[Motor fluctuations and dyskinesias in Parkinson's disease: variables that discriminate both complications in a sample of 285 patients].
A large proportion of patients with Parkinson's disease suffer fluctuations and dyskinesias in the course of the disease. The present study explores the variables that predict the appearance of these complications. This is a cross-sectional study that studies 285 patients with Parkinson's disease. Patient's age, date of diagnosis and of treatment with levodopa and motor situation (UPDRS III) were recorded. Drugs and doses were documented. Finally, levodopa equivalent dose in those patients using agonists or prolonged release formulations was calculated. Mean age of the patients was 71.1 years (+/-9.1). Disease duration was 8.7 years (+/-11.8). A total of 118 patients (41.4%) presented motor fluctuations, and 61 patients (21.4 %) had dyskinesias. Two discriminant analytical models were established. In the first model, the dependent variable was the presence of fluctuations, and three variables significantly discriminated between the two groups: the levodopa equivalent dose, the duration of treatment with levodopa and the motor situation. In the second model the presence of dyskinesias constituted the dependent variable. The only variable selected by this model was the levodopa equivalent dose. The duration of treatment with levodopa, the doses of agonists and levodopa and the motor situation differentiate patients with fluctuations from those without them. In the case of dyskinesias, only the agonists and levodopa doses were selected by the analytical model.


Cytological karyotyping and characterization of a 410 kb minichromosome in Nectria haematococca MPI.
Karyotypes of the cucurbit pathogen Nectria haematococca MPI (anamorph Fusarium solani f. sp. cucurbitae race 1) was studied using the two standard strains ATCC18098 and ATCC18099. Complete separation of all chromosomes was difficult with pulsed field gel electrophoresis due to both the large size and co-migration of chromosomes. In contrast, cytological karyotyping was done successfully with fluorescence microscopy combined with the germ tube burst method for sample preparation to visualize mitotic metaphase chromosomes. For each strain the basic chromosome number (CN) was nine, which revises previous chromosome estimates of n = 4. Chromosomes were morphologically characterized by their sizes, intensely fluorescing segments, and protrusion of rDNA. In addition to the basic chromosome complement, ATCC18098 had a mini-chromosome of ~410 kb present as a single copy in somatic nuclei. Chromosome fluorescence in situ hybridization indicated that this mini-chromosome is not a derivative from the other chromosomes in the genome. In addition, crossing experiments suggested that it was transmitted in a Mendelian manner to the ascospore progeny.


Conserved and non-conserved RNA-target modules in plants: lessons for a better understanding of Marchantia development.
A wide variety of functional regulatory non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been identified as essential regulators of plant growth and development. Depending on their category, ncRNAs are not only involved in modulating target gene expression at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels but also are involved in processes like RNA splicing and RNA-directed DNA methylation. To fulfill their molecular roles properly, ncRNAs must be precisely processed by multiprotein complexes. In the case of small RNAs, DICER-LIKE (DCL) proteins play critical roles in the production of mature molecules. Land plant genomes contain at least four distinct classes of DCL family proteins (DCL1-DCL4), of which DCL1, DCL3 and DCL4 are also present in the genomes of bryophytes, indicating the early divergence of these genes. The liverwort Marchantia polymorpha has become an attractive model species for investigating the evolutionary history of regulatory ncRNAs and proteins that are responsible for ncRNA biogenesis. Recent studies on Marchantia have started to uncover the similarities and differences in ncRNA production and function between the basal lineage of bryophytes and other land plants. In this review, we summarize findings on the essential role of regulatory ncRNAs in Marchantia development. We provide a comprehensive overview of conserved ncRNA-target modules among M. polymorpha, the moss Physcomitrium patens and the dicot Arabidopsis thaliana, as well as Marchantia-specific modules. Based on functional studies and data from the literature, we propose new connections between regulatory pathways involved in Marchantia's vegetative and reproductive development and emphasize the need for further functional studies to understand the molecular mechanisms that control ncRNA-directed developmental processes.


Mapping movement, mood, motivation and mentation in the subthalamic nucleus.
The anatomical connections of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) have driven hypotheses about its functional anatomy, including the hypothesis that the precise anatomical location of STN deep brain stimulation (DBS) contributes to the variability of motor and non-motor responses across patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). We previously tested the hypothesis using a three-dimensional (3D) statistical method to interpret the acute effects of unilateral DBS at each patient's clinically optimized DBS settings and active contact. Here, we report a similar analysis from a new study in which DBS parameters were standardized and DBS locations were chosen blind to clinical response. In 74 individuals with PD and STN DBS, STN contacts were selected near the dorsal and ventral borders of the STN contralateral to the more affected side of the body. Participants were tested off PD medications in each of three unilateral DBS conditions (ventral STN DBS, dorsal STN DBS and DBS off) for acute effects on mood, apathy, working memory, response inhibition and motor function. Voltage, frequency and pulse width were standardized, and participants and raters were blind to condition. In a categorical analysis, both dorsal and ventral STN DBS improved mean motor function without affecting cognitive measures. Ventral STN DBS induced greater improvement in rigidity and anxiety than dorsal STN DBS. In the 3D analysis, contact location was significant for body hypokinesia, rigidity and resting tremor, with the greatest improvement occurring with DBS in dorsal STN and zona incerta. The 3D results provide new, direct functional evidence for the anatomically derived model of STN, in which motor function is best represented in dorsal STN. However, our data suggest that functional segregation between motor and non-motor areas of the STN is limited, because locations that induced improvements in motor function and mood overlapped substantially.


Role of fibronectin deposition in branching morphogenesis of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.
Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells grown in collagen gels in the presence of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) form branching tubules. The tubule-lining epithelial cells are polarized with the basolateral surface in contact with the collagen gel and the apical surface facing the lumen. To delineate whether MDCK branching tubules construct the basal lamina, we characterized the composition of the extracellular matrix deposited by MDCK tubules. The tubule-lining cells produced an apparently incomplete basal lamina containing a discontinuous laminin substratum. In addition, a thick layer of fibronectin surrounded the basal cell surface of the branching tubule. In an attempt to delineate the role of fibronectin deposition in branching morphogenesis, we conducted this study. MDCK cells cultured in collagen gel were employed. We first used arginine-glycine-aspartate peptides containing disintegrin rhodostomin to disturb the interactions between fibronectin and cell surface integrins. Furthermore, we established several stable transfectants expressing fibronectin antisense RNA to examine the role of fibronectin in branching morphogenesis directly. Rhodostomin inhibited the formation of branching tubules. The transfectants expressing fibronectin antisense RNA exhibited relatively lower levels of synthesized fibronectin and markedly diminished growth rates of branching tubules than the control clone. An inhibition of branching morphogenesis induced by the overexpression of fibronectin antisense RNA was manifested by the decrease in cell growth rates and cell migration. These results indicate that the deposition of fibronectin underlying the tubule-lining epithelium serves to enhance cell proliferation and migration, and hence facilitates the branching tubulogenesis of MDCK cells.


[Odontologic and other etiologic factors in trigeminal neuralgia].
Trigeminal neuralgia may be due to many causes, being in this respect secondary. To a certain degree trigeminal neuralgia may be facilitated by an individual increase of reactivity in the trigeminal system to noxious factors. For this reason, in treating trigeminal neuralgia, it is necessary first of all to take into consideration the possible etiological factors including different diseases of the teeth, in the innervation of which an important role is played by the fibers of the trigeminal nerve.


Cryopreservation efficiency of red-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) sperm obtained from different origins through epididymal retrograde flushing or electroejaculation.
This study investigated whether the origin of sperm (epididymal vs. ejaculate) affects the cryopreservation efficiency in agouti (Dasyprocta leporina). Five sexually mature agoutis underwent electroejaculation, resulting in obtaining four semen samples. After 15 days, the same animals were euthanized, and through retrograde flushing, sperm samples were obtained from the epididymis tails. In both collection methods, samples were evaluated for sperm parameters (sperm concentration, motility, vigor, membrane integrity, osmotic response, and morphology). Then, samples were diluted in ACP 109c, added with 20% egg yolk, and a final concentration of 6% glycerol. Finally, the samples were packaged in 0.25 mL straws and frozen in liquid nitrogen. After one week, samples were thawed and evaluated in the same way as fresh samples, with the addition of membrane integrity analysis using fluorescent probes (C-FDA/PI) and computerized analysis (CASA). Immediately after obtaining the sperm, samples obtained directly from the epididymis presented higher values (P ≤ 0.05) than those obtained by electroejaculation concerning the parameters of volume, sperm concentration, and total number of sperm (1,398.25 ± 206.0 x106 and 184.5 ± 78.0 x106 sperm). On the other hand, in the classical evaluation of the other sperm parameters and the computerized analysis (CASA) after thawing, such as total motility, no statistical differences were observed between sperm from both origins (ejaculate: 16.7 ± 8.2% and epididymal: 24.8 ± 12.0%, P > 0.05). This demonstrates the possibility of direct application of the cryopreservation protocol for agouti (D. leporina) sperm obtained via the epididymis or ejaculate.


Measurement of the hemoglobin oxygen saturation level with spectroscopic spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.
We report the measurement of the hemoglobin (Hb) oxygen saturation level in human blood with a spectroscopic spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SSD-OCT) system based on the crossover behavior of Hb and oxyhemoglobin (HbO(2)) absorption coefficients around 800 nm. By calculating the ratio of the exponential decay constant of A-mode scan signal in the long-wavelength range (>800 nm) over that in the short-wavelength range (<800 nm), the relative oxygen saturation level of Hb can be calibrated. Such a relative level can be used for practical diagnosis application after a golden standard is built by comparing the variation of the OCT result with that of a conventional method, such as the use of a blood gas analyzer. In our experiment, the variation curve based on the SSD-OCT measurement, which has the advantages of noninvasive, real-time, and high-resolution measurements, is coincident with that of using a commercial blood gas analyzer.


