Analysis of the protective efficacy of approved COVID-19 vaccines against Omicron variants and the prospects for universal vaccines.
By the end of 2022, different variants of Omicron had rapidly spread worldwide, causing a significant impact on the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic situation. Compared with previous variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), these new variants of Omicron exhibited a noticeable degree of mutation. The currently developed platforms to design COVID-19 vaccines include inactivated vaccines, mRNA vaccines, DNA vaccines, recombinant protein vaccines, virus-like particle vaccines, and viral vector vaccines. Many of these platforms have obtained approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the WHO. However, the Omicron variants have spread in countries where vaccination has taken place; therefore, the number of cases has rapidly increased, causing concerns about the effectiveness of these vaccines. This article first discusses the epidemiological trends of the Omicron variant and reviews the latest research progress on available vaccines. Additionally, we discuss progress in the development progress and practical significance of universal vaccines. Next, we analyze the neutralizing antibody effectiveness of approved vaccines against different variants of Omicron, heterologous vaccination, and the effectiveness of multivalent vaccines in preclinical trials. We hope that this review will provide a theoretical basis for the design, development, production, and vaccination strategies of novel coronavirus vaccines, thus helping to end the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.


Performance of capillary columns for high-temperature gas chromatography
The developments in stationary-phase synthesis and capillary column technology have opened new perspectives in the analysis of high-molecular-weight compounds (600 daltons) and thermolabile organic compounds by high-temperature-high-resolution gas chromatography. This branch of high-resolution gas chromatography deals with analysis performed up to 390 degrees C oven temperature (with some applications going up to 420 degrees C and even a few applications to 450 degrees C maximum). The technique has been applied to many different fields of science (e.g., organic geochemistry, environmental chemistry, archeology, and natural product research). Apolar and medium-polar gum phases can now be operated at temperatures from 400 to 480 degrees C, but these higher temperatures are seldom used because of the thermostability of the material used to make the capillary tubing. This paper shows the performance of nine commercial high-temperature columns when used in routine applications.


A mutated vitamin D receptor in hereditary vitamin D-resistant rickets prevents induction of bronchial hyperreactivity and inflammation.
Previous studies have reported an association between vitamin D deficiency and asthma. Hereditary 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-resistant rickets (HVDRR) patients provide a natural model to assess the role of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in regulating human lung immune responses and airway hyperreactivity. The aim of the study was to determine the role of the VDR on lung functions, airways, and systemic markers of inflammation and allergy in HVDRR patients. Thirteen HVDRR patients (aged 6-37 y) and 17 normal controls (aged 6-38 y) underwent spirometry, a methacholine challenge test (MCT), blood tests, allergy skin tests, determination of fractional exhaled nitric oxide, and measurement of serum and exhaled breath condensate cytokines, including IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-17, and interferon-γ levels. All HVDRR patients had negative MCT results, whereas six controls (35.3%) had positive MCT results (P < .014). Serum IgE levels, eosinophil counts, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide and allergy skin test results were similar for the HVDRR patients and controls, as were the serum cytokine concentrations. The HVDRR patients had different cytokine levels in their exhaled breath condensate (increased IL-4 and IL-17 and decreased IL-5, IL-10, and interferon-γ levels) compared to the controls (P < .005). HVDRR patients show diverse exhaled cytokine profiles but seem to be protected against provoked bronchial hyperreactivity and clinical asthma. These findings suggest that an intact VDR has an important role in asthma pathophysiology.


Lessons after the early management of the COVID-19 outbreak in a pediatric transplant and hemato-oncology center embedded within a COVID-19 dedicated hospital in Lombardia, Italy. Estote parati.
Italy is the second exposed country worldwide, after China, and Lombardia is the most affected region in Italy, with more than half of the national cases, with 13% of whom being healthcare professionals. The Clinica Pediatrica Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca is a general pediatric and hematology oncology and transplant center embedded within the designated COVID-19 general Hospital San Gerardo in Monza, located in Lombardia, Italy. Preventive and control measures specifically undertaken to cope with the emergency within hemato-oncology, transplant, and outpatient unit in the pediatric department have been described. Preliminary COVID-19 experiences with the first Italian pediatric hemato-oncology patients are reported. The few available data regarding pediatrics and specifically hemato-oncological patients are discussed. The purpose of this report is to share pediatric hemato-oncology issues encountered in the first few weeks of the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy and to alert healthcare professionals worldwide to be prepared accordingly.


Complete response of colorectal liver metastases after intra-arterial chemotherapy.
We demonstrated that colorectal liver metastases considered in complete response after intra-arterial floxuridine-based chemotherapy had recurred in situ. One hundred and six colorectal liver metastases disappeared after intra-arterial chemotherapy. Persistent macroscopic disease was observed at surgery at the site of 52 of 106 liver metastases, even though computerized tomography scan and ultrasound showed a complete response. The sites of 35 initial liver metastases that were not visible at surgery were resected. Pathologic examination of these sites, considered in complete response, showed viable cancer cells in 22 of 35 cases. After 1 year of follow-up, 33 of 106 liver metastases considered in complete response had recurred in situ. After 2 years of follow-up, persistent macroscopic or microscopic residual disease or recurrence was observed in 86 (81%) of the 106 liver metastases. Nevertheless, 19% of the patients had a long-lasting response. This means that floxuridine given as intra-arterial hepatic chemotherapy can still be considered an interesting option of cure in the treatment of colorectal liver metastases. When feasible, the site of the lesion that disappeared after intra-arterial chemotherapy should be resected at surgery. The best palliative cure of liver metastases should be the combination of local-regional strategies like intra-arterial chemotherapy, surgery or radiofrequency ablation with the systemic approach.


2-Methoxyestradiol, an endogenous estrogen metabolite, induces apoptosis in endothelial cells and inhibits angiogenesis: possible role for stress-activated protein kinase signaling pathway and Fas expression.
2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME) is an endogenous metabolite of estradiol-17beta and the oral contraceptive agent 17-ethylestradiol. 2-ME was recently reported to inhibit endothelial cell proliferation. The current study was undertaken to explore the mechanism of 2-ME effects on endothelial cells, especially whether 2-ME induces apoptosis, a prime mechanism in tissue remodeling and angiogenesis. Cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC) exposed to 2-ME showed morphological (including ultrastructural) features characteristic of apoptosis: cell shrinkage, cytoplasmic and nuclear condensation, and cell blebbing. 2-ME-induced apoptosis in BPAEC was a time- and concentration-dependent process (EC50 = 0.45 +/- 0.09 microM, n = 8). Nucleosomal DNA fragmentation in BPAEC treated with 2-ME was identified by agarose gel electrophoresis (DNA ladder) as well as in situ nick end labeling. Under the same experimental conditions, estradiol-17beta and two of its other metabolites, estriol and 2-methoxyestriol (< or =10 microM), did not have an apoptotic effect on BPAEC. 2-ME activated stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK)/c-Jun amino-terminal protein kinase in BPAEC in a concentration-dependent manner. The activity of SAPK was increased by 170 +/- 27% and 314 +/- 22% over the basal level in the presence of 0.4 and 2 microM 2-ME (n = 3-6), respectively. The activation of SAPK was detected at 10 min, peaked at 20 min, and returned to basal levels at 60 min after exposure to 2-ME. Inhibition of SAPK/c-Jun amino-terminal protein kinase activation by basic fibroblast growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, or forskolin reduced 2-ME-induced apoptosis. Immunohistochemical analysis of BPAEC indicated that 2-ME up-regulated expression of both Fas and Bcl-2. In addition, 2-ME inhibited BPAEC migration (IC50 = 0.71 +/- 0.11 microM, n = 4) and basic fibroblast growth factor-induced angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane model. Taken together, these results suggest that promotion of endothelial cell apoptosis, thereby inhibiting endothelial cell proliferation and migration, may be a major mechanism by which 2-ME inhibits angiogenesis.


The COVID-19 pandemic: Theoretical and practical perspectives on children, women and sex trafficking.
We provide theoretical and practical perspectives on children, women, and sex trafficking during the COVID-19 pandemic. Process tracing is employed as a primary research instrument. It is an analytical technique used for either theory-building or theory-testing purposes that is employed to elucidate causation and change as well as to develop and evaluate extant theories in social sciences. We illustrate that a policy is needed that will strengthen the capacity of existing structures in the fight against the underlying trafficking so that these attendant structures are efficiently used to stop the trafficking and avoid the corresponding threats to public health safety.


