Acid rain: china, United States, and a remote area.
The composition of precipitation in China is highly influenced by fossil fuel combustion and agricultural and cultural practices. Compared to the eastern United States, precipitation in China generally has higher concentrations of sulfate, ammonium, and calcium. Wet deposition rates of sulfur in China are 7 to 130 times higher than those in a remote area in the Southern Hemisphere. In many areas of the world, significant ecological changes have occurred in ecosystems that have acid deposition rates substantially less than those currently existing in China.


Antinociceptive action of opiates and opioid peptides after unilateral microinjection into area tempestas in rats.
Area tempestas (AT) is a forebrain area involved in the genesis and generalization of clonic convulsions in rats. This study reports that upon AT application opiates and opioid peptides produce antinociceptive effects as measured with the hot-plate (HP) and tail-flick (TF) tests in rats. Unilateral infusion of mu and kappa agonists into AT at doses in the nanogram range delayed the latency to respond for the contralateral paws in the HP test (Emax, 67-91 degrees of analgesia), beginning 1 to 5 min after application. A smaller effect was observed after the Leu-enkephalin, [D-Ala2,D-Leu5][enkephalin and D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin. No effect was observed after Met-enkephalin. In the TF test, unilateral application of mu and kappa agonists in the nanogram range produced antinociception with Emax values of 43 to 62 degrees of analgesia, beginning 5 to 15 min after infusion. No significant effect was found after unilateral infusion of delta agonists. Infusion into AT (10 min before) of naltrexone (2-4 ng), ICI 154, 129 (1-10 ng) and WIN 44,441-3 (2-20 ng) antagonized the antinociception evoked by locally applied morphine (25 ng), [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin (50 ng) and U 50,488 (100 ng), respectively. In addition, antinociception induced by systemic morphine (2.5 mg/kg sc) was antagonized by subsequent (23 min) unilateral application of naltrexone (15 ng). In the HP test, a reduction of the antinociceptive effect of morphine was obtained for both ipsilateral and contralateral paws after the antagonists.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


[Reoperation for transposition of the great arteries: mid-term results and reoperation after arterial switch operation].
The arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries is now widely accepted as the therapeutic method of choice. As of December 1993, a total of 162 patients underwent the arterial switch. There were 100 patients with transposition and intact ventricular septum, 48 with a ventricular septal defect, 14 with ventricular septal defect and arch anomalies (coarctation: 11, interruption: 3). Early and late mortality were 3.7% (6 patients) and 4.5% (7 patients), respectively. Postoperative pulmonary stenosis (> 30 mmHg) was noted in 33 patients (22%), aortic regurgitation (> mild) in 20 (13%), supravalvular aortic stenosis (> 20 mmHg) in 5 (3%) and mitral regurgitation (> mild) in 5 (3%). Reoperation was performed in 27 patients with no mortality. Mean interval between the switch and the reoperation was 30 months. Twenty-three patients with pulmonary stenosis underwent patch plasty of pulmonary artery. Two children with severe aortic regurgitation underwent aortic valve replacement. Two patients who had undergone one-staged repair for interruption complex were reoperated due to supravalvular aortic stenosis and pulmonary stenosis. Actuarial survival and freedom from reoperation at 9 years were 90% and 69%, respectively.


Diisopropanolnitrosamine (DIPN) induced rat thyroid lesions. II. An electron microscopic study.
An ultrastructural study was carried out on DIPN induced lesions of rat thyroid glands, in order to characterize in detail each type or subtype as classified by light microscopy in our previous report. Organelles closely related to the endocrine function of the thyroid epithelium such as apical or subapical vesicles, lysosomal granules, colloid droplets, Golgi apparatus, rER, and microvilli on the apical surface, were found to decrease in parallel with structural and cellular atypism of the thyroid lesion under examination, suggesting impairment of their function in the malignant lesions. On the other hand, observations of transitional forms among the lesions in term of the subcellular structure were considered to support the possibility that transformation from one type to another could occur.


Growth-associated protein-43 messenger ribonucleic acid expression in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons during the rat estrous cycle.
We have shown previously at the ultrastructural level that morphological changes occur in the external zone of the median eminence allowing certain GnRH nerve terminals to contact the pericapillary space on the day of proestrus. The present study was designed to determine whether the intrinsic determinant of neuronal outgrowth, growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43), was expressed in GnRH neurons of adult female rats, and whether its expression varied throughout the estrous cycle. To accomplish this, we perfusion-fixed groups of adult female rats at 0800 and 1600 h on diestrous day 2 (diestrous II), at 0800 h and 1600 h on proestrus, and at 0800 and 1600 h on estrus (n = 4 rats/group) and used double labeling in situ hybridization and quantification to compare the levels of GAP-43 messenger RNA (mRNA) in cells coexpressing GnRH mRNA. GnRH mRNA was detected with an antisense complementary RNA (cRNA) probe labeled with the hapten digoxigenin, whereas the GAP-43 cRNA probe was labeled with 35S and detected by autoradiography. In addition, GAP-43 protein was identified with immunohistochemistry in the median eminence. The results show that many GnRH neurons expressed GAP-43 mRNA and that GAP-43 protein was present in many GnRH axon terminals in the outer layer of the median eminence. The number of GnRH neurons expressing GAP-43 mRNA was significantly higher on proestrus (64 +/- 5%) than on diestrous II (40 +/- 2%; P < 0.001) or on estrus (45 +/- 8%; P < 0.05), and the GAP-43 mRNA levels in GnRH neurons also varied as a function of time of death during the estrous cycle. The GAP-43 mRNA levels in GnRH neurons were higher on proestrus and estrus than on diestrous II (P < 0.05). These data show that 1) GAP-43 is expressed in adult GnRH neurons; 2) GAP-43 mRNA expression in GnRH neurons fluctuates during the estrous cycle; and 3) GAP-43 mRNA content in GnRH neurons is highest on the day of proestrus, before and during the onset of the LH surge. These observations suggest that the increased GAP-43 mRNA expression in GnRH neurons on the day of proestrus could promote the outgrowth of GnRH axon terminals to establish direct neurovascular contacts in the external zone of the median eminence and thus facilitate GnRH release into the pituitary portal blood.


[Mothers' perceptions of care practices for children who underwent heart transplantation].
To learn mothers' perceptions of the main care practices that are to be administered after their children's heart transplantation, as well as the main difficulties they experience. A descriptive qualitative study conducted in March and April 2014, using the focus group technique for data gathering. Participants were 12 mothers who were monitoring their children in a hospital that is a reference for treating cardiopulmonary diseases. Speeches were recorded, transcribed, and organized around the care practices that the mothers performed after the children's heart transplantations, the mothers' main difficulties, their perceptions of their children's quality of life, and the use of educational materials to disseminate post-transplantation care practices. For data analysis, we used the content analysis technique. The following were clarified: the schedule of immunosuppressive medication; food, environmental, and bodily and oral hygiene; the use of surgical masks; and keeping the children away from crowds. The study contributed to the situational diagnosis of the care administered by the mothers of transplanted children.


Your Heart Function Has Normalized-What Next After TRED-HF?
With the widespread implementation of contemporary disease-modifying heart failure therapy, the rates of normalization of ejection fraction are continuously increasing. The TRED-HF trial confirmed that heart failure remission rather than complete recovery is typical in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy who respond to therapy. The present review outlines key points related to the management and knowledge gaps of this growing patient group, focusing on patients with non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy. There is substantial heterogeneity among patients with normalized ejection fraction. The specific etiology is likely to affect the outcome, although a multiple-hit phenotype is frequent and may not be identified without comprehensive characterization. A monogenic or polygenic genetic susceptibility is common. Ongoing pathophysiological processes may be unraveled with advanced cardiac imaging, biomarkers, multi-omics, and machine learning technologies. There are limited studies that have investigated the withdrawal of specific heart failure therapies in these patients. Diuretics may be safely withdrawn if there is no evidence of congestion, while continued therapy with at least some disease-modifying therapy is likely to be required to reduce myocardial workload and sustain remission for the vast majority. Understanding the underlying disease mechanisms of patients with normalized ejection fraction is crucial in identifying markers of myocardial relapse and guiding individualized therapy in the future. Ongoing clinical trials should inform personalized approaches to therapy.


Self-feedbacks determine the sustainability of human interventions in eco-social complex systems: Impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Several administrative polices have been implemented in order to reduce the negative impacts of fishing on natural ecosystems. Four eco-social models with different levels of complexity were constructed, which represent the seaweed harvest in central-northern Chile under two different regimes, Management and Exploitation Areas for Benthic Resources (MAEBRs) and Open Access Areas (OAAs). The dynamics of both regimes were analyzed using the following theoretical frameworks: (1) Loop Analysis, which allows the local stability or sustainability of the models and scenarios to be assessed; and (2) Hessian´s optimization procedure of a global fishery function (GFF) that represents each dynamics of each harvest. The results suggest that the current fishing dynamics in MAEBRs are not sustainable unless the market demand presents some type of control (i.e. taxes). Further, the results indicated that if the demand changes to a self-negative feedback (self-control) in MAEBRs, the stability is increased and, simultaneously, a relative maximum for the GFF is reached. Contrarily, the sustainability of the model/system representing the harvest (principally by cutting plants) in OAAs is not reached. The implementation of an "ecological" tax for intensive artisanal fisheries with low operational cost is proposed. The network analysis developed here is proposed as a general strategy for studying the effects of human interventions in marine coastal ecosystems under transient (short-term) dynamics.


