Assessing the Association of Food Preferences and Self-Reported Psychological Well-Being among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Contemporary China-Results from the China Health and Nutrition Survey.
China has undergone rapid social transitions within the last few decades. However, mental health issues, challenges to psychological well-being, and poor dietary choices have gradually surfaced. These health concerns are related to the rapid growth of the aging population and of the fast-paced industrialized society. Nevertheless, there is little knowledge about food preferences and psychological well-being measurements in contemporary China. Applying the 2011 China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) with a cross-sectional study design (n = 7970), we conducted multinomial logistic regression models to investigate the associations of food preferences, including fast food, salty snacks, fruits, vegetables, and sweetened beverages, with psychological well-being among Chinese middle-aged and older adults (age ≥ 45). Food preferences are mostly associated with psychological well-being (p < 0.05). However, respondents' preferences regarding fast food, salty snacks, and sweetened beverages are associated not only with poorer psychological health status, but also with positive psychological well-being. We speculate that Chinese older adults may consume Westernized fast food and salty snacks as pleasure to the palate due to the recent Westernization in modern China. We also provide practical implications of results from this preliminary study.


Magnetic-Proximity-Induced Efficient Charge-to-Spin Conversion in Large-Area PtSe2/Ni80Fe20 Heterostructures.
As a topological Dirac semimetal with controllable spin-orbit coupling and conductivity, PtSe2, a transition-metal dichalcogenide, is a promising material for several applications, from optoelectrics to sensors. However, its potential for spintronics applications has yet to be explored. In this work, we demonstrate that the PtSe2/Ni80Fe20 heterostructure can generate large damping-like current-induced spin-orbit torques (SOT), despite the absence of spin-splitting in bulk PtSe2. The efficiency of charge-to-spin conversion is found to be -0.1 ± 0.02 nm-1 in PtSe2/Ni80Fe20, which is 3 times that of the control sample, Ni80Fe20/Pt. Our band structure calculations show that the SOT due to PtSe2 arises from an unexpectedly large spin splitting in the interfacial region of PtSe2 introduced by the proximity magnetic field of the Ni80Fe20 layer. Our results open up the possibilities of using large-area PtSe2 for energy-efficient nanoscale devices by utilizing proximity-induced SOT.


Dementia with Lewy bodies versus nonconvulsive status epilepticus in the diagnosis of a patient with cognitive dysfunction, complex visual hallucinations and periodic abnormal waves in EEG: a case report.
The diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is often challenging in elderly individuals, not only for its various clinical features, sometimes, but also for its rare changes of periodic synchronous discharges (PSD) in electroencephalogram ( EEG). So, we reported one case of DLB and gave a detailed analysis. A Chinese patient (Female, 56 years old) presented with progressive cognitive decline and complex visual hallucinations. Several days after admission, she gradually showed focal myoclonic jerks. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score was 19/30, EEG revealed PSD, Cerebrospinal fluid and 14-3-3 brain protein was negative, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed diffuse atrophy. To differentiate the PSD derived from DLB or from late-onset Absence Status Epilepticus, we have given the treatment with intravenous valproate (1200 mg/24 h) and diazepam 20 mg under the EEG monitor, a clinical improvement was absent and PSD in EEG did not disappear. Two weeks later, the patient showed akinetic-rigid syndrome and PSD in EEG persisted for a long time. According to her history and therapy, a clinical diagnosis of DLB has been made, but no autopsy for confirmation, and in the following visit, she has a poor prognosis. PSD in EEG may occasionally be recorded in neurodegenerative disorders such as AD, DLB other than CJD or NCSE. Hence it should not dissuade clinicians from the diagnosis of DLB where the clinical and neuropsychological findings were consistent with suggested diagnostic criteria for DLB.


Effects of onion on serum uric acid levels and hepatic xanthine dehydrogenase/xanthine oxidase activities in hyperuricemic rats.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of onion on serum uric acid levels and hepatic Xanthine Dehydrogenase/Xanthine Oxidase activities in normal and hyperuricemic rats. Hyperuricemia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 250 mg kg(-1) potassium oxonate in rats. Oral administration of onion at 3.5 and 7.0 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 7 days was able to reduce serum uric acid levels in hyperuricemic rats with no significant effects on the level of this compound in the normal animals. In addition, onion when tested in vivo on rat liver homogeneities elicited significant inhibitory actions on the Xanthine Dehydrogenase (XDH) and Xanthine Oxidase (XO) activities. This effect resulted less potent than that of allopurinol. However, the hypouricemic effect observed in the experimental animal did not seem to parallel the change in XDH and XO activities, implying that the onion might be acting via other mechanisms apart from simple inhibition of enzyme activities. Such hypouricemic action and enzyme inhibitory activity of onion makes it a possible alternative for allopurinol, or at least in combination therapy to minimize the side-effects of allopurinol, in particular in long-term application.


Distinct Paths for Basic Amino Acid Export in Escherichia coli: YbjE (LysO) Mediates Export of L-Lysine.
In Escherichia coli, argO encodes an exporter for L-arginine (Arg) and its toxic analogue canavanine (CAN), and its transcriptional activation and repression, by Arg and L-lysine (Lys), respectively, are mediated by the regulator ArgP. Accordingly argO and argP mutants are CAN supersensitive (CAN(ss)). We report the identification of ybjE as a gene encoding a predicted inner membrane protein that mediates export of Lys, and our results confirm the previous identification with a different approach of YbjE as a Lys exporter, reported by Ueda and coworkers (T. Ueda, Y. Nakai, Y. Gunji, R. Takikawa, and Y. Joe, U.S. patents 7,629,142 B2 [December 2009] and 8,383,363 B1 [February 2013] and European patent 1,664,318 B1 [September 2009]). ybjE was isolated as a multicopy suppressor of the CAN(ss) phenotype of a strain lacking ArgO. The absence of YbjE did not confer a CAN(ss) phenotype but instead conferred hypersensitivity to the lysine antimetabolite thialysine and led to growth inhibition by the dipeptide lysylalanine, which is associated with elevated cellular Lys content. YbjE overproduction resulted in Lys excretion and syntrophic cross-feeding of a Lys auxotroph. Constitutive overexpression of argO promoted Lys cross-feeding that is indicative of a latent Lys export potential of ArgO. Arg modestly repressed ybjE transcription in an ArgR-dependent manner, and ArgR displayed Arg-sensitive binding to the ybjE promoter region in vitro. Our studies suggest that the reciprocal repression of argO and ybjE, respectively, by Lys and Arg confers the specificity for basic amino acid export by distinct paths and that such cross-repression contributes to maintenance of cytoplasmic Arg/Lys balance. We propose that YbjE be redesignated LysO. This work ascribes a lysine export function to the product of the ybjE gene of Escherichia coli, leading to a physiological scenario wherein two proteins, ArgO and YbjE, perform the task of separately exporting arginine and lysine, respectively, which is distinct from that seen for Corynebacterium glutamicum, where the ortholog of ArgO, LysE, mediates export of both arginine and lysine. Repression of argO transcription by lysine is thought to effect this separation. Accordingly, ArgO mediates lysine export when repression of its transcription by lysine is bypassed. Repression of ybjE transcription by arginine via the ArgR repressor, together with the lysine repression of argO effected by ArgP, is indicative of a mechanism of maintenance of arginine/lysine balance in E. coli.


The effect of maternal age, parity, and fetal sex on the amniotic fluid and maternal serum levels of CA 125, CA 19.9, CA 15.3, and CEA.
To determine the effects of maternal age, parity and fetal sex on amniotic fluid (AF) and maternal serum (MS) levels of CA 125, CA 19.9, CA 15.3 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). MS samples for CA 125, CA 19.9, CA 15.3 and CEA assay were obtained from 62 pregnant women at 16-20 weeks of gestation. AF was obtained from the same patients during genetic amniocentesis. Radioimmuno assay to determine tumor marker concentrations. The following statistically significant differences were observed: (1) MS CA 19.9 and CA 15.3 values were elevated in the primigravida group. MS mean CA 19.9 value was also abnormally elevated. (2) MS mean CA 19.9 and CEA values and AF mean CA 19.9 value were elevated in the female fetus group. Parity and fetal sex were associated with AF and MS levels of some tumor markers. Therefore, to prevent misinterpretation of the tumor marker values during pregnancy further investigation is needed to find normal values for each trimester, paying particular attention to parity and fetal sex.


Non-esterified cholesterol-rich adrenal lipid fractions. Preparation, properties and preferential utilization for cholesterol side-chain cleavage by corticotropin-stimulated adrenal mitochondria.
Rat adrenal 105,000 g supernatant contains two lipid moieties, 'lipid-I' and 'lipid-II' which contain non-esterified cholesterol and stimulate cholesterol side-chain cleavage in soluble or mitochondrial enzyme systems. Lipid-I contains relatively large low-density heat-stable particles, whereas lipid-II particles are smaller, more dense and heat-labile. Lipid-I and lipid-II can be separated from clear cytosol by ultracentrifugation and gel filtration respectively. Corticotropin plus cycloheximide treatment increases the non-esterified cholesterol concentrations in the lipid fractions, and stimulatory effects of lipids on cholesterol side-chain cleavage appear to correlate with non-esterified cholesterol concentrations therein. On addition of saturating amounts of cholesterol-rich lipid, pregnenolone synthesis and cholesterol binding to cytochrome P-450 are stimulated more in mitochondria from corticotropin-stimulated adrenals than in mitochondria from control or corticotropin-plus cycloheximide-stimulated adrenals. These results support the contention that the corticotropin-induced increase in mitochondrial cholesterol side-chain cleavage involves an increase in cholesterol utilization as well as an increase in cholesterol availability.


Epigenetic mechanism involved in the HBV/HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were known to be risk factors for HCC, they were suspected to promote its development by eliciting epigenetic changes. However, the precise gene targets and underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated. Epigenetic regulation of gene expression has emerged as a fundamental aspect of cancer development and progression. The molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma involve a complex interplay of both genetic and epigenetic factors. DNA methylation, post-translational modifications of histone proteins, chromatin remodeling, and noncoding RNAs are four major types of mechanistic layers in the field of epigenetics. HBV infection could affect methylation on p16(INK4A), GSTP1, CDH1(E-cadherin), RASSF1A, p21(WAF1/CIP1) genes, which may play important roles in the development of HCC. HCV infection was related to aberrant methylation on SOCS-1, Gadd45β, MGMT, STAT1 and APC. Other epigenetic alterations included histone proteins, chromatin remodeling, and noncoding RNAs were described in literature. Uncovering the epigenetic alterations of HBV/HCV-induced HCC carcinogenesis could highlight a new strategy for deciphering the mechanism of HCC tumorigenesis and development, as well as a potential diagnostic advantage.


