidism.


AEGS: identifying aberrantly expressed gene sets for differential variability analysis.
In gene expression studies, differential expression (DE) analysis has been widely used to identify genes with shifted expression mean between groups. Recently, differential variability (DV) analysis has been increasingly applied as analyzing changed expression variability (e.g. the changes in expression variance) between groups may reveal underlying genetic heterogeneity and undetected interactions, which has great implications in many fields of biology. An easy-to-use tool for DV analysis is needed. We develop AEGS for DV analysis, to identify aberrantly expressed gene sets in diseased cases but not in controls. AEGS can rank individual genes in an aberrantly expressed gene set by each gene's relative contribution to the total degree of aberrant expression, prioritizing top genes. AEGS can be used for discovering gene sets with disease-specific expression variability changes. AEGS web server is accessible at http://bmi.xmu.edu.cn:8003/AEGS, where a stand-alone AEGS application can also be downloaded. email@example.com.


Serological diagnosis of Taenia solium in pigs: No measurable circulating antigens and antibody response following exposure to Taenia saginata oncospheres.
Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis is a zoonosis included in the WHO's list of neglected tropical diseases. Accurate diagnostic tools for humans and pigs are needed to monitor intervention outcomes. Currently used diagnostic tools for porcine cysticercosis all have drawbacks. Serological tests are mainly confronted with problems of specificity. More specifically, circulating antigen detecting tests cross-react with Taenia hydatigena and the possibility of transient antigens as a result of aborted infections is suspected. Furthermore, the hypothesis has been raised that hatched ingested eggs of other Taenia species may lead to a transient antibody response or to the presence of circulating antigen detectable by serological tests used for porcine cysticercosis. Here we describe the results of a study that consisted of oral administration of Taenia saginata eggs to five piglets followed by serological testing during five weeks and necropsy aiming at studying possible cross reactions in serological tests used for porcine cysticercosis. The infectivity of the eggs was verified by in vitro hatching and by experimental infection of a calf. One piglet developed acute respiratory disease and died on day 6 post infection. The remaining four piglets did not show any clinical signs until euthanasia. None of the serum samples from four piglets collected between days 0 and 35 post infection gave a positive reaction in the B158/B60 Ag-ELISA and in a commercial Western blot for antibody detection. In conclusion, this study showed that experimental exposure of four pigs to T. saginata eggs did not result in positive serologies for T. solium. These results may help interpreting serological results in monitoring of T. solium control programmes.


An examination of theory and behavior change in randomized clinical trials.
This paper underscores the important role played by theory-based mediating variables in randomized clinical trials. Indeed, it is essential that we know what mediating variables are relevant for particular outcomes in randomized clinical trials and that we design interventions to optimize change in the mediators of interest. Yet, knowledge of the pivotal mediating variables in behavior change does not imply that we know how to intervene effectively. This gap may be due to the fact that existing research typically has been designed to garner support for theory, as opposed to testing support for behavior change strategies that are based on theory. In addition, we argue that there are important mediating variables in behavior change that have not been given systematic attention in theory development. For example, behavior change must be viewed as a collaborative process, and participants' perceptions concerning the feasibility of change is important to motivational processes in randomized clinical trials. Control Clin Trials 2000;21:164S-170S


Structural dynamics of frog muscle during isometric contraction.
Intensity fluctuation autocorrelation functions of laser light scattered by actively contracting muscle were measured at points in the scattered field. They were reproducible and showed characteristics which depended on the physiological state of the muscle and the parameters of the scattering geometry. The autocorrelation functions had large amplitudes and decay rates that varied significantly with the phase of the contraction-relaxation cycle. The dependence of the autocorrelation function on scattering geometry indicated many elements with diameters on the order of 0.5 mum (presumed to be myofibrillar sarcomeres or their A bands or I bands) undergo independent random changes in their axial positions and their internal distribution of optical polarizability during the plateau of an isometric tetanus. The experimental results are interpreted in terms of a model in which most of the scattering elements in isometrically contracting muscle have random fluctuating axial velocities of average magnitude 20 nm/ms that persist for a few milliseconds at least. In addition to these axial motions there are local fluctuations in polarizability. Similar intensity fluctuation autocorrelation functions were observed throughout the active state on two muscle preparations, whole sartorius muscle and small bundles of single fibers (three to eight) of semitendinosus muscle. These results imply that the tension developed during an isometric tetanus contains a fluctuating component as well as a constant component.


Diversity of maize shoot apical meristem architecture and its relationship to plant morphology.
The shoot apical meristem contains a pool of undifferentiated stem cells and controls initiation of all aerial plant organs. In maize (Zea mays), leaves are formed throughout vegetative development; on transition to floral development, the shoot meristem forms the tassel. Due to the regulated balance between stem cell maintenance and organogenesis, the structure and morphology of the shoot meristem are constrained during vegetative development. Previous work identified loci controlling meristem architecture in a recombinant inbred line population. The study presented here expanded on this by investigating shoot apical meristem morphology across a diverse set of maize inbred lines. Crosses of these lines to common parents showed varying phenotypic expression in the F1, with some form of heterosis occasionally observed. An investigation of meristematic growth throughout vegetative development in diverse lines linked the timing of reproductive transition to flowering time. Phenotypic correlations of meristem morphology with adult plant traits showed an association between the meristem and flowering time, leaf shape, and yield traits, revealing links between the control and architecture of undifferentiated and differentiated plant organs. Finally, quantitative trait loci mapping was utilized to map the genetic architecture of these meristem traits in two divergent populations. Control of meristem architecture was mainly population-specific, with 15 total unique loci mapped across the two populations with only one locus identified in both populations.