Glycosylation patterns of selected proteins in individual serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples.
A method we previously developed has been applied to the determination of the glycosylation pattern of specific proteins in biological samples. Six proteins (alpha-1-antitrypsin, transferrin, haptoglobin, C1 inhibitor, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, and immunoglobulin G) were studied in serum samples from five individuals and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from three individuals, to investigate the expected normal distribution of glycosylation patterns and to assess whether this methodology can be used to discriminate between samples from different individuals. For serum samples, the differences were shown to be small, while much larger differences were found for the CSF samples, with a greater number of glycoforms present. This can be linked to the occurrence of differential glycosylation in proteins expressed in the brain compared with proteins expressed elsewhere in the body. The developed method could distinguish differences in the glycosylation pattern of specific proteins in the individual samples, which was not reflected in the glycan content of total CSF. This is the first time that the glycoforms of several of these proteins have been investigated in CSF.


Molecular testing in solid tumors: an overview.
Molecular testing in anatomic pathology is going to become more and more important during the next decade as we develop assays that can aid in diagnosis, prognosis, and predicting response to therapy. The anatomic pathologist needs to be familiar with the different assays available but also needs to be able to discern which are going to become standard of care and which will not. Three different types of tumors are reviewed: thyroid cancer, oligodendroglioma, and lung carcinoma. Molecular assays that are currently in use or on the near horizon, including translocation analyses for RET-PTC and PPARgamma-PAX8, point mutation analysis for BRAF and epidermal growth factor receptor, and genetic loss for 1p and 19q, are discussed.


Prevalence and outcome of congenital left ventricular aneurysms and diverticula in an adult population.
We sought to investigate the prevalence and clinical outcome of congenital left ventricular aneurysms (LVAs) and diverticula (LVD) in a large adult population. We retrospectively studied the left ventricular angiograms of 12,271 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac catheterization at our institution and analyzed the medical records of the patients. The overall prevalence of LVA/LVD was 0.76% (94 patients): there were 42 patients with LVA (0.34%) and 52 patients with LVD (0.42%). Men were more likely to have LVA (62 vs. 38%), and women were more likely to have LVD (75 vs. 25%; p = 0.001 for both). The mean time of follow-up was 56 +/- 6 months and was focused on clinical events, rehospitalization and survival. Mortality was 6% with no cardiac death. Patients with LVD were significantly more likely to have embolic events (p = 0.04). Patients with LVA and LVD were more likely to have rhythm disturbances compared with controls (p = 0.01 for both). Incidence of syncope was not different in both groups (p = 0.4 and 0.12, respectively). There was no reported incidence of rupture. This large single-center study suggests that the prevalence of LVA/LVD in adults is up to 20-fold higher than previously reported. One third of the affected patients in our series had nonfatal cardiovascular events during follow-up, with a predominance of embolic events in the LVD group.


Development and characterization of an open-ended shock tube for the study of blast mtbi.
Shock tubes can be used to study traumatic brain injuries due to blast waves in a laboratory setting without the use of explosives. A literature review shows that several shock tubes used in these type of studies are large in size and have a high cost of conducting tests and maintaining the device. The purpose of this study was to design and characterize small shock tubes to simulate open field blast waves, which can be used in a laboratory with limited space and has low cost of operation. In addition, the shock tube can be used to induce localized blast in a small region to study the injury mechanisms in the desired region. Furthermore, the animal is placed outside of the shock tube, which provides the ability to expose the animal to a pure primary blast wave. A helium-driven shock tube with driven length of 3.04 m and driver length of 0.30 m was used in the present study. Transducers were placed at multiple locations and distances to characterize the blast wave outside the shock tube. The versatile design of the shock tube can generate a wide range of peak overpressure, rise times and durations. The shock tube was able to generate peak overpressure ranging from 25 kPa to 508 kPa and positive durations ranging from 97 µs to 797 µs. The literature review also showed several studies where the data were collected and analyzed improperly. The under-sampling or improper filtering can significantly affect the data. Additionally, the orientation of the transducer with respect to the shock wave can also affect the recorded peak overpressure. This paper reports various peak overpressures, durations and rise-times that can be developed with a small open-ended shock tube and the methodology to properly collect and analyze blast wave data generated by the shock tube.


Hydrolysis of insoluble cellulose to glucose catalyzed by cellulase-containing liposomes in an aqueous solution of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride.
The liposome containing cellulase from Trichoderma viride was prepared under the condition that an appreciable amount of cellulase was incorporated in lipid membranes. The liposomal cellulase and free enzyme were examined in their hydrolytic activities to insoluble cellulose powder CC31 in the acetate buffer solution (pH 4.8) of 15 w/w% [Bmim][Cl] (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride). The mean diameter and size distribution of cellulase-containing liposome were practically unchanged under the above condition. The free cellulase was deactivated more rapidly than the liposomal cellulase in catalyzing the hydrolysis of 2.0 g/l CC31 at 45°C in the presence of [Bmim][Cl] for 48 h. The activities of liposomal and free cellulase to cellobiose as soluble substrate were less susceptible to [Bmim][Cl] than their cellulolytic activities to CC31, meaning that β-glucosidase is relatively stable among the three enzyme components of cellulase. The rate of glucose production could be appreciably improved by the pretreatment of CC31 with [Bmim][Cl] alone at 120°C for 30 min followed by the liposomal cellulase-catalyzed hydrolysis of the substrate at 45°C at the [Bmim][Cl] concentration of 15 w/w%.


Characterization of trichomonad species and strains by PCR fingerprinting.
The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used for phylogenetic analysis of trichomonads, for intraspecies genealogical study of Trichomonas vaginalis strains, and for assessment of intrastrain polymorphism in Trichomonas vaginalis. The phylogenetic tree for 12 trichomonad species showed certain discrepancies with current models of trichomonad evolution. However, it shows that RAPD traits retain phylogenetically relevant information. The results of intraspecies analyses of 18 Trichomonas vaginalis strains suggested some concordance between the genetic relationship of strains and their geographic origin. They also suggested a concordance between the strain genetic relationships and the resistance to metronidazole. A concordance was also found with respect to the severity of disease observed in donor patients but not with the results of laboratory virulence assays. No concordance was found between genetic relationship of strains and strain infection with a dsRNA Trichomonas vaginalis virus (TVV). The latter suggests that TVV might be transmitted horizontally among Trichomonas vaginalis populations. The identity of RAPD patterns of clones isolated from in vitro cultures and those of the cultures reisolated independently from the same patient within a period of six weeks suggests that individual Trichomonas vaginalis strains are not polymorphic and that the RAPD patterns are stable. Therefore, the RAPD technique seems useful for addressing various clinically relevant issues.


Platelet microRNAs inhibit primary tumor growth via broad modulation of tumor cell mRNA expression in ectopic pancreatic cancer in mice.
We investigated the contributions of platelet microRNAs (miRNAs) to the rate of growth and regulation of gene expression in primary ectopic tumors using mouse models. We previously identified an inhibitory role for platelets in solid tumor growth, mediated by tumor infiltration of platelet microvesicles (microparticles) which are enriched in platelet-derived miRNAs. To investigate the specific roles of platelet miRNAs in tumor growth models, we implanted pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells as a bolus into mice with megakaryocyte-/platelet-specific depletion of mature miRNAs. We observed an ~50% increase in the rate of growth of ectopic primary tumors in these mice compared to controls including at early stages, associated with reduced apoptosis in the tumors, in particular in tumor cells associated with platelet microvesicles-which were depleted of platelet-enriched miRNAs-demonstrating a specific role for platelet miRNAs in modulation of primary tumor growth. Differential expression RNA sequencing of tumor cells isolated from advanced primary tumors revealed a broad cohort of mRNAs modulated in the tumor cells as a function of host platelet miRNAs. Altered genes comprised 548 up-regulated transcripts and 43 down-regulated transcripts, mostly mRNAs altogether spanning a variety of growth signaling pathways-notably pathways related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition-in tumor cells from platelet miRNA-deleted mice compared with those from control mice. Tumors in platelet miRNA-depleted mice showed more sarcomatoid growth and more advanced tumor grade, indicating roles for host platelet miRNAs in tumor plasticity. We further validated increased protein expression of selected genes associated with increased cognate mRNAs in the tumors due to platelet miRNA depletion in the host animals, providing proof of principle of widespread effects of platelet miRNAs on tumor cell functional gene expression in primary tumors in vivo. Together, these data demonstrate that platelet-derived miRNAs modulate solid tumor growth in vivo by broad-spectrum restructuring of the tumor cell transcriptome.


[Circadian variability of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with cardiovascular diseases].
A total of 1063 results of Holter monitoring in patients with cardiovascular diseases were analyzed. There were regularities in the circadian rhythm of arrhythmias with their decreased values at night and increased ones in the daytime, and peak in the morning. The profile of rhythm depends on the pattern of arrhythmia and cardiac disease. The main oscillators are as follows: sleep-awakening, activity-rest patterns, circadian variations in the sympathetic tone, severity of disease, diurnal variations in myocardial oxygen demand, blood pressure, cardiosclerosis. Conduction disturbances were increased during sleep and early in the morning. Thus, the main unfavourable period in arrhythmia disturbances are early morning, pre- and postawakening periods.


[Clinical and physiopathologic aspects of psychomotor epilepsy].
In accordance with Hallen we classified 20 patients with cryptogenic psychomotoric epilepsy into an oral, adversive, dysphasic type and into clear psychomotoric epilepsies. Psychomotoric attacks are a complex process, whereby feed back control systems like the limbic system, the formatio reticularis or the hypothalamus play an essential part. Ammon's horn and gyrus cinguli are considered as fundamental organic background for the forming of character and predominantly take part in the modulation of the situation-dependent modes of behavior.