Inhibition of STAT3 signaling blocks the anti-apoptotic activity of IL-6 in human liver cancer cells.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine, which may block apoptosis during inflammation to protect cells under very toxic conditions. However, IL-6 also activates STAT3 in many types of human cancer. Recent studies demonstrate that high levels of IL-6 are associated with hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer. Here we reported that IL-6 promoted survival of human liver cancer cells through activating STAT3 in response to doxorubicin treatment. Endogenous IL-6 levels in SNU-449 cells were higher than in Hep3B cells. Meanwhile, SNU-449 cells were more resistant to doxorubicin than Hep3B cells. Addition of IL-6 induced STAT3 activation in Hep3B cells and led to protection against doxorubicin. In contrast, neutralizing IL-6 with anti-IL-6 antibody decreased survival of SNU-449 cells in response to doxorubicin. To elucidate the mechanism of the anti-apoptotic function of IL-6, we investigated if STAT3 mediated this drug resistance. Targeting STAT3 with STAT3 siRNA reduced the protection of IL-6 against doxorubicin-induced apoptosis, indicating that STAT3 signaling contributed to the anti-apoptotic effect of IL-6. Moreover, we further explored if a STAT3 small molecule inhibitor could abolish this anti-apoptotic effect. LLL12, a STAT3 small molecule inhibitor, blocked IL-6-induced STAT3 phosphorylation, resulting in attenuation of the anti-apoptotic activity of IL-6. Finally, neutralization of endogenous IL-6 with anti-IL-6 antibody or blockade of STAT3 with LLL12 lowered the recovery in SNU-449 cells after doxorubicin treatment. Therefore, our results demonstrated that targeting STAT3 signaling could interrupt the anti-apoptotic function of IL-6 in human liver cancer cells.


Morphological changes of aortal smooth muscle cells exposed to calcitriol in culture.
A number of observations suggest that vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining normal cardiovascular function, through its receptors in cardiac muscle or in aortal smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of vitamin D active metabolite--calcitriol [1,25(OH)2D3] on aortal SMCs. The cells were isolated from the aortal media of newborn rats by enzymatic digestion and maintained for 6 weeks in primary culture. 1.2 microM of calcitriol was added to the medium every second day. Light microscopic investigations revealed that the control SMCs formed multilayer with characteristic 'hills and valleys'. Uniform cellular growth patterns were observed after calcitriol treatment. Ultrastructural studies indicated more rapid modulation of SMCs from the 'contractile' to the 'synthetic' phenotype following calcitriol treatment. Elastic fibers were more abundant in treated than in control cultures. The scanning electron microscope showed an increase of regular microvilli on the surface of SMCs. Morphometrical analysis of nuclei demonstrated phenotypic heterogeneity in populations of aortal SMCs. These results suggest that 1) calcitriol can induce changes in the phenotype and in the growth pattern of aortal SMCs, which may be associated with the onset or progression of the atherosclerosis process, 2) the basis of phenotypic changes is related to the stimulation of proliferative activity in these cells.


[Treatment and monitoring of patients with differentiated cancer of thyroid gland].
There were examined 200 patients aged from 19 to 77 years with differentiated cancer of the thyroid gland (TG). The combined treatment, which included performance of operation, radioiodine therapy and hormonotherapy, was conducted to all the patients. Total and maximum subtotal TG resection was performed in 90% patients, nonradical operation--in 10%, 23% patients were reoperated. Postoperative monitoring according to chart was done with application of dynamic scintigraphy and determination of the thyroglobuline level in the blood serum. The TG residual tissue (RT) was revealed in 61% patients and in 39%--the cancer metastases in the lymphatic nodes. RT of TG was eliminated in 86.8% patients after the first radioiodine therapy course conduction in middle remedial activity (2.79 +/- 0.11) GBq, the metastases devitalization--in 67.9% in middle remedial activity (4.07 +/- 0.12) GBq.


Effect of level of intake and supplemental barley on marker estimates of fecal output using an intraruminal continuous-release chromic oxide bolus.
Sixty wethers (average BW = 45 kg) fitted with fecal collection bags were used in four experiments to evaluate the ability of a intraruminal continuous-release chromic oxide bolus to predict fecal DM output. In Exp. 1, 18 wethers housed in metabolism crates were fed barley at either 0, 100, or 200g/d and allowed ad libitum consumption of alfalfa pellets. In Exp. 2, 18 wethers were housed in metabolism crates and fed alfalfa pellets at either 70, 85, or 125% of pre-study ad libitum consumption. In Exp. 3, 12 wethers grazed a sagebrush-bunchgrass range and were individually fed barley at 0 or 200 g/d. In Exp. 4, 12 wethers grazed either an ungrazed (383 kg/ha herbaceous biomass) or a heavily grazed (175 kg/ha herbaceous biomass) sagebrush-bunchgrass range. Experiments 1 and 2 were balanced 3 x 3 Latin squares, and Exp. 3 and 4 were crossover designs. Chromium content was determined in rectal grab samples. Treatment effects were compared using marker-estimated fecal output divided by total fecal collection, multiplied by 100, as the dependent variable. Accuracy of the estimate was verified by comparing marker-estimated fecal output with total fecal collection using a paired t-test. In Exp. 1 and 2, treatments were different (P less than .05). No differences (P greater than .50) were detected in Exp. 3 and 4. In Exp. 1, 2, and 3 accuracy was different (P less than .02) among wethers within study and treatment. Only in Study 4 were minor or no differences (P greater than .09) in accuracy found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Continuous fermentation of novobiocin.
Continuous fermentation trials with Streptomyces niveus in a nine-stage fermentation system (7-liter reaction volume per stage) indicated that the cultures used gradually lost their ability to produce novobiocin when cultured over periods from 10 to 25 days. It was found that mycelial degeneration could be circumvented by operational means during continuous culture using the following technique: Two interchangeable 24-liter stages were installed at the front end of the nine-stage system and connected in parallel with the latter. Alternatingly one of these two tanks was then used as first stage of the continuous fermentation system. The holdup time in the first vessel was adjusted to limit cell growth chiefly to this stage so that most of the antibiotic production took place in subsequent stages. The first stages were switched at approximately weekly intervals. Each of the new tanks was prepared as a batch, inoculated with a high-producing cell population, and allowed to grow for 3 days before it was connected to the remaining system for continuous operation. Using this technique no evidence of culture degeneration was encountered in subsequent novobiocin production stages over a period of 33 days. In conventional runs without periodic replacement of the first stage, culture degeneration with the novobiocin fermentation occurred within a period of 10 to 25 days of continuous operation. This observation indicates that the described technique offers a solution to the problem of maintaining high steady-state titers in continuous novobiocin fermentations. Extension of this technique to other continuous fermentations where culture degeneration is a problem is indicated.


Aflatoxins in the soil ecosystem: an overview of its occurrence, fate, effects and future perspectives.
Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites produced by specific strains of fungi, especially Aspergillus spp. These natural toxins are mainly found in soil, decaying vegetation and food storage systems and are particularly abundant during drought stress. Aflatoxin contamination is one of the most important threats to food safety and human health due to its toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. Therefore, most research focuses on post-harvest contamination of aflatoxins in feed and food commodities but very limited information is available about aflatoxin contamination and its toxicological consequences in the soil ecosystem. Current regulations provide minimal options for the disposal of aflatoxin-contaminated crops, amongst which is the incorporation of residues into the soil for natural degradation. This form of mycotoxin loading into the soil could potentially change its physicochemical characteristics and biotic parameters. Recent studies suggest that as climate conditions change, the occurrence and geographical distribution of aflatoxins might increase, posing significant health risks to the soil ecosystem, food crop production and human health. This review will focus on studies that look at the environmental and toxicological consequences of aflatoxin contamination with the aim of clarifying the risk that aflatoxin contamination poses to soil ecosystems. Many aspects of aflatoxin occurrence, degradation and the effects of its transformation products in the soil environment are still unknown and remain an important area of research for soil health and productivity. A climatic approach, in terms of changes in soil moisture and air temperature, is important for future risk assessments of aflatoxin contamination.


T cell priming in vivo: a major role for B cells in presenting antigen to T cells in lymph nodes.
Previous studies have shown that lymph node (LN) T cells from mice given repeated injections of anti-mu antisera from birth (mu sm) fail to mount secondary T proliferative responses to antigen in vitro after s.c. priming in vivo. This finding raised the possibility that priming of T cells in LN depends on the presence of B cells, Ig+ B lymphocytes being absent in mu sm. In support of this idea, the present paper shows that the priming defect in LN of mu sm can be largely overcome by injecting B cell populations s.c. 1 day before s.c. priming with antigen. Restoration of LN priming was observed with s.c. injection of highly purified populations of small B cells but not with heat-killed or lightly irradiated B cells. Homing studies indicated that approximately 10% of s.c.-injected B cells reached the draining LN. In other studies, irradiated mice injected i.v. with purified T cells manifested poor priming in LN after s.c. injection of antigen. It was reasoned that the LN priming defect in this situation reflected the lack of B cells in irradiated mice, B cells being highly radiosensitive. In support of this notion, it was found that s.c. injection of B cells into irradiated recipients of T cells led to high priming of T cells in LN after s.c. injection of antigen. Although T cells exposed to antigen in B-depleted LN of mu sm and irradiated mice gave negligible T proliferative responses in vitro, low but significant levels of primed T helper function were detected in a sensitive T helper assay in vivo. In light of this finding, our working hypothesis is that the initial induction of T cells to antigen in LN is controlled by resident dendritic cells (or other non-B antigen-presenting cells), the main role of B cells being to control the clonal expansion of activated T cells.