Selection of cerebral aneurysms for treatment using Guglielmi detachable coils: the preliminary University of Illinois at Chicago experience.
We present our initial experience with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs). The aim of this study was to determine the criteria for aneurysms, ruptured or unruptured, that are suitable for this technique. The importance of aneurysm geometry and its impact on the final results are discussed. A retrospective analysis of 329 patients with 339 cerebral aneurysms that were treated at the University of Illinois Hospital at Chicago from May 1994 to June 1997 was conducted. One hundred eighty-five patients were treated surgically, and 144 were selected for treatment using GDCs. Of the 144 patients selected for GDC treatment, 55 patients with 55 aneurysms were admitted during the acute phase of subarachnoid hemorrhage and 89 patients with 97 aneurysms had nonruptured aneurysms or were treated after clinical recovery of previously ruptured aneurysms. All procedures were performed with the patients under general anesthesia and with systemic heparinization using live simultaneous biplane roadmapping, with the exception of the first four patients. These patients were treated before the installation of the biplane system. The percentage of aneurysm occlusion was determined at the end of each procedure. Follow-up angiography was scheduled to be performed at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after treatment. For the initial 25 patients (Group 1), selection for coiling was restricted to nonsurgical candidates or patients in whom coiling was thought to be the best treatment choice, based on medical condition and location of the aneurysm. The geometry of the aneurysm was not considered to be an important factor in the selection for coiling. The remaining patients (Group 2) were selected for coiling based on aneurysm geometry, as determined by pretherapeutic angiography. Aneurysms that were considered to be favorable for coiling included those that had a dome-to-neck ratio of at least 2 and an absolute neck diameter less than 5 mm. The initial 25 patients (Group 1) were treated from May 1994 to February 1995. There were high morbidity and mortality rates, with 56% of the treated aneurysms occluded at 6 months. The remaining patients (Group 2) consisted of 119 patients with 123 aneurysms. There was no mortality directly related to the coiling procedure, and permanent morbidity was limited to 1.0%. Three patients (2.5%) developed transient neurological deficits secondary to the procedure, and seven patients (5.8%) experienced periprocedural complications that did not result in neurological sequelae. The morphological results were strongly correlated to the geometry of the aneurysms, with a complete occlusion rate of 72% among the acutely ruptured aneurysms and 80% among the nonacute aneurysms, when patients were selected for treatment based on the geometry of the aneurysms and the dome-to-neck ratio was at least 2. The occlusion rate dropped to 53% when selection was not based on aneurysm geometry and the dome-to-neck ratio was less than 2. A summary of the morphological outcomes for the Group 2 patients shows that 86% of the aneurysms that initially underwent coiling using GDCs were completely occluded (78% by coils alone, 3.0% in conjunction with surgery, and 5.0% with parent artery occlusion). Residual small neck remnants were present in 11% of the Group 2 aneurysms (3.0% were scheduled for surgical treatment of residual neck remnant growths not amenable to further endovascular treatment, and 8% were scheduled for initial 6-mo follow-up examinations). Death resulting from unrelated causes before initial follow-up occurred in 3.0% of the patients. These preliminary results suggest that using GDCs is a safe technique resulting in low morbidity and mortality rates for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms in appropriately selected patients. The percentage of complete aneurysm occlusion is related to the density of coil packing, which is strongly dependent on the geometry of the aneurysm. Optim


Pancreatic injury: an audit and a practical approach.
Pancreatic injuries are uncommon, difficult to diagnose and there is no uniform standard for treatment. The purpose of this study was to audit the management of pancreatic injuries in our practice. Equally important is to attempt to find out a simple management plan particularly in the era of increasing conservative treatment of injured patients. There were 22 cases of pancreatic injury. The average Glasgow coma scale of 10.9 and injury severity score of 29.1. When computed tomography is used it has a sensitivity of 33.3% which became 100% if repeated or other injuries were identified. There was one case in grade I which was treated non-operatively. There were 15 patients in grade II and they were treated by drainage. Distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy was the treatment of 3 patients with grade III injury. One patient had pancreatico-jejunostomy for grade IV injury and subsequently developed pancreatic fistula. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was the treatment of choice for two patients with grade V and both subsequently died. The over all mortality of this series was 22.7% and intra-abdominal abscesses noted in 9.1%. This series indicated that there is a need to adopt 'bail out' procedures particularly in grade IV and V pancreatic injury. A simplified management plan is suggested.


Ethyl beta-[2-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyliminomethyl]-1-(phenylsulfonyl)indol-3-yl]acrylate.
The title compound, C(28)H(27)N(3)O(4)S, crystallizes in the centrosymmetric space group P2(1)/n, with one molecule in the asymmetric unit. In the indole ring, the dihedral angle between the fused rings is 3.6 (1) degrees. The phenyl ring of the sulfonyl substituent makes a dihedral angle of 79.2 (1) degrees with the best plane of the indole moiety. The phenyl ring of the dimethylaminophenyl group is orthogonal to the phenyl ring of the phenylsulfonyl group. The dihedral angle formed by the weighted least-squares planes through the pyrrole ring and the phenyl ring of the dimethylaminophenyl group is 7.8 (1) degrees. The molecular structure is stabilized by C-H.O and C-H.N interactions.


Breast tissue ablation with irreversible electroporation in rabbits: A safety and feasibility study.
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) was confirmed to control several solid tumors effectively in vivo. Our preclinical study aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of IRE in the breast of rabbit. Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10 rabbits (control group, IRE group A, and B). Two mono-electrode needles were inserted into the breast tissue by percutaneous puncture. Electrocardiogram and vital signs were monitored before, during, and after ablation. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy were examined at 0 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 4 days, 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days after ablation. All the rabbits survived the procedure with no significant adverse effects. Intra-operative ventricular arrhythmias occurred in 1 rabbit from IRE group B and was immediately relieved after ablation. Reversible subcutaneous hemorrhage was observed in 8 rabbits from IRE group A and 7 rabbits from IRE group B. No skin was burnt, however, pectoralis major muscle injuries were found in all rabbits. Histopathological and ultrastructural examination revealed the coexistence of cell necrosis and apoptosis. HE, TUNEL, and Masson staining revealed breast tissue injury and the recovery of damage by fibrous tissue and granulation tissue. Notably, the structures of mammary gland lobules and interstitial components of the breasts were well preserved. Our study suggests that IRE destroys breast cancer while effectively preserving the skin, the structure of mammary gland lobules, and interstitial components. IRE may be a promising technique to locally control breast cancer and to maintain the esthetic of the breast.


In silico prediction of proteins related to xyloglucan fucosyltransferases in Solanaceae genomes.
Two independent studies have shown that the cell wall of pollen tubes from tobacco and tomato species contained fucosylated xyloglucan (XyG). These findings are intriguing as many reports have shown that XyG of somatic cells of these species is not fucosylated but instead is arabinosylated. In order to produce fucosylated XyG, plants must express a functional galactoside α-2-fucosyltransferase. Here, using a bioinformatics approach, we show that several candidate genes coding for XyG fucosyltransferases are present in the genome of coffee and several Solanaceae species including tomato, tobacco, potato, eggplant and pepper. BLAST and protein alignments with the 2 well-characterized XyG fucosyltransferases from Arabidopsis thaliana and Pisum sativum revealed that at least 6 proteins from different Solanaceae species and from coffee displayed the 3 conserved motifs required for XyG fucosyltransferase activity.


Femoral circulatory responses to lumbar nerve stimulation in developing swine.
The maturation of femoral circulatory responses to efferent lumbar nerve stimulation was tested in 51 developing swine (1 day-3 mo old) under pentobarbital sodium anesthesia (10-30 mg/kg). Aortic pressure, heart rate, and femoral and carotid arterial flows (measured by electromagnetic flow transducers) were recorded simultaneously. Femoral vascular resistance was calculated as mean aortic pressure/mean flow. Transection of the lumbar nerve fibers below the last ganglion in the sympathetic chain did not after femoral resistance in day-old animals but decreased femoral resistance in swine 1 wk of age and older. Efferent lumbar nerve stimulation at various combinations of frequencies and intensities revealed an atropine-blockable vasodilator component in the femoral circulatory response in swine 1 mo of age and older. After alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade with phentolamine (0.25 or 0.5 mg/kg), femoral vasodilation occurred during low-frequency and -intensity stimulation of the lumbar nerve only in animals 1 mo of age and older. Acetylcholine (2 micrograms ia) caused a decrease in femoral resistance at all ages. Vasoconstrictor effects of high-frequency stimulation (5-10 Hz) were present at all ages and were age dependent. The results of these experiments suggest that the femoral circulation in swine at birth in innervated by functionally active vasoconstrictor fibers, which do not provide a tonic influence on femoral resistance until late in the first postnatal week. Furthermore, although femoral vascular cholinergic receptors are demonstrable at birth, there appears to be a delay in the maturation of functionally active vasodilator fibers.


Relationship of recollections of first death experience to current death attitudes.
Previous research (Dickinson, 1992) has investigated adults' memories of their first childhood experience with death. The present study extended this work to examine the relationship of various qualitative aspects of the first experience with death to current death attitudes. College students (196 females, 101 males) described their first childhood death experience and provided memories of: (a) who died; (b) whether parental discussion of death had occurred; (c) whether they had unanswered questions at the time; and (d) whether they had cried at the time. They then completed the Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAP-R; Wong, Reker, & Gesser, 1994). Results indicated that although boys and girls did not respond differently to the first death experience, gender did appear to moderate the relationship between the qualities of this experience and current death attitudes.


[HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT OF A PRIVATE MEDICAL ORGANIZATION].
The article deals with the issues of human resources management of a private medical organization. The author investigates the current state of the staffing of Russian healthcare: the provision of specialists in the healthcare system, professional motivation and prospects for the development of private medicine. In recent years, a system of private medical organizations has been formed in the Russian market of medical services, which provide medical care in parallel with state medical structures. Research in the field of human resource management in healthcare of a theoretical and practical nature shows that the problem of personnel shortage in the field of medicine is urgent and needs to be solved. One of the factors of insufficient staffing of medical organizations is the underinvestment of the healthcare industry over a long period and low preparedness for emergency situations and response to them, which has worsened under the influence of the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic. In conclusion, it is concluded that the main task of the effective functioning of a medical organization and the provision of high-quality medical services is the management of human resources. The purpose of this study is to consider the issues of human resources management of a private medical organization.


The Clinical Utilisation of Respiratory Elastance Software (CURE Soft): a bedside software for real-time respiratory mechanics monitoring and mechanical ventilation management.
Real-time patient respiratory mechanics estimation can be used to guide mechanical ventilation settings, particularly, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). This work presents a software, Clinical Utilisation of Respiratory Elastance (CURE Soft), using a time-varying respiratory elastance model to offer this ability to aid in mechanical ventilation treatment. CURE Soft is a desktop application developed in JAVA. It has two modes of operation, 1) Online real-time monitoring decision support and, 2) Offline for user education purposes, auditing, or reviewing patient care. The CURE Soft has been tested in mechanically ventilated patients with respiratory failure. The clinical protocol, software testing and use of the data were approved by the New Zealand Southern Regional Ethics Committee. Using CURE Soft, patient's respiratory mechanics response to treatment and clinical protocol were monitored. Results showed that the patient's respiratory elastance (Stiffness) changed with the use of muscle relaxants, and responded differently to ventilator settings. This information can be used to guide mechanical ventilation therapy and titrate optimal ventilator PEEP. CURE Soft enables real-time calculation of model-based respiratory mechanics for mechanically ventilated patients. Results showed that the system is able to provide detailed, previously unavailable information on patient-specific respiratory mechanics and response to therapy in real-time. The additional insight available to clinicians provides the potential for improved decision-making, and thus improved patient care and outcomes.