Behavior of Listeria monocytogenes inoculated on cantaloupe surfaces and efficacy of washing treatments to reduce transfer from rind to fresh-cut pieces.
Attachment and survival of Listeria monocytogenes on external surfaces (rind) of inoculated cantaloupe, resistance of the surviving bacteria to chlorine or hydrogen peroxide treatments, transfer of the pathogen from unsanitized and sanitized rinds to fresh-cut tissues during cutting and growth, and survival of L. monocytogenes on fresh-cut pieces of cantaloupe were investigated. Surface treatment with 70% ethanol to reduce the native microflora on treated melon, followed by immersion in a four-strain cocktail of L monocytogenes (10(8) CFU/ml) for 10 min, deposited 4.2 log10 CFU/cm2 and 3.5 log10 CFU/cm2 of L monocytogenes on treated and untreated cantaloupe rinds, respectively. L. monocytogenes survived on the treated or untreated cantaloupe rinds for up to 15 days during storage at 4 and 20 degrees C, but populations declined by approximately 1 to 2 log10 CFU/cm2. Fresh-cut pieces prepared from inoculated whole cantaloupes stored at 4 degrees C for 24 h after inoculation were positive for L. monocytogenes. Washing inoculated whole cantaloupes in solutions containing 1,000 ppm of chlorine or 5% hydrogen peroxide for 2 min at 1 to 15 days of storage at 4 degrees C after inoculation resulted in a 2.0- to 3.5-log reduction in L. monocytogenes on the melon surface. Fresh-cut pieces prepared from the sanitized melons were negative for L. monocytogenes. After direct inoculation onto fresh-cut pieces, L. monocytogenes survived, but did not grow, during 15 days of storage at 4 degrees C. Growth was evident by 4 h of storage at 8 and 20 degrees C. It is concluded that sanitizing with chlorine or hydrogen peroxide has the potential to reduce or eliminate the transfer of L. monocytogenes on melon surfaces to fresh-cut pieces during cutting.


Determination of Trace Metals, Moisture, pH and Assessment of Potential Toxicity of Selected Smokeless Tobacco Products.
The characterization and classification of smokeless tobacco products has been a continuously evolving process. This is based on a number of different parameters like nicotine content, moisture content, amount of heavy metals, pH, and in vitro cytotoxicity assays. Their contexts often vary between countries, research institutions, and legal requirements. The categorisation of these products is quite challenging due to the diffused sample sizes, diverse array of branded products on offer, and the absence of a centralized manufacturing facility. This study aims at a systematic classification of 10 smokeless tobacco product samples from the retail market based on their potential toxicity upon long-term use. The estimation of potential toxicity follows a well-established method that employs the concentration of toxic metals in the different samples. The potential toxicity as well as heavy metal concentrations of the smokeless tobacco products analysed was found to be much higher than acceptable limits. For instance, the levels of lead, cadmium, copper and zinc of 2.5, 1, 4 and 23 ppm, respectively, are well above their recommended limits. The results from the study indicate that chronic use of smokeless tobacco products is a significant health risk, especially in the vulnerable population. Further studies of this nature will help establish a toxicological fingerprint on the diverse class of products that floods the market now.


Effects of DNP on rat thymocyte uptake of 2-deoxyglucose: effects of nutrients.
Rat thymocyte glucose transport activity was measured by the uptake of 3H-2-deoxyglucose. In the presence of 5mM glucose, DNP stimulated the uptake of 2-deoxyglucose. In the absence of glucose, DNP inhibited the uptake of 2-deoxyglucose. Both stimulatory and inhibitor effects of DNP were DNP concentration dependent. The incubation of thymocytes with nutrients which are metabolized through mitochondrial oxidation, such as beta-hydroxybutyrate, pyruvate, alanine and glutamine, did not support the stimulatory effects of DNP on 2-deoxyglucose uptake. The incubation of thymocytes with a nutrient which can support glycolysis, such as adenosine, supported the stimulatory effect of DNP on 2-deoxyglucose uptake. Iodoacetate, an inhibitor of glycolysis, inhibited 2-deoxyglucose uptake even in the presence of glucose. The present data suggested that the stimulatory effect of DNP on thymocyte 2-deoxyglucose uptake required intact glycolysis activity.


Capital update factor: a new era approaches.
The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) has constructed a preliminary model of a new capital update method which is consistent with the framework being developed to refine the update method for PPS operating costs. HCFA's eventual goal is to develop a single update framework for operating and capital costs. Initial results suggest that adopting the new capital update method would reduce capital payments substantially, which might intensify creditor's concerns about extending loans to hospitals.


Characterization of Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Electrospun Fibers Doped by Carbon Flakes.
Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a modern polymer material used in a wide variety of ways. Thanks to its excellent resistance to chemical or thermal degradation and low reactivity, it finds use in biology, chemistry, and electronics as well. By enriching the polymer with an easily accessible and cheap variant of graphite, it is possible to affect the ratio of crystalline phases. A correlation between the ratios of crystalline phases and different properties, like dielectric constant as well as piezo- and triboelectric properties, has been found, but the relationship between them is highly complex. These changes have been observed by a number of methods from structural, chemical and electrical points of view. Results of these methods have been documented to create a basis for further research and experimentation on the usability of this combined material in more complex structures and devices.


Examination of DNA methyltransferase expression in cloned embryos reveals an essential role for Dnmt1 in bovine development.
In studies of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), the ability of factors within the oocyte to epigenetically reprogram transferred nuclei is essential for embryonic development of the clone to proceed. However, irregular patterns of X-chromosome inactivation, abnormal expression of imprinted genes, and genomic DNA hypermethylation are frequently observed in reconstructed embryos, suggesting abnormalities in this process. To better understand the epigenetic events underlying SCNT reprogramming, we sought to determine if the abnormal DNA methylation levels observed in cloned embryos result from a failure of the oocyte to properly reprogram transcription versus differential biochemical regulation of the DNA methyltransferase family of enzymes (DNMTs) between embryonic and somatic nuclei. To address this question, we conducted real-time quantitation of Dnmt transcripts in bovine preimplantation embryos generated though in vitro fertilization (IVF), parthenogenic activation, and SCNT. By the 8-cell stage, transcripts encoding Dnmt1 become significantly down-regulated in cloned embryos, likely in response to the state of genomic hypermethylation, while the de novo methyltransferases maintain an expression pattern indistinguishable from their IVF and parthenote counterparts. Depletion of embryonic/maternal Dnmt1 transcripts within IVF embryos using short-interfering RNAs, while able to lower genomic DNA methylation levels, resulted in developmental arrest at the 8/16-cell stage. In contrast, SCNT embryos derived from a stable, Dnmt1-depleted donor cell line develop to blastocyst stage, but failed to carry to term. Our results indicate an essential role for Dnmt1 during bovine preimplantation development, and suggest proper transcriptional reprogramming of this gene family in SCNT embryos.


The effect of the Angelchik prosthesis on esophageal and gastric function.
The effects of the Angelchik prosthesis on esophageal and gastric function were investigated in 17 patients (11 men and six women; median age, 57 years; age range, 36 to 88 years) who underwent surgery for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. All patients demonstrated unequivocal reflux, either at endoscopy or 24-hour pH testing. There was a significant increase in lower esophageal sphincter pressure after surgery, and no patient demonstrated abnormal reflux on pH testing. Gastric emptying of liquids and solids was not altered by surgery. Six months after surgery, all symptoms except dysphagia had significantly improved. Thirty-three months after surgery, six patients described symptoms as severe as or worse than those before surgery. Four patients had the prosthesis removed, two because of dysphagia alone, one because of reflux and dysphagia, and one because of flatulence and bloating. The patients who required removal of the prosthesis because of dysphagia had gross delay of esophageal emptying. We conclude that the Angelchik prosthesis is an effective antireflux device, but it interferes with esophageal function in some patients, requiring removal of the prosthesis. We think the rate of removal of the prosthesis is too high for its routine use in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.


Lumbar facet joint arthrosis on magnetic resonance imaging and its association with low back pain in a selected Ghanaian population.
Facet joint arthrosis is a common radiologic finding but remains controversial as a source of low back pain. We conducted a study to evaluate some of the potential risk factors contributing to the development of facet joint arthrosis, such as age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). The study aimed at establishing an association between these factors and facet joint arthrosis in the Ghanaian population, as a foundation for further research on low back pain. This was a retrospective study done at the Department of Radiology, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021. The study population included all cases referred to our department with complaints of low back pain. Patients below 18 years and those with a history of congenital lesions, trauma, infection, and malignancies were excluded. A total of 1017 cases were identified with facet joint arthrosis. The mean difference in age and BMI between males and females was compared using an independent sample t-test. Statistical association was done using Pearson's Chi-square test. P ≤ 0.05 was used as statistical significance. Majority of the study subjects were overweight with a mean BMI of 27.31 ± 5.37 kg/m2. The mean age was 53.61 ± 16.22 years, and majority were within the age of 51-60 years. Age was significantly associated with the prevalence of facet joint arthrosis. The prevalence of facet joint arthrosis is significantly associated with increasing age but not with the BMI. Lumbar facet joint arthrosis is more prevalent in women than in men, which may be due to the sensitivity of cartilage to female sex hormones.


Trends in the Spin States and Mean Static Dipole Polarizability of the Group VIIIA Metallocenes.
By using density functional theory, spin states, geometries, and mean static dipole polarizabilities of group VIIIA metallocenes M(C5H5)2 (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, and Pt) are examined. For all metallocenes studied, comparison of the polarizability of the accessible spin states reveals that the lowest polarizability was found for the spin ground state. Therefore, our findings indicate that the minimum polarizability principle might be useful in determining the ground state multiplicity for transition metal metallocenes. The metallocenes from the group 8 and group 9 possess the same multiplicity, singlet and doublet, respectively. Additionally, one observes that the polarizability increases monotonically with the atomic number of the central metal atom for metallocenes from the same column. The B3LYP/ADZP is one of the most reliable procedure tested so far to predict the static dipole polarizability of the complexes studied here, with mean absolute deviation from the experimental data smaller than 1.8 au.