Incomplete and possibly selective recording of signs, symptoms and measurements in free text fields of primary care electronic health records of adults with lower respiratory tract infections.
To assess the completeness of recording of relevant signs, symptoms, and measurements in Dutch free text fields of primary care electronic health records (EHR) of adults with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). Retrospective cohort study embedded in a prediction modelling project using routine health care data of the Julius General Practitioners' Network of adult patients with LRTIs. Free text fields of 1,000 primary care consultations of LRTI episodes between 2016-2019 were manually annotated to retrieve data on the recording of sixteen relevant signs, symptoms, and measurements. For 12/16 (75%) of the relevant signs, symptoms, and measurements, more than 50% of the values was not recorded. The patterns of recorded values indicated selective recording of positive or abnormal values. Recording rates varied across consultation type (physical consultation vs. home visit), diagnosis (acute bronchitis vs. pneumonia), antibiotic prescription issued (yes vs. no), and between practices. In EHR of primary care LRTI patients, recording of signs, symptoms, and measurements in free text fields is incomplete and possibly selective. When using free text data in EHR-based research, careful consideration of its recording patterns and appropriate missing data handling techniques is therefore required.


The effects of reducing chronic inflammation in overweight women on serum hepcidin and iron absorption with and without supplemental ascorbic acid.
Although hepcidin synthesis is stimulated by inflammation and inhibited by Fe deficiency, the strength of their opposing effects on serum hepcidin (SHep) in humans remains unclear. It was recently shown that an inflammatory stimulus in anaemic women did not increase SHep or decrease Fe absorption. The enhancing effect of ascorbic acid on Fe absorption may not be effective during inflammation because of increased SHep. Our study aim was to test whether reducing inflammation in Fe-depleted overweight (OW) women with low-grade inflammation would lower SHep and improve Fe absorption with and without ascorbic acid, compared with normal-weight (NW) women without inflammation. Before and after 14 d of anti-inflammatory treatment (3 × 600 mg ibuprofen daily) in OW and NW women (n 36; 19-46 years of age), we measured SHep and fractional Fe absorption (FIA) (erythrocyte Fe incorporation) from 57Fe- and 58Fe-labelled test meals with and without ascorbic acid. There were significant group effects on IL-6, C-reactive protein, serum ferritin and SHep (for all, P < 0·05). There was a significant treatment effect on SHep (P < 0·05): in OW women, treatment decreased IL-6 by approximately 30 % and SHep by approximately 45 %. However, there were no significant treatment or group effects on FIA. Body Fe stores (BIS) were a significant positive predictor of SHep before and after treatment (P < 0·001), but IL-6 was not. Reducing chronic inflammation in OW women halved SHep but did not affect Fe absorption with or without ascorbic acid, and the main predictor of Fe absorption was BIS.


Asymmetric copper-catalyzed propargylic amination with amine hydrochloride salts.
The highly enantioselective copper-catalyzed propargylic amination of propargylic esters with amine hydrochloride salts has been realized for the first time using copper salts with chiral N,N,P-ligands. This method features a broad substrate scope and wide functional group tolerance, generating propargylic amines in good to excellent yields with high enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). The utility of the approach was demonstrated by late-stage functionalization of marketed pharmaceuticals.


Race and Ethnicity Differences in Walking and Associations with Neighborhood Perceptions among Older Adults in California.
This paper estimates differences in walking and associations of walking with neighborhood perceptions among older adults in California. We analyzed the restricted-use California Health Interview Survey data merged with the American Community Survey data. Walking at least 10 minutes for leisure in the last 7 days and number of minutes walked were regressed on perceived neighborhood social cohesion scale (PNSCS) and neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics. We estimated ordinary least squares regression models. We found that positive neighborhood perceptions were significantly (p< 0.05) associated with walking among older Hispanic and Asian adults. Older Hispanic adults with above median PNSCS report that they walk 6.3 percentage points more than Non-Hispanic White adults. Older adults' perceptions of their neighbors and neighborhoods are positively correlated with walking. Policymakers can consider ways to improve neighborhood perceptions and relationships to help increase walking among minority older adults especially in low SES neighborhoods.


Examining the role of the temporo-parietal network in memory, imagery, and viewpoint transformations.
The traditional view of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) focuses on its role in episodic memory. However, some of the underlying functions of the MTL can be ascertained from its wider role in supporting spatial cognition in concert with parietal and prefrontal regions. The MTL is strongly implicated in the formation of enduring allocentric representations (e.g., O'Keefe, 1976; King et al., 2002; Ekstrom et al., 2003). According to our BBB model (Byrne et al., 2007), these representations must interact with head-centered and body-centered representations in posterior parietal cortex via a transformation circuit involving retrosplenial areas. Egocentric sensory representations in parietal areas can then cue the recall of allocentric spatial representations in long-term memory and, conversely, the products of retrieval in MTL can generate mental imagery within a parietal "window." Such imagery is necessarily egocentric and forms part of visuospatial working memory, in which it can be manipulated for the purpose of planning/imagining the future. Recent fMRI evidence (Lambrey et al., 2012; Zhang et al., 2012) supports the BBB model. To further test the model, we had participants learn the locations of objects in a virtual scene and tested their spatial memory under conditions that impose varying demands on the transformation circuit. We analyzed how brain activity correlated with accuracy in judging the direction of an object (1) from visuospatial working memory (we assume transient working memory due to the order of tasks and the absence of change in viewpoint, but long-term memory retrieval is also possible), (2) after a rotation of viewpoint, or (3) after a rotation and translation of viewpoint (judgment of relative direction). We found performance-related activity in both tasks requiring viewpoint rotation (ROT and JRD, i.e., conditions 2 and 3) in the core medial temporal to medial parietal circuit identified by the BBB model. These results are consistent with the predictions of the BBB model, and shed further light on the neural mechanisms underlying spatial memory, mental imagery and viewpoint transformations.


Conversion of dietary phylloquinone to tissue menaquinone-4 in rats is not dependent on gut bacteria.
The ability of male rats to accumulate menaquinone-4 (MK-4) in tissues when fed a vitamin K-deficient diet supplemented with intraperitoneal phylloquinone (K) as the sole source of vitamin K for 14 d was assessed. In both conventionally housed controls and gnotobiotic rats, supplementation with the equivalent of 1500 microg vitamin K/kg diet increased (P < 0.001) tissue MK-4 concentrations above those of controls fed a vitamin K-deficient diet. MK-4 concentrations were approximately 5 ng/g (11 pmol/g) in liver, 14 ng/g in heart, 17 ng/g in kidney, 50 ng/g in brain and 250 ng/g in mandibular salivary glands of gnotobiotic rats. MK-4 concentrations in conventionally housed rats were higher than in gnotobiotic rats in heart (P < 0.01), brain (P < 0.01) and kidney (P < 0.05) but lower in salivary gland (P < 0.05). Cultures of a kidney-derived cell line (293) converted K to the expoxide of MK-4 in a manner that was dependent on both time of incubation and concentration of vitamin K in the media. A liver-derived cell line (H-35) was less active in carrying out this conversion. These data offer conclusive proof that the tissue-specific formation of MK-4 from K is a metabolic transformation that does not require bacterial transformation to menadione as an intermediate in the process.


Dietary habits and selenium, glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant status in the serum of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
Dietary habits and adequate dietary intake of antioxidants in the diet may be one of the most important environmental factors for the prevention of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to estimate selenium (Se) concentration, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and total antioxidant status (TAS) in the serum of patients with MS and the influence of dietary habits on the status. 101 patients with relapsing-remitting MS (aged 18-58 years), as well as control group of 63 healthy people (aged 19-65 years) were studied. Food-frequency questionnaires were implemented to collect the dietary data. Se concentration in the serum samples was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. GSH-Px activity and TAS in examined serum was measured using the ready-made sets of tests by Randox Laboratories Ltd., UK. Serum Se concentration and GSH-Px activity in the serum of patients with MS (55.2±16.2 μg/L, 6676.1±2386.4 U/L; respectively) were significantly decreased (p<0.01, p<0.05; respectively) compared with control group (79.2±20.6 μg/L, 8029.9±2650.1 U/L; respectively). A significant correlation (r=0.39, p<0.01) was observed between Se concentration and GSH-Px activity in the serum of examined patients. TAS value in the serum of patients with MS (1.03±0.37 mmol/L) was also significantly lower (p<0.01) than in healthy volunteers (1.48±0.41 mmol/L). Frequent consumption of poultry, bakery products, pulses and fish seemed to increase serum Se concentration in the group of patients; whereas frequent consumption of butter, wholegrain bread, sweet beverages and sugar was found to accompany with lower values of Se in the serum. We have observed significant decrease TAS (p<0.05, p<0.01; respectively) in the serum of smokers and those patients who received immunomodulatory drugs (0.95±0.39 mmol/L, 0.92±0.34 mmol/L; respectively) compared with no-smoking patients and not taking immunomodulators (1.14±0.33 mmol/L, 1.31±0.31 mmol/L; respectively). Serum Se concentration, GSH-Px activity and TAS value were significantly lower in patients with relapsing-remitting MS compared with healthy volunteers. Dietary habits have a significant influence on Se status. Smoking cigarettes and intake of immunomodulatory drugs therapy have a negative impact on TAS of examined patients.


Inhibition of SLPI ameliorates disease activity in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
The secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) exerts wide ranging effects on inflammatory pathways and is upregulated in EAE but the biological role of SLPI in EAE, an animal model of multiple sclerosis is unknown To investigate the pathophysiological effects of SLPI within EAE, we induced SLPI-neutralizing antibodies in mice and rats to determine the clinical severity of the disease. In addition we studied the effects of SLPI on the anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β. The induction of SLPI neutralizing antibodies resulted in a milder disease course in mouse and rat EAE. SLPI neutralization was associated with increased serum levels of TGF-β and increased numbers of FoxP3+ CD4+ T cells in lymph nodes. In vitro, the addition of SLPI significantly decreased the number of functional FoxP3+ CD25(hi) CD4+ regulatory T cells in cultures of naive human CD4+ T cells. Adding recombinant TGF-β to SLPI-treated human T cell cultures neutralized SLPI's inhibitory effect on regulatory T cell differentiation. In EAE, SLPI exerts potent pro-inflammatory actions by modulation of T-cell activity and its neutralization may be beneficial for the disease.