Breath carbonyl levels in a human population of seven hundred participants.
Oxidative stress is associated with numerous health conditions and disorders, and aldehydes are known biomarkers of oxidative stress that can be non-invasively measured in exhaled human breath. Few studies report breath aldehyde levels in human populations, and none claim participant numbers in the hundreds or more. Further, the breath community must first define the existing aldehyde concentration variance in a normal population to understand when these levels are significantly perturbed by exogenous stressors or health conditions. In this study, we collected breath samples from 692 participants and quantified C4-C10 straight chain aldehyde levels. C9 aldehyde was the most abundant in breath, followed by C6. C4 and C5 appear to have bimodal distributions. Post hoc, we mined our dataset for other breath carbonyls captured by our assay, which involves elution of breath samples onto a solid phase extraction cartridge, derivatization and liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (LC-qTOF). We found a total of 21 additional derivatized compounds. Using self-reported demographic factors from our participants, we found no correlation between these breath carbonyls and age, gender, body mass index (BMI), ethnicity or smoking habit (tobacco and marijuana). This work was preceded by a small confounders study, which was intended to refine our breath collection procedure. We found that breath aldehyde levels can be affected by participants' using scented hygiene products such as lotions and mouthwashes, while collecting consecutive breath samples, rinsing the mouth with water, and filtering inspired air did not have an effect. Using these parameters to guide our sampling, subjects were instructed to avoid the prior conditions to provide a breath sample for our study.


Brief motivational treatment for problem gambling: a 24-month follow-up.
A 24-month follow-up of a randomized clinical trial of 2 brief treatments for problem gambling (N = 67) revealed an advantage for participants who received a motivational telephone intervention plus a self-help workbook compared with participants who received only the workbook. Although the 2 groups did not differ in the number of participants reporting 6 months of abstinence, the motivational intervention group gambled fewer days, lost less money, and had lower South Oaks Gambling Screen scores. They were more likely to be categorized as improved compared with the self-help workbook only group. Overall, the results support the effectiveness of a brief telephone- and mail-based treatment for problem gamblers.


Mycobacterium tuberculosis causing infection of an implantable biventricular defibrillator.
Mycobacterial infection of implantable cardiac devices is rare, and infection of pacing system components with M. tuberculosis has been reported on only three previous occasions, involving epicardial pacing systems in two cases. We report here a pocket infection with M. tuberculosis in a transvenous biventricular defibrillator.


A systematic review of the use of music interventions to improve outcomes for patients undergoing hip or knee surgery.
To examine the effectiveness of music as an adjunct treatment for pain, anxiety, and/or postoperative delirium, for patients undergoing hip or knee surgery. Patients undergoing hip or knee surgery are known to experience pain and anxiety before and after surgery and be prone to postoperative delirium. Quantitative systematic review. CENTRAL, Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases were systematically searched without time limits (to June 2018). A systematic search yielded 10 randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs. Studies were appraised using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Data were extracted using the Effective Practice and Organization of Care data extraction tool. Mixed results were found for the effect of music on anxiety, pain, and postoperative delirium in patients undergoing hip or knee surgery. Six of 10 included studies provided evidence that music can improve anxiety, pain, or postoperative delirium outcomes for patients undergoing hip or knee surgery. Music effectively reduced anxiety in one of three studies. Three of seven studies reported benefits of music for reducing postoperative pain. Positive effects of music on postoperative delirium were reported in all three studies that evaluated this outcome. Within group improvements were observed in many of the studies. Music has the potential to improve outcomes of anxiety, pain, and postoperative delirium, for patients undergoing hip or knee surgery. The low number of studies found indicates results should be treated with caution. Further studies are required to provide strong evidence generalizable to a broader population.


Conjugative IncFI plasmids carrying CTX-M-15 among Escherichia coli ESBL producing isolates at a University hospital in Germany.
Multi-drug-resistant, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae, constitute an emerging public-health concern. Little data on the molecular epidemiology of ESBL producing Escherichia coli is available in Germany. Here we describe the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of ESBL producing-Escherichia coli isolates at a German University hospital. We analysed 63 non-duplicate clinical ESBL isolates obtained over an 8-month period using PCR and sequence-based ESBL allele typing, plasmid replicon typing, phylogenetic group typing. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) based genotyping and plasmid profiling was performed, as well as confirmatory DNA-based hybridization assays. Examination of the 63 Escherichia coli isolates revealed an almost equal distribution among the E. coli phylogenetic groups A, B1, B2 and D. High prevalence (36/63) of the CTX-M-15 gene was observed and an analysis of PFGE-based patterns revealed the presence of this CTX-M allele in multiple clones. Resistance to cefotaxime was a transferable trait and a commonly occurring 145.5 kb conjugative IncFI plasmid was detected in 65% of E. coli carrying the CTX-M-15 allele. The rate of transferable antibiotic resistances for GM, SXT, TET, GM-SXT-TET, SXT-TET and GM-TET was 33%, 61%, 61%, 27%, 44% and 11%, respectively. The remaining strains did not have a common IncFI plasmid but harboured transferable IncFI plasmids with sizes that ranged from 97 to 242.5 kb. Our data demonstrate the presence of IncFI plasmids within the prevailing E. coli population in a hospital setting and suggest that the dissemination of CTX-M-15 allele is associated to lateral transfer of these well-adapted, conjugative IncFI plasmids among various E. coli genotypes.


[Prediction of ovulation by echographic monitoring and the appearance of the double outline of the follicle].
Using ultrasound examination of the ovary routinely has given us an opportunity to find a sign that is always present when ovulation is about to occur. It consists in the appearance of a double contour inside the wall of the follicle, the outline of the wall losing its sharpness (due to the separation of the cellular mass of the granulosa). In 55 cases studied by ultrasound and laparoscopy there were 34 proven ovulations. The sign was present in 29 of these cases (85%). In 21 cases when ovulation did not take place the sign was present in only 2 cases (9.5%). This important sign therefore can be used in every case where it is necessary to work out the exact moment of ovulation for artificial insemination or in vitro fertilisation.


Dysfunctional involvement of emotion and reward brain regions on social decision making in excess weight adolescents.
Obese adolescents suffer negative social experiences, but no studies have examined whether obesity is associated with dysfunction of the social brain or whether social brain abnormalities relate to disadvantageous traits and social decisions. We aimed at mapping functional activation differences in the brain circuitry of social decision making in adolescents with excess versus normal weight, and at examining whether these separate patterns correlate with reward/punishment sensitivity, disordered eating features, and behavioral decisions. In this fMRI study, 80 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years old were classified in two groups based on age adjusted body mass index (BMI) percentiles: normal weight (n = 44, BMI percentiles 5th-84th) and excess weight (n = 36, BMI percentile ≥ 85th). Participants were scanned while performing a social decision-making task (ultimatum game) in which they chose to "accept" or "reject" offers to split monetary stakes made by another peer. Offers varied in fairness (Fair vs. Unfair) but in all cases "accepting" meant both players win the money, whereas "rejecting" meant both lose it. We showed that adolescents with excess weight compared to controls display significantly decreased activation of anterior insula, anterior cingulate, and midbrain during decisions about Unfair versus Fair offers. Moreover, excess weight subjects show lower sensitivity to reward and more maturity fears, which correlate with insula activation. Indeed, blunted insula activation accounted for the relationship between maturity fears and acceptance of unfair offers. Excess weight adolescents have diminished activation of brain regions essential for affective tracking of social decision making, which accounts for the association between maturity fears and social decisions.


Peripheral vascular resistances during total left heart bypass with an oscillated blood flow.
For development aimed at a totally implantable type ventricular assist device (VAD), the vibrating flow pump (VFP) has been developed at Tohoku University. A transcutaneous energy transmission system (TETS) using amorphous fibers was developed to power the totally implantable VAD system. The VFP works at a high frequency compared to that of a natural heart of a biological system. It is a frequency of 10-50 Hz. In this research, animal experiments with left heart bypass were carried out with healthy adult goats. For comparison between nonpulsatile flow and oscillated flow, a rotary pump (RP) and the VFP were used in the experiments. For the achievement of total left heart bypass, left ventricular approaches were carried out, and blood was pumped from the left ventricle to the descending aorta. Adequate support of the left heart was provided by both pumps. In terms of the results, the vascular resistances tended to decrease during the use of both pumps during 100% bypass driving. When we compared these pumps at the same flow rate, the resistances during RP driving were significantly smaller than those during VFP driving. These results may suggest that the influences of the VFP upon the peripheral vessels may be relatively small compared to those of the RP. This may be an important result when a stable hemodynamic condition is required during artificial circulation. The VFP was considered as a candidate for a totally implantable VAD as a result.


[Changes in magnesium levels in surgery of the digestive tract].
We studied serum concentrations of magnesium post-operatively in 41 patients divided up into four distinct groups, depending on the degree of seriousness of the operation, the loss of body fluids and the duration of intravenous feeding. The results thus obtained showed us that in digestive disorders there is an initial fall in blood magnesium accentuated in operated patients submitted to continous gastric aspiration or an external biliary drain. In these same patients, there is a tendency to normalisation from the second day after the operation. Only patients with gastric or intestinal fistulas had a curve which fell to the seventh post-operative day reaching severe levels of hypomagnesemia.