Magneto-optical properties of Au upon the injection of hot spin-polarized electrons across Fe/Au(0 0 1) interfaces.
We demonstrate a novel method for the excitation of sizable magneto-optical effects in Au by means of the laser-induced injection of hot spin-polarized electrons in Au/Fe/MgO(0 0 1) heterostructures. It is based on the energy- and spin-dependent electron transmittance of Fe/Au interface which acts as a spin filter for non-thermalized electrons optically excited in Fe. We show that after crossing the interface, majority electrons propagate through the Au layer with the velocity on the order of 1 nm fs-1 (close to the Fermi velocity) and the decay length on the order of 100 nm. Featuring ultrafast functionality and requiring no strong external magnetic fields, spin injection results in a distinct magneto-optical response of Au. We develop a formalism based on the phase of the transient complex MOKE response and demonstrate its robustness in a plethora of experimental and theoretical MOKE studies on Au, including our ab initio calculations. Our work introduces a flexible tool to manipulate magneto-optical properties of metals on the femtosecond timescale that holds high potential for active magneto-photonics, plasmonics, and spintronics.


D-mannose vs other agents for recurrent urinary tract infection prevention in adult women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether D-mannose reduces urinary tract infection recurrence (ie, cumulative incidence) in adult women with recurrent urinary tract infection compared with other prevention agents. Secondary outcomes included side effects and compliance with D-mannose use. Ovid Medline 1946-, Embase 1947-, Scopus 1823-, Cochrane Library, Web of Science 1900-, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched through 4/15/2020. Systematic review inclusion: randomized controlled trials, prospective cohorts, and retrospective cohorts written in English of women ≥18 years old with recurrent urinary tract infection in which D-mannose was utilized as an outpatient prevention regimen. Systematic review exclusion: lab or animal-based research, study protocols only, and conference abstracts. Meta-analysis inclusion: stated D-mannose dose, follow-up time ≥6 months, a comparison arm to D-mannose, and data available from women ≥18 years of age. Two independent reviewers made abstract, full text, and data extraction decisions. Study methodologic quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Relative risks, confidence intervals, and heterogeneity were computed. Searches identified 776 unique citations. Eight publications met eligibility: 2 using D-mannose only; 6 using D-mannose combined with another treatment. Seven studies were prospective: 2 randomized controlled trials, 1 randomized cross-over trial, and 4 prospective cohort studies. One retrospective cohort study was included. Three studies met meta-analysis eligibility (1 randomized controlled trial, 1 randomized cross-over trial, and 1 prospective cohort). Pooled relative risk of urinary tract infection recurrence comparing D-mannose to placebo was 0.23 (95% confidence interval, 0.14-0.37; heterogeneity=0%; D-mannose n=125, placebo n=123). Pooled relative risk of urinary tract infection recurrence comparing D-mannose to preventative antibiotics was 0.39 (95% confidence interval, 0.12-1.25; heterogeneity=88%; D-mannose n=163, antibiotics n=163). Adverse side effects were reported in 2 studies assessing D-mannose only (1 study (n=10) reported none; the other reported a low incidence (8/103 participants) of diarrhea). Two studies reported compliance, which was high. D-mannose appears protective for recurrent urinary tract infection (vs placebo) with possibly similar effectiveness as antibiotics. Overall, D-mannose appears well tolerated with minimal side effects-only a small percentage experiencing diarrhea. Meta-analysis interpretation must consider the small number of studies with varied study design and quality and the overall small sample size.


Variability of in vivo reference point indentation in skeletally mature inbred rats.
Reference point indentation (RPI) has emerged as a novel tool to measure material-level biomechanical properties in vivo. Human studies have been able to differentiate fracture versus non-fracture patients while a dog study has shown the technique can differentiate drug treatment effects. The goal of this study was to extend this technology to the in vivo measurement of rats, one of the most common animal models used to study bone, with assessment of intra- and inter-animal variability. Seventy-two skeletally mature male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to in vivo RPI on the region between the tibial diaphysis and proximal metaphysis. RPI data were assessed using a custom MATLAB program to determine several outcome parameters, including first cycle indentation distance (ID-1st), indentation distance increase (IDI), total indentation distance (TID), first cycle unloading slope (US-1st), and first cycle energy dissipation (ED-1st). Intra-animal variability ranged from 13% to 21% with US-1st and Tot Ed 1st-L being the least variable properties and IDI the most highly variable. Inter-animal variability ranged from 16% (US-1st) to 25% (ED-1st and IDI). Based on these data, group size estimates would need to range from 9 to 18/group to achieve sufficient power for detecting a 25% difference in a two-group experiment. Repeat tests on the contralateral limb of a small cohort of animals (n=17) showed non-significant differences over 28 days ranging from -6% to -18%. These results provide important data on RPI variability (intra- and inter-animal) in rats that can be used to properly power future experiments using this technique.


Evidence of herpesvirus infection in Woodland Caribou in Saskatchewan.
Sera were collected from 40 female and two male woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Saskatchewan (Canada) from March 1992 to January 1995, inclusive. The samples were examined for antibodies against smooth Brucella spp., five serovars of Leptospira interrogans, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1). Twenty-two (52%) of 42 sera exhibited positive reactions to BHV-1 by a modified serum neutralization test, and the prevalence correlated positively with the age of the animals. No antibodies were detected against the other pathogens. This is the first reported evidence of herpesvirus infection in isolated populations of woodland caribou in western Canada.


Improving small animal cone beam CT resolution by mitigating x-ray focal spot induced blurring via deconvolution.
Objective.Modern preclinical small animal radiation platforms utilize cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) for image guidance and experiment planning purposes. The resolution of CBCT images is of particular importance for visualizing fine animal anatomical structures. One major cause of spatial resolution reduction is the finite size of the x-ray focal spot. In this work, we proposed a simple method to measure x-ray focal spot intensity map and a CBCT image domain deblurring model to mitigate the effect of focal spot-induced image blurring.Approach.We measured a projection image of a tungsten ball bearing using the flat panel detector of the CBCT platform. We built a forward blurring model of the projection image and derived the spot intensity map by deconvolving the measured projection image. Based on the measured spot intensity map, we derived a CBCT image domain blurring model for images reconstructed by the filtered backprojection algorithm. Based on this model, we computed image domain blurring kernel and improved the CBCT image resolution by deconvolving the CBCT image.Main results.We successfully measured the x-ray focal spot intensity map. The spot size characterized by full width at half maximum was ∼0.75 × 0.55 mm2at 40 kVp. We computed image domain convolution kernels caused by the x-ray focal spot. A simulation study on noiseless projections was performed to evaluate the spatial resolution improvement exclusively by the focal spot kernel, and the modulation transfer function (MTF) at 50% was increased from 1.40 to 1.65 mm-1for in-plane images and 1.05-1.32 mm-1for cross-plane images. Experimental studies on a CT insert phantom and a plastinated mouse phantom demonstrated improved spatial resolution after image domain deconvolution, as indicated by visually improved resolution of fine structures. MTF at 50% was improved from 1.00 to 1.12 mm-1for in-plane direction and from 0.72 to 0.84 mm-1for cross-plane direction.Significance.The proposed method to mitigate blurring caused by finite x-ray spot size and improve CBCT image resolution is simple and effective.


Development of mucosal and systemic lymphoproliferative responses and protective immunity to human group A rotaviruses in a gnotobiotic pig model.
Gnotobiotic pigs were orally inoculated with virulent Wa strain (G1P1A[8]) human rotavirus (group 1), attenuated Wa rotavirus (group 2) or diluent (controls) and were challenged with virulent Wa rotavirus 21 days later. On various postinoculation or postchallenge days, virus-specific responses of systemic (blood and spleen) and intestinal (mesenteric lymph node and ileal lamina propria) mononuclear cells (MNC) were assessed by lymphoproliferative assays (LPA). After inoculation, 100% of group 1 pigs and 6% of group 2 pigs shed virus. Diarrhea occurred in 95, 12, and 13% of group 1, group 2, and control pigs, respectively. Only groups 1 and 2 developed virus-specific LPA responses prior to challenge. Group 1 developed significantly greater mean virus-specific LPA responses prior to challenge and showed no significant changes in tissue mean LPA responses postchallenge, and 100% were protected against virulent virus challenge. By comparison, both group 2 and controls had significantly lower LPA responses at challenge and both groups showed significant increases in mean LPA responses postchallenge. Eighty-one percent of group 2 and 100% of control pigs shed challenge virus, and both groups developed diarrhea that was similar in severity postchallenge. The virus-specific LPA responses of blood MNC mirrored those of intestinal MNC, albeit at a reduced level and only at early times postinoculation or postchallenge in all pigs. In a separate study evaluating antibody-secreting-cell responses of these pigs (L. Yuan, L.A. Ward, B.I. Rosen, T.L. To, and L.J. Saif, J. Virol. 70:3075-3083, 1996), we found that the magnitude of a tissue's LPA response positively correlated with the numbers of virus-specific antibody-secreting cells for that tissue, supporting the hypothesis that the LPA assesses T-helper-cell function. The magnitude of LPA responses in systemic and intestinal tissues also strongly correlated with the degree of protective immunity elicited by the inoculum (p = 0.81). We conclude that blood may provide a temporary "window" for monitoring intestinal T cells and that the LPA can be used to assess protective immunity to human rotaviruses.


Defective function of Fas in T cells from paediatric patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases.
Triggering of the Fas receptor induces T cell apoptosis and is involved in shutting-off the immune response. Inherited defects impairing Fas function cause the autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome, and may play a role in other autoimmune diseases. The aim of this work was to analyse the Fas function in paediatric patients with thyroid autoimmunities. We found that T cells from 24/28 patients with Graves' disease (GD) and 12/35 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) displayed defective Fas function. In HT, the defect was more frequent in patients requiring replacement therapy (11/20) than in those not requiring (1/15); moreover, in untreated HT the highest defect was displayed by patients with the highest levels of autoantibodies. Fas was always expressed at normal levels and no Fas mutations were detected. Analysis of the healthy parents of seven Fas-resistant patients showed that several of them were Fas-resistant, which suggests a genetic component. Fusion of Fas-resistant T cells with the Fas-sensitive HUT78 T cell line generated Fas-resistant hybrid cells, which suggests the presence of molecules exerting a dominant negative effect on Fas function. Analysis of Fas-induced activation of caspase-8 and -9 showed decreased activity of both caspases in HT, whereas activity of caspase-9 was increased and that of caspase-8 was decreased in GD. These data suggest that heterogeneous inherited defects impairing Fas function favour the development of thyroid autoimmunities.


Discovery of potent carbonic anhydrase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes inhibitors: The new amides and thiazolidine-4-ones synthesized on an acetophenone base.
Compounds containing nitrogen and sulfur atoms can be widely used in various fields, including industry, medicine, biotechnology, and chemical technology. Among them, amides of acids and heterocyclic compounds have an important place. These amides and thiazolidine-4-ones showed good inhibitory action against butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and human carbonic anhydrase isoforms. AChE exists at high concentrations in the brain and red blood cells. BChE is an important enzyme that is plentiful in the liver, and it is released into the blood in a soluble form. They were demonstrated to have effective inhibition profiles with Ki values of 23.76-102.75 nM against hCA I, 58.92-136.64 nM against hCA II, 1.40-12.86 nM against AChE, and 9.82-52.77 nM against BChE. On the other hand, acetazolamide showed Ki value of 482.63 ± 56.20 nM against hCA I, and 1019.60 ± 163.70 nM against hCA II. Additionally, Tacrine inhibited AChE and BChE, showing Ki values of 397.03 ± 31.66 and 210.21 ± 15.98 nM, respectively.


Affect and sexual behavior in adolescents: a review of the literature and comparison of momentary sampling with diary and retrospective self-report methods of measurement.
Assessment of mental health is important in understanding sexual risk behavior in adolescents, yet few studies have examined how affect is directly related to sexual behavior. Momentary sampling (MS) methods permit real-time assessment of affect in relation to specific events and embed the collected data in the context of the respondent's moment-to-moment life. The objectives of this study were to review the literature on affect and sexual behavior and to compare the feasibility and acceptability of MS with diaries and retrospective self-report as a means of collecting temporally relevant data on affect and sexual behavior in adolescents. Sexually active, nondepressed adolescent outpatients who were aged 15 to 18 years were randomly assigned to a schedule of the 3 methods of data collection for 2 weeks each. All participants completed a retrospective self-report by interview at the end of each 2-week period. In the diary arm, participants completed twice-daily paper-and-pencil diary cards, which were returned by mail. In the MS arm, participants used 2-way pagers to respond to several random pages per day. Primary outcomes included rates of completion (diaries vs MS reports) and the participants' tolerance of and preferences for the methods. A secondary outcome was the agreement in means for positive and negative affect and in report of days on which substance use and sexual activity occurred. Associations of affect with contextual factors and with sexual activity were also explored in the MS arm. Ten youths completed 30 of 30 retrospective self-reports (100%, 3 per participant, by design), 254 of 280 diaries (91%; mean: 25.4 per participant), and 442 of 600 MS reports (74%; mean: 44.2 per participant). Most participants preferred the MS method to the diaries or retrospective self-report. Affect scores and reports of sexual activity and substance use were correlated among the methods. Measured with MS, affect was found to differ by location, companionship, and thoughts when paged; notably, positive affect was highest when participants reported thoughts about sex. There was no difference in affect before versus after coitus. The results of this study suggest that MS in adolescents is feasible and preferred and provides contextual, temporally relevant, event-level data on affect and sexual activity that are not readily measured with traditional methods. Future research using MS methods will be important in increasing our understanding of the link between affect and sexual behavior and inform the development of improved risk reduction interventions for adolescents.


Was Sarah Murnaghan treated justly?
Lung transplantation is a potentially life-saving procedure for patients with irreversible lung failure. Five-year survival rates after lung transplantation are >50% for children and young adults. But there are not enough lungs to save everyone who could benefit. In 2005, the United Network for Organ Sharing developed a scoring system to prioritize patients for transplantation. That system considered transplant urgency as well as time on the waiting list and the likelihood that the patient would benefit from the transplant. At the time, there were so few pediatric lung transplants that the data that were used to develop the Lung Allocation Score were inadequate to analyze and prioritize children, so they were left out of the Lung Allocation Score system. In 2013, the family of a 10-year-old challenged this system, claiming that it was unjust to children. In the article, we asked experts in health policy, bioethics, and transplantation to discuss the issues in the Murnaghan case.


Basic studies on the treatment of volatile organic pollutant in sand by microwave radiation.
The heating characteristics of water and sand were investigated to understand the basic features of a microwave soil pollution treatment system and the reasonableness of this method was examined. The evaporation and temperature change of water by microwave irradiation were dependent on its volume and sand showed a three-fold temperature change compared with water. When microwave energy was applied, water showed an even variation in temperature on the whole, however, there was approximately 30 square difference according to the location inside the sand. Sand temperature was observed to show a larger difference as it was horizontally and vertically closer to the microwave irradiation point and horizontal temperature variations were more evenly distributed than vertical variations. Heating characteristics according to the particle size of sand showed that the temperature change was larger when the particle size became smaller and the moisture content of sand was found to influence its heating behavior. In the conditions of experiment, about 50% of the benzene in sand was volatized after 23 minutes of heating and 85% of the total benzene was removed from the sand after 60 minutes of microwave irradiation. For real soil test, more than 70% of BTEX was successfully removed from the soil after 120 minutes of heating.


Coupling Molecular Systems with Plasmonic Nanocavities: A Quantum Dynamics Approach.
Plasmonic nanoparticles have the capacity to confine electromagnetic fields to the subwavelength regime and provide strong coupling with few or even a single emitter at room temperature. The photophysical properties of the emitters are highly dependent on the relative distance and orientation between them and the nanocavity. Therefore, there is a need for accurate and general light-matter interaction models capable of guiding their design in application-oriented devices. In this work, we present a Hermitian formalism within the framework of quantum dynamics and based on first-principles electronic structure calculations. Our vibronic approach considers the quantum nature of the plasmonic excitations and the dynamics of nonradiative channels to model plasmonic nanocavities and their dipolar coupling to molecular electronic states. Thus, the quantized and dissipative nature of the nanocavity is fully addressed.


Effects of voluntary physical exercise, citicoline, and combined treatment on object recognition memory, neurogenesis, and neuroprotection after traumatic brain injury in rats.
The biochemical and cellular events that lead to secondary neural damage after traumatic brain injury (TBI) contribute to long-term disabilities, including memory deficits. There is a need to search for single and/or combined treatments aimed at reducing these TBI-related disfunctions. The effects of citicoline and of voluntary physical exercise in a running wheel (3 weeks), alone or in combination, on TBI-related short-term (3 h) and long-term (24 h) object recognition memory (ORM) deficits and on neurogenesis and neuroprotection were examined using a rodent model of TBI (controlled cortical impact injury). Citicoline improved memory deficits at the two times tested, while physical exercise only in the long-term test. Physical exercise had a clear neuroprotective effect as indicated by reduced interhemispheric differences in hippocampal formation and lateral ventricle volumes and in density of mature neurons in the hilus of the dentate gyrus and the perirhinal cortex. Physical exercise also increased cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the granular cell layer of the dentate gyrus. Some degree of neuroprotection of citicoline was suggested by reduced interhemispheric differences in the volume of the hippocampal formation. Contrary to what was expected, the effects of citicoline and physical exercise did not sum up. Further, a negative interference between both treatments was found in several behavioral and histological variables. The promising profiles of both treatments as therapeutic tools in TBI when applied singly underscore the need to perform further works looking for other combined treatment regimens that increase the benefit of each treatment alone.


Impact of you only live once: A resilience-based HIV prevention intervention to reduce risky sexual behaviour among youth in South Africa.
Interventions focused on promoting resilience or protective factors of youth have been proposed as a strategy for reducing risky behaviours associated with HIV infection among youth; however few studies have explored their effectiveness. This study assessed the impact of a resilience-based HIV prevention intervention (You Only Live Once) on risky sexual behaviours, resilience and protective factors of youth. A one-group pretest-posttest design was used. One hundred and ninety-seven youth aged 15-24 years were conveniently recruited from a non-profit organisation in Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality, South Africa and participated in a 12-session, resilience-based HIV intervention delivered over a 1-week period by trained adult facilitators. Outcomes of interest were assessed at baseline and 3-month follow-up using validated risky sexual behaviour measures, and Child and Youth Resilience Measure. Mixed effect logistic and linear regression models were formulated to assess the impact of the intervention on risky sexual behaviours; resilience and protective factors respectively. Compared to baseline, participants at 3-month follow-up were 68 % less likely to have unprotected sex, 22 % less likely to regret their decision to engage in sexual activity and 0.4 % less likely to be pregnant or made someone pregnant. Conversely, participants at the 3-month follow-up had a higher propensity to engage in multiple sexual partnerships, transactional sex and intergenerational sex than baseline. Participants at 3-month follow-up had significant improvements in their scores of resilience, individual capacities and contextual factors that facilitate a sense of belonging (p < 0.05). You Only Live Once intervention appeared to have mitigated some risky sexual behaviours, and improved resilience and protective factors over a 3-month period. These findings suggest that the intervention has ability to reduce risky sexual behaviours associated with HIV, and improve resilience and protective factors among youth in South Africa. Further evaluation of the intervention with a rigorous study design, larger sample size and longer period for follow-up is warranted.


Cost comparisons and methodological heterogeneity in cost-of-illness studies: the example of colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide with over 1 million new cases diagnosed each year. Advances in treatment and survival are likely to have increased lifetime costs of managing the disease. Cost-of-illness (COI) studies are key building blocks in economic evaluations of interventions and comparative effectiveness research. We systematically reviewed and critiqued the COI literature on CRC. We searched several databases for CRC COI studies published in English, between January 2000 and February 2011. Information was abstracted on: setting, patient population, top-down/bottom-up costing, incident/prevalent approach, payer perspective, time horizon, costs included, cost source, and per-person costs. We developed a framework to compare study methodologies and assess homogeneity/heterogeneity. A total of 26 papers met the inclusion criteria. There was extensive methodological heterogeneity. Studies included case-control studies based on claims/reimbursement data (10), examinations of patient charts (5), and analysis of claims data (4). Epidemiological approaches varied (prevalent, 6; incident, 8; mixed, 10; unclear, 4). Time horizons ranged from 1 year postdiagnosis to lifetime. Seventeen studies used top-down costing. Twenty-five studies included healthcare-payer direct medical costs; 2 included indirect costs; 1 considered patient costs. There was broad agreement in how studies accounted for time, but few studies described costs in sufficient detail to allow replication. In general, costs were not comparable between studies. Methodological heterogeneity and lack of transparency made it almost impossible to compare CRC costs between studies or over time. For COI studies to be more useful and robust there is need for clear and rigorous guidelines around methodological and reporting "best practice."


An investigation of visual contour integration ability in relation to writing performance in primary school students.
A previous study found a visual deficit in contour integration in English readers with dyslexia (Simmers & Bex, 2001). Visual contour integration may play an even more significant role in Chinese handwriting particularly due to its logographic presentation (Lam, Au, Leung, & Li-Tsang, 2011). The current study examined the relationship between children's performance in visual contour (VC) integration and Chinese handwriting. Twenty students from grade 3 to grade 6 were recruited (M=9.51, SD=1.02) from a mainstream primary school using the convenience sampling method. Ten students were identified by teachers as having handwriting problems, and the other 10 were typical students. Participants performed the VC tasks and their handwriting performance was assessed by a Chinese Handwriting Assessment Tool (CHAT) in a classroom setting. Correlation analyses revealed that VC accuracy was significantly and negatively correlated with on paper time and total writing duration. t-Test analyses revealed statistically significant differences in VC accuracy between students with typical and poor handwriting, with consistently better VC accuracy performance in all conditions in the typical handwriting group. The results may have important implications for interventions aiming at improving children's handwriting.


Apoptosis of late-stage erythroblasts in megaloblastic anemia: association with DNA damage and macrocyte production.
An in vitro model of folate-deficient erythropoiesis has been developed using proerythroblasts isolated from the spleens of Friend virus-infected mice fed an amino acid-based, folate-free diet. Control proerythroblasts were obtained from Friend virus-infected mice fed the same diet plus 2 mg folic acid/kg diet. Our previous studies showed that, after 20 to 32 hours of culture in folate-deficient medium with 4 U/mL of erythropoietin, the folate-deficient proerythroblasts underwent apoptosis, whereas control erythroblasts survived and differentiated into reticulocytes over a period of 48 hours. The addition of folic acid or thymidine to the folate-deficient medium prevented the apoptosis of the folate-deficient erythroblasts, thereby implicating decreased thymidylate synthesis as the main cause of apoptosis in the folate-deficient erythroblasts. In the study reported here, we examined intracellular folate levels, uracil misincorporation into DNA, p53 and p21 proteins, and reticulocyte formation in erythroblasts cultured in folate-deficient or control medium. In all experiments, the folate-deficient erythroblasts cultured in folate-deficient medium gave results that varied significantly from folate-deficient erythroblasts cultured in control medium or control erythroblasts cultured in either folate-deficient or control media. Folate-deficient erythroblasts cultured in folate-deficient medium had marked decreases in all coenzyme forms of folate that persisted throughout culture, increased uracil misincorporation into DNA, persistent accumulations of p53 and p21, and decreased reticulocyte production but increased size of individual reticulocytes. A model of folate-deficient erythropoiesis based on apoptosis of late stage erythroblasts is presented. This model provides explanations for the clinical findings in megaloblastic anemia.


Trauma exposure, discrimination, and romantic relationship functioning: A longitudinal investigation among LGB young adults.
Sexual orientation-related discrimination is common among sexual minority individuals, but its influence on romantic relationship functioning remains unclear. Further, exposure to potentially traumatic events may influence the association between discrimination and relationship functioning, but this has not been tested among sexual minority couples to date. The current study examines breadth of lifetime trauma exposure as a moderator of the associations between recent discrimination and changes in relationship functioning (satisfaction, commitment, and trust) over twelve months among 86 racially/ethnically diverse sexual minority young adults in relationships. For those with low trauma exposure, discrimination was associated with increases in satisfaction and commitment, but not trust. In contrast, for those with high trauma exposure, discrimination was not associated with changes in relationship functioning. Thus, some partnered sexual minority young adults may experience resilience in the face of discrimination, such that discrimination may promote positive relationship functioning. However, this does not appear to extend to those with more extensive trauma exposure histories. With an eye toward informing interventions, these findings call for additional research on individual differences in responses to discrimination, such as support seeking and dyadic coping.


Efficacy of adding midazolam to paracetamol in pain control of patients with a primary headache: A randomized, clinical trial study.
This study aimed to determine the effect of adding intravenous midazolam to paracetamol in the treatment of patients with primary headache referring to the emergency department. In a randomized clinical trial, 120 patients (18-65 years old) with primary headache referring to the emergency department were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups (case: paracetamol + midazolam and control: paracetamol + placebo), and the treatment was administered based on the treatment group. The severity of pain (according to the initial Visual Analog Scale) and at different times after the treatment onset (15, 30, and 60 min) and the degree of satisfaction with the treatment were compared in two groups of patients. There were no statistically difference between the two groups about the median of pain severity at the time of 0 min (case: 8 vs. control: 8), 15 min (case: 6 vs. control: 6), and 30 min (case: 4 vs. control: 4) with P > 0.05. Headache severity at 60 min after the treatment onset in the case group (median: 1) was less than that of the control group (median: 3). There was also a statistically significant difference in the median of patient satisfaction in the case group (case: 9 and control: 7 with P < 0.001) and satisfaction in the case group was higher. Based on our primary and secondary outcomes and the results of the study, we conclude that adding intravenous midazolam to paracetamol do not improve the therapeutic response ratio over time, but the effect of this intervention appeared after 1 h.


Expanding the Rubterolone Family: Intrinsic Reactivity and Directed Diversification of PKS-derived Pyrans.
We characterized two key biosynthetic intermediates of the intriguing rubterolone family (tropolone alkaloids) that contain a highly reactive pyran moiety (in equilibrium with the hydrolyzed 1,5-dione form) and undergo spontaneous pyridine formation in the presence of primary amines. We exploited the intrinsic reactivity of the pyran moiety and isolated several new rubterolone derivatives, two of which contain a unique thiazolidine moiety. Three rubterolone derivatives were chemically modified with fluorescence and biotin tags using peptide coupling and click reaction. Overall, eight derivatives were fully characterized by HRMS/MS and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and their antimicrobial, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and antiparasitic activities evaluated.


Early living-donor kidney transplantation: a review of the associated survival benefit.
Avoidance of dialysis-related morbidity, improvement in quality of life, and reduction of costs have been mentioned as advantages of preemptive kidney transplantation. However, this therapeutic option is underutilized. Previous studies assessing the patient survival benefit of preemptive kidney transplantation compared it with postdialysis kidney transplantation. These studies may have been subjected to lead-time bias. When comparing patient survival of preemptive kidney transplant patients with waitlisted dialysis patients, there is a clear patient survival advantage in favor of preemptive kidney transplantation. This benefit justifies encouragement of preemptive kidney transplantation.


Proteasome alterations during adipose differentiation and aging: links to impaired adipocyte differentiation and development of oxidative stress.
Intracellular proteins are degraded by a number of proteases, including the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP). Impairments in the UPP occur during the aging of a variety of tissues, although little is known in regards to age-related alterations to the UPP during the aging of adipose tissue. The UPP is known to be involved in regulating the differentiation of a variety of cell types, although the potential changes in the UPP during adipose differentiation have not been fully elucidated. How the UPP is altered in aging adipose tissue and adipocyte differentiation and the effects of proteasome inhibition on adipocyte homeostasis and differentiation are critical issues to elucidate experimentally. Adipogenesis continues throughout the life of adipose tissue, with continual differentiation of preadipocytes essential to maintaining tissue function during aging, and UPP alterations in mature adipocytes are likely to directly modulate adipose function during aging. In this study we demonstrate that aging induces alterations in the activity and expression of principal components of the UPP. Additionally, we show that multiple changes in the UPP occur during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells into adipocytes. In vitro data link observed UPP alterations to increased levels of oxidative stress and altered adipose biology relevant to both aging and differentiation. Taken together, these data demonstrate that changes in the UPP occur in response to adipose aging and adipogenesis and strongly suggest that proteasome inhibition is sufficient to decrease adipose differentiation, as well as increasing oxidative stress in mature adipocytes, both of which probably promote deleterious effects on adipose aging.


PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SPORULATION PROCESS IN CLOSTRIDIUM BOTULINUM. II. MATURATION OF FORESPORES.
Day, Lawrence E., (Michigan State University, East Lansing) and Ralph N. Costilow. Physiology of the sporulation process in Clostridium botulinum. II. Maturation of forespores. J. Bacteriol. 88:695-701. 1964.-Clostridium botulinum, strain 62-A, did not sporulate endotrophically, but forespores matured to refractile, heat-resistant spores when replaced in solutions containing l-alanine and l-proline, l-isoleucine and l-proline, or l-alanine and l-arginine. Solutions of l-arginine or l-citrulline would not support the maturation process. Acetate, CO(2), and delta-amino valeric acid were produced during sporulation in a replacement solution of l-alanine and l-proline, indicating the operation of the Stickland reaction. There was no large uptake of either exogenous l-alanine or acetate during this process. Similarly, there was no apparent protein or nucleic acid synthesis, since high levels of chloramphenicol, 8-azaguanine, or mitomycin C failed to inhibit, and no significant amount of P(32) was incorporated into the spore nucleic acids. Dipicolinic acid (DPA) was synthesized during forespore maturation. It is believed that these final steps in sporulation of C. botulinum require only an exogenous source of energy which can be obtained via the Stickland reaction system, and that the synthesis of DPA and other unknown materials relies primarily on endogenous substrates.


The protective effects of dexmedetomidine on liver injury-induced myocardial ischemia reperfusion.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine (100 µg/kg-ip) on liver injury-induced myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (IR) in rats. Twenty-four Wistar Albino rats were separated into four groups. There were four experimental groups (Group C (Control; n = 6), Group IR (ischemia-reperfusion, n = 6), Group D (Dexmedetomidine; n = 6) that underwent left thoracotomy and received ip dexmedetomidine without IR administered via 100 µg/kg ip route 30 minutes before ligating the left coronary artery, and Group IR-D (IR-Dexmedetomidine; n = 6). A small plastic snare was threaded through the ligature and placed in contact with the heart. To produce IR, a branch of the left coronary artery was occluded for 30 min followed by two hours of reperfusion. However, after the above procedure, the coronary artery was not occluded or reperfused in the control rats. At the end of the study, liver tissue was obtained for histochemical and immunohistochemical determination.Some part of tissue samples were stained with Masson-trichrome for the evaluation of ultrastructural changes and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression was evaluated in other part of samples for immunohistochemical examination. Histopathological changes were detected in Group IR when compared with Group C. iNOS expression was found to be increased and stronger particularly in the vascular wall, perisinusoidal space and hepatocytes around vena centralis in this group compared to the control group. Perivascular oedema was detected to be decreased in Group IR-D compared to Group IR. It was also observed that the impairment in the radial arrangement of hepatocytes significantly recovered in Group IR-D. The immunoreactivity was found to be significantly decreased in the assessment of iNOS expression in the same group when compared with Group IR. Administration of dexmedetomidine ameliorates liver injury induced by myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (Fig. 8, Ref. 33).


Functional characterization of key structural genes in rice flavonoid biosynthesis.
Rice is a model system for monocot but the molecular features of rice flavonoid biosynthesis have not been extensively characterized. Rice structural gene homologs encoding chalcone synthase (CHS), chalcone isomerase (CHI), flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H), flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase (F3'H), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), and anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) were identified by homology searches. Unique differential expression of OsF3H, OsDFR, and OsANS1 controlled by the Pl(w) locus, which contains the R/B-type regulatory genes OSB1 and OSB2, was demonstrated during light-induced anthocyanin accumulation in T65-Plw seedlings. Previously, F3H genes were often considered as early genes co-regulated with CHS and CHI genes in other plants. In selected non-pigmented rice lines, OSB2 is not expressed following illumination while their expressed OSB1sequences all contain the same nucleotide change leading to the T(64) M substitution within the conserved N-terminal interacting domain. Furthermore, the biochemical roles of the expressed rice structural genes (OsCHS1, OsCHI, OsF3H, and OsF3'H) were established in planta for the first time by complementation in the appropriate Arabidopsis transparent testa mutants. Using yeast two-hybrid analysis, OsCHS1 was demonstrated to interact physically with OsF3H, OsF3'H, OsDFR, and OsANS1, suggesting the existence of a macromolecular complex for anthocyanin biosynthesis in rice. Finally, flavones were identified as the major flavonoid class in the non-pigmented T65 seedlings in which the single-copy OsF3H gene was not expressed. Competition between flavone and anthocyanin pathways was evidenced by the significant reduction of tricin accumulation in the T65-Plw seedlings.


Mechanisms and anatomical risk factors of pneumothorax after Bevacizumab use: A case report.
Bevacizumab is an antiangiogenic agent, and that synergizes with chemotherapeutic drugs. When used in combination therapies, Bevacizumab is associated with adverse events such as hemorrhage, gastrointestinal perforation, delayed wound healing, and pneumothorax. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these adverse events are not fully understood. A 45-year-old female with multiple lung metastases that were derived from primary breast cancer, was placed on Bevacizumab + paclitaxel therapy, since this combination has a potent antitumor effect. She reported dyspnea before cycle 3, day 1 and we therefore ran a chest X-ray, which detected a right pneumothorax. The coronal plane computed tomography revealed that one solid mass rapidly necrosed and was replaced by a cavity that passed through the bronchus in the right lower lobe. The cavity eventually ruptured the pleura and made the bronchopleural fistula that led to this pneumothorax. Thoracic cavity drainage using an intercostal catheter was performed. On the 7th day of drainage, the patient was discharged from our hospital on recovery. Recurrence of pneumothorax was not reported, and continuation of chemotherapy was made possible by changing the regimen. Patients with lung metastases surrounding the bronchi and on the pleura should be monitored for pneumothorax by Bevacizumab-containing chemotherapies.


[Radiometric method of determining the phagocytic activity of macrophages in vitro].
The authors describe a radiometric method for determination of phagocytic activity of macrophages, using as an object for phaging hen erythrocytes labeled with 51Cr. The basic principle consists of quantitative determination of phaged cells by means of measuring the activity, found in the phagocytes. The method is described in details and the obtained results in normal mice and such with experimental leucosis NKLI are compared with those, checked by the classical methods for determining phagocytic activity in vivo and in vitro. On the basis of these data the authors indicate the advantage of the method, prepared by them, because it alows objective checking of phagocytosis on a large number of cells and thus increases the possibilities of obtaining significant results.


lcrR, a low-Ca2(+)-response locus with dual Ca2(+)-dependent functions in Yersinia pestis.
The low-Ca2+ response (Lcr) of Yersinia includes a regulatory cascade and a set of virulence-related proteins, one of which is the V antigen. The regulatory genes modulate both bacterial growth and expression of the virulence-related proteins in response to temperature and the presence of Ca2+ and nucleotides. In this study we defined a new Lcr locus, lcrR, in Yersinia pestis KIM. An lcrR mutant, obtained by insertion mutagenesis, failed to grow at 37 degrees C whether Ca2+ was present or not. However, it grew normally in the presence of ATP, showing that the Ca2(+)- and nucleotide-responsive mechanisms are separate in Y. pestis. The lcrR mutant was avirulent in mice, probably due to its compromised growth at 37 degrees C. beta-Galactosidase measurements and Northern (RNA blot) analysis revealed that lcrR transcription was regulated primarily by temperature. The DNA sequence of the lcrR locus contained a single open reading frame of 441 bases that could encode a protein with a molecular weight of 16,470 and a pI of 10.73. Expression of an lcrR-containing clone in Escherichia coli yielded a 16,000-molecular-weight protein. At 37 degrees C, the lcrR mutant strongly expressed V antigen and initiated lcrGVH transcription whether Ca2+ was present or not, indicating that this mutant had lost the transcriptional downregulation of lcrGVH shown by the parent in the presence of Ca2+. In the absence of Ca2+, the mutant failed to express LcrG, even though lcrGVH mRNA initiated upstream of lcrG at the normal sites. These data suggest that the lcrR locus is necessary for the regulation of LcrG expression in the absence of Ca2+. Therefore, this locus has a dual regulatory role in the low-Ca2+ response.


Shared reality in intergroup communication: Increasing the epistemic authority of an out-group audience.
Communicators typically tune messages to their audience's attitude. Such audience tuning biases communicators' memory for the topic toward the audience's attitude to the extent that they create a shared reality with the audience. To investigate shared reality in intergroup communication, we first established that a reduced memory bias after tuning messages to an out-group (vs. in-group) audience is a subtle index of communicators' denial of shared reality to that out-group audience (Experiments 1a and 1b). We then examined whether the audience-tuning memory bias might emerge when the out-group audience's epistemic authority is enhanced, either by increasing epistemic expertise concerning the communication topic or by creating epistemic consensus among members of a multiperson out-group audience. In Experiment 2, when Germans communicated to a Turkish audience with an attitude about a Turkish (vs. German) target, the audience-tuning memory bias appeared. In Experiment 3, when the audience of German communicators consisted of 3 Turks who all held the same attitude toward the target, the memory bias again appeared. The association between message valence and memory valence was consistently higher when the audience's epistemic authority was high (vs. low). An integrative analysis across all studies also suggested that the memory bias increases with increasing strength of epistemic inputs (epistemic expertise, epistemic consensus, and audience-tuned message production). The findings suggest novel ways of overcoming intergroup biases in intergroup relations. (PsycINFO Database Record


Comparison of matched sibling, unrelated and haploidentical donors in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. A real-world experience from the Argentine Group for Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cell Therapy (GATMO-TC).
We retrospectively analyzed 570 adult patients who received allogeneic stem cell transplantation for malignant diseases. The outcomes were compared according to donor type. Most of the patients (60%) were transplanted for acute leukemia. Median follow-up was 1.6 years. Haploidentical allogeneic stem cell transplantation was more frequently performed for acute myeloid leukemia and in late stages than any other donor type. Non-relapse mortality at 100 days and one year for unrelated and haploidentical donors were similar, 19%-29% vs. 17%-28%, respectively. A significant better non-relapse mortality was observed for matched sibling donors (7%-15%; p < 0.001). Relapse rate was higher in haploidentical donors compared to matched sibling and unrelated donors (three year relapse rate 46%, 39%, 28%; respectively p < 0.001). Haploidentical donors resulted in lower three year progression-free survival and worse 3 year overall survival (32%; p < 0.001 and 42%; p < 0.001) compared with other donors (44% and 55% MSD, 40% and 42% UD, respectively). The incidence of grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease was higher in unrelated donors (51% unrelated, 35% haploidentical, 36% matched sibling; respectively; p = 0.001), with no difference in grades III-IV (p = 0.73) or in chronic graft-versus-host disease (p = 0.2) between groups. After multivariate analysis, haploidentical and unrelated donors remained negatively associated with non-relapse mortality (HR 1.95; 95% CI 1.10-3.20 and HR 2.70; 95% CI 1.63-4.46, respectively). Haploidentical donors were associated with a higher risk of relapse and worse overall survival. This analysis shows that haploidentical donors were associated with similar non-relpase mortality and higher relapse rates than unrelated donors. Better results in non-relapse mortality were observed for matched sibling donors.


Global approaches to integrated care: Best practices and ongoing innovation.
The integration of behavioral health in primary care is critical for addressing worldwide concerns for access to, and quality of, health care services for physical and mental health promotion, prevention, and disease management. Clearly, promoting knowledge exchange internationally is critical to progress. In late 2015, the American Psychological Association convened an interdisciplinary summit on global approaches to integrated health care, bringing together 82 health care professionals (nurses, primary care physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers) and scholars from diverse disciplines in medicine, psychology, economics, health policy, public health, and demography; participants came from 10 countries. The Global Summit provided an opportunity to share best practices and innovation in patient-centered integrated health care internationally. In this article, Global Summit participants from different countries reflect on the recommendations for future interprofessional endeavors across the following themes: build international interprofessional communities for change; advocate for, and promote social equity with, a population health and patient focus; advance research and program evaluation in integrated care; advance interprofessional training and education in integrated care; and develop financially sustainable models for integrated primary care. Building upon these recommendations and reflecting on current advancement in health care policy and integrated care research, new directions are suggested for clinicians, researchers, administrators, and policymakers working toward the advancement of integrated care to improve health care services globally. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).


The effect of stocking densities on reproductive performance in laboratory zebrafish (Danio rerio).
Despite the growing popularity of the zebrafish model system, the optimal husbandry conditions for this animal are not well defined. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of stocking density on reproductive performance in zebrafish. In this study, undertaken by eight different zebrafish facilities, clutches of at least 200 wild-type zebrafish embryos from a single pairwise mating were produced at each participating institution and subsequently reared according to "in-house protocols" until they were 14 weeks old. Fish were then randomly assigned into treatment groups with balanced sex ratios and densities of 3, 6, or 12 fish/L. After a 1-month acclimation period, fish were spawned in pair crosses every 2 weeks for 3 months, for a total of six spawning dates. The number of viable and nonviable embryos produced in each clutch were counted at 1 day postfertilization. Although there was a great deal of variability in clutch size and percent spawning success among laboratories, there were no significant differences in average clutch size, spawning success, or percent viable among the treatment densities. These data suggest that using stocking densities as high as 12 fish/L does not have a negative impact on performance, when measured by reproductive performance.


Mapping the risk of exposure to Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in the Iberian Peninsula using Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa) as a model.
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne zoonotic pathogen that can cause a lethal haemorrhagic disease in humans. Although the virus appears to be endemically established in the Iberian Peninsula, CCHF is an emerging disease in Spain. Clinical signs of CCHFV infection are mainly manifested in humans, but the virus replicates in several animal species. Understanding the determinants of CCHFV exposure risk from animal models is essential to predicting high-risk exposure hotspots for public health action. With this objective in mind, we designed a cross-sectional study of Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Spain and Portugal. The study analysed 5,291 sera collected between 2006 and 2022 from 90 wild boar populations with a specific double-antigen ELISA to estimate CCHFV serum prevalence and identify the main determinants of exposure probability. To do so, we statistically modelled exposure risk with host- and environment-related predictors and spatially projected it at a 10 × 10 km square resolution at the scale of the Iberian Peninsula to map foci of infection risk. Fifty-seven (63.3 %) of the 90 populations had at least one seropositive animal, with seroprevalence ranging from 0.0 to 88.2 %. Anti-CCHFV antibodies were found in 1,026 of 5,291 wild boar (19.4 %; 95 % confidence interval: 18.3-20.5 %), with highest exposure rates in southwestern Iberia. The most relevant predictors of virus exposure risk were wild boar abundance, local rainfall regime, shrub cover, winter air temperature and soil temperature variation. The spatial projection of the best-fit model identified high-risk foci as occurring in most of western and southwestern Iberia and identified recently confirmed risk foci in eastern Spain. The results of the study demonstrate that serological surveys of CCHFV vector hosts are a powerful, robust and highly informative tool for public health authorities to take action to prevent human cases of CCHF in enzootic and emergency settings.


[Comparative study on three kinds of microtube extraction devices in vitro].
This study aims to compare the efficiency of three kinds of microtube extraction devices, namely, instrument removal system (IRS), micro-retrieve and repair (MR&R) system, and MR&R system using modified microtube in removing separated instruments with different exposure lengths. After a cross-section platform model was established, the IRS, MR&R, and MR&R modified microtube system with sidewall window reduced to 0.20 mm were used to retrieve various separated instrument models, and the differences in extraction effects were statistically analyzed by Chi-square test. The separated instrument models were divided into two groups: stainless steel and nickel-titanium instrument groups. In total, 23 instruments were tested for three times each. When the exposed length of separated instrument was 0.50 mm, the removal efficiency of the modified MR&R system group was significantly higher than those of the IRS and MR&R system groups (P<0.001). When the broken end of the fracture instrument was up to 1.00 mm, the success rates of the MR&R system and modified MR&R groups were significantly higher than that of the IRS group (P<0.01). No difference was observed among these three devices when the exposure length of separated instruments was 1.50 mm or higher. The MR&R and modified MR&R systems have good removal effect when the exposed length of separated instrument is small.


FUSARIUM GROWTH SUPPORTED BY HYDROCARBONS.
In studies of the microflora associated with fuel storage tanks, a Fusarium species was isolated from No. 1 diesel fuel. The culture was identified as F. moniliforme Sheldon. Attempts were made to cultivate this organism with seven hydrocarbons of 99(+) mole per cent purity as the sole carbon source; growth of the fungal culture was supported only by n-decane and n-dodecane. A spore viability study of F. moniliforme in filter-sterilized diesel fuel with no free water showed that viability was retained for 9 months in this environment.


Studies of dual promoters of mouse kappa-opioid receptor gene.
Dual promoters were identified in the mouse kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) gene. The distal promoter was located in the 5'-upstream region of exon 1 and the proximal promoter was located in the first intron of this gene. The transcription initiation site of the proximal promoter was mapped to the -93rd nucleotide position from the ATG codon in a primer extension experiment. The expression of KOR mRNAs transcribed from these two promoters in mouse central nervous system and an embryonal carcinoma cell line P19 was confirmed in a ribonuclease protection assay. In non-neuronal tissues, only the transcripts initiated from the distal promoter were detected. The biological activities of these two promoters were determined in transient transfection of P19 cells with a series of reporters, each truncated at various 5'-upstream regions. It was concluded that the distal promoter was located between nucleotide positions -990 and -570, and the proximal promoter was located between nucleotide positions -330 and -93, relative to the translation initiation codon. The presence of dual promoters in the KOR gene suggested potential regulation of KOR expression by using different promoters.


Mind the wind: microclimate effects on incubation effort of an arctic seabird.
The energetic costs of reproduction in birds strongly depend on the climate experienced during incubation. Climate change and increasing frequency of extreme weather events may severely affect these costs, especially for species incubating in extreme environments. In this 3-year study, we used an experimental approach to investigate the effects of microclimate and nest shelter on the incubation effort of female common eiders (Somateria mollissima) in a wild Arctic population. We added artificial shelters to a random selection of nesting females, and compared incubation effort, measured as body mass loss during incubation, between females with and without shelter. Nonsheltered females had a higher incubation effort than females with artificial shelters. In nonsheltered females, higher wind speeds increased the incubation effort, while artificially sheltered females experienced no effect of wind. Although increasing ambient temperatures tended to decrease incubation effort, this effect was negligible in the absence of wind. Humidity had no marked effect on incubation effort. This study clearly displays the direct effect of a climatic variable on an important aspect of avian life-history. By showing that increasing wind speed counteracts the energetic benefits of a rising ambient temperature, we were able to demonstrate that a climatic variable other than temperature may also affect wild populations and need to be taken into account when predicting the effects of climate change.


Vesicovaginal fistula due to vaginal herb for primary infertility: could it be devastating?
Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) is a very commonly encountered urogynaecological entity in developing countries such as India. The most common cause of VVF in developing counties is secondary to obstructive labour. We report a very unusual case of VVF in a young woman that developed due to insertion of an unknown vaginal herb for treatment of primary infertility. Cystoscopy showed a single trigonal fistula measuring 3×2 cm just near the bladder neck. Vaginoscopy revealed cicatrised less capacious vagina and unhealthy vaginal mucosa. She was treated with transvaginal VVF repair using Martius flap interposition which leaked on 10th postoperative day. She underwent re-evaluation and another transvaginal fistula repair for small trigonal residual fistula after 3 months. She is doing well during the follow-up of 2 years. She attained sexual activity after 3 months of surgical repair but could not conceive.


Seniors as volunteers and their training.
Supposedly, seniors have a good deal of discretionary time at their disposal, but so far, they form a much smaller proportion of the volunteer force than their numbers in the total population might lead us to expect. Yet they undoubtedly have much that they could contribute in terms, for example, of experience and accumulated skills. What might their contribution be, in fact? What do those who do volunteer contribute now? What training, if any, do they require and what do they actually receive? Do organizers underestimate their capacities and the contribution they might be persuaded to make?


The Impact of Conversion From an Urgent Care Center to a Freestanding Emergency Department on Patient Population, Conditions Managed, and Reimbursement.
Freestanding emergency departments (FSEDs), EDs not attached to acute care hospitals, are expanding. One key question is whether FSEDs are more similar to higher-cost hospital-based EDs or to lower-cost urgent care centers (UCCs). Our aim was to determine whether there was a change in patient population, conditions managed, and reimbursement among three facilities that converted from a UCC to an FSED. Using insurance claims from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, we compared outcomes of interest for three facilities that converted from a UCC to an FSED for 1 year before and after conversion. There was no significant change in age, sex, and comorbidities among patients treated after conversion. Conditions were similar after conversion, though there was a small increase in visits for potentially more severe conditions. For example, the most common diagnoses before and after conversion were upper respiratory infections (42.8% of UCC visits, 26.0% of FSED visits), while chest pain increased from rank 30 to 10 (0.5% of UCC visits, 2.3% of FSED visits). Yearly number of visits decreased after conversion, while median reimbursement per visit increased (facility A: $148 to $2,153; facility B: $137 to $1,466; and facility C: $131 to $1,925) and total revenue increased (facility A: $1,389,590 to $1,486,203; facility B: $896,591 to $4,294,636; and facility C: $637,585 to $8,429,828). After three UCCs converted to FSEDs, patient volume decreased and reimbursement per visit increased, despite no change in patient characteristics and little change in conditions managed. These case studies suggest that some FSEDs are similar to UCCs in patient mix and conditions treated.


A point prevalence survey of hospital inpatients to define the proportion with palliation as the primary goal of care and the need for specialist palliative care.
The direct burden of people whose goal of care is a palliative approach has not been estimated in the acute care setting. Using a single time point, cross-sectional survey of all inpatient beds, an estimate was generated across a network of three South Australian public hospitals. One in three inpatients had a palliative approach as the goal of care and of these, only one in five had been referred to specialist palliative care services. Those referred were significantly more likely to have cancer and be younger men. Active recognition and documentation that a palliative approach frames the goals of care for this person needs to be incorporated more systematically into clinical practice in the acute care setting. At the same time, triggers for needs-based referral for specialist assessment should be implemented. Specialist palliative care services must also provide direct care for a wider range of patients than just those with cancer.


Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in anthropometric status in a population undergoing the nutritional transition: data from 1982, 1993 and 2004 Pelotas birth cohort studies.
Socioeconomic inequalities in child nutrition may change rapidly over time, particularly in populations undergoing the nutrition transition. Yet, the few available studies are repeated cross-sectional surveys. By studying three prospective birth cohorts in the same city over a period of more than two decades, we describe secular trends in overweight and stunting at different ages, according to socioeconomic position. Population-based birth cohort studies were launched in the city of Pelotas (Brazil) in 1982, 1993 and 2004, with follow-up visits at twelve, 24 and 48 months. Children were weighed and measured at every visit. Z-scores of length/height-for-age and body mass index-for-age were calculated using the WHO Child Growth Standards. The slope and relative indices of inequality, based on family income quintiles, were estimated for each follow-up visit. Between the 1982 and 2004 cohorts, stunting among four-year-olds declined (from 10.9% to 3.6%), while overweight increased (from 7.6% to 12.3%). In every visit, stunting prevalence was inversely related to income. Both absolute and relative inequalities declined over time; among four-year-olds stunting dropped from 26.0% in the 1982 cohort to 6.7% in the 2004 cohort in the poorest group, while in the richest group stunting prevalence dropped from 2.7% in 1982 to 1.1% in the 2004 cohort study. The secular trend towards increased overweight was evident for four-year-olds, in almost all socioeconomic groups, but not among one and two-year-olds. Among four-year old children, overweight prevalence increased in all income quintiles, by 130% in the middle-income group, 64% in the poorest and 41% in the richest group. The decline in stunting is remarkable, but the increase in overweight among four-year olds - particularly among the poorest and the middle-income groups- requires concerted efforts to prevent the long term consequences of child overweight.


Six-month overnight intraperitoneal amino-acid infusion in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients--no effect on nutritional status.
The long-term effect of an AA solution based on Travasol, a solution for total parenteral nutrition, given intraperitoneally over a 6-month period was studied in 5 patients 22 to 75 years old, having been on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) for 3 to 57 months. A low oral protein intake (less than 0.8 g/kg bw/day) and/or a low serum albumin (less than 35 g/L) were used as inclusion criteria. Two liters of 1% AA solution were infused overnight, while a glucose Dianeal was used for the other exchanges. During the study, BUN increased from 22.04 mM/L to 28.06 mM/L the first month and remained at these levels, indicating the increased protein intake. However, average oral total energy and protein intake, body weight (bw), serum creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins, albumin, transferrin, skinfold thickness, total body potassium, and plasma AA levels remained basically unchanged. The average total body nitrogen decreased from 1.746 to 1.554 Kg, but this decrease did not reach statistical significance (p greater than 0.05). We conclude that intraperitoneal overnight administration of 2 L of 1% AA based on Travasol over 6 months did not improve the nutritional status of CAPD patients. This ineffectiveness might be due to the AA composition of the solution, the timing of administration, or to a low caloric intake and/or that our patients were not severely malnourished.


Effect of tobacco smoking on outcomes of trabeculectomy.
To evaluate the effect of tobacco smoking on trabeculectomy outcomes. Charts of patients with glaucoma who underwent trabeculectomy performed by a single surgeon between 2007 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Charts were screened for a documented history of smoking status before surgery. Demographic and clinical preoperative variables were recorded. Based on smoking history, subjects were divided into two groups: smokers and nonsmokers. Any bleb-related interventions (e.g., 5-flourouracil injections ± laser suture lysis) or bleb revision performed during the postoperative period were noted. Success was defined as an intraocular pressure >5 mmHg and <21 mm Hg without (complete success) or with (qualified success) the use of ocular hypotensive medications. Failure was identified as a violation of the criteria mentioned above. A total of 98 eyes from 83 subjects were included. The mean age of the subjects was 70.7 ± 11.09 years, and 53% (44/83) were female. The most common diagnosis was primary open-angle glaucoma in 47 cases (47.9%). The smokers Group included 30 eyes from 30 subjects. When compared with nonsmokers, smokers had a significantly worse preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (p=0.038), greater central corneal thickness (p=0.047), and higher preoperative intraocular pressure (p=0.011). The success rate of trabeculectomy surgery at 1 year was 56.7% in the smokers Group compared with 79.4% in the Group nonsmokers (p=0.020). Smoking presented an odds ratio for failure of 2.95 (95% confidence interval, 1.6-7.84). Smokers demonstrated a significantly lower success rate 1 year after trabeculectomy compared with nonsmokers and a higher requirement for bleb-related interventions.


Characterisation of extra virgin olive oils from Galician autochthonous varieties and their co-crushings with Arbequina and Picual cv.
The current trend of the olive oil market is the production of high quality extra from traditional minor olive varieties with peculiar and differentiated characteristics (especially with respect to the aromatic and phenolic composition). In this way, the interest of Galician oil producers (NW Spain) in recovering old autochthonous Local olive fruits has increased substantially in recent years. In order to investigate the potential of the Local olives by either producing high quality monovarietal oils or mixing with the most widespread olives in Galicia (Arbequina and Picual cv.), quality indices, and fatty acid composition as well as volatile and phenolic profiles were determined and compared. All EVOOs studied in this work can be considered as "extra virgin olive oil" due to quality indices fell within the ranges established in legislation. Picual and Local olive oils as well as those resulting from their co-crushing reach values which are required by EU legislation to add the specific health claim on the oil label. Co-crushing Picual:Local (80:20) provided a significant enhancement of grass and apple nuances and a decrease of banana notes with respect to Picual oils. The co-crushing process improved sensory and health properties of Picual extra virgin olive oils. The effect of co-crushing on phenolics, ester volatiles and banana nuances cannot be easily modulated, contrary to quality indices and fatty acid composition, both changing linearly in strict correlation with the fruit mass ratio.


Nematode community dynamics over an annual production cycle in the central North Sea.
Nematode species composition, trophic structure and body size distributions were followed over an annual production cycle in the central North Sea; to test responses to temporally changing food quality and quantity in the sediment. Changes in the phytoplankton concentration in the water column were quantitatively reflected in the concentration of chlorophyll a and breakdown products in the sediment, with higher concentrations in spring and autumn following blooms, and lower concentrations in summer and winter. The taxonomic and trophic structure of nematode communities differed significantly among stations over relatively short distances, potentially masking some of the temporal dynamics. Spatio-temporal differences in nematode species composition were linked to changes in the quality and quantity of organic material reaching the seabed, reflecting a species-specific response to the nutritional quality of sedimenting organic material and the biochemical changes in the sediment associated with its decomposition. The size distributions of selected nematode species indicated that most species bred continuously throughout the sampling period, although one species, the epigrowth feeder Spilophorella paradoxa, had periods of increased growth following the deposition of the spring phytoplankton bloom. There was no consistent temporal relationship between the trophic composition of nematode communities and spring chlorophyll a or carbon sedimentation, most likely a result of the trophic plasticity of most feeding types and the capacity of the community to use both freshly sedimented material as well as the subsequent breakdown products and refractory organic matter. Community metrics implied that there were small responses to the seasonal production cycle, but these belied strong responses of a few species with life histories that allowed them to track the availability of suitable food resources.


Intravenous in-line filters: filtering the evidence.
The routine use of intravenous in-line filters on infusion lines has been controversial for many years, with strong advocates, detractors and many fence-sitting observers. The purpose of this review was to examine the literature for new developments and to cast the net a little wider than in previous reviews in an attempt to draw useful parallels. There were recent major policy statements or recommendations from a working party of the British Pharmaceutical Nutrition Group and from the US Centres for Disease Control. The first was focussed on filters and was broadly in favour, the second was not focussed on the subject but made quite a strong statement against, on microbiological issues alone. The major purpose of filters, however, is particulate contamination, and whilst there was little in the literature directly on this subject, useful parallels could be drawn from papers describing the therapeutic use of particles and also from their effects in intravenous drug users. When all the available information is considered, and the role of filters in particulate contamination, in-line chemical precipitates, identifying problems in parenteral therapy practice, microbial contamination and entrapped air is examined, the case for routine use appears strong.


Comparative Effectiveness of Trimodal Therapy Versus Radical Cystectomy for Localized Muscle-invasive Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder.
Given the lack of randomized evidence comparing trimodal therapy (TMT) to radical cystectomy (RC) for muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB), we performed an observational cohort study to examine the comparative effectiveness of these two definitive treatments. Within the National Cancer Data Base (2004-2011),we identified 1257 (9.8%) and 11 586 (90.2%) patients who received TMT and RC, respectively. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW)-adjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that median overall survival (OS) was similar between the TMT (40 mo, 95% confidence interval [CI] 34-46) and RC groups (43 mo 95% CI 41-45; p=0.3). In IPTW-adjusted Cox regression analysis with a time-varying covariate, TMT was associated with a significant adverse impact on long-term OS (hazard ratio 1.37, 95% CI 1.16-1.59; p<0.001). Interaction terms indicated that the adverse treatment effect of TMT versus RC decreased with age (p=0.004), while there was no significant interaction with gender (p=0.6), Charlson comorbidity index (p=0.09) or cT stage (p=0.8). In conclusion, we found that TMT was generally associated with worse long-term OS compared to RC for muscle-invasive UCB. However, the survival benefit of RC should be weighed against the risks of surgery, especially in older patients. These results are preliminary and emphasize the need for a randomized controlled trial to compare TMT versus RC. We examined the comparative effectiveness of trimodal therapy versus radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. We found that trimodal therapy was generally associated with worse long-term overall survival, although there may be no difference with radical cystectomy in older individuals.


Review article: the management of cirrhosis in women.
There are differences in the predisposition, natural history of liver disease, complications and treatment response between men and women. To review clinical differences in cirrhosis between men and women and to address unique management issues of fertility, pregnancy and contraception in this patient population. PubMed and MEDLINE were searched using the terms 'cirrhosis' and 'chronic liver disease', each cross-referenced with specific liver diseases, as well as terms such as 'cancer', 'hepatocellular carcinoma', 'smoking', 'liver transplantation', 'metabolic bone disease', 'fertility',' pregnancy' and 'contraception'. Pre-menopausal status is protective in viral hepatitis C and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. However, smoking, especially in combination with alcohol, is a stronger risk factor for cirrhosis and malignancies in women with chronic liver disease compared to men, although they are less likely than men to develop hepatocellular carcinoma. Women with cirrhosis have more osteopenic bone disease than men and require active management. Successful pregnancy is possible in well-compensated cirrhosis or with mild portal hypertension, although the maternal and foetal mortality and morbidity are higher than in the general population. The maternal risk correlates with liver disease severity and derives mostly from variceal bleeding. The choices for contraception in compensated cirrhosis are generally the same as for the general population. Women with cirrhosis are disadvantaged by the current MELD system of organ allocation, at least in part due to body size. The management of women with chronic liver disease is unique in regards to counselling, screening for complications, fertility and pregnancy.


Characterization of [4Fe-4S]-containing and cluster-free forms of Streptomyces WhiD.
WhiD, a member of the WhiB-like (Wbl) family of iron-sulfur proteins found exclusively within the actinomycetes, is required for the late stages of sporulation in Streptomyces coelicolor. Like all other Wbl proteins, WhiD has not so far been purified in a soluble form that contains a significant amount of cluster, and characterization has relied on cluster-reconstituted protein. Thus, a major goal in Wbl research is to obtain and characterize native protein containing iron-sulfur clusters. Here we report the analysis of S. coelicolor WhiD purified anaerobically from Escherichia coli as a soluble protein containing a single [4Fe-4S](2+) cluster ligated by four cysteines. Upon exposure to oxygen, spectral features associated with the [4Fe-4S] cluster were lost in a slow reaction that unusually yielded apo-WhiD directly without significant concentrations of cluster intermediates. This process was found to be highly pH dependent with an optimal stability observed between pH 7.0 and pH 8.0. Low molecular weight thiols, including a mycothiol analogue and thioredoxin, exerted a small but significant protective effect against WhiD cluster loss, an activity that could be of physiological importance. [4Fe-4S](2+) WhiD was found to react much more rapidly with superoxide than with either oxygen or hydrogen peroxide, which may also be of physiological significance. Loss of the [4Fe-4S] cluster to form apoprotein destabilized the protein fold significantly but did not lead to complete unfolding. Finally, apo-WhiD exhibited negligible activity in an insulin-based disulfide reductase assay, demonstrating that it does not function as a general protein disulfide reductase.


[Use of botulinum toxin in the preventive and palliative treatment of the hips in children with infantile cerebral palsy].
The bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP) usually produces hip abnormalities, already presents in many cases before 2 years of age, whose diagnostic requires X ray because clinical exam do not detect some of them. The prognosis of CP hip disorders with conventional treatment is bad, progressive, and limits the possibility of independent gait. Botulin toxin type A infiltrated in adductors, medial ischiotibials and iliopsoas, in addition to physiotherapy and orthosis, gives better results. In our cases (98 cases, 193 hips) the natural evolution before (BT A) treatment had been of progressive lateral migration of femoral head (86% got worse, and 11,4% became luxated), and after the onset of it the progression stopped in 74% of hips and reverted in other 14%. It is very important to start early the BT A treatment and infiltrate systematically every 3 4 months in order to obtain good results. Stopping the treatment increase the chances of subluxation or luxation. BT A is also a good treatment for hip pain in spastic CP.


Changes in the ordering of lipids in the membrane of Dunaliella in response to osmotic-pressure changes. An e.s.r. study.
Changes in the ordering and motion of lipids in response to changes in the external solute concentration have been studied by using the 5-nitroxide stearate (5NS) and 16-nitroxide stearate (16NS) spin probes in the plasma membrane of the halotolerant unicellular alga Dunaliella salina. Increases in ordering of the 5NS probe and decreases in motion of the 16NS probe were observed in cells equilibrated over 18 h at increasing NaCl concentrations. These changes probably resulted from the influence of the high NaCl concentration on the charged phospholipid head groups of the membrane. A short-term (less than 100 min) decrease in the order parameter, S, of the 5NS probe was observed for cells swollen by exposure to a sudden decrease of NaCl concentration from 5.0 to 2.5 M. After 100 min the value of S for 5NS was close to the value obtained in cells that had been equilibrated in 2.5 M-NaCl for 18 h. Since the cells had regained their original size and shape by 100 min it was assumed that the short-term decrease in S was associated with the swelling. A similar result was obtained when the cells were suddenly changed from 3.0 M- to 1.5 M-sorbitol. Conversely, an increase in S was observed for cells shrunk when the external solute concentration was doubled from 1.5 M- to 3.0 M-NaCl. As the cells regained their original size and shape the value of S decreased to the value observed in cells that had been equilibrated in 3.0 M-NaCl for 18 h. It is suggested that the changes in S are related to the movement of lipid into or out of a reservoir of membrane material as the membrane shrinks or expands. This movement of lipid maintains the tension of the membrane below the value at which it is disrupted. Such changes in lipid ordering could provide a mechanism whereby information about external osmotic-pressure changes is transmitted across the cell wall.


An electrochemical quartz crystal impedance study on the rising of an aqueous solution meniscus for a partially immersed gold electrode during the electrochemical reduction of oxygen.
An electrochemical quartz crystal impedance system (EQCIS) was used to study the resonance behavior of an AT-cut 9-MHz piezoelectric quartz crystal (PQC) with its Au electrode partially immersed in KCl, Na2SO4 and NaClO4 aqueous solutions, respectively. An in situ determination of the immersed area and the height of the electrode was achieved by simultaneous measurements of the PQC electroacoustic admittance and the electrochemical impedance. The rising of the solution meniscus for a gold electrode partially immersed in aqueous solutions was found at oxygen reduction potentials and evaluated versus the electrolyte, electrolyte concentration, solution pH and oxygen concentration. The solution meniscus rising was explained based on a lowering of the contact-angle hysteresis and a continued collection of the water product at the solid-gas-solution interface during oxygen reduction.


Inter-specific competition, but not different soil microbial communities, affects N chemical forms uptake by competing graminoids of upland grasslands.
Evidence that plants differ in their ability to take up both organic (ON) and inorganic (IN) forms of nitrogen (N) has increased ecologists' interest on resource-based plant competition. However, whether plant uptake of IN and ON responds to differences in soil microbial community composition and/or functioning has not yet been explored, despite soil microbes playing a key role in N cycling. Here, we report results from a competition experiment testing the hypothesis that soil microbial communities differing in metabolic activity as a result of long-term differences to grazing exposure could modify N uptake of Eriophorum vaginatum L. and Nardus stricta L. These graminoids co-occur on nutrient-poor, mountain grasslands where E. vaginatum decreases and N. stricta increases in response to long-term grazing. We inoculated sterilised soil with soil microbial communities from continuously grazed and ungrazed grasslands and planted soils with both E. vaginatum and N. stricta, and then tracked uptake of isotopically labelled NH(4) (+) (IN) and glycine (ON) into plant tissues. The metabolically different microbial communities had no effect on N uptake by either of the graminoids, which might suggest functional equivalence of soil microbes in their impacts on plant N uptake. Consistent with its dominance in soils with greater concentrations of ON relative to IN in the soluble N pool, Eriophorum vaginatum took up more glycine than N. stricta. Nardus stricta reduced the glycine proportion taken up by E. vaginatum, thus increasing niche overlap in N usage between these species. Local abundances of these species in mountain grasslands are principally controlled by grazing and soil moisture, although our results suggest that changes in the relative availability of ON to IN can also play a role. Our results also suggest that coexistence of these species in mountain grasslands is likely based on non-equilibrium mechanisms such as disturbance and/or soil heterogeneity.