Differential Cross Sections for the H + D2 → HD(v' = 3, j' = 4-10) + D Reaction above the Conical Intersection.
We report rovibrationally selected differential cross sections (DCSs) of the benchmark reaction H + D2 → HD(v' = 3, j' = 4-10) + D at a collision energy of 3.26 eV, which exceeds the conical intersection of the H3 potential energy surface at 2.74 eV. We use the PHOTOLOC technique in which a fluorine excimer laser at 157.64 nm photodissociates hydrogen bromide (HBr) molecules to generate fast H atoms and the HD product is detected in a state-specific manner by resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization. Fully converged quantum wave packet calculations were performed for this reaction at this high collision energy without inclusion of the geometric phase (GP) effect, which takes into account coupling to the first excited state of the H3 potential energy surface. Multimodal structures can be observed in most of the DCSs up to j' = 10, which is predicted by theory and also well-reproduced by experiment. The theoretically calculated DCSs are in good overall agreement with the experimental measurements, which indicates that the GP effect is not large enough that its existence can be verified experimentally at this collision energy.


Allele and Haplotype Diversity of 26 X-STR Loci in Four Nationality Populations from China.
Haplotype analysis of closely associated markers has proven to be a powerful tool in kinship analysis, especially when short tandem repeats (STR) fail to resolve uncertainty in relationship analysis. STR located on the X chromosome show stronger linkage disequilibrium compared with autosomal STR. So, it is necessary to estimate the haplotype frequencies directly from population studies as linkage disequilibrium is population-specific. Twenty-six X-STR loci including six clusters of linked markers DXS6807-DXS8378-DXS9902(Xp22), DXS7132-DXS10079-DXS10074-DXS10075-DXS981 (Xq12), DXS6801-DXS6809-DXS6789-DXS6799(Xq21), DXS7424-DXS101-DXS7133(Xq22), DXS6804-GATA172D05(Xq23), DXS8377-DXS7423 (Xq28) and the loci DXS6800, DXS6803, DXS9898, GATA165B12, DXS6854, HPRTB and GATA31E08 were typed in four nationality (Han, Uigur, Kazakh and Mongol) samples from China (n = 1522, 876 males and 646 females). Allele and haplotype frequency as well as linkage disequilibrium data for kinship calculation were observed. The allele frequency distribution among different populations was compared. A total of 5-20 alleles for each locus were observed and altogether 289 alleles for all the selected loci were found. Allele frequency distribution for most X-STR loci is different in different populations. A total of 876 male samples were investigated by haplotype analysis and for linkage disequilibrium. A total of 89, 703, 335, 147, 39 and 63 haplotypes were observed. Haplotype diversity was 0.9584, 0.9994, 0.9935, 0.9736, 0.9427 and 0.9571 for cluster I, II, III, IV, V and VI, respectively. Eighty-two percent of the haplotype of cluster IIwas found only once. And 94% of the haplotype of cluster III show a frequency of <1%. These results indicate that allele frequency distribution for most X-STR loci is population-specific and haplotypes of six clusters provide a powerful tool for kinship testing and relationship investigation. So it is necessary to obtain allele frequency and haplotypes data of the linked loci for forensic application.


A blood vessel model constructed from collagen and cultured vascular cells.
A model of a blood vessel was constructed in vitro. Its multilayered structure resembled that of an artery and it withstood physiological pressures. Electron microscopy showed that the endothelial cells lining the lumen and the smooth muscle cells in the wall were healthy and well differentiated. The lining of endothelial cells functioned physically, as a permeability barrier, and biosynthetically, producing von Willebrand's factor and prostacyclin. The strength of the model depended on its multiple layers of collagen integrated with a Dacron mesh.


Topical administration of somatostatin prevents retinal neurodegeneration in experimental diabetes.
Retinal neurodegeneration is an early event in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Somatostatin (SST) is an endogenous neuroprotective peptide that is downregulated in the diabetic eye. The aim of the study was to test the usefulness of topical administration of SST in preventing retinal neurodegeneration. For this purpose, rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus (STZ-DM) were treated with either SST eye drops or vehicle for 15 days. Nondiabetic rats treated with vehicle served as a control group. Functional abnormalities were assessed by electroretinography (ERG), and neurodegeneration was assessed by measuring glial activation and the apoptotic rate. In addition, proapoptotic (FasL, Bid, and activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3) and survival signaling pathways (BclxL) were examined. Intraretinal concentrations of glutamate and its main transporter glutamate/aspartate transporter (GLAST) were also determined. Treatment with SST eye drops prevented ERG abnormalities, glial activation, apoptosis, and the misbalance between proapoptotic and survival signaling detected in STZ-DM rats. In addition, SST eye drops inhibited glutamate accumulation in the retina and GLAST downregulation induced by diabetes mellitus. We conclude that topical administration of SST has a potent effect in preventing retinal neurodegeneration induced by diabetes mellitus. In addition, our findings open up a new preventive pharmacological strategy targeted to early stages of DR.


Effect of thin silicon dioxide layers on resonant frequency in infrared metamaterials.
Infrared metamaterials fabricated on semiconductor substrates exhibit a high degree of sensitivity to very thin (as small as 2 nm) layers of low permittivity materials between the metallic elements and the underlying substrate. We have measured the resonant frequencies of split ring resonators and square loops fabricated on Si wafers with silicon dioxide thicknesses ranging from 0 to 10 nm. Resonance features blue shift with increasing silicon dioxide thickness. These effects are explained by the silicon dioxide layer forming a series capacitance to the fringing field across the elements. Resonance coupling to the Si-O vibrational absorption has been observed. Native oxide layers which are normally ignored in numerical simulations of metamaterials must be accounted for to produce accurate predictions.


Leucocyte function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: quantitative in-vivo leucocyte mobilisation and in-vitro functions of blood and exudate leucocytes.
Quantitative leucocyte mobilisation in vivo and the in-vitro random migration, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and oxidative metabolic activity were studied in 15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients mobilised leucocytes to chambers covering skin windows to the same degree as control subjects, and the mobilisation correlated with the blood leucocyte numbers and serum concentration of alpha-l-antitrypsin. Peripheral blood leucocytes showed slightly reduced migration in Boyden chambers but increased phagocytosis and increased unstimulated reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium. Exudate leucocytes from patients with RA showed migratory and phagocytic activity which did not differ from that of control subjects, but unstimulated exudate leucocytes reduced nitroblue tetrazolium more actively than leucocytes from control subjects. The observations indicate that leucocyte accumulation at an experimental inflammatory lesion and the function of these exudate leucocytes are not impaired in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.


Lifetime physical activity and breast cancer risk in a multiethnic population: the San Francisco Bay area breast cancer study.
Considerable epidemiological data have accumulated in support of a lower risk of breast cancer among physically active women. Few studies, however, have examined the relation with lifetime physical activity from all sources, and moderate activity in particular. We conducted a population-based case-control study of breast cancer in Latinas, African Americans, and whites aged 35-79 years to assess the association with lifetime histories of moderate and vigorous physical activity, including recreational activity, walking, bicycling, household and outdoor chores, and occupation. Patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer between 1995 and 1998 were identified through the cancer registry in the San Francisco Bay area, and a random sample of women without breast cancer was identified through random-digit dialing. A structured questionnaire administered in-person was completed by 403 premenopausal cases and 483 controls and 847 postmenopausal cases and 1065 controls. Summing activities from all sources over an individual's lifetime, we found reduced breast cancer risk in both pre- and postmenopausal women with the highest versus lowest tertile of average lifetime activity (premenopausal: multivariate adjusted odds ratio = 0.74, 95% confidence interval = 0.52-1.05; postmenopausal: odds ratio = 0.81, 95% confidence interval = 0.64-1.02), with similar reductions in the three racial/ethnic groups. In premenopausal women, risk reductions were similar for different types of activities, whereas in postmenopausal women, they were limited to occupational activity. Considering the intensity of activities, risk reductions were similar for moderate and vigorous activities. Because few of the currently known risk factors for breast cancer are modifiable, these results underline the public health importance of promoting physically active lifestyles.


Mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in lymphoma cells by the diterpenoid lactone andrographolide, the active component of Andrographis paniculata.
Andrographolide is a diterpenoid lactone isolated from Andrographis paniculata (King of Bitters), an herbal medicine used in Asia. It has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antiviral, and immune-stimulant properties. Furthermore, it has been shown to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in leukemia and solid tumor cell lines. We studied the Burkitt p53-mutated Ramos cell line, the mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) line Granta, the follicular lymphoma (FL) cell line HF-1, and the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cell line SUDHL4, as well as primary cells from patients with FL, DLBCL, and MCL. We found that andrographolide resulted in dose- and time-dependent cell death as measured by MTT. Andrographolide significantly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in all cell lines. To determine mechanism of cell death, we measured apoptosis by Annexin V/propidium iodide in the presence and absence of the antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), the glutathione (GSH)-depleting agent buthionine sulfoxamine (BSO), or caspase inhibitors. We found that apoptosis was greatly enhanced by BSO, blocked by NAC, and accompanied by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and activation of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9. We measured BAX conformational change and mitochondrial membrane potential, and using mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) Bax/Bak double knockouts (MEF(Bax-/-/Bak-/-)), we found that apoptosis was mediated through mitochondrial pathways, but dependent on caspases in both cell lines and patient samples. Andrographolide caused ROS-dependent apoptosis in lymphoma cell lines and in primary tumor samples, which was enhanced by depletion of GSH and inhibited by NAC or the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. Further studies of diterpenoid lactones in lymphoma are warranted.