Contractile activity regulates isoform expression and polysialylation of NCAM in cultured myotubes: involvement of Ca2+ and protein kinase C.
Muscle development involves a series of complex cell-cell interactions that are mediated, at least in part, by several different cell adhesion molecules. Previous work from this lab showed that the different isoforms of NCAM and its level of polysialylation are developmentally regulated during chick myogenesis in vivo and that this regulation is important for normal muscle development. Using developing chick secondary myotubes grown in culture, we show here that both the polysialylation of NCAM and the developmental switch in isoform expression are regulated by activity and that Ca2+ entry through voltage-gated channels and the subsequent activation of protein kinase C are required for the developmental changes in NCAM isoform synthesis. Specifically, PSA expression was shown to be developmentally regulated with high expression being temporally correlated with the onset of spontaneous contractile activity. Furthermore, blocking contractile activity caused a decrease in PSA expression, while increasing activity with electrical stimulation resulted in its up-regulation. Immunoblot and metabolic labeling studies indicated that dividing myoblasts synthesize primarily 145-kD NCAM, newly formed, spontaneously contracting myotubes synthesize 130-, 145-, and 155-kD NCAM isoforms, while older, more mature myotubes primarily synthesize the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored 130-kD isoform which, in contrast to the other three isoforms, had a high rate of turnover. This developmental switch in NCAM isoform expression could be inhibited with Ca2+ channel blockers and inhibitors of protein kinase C. Taken together, these results suggest that Ca2+ ions and protein kinase C are involved in a second messenger cascade coupling membrane depolarization with transcriptional factors that regulate NCAM isoform synthesis and polysialylation.


Diagnostic utility of thermal printed panographs compared with corresponding computer monitor images.
Digital panoramic radiographs may be viewed with computer monitors or archived as thermal or laser prints. To compare the available diagnostic information from thermal print images to that of corresponding computer monitor images, four calibrated evaluators performed a qualitative analysis of 13 specified anatomic features in 60 pairs of digital panoramic images presented in random order on a computer monitor and as thermal printed images. Each anatomic site was rated both for subjective diagnostic quality and diagnostic utility using a nominal scale. Computer monitor images more often were subjectively judged to have better quality. Within the parameters of this study, both formats had acceptable diagnostic utility for the majority of the anatomic features evaluated.


Biomimetic Apatite/Natural Polymer Composite Granules as Multifunctional Dental Tissue Regenerative Material.
This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of novel composite biomaterials designed for dental applications, aiming to potentially address the prevalent challenge of dental and periodontal tissue loss. The composites consisted of biomimetic hydroxyapatite (mHA) enriched with Mg2+, CO32-, and Zn2+ ions, type I collagen, alginate, and, additionally, chitosan and sericin. The granules were loaded with ibuprofen sodium salt. The investigation encompassed a morphology characterization, a porosity analysis, a chemical structure assessment, and an examination of the swelling behavior, drug release kinetics (ibuprofen), and release profiles of zinc and magnesium ions. The granules exhibited irregular surfaces with an enhanced homogeneity in the chitosan-coated granules and well-developed mesoporous structures. The FT-IR spectra confirmed the presence of ibuprofen sodium, despite overlapping bands for the polymers. The granules demonstrated a high water-absorption capacity, with delayed swelling observed in the chitosan-coated granules. Ibuprofen displayed burst-release profiles, especially in the G1 and G3 samples. In the case of the chitosan-coated granules (G2 and G4), lower amounts of ibuprofen were released. In turn, there was a significant difference in the released amount of magnesium and zinc ions from the granules, which was most likely caused by their different location in the hydroxyapatite crystals. The cytotoxicity assays confirmed the non-cytotoxic behavior of the biomaterial. These findings suggest the potential applicability of these biomaterials in dental scenarios, emphasizing their multifunctional and biocompatible nature.


A critical assessment of therapy for the premenstrual tension syndrome.
Various kinds of therapy have been used for the symptoms of premenstrual tension (PMT): sex steroid hormones, vitamins, prolactin inhibitors, hormones and factors associated with fluid retention and psychiatric/behavioral regimens. Clinical trials with natural progesterone, synthetic progestogens, androgens, estrogens, contraceptive pills, pyridoxine (vitamin B6), dopamine agonists, diuretics, psychoactive drugs and psychotherapy have given conflicting results. All these treatments are based on some underlying notion of etiology. Since the etiology of PMT is still obscure, it is not surprising that as yet there is no single treatment that is universally accepted as effective. It is essential that future trials be well controlled and double blind and that they include large numbers of participants keeping daily records of symptoms during the control and experimental cycles.


Cocoa and chocolate in human health and disease.
Cocoa contains more phenolic antioxidants than most foods. Flavonoids, including catechin, epicatechin, and procyanidins predominate in antioxidant activity. The tricyclic structure of the flavonoids determines antioxidant effects that scavenge reactive oxygen species, chelate Fe2+ and Cu+, inhibit enzymes, and upregulate antioxidant defenses. The epicatechin content of cocoa is primarily responsible for its favorable impact on vascular endothelium via its effect on both acute and chronic upregulation of nitric oxide production. Other cardiovascular effects are mediated through anti-inflammatory effects of cocoa polyphenols, and modulated through the activity of NF-κB. Antioxidant effects of cocoa may directly influence insulin resistance and, in turn, reduce risk for diabetes. Further, cocoa consumption may stimulate changes in redox-sensitive signaling pathways involved in gene expression and the immune response. Cocoa can protect nerves from injury and inflammation, protect the skin from oxidative damage from UV radiation in topical preparations, and have beneficial effects on satiety, cognitive function, and mood. As cocoa is predominantly consumed as energy-dense chocolate, potential detrimental effects of overconsumption exist, including increased risk of weight gain. Overall, research to date suggests that the benefits of moderate cocoa or dark chocolate consumption likely outweigh the risks.


Long-term stability of blood lymphocyte nuclear pocket prevalence in clinically normal adult dairy bulls.
A study on blood lymphocyte nuclear pocket (LNP) prevalence stability was made over a 2-year period on ten clinically normal adult Holstein-Friesian bulls. The design of the experiment included 3 categories of animals as follows: (a) 3 bovine leukosis virus (BLV)-seronegative bulls (N); (b) 4 BLV-seropositive bulls and initial low (less than 1.0%) blood LNP prevalence; and (c) 3 BLV-seropositive bulls with initial high (greater than or equal to 2.0%) blood LNP prevalence. Prevalences of LNP for individual animals in all three groups were stable as to category of initial designation during the 2-year period. All animals initially designated as seronegative or seropositive remained so throughout the experiment. Essentially, correspondence between LNP concentration and BLV serotiter was observed only in the seronegative group in which prevalence was low on all samples. Because increased LNP prevalence has been shown to be related to in vitro C-type BLV production and beacuse LNP prevalence appears to be stable, this measurement may be of discriminatory value in studies to develop criteria for the disposition of enzootic bovine leukosis seropositive cattle.


Finasteride adherence-associated factors in Chinese benign prostatic hyperplasia patients.
Medication noncompliance is a recognized problem worldwide. This study evaluated the factors associated with compliance, discontinuation and switching of finasteride among Chinese benign prostatic hyperplasia patients. A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 682 outpatients newly diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prescribed with finasteride from January 2008 to December 2009, taken from a database. We evaluated their compliance by medication possession ratios, discontinuation and switching rate after the prescription for an average observation period of 15 months. Multiple association factors were identified and evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analyses. The crude compliance level, discontinuation and switching rates were 29.3, 60.6 and 10.1%, respectively. Older age (≥60 years), combination therapy, medical insurance and chronic comorbidities were positively associated with good compliance. Younger age was significantly associated with drug discontinuation or switching. Those patients on finasteride monotherapy and without medical insurance were significantly associated with discontinuation of drugs. Patients <60 years of age, on monotherapy and without medical insurance were less likely to be compliant with their newly initiated finasteride treatment. Consequently, more efforts should be made among this group to increase treatment adherence.


Effects of selective attention on syntax processing in music and language.
The present study investigated the effects of auditory selective attention on the processing of syntactic information in music and speech using event-related potentials. Spoken sentences or musical chord sequences were either presented in isolation, or simultaneously. When presented simultaneously, participants had to focus their attention either on speech, or on music. Final words of sentences and final harmonies of chord sequences were syntactically either correct or incorrect. Irregular chords elicited an early right anterior negativity (ERAN), whose amplitude was decreased when music was simultaneously presented with speech, compared to when only music was presented. However, the amplitude of the ERAN-like waveform elicited when music was ignored did not differ from the conditions in which participants attended the chord sequences. Irregular sentences elicited an early left anterior negativity (ELAN), regardless of whether speech was presented in isolation, was attended, or was to be ignored. These findings suggest that the neural mechanisms underlying the processing of syntactic structure of music and speech operate partially automatically, and, in the case of music, are influenced by different attentional conditions. Moreover, the ERAN was slightly reduced when irregular sentences were presented, but only when music was ignored. Therefore, these findings provide no clear support for an interaction of neural resources for syntactic processing already at these early stages.


Embryonic stem cell-derived haematopoietic progenitor cells down-regulate the CD3 ξ chain on T cells, abrogating alloreactive T cells.
Murine embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived haematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) engraft and populate lymphoid organs. In vivo, HPCs engraft across MHC barriers protecting donor-type allografts from rejection. However, the underlying phenomenon remains elusive. Here, we sought to determine the mechanism by which ES cell-derived HPCs regulate alloreactive T cells. We used the 2C mouse, which expresses a transgenic T-cell receptor against H2-L(d) to determine whether HPCs are deleted by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Previously, we reported that HPCs express MHC class I antigens poorly and do not express class II antigens. In vitro stimulated 2C CTLs failed to lyse H2-L(d) HPCs in a standard 4-hr (51) chromium release assay. Similarly, when the HPCs were tested in an ELISPOT assay measuring the release of interferon-γ by CTLs, HPCs failed to induce CTL degranulation. In addition, mice that were injected with HPCs showed a marked decrease in T-cell responses to alloantigen and CD3 stimulation, but showed a normal response to PMA/ionomycin, suggesting that HPCs impaired T-cell signalling through the T-cell receptor/CD3 complex. Here, we show that HPCs secrete arginase, an enzyme that scavenges l-arginine, leading to metabolites that down-regulate CD3 ζ chain. Indeed an arginase inhibitor partially restored expression of the CD3 ζ chain, implicating arginase 1 in the down-regulation of T cells. This previously unrecognized property of ES cell-derived HPCs could positively enhance the engraftment of ES cell-derived HPCs across MHC barriers by preventing rejection.