Hand preference across the lifespan: effects of end-goal, task nature, and object location.
In the present study we investigate age-related changes in hand preference for grasping and the influence of task demands on such preference. Children (2-11), young-adults (17-28) and older-adults (57-90) were examined in a grasp-to-eat and a grasp-to-construct task. The end-goal of these tasks was different (eat vs. construct) as was the nature of the task (unimanual vs. bimanual). In both tasks, ipsilateral and contralateral grasps were analyzed. Results showed a right-hand preference that did not change with age. Across the three age groups, a more robust right-hand preference was observed for the unimanual, grasp-to-eat task. To disentangle if the nature (unimanual) or the end-goal (grasp-to-eat) was the driver of the robust right-hand preference, a follow up experiment was conducted. Young-adult participants completed a unimanual grasp-to-place task. This was contrasted with the unimanual grasp-to-eat task and the bimanual grasp-to-construct task. Rates of hand preference for the grasp-to-eat task remained the highest when compared to the other two grasping tasks. Together, the results demonstrate that hand preference remains stable from childhood to older adulthood, and they suggest that a left hemisphere specialization exists for grasping, particularly when bringing food to the mouth.


Surgical pathology of gastrinoma. Site, size, multicentricity, association with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, and malignancy.
Specimens from the pancreas and duodenum of 26 patients with sporadic Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) and 18 patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1) and hypergastrinemia (17 with ZES) were screened immunocytochemically for gastrinomas. Location, size, multicentricity, and malignancy of the gastrinomas were evaluated. The MEN-1 patients had gastrinomas in the duodenum (nine of 18), pancreas (one of 18), and periduodenal lymph nodes (two of 18). No gastrinoma was identified in six patients. Most duodenal gastrinomas were multiple (five of nine) and smaller than 0.6 cm (six of nine). Lymph node metastases were present in eight of 12 patients. All 26 patients with sporadic ZES had a solitary gastrinoma; 14 were found in the pancreas and had a diameter greater than 2 cm. Ten patients had a duodenal gastrinoma, two with a diameter less than 0.6 cm. In two patients, only periduodenal "lymph node gastrinomas" were detected. Eighteen of the sporadic gastrinomas were malignant. These results suggest that duodenal location and multicentricity of gastrinomas are associated with the MEN-1 syndrome, and solitary gastrinomas, either in the pancreas or the duodenum, are predominantly seen in sporadic ZES.


Development of a multivariate yield grade equation to predict compositional traits in mature cow carcasses.
Data from 68 cow carcasses were used to develop a new yield grading system. First principal component (FPC) values for compositional attributes (LNFT = separable lean weight/[lean+fat weight] x 100, LNBN = separable lean weight/[lean+bone+connective tissue weights] x 100, and BTPR = [defatted lean from the round, loin, rib, and chuck]/side weight x 100) were determined. The first component explained 83.5% of the standardized variance and load values were .63, -.52, and .58, respectively. The resulting FPC values ranged from -1.93 to 1.89. The linear regression of LNFT, LNBN, and BTPR (dependent variables) on FPC (independent variable) explained a significant amount of variation (P less than .001) in each case and resulted in R2-values of .98, .67, and .85, respectively. A best-fit yield grade equation, developed to predict FPC, included adjusted fat thickness (ADF), percentage of kidney, pelvic, and heart fat (KPH), and overall muscling grade (OM). The equation, FPC = 2.04 - (.67 x ADF) - (.21 x KPH) - (.0016 x OM), explained a significant amount (P less than .001) of variation in FPC with R2 = .94 and residual standard deviation = .25. Simple correlations for ADF, KPH, and OM with FPC were -.87, -.71, and -.80, respectively. Cow carcasses were assigned to one of three grades based on FPC values that corresponded with predetermined levels of LNFT, LNBN, and BTPR. These grades generally had smaller CV than existing grades. When used in conjunction with quality grades, proposed grades could be more useful to the cow meat industry.


Parenteral glutamine supplement has synergic effects in minimally invasive surgery of subtotal gastrectomy patients.
Exogenous glutamine supplement is known to improve morbidity and mortality of critically-ill patients. This study was conducted to elucidate the role of glutamine in minimally invasive surgery. We retrospectively reviewed subtotal gastrectomy patients in National Taiwan University Hospital from Dec 2005 to Dec 2008. The patients were divided into three groups. Group 1 underwent subtotal gastrectomy by laparotomy without glutamine supplement, group 2 underwent subtotal gastrectomy by laparotomy with glutamine supplement and group 3 underwent gasless laparoscopy-assisted subtotal gastrectomy with parenteral glutamine supplement. There were 155 patients in total; 85 patients in group 1, 17 in group 2 and 53 in group 3. The mean flatus days after operation are 3.6, 3.1 and 2.8 for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively (p=0.001). Oral intake after operation was commenced after 6.7, 5.0 and 4.7 days (p=0.006). The body temperature had borderline differences between groups 3 and 1. There were significant differences in postoperative systemic responses including heart rates (p<0.001) and tenderness (p=0.011) 5 days after operation for group 3 vs. group 1. Minimally invasive surgery was a negative factor for postoperative body temperature change. Glutamine was a significant factor for postoperative heart rate change and reduction of tenderness. Glutamine supplement may have synergic effects of rapid recovery in minimal invasive surgery for subtotal gastrectomy patients by minimizing the postoperative systemic response and accelerating recovery.


Generation of a transgenic ORFeome library in Drosophila.
Overexpression screens can be used to explore gene function in Drosophila melanogaster, but to demonstrate their full potential, comprehensive and systematic collections of fly strains are required. Here we provide a protocol for high-throughput cloning of Drosophila open-reading frames (ORFs) that are regulated by upstream activation sequences (UAS sites); the resulting GAL4-inducible UAS-ORF plasmid library is then used to generate Drosophila strains by ΦC31 integrase-mediated site-specific integration. We also provide details for FLP/FRT-mediated in vivo exchange of epitope tags (or regulatory regions) in the ORF library strains, which further extends the potential applications of the library. These transgenic UAS-ORF strains are a useful resource to complement and validate genetic experiments performed with loss-of-function mutants and RNA interference (RNAi) lines. The duration of the complete protocol strongly depends on the number of ORFs required, but embryos can be injected and balanced fly stocks can be established within ∼7-8 weeks for a few genes.


Role of commercial aircraft in global monitoring systems.
The role of commercial aircraft in monitoring meteorological parameters and atmospheric constituents has been limited in the former case and virtually nonexistent in the latter. I have tried to point out that this situation can and should be changed now. The new family of wide-bodied jets such as the 747, DC-10, and L-1011 aircraft can be used to supply important global atmospheric and tropical meteorological data for which there is a pressing need. While scientists are not in total agreement on the magnitude of the effect of particulates and gases on the atmosphere, there is almost unanimous concurrence that we are severely limited in information, and that global baseline concentrations must be established for particulates and gases in the troposphere and lower stratosphere as soon as possible. Also, more synoptic meteorological information from the tropical troposphere is highly desirable. In the final analysis, commercial aircraft may offer the most inexpensive way to monitor our atmosphere in the near future. Much of the instrumentation technology is here and the rest is certainly within our grasp. The fact of the matter is that there are now over 220 Boeing 747's and Douglas DC-10's in service, flying an average of 10 hours a day. Long-range flights, such as those from Tokyo to Anchorage to London in the Northern Hemisphere and from Hawaii to Pago Pago to Sydney in the Southern Hemisphere, are commonplace. These aircraft are equipped with inertial navigation systems and central air data computers coupled to advanced data storage systems which can readily be interrogated by satellite. This means that there is now a large amount of snyoptic weather information which can be obtained with a minimum of effort and cost. Likewise, a start at obtaining measurements of atmospheric constituents on a global basis can be made now. All we need to do is make the effort.


[Measuring methods of volumetric changes of soft tissues at dental implants site and tooth recessions site].
The article is a review of literature on various methods for measuring gingival thickness at implant site and tooth recession. The purpose of the study was to analyze existing methods for assessing volumetric changes in soft tissues based on literature data and give recommendations on the choice of methods. The authors analyzed available methods and identified limitations and recommendations for the use of different methods. The literature review is also helpful to identify promising methods for assessing changes in soft tissue volume, which may help authors of future studies with method selection.


Sublingual traumatic ulceration due to neonatal teeth (Riga-Fede disease).
The term Riga-Fede disease has been used historically to describe traumatic ulceration that occurs on the ventral surface of tongue in neonates and infants. It is most often associated with natal and neonatal teeth in newborns. A case of Riga-Fede disease is presented.


Structure-activity relationships for tumour radiosensitization by analogues of nicotinamide and benzamide.
Nicotinamide has been shown in our laboratory and those of other investigators to be an effective radiosensitizer of a variety of mouse tumours, while producing little or no radiosensitization of normal tissues. Its mechanism of action is different from classical electron-affinic compounds and appears to be the result of improved tumour oxygenation. In this study we have synthesized 29 analogues of nicotinamide and benzamide and characterized them for their tumour radiosensitization and acute toxicity in mice. The data show that a wide range of additions to the nicotinamide and benzamide ring produce tumour radiosensitization similar to that produced by equimolar doses of misonidazole, but that substitutions of the amide tend to reduce radiosensitization. Other structure-activity relationships are evident. Although some compounds produce similar tumour radiosensitization to nicotinamide at equimolar doses, and are comparably low in acute toxicity, none appears sufficiently superior to supplant nicotinamide itself as a candidate for clinical trials. Thus these data provide evidence that nicotinamide, because of the extensive experience with its use in man, is likely to be the best drug in the benzamide-nicotinamide series for development as a radiosensitizer of human tumours.