A protein interaction network for Ecm29 links the 26 S proteasome to molecular motors and endosomal components.
Ecm29 is a 200-kDa HEAT repeat protein that binds the 26 S proteasome. Genome-wide two-hybrid screens and mass spectrometry have identified molecular motors, endosomal components, and ubiquitin-proteasome factors as Ecm29-interacting proteins. The C-terminal half of human Ecm29 binds myosins and kinesins; its N-terminal region binds the endocytic proteins, Vps11, Rab11-FIP4, and rabaptin. Whereas full-length FLAG-Ecm29, its C-terminal half, and a small central fragment of Ecm29 remain bound to glycerol-gradient-separated 26 S proteasomes, the N-terminal half of Ecm29 does not. Confocal microscopy showed that Ecm-26 S proteasomes are present on flotillin-positive endosomes, but they are virtually absent from caveolin- and clathrin-decorated endosomes. Expression of the small central fragment of Ecm29 markedly reduces proteasome association with flotillin-positive endosomes. Identification of regions within Ecm29 capable of binding molecular motors, endosomal proteins, and the 26 S proteasome supports the hypothesis that Ecm29 serves as an adaptor for coupling 26 S proteasomes to specific cellular compartments.


Variational Learning of Clusters of Undercomplete Nonsymmetric Independent Components.
We apply a variational method to automatically determine the number of mixtures of independent components in high-dimensional datasets, in which the sources may be nonsymmetrically distributed. The data are modeled by clusters where each cluster is described as a linear mixture of independent factors. The variational Bayesian method yields an accurate density model for the observed data without overfitting problems. This allows the dimensionality of the data to be identified for each cluster. The new method was successfully applied to a difficult real-world medical dataset for diagnosing glaucoma.


[Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) in bone and joint infections].
The medical treatment of many bone and joint infections (including chronic osteomyelitis, prosthetic joint infection, and septic arthritis) requires prolonged intravenous antimicrobial therapy. For some patients, this treatment could be administered outside the hospital in a program that offers outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT). In France, we have no registry of patients receiving OPAT. Initiation of this program requires specific criteria based on a patient evaluation and selection, and an interdisciplinary team of professionals committed to high-quality patient care. Various vascular access devices and infusion pump therapy are used to administer OPAT. The most common parenteral agents for OPAT are beta-lactams and glycopeptids (specifically vancomycin). Antimicrobial courses are stopped prematurely in 3 to 10% of the cases because of an adverse reaction or vascular access complications. Several published studies demonstrate the effectiveness of OPAT and higher patient satisfaction than hospital care. In addition, OPAT is clearly more cost-effective than intravenous therapy provided in the hospital setting. Some diagnoses, such as cellulites, community-acquired pneumonia, and endocarditis may be managed with OPAT.


The Hand Burn Severity (HABS) score: A simple tool for stratifying severity of hand burns.
Hand burns represent a unique challenge to the burns team due to the intricate structure and unrivalled functional importance of the hand. The initial assessment and prognosis relies on consideration of the specific site involved as well as depth of the burn. We created a simple severity score that could be used by referring non-specialists and researchers alike. The Hand Burn Severity (HABS) score stratifies hand burns according to severity with a numerical value of between 0 (no burn) and 18 (most severe) per hand. Three independent assessors scored the photographs of 121 burned hands of 106 adult and paediatric patients, demonstrating excellent inter-rater reliability (r=0.91, p<0.0001 on testing with Lin's correlation coefficient). A significant relationship was shown between the HABS score and a reliable binary outcome of the requirement for surgical excision on Mann-Whitney U testing (U=152; Z=9.8; p=0.0001). A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis found a cut off score of 5.5, indicating that those with a HABS score below 6 did not require an operation, whereas those with a score above 6 did. The HABS score was shown to be more sensitive and specific that assessment of burn depth alone. The HABS score is a simple to use tool to stratify severity at initial presentation of hand burns which will be useful when referring, and when reporting outcomes.


Preventive effect of Goshajinkigan on peripheral neurotoxicity of FOLFOX therapy (GENIUS trial): a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized phase III study.
Peripheral sensory neurotoxicity is a frequent adverse effect of oxaliplatin therapy. Calcium and magnesium (Ca/Mg) infusions are frequently used as preventatives, but a recent phase III trial failed to show that they prevent neurotoxicity. We therefore conducted a multicenter randomized phase III trial to compare fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) with and without Goshajinkigan (GJG), a traditional Japanese herbal medicine (Kampo), to determine GJG's potential for reducing peripheral neuropathy in patients with colorectal cancer. Patients with colon cancer who were undergoing adjuvant therapy with infusional mFOLFOX6 were randomly assigned to GJG (7.5 mg three times daily) or placebo in a double-blind manner. The primary endpoint was the time to grade 2 or greater neuropathy, which was determined at any point during or after oxaliplatin-based therapy using version 3 of the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE). An interim analysis was performed when 142 of the planned 310 patients had been enrolled and the safety assessment committee recommended that the study be discontinued. One hundred eighty-two patients were evaluable for response. They included 89 patients in the GJG group and 93 patients in the placebo group. The incidence of grade 2 or greater neurotoxicity was 50.6 % in the GJG group and 31.2 % in the placebo group. A Cox proportional hazards analysis indicated that the use of GJG was significantly associated with the incidence of neuropathy (hazard ratio, 1.908; p = 0.007). Goshajinkigan did not prevent oxaliplatin-associated peripheral neuropathy in this clinical trial. The clinical study was therefore terminated.


An insight-based methodology for evaluating bioinformatics visualizations.
High-throughput experiments, such as gene expression microarrays in the life sciences, result in very large data sets. In response, a wide variety of visualization tools have been created to facilitate data analysis. A primary purpose of these tools is to provide biologically relevant insight into the data. Typically, visualizations are evaluated in controlled studies that measure user performance on predetermined tasks or using heuristics and expert reviews. To evaluate and rank bioinformatics visualizations based on real-world data analysis scenarios, we developed a more relevant evaluation method that focuses on data insight. This paper presents several characteristics of insight that enabled us to recognize and quantify it in open-ended user tests. Using these characteristics, we evaluated five microarray visualization tools on the amount and types of insight they provide and the time it takes to acquire it. The results of the study guide biologists in selecting a visualization tool based on the type of their microarray data, visualization designers on the key role of user interaction techniques, and evaluators on a new approach for evaluating the effectiveness of visualizations for providing insight. Though we used the method to analyze bioinformatics visualizations, it can be applied to other domains.


Influence of trace metals, acids and ethanol in food-simulating liquids on the retention of alpha-tocopherol in low-density polyethylene film.
The retention of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film was investigated when in contact with different food-simulating liquids. Variations of the aqueous food simulants approved by the EU for testing of interactions between packaging materials and food, and an alternative fatty food simulant (95% aqueous ethanol) were used to study the influence of trace metals and acids, as well as variation in pH and ethanol concentration, on the stability of alpha-tocopherol in the LDPE film. The presence of trace metals in aqueous media accelerated loss of alpha-tocopherol from the film, while the addition of citric or ascorbic acid counteracted this loss. In contact with aqueous ethanol at a concentration of 50% or higher, the loss of alpha-tocopherol from the film was total. However, with solutions containing less than 50% ethanol, the antioxidant was almost completely retained in the film, unless the temperature was increased from 6 to 40 degrees C. For contact with solutions containing ethanol or trace metals, an increase in temperature resulted in a greater loss of alpha-tocopherol from the LDPE film.


Calcium deficiency, diet and dental disease in pet rabbits.
Poor calcification of the teeth and the bones of the skull predisposes pet rabbits to dental disease. This study is a preliminary investigation into the dietary habits of pet rabbits. Owners were questioned about the feeding preferences of their pets. Manufacturers of rabbit foods were asked about the calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D content of their foods and how they had decided upon the formulation of their rations. Samples of rabbit food were analysed for calcium and phosphorus. Rabbits were found to be selective feeders. Rabbit food from pet shops consists of a mixed ration, of which the most commonly rejected ingredients were pellets and whole grain. The food manufacturers reported that calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D supplements are incorporated into the pellets. Food analyses demonstrated that rejection of the pellets and whole grain from the food can reduce a rabbit's calcium intake to below the minimum dietary requirement. The rabbit's unusual calcium metabolism is discussed. Calcium deficiency may cause osteomalacia but dietary excess may cause urolithiasis. Vitamin D deficiency may also exacerbate calcium deficiency. Recommendations are made for preventing calcium deficiency and dental disease in rabbits.


Growth performance, pH value of gizzard, hepatic enzyme activity, immunologic indicators, intestinal histomorphology, and cecal microflora of broilers fed diets supplemented with processed lignocellulose.
This study was performed to investigate the hypothesis that supplementation of processed lignocellulose (PL) in the diets of broilers has a positive effect on growing performance, pH value of gizzard, hepatic enzyme activity, immunologic indicators, histomorphological character of small intestine, and cecal microflora populations. A total of 720 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were allotted to 4 treatment groups and fed maize-soybean meal based diets. The basal diet was supplemented with PL with an amount of 0 kg (control), 0.5 kg, 1 kg, and 2 kg per ton feed. Growing performance parameters, were determined weekly until 35 D of age. Blood samples for enzyme activities and immunoglobulins, jejunum and cecum samples for histomorphological characters for villus growth, and microbial population were collected from 12 broilers from each group. At 35 D of age, body weight of broilers supplemented with 1 kg of PL was found to be the highest with a value of 2305.0 g, when compared to the broilers supplemented with control, 0,5 and 2 kg of PL groups (2154.0, 2201.0, and 2141.7 g, respectively, P = 0.001). An increased activity of aspartate amino transferase (AST) was observed in the control and 1 kg PL supplementation groups (633.6 and 597.4 IU/L, respectively), whereas alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was the highest in the control group (5404 IU/L, P < 0.05). Broilers in the control group had the lowest level of IgY and IgA (122.2 and 25.8 mg/dL, respectively, P < 0.05). Villus height increased by 22.0%, 40.7%, and 34.8% in 0.5, 1, and 2 kg PL supplementation groups, respectively, when compared to the control (P < 0.001). The processed lignocellulose supplemented as 1 kg of PL decreased the average count of Staphylococcaceae, E. coli, and Enterobacteriaceae, whereas it increased the population of Lactobacillus spp. in the cecum (P < 0.05). These data indicate that the supplementation of processed lignocellulose had positive effects for performance via changes in hepatic enzyme activities, immunoglobulin levels, villus growth in jejunum, and microflora in cecum.