Risky shifts: how the timing and course of mothers' depressive symptoms across the perinatal period shape their own and infant's stress response profiles.
We investigated the effects of timing and the course of maternal perinatal depressive symptoms on mother-infant hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) response profiles during an attachment stressor, as well as on within-dyad synchrony of stress profiles: coordination of HPA and sympathetic nervous system and infant-mother HPA attunement. Mothers (n = 86) completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale during pregnancy (Time 1 [T1]) and at 5 months (T2) and 18 months (T3) postnatal. At T3 mother-infant dyads completed the Strange Situation, and four saliva samples collected from both mothers and infants were assayed for cortisol and α-amylase. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to predict mother-infant cortisol response trajectories and within-dyad synchronies by main and interactive effects of T1-T3 Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale scores. Main effects of earlier (T1, T2) depressive symptoms predicted mothers' cortisol trajectories and coordination, and interactions of T1 with postnatal (T2 and T3) symptoms predicted infants' cortisol trajectories, coordination, and attunement. Decomposition of interactions revealed more marked effects on infant cortisol trajectories when the mother shifted from higher to lower depressive symptoms (or vice versa) across the perinatal period. Shifts from lower to higher symptoms also predicted inverse coordination of cortisol with salivary α-amylase and greater attunement of infant with mother cortisol. Implications for the development and transmission of stress dysregulation are discussed.


Religiosity and resilience in persons at high risk for major depression.
Few studies have examined religiosity as a protective factor using a longitudinal design to predict resilience in persons at high risk for major depressive disorder (MDD). High-risk offspring selected for having a depressed parent and control offspring of non-depressed parents were evaluated for psychiatric disorders in childhood/adolescence and at 10-year and 20-year follow-ups. Religious/spiritual importance, services attendance and negative life events (NLEs) were assessed at the 10-year follow-up. Models tested differences in relationships between religiosity/spirituality and subsequent disorders among offspring based on parent depression status, history of prior MDD and level of NLE exposure. Resilience was defined as lower odds for disorders with greater religiosity/spirituality in higher-risk versus lower-risk offspring. Increased attendance was associated with significantly reduced odds for mood disorder (by 43%) and any psychiatric disorder (by 53%) in all offspring; however, odds were significantly lower in offspring of non-depressed parents than in offspring of depressed parents. In analyses confined to offspring of depressed parents, those with high and those with average/low NLE exposure were compared: increased attendance was associated with significantly reduced odds for MDD, mood disorder and any psychiatric disorder (by 76, 69 and 64% respectively) and increased importance was associated with significantly reduced odds for mood disorder (by 74%) only in offspring of depressed parents with high NLE exposure. Moreover, those associations differed significantly between offspring of depressed parents with high NLE exposure and offspring of depressed parents with average/low NLE exposure. Greater religiosity may contribute to development of resilience in certain high-risk individuals.


Estrogen-like and dioxin-like organic contaminants in reclaimed wastewater: transfer to irrigated soil and groundwater.
In semi-arid regions, treated wastewater reuse for irrigation is a common practice since wastewater is considered as a non negligible water resource in these areas. However, treated wastewater contains traces of organic compounds which may contaminate the receiving environment i.e. soil and groundwater. Some of these organic compounds have the ability to bind to estrogen receptor (ER) or dioxin receptor (AhR, aryl hydrocarbon receptor). The fate of these compounds in effluent reused for irrigation, irrigated soils and groundwater is not well addressed yet. In the present study, estrogenic and dioxin-like activities were studied in three media: i) effluents reused for irrigation, ii) soils samples collected from the reclaimed water irrigated plot during six month irrigation, and iii) groundwater sampled before and after irrigation periods. Effluents reused for irrigation exhibited ER and AhR activities at 38.5 +/- 9.9 ng estradiol-equivalent/L (ng E2-EQ/L) and 113.3 +/- 27.7 ng dioxin-equivalent/L (ng TCDD-EQ/L), respectively. Soils showed ER activity (0.05 ng E2-EQ/g) only after 4 months of irrigation. AhR activities detected in all soil samples have not changed during irrigation. In groundwater, ER activities were detected in two piezometers indicating transfer of some estrogenic compounds.


Systematic identification and characterization of cardiac long intergenic noncoding RNAs in zebrafish.
Long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) are increasingly recognized as potential key regulators of heart development and related diseases, but their identities and functions remain elusive. In this study, we sought to identify and characterize the cardiac lincRNA transcriptome in the experimentally accessible zebrafish model by integrating bioinformatics analysis with experimental validation. By conducting genome-wide RNA sequencing profiling of zebrafish embryonic hearts, adult hearts, and adult muscle, we generated a high-confidence set of 813 cardiac lincRNA transcripts, 423 of which are novel. Among these lincRNAs, 564 are expressed in the embryonic heart, and 730 are expressed in the adult heart, including 2 novel lincRNAs, TCONS_00000891 and TCONS_00028686, which exhibit cardiac-enriched expression patterns in adult heart. Using a method similar to a fetal gene program, we identified 51 lincRNAs with differential expression patterns between embryonic and adult hearts, among which TCONS_00009015 responded to doxorubicin-induced cardiac stress. In summary, our genome-wide systematic identification and characterization of cardiac lincRNAs lays the foundation for future studies in this vertebrate model to elucidate crucial roles for cardiac lincRNAs during heart development and cardiac diseases.


Chemical profiling and quantification of ShenKang injection, a systematic quality control strategy using ultra high performance liquid chromatography with Q Exactive hybrid quadrupole orbitrap high-resolution accurate mass spectrometry.
ShenKang injection is traditional Chinese medicine used to treat chronic renal failure in China. It is a compound preparation that consists of four herbs: Rhubarb, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Safflower and Radix Astragali. We developed an ultra high pressure liquid chromatography coupled with Q Exactive hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap high resolution accurate mass spectrometry tandem mass spectrometry method to analyze its chemical compositions, and a total of 90 compounds were identified from ShenKang injection. Among them, 19 major compounds were unambiguously detected by comparing with reference standards. Meanwhile, 13 representative compounds selected as quality control markers were simultaneously quantified in ShenKang injection samples. Chromatographic separation was accomplished on a Waters ACQUITY HPLC® HSS C18 column using gradient elution. The method was validated with respect to linearity, sensitivity, accuracy and precision, reproducibility and stability. And the validated method was successfully applied for simultaneous determination of 13 bioactive compounds in ShenKang injection from ten batches of samples by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. The results were analyzed by principal components analysis method, and three compounds had a significant relationship with the quality control of ShenKang injection. This research established a rapid and reliable method for the integrating quality control, including qualitation and quantification of ShenKang injection.


The effect of intravenous anesthetics on ischemia-reperfusion injury.
The effects of intravenous anesthetics on ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) have been investigated in both animals and clinical studies. The protective effects and the dosages of the intravenous anesthetics on IRI were discussed in this paper. The prevention of the tissue injury after the IRI was demonstrated with intravenous anesthetics in some studies. In the future, the studies should be focused on the dosage of the anesthetics related to diminishing the tissue injuries. Further studies might be required in order to investigate the effects of the anesthetics on molecular levels.


Gastric Residual Volume Measurement in U.K. PICUs: A Survey of Practice.
Despite little evidence, the practice of routine measurement of gastric residual volume to guide both the initiation and delivery of enteral feeding in PICUs is widespread internationally. In light of increased scrutiny of the evidence surrounding this practice, and as part of a trial feasibility study, we aimed to determine enteral feeding and gastric residual volume measurement practices in U.K. PICUs. An online survey to 27 U.K. PICUs. U.K. PICUs. A clinical nurse, senior doctor, and dietician were invited to collaboratively complete one survey per PICU and send a copy of their unit guidelines on enteral feeding and gastric residual volume. None. Twenty-four of 27 units (89%) approached completed the survey. Twenty-three units (95.8%; 23/24) had written feeding guidelines, and 19 units (19/23; 83%) sent their guidelines for review. More units fed continuously (15/24; 62%) than intermittently (9/24; 37%) via the gastric route as their primary feeding method. All but one PICU routinely measured gastric residual volume, regardless of the method of feeding. Eighteen units had an agreed definition of feed tolerance, and all these included gastric residual volume. Gastric residual volume thresholds for feed tolerance were either volume based (mL/kg body weight) (11/21; 52%) or a percentage of the volume of feed administered (6/21; 29%). Yet only a third of units provided guidance about the technique of gastric residual volume measurement. Routine gastric residual volume measurement is part of standard practice in U.K. PICUs, with little guidance provided about the technique which may impact the accuracy of gastric residual volume. All PICUs that defined feed tolerance included gastric residual volume in the definition. This is important to know when proposing a standard practice arm of any future trial of no-routine gastric residual volume measurement in critically ill children.


Hormone receptor control of prostaglandin F2 alpha secretion by the ovine uterus.
The interaction of the ovarian steroid hormones (estrogen and progesterone) and the polypeptide hormone of posterior pituitary origin (oxytocin) appear to regulate the ovine estrous cycle by controlling production of the uterine luteolytic hormone PGF2 alpha. From our results, it appears that these steroid hormones may control PGF2 alpha release by regulating the availability of receptors for oxytocin in the endometrium, the primary site of PGF2 alpha production. Secondarily the ovarian steroid hormones may also regulate basal endogenous levels of oxytocin in the blood stream which may reinforce the luteolytic release of PGF2 alpha. Similar mechanisms may also be operative during the initiation of parturition in which steroid hormones, OT, and PGF2 alpha appear to play major roles (26). In addition to the known interdependence of steroid hormones and the gonadotropins (FSH, LH, and prolactin) required to initiate follicular growth, ovulation, and CL function, there appears to be a second interdependence required to terminate the ovarian cycle via the uterine luteolytic hormone PGF2 alpha, namely by the interaction between ovarian steroids and the posterior pituitary hormone, OT. Thus for both the initiation and termination of the ovarian cycle, there is evidence of a close interaction between the ovary and brain.