GDNF promotes neurite outgrowth and upregulates galectin-1 through the RET/PI3K signaling in cultured adult rat dorsal root ganglion neurons.
Galectin-1 (GAL-1), a member of a family of β-galactoside binding animal lectins, is predominantly expressed in isolectin B4 (IB4)-binding small non-peptidergic (glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)-responsive) sensory neurons in the sections of adult rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG), but its functional role and the regulatory mechanisms of its expression in the peripheral nervous system remain unclear. In the present study, both recombinant nerve growth factor (NGF) and GDNF (50 ng/ml) promoted neurite outgrowth from cultured adult rat DRG neurons, whereas GDNF, but not NGF, significantly increased the number of IB4-binding neurons and the relative protein expression of GAL-1 in the neuron-enriched culture of DRG. The GAL-1 expression in immortalized adult rat Schwann cells IFRS1 and DRG neuron-IFRS1 cocultures was unaltered by treatment with GDNF, which suggests that GDNF/GAL-1 signaling axis is more related to neurite outgrowth, rather than neuron-Schwann cell interactions. The GDNF-induced neurite outgrowth and GAL-1 upregulation were attenuated by anti-GDNF family receptor (RET) antibody and phosphatidyl inositol-3'-phosphate-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002, suggesting that the neurite-outgrowth promoting activity of GDNF may be attributable, at least partially, to the upregulation of GAL-1 through RET-PI3K pathway. On the contrary, no significant differences were observed between GAL-1 knockout and wild-type mice in DRG neurite outgrowth in the presence or absence of GDNF. Considerable immunohistochemical colocalization of GAL-3 with GAL-1 in DRG sections and GDNF-induced upregulation of GAL-3 in cultured DRG neurons imply the functional redundancy between these galectins.


The Effect of Iodium 30c on Experimental Visceral Leishmaniasis.
Leishmaniasis is one of several neglected tropical diseases that warrant serious attention. A disease of socio-economically poor people, it demands safer and cheaper drugs that help to overcome the limitations faced by the existing anti-leishmanials. Complementary or traditional medicines might be a good option, with an added advantage that resistance may not develop against these drugs. Thus, the present investigation was performed to evaluate the anti-leishmanial efficacy of an ultra-diluted homeopathic medicine (Iodium 30c) in experimental visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Compliant with strict ethical standards in animal experimentation, the study was performed in-vivo in inbred BALB/c mice which were injected intravenously with 1 × 107 promastigotes of Leishmania donovani before (therapeutic) or after (prophylactic) treatment with Iodium 30c for 30 days. In other groups of mice (n = 6 per group), amphotericin B served as positive control, infected animals as the disease control, while the naïve controls included normal animals; animals receiving only Iodium 30c or Alcohol 30c served as sham controls. The anti-leishmanial efficacy was assessed by determining the hepatic parasite load and analysing percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Biochemical analysis and histological studies were performed to check any toxicities. Iodium-treated animals showed a significantly reduced parasite load (to 1503 ± 39 Leishman Donovan Units, LDU) as compared with the infected controls (4489 ± 256 LDU) (p < 0.05): thus, the mean therapeutic efficacy of Iodium 30c was 66.5%. In addition, the population of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was significantly increased (p < 0.05) after treatment. No toxicity was observed, as evidenced from biochemical and histopathological studies of the liver and kidneys. Efficacy of Iodium 30c prophylaxis was 58.3%, while the therapeutic efficacy of amphotericin B was 85.9%. This original study has shown that Iodium 30c had significant impact in controlling parasite replication in experimental VL, though the effect was less than that using standard pharmaceutical treatment.


[Advances in risk factors and early imaging assessment of canine impaction].
The canines play an important role in both the esthetics and function of the human body. The maxillary canines has the highest prevalence of impaction in the entire dentition, except for the third molars. Once canine impaction occurs, it can lead to the conditions such as root resorption of adjacent teeth, occlusal function interference and esthetic problems. Moreover, the treatment of canine impaction is time consuming and difficult, and it often requires multi-disciplinary involvement. Therefore, the early diagnosis and treatment of canine impaction is an urgent problem in orthodontic treatment. The etiology of canine impaction is complex and its early development is highly insidious. To assist orthodontists in the early diagnosis and treatment of canine impaction, this review summarizes and discusses the relevant risk factors associated with maxillary and mandibular canine impaction, and the commonly used radiographic assessment methods.


[Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of ulcerative colitis in north-eastern Mexico].
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) compromises two entities: Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn Disease (CD). The incidence and prevalence vary widely in relation to ethnicity and demographic localization. Historically it has been considered a rare disease in Mexico. To determine the frequency of new UC cases and their clinical characteristics in a referral hospital of North-Eastern Mexico. An epidemiological, descriptive and retrospective study was made which included newly diagnosed patients with UC in a five years period. The adjusted rate of patients diagnosed with UC to the number of admissions for year was 2.3, 2.6, 3.0, 3.6 and 4.1/1000 admissions between 2004 and 2008. The rate of newly diagnosed patients with UC has doubled in the year 2008 compared with the year 2004 (p < 0.05). Fifty five percent of the patients showed mild disease, 30% showed moderate disease and 15% showed severe disease. Fifty percent of the patients had pancolitis, left sided colitis was present in 21% and 29% of the patients just had proctitis. Other clinical aspects of UC corresponded to those previously described. The frequency of new patients diagnosed with UC has significantly increased in this tertiary-care referral hospital for the last five years.


Phytochemical Investigation, Antioxidant and Antimycobacterial Activities of Schkuhria pinnata (Lam) Thell Extracts Against Mycobacterium smegmatis.
The focus of this study was to evaluate the antioxidants and antimycobacterial activities of extracts of Schkuhria pinnata. Serial exhaustive extraction procedure was employed using solvents of varying polarity to obtain the desired extracts. Thin layer chromatography and standard chemical tests were used to analyze phytochemicals constituents. Free radical scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) methods were used to detect the presence of antioxidant compounds. Antimycobacterial activity was evaluated using microdilution and bioautography assays. A variety of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids were detected in the extract. Ethyl acetate and acetone extracts had high antioxidant activity on chromatograms eluted in ethyl acetate/methanol/water while methanol extract at various concentrations had the best scavenging activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranged from 0.02 to 2.50 mg/mL. Total phenol content was 55.33 ± 3.51 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g and higher when compared with flavonoids (4.00 ± 0.35 mg of quercetin equivalent [QE]/mg) and tannin content (28.00 ± 1.73 mg of GAE/g). The most effective antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis was observed with the lowest inhibitory concentrations of acetone (0.27 mg/mL), dichloromethane (0.32 mg/mL), and ethyl acetate (0.32 mg/mL) in that order. In massive extraction, hexane and dichloromethane had the greatest inhibitory bands on benzene/ethanol/ammonium hydroxide bioautograms. Antimmycobacterial activity gives promising potential leads of S pinnata extracts to be used in the development of antimycobacterial drugs. The presence of antioxidant and antimycobacterial compounds requires further isolation and purification.


Early Post-operative Stimulated Serum Thyroglobulin: Role in Preventing Unnecessary Radioactive Iodine Treatment in Low to Intermediate Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer.
The aims of the study are to evaluate the predictive value of early post-operative stimulated thyroglobulin (sTg) analysis on the recurrence risk, and to define a cut-off value that is related to recurrence risk in low to intermediate risk papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). This retrospective cohort study included individuals who were diagnosed with PTC aged 18 years or older and had been operated by experienced surgeons of a tertiary university hospital between the years 2011 and 2021. The American Thyroid Association thyroid cancer guidelines version 2015 was used as the risk stratification system. Early sTg measurement obtained at 3-4 weeks after surgery when TSH >30 µIU/mL. Data was collected from the hospital database. A total of 328 patients who had post-operative early sTg values with negative anti-Tg antibodies were included. The median age was 44 years. Of the 328 patients, 223 (68%) were women. The median tumor diameter was 11 mm. One hundred ninety-one patients (58.2%) had low risk and 137 (41.8%) had intermediate risk for recurrent disease. Of the 328 patients, 4.0% had recurrent disease. In multivariate Cox regression, post-operative early sTg value [OR: 1.070 (1.038-1.116), P = .000], and the pre-operative malign cytology [OR: 1.483 (1.080-2.245), P = .042] were independent risk factors for recurrence. On the ROC curve analysis, the cut-off value of early sTg was 4.1 ng/mL for those with recurrent disease. This study demonstrated that early sTg could predict recurrent disease in patients with low to intermediate risk PTC. A cut-off of 4.1 ng/mL was identified with a high negative predictive value.


Delivery of Clinical Services: Mobilizing Advanced Practice Providers to Enhance Patient Care.
Advanced practice providers (APPs) are increasingly being used in a variety of healthcare settings to provide care, treatment, and services to patients with cancer. They are also being deployed to acute oncologic settings to enhance patient care delivery and address the ever-evolving needs of patients in academic medicine. In response, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center developed a series of innovative clinical programs staffed by acute care APPs. These provide an opportunity to rapidly adapt to the acute care needs of patients with cancer while fostering the professional development of APPs within the full scope of their oncologic clinical practice. .


[Clinical study on treatment of patients with ankylosing spondylitis by Panlongqi tablet].
A 6-month observation on curative effect of Panlongqi Tablet (PLQ) in treating patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) was conducted for evaluating its efficacy and safety. One hundred and four inpatients and outpatients with AS were randomly assigned to two groups by using random number table, 52 in each group. All patients were treated non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and sulfasalazine (SSZ), and those in the treated group were given with PLQ additionally. The change of symptoms and signs were observed, and some laboratory indexes as Bath AS disease activity index (BASDAI), Bath AS functional index (BASFI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as adverse reaction were observed as well. The revisit and follow-up study were carried out at the 3 months and 6 months respectively. The lumbosacral pain was significantly alleviated, the time for lumbodorsal morning stiffness was shortened, the levels of BASDAI, BASFI, ESR and CRP were significantly lowered after treatment for 3 months or 6months (P < 0.05), and these improvements were more significant in the treated group as compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05). The main adverse reactions was dominantly the gastrointestinal symptoms, which showed insignificant difference between the two groups (P >0.05). PLQ is an effective traditional medicine for AS with mild adverse reaction, it can be used as an adjuvant therapy.