The cost-effectiveness of technology transfer using telemedicine.
The high burden of disease in developing countries often makes it difficult for health systems in these countries to attain the same level of specialist skills as industrialized countries. Technology transfer is one way to improve specialist skills whilst at the same time reducing the burden of disease. This paper describes the use of teleophthalmology, a form of telemedicine, as a mode of technology transfer between the United Kingdom and South Africa. As the burden of eye disease in South Africa is high, the country cannot afford the level of ophthalmic specialization achieved in the UK. The paper estimates the cost-effectiveness of the technology transfer project in terms of a cost per Disability Adjusted Life Year (DALY) averted. We found the technology transfer project to be cost-effective in reducing the burden of eye disease, and that practitioners in South Africa also learned novel procedures that could help future patients and improve cost-effectiveness. Technology transfer using telemedicine is a cost-effective method that richer countries can employ to aid capacity building in the health care systems of poorer countries.


Nonlinear generation of broadband polarisation vortices.
Polarisation-vortex beams over a broad wavelength region are generated by nonlinear transformation of a radially-polarized mode in a specially-designed optical fiber. The beams are produced by stimulated Raman scattering from 20-ns 1064-nm laser pulses, and up to the 4th order Stokes shift is observed. Measurements of polarization-selected intensity profiles of individual Stokes components show that the generated light maintains the desired spatial intensity distribution and radial polarization of the pump mode. At the highest pump power, 300 W, the process creates a coherent vortex beam from 1064 nm to 1310 nm, which is a span of nearly 250 nm.


Measurement of gantry rotation time in modern ct.
The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a noninvasive method to assess rotation time in modern commercial computed tomography (CT) systems. The rotation time was measured at a selected nominal rotation time (400 ms) utilizing two types of solid-state detectors: the RTI's CT Dose Profiler (CTDP) and Unfors' Xi (Xi) probes. Either CTDP or Xi was positioned on the inner cover of the gantry and a sheet of lead (1 mm thick) placed on top of the detector. Since a pair of two successive peaks is used to determine the gantry rotation time, by necessity the helical scan must be employed. Upon completion of the data acquisition, these peak times were determined with the dedicated software to obtain rotation time. The average rotation time obtained with CTDP and Xi operated under the dedicated software was found to be 400.6 and 400.5 ms, respectively. The detector for this measurement need not be specifically designed for CT dosimetry. The measurements of CT scanner rotation time can be accomplished with a radiation probe designed for the CT application or a conventional radiation probe designed for radiography and fluoroscopy applications. It is also noteworthy to point out that the measurement results are in good agreement between the two radiation detector systems. Finally, clinical medical physicists should be aware of the accuracy and precision of gantry rotation time, and take into consideration for QA where and when applicable.


Cervical muscle dysfunction in the chronic whiplash associated disorder grade II (WAD-II).
In a cross-sectional study, surface electromyography measurements of the upper trapezius muscles were obtained during different functional tasks in patients with a chronic whiplash associated disorder Grade II and healthy control subjects. To investigate whether muscle dysfunction of the upper trapezius muscles, as assessed by surface electromyography, can be used to distinguish patients with whiplash associated disorder Grade II from healthy control subjects. In the whiplash associated disorder, there is need to improve the diagnostic tools. Whiplash associated disorder Grade II is characterized by the presence of "musculoskeletal signs." Surface electromyography to assess these musculoskeletal signs objectively may be a useful tool. Normalized smoothed rectified electromyography levels of the upper trapezius muscles of patients with whiplash associated disorder Grade II (n = 18) and healthy control subjects (n = 19) were compared during three static postures, during a unilateral dynamic manual exercise, and during relaxation after the manual exercise. Coefficients of variation were computed to identify the measurement condition that discriminated best between the two groups. The most pronounced differences between patients with whiplash associated disorder Grade II and healthy control subjects were found particularly in situations in which the biomechanical load was low. Patients showed higher coactivation levels during physical exercise and a decreased ability to relax muscles after physical exercise. Patients with whiplash associated disorder Grade II can be distinguished from healthy control subjects according to the presence of cervical muscle dysfunction, as assessed by surface electromyography of the upper trapezius muscles. Particularly the decreased ability to relax the trapezius muscles seems to be a promising feature to identify patients with whiplash associated disorder Grade II. Assessment of the muscle (dys)function by surface electromyography offers a refinement of the whiplash associated disorder classification and provides an indication to a suitable therapeutic approach.


The plasmid R64 thin pilus identified as a type IV pilus.
The entire nucleotide sequence of the pil region of the IncI1 plasmid R64 was determined. Analysis of the sequence indicated that 14 genes, designated pilI through pilV, are involved in the formation of the R64 thin pilus. Protein products of eight pil genes were identified by the maxicell procedure. The pilN product was shown to be a lipoprotein by an experiment using globomycin. A computer search revealed that several R64 pil genes have amino acid sequence homology with proteins involved in type IV pilus biogenesis, protein secretion, and transformation competence. The pilS and pilV products were suggested to be prepilins for the R64 thin pilus, and the pilU product appears to be a prepilin peptidase. These results suggest that the R64 thin pilus belongs to the type IV family, specifically group IVB, of pili. The requirement of the pilR and pilU genes for R64 liquid mating was demonstrated by constructing their frameshift mutations. Comparison of three type IVB pilus biogenesis systems, the pil system of R64, the toxin-coregulated pilus (tcp) system of Vibrio cholerae, and the bundle-forming pilus (bfp) system of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, suggests that they have evolved from a common ancestral gene system.


Molecular mechanism of moderate insulin resistance in adiponectin-knockout mice.
Adiponectin has been proposed to act as an antidiabetic adipokine, suppressing gluconeogenesis and stimulating fatty acid oxidation in the liver and skeletal muscle. Although adiponectin-knockout (adipo(-/-)) mice are known to exhibit insulin resistance, the degrees of insulin resistance and glucose intolerance are unexpectedly only moderate. In this study, the adipo(-/-) mice showed hepatic, but not muscle, insulin resistance. insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of IRS-1 and IRS-2 was impaired, the IRS-2 protein level was decreased, and insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt was decreased in the liver of the adipo(-/-) mice. However, the triglyceride content in the liver was not increased in these mice, despite the decrease in the PPARalpha expression involved in lipid combustion, since the expressions of lipogenic genes such as SREBP-1 and SCD-1 were decreased in association with the increased leptin sensitivity. Consistent with this, the down-regulation SREBP-1 and SCD-1 observed in the adipo(-/-) mice was no longer observed, and the hepatic triglyceride content was significantly increased in the adiponectin leptin double-knockout (adipo(-/-)ob/ob) mice. On the other hand, the triglyceride content in the skeletal muscle was significantly decreased in the adipo(-/-) mice, probably due to up-regulated AMPK activity associated with the increased leptin sensitivity. In fact, these phenotypes in the skeletal muscle of these mice were no longer observed in the adipo(-/-)ob/ob mice. In conclusion, adipo(-/-) mice showed impaired insulin signaling in the liver to cause hepatic insulin resistance, however, no increase in the triglyceride content was observed in either the liver or the skeletal muscle, presumably on account of the increased leptin sensitivity.


Ca(2+) fluxes involvement in gene expression during cardiac hypertrophy.
Cardiac hypertrophy arises as a response of the heart to many different pathological stimuli that challenge its work. Regardless of the initial pathologic cause, cardiac hypertrophy shares some characteristics resulting from a genetic reprogramming of several proteins. Recent studies point to Ca2+ as a key signaling element in the initiation of this genetic reprogramming. In fact, besides its important role in excitation-contraction coupling, Ca2+ regulates cardiac growth by activation of Ca2+-dependent transcription factors. This mechanism has been termed excitation-transcription (ET) coupling. Some information about cardiac ET coupling is being gathered from the analysis of cardiac hypertrophy development, where two Ca2+ dependent enzymes are key actors: the Ca2+/calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) and the phosphatase calcineurin, both activated by Ca2+/Calmodulin. In this review we focus on some neurohormonal signaling pathways involved in cardiac hypertrophy, which could be ascribed as activators of ET coupling, for instance, adrenergic stimulation and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) produces cAMP, which directly, (through cAMP response element) or indirectly (through activating Epac) induces cardiac hypertrophy. α1 AR and angiotensin receptor type 1 are Gq protein coupled receptors, which when activated, stimulate phospholipase C producing inositol 1,4,5 triphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG). IP3 promotes elevation of [Ca2+] in the nucleus, activating CaMKII/MEF2 (myocyte enhancer factor 2) pathway and may indirectly induce Ca2+ entry through transient receptor potential channels (TRPC). Other TRPC channels are activated by DAG. Ca2+ entry activates calcineurin/NFAT hypertrophic signaling. By promoting L-type Ca2+ channel expression, aldosterone may also have an important role in the genetic reprogramming during hypertrophy.


A study of the effects of the aromatase inhibitors anastrozole and letrozole on bone metabolism in postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.
ALIQUOT (Anastrozole vs. Letrozole, an Investigation of Quality Of Life and Tolerability) was a prospective, open-label, randomized pharmacodynamic study designed to assess the effects of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) on bone turnover in healthy postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Ninety-four patients were randomized to receive either 12 weeks of letrozole (2.5 mg; n = 42) followed by 12 weeks of anastrozole (1 mg), or 12 weeks of anastrozole (1 mg; n = 42) followed by 12 weeks of letrozole (2.5 mg). After completion of the study period, patients in the immediate adjuvant group were either switched to tamoxifen (n = 38) or continued on anastrozole or letrozole. In the beginning of the study, 42 patients had taken tamoxifen within 3 months. Patients taking drugs likely to affect bone metabolism, including bisphosphonates, were excluded. Eighty-four patients had complete sample measurements and were included in the analysis. Prior tamoxifen therapy resulted in a significantly lower mean baseline procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (PINP) compared with patients with no prior tamoxifen. There were no significant differences in bone markers between AIs at any time. By 6 months, significant increases were seen in PINP, C-terminal telopeptides (CTX), bone specific alkaline phosphatise (ALP), and urinary N-terminal telopeptides (NTX). Patients with prior tamoxifen had significantly greater increases than patients with no prior tamoxifen. Patients treated with 3 months of tamoxifen following 6 months of an AI showed a significant decrease in markers of bone resorption, serum CTX and urinary NTX. In conclusion, AI-induced bone turnover increases over time. Anastrozole and letrozole produce similar effects on bone metabolism and turnover. Stopping tamoxifen therapy and starting AIs results in a significantly greater increase in bone turnover compared with commencing AIs in tamoxifen-naïve patients. Patients given tamoxifen following AI therapy showed a decrease in markers of bone resorption.