Self-assembled single-walled carbon nanotube:zinc-porphyrin hybrids through ammonium ion-crown ether interaction: construction and electron transfer.
An ammonium ion-crown ether interaction has been successfully used to construct porphyrin-single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) donor-acceptor hybrids. The [18]crown-6 to alkyl ammonium ion binding strategy resulted in porphyrin-SWNT nanohybrids that are stable and soluble in DMF. The porphyrin-SWNT hybrids were characterized by spectroscopic, TEM, and electrochemical techniques. Both steady-state and time-resolved emission studies revealed efficient quenching of the singlet excited state of the porphyrins and free-energy calculations suggested that electron-transfer quenching occurred. Nanosecond transient absorption spectral results supported the charge-separation quenching process. Charge-stabilization was also observed for the nanohybrids in which the lifetime of the radical ion pairs was around 100 ns. The present nanohybrids were also used to reduce the hexyl viologen dication (HV2+) and to oxidize 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide in solution in an electron-pooling experiment. Accumulation of the radical cation (HV.+) was observed in high yields, which provided additional proof for the occurrence of photoinduced charge separation. The present study demonstrates that a hydrogen-bonding motif is a successful self-assembly method to build SWNTs bearing donor-acceptor nanohybrids, which are useful for light-energy harvesting and photovoltaic applications.


Years of Life Lost due to Diseases of the Digestive System in Poland in 2000-2014.
Diseases of the digestive system substantially contribute to premature mortality of the Polish population. Years of Life Lost (YLLs) are more and more commonly used in order to evaluate social and economic aspects of these deaths. The aim of the study was to analyse YLLs due to diseases of the digestive system in Poland between 2000-2014. The study material included a database which contained information gathered from 5,601,568 death certificates of Poles who died between 2000-2014. Data on deaths due to diseases of the digestive system were used for the analysis (i.e. coded as K00-K93 according to International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision). Standard Expected Years of Life Lost (SEYLL) was used to calculate YLLs. In 2000-2014 diseases of the digestive system contributed to 239,176 deaths of Poles (4.3% of all deaths), which corresponded to 5,470,096.8 YLLs (95.2 years per 10,000 population). Each death due to the above cause was responsible for the average loss of 22.9 years. Diseases of the liver, including alcoholic liver disease and fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver, contributed to the highest number of YLLs (54.1%). Of all digestive diseases, the dominant causes of YLLs are alcohol-related liver diseases. In order to minimize this phenomenon, it is important to intensify public health activities, aimed at combating alcohol addiction in Poland.


Primary prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism in ambulatory cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) often complicates the clinical course of cancer. The risk is further increased by chemotherapy, but the safety and efficacy of primary thromboprophylaxis in cancer patients treated with chemotherapy is uncertain. This is an update of a review first published in February 2012. To assess the efficacy and safety of primary thromboprophylaxis for VTE in ambulatory cancer patients receiving chemotherapy compared with placebo or no thromboprophylaxis. For this update, the Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases Group Trials Search Co-ordinator searched the Specialised Register (last searched May 2013), CENTRAL (2013, Issue 5), and clinical trials registries (up to June 2013). Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing any oral or parenteral anticoagulant or mechanical intervention to no intervention or placebo, or comparing two different anticoagulants. Data were extracted on methodological quality, patients, interventions, and outcomes including symptomatic VTE and major bleeding as the primary effectiveness and safety outcomes, respectively. We identified 12 additional RCTs (6323 patients) in the updated search so that this update considered 21 trials with a total of 9861 patients, all evaluating pharmacological interventions and performed mainly in patients with advanced cancer. Overall, the risk of bias varied from low to high. One large trial of 3212 patients found a 64% (risk ratio (RR) 0.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22 to 0.60) reduction of symptomatic VTE with the ultra-low molecular weight heparin (uLMWH) semuloparin relative to placebo, with no apparent difference in major bleeding (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.55 to 2.00). LMWH, when compared with inactive control, significantly reduced the incidence of symptomatic VTE (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.75; no heterogeneity, Tau(2) = 0%) with similar rates of major bleeding events (RR 1.30, 95% CI 0.75 to 2.23). In patients with multiple myeloma, LMWH was associated with a significant reduction in symptomatic VTE when compared with the vitamin K antagonist warfarin (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.83), while the difference between LMWH and aspirin was not statistically significant (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.22 to 1.17). No major bleeding was observed in the patients treated with LMWH or warfarin and in less than 1% of those treated with aspirin. Only one study evaluated unfractionated heparin against inactive control and found an incidence of major bleeding of 1% in both study groups while not reporting on VTE. When compared with placebo, warfarin was associated with a statistically insignificant reduction of symptomatic VTE (RR 0.15, 95% CI 0.02 to 1.20). Antithrombin, evaluated in one study involving paediatric patients, had no significant effect on VTE nor major bleeding when compared with inactive control. The new oral factor Xa inhibitor apixaban was evaluated in a phase-II dose finding study that suggested a promising low rate of major bleeding (2.1% versus 3.3%) and symptomatic VTE (1.1% versus 10%) in comparison with placebo. In this update, we confirmed that primary thromboprophylaxis with LMWH significantly reduced the incidence of symptomatic VTE in ambulatory cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. In addition, the uLMWH semuloparin significantly reduced the incidence of symptomatic VTE. However, the broad confidence intervals around the estimates for major bleeding suggest caution in the use of anticoagulation and mandate additional studies to determine the risk to benefit ratio of anticoagulants in this setting. Despite the encouraging results of this review, routine prophylaxis in ambulatory cancer patients cannot be recommended before safety issues are adequately addressed.


[Current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment for enteropathies].
Enteropathies (EP) are the common name for pathological (inflammatory, hemorrhagic, erosive-ulcerative, and atrophic) changes in the small bowel. The paper describes the nosological entities of EP and the significance of laboratory and instrumental methods used for their diagnosis. It outlines the principles of etiotropic and pathogenetic therapies.


Ocular ischemic syndrome - a systematic review.
Ocular ischemic syndrome is a rare condition, which is caused by ocular hypoperfusion due to stenosis or occlusion of the common or internal carotid arteries. Atherosclerosis is the major cause of changes in the carotid arteries. Ocular ischemic syndrome is manifested as visual loss, orbital pain and, frequently, changes of the visual field, and various anterior and posterior segment signs. Anterior segment signs include iris neovascularization and secondary neovascular glaucoma, iridocyclitis, asymmetric cataract, iris atrophy and sluggish reaction to light. Posterior eye segment changes are the most characteristic, such as narrowed retinal arteries, perifoveal telangiectasias, dilated retinal veins, mid-peripheral retinal hemorrhages, microaneurysms, neovascularization at the optic disk and in the retina, a cherry-red spot, cotton-wool spots, vitreous hemorrhage and normal-tension glaucoma. Differential diagnosis of ocular ischemic syndrome includes diabetic retinopathy and moderate central retinal vein occlusion. Carotid artery imaging and fundus fluorescein angiography help to establish the diagnosis of ocular ischemic syndrome. The treatment can be local, for example, ocular (conservative, laser and surgical) or systemic (conservative and surgical treatment of the carotid artery). Since the condition does not affect the eyes alone, patients with ocular ischemic syndrome should be referred for consultation to the neurologist, vascular surgeon and cardiologist.


In vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of melatonin receptor agonists.
Melatonin has been shown to inhibit the proliferation of estrogen receptor α (ERα)-positive human breast cancer cells in vitro and suppress the growth of carcinogen-induced mammary tumors in rats. Melatonin's antiproliferative effect is mediated, at least in part, through the MT1 melatonin receptor and mechanisms involving modulation of the estrogen-signaling pathway. To develop melatonin analogs with greater therapeutic effects, we have examined the in vitro and in vivo antimitotic activity of two MT1/MT2 melatonin receptor agonists, S23219-1 and S23478-1. In our studies, both agonists are quite effective at suppressing the growth of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. At a concentration of 10⁻⁶ m, S23219-1 and S23478-1 inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells by 60% and 73%, respectively. However, S23478-1 is more effective than melatonin and S23219-1 at repressing the expression and transactivation of the ERα, and modulating the expression of pancreatic spasmolytic polypeptide (pS2), an estrogen-regulated gene. The melatonin agonist S23478-1 exhibited enhanced antitumor potency in the subsequent studies in our animal model. At a dosage of 25 mg/kg/day, S23478-1 is more efficacious than melatonin at inducing regression of the established N-nitroso-N-methyl-urea-induced rat mammary tumors. This dose of S23478-1 (25 mg/kg/day) generated a significant (P < 0.05) overall regression response of 52%. Furthermore, at this dosage, S23478-1 is more effective than melatonin at suppressing the estrogen-signaling pathway and promoting tumor cell apoptosis, significantly increasing the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax, while decreasing the expression of ERα and the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2.


Linear mixed models for multiple outcomes using extended multivariate skew-t distributions.
Multivariate outcomes with heavy skewness and thick tails often arise from clustered experiments or longitudinal studies. Linear mixed models with multivariate skew-t (MST) distributions for the random effects and the error terms is a popular tool of robust modeling for such outcomes. However the usual MST distribution only allows a common degree of freedom for all marginal distributions, which is only appropriate when each marginal has the same amount of tail heaviness. In this paper, we introduce a new class of extended MST distributions, which allow different degrees of freedom and thereby can accommodate heterogeneity in tail-heaviness across outcomes. The extended MST distributions yield a flexible family of models for multivariate outcomes. The hierarchical representation of the MST distribution allows MCMC methods to be easily applied to compute the parameter estimates. The proposed model is applied to data from two biomedical studies: one on bivariate markers of AIDS progression and the other on sexual behavior from a longitudinal study.