Relationship of Extreme Cold Weather and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Shocks.
Cold weather to 0°C has been implicated as a risk factor for ventricular arrhythmias and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks. The effect of more extreme cold weather on the risk of ventricular arrhythmias and ICD shocks is unknown. We sought to describe the relationship between extreme cold weather and the risk of ICD shocks. We retrospectively identified patients seen at the Pacemaker and Defibrillator Clinic at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada between 2010 and 2015 with an ICD shock. We excluded multiple shocks occurring on the same day in a single patient. We collected weather data, and evaluated the relationship between ICD shocks and weather on the same day as the shock using Negative Binomial regression. Three hundred and sixty patients experienced a total of 1,355 shocks. When excluding multiple shocks occurring in a single patient on the same day, there were 756 unique shocks. The daily high (DH) was the strongest predictor of receiving an ICD shock. Compared with the warmest days (DH above 10°C), shocks were 25% more common on the coldest days (DH below -10°C), and 8% more common on cold days (DH between -10°C and 10°C). This linear trend was statistically significant, with a p-value of 0.04. In conclusion, we found an association between extreme cold weather and ICD shocks.


Sambucus nigra extracts inhibit infectious bronchitis virus at an early point during replication.
Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a pathogenic chicken coronavirus. Currently, vaccination against IBV is only partially protective; therefore, better preventions and treatments are needed. Plants produce antimicrobial secondary compounds, which may be a source for novel anti-viral drugs. Non-cytotoxic, crude ethanol extracts of Rhodiola rosea roots, Nigella sativa seeds, and Sambucus nigra fruit were tested for anti-IBV activity, since these safe, widely used plant tissues contain polyphenol derivatives that inhibit other viruses. Dose-response cytotoxicity curves on Vero cells using trypan blue staining determined the highest non-cytotoxic concentrations of each plant extract. To screen for IBV inhibition, cells and virus were pretreated with extracts, followed by infection in the presence of extract. Viral cytopathic effect was assessed visually following an additional 24 h incubation with extract. Cells and supernatants were harvested separately and virus titers were quantified by plaque assay. Variations of this screening protocol determined the effects of a number of shortened S. nigra extract treatments. Finally, S. nigra extract-treated virions were visualized by transmission electron microscopy with negative staining.Virus titers from infected cells treated with R. rosea and N. sativa extracts were not substantially different from infected cells treated with solvent alone. However, treatment with S. nigra extracts reduced virus titers by four orders of magnitude at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1 in a dose-responsive manner. Infection at a low MOI reduced viral titers by six orders of magnitude and pretreatment of virus was necessary, but not sufficient, for full virus inhibition. Electron microscopy of virions treated with S. nigra extract showed compromised envelopes and the presence of membrane vesicles, which suggested a mechanism of action. These results demonstrate that S. nigra extract can inhibit IBV at an early point in infection, probably by rendering the virus non-infectious. They also suggest that future studies using S. nigra extract to treat or prevent IBV or other coronaviruses are warranted.


Radiology resident mammography training: interpretation difficulty and error-making patterns.
The purpose of this study was to better understand the concept of mammography difficulty and how it affects radiology resident performance. Seven radiology residents and three expert breast imagers reviewed 100 mammograms, consisting of bilateral medial lateral oblique and craniocaudal views, using a research workstation. The cases consisted of normal, benign, and malignant findings. Participants identified abnormalities and scored the difficulty and malignant potential for each case. Resident performance (sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC]) was calculated for self- and expert-assessed high and low difficulties. For cases classified by self-assessed difficulty, the resident AUCs were 0.667 for high difficulty and 0.771 for low difficulty cases (P = .010). Resident sensitivities were 0.707 for high and 0.614 for low difficulty cases (P = .113). Resident specificities were 0.583 for high and 0.905 for low difficulty cases (P < .001). For cases classified by expert-assessed difficulty, the resident AUCs were 0.583 for high and 0.783 for low difficulty cases (P = .001). Resident sensitivities were 0.558 for high and 0.796 for low difficulty cases (P < .001). Resident specificities were 0.714 for high and 0.740 for low difficulty cases (P = .807). Increased self- and expert-assessed difficulty is associated with a decrease in resident performance in mammography. However, while this lower performance is due to a decrease in specificity for self-assessed difficulty, it is due to a decrease in sensitivity for expert-assessed difficulty. These trends suggest that educators should provide a mix of self- and expert-assessed difficult cases in educational materials to maximize the effect of training on resident performance and confidence.


Unraveling middle childhood attachment-related behavior sequences using a micro-coding approach.
Attachment theory states that children learn to trust in their parent's availability and support if they repeatedly experience that their parents respond sensitively to their needs during distress. Attachment is thus developed and shaped by day-to-day interactions, while at the same time, each interaction is a momentary expression of the attachment relation. How attachment-related behaviors of mother and child follow upon each other during interactions in middle childhood, and how these sequences differ in function of attachment quality, has hardly been studied up to now. To fill this gap, we analyzed the micro-coded interaction of 55 mother-child dyads (27 girls, 28 boys, mean age: 10.3) after a standardized stress-induction. Results reveal that all mother-child dyads show a loop between positive mother and child behaviors. This pattern is complemented with a loop of negative mother and child behaviors in low-trust and more avoidantly attached children: these children tend to handle negative mother behavior less well as they show more negative behavior and less positive behavior in response to negative maternal behavior. More anxiously attached children also show less positive behavior, but react positively on collaborative interactions. The micro-coded interactions thus reveal important insights that inform practitioners and advance attachment theory.


Focused, multiple-pass cell for Raman scattering.
A simple optical system is described that makes use of a unique property of ellipsoidal mirrors, viz., light brought to one focus will be reflected alternately through the two foci and collapse to the major axis. This system consists of an on-axis ellipsoidal mirror facing a coaxial flat-spherical mirror assembly that is positioned at the minor axis. Calculations indicate that gains of the order of 500 in the light flux at the point of observation should be attainable with low-eccentricity ellipsoids. Raman-scattered light from atmospheric N(2) was obtained with a system employing a 0.2 eccentricity ellipsoid. An experimental gain of 93 was determined by the ratio of the scattering with the system to the scattering obtained with one beam. This result is in good agreement with the theory.


[Resistance to clopidogrel and polymorphism of P2RY12 and GPIIIA genes in patients with chronic coronary heart disease].
We studied the association between clopidogrel resistance, H1/NH2 polymorphism of the P2RY12 gene and T156C polymorphism of the GpIIIa gene in residents of Western Siberia suffering chronic CHD. It was shown that the occurrence of H1 and H2 haplotypes of the P2RY12 gene and 1565T and 1565C alleles of the GpIIIa gene was similar to that reported for European populations. Patients showing variable platelet response to the inhibitory action of clopidogrel were not significantly different in terms of P2RY12 and GpIIIa genotype distribution. To conclude, the study revealed no association between the risk of clopidogrel resistance and the presence of polymorphic variants of platelet receptor genes P2RY12 and GpIIIa.


Trends in Mortality Among Females in the United States, 1900-2010: Progress and Challenges.
We analyzed trends in US female mortality rates by decade from 1900 through 2010, assessed age and racial differences, and proposed explanations and considered implications. We conducted a descriptive study of trends in mortality rates from major causes of death for females in the United States from 1900 through 2010. We analyzed all-cause unadjusted death rates (UDRs) for males and females and for white and nonwhite males and females from 1900 through 2010. Data for blacks, distinct from other nonwhites, were available beginning in 1970 and are reported for this and following decades. We also computed age-adjusted all-cause death rates (AADRs) by the direct method using age-specific death rates and the 2000 US standard population. Data for the analysis of decadal trends in mortality rates were obtained from yearly tabulations of causes of death from published compilations and from public use computer data files. In 1900, UDRs and AADRs were higher for nonwhites than whites and decreased more rapidly for nonwhite females than for white females. Reductions were highest among younger females and lowest among older females. Rates for infectious diseases decreased the most. AADRs for heart disease increased 96.5% in the first 5 decades, then declined by 70.6%. AADRs for cancer rose, then decreased. Stroke decreased steadily. Unintentional motor vehicle injury AADRs increased, leveled off, then decreased. Differences between white and nonwhite female all-cause AADRs almost disappeared during the study period (5.4 per 100,000); differences in white and black AADRs remained high (121.7 per 100,000). Improvements in social and environmental determinants of health probably account for decreased mortality rates among females in the early 20th century, partially offset by increased smoking. In the second half of the century, other public health and clinical measures contributed to reductions. The persistent prevalence of risk behaviors and underuse of preventive and medical services indicate opportunities for increased female longevity, particularly in racial minority populations.


[Opinions of family physicians and specialists on vaccination against influenza].
About 50 percent of the patients who because of an underlying disease should be vaccinated annually against influenza, do not receive the vaccine. One of the major reasons is that they are not informed by their physicians about the need to be vaccinated. To understand the attitude of the physicians concerning influenza vaccination and the way the vaccination of these patients is organized, questionnaires were send to 250 general practitioners, 125 cardiologists and 125 pulmonologists in the Netherlands. Eighty-four percent of the questionnaires were returned. The results show that the physicians were well informed about the indications for vaccination. A minority of the physicians had doubts about the efficacy of the vaccine. Both specialists and general practitioners agreed that vaccination should be performed by the general practitioner. Instruction of the patients and application of the vaccine were generally rather well organized. It is to be expected, however, that improvement of the organization will enhance the rate of vaccination against influenza in the Netherlands.


Amniotic fluid embolism. Three case reports with a review of the literature.
Amniotic fluid embolism is a catastrophic event of the intra- and early postpartum period which may also be seen with cesarean delivery and during abortions. Presenting symptomatology includes respiratory distress with cyanosis, shock, and possibly tonic-clonic seizures. DIC frequently occurs. The pathogenesis may include entry of amniotic fluid through lacerations or ruptures of the uterus or cervix, through endocervical veins and through abnormal uteroplacental sites, such as with placental abruption, placenta previa, or placenta accreta. Amniotic fluid probably causes cardiovascular-respiratory symptoms by pulmonary vascular obstruction and through a vasoactive substance causing pulmonary vascular constriction. The lethality of amniotic fluid may be enhanced by a high particulate content or meconium staining. The diagnosis of amniotic fluid embolism may be made ante mortem by demonstrating amniotic fluid debris in central blood samples or expectorated sputum. Postmortem diagnosis often requires meticulous examination of the pulmonary microvasculature with the utilization of special stains. Treatment is directed towards symptoms of shock, arterial hypoxemia, and DIC. Acute renal failure may complicate the picture after shock. If the patient survives the embolic and coagulative problems, recovery is usually complete without long-term sequelae.


Human Adenovirus Surveillance - United States, 2003-2016.
Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are nonenveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses in the family Adenoviridae; seven species (A-G) and >60 genotypes are known to cause human infection (1). Clinical manifestations associated with HAdV infection include fever, acute respiratory illness, gastroenteritis, and conjunctivitis. HAdV infection can be severe, particularly among immunocompromised patients, and can cause respiratory failure, disseminated infection, hemorrhagic cystitis, neurologic disease, and death (1,2). Illness tends to occur sporadically and without demonstrated seasonality. Outbreaks of HAdV have been reported globally in communities (3), and in closed or crowded settings, including dormitories, health care settings, and among military recruits, for whom a vaccine against HAdV type 4 (HAdV-4) and HAdV type 7 (HAdV-7) has been developed (4,5). CDC summarized HAdV detections voluntarily reported through the National Adenovirus Type Reporting System (NATRS) after initiation of surveillance in 2014 to describe trends in reported HAdVs circulating in the United States. Reporting laboratories were also encouraged to report available results for specimens collected before surveillance began. Overall, the number of reporting laboratories and HAdV type identifications reported to NATRS has increased substantially from the start of official reporting in 2014 through 2016; this report describes specimens collected during 2003-2016. The most commonly reported HAdV types were HAdV type 3 (HAdV-3) and HAdV type 2 (HAdV-2), although HAdV types reported fluctuated considerably from year to year. In the United States, information on recently circulating HAdV types is needed to inform diagnostic and surveillance activities by clinicians and public health practitioners. Routine reporting to NATRS by all U.S. laboratories with the capacity to type HAdVs could help strengthen this surveillance system.


[Evaluation of the satisfaction level of cancer patients with the assistance recieved during ambulatory antineoplastic chemoteraphy].
This descriptive study, grounded upon Donabedian's outcomes approach, had as purpose to evaluate the satisfaction level of cancer patients with the assistance received at the Adult Chemotheraoy Ambulatory of Hospital São Paulo. The sample was constituted of 105 patients who accepted to participate in the study The patients' evaluation was positive both with nursing care (54% very good and 46% good) and with the overall care received in that service (50% very satisfied and 46% satisfied). The level of satisfaction manifested by the clients was related mainly to the organization accessibility, the welcoming environment and the assistance process, in its professional/client interaction and the technical performance dimensions. However, they also pointed out the need for measures aimed at preventing drugs shortage and the lack of vacancies for new patients.


[The psychological characteristics of patients with drug addictions].
The paper presents results of the examination of 70 patients with different forms of drug addiction (opium, heroin, pervitin addictions, including patients with polynarcomania). Psychologic tests were used to evaluate personal traits of the patients (MMPI variation), peculiarities of the emotional sphere (test of Lusher) and the intellectual level (Progressive Matrices of Raven). It was revealed that chronic drug dependence resulted in considerable disorders of personality--psychopathization and schizoidization. Intellectual abilities of the patients were on the low normal level.


[The effect of malnutrition during the early period of postnatal ontogenesis on the amylolytic and invertase activity of the small intestinal mucous membrane of growing rats].
Acute experiments demonstrated that undernourishment caused during the first half of the lactation period of development (8 days of life) by keeping 16 young ones per each lactating female-rat or by 16-hour long weaning of rattlings from their mothers results in a drastic reduction of both specific amylolytic and invertase activity in different sections of the small intestine and in that of the latter's weight. This phenomenon becomes apparent not only at the time of undernourishment, but also during a fairly long period following putting the animals on an ordinary dietary regimen.


An unusual presentation of leishmaniasis in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive individual.
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by vector-borne protozoa of the genus Leishmania. Cutaneous and mucocutaneous forms result in disfiguration or mutilation, whilst visceral leishmaniasis (VL) affects multiple organs and is fatal if untreated. Notably, Leishmania are capable of establishing a chronic infection, which may reactivate years after initial infection when the host becomes immune-suppressed. A 24-year-old human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive male presented for excision of anal condylomas. At the time of his current condyloma excision, the patient had no additional symptoms or cutaneous findings, but was noted to have been only intermittently compliant with his antiretroviral therapy. Microscopic examination of the haematoxylin and eosin-stained anal condyloma tissue revealed koilocytic change, ulceration and brisk histiocytic inflammation containing numerous small intracellular bodies suggestive of Leishmania amastigotes. A bone marrow biopsy was performed and demonstrated similar intracellular forms. Anal condyloma tissue and bone marrow aspirate were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Parasitic Diseases Branch for confirmation of Leishmania and speciation. Specific immunohistochemical staining for Leishmania in the tissue section was positive and the species was confirmed as Leishmania donovani by PCR. Subsequently, the patient resumed highly active antiretroviral therapy and received anti-Leishmania therapy. Whilst the presentation of VL in HIV-positive patients is often similar to those without HIV, here we describe an unusual initial presentation of leishmaniasis in an HIV-positive patient where the parasite was found in an anal condyloma. VL is a critical diagnosis that should be considered and pursued when leishmaniasis is encountered in seemingly illogical clinical settings.


Comparison Effect of Midazolam Alone and Midazolam Combined with Ketamine in Bone Marrow Aspiration Pain in Children.
This study aimed to compare sedative and analgesic effects of oral Midazolam and Ketamine on Bone Marrow aspiration (BMA) and Lumbar Puncture (LP). This study was a randomized clinical trial and was performed in Amirkola Hospital in north of Iran, Babol during 2011 and 2012 .The study population consisted of 40 patients who underwent the first time of diagnostic BMA for any reason, patients were divided randomly in two groups: Oral Midazolam and combined Oral Midazolam and Ketamine. Each group consisted of patients with age of 3-7 years and over 7 years .Two methods of pain status and soothing were evaluated through CAMFORT scale checklist based on MAGNUSON National Institutes of Health Medical Center. Statistical analyses were done by Spss v.19. In our study, 17(42.5%) and 23(57.5%) were female and male, respectively. 28(70%) patients were aged between 3 and 7 years and 13(30%) older than 7 years. The obtained findings revealed that the difference between Midazolam sedation and combination of Midazolam and Ketamine sedation was significant (P= 0.00). The sedation in older patients was more than young patients in combination of Midazolam and Ketamine group. (P= 0.22). These findings showed that Ketamine and Midazolam combination had more efficacy than Midazolam alone for decreasing pain and sedation.


Prostate-specific antigen testing across the spectrum of prostate cancer.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by the prostate, and this protein may be elevated for several reasons, including prostatitis, benign prostatic hypertrophy and/or cancer. PSA is not cancer-specific, cannot be used as a cancer marker and it has been demonstrated that there is no level of PSA that is definitive for prostate cancer. The value of the PSA test varies when used for screening, diagnosis, prognosis or as a signal of disease recurrence. Misuse of the test for screening has created unnecessary anxiety and costs, and has led to the significant overdiagnosis and overtreatment of men. More important than whether or not to screen is how one acts upon the data from a single test; with the exception of extremely high double- or triple-digit levels of PSA, it is prudent only to use a single PSA determination as a baseline, with biopsy and cancer treatment reserved for those with significant PSA changes over time, or for those with clinical manifestations mandating immediate therapy. Using the PSA test to monitor disease progression or recurrence is appropriate, provided one understands that absolute levels of PSA are rarely meaningful; it is the relative change in PSA levels over time that provides insight, but not definitive proof of a cancerous condition necessitating therapy. PSA secretion is under hormonal control and thus PSA levels may be affected differently by the type of drug therapy, by the stage of a patients' disease, and by genetic factors suggesting some men are 'high PSA producers'. Until a validated alternative test for prostate cancer is found and adopted, the current flawed PSA test needs to be used more judiciously and not used for routine screening as studies have demonstrated that screening, as defined, does not lead to a reduction in patient mortality. All men, their families and their physicians need to understand the significant limitations of PSA testing.


Intrinsic Raman spectroscopy for quantitative biological spectroscopy part I: theory and simulations.
We present a novel technique, intrinsic Raman spectroscopy (IRS), to correct turbidity-induced Raman spectral distortions, resulting in the intrinsic Raman spectrum that would be observed in the absence of scattering and absorption. We develop an expression relating the observed and intrinsic Raman spectra through diffuse reflectance using the photon migration depiction of light transport. Numerical simulations are employed to validate the theoretical results and study the dependence of this expression on sample size and elastic scattering anisotropy.


Using Wood's Light as a Diagnostic Tool for Vaginal Atrophy.
Wood's light lamp is a device that emits ultraviolet (UV) light and is a useful diagnostic tool for dermatologic disorders. The change in the thickness of vaginal mucosa, in vaginal atrophy, causes a change in its colour under Wood's light. We wanted to assess the feasibility of Wood's light (WL) as a diagnostic tool for vaginal atrophy. The study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology from 1 March 2013 to 1 September 2014. We evaluated 45 healthy postmenopausal women with atrophic vaginitis (study group) and 45 healthy, reproductive-aged women as a control group. All patients underwent WL and routine gynaecological examinations for this study. Ninety patients were selected for this study: 45 postmenopausal women suffering atrophic vaginitis symptoms like vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, vulvar pruritus, and signs like pale, smooth, dry, fragile vaginal epithelium, areas of petechiae, and rash, and 45 healthy reproductive-aged women without vaginal atrophy. Thirty-six of the postmenopausal women's vaginal mucosa appeared pale royal green under WL indicative of vaginal atrophy. Thirty-nine of reproductive-aged women's (n: 45) vaginal mucosa were not visualized as pale royal green fluorescent images under the WL. Using Wood's light to diagnose vaginal atrophy is a new use for the old device and may be a reliable, and cheap tool for diagnosing vaginal atrophy. Diagnostic accuracy and cost-effectiveness of Wood's light will be better optimized in further trials.


A restoration suitability index model for the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) in the Mission-Aransas Estuary, TX, USA.
Oyster reefs are one of the most threatened marine habitats on earth, with habitat loss resulting from water quality degradation, coastal development, destructive fishing practices, overfishing, and storm impacts. For successful and sustainable oyster reef restoration efforts, it is necessary to choose sites that support long-term growth and survival of oysters. Selection of suitable sites is critically important as it can greatly influence mortality factors and may largely determine the ultimate success of the restoration project. The application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provides an effective methodology for identifying suitable sites for oyster reef restoration and removes much of the uncertainty involved in the sometimes trial and error selection process. This approach also provides an objective and quantitative tool for planning future oyster reef restoration efforts. The aim of this study was to develop a restoration suitability index model and reef quality index model to characterize locations based on their potential for successful reef restoration within the Mission-Aransas Estuary, Texas, USA. The restoration suitability index model focuses on salinity, temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and depth, while the reef quality index model focuses on abundance of live oysters, dead shell, and spat. Size-specific Perkinsus marinus infection levels were mapped to illustrate general disease trends. This application was effective in identifying suitable sites for oyster reef restoration, is flexible in its use, and provides a mechanism for considering alternative approaches. The end product is a practical decision-support tool that can be used by coastal resource managers to improve oyster restoration efforts. As oyster reef restoration activities continue at small and large-scales, site selection criteria are critical for assisting stakeholders and managers and for maximizing long-term sustainability of oyster resources.


TCF7L2 splice variants have distinct effects on beta-cell turnover and function.
Type 2 diabetes manifests when the β-cell fails to secrete sufficient amounts of insulin to maintain normoglycemia and undergoes apoptosis. The disease progression results from an interplay of environmental factors and genetic predisposition. Polymorphisms in T-cell factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) strongly correlate with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). While TCF7L2 mRNA is upregulated in islets in diabetes, protein levels are downregulated. The loss of TCF7L2 induces impaired function and apoptosis. By analyzing human isolated islets, we provide three explanations for this opposite regulation and the mechanisms of TCF7L2 on β-cell function and survival. (i) We found TCF7L2 transcripts in the human β-cell, which had opposite effects on β-cell survival, function and Wnt signaling activation. While TCF7L2 clone B1, which lacks exons 13, 14, 15 and 16 induced β-cell apoptosis, impaired function and inhibited glucagon-like peptide 1 response and downstream targets of Wnt signaling, clones B3 and B7 which both contain exon 13, improved β-cell survival and function and activated Wnt signaling. (ii) TCF7L2 mRNA is extremely unstable and is rapidly degraded under pro-diabetic conditions and (iii) TCF7L2 depletion in islets induced activation of glycogen synthase kinase 3-β, but this was independent of endoplasmic reticulum stress. We demonstrated function-specific transcripts of TCF7L2, which possessed distinct physiological and pathophysiological effects on the β-cell. The presence of deleterious TCF7L2 splice variants may be a mechanism of β-cell failure in T2DM.


Enhanced proliferation and differentiation of Oct4- and Sox2-overexpressing human adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are attractive candidates for clinical repair or regeneration of damaged tissues. Oct4 and Sox2, which are essential transcription factors for pluripotency and self-renewal, are naturally expressed in MSCs at low levels in early passages, and their levels gradually decrease as the passage number increases. Therefore, to improve MSC proliferation and stemness, we introduced human Oct4 and Sox2 for conferring higher expansion and differentiation capabilities. The Oct4-IRES-Sox2 vector was transfected into human adipose tissue MSCs (ATMSCs) by liposomal transfection and used directly. Oct4 and Sox2 were successfully transfected into ATMSCs, and we confirmed maintenance of MSC surface markers without alterations in both red fluorescent protein (RFP) (control) and Oct4/Sox2-ATMSCs. Enhanced proliferative activity of Oct4/Sox2-ATMSCs was shown by WST-1 assay, and this result was further confirmed by cell counting using trypan blue exclusion for a long period. In addition, FACs cell cycle analysis showed that there was a reduction in the fraction of Oct4/Sox2-ATMSCs in G1 with a concomitant increase in the fraction of cells in S, compared with RFP-ATMSCs. Increased levels of cyclin D1 were also seen in Oct4/Sox2-ATMSCs, indicating acceleration in the transition of cells from G1 to S phase. Furthermore, Oct4/Sox2-overexpressing ATMSCs showed higher differentiation abilities for adipocytes or osteoblasts than controls. The markers of adipogenic or osteogenic differentiation were also upregulated by Oct4/Sox2 overexpression. The improvement in cell proliferation and differentiation using Oct4/Sox2 expression in ATMSCs may be a useful method for expanding the population and increasing the stemness of ATMSCs.


Leaking in history space: A way to analyze systems subjected to arbitrary driving.
Our aim is to unfold phase space structures underlying systems with a drift in their parameters. Such systems are non-autonomous and belong to the class of non-periodically driven systems where the traditional theory of chaos (based e.g., on periodic orbits) does not hold. We demonstrate that even such systems possess an underlying topological horseshoe-like structure at least for a finite period of time. This result is based on a specifically developed method which allows to compute the corresponding time-dependent stable and unstable foliations. These structures can be made visible by prescribing a certain type of history for an ensemble of trajectories in phase space and by analyzing the trajectories fulfilling this constraint. The process can be considered as a leaking in history space-a generalization of traditional leaking, a method that has become widespread in traditional chaotic systems, to leaks depending on time.


The control of tricarboxylate-cycle oxidations in blowfly flight muscle. The steady-state concentrations of citrate, isocitrate 2-oxoglutarate and malate in flight muscle and isolated mitochondria.
1. Blowfly (Phormia regina) flight-muscle mitochondria were allowed to oxidize pyruvate under a variety of experimental conditions, and determinations of the citrate, isocitrate, 2-oxoglutarate and malate contents of both the mitochondria and the incubation medium were made. For each intermediate a substantial portion of the total was present within the mitochondria. 2. Activation of respiration by either ADP or uncoupling agent resulted in a decreased content of citrate and isocitrate and an increased content of 2-oxoglutarate and malate when the substrate was pyruvate, APT and HCO3 minus. Such a decrease in citrate content was obscured when the substrate was pyruvate and proline owing to a large rise in the total content of tricarboxylate-cycle intermediates in the presence of proline and ADP. 3. An experiment involving oligomycin and uncoupling agent demonstrated that the ATP/ADP ratio is the main determinant of flux through the tricarboxylate cycle, with the redox state of nicotinamide nucleotide being of lesser importance. 4. Addition of ADP and Ca-2+ to activate the oxidation of both glycerol 3-phosphate and pyruvate, simulating conditions on initiation of flight, gave a decrease in citrate and isocitrate and an increase in 2-oxoglutarate and malate content. 5. There was a good correlation between these results with isolated flight-muscle mitochondria and the changes found in fly thoraces after 30s and 2 mihorax. 6. It is concluded that NAD-isocitrate dehydrogenase (EC 22.214.171.124) controls the rate of pyruvate oxidation in both resting fly flight muscle in vivo and isolated mitochondria in state 4 (nomenclature of Change & Williams, 1955).


A comparison of impulsivity and sensation seeking in pathological gamblers and skydivers.
The aim of this study was to compare pathological gamblers and skydivers in relation to measures of impulsivity and sensation seeking. The Eysenck Impulsivity Scale - Narrow Impulsiveness Subscale and the Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking were administered to pathological gamblers (n = 29), skydivers (n = 93), and a control group (n = 43). A two-way multivariate analysis of variance was conducted to explore differences in impulsivity and sensation seeking between the groups and possible group by gender and group by age interaction effects. The significant effects were further investigated using follow-up univariate analysis of variance. The results showed significant main effects of Group, Gender and Age, and a significant Group by Gender interaction effect. The results showed no statistically significant differences in impulsivity between pathological gamblers and skydivers; however, both groups scored higher than the controls. The skydivers scored higher compared to the pathological gamblers and controls on both sensation seeking subscales. Pathological gamblers scored higher than the controls on the subscale Need for Stimulus Intensity, although lower than the controls on the subscale Need for Novelty. We conclude that skydivers and pathological gamblers do not seem to differ in terms of impulsivity, but that the two groups differ in terms of sensation seeking. Skydivers are hence characterized by more sensation seeking compared to pathological gamblers. Skydiving, as opposed to pathological gambling, is not considered a psychiatric disorder, and skydiving may represent a more non-pathological way to fulfill the need for stimulus intensity.


Reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in an Indian population.
The aim was to study the efficacy of combined therapy with reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy (RFPDT) and intravitreal bevacizumab/ranibizumab from the Indian subcontinent. This was a single-center, retrospective interventional study. Thirty-five eyes of 34 patients diagnosed with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy were included. All the patients underwent RFPDT, followed by intravitreal bevacizumab/ranibizumab. SPSS software, version 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used to compare the logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution visual acuity at presentation and final follow-up. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Regression of polyps after a single session of RFPDT was seen in five eyes; multiple sessions of treatment were required in thirty eyes. An average number of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections given were 4 ± 1.9 and average number of PDT sessions were 1.2 ± 0.5. Visual acuity improvement was seen in 21 (60%) eyes (P < 0.001), decrease in visual acuity was seen in 7 (20%) eyes (P = 0.016), and in 7 eyes (20%), vision remained stable. Regression of polypoidal lesions was seen in 80% of cases. No complications of massive subretinal hemorrhage or breakthrough vitreous hemorrhage were noted in our patients. The mean follow-up period was 18 months (range, 12-24