Chronic inflammation-elicited liver progenitor cell conversion to liver cancer stem cell with clinical significance.
The substantial heterogeneity and hierarchical organization in liver cancer support the theory of liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs). However, the relationship between chronic hepatic inflammation and LCSC generation remains obscure. Here, we observed a close correlation between aggravated inflammation and liver progenitor cell (LPC) propagation in the cirrhotic liver of rats exposed to diethylnitrosamine. LPCs isolated from the rat cirrhotic liver initiated subcutaneous liver cancers in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice, suggesting the malignant transformation of LPCs toward LCSCs. Interestingly, depletion of Kupffer cells in vivo attenuated the LCSC properties of transformed LPCs and suppressed cytokeratin 19/Oval cell 6-positive tumor occurrence. Conversely, LPCs cocultured with macrophages exhibited enhanced LCSC properties. We further demonstrated that macrophage-secreted tumor necrosis factor-α triggered chromosomal instability in LPCs through the deregulation of ubiquitin D and checkpoint kinase 2 and enhanced the self-renewal of LPCs through the tumor necrosis factor receptor 1/Src/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway, which synergistically contributed to the conversion of LPCs to LCSCs. Clinical investigation revealed that cytokeratin 19/Oval cell 6-positive liver cancer patients displayed a worse prognosis and exhibited superior response to sorafenib treatment. Our results not only clarify the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the inflammation-mediated LCSC generation but also provide a molecular classification for the individualized treatment of liver cancer. (Hepatology 2017;66:1934-1951).


The utility of a safety climate scale among workers with a work-related permanent impairment who have returned to work.
Safety climate (SC) is a robust leading indicator of occupational safety outcomes. There is, however, limited research on SC among workers who have returned to work with a work-related permanent impairment. This study examined three propositions: (1) a two-level model of SC (group-level and organization-level SC) will provide the best fit to the data; (2) antecedent factors such as safety training, job demands, supervisor support, coworker support, and decision latitude will predict SC; and (3) previously reported associations between SC and outcomes such as reinjury, work-family conflict, job performance, and job security will be observed. A representative cross-sectional survey gathered information about experiences during the first year of work reintegration. About one year after claim closure, 599 interviews with workers were conducted (53.8% response rate). Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to test the factor structure of the SC construct. Further, researchers used correlation analyses to examine the criterion-related validity. Consistent with general worker populations, our findings suggest the following: (1) the two-factor structure of SC outperformed the single-factor structure in our population of workers with a permanent impairment; (2) correlations demonstrate that workplace safety training, decision latitude, supervisor support, coworker support, and job demands could predict SC; and (3) SC may positively impact reinjury risk, work-family conflict, and may increase job performance and job security. Our study validated a two-factor SC scale among workers with a history of disabling workplace injury or permanent impairment who have returned to work. Practical applications of this scale will equip organizations with the necessary data to improve working conditions for this population.


Knowledge, experience, and potential risks of dating violence among Japanese university students: a cross-sectional study.
The Domestic Violence Prevention Act came into effect in Japan in 2001, but covers only marriage partner violence and post-divorce partner violence, and does not recognize intimate partner violence (IPV). The present study was performed to determine the experience of harassment, both toward and from an intimate partner, and recognition of harassment as IPV among Japanese university students. A self-administered questionnaire survey regarding the experience of harassment involving an intimate partner was conducted as a cross-sectional study among freshman students in a prefectural capital city in Japan. A total of 274 students participated in the present study. About half of the subjects (both male and female students) had experience of at least one episode of harassment toward or had been the recipient of harassment from an intimate partner. However, the study participants did not recognize verbal harassment, controlling activities of an intimate partner, and unprotected sexual intercourse as violence. Experience of attending a lecture/seminar about domestic violence and dating violence did not contribute to appropriate help-seeking behavior. An educational program regarding harassment and violence prevention and appropriate help-seeking behavior should be provided in early adolescence to avoid IPV among youth.


Travel, venous thromboembolism, and thrombophilia.
Current evidence indicates that prolonged air travel predisposes to venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. An effect is seen once travel duration exceeds 6 to 9 hours and becomes obvious in long-haul passengers traveling for 12 or more hours. A recent records linkage study found that increase in thrombosis rate among arriving passengers peaked during the first week and was no longer apparent after 2 weeks. Medium- to long-distance travelers have a 2- to 4-fold increase in relative thrombosis risk compared with nontravelers, but the averaged absolute risk is small (approximately one symptomatic event per 2 million arrivals, with a case-fatality rate of approximately 2%) and there is no evidence that thrombosis is more likely in economy class than in business- or first-class passengers. It remains uncertain whether and to what extent thrombosis risk is increased by short-distance air travel or prolonged travel by motorcar, train, or other means. Most travelers who develop venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism also have one or more other predisposing risk factors that may include older age, obesity, recent injury or surgery, previous thrombosis, venous insufficiency, malignancy, hormonal therapies, or pregnancy. Limited (though theoretically plausible) evidence suggests that factor V Leiden and the prothrombin gene mutation predispose to thrombosis in otherwise healthy travelers. Given that very many passengers with such predispositions do not develop thrombosis, and a lack of prospective studies to link predisposition with disease, it is not now possible to allocate absolute thrombosis risk among intending passengers or to estimate benefit-to-risk ratios or benefit-to-cost ratios for prophylaxis. Randomized comparisons using ultrasound imaging indicate a measurable incidence of subclinical leg vein thrombosis after prolonged air travel, which appears to increase with travel duration and is reduced by graded pressure elastic support stockings. Whether this surrogate outcome measure translates into clinical benefit remains unknown, but support stockings are likely to be more effective and have less adverse effects than the use of aspirin.


Reproductive biology and implications for management of the spangled emperor Lethrinus nebulosus in the southern Arabian Gulf.
The reproductive biology of the spangled emperor Lethrinus nebulosus in the southern Arabian Gulf was determined from the examination of 781 individuals collected between September 2008 and August 2009. There was no histological evidence of adult sex change, and sex ratios did not differ significantly from unity across all size and age classes. Testes had an ovarian structure and a remnant lumen which was not used for sperm transport; furthermore, residual oocytes were observed in the testes of some immature, resting and developing males. A dramatic change in the sex ratio of the smallest and youngest size and age classes suggested that juvenile female to male sex change occurred between 21·0 cm fork length (L(F)) and 24·0 cm L(F) at 1 year of age. The combination of histological evidence with the sexual composition of the size and age structures suggests a non-functional protogynous hermaphroditic sexual pattern, which is analogous to functional gonochorism. The spawning season was well defined, occurring once a year during March, April and early May. Peaks in spawning occurred after full moons, there was a cessation in spawning activity after new moons and spawning was completed within three lunar cycles. The distribution of males over the entire size and age ranges and the absence of inactive mature females during the spawning season suggested that the population was not constrained by sperm limitation. Size-specific and age-specific reproductive potential indicated that conventional regulations that equate the mean size at first capture to sexual maturation are unsuitable for the management of L. nebulosus. The maximum recorded age (11 years), small mean size and young age at sexual maturation (L(m50) = 26·7 cm L(F), 2·1 years, for females and 19·4 cm L(F), 0·5 years, for males) may be a direct result of intensive demersal fishing in the southern Arabian Gulf.


Troubleshooting in extracorporeal life support.
Since the first clinical use of extracorporeal circulation in the last century by John Gibbon and the first successful mechanical support of the left ventricular function by Forest Dodrill, the progress of techniques and technologies has helped to develop minimised systems for extracorporeal circulatory and respiratory support. However, the fact is that, despite the advanced technologies used for extracorporeal support, successful application in order to be benefit a critically ill population requires highly trained and skilled teams. Application of these highly sophisticated techniques in life-saving situations inside and/or outside the operating room is a procedure with certain pitfalls and dangers. The aim of this review is to provide a short overview of the technical aspects of extracorporeal circulation, with a look at the recent literature and clinical experiences focusing on technical as well surgical considerations regarding the urgent and/or emergent usage of a central as well as peripheral extracorporeal system.


Polymorphisms and haplotypes in the caspase-3, caspase-7, and caspase-8 genes and risk for endometrial cancer: a population-based, case-control study in a Chinese population.
Caspase-3, caspase-7, and caspase-8 are important caspases in the apoptosis pathway and play an important role in the development and progression of cancer. We examined the association between genetic variants in the caspase-3, caspase-7, and caspase-8 genes and risk for endometrial cancer among Chinese women. Genotypes for 1,028 women with endometrial cancer and 1,003 healthy controls were determined with the Affymetrix MegAllele Targeted Genotyping System and Molecular Inversion Probe method. Of 35 selected single-nucleotide polymorphisms, four in the caspase-7 gene were in high linkage disequilibrium (rs11593766, rs3124740, rs11196445, and rs11196418) and associated with the risk for endometrial cancer. The AA genotype of rs11196418 [odds ratio, 0.36; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.14-0.94] and the G allele of rs11593766 were associated with reduced risk (odds ratio of 0.75 and 95% CI of 0.59-0.96 for carriers of one G allele; odds ratio of 0.70 and 95% CI of 0.24-2.03 for carriers of two G alleles). The AA genotype of rs11196445 (odds ratio, 1.74; 95% CI, 0.99-3.05), the CC genotype of rs3124740 (odds ratio, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.06-1.75), and the GG genotype of rs10787498 in the caspase-7 gene (odds ratio, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.16-3.11) were associated with increased risk compared with homozygotes of the major alleles. The gene-disease association seemed to be more pronounced among premenopausal women, although tests for multiplicative interaction between genes and menopausal status failed to reach statistical significance. The GG genotype of rs2705901 in the caspase-3 gene was significantly associated with increased cancer risk compared with the CC genotype (odds ratio, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.03-4.95). No association was observed between polymorphisms of the caspase-8 gene and risk for endometrial cancer. These findings suggest that genetic variants in caspase-3 and caspase-7 may play a role in endometrial cancer susceptibility.