SIS8, a putative mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase, regulates sugar-resistant seedling development in Arabidopsis.
Sugar signaling pathways have been evolutionarily conserved among eukaryotes and are postulated to help regulate plant growth, development and responses to environmental cues. Forward genetic screens have identified sugar signaling or response mutants. Here we report the identification and characterization of Arabidopsis thaliana sugar insensitive8 (sis8) mutants, which display a sugar-resistant seedling development phenotype. Unlike many other sugar insensitive mutants, sis8 mutants exhibit wild-type responses to the inhibitory effects of abscisic acid and paclobutrazol (an inhibitor of gibberellin biosynthesis) on seed germination. Positional cloning of the SIS8 gene revealed that it encodes a putative mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK; At1g73660). SIS8mRNA is expressed ubiquitously among Arabidopsis organs. A UDP-glucosyltransferase, UGT72E1 (At3g50740), was identified as an interacting partner of SIS8 based on a yeast two-hybrid screen and in planta bimolecular fluorescence complementation. Both SIS8-yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) and UGT72E1-YFP fusion proteins localize to the nucleus when transiently expressed in tobacco leaf cells. T-DNA insertions in At3g50740 cause a sugar-insensitive phenotype. These results indicate that SIS8, a putative MAPKKK, is a regulator of sugar response in Arabidopsis and interacts with a UDP-glucosyltransferase in the nucleus.


Dynamical Mechanism of Sampling-Based Probabilistic Inference Under Probabilistic Population Codes.
Animals make efficient probabilistic inferences based on uncertain and noisy information from the outside environment. It is known that probabilistic population codes, which have been proposed as a neural basis for encoding probability distributions, allow general neural networks (NNs) to perform near-optimal point estimation. However, the mechanism of sampling-based probabilistic inference has not been clarified. In this study, we trained two types of artificial NNs, feedforward NN (FFNN) and recurrent NN (RNN), to perform sampling-based probabilistic inference. Then we analyzed and compared their mechanisms of sampling. We found that sampling in RNN was performed by a mechanism that efficiently uses the properties of dynamical systems, unlike FFNN. In addition, we found that sampling in RNNs acted as an inductive bias, enabling a more accurate estimation than in maximum a posteriori estimation. These results provide important arguments for discussing the relationship between dynamical systems and information processing in NNs.


Stent placement for flow restoration in acute ischemic stroke: a single-center experience with the Solitaire stent system.
In acute thromboembolic stroke, mechanical recanalization with stents may result in immediate flow restoration. The Solitaire stent can be used both for flow restoration and thrombectomy. In this single-center experience, we report safety and efficacy data on the application of the Solitaire stent. Between March 2009 and July 2010, 18 patients were treated with the Solitaire stent. To evaluate perfusion of the occluded vessel segment before and after the intervention, the TICI score was used (0-3). Clinical outcome was assessed by using the mRS at discharge. Overall, recanalization was successful in 16 of 18 patients (88.8%). There were no procedure-related complications. Mean TICI score after the intervention was 2.3 ± 0.8. In 5 patients, reocclusion of the treated vessel occurred immediately after retrieval of the temporarily opened stent, and permanent stent deployment was performed to maintain stable perfusion. In 3 patients, hemorrhage occurred after successful recanalization. Five patients died (infarction, n = 3; hemorrhage, n = 1; organ failure, n = 1). A good clinical outcome (mRS ≤2) was achieved in 33.3% of the patients, 5.5% had a moderate outcome (mRS, 3/4), and 61.2% had a poor outcome or died (mRS, 5/6). Application of the Solitaire stent in acute stroke results in a high recanalization rate (88.8%) without procedural complications and with a good outcome in one-third of patients. These results encourage further evaluation of the stent in larger patient populations.


Lymphocyte subpopulations in cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood in multiple sclerosis.
Lymphocytes subpopulations in cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood (PB) from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients were studied. PB of MS patients contains the same prevalence of E and EA rosette forming cells compared with controls, consisting of patients affected by various "nonimmunological" neuropsychiatric diseases. Cytochemical identification by the method of acid esterases in PB demonstrated in MS a prevalence of lymphocyte subpopulations similar to controls, and a relatively high percentage of macrophages compared with other methods, especially in MS patients: this may partially account for variable results obtained by various authors with the rosette technique. In CSF a significant decrease of total T, and particularly of T gamma cells, was found. Since T gamma lymphocytes have a suppressor effect on B cell proliferation and Ig synthesis, their decrease could be related with Ig hypersynthesis commonly found in the central nervous system of MS patients.


Investigation of the presence of Salmonella in two Nigerian meat packing plants.
Two large and very well established meat processing plants supervised by the Veterinary Public Health Department were examined to assess the incidence of Salmonella within the premises and on the processed carcasses. The overall incidence was 65 out of the 252 samples or 25.9%. Salmonella was found in forty-one of 167 samples (25%) in one and twenty-four out of eighty-five samples (29%) in the other. The high incidence shows a high degree of probability of contamination of the products from both plants. The public health significance of the findings is emphasized and control problems are high-lighted.


Anti-Ro52 antibody acts on the S5-pore linker of hERG to chronically reduce channel expression.
The human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) encodes the rapidly activating delayed rectifier potassium channel (IKr). Malfunction of hERG/IKr is the primary cause of acquired long QT syndrome (LQTS), an electrical disorder of the heart that can cause arrhythmias and sudden death. Patients with autoimmune diseases display a high incidence of LQTS. While dysfunction of hERG channels induced by autoantibodies such as anti-Ro52 may play a role in this pathology, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we investigated the acute and chronic effects of anti-Ro52 antibody on hERG channels stably expressed in human embryonic kidney (hERG-HEK) 293 cells as well as IKr in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Using whole-cell patch clamp, western blot analyses, and immunocytochemistry, we found that a 12-h treatment of hERG-HEK cells with patients' sera containing anti-Ro52 autoantibody decreased the hERG current (IhERG) by 32% compared to cells treated with autoantibody-negative patients' sera. Commercial anti-Ro52 antibody at 100 µg/mL did not acutely block IhERG. Instead, a 12-h treatment with anti-Ro52 antibody at a concentration of 4 µg/mL significantly reduced mature hERG protein expression and IhERG. Specifically, anti-Ro52 antibody did not acutely block hERG current but chronically facilitated hERG endocytic degradation. The extracellular S5-pore linker of hERG, which forms the turret of the channel on the outside of the cell, is the target region for anti-Ro52-mediated hERG reduction since its replacement with the analogous region of EAG abolished the anti-Ro52 effect. In neonatal rat ventricular myocytes, 100 µg/mL anti-Ro52 antibody did not acutely block IKr, but a 12-h treatment of cells with 4 µg/mL anti-Ro52 antibody selectively reduced IKr and prolonged the action potential duration. Our results indicate that anti-Ro52 antibody acts on the hERG S5-pore linker to chronically decrease hERG expression and current. These findings provide novel insights into hERG regulation and anti-Ro52 antibody-associated LQTS.


Promoting compassionate care through learning journeys.
Nurses' ability to provide compassionate care has come under increasing scrutiny in the light of reports criticising shortfalls in care. In response to this concern, three possible learning journeys that may encourage compassionate care are discussed. The learning journeys address issues relating to the conceptualisation of care and related learning. This article is aimed at nurses with an interest in nurse education; who teach or mentor in practice and who wish to advocate changes within care relationships in practice. The first learning journey relates to improved understanding of narratives. The second learning journey involves revisiting clinical skills. The third learning journey relates to diversifying the mix of staff engaged in teaching, increasing opportunities for students to examine the nature of compassionate care and emphasising that the care relationship is also a teaching relationship, with patients often required to self-care.


Unraveling the potential and constraints associated with corn steep liquor as a nutrient source for industrial fermentations.
Costly complex media components such as yeast extract and peptone are still widely used in industrial bioprocesses, despite their ill-defined composition. Side stream products such as corn steep liquor (CSL) present a compelling economical alternative that contains valuable nutrients required for microbial growth, that is, nitrogen and amino acids, but also vitamins, trace elements, and other minerals. However, as a side stream product, CSL may be subject to batch-to-batch variations and compositional heterogeneity. In this study, the Respiration Activity MOnitoring System designed for shake flasks (RAMOS) and 96-well microtiter plates (μTOM) were applied to investigate the potential and constraints of CSL utilization for two model microorganisms: E. coli and B. subtilis. Considering the dry substance content of complex nutrients involved, CSL-based media are more efficient in biomass production than the common lysogeny broth (LB) medium, containing 5 g/L yeast extract, 10 g/L peptone, and 5 g/L NaCl. At a glucose to CSL (glucose/CSL, g/g) ratio of 1/1 (g/g) and 2/1 (g/g), a secondary substrate limitation occurred in E. coli and B. subtilis cultivations, respectively. The study sheds light on differences in the metabolic activity of the two applied model organisms between varying CSL batches, which relate to CSL origin and production process, as well as the effect of targeted nutrient supplementation. Through a targeted nutrient supplementation, the most limiting component of the CSL-glucose medium used for these applied model microorganisms was identified to be ammonium nitrogen. This study proves the suitability of CSL as an alternative nutrient source for E. coli and B. subtilis. The RAMOS and μTOM technique detected differences between CSL batches, allowing easy and early identification of varying batches. A consistent performance of the CSL batches in E. coli and B. subtilis cultivations was demonstrated.


A comparative study of children's performance on the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities and the Token Test.
The Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (ITPA) and the Token Test (TT) were administered to 24 5- and 6-yr-olds. There was a significant positive correlation between performance on the TT and only 2 of the 12 subtests of the ITPA: Grammatic Closure (p less than .05) and Sound Blending (p less than .05). TT scores did not correlate significantly with any of the ITPA subtests at the representational level of language. These findings support the conclusion of Williams and Marks (J. Speech Hear. Res., 1972, 15, 323ff) on the lack of validity of tests of receptive auditory comprehension which employ simultaneous presentation of stimuli through visual and auditory modalities and the arbitrary selection of one of the channels (auditory) as the primary process being measured. Implications for clinical use of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and the TT were discussed and suggestions made for future research.


Cell division from a genetic perspective.
A novel view of the eukaryotic cell cycle is taking form as genetic strategies borrowed from investigations of microbial gene regulation and bacteriophage morphogenesis are being applied to the process of cell division. It is a genetic construct in which mutational lesions identify the primary events, thermolabile gene products reveal temporal order, mutant phenotypes yield pathways of causality, and regulatory events are localized within sequences of gene controlled steps.


Cognate T cell help for CD40-deficient B cells induces c-myc RNA expression, but DNA synthesis requires an additional signal through surface Ig.
To investigate the role of CD40 ligand in the delivery of help to B cells, we examined the Ag-specific interaction of B cells from CD40-deficient mice with a Th2 cell line in vitro. Small resting B cells from normal mice are stimulated to synthesize DNA when they present monovalent Ag (rabbit Fab anti-Ig) to a rabbit Ig-specific Th cell line. This response, which is independent of a signal through the B cell Ag receptor (sIg), is nearly absent in B cells from CD40-deficient mice. The CD40-deficient B cells are not defective in Ag presentation because they induce T cell IL-4 synthesis as well as normal B cells. Also, CD40-deficient B cells respond to T cell help with DNA synthesis almost as well as normal B cells if an additional signal is provided through sIg. In conjunction with a sIg signal, cell contact with helper T cells induces DNA synthesis more effectively than soluble cytokines. CD40-independent T cell help can also be measured as an early increase in c-myc mRNA levels in CD40-deficient B cells presenting Ag to helper T cells, although the levels of c-myc RNA expression are lower than those in normal B cells. However, c-myc RNA induced by noncognate interaction with anti-CD3-activated T cells is completely CD40 dependent. We conclude that early growth signals from activated Th cells are received by CD40-/- B cells, but that CD40 and/or sIg signals are required for efficient induction of DNA synthesis.


Computer attitude and computer anxiety in nursing. Validation of an instrument using an Australian sample.
The purpose of this study was to refine the instrument, Nurses' Computer Attitudes Inventory (NCATT), which was developed to measure nurses' attitudes toward computers in an Australian setting. The study was designed to test the reliability and validity (concurrent and discriminant) of the instrument. The NCATT was administered to 170 subjects: 71 first-year nursing students and 99 nurses employed in a local hospital. On the basis of factor and item analysis the 40-item NCATT was reduced to 22 items. Three factors for the revised NCATT were identified: (1) Computers and Patient Care, (2) Computer Anxiety, and (3) Patient Confidentiality and Computers. These three factors accounted for 90.0% of the variance (factor 1, 56.6%; factor 2, 24.8%; and factor 3, 8.6%). The factors demonstrated good internal consistency with the Cronbach alpha coefficients for each factor ranging from 0.72 to 0.90. The revised NCATT provided evidence of concurrent validity on the student sample when related to Dambrodt's scale for Computer Attitudes. Some evidence of discriminant validity was demonstrated as the internal consistency reliabilities were much higher in all factors than their intercorrelations. The authors propose that the revised NCATT is a practical instrument that is useful to assess nurses' attitudes before computer implementation and training.


Stochasticity from function - Why the Bayesian brain may need no noise.
An increasing body of evidence suggests that the trial-to-trial variability of spiking activity in the brain is not mere noise, but rather the reflection of a sampling-based encoding scheme for probabilistic computing. Since the precise statistical properties of neural activity are important in this context, many models assume an ad-hoc source of well-behaved, explicit noise, either on the input or on the output side of single neuron dynamics, most often assuming an independent Poisson process in either case. However, these assumptions are somewhat problematic: neighboring neurons tend to share receptive fields, rendering both their input and their output correlated; at the same time, neurons are known to behave largely deterministically, as a function of their membrane potential and conductance. We suggest that spiking neural networks may have no need for noise to perform sampling-based Bayesian inference. We study analytically the effect of auto- and cross-correlations in functional Bayesian spiking networks and demonstrate how their effect translates to synaptic interaction strengths, rendering them controllable through synaptic plasticity. This allows even small ensembles of interconnected deterministic spiking networks to simultaneously and co-dependently shape their output activity through learning, enabling them to perform complex Bayesian computation without any need for noise, which we demonstrate in silico, both in classical simulation and in neuromorphic emulation. These results close a gap between the abstract models and the biology of functionally Bayesian spiking networks, effectively reducing the architectural constraints imposed on physical neural substrates required to perform probabilistic computing, be they biological or artificial.


Downregulation of Nck1 After Spinal Cord Injury in Adult Rats
Nck1 is an important molecule that participates in many cellular processes, including neurite outgrowth, synaptic plasticity, and apoptosis. However, the expression and function of Nck1 in the spinal cord and spinal cord injury remain unknown. To investigate the role of Nck1 in spinal cord injury. Animal experimentation. Adult Sprague–Dawley rats were used to establish an acute spinal cord injury model. Double immunofluorescence staining, Western blot, and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis were used to investigate the distribution, cellular localization, and expression of Nck1 in spinal cord injury processes. Short interfering RNA was used to silence Nck1 expression in VSC4.1 cells. The Shapiro–Wilk test was used for the normality distribution analysis; the Student's unpaired t-test, 1-way analysis of variance followed by post hoc Tukey's test were used for data analysis. Finally, RNA sequencing technology and gene ontology analysis were used to analyze the changes in Nck1-associated genes expression after spinal cord injury. Colabeled staining demonstrated that Nck1 was especially distributed in neurons. Western blot, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and statistical analysis revealed that Nck1 expression reduced to the lowest levels at 1 day after nerve injury, and slowly increased to a stable level in 21 days (P < .05). Nck1-specific short interfering RNA transfection significantly reduced cell viability and neurite development in neurons. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that Nck1 participates in multiple pathological processes of spinal cord injury, and many Nck1-associated genes exhibited differential expression levels. Nck1 is a vital protein in spinal cord injury processes and, therefore, further studies should be conducted to explore its potential functions and molecular mechanisms in spinal cord injury repair.


Computational electromagnetic analysis of deformed nanowires using the multilevel fast multipole algorithm.
We consider computational analysis of deformed nanowires and their arrays using a full-wave simulation environment based on integral-equation formulations and the multilevel fast multipole algorithm (MLFMA). Without requiring any periodicity assumptions, MLFMA allows for fast and accurate simulations of complex nanowire structures with three-dimensional geometries and random deformations. We present the results of hundreds of simulations, where deformed nanowires are considered as isolated, as well as in array configurations, and their scattering characteristics are compared to those of non-deformed ones. Based on the simulation results, we rigorously investigate common effects of deformations on scattering properties of nanowires and identify strong field enhancements in forward-scattering directions.


Joint effects of genetic hitchhiking and background selection on neutral variation.
Due to relatively high rates of strongly selected deleterious mutations, directional selection on favorable alleles (causing hitchhiking effects on linked neutral polymorphisms) is expected to occur while a deleterious mutation-selection balance is present in a population. We analyze this interaction of directional selection and background selection and study their combined effects on neutral variation, using a three-locus model in which each locus is subjected to either deleterious, favorable, or neutral mutations. Average heterozygosity is measured by simulations (1) at the stationary state under the assumption of recurrent hitchhiking events and (2) as a transient level after a single hitchhiking event. The simulation results are compared to theoretical predictions. It is shown that known analytical solutions describing the hitchhiking effect without background selection can be modified such that they accurately predict the joint effects of hitchhiking and background on linked, neutral variation. Generalization of these results to a more appropriate multilocus model (such that background selection can occur at multiple sites) suggests that, in regions of very low recombination rates, stationary levels of nucleotide diversity are primarily determined by hitchhiking, whereas in regions of high recombination, background selection is the dominant force. The implications of these results on the identification and estimation of the relevant parameters of the model are discussed.


Bovine serum amyloid A3 gene structure and promoter analysis: induced transcriptional expression by bacterial components and the hormone prolactin.
Regulation of the bovine Saa3 promoter in response to signaling molecules associated with lactation or bacterial infection was assessed using a luciferase reporter system. Although the liver is the primary site for the production of acute phase proteins, typically serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) and serum amyloid A2 (SAA2), analysis of the differential expression of serum amyloid A3 (SAA3) by mammary epithelial cells is limited. Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the Gram-positive bacterial lipoteichoic acid (LTA) substantially upregulated transcriptional expression driven by the Saa3 promoter in bovine mammary epithelial cells by 18.5-fold and 12.5-fold, respectively, whereas the lactogenic hormone, prolactin (PRL) stimulated a 3.5-fold increase. The minimal Saa3 promoter fragment that retained responsiveness to LPS, LTA, or PRL was 352 bp in size. A 1056 bp Saa3 promoter region exhibited the highest level of LPS or LTA inducible activity. This activity was 2-fold higher than the constitutive activity obtained with the Simian Virus 40 (SV40) promoter. The 53 bp 5' untranslated region (UTR) in exon 1 of the Saa3 gene enhanced expression levels in response to the stimulants LPS and LTA and the AT-rich region between nt -2571 and -2338 in the Saa3 promoter contained an enhancer that negated a silencer region(s) located between nt -2338 and -1003. Collectively, these data support the proposal that SAA3 serves an important tissue-specific function for the welfare of the mammary gland during both bacterial infection and tissue remodeling.