Evidence-based vs. 'impressionist' medicine: how best to implement guidelines.
Implementing clinical practice guidelines improves outcomes. This has been shown by several large scale registries. However, in spite of this, guidelines are poorly implemented in clinical practice for a wide variety of reasons. We examine the reasons behind the low uptake of guidelines into routine medical practice. Many physicians are simply not aware that guidelines exist; or they do not believe in them; or they simply do not care to implement them. Economic and social factors may also influence uptake of guidelines. It is the role of professional societies to disseminate best scientific knowledge, and ensure optimum implementation of guidelines. This can be achieved through educational activities and CME credit. Close collaboration between the profession, health authorities, and maybe even the industry could improve uptake of clinical practice guidelines, and thereby improve patient outcome.


Electrophysiological and morphological diversity of mouse sympathetic neurons.
We have used multiple-labeling immunohistochemistry, intracellular dye-filling, and intracellular microelectrode recordings to characterize the morphological and electrical properties of sympathetic neurons in the superior cervical, thoracic, and celiac ganglia of mice. Neurochemical and morphological characteristics of neurons varied between ganglia. Thoracic sympathetic ganglia contained three main populations of neurons based on differential patterns of expression of immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). In the celiac ganglion, nearly all neurons contained immunoreactivity to both tyrosine hydroxylase and NPY. Both the overall size of the dendritic tree and the number of primary dendrites were greater in neurons from the thoracic and celiac ganglia compared with those from the superior cervical ganglion. The electrophysiological properties of sympathetic neurons depended more on their ganglion of origin rather than their probable targets. All neurons in the superior cervical ganglion had phasic firing properties and large afterhyperpolarizations (AHPs). In addition, 34% of these neurons displayed an afterdepolarization preceding the AHP. Superior cervical ganglion neurons had prominent I(M), I(A), and I(H) currents and a linear current-voltage relationship between -60 and -110 mV. Neurons from the thoracic ganglia had significantly smaller action potentials, AHPs, and apparent cell capacitance compared with superior cervical ganglion neurons, and only 18% showed an afterdepolarization. All neurons in superior cervical ganglia and most neurons in celiac ganglia received at least one strong preganglionic input. Nearly one-half the neurons in the celiac ganglion had tonic firing properties, and another 15% had firing properties intermediate between those of tonic and phasic neurons. Most celiac neurons showed significant inward rectification below -90 mV. They also expressed I(A), but with slower inactivation kinetics than that of superior cervical or thoracic neurons. Both phasic and tonic celiac ganglion neurons received synaptic inputs via the celiac nerves in addition to strong inputs via the splanchnic nerves. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that the properties of the action potential, the AHP, and the apparent cell capacitance together were sufficient to correctly classify 80% of neurons according to their ganglion of origin. These results indicate that there is considerable heterogeneity in the morphological, neurochemical, and electrical properties of sympathetic neurons in mice. Although the morphological and neurochemical characteristics of the neurons are likely to be related to their peripheral projections, the expression of particular electrophysiological traits seems to be more closely related to the ganglia within which the neurons occur.


Acetobacter ghanensis sp. nov., a novel acetic acid bacterium isolated from traditional heap fermentations of Ghanaian cocoa beans.
Twenty-three acetic acid bacteria, isolated from traditional heap fermentations of Ghanaian cocoa beans, were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The isolates were catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, Gram-negative rods. They oxidized ethanol to acetic acid and were unable to produce 2-ketogluconic acid, 5-ketogluconic acid and 2,5-diketogluconic acid from glucose; therefore, they were tentatively identified as Acetobacter species. 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed their position in the genus Acetobacter, with Acetobacter syzygii and Acetobacter lovaniensis as their closest phylogenetic neighbours. (GTG)(5)-PCR fingerprinting grouped the strains in a cluster that did not contain any type strains of members of the genus Acetobacter. DNA-DNA hybridization with the type strains of all recognized Acetobacter species revealed DNA-DNA relatedness values below the species level. The DNA G+C contents of three selected strains were 56.9-57.3 mol%. The novel strains had phenotypic characteristics that enabled them to be differentiated from phylogenetically related Acetobacter species, i.e. they were motile, did not produce 2-ketogluconic acid or 5-ketogluconic acid from glucose, were catalase-positive and oxidase-negative, grew on yeast extract with 30 % glucose, grew on glycerol (although weakly) but not on maltose or methanol as carbon sources, and did not grow with ammonium as sole nitrogen source and ethanol as carbon source. Based on the genotypic and phenotypic data, the isolates represent a novel species of the genus Acetobacter for which the name Acetobacter ghanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R-29337(T) (=430A(T)=LMG 23848(T)=DSM 18895(T)).


Pre-oxidation of spent lettuce wash water by continuous Advanced Oxidation Process to reduce chlorine demand and cross-contamination of pathogens during post-harvest washing.
A continuous Photo-Fenton Advanced-Oxidation-Process (AOP) for reducing the chlorine-demand of spent lettuce wash water was developed based on the generation of hydroxyl-radicals from the UV-C degradation of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of ferric-catalyst. It was found that an interaction between UV-C and hydrogen peroxide or ferric-catalyst concentration was associated with high hydroxyl-radical generation as determined from the oxidation of methylene blue. The optimal AOP treatment was identified as 320 mJ/cm2 UV-C dose, 9.6 mg/L H2O2, and 9 mg/L ferric-catalyst. When the treatment was applied to simulated lettuce spent wash water (6.6 g romaine lettuce per liter of distilled water containing 100 mg bentonite; pH 6.9) the chlorine demand was reduced from 150 ppm to 130 ppm. The chlorination of AOP treated water did not result in a greater log reduction of pathogens (Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella) on lettuce but did reduce cross-contamination between batches during washing. The chlorinated byproducts formed in AOP treated water exhibited higher antimicrobial activity compared to untreated controls. Although the treatment was successful in reducing cross-contamination of lettuce batches the cytotoxicity of disinfection byproducts requires to be assessed.


Conception of a High-Level Perception and Localization System for Autonomous Driving.
This paper describes the conception of a high level, compact, scalable, and long autonomy perception and localization system for autonomous driving applications. Our benchmark is composed of a high resolution lidar (128 channels), a stereo global shutter camera, an inertial navigation system, a time server, and an embedded computer. In addition, in order to acquire data and build multi-modal datasets, this system embeds two perception algorithms (RBNN detection, DCNN detection) and one localization algorithm (lidar-based localization) to provide real-time advanced information such as object detection and localization in challenging environments (lack of GPS). In order to train and evaluate the perception algorithms, a dataset is built from 10,000 annotated lidar frames from various drives carried out under different weather conditions and different traffic and population densities. The performances of the three algorithms are competitive with the state-of-the-art. Moreover, the processing time of these algorithms are compatible with real-time autonomous driving applications. By providing directly accurate advanced outputs, this system might significantly facilitate the work of researchers and engineers with respect to planning and control modules. Thus, this study intends to contribute to democratizing access to autonomous vehicle research platforms.


Wedge osteotomy as a treatment for angular deformity of the fetlock in horses.
Five young horses with fetlock varus deformities of 8 degrees or greater were treated by means of wedge osteotomy of the distal end of the 3rd metacarpal or metatarsal bone. Three patients were admitted to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and 2 to Colorado State University. Their selection as surgical patients was based on the following criteria: (1) an angular limb deformity of 8 degrees or greater, (2) patient older than 120 days, (3) no evidence of lameness, and (4) no evidence of degenerative joint disease. The surgery was successful in all cases.


Patients' perceptions of recovery following a 6-week exercise intervention for the treatment of patellofemoral pain: A mixed methods study.
Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common and complex condition. The diagnosis and causal mechanisms are not well understood and therefore the long-term prognosis tends to be poor. Exercise is currently the only evidence-based treatment strategy suggested to improve pain and function in the long term. However, no qualitative studies have been conducted to establish patients' perceptions of recovery in the long term following an exercise intervention. To measure self-reported recovery on a 7-point Likert scale in 31 participants with PFP 6 months after a 6-week physiotherapy intervention. To explore the subjective accounts of patients who received a physiotherapy intervention for PFP, regarding their expectations and perceptions of recovery. Semi-structured exit interviews were conducted electronically 6 months after intervention to ascertain the patients' perspectives on whether expectations of treatment were met, and factors that influenced their recovery experience. Quantitative analysis of self-reported recovery on a 7-point Likert scale showed that 48.4% of participants felt that they were 'recovered'. Qualitative analysis showed three main categories: expectations of treatment, perceptions of recovery and changes in functional abilities. Clinicians should address patients' expectations of treatment and include the patients in decision-making regarding their treatment. Long-term follow-up is essential to ensure that treatment effects have been maintained, and this should include information about patients' self-reported recovery. This study suggests that patients' expectations of treatment and perceptions of recovery from PFP may influence prognosis. Clinicians need to collaborate with patients and involve them in decision-making to achieve their goals. An individualised treatment approach is essential to adequately address patients' experiences, priorities and beliefs.


A Narrative Review of Antibiotic Prescribing Practices in Primary Care Settings in South Africa and Potential Ways Forward to Reduce Antimicrobial Resistance.
There are concerns with the current prescribing of antibiotics in both the private and public primary care settings in South Africa. These concerns need to be addressed going forward to reduce rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) rates in South Africa. Concerns include adherence to current prescribing guidelines. Consequently, there is a need to comprehensively summarise current antibiotic utilization patterns from published studies as well as potential activities to improve prescribing, including indicators and antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs). Published studies showed that there was an appreciable prescribing of antibiotics for patients with acute respiratory infections, i.e., 52.9% to 78% or more across the sectors. However, this was not universal, with appreciable adherence to prescribing guidelines in community health centres. Encouragingly, the majority of antibiotics prescribed, albeit often inappropriately, were from the 'Access' group of antibiotics in the AWaRe (Access/Watch/Reserve) classification rather than 'Watch' antibiotics to limit AMR. Inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics in primary care is not helped by concerns with current knowledge regarding antibiotics, AMR and ASPs among prescribers and patients in primary care. This needs to be addressed going forward. However, studies have shown it is crucial for prescribers to use a language that patients understand when discussing key aspects to enhance appropriate antibiotic use. Recommended activities for the future include improved education for all groups as well as regularly monitoring prescribing against agreed-upon guidelines and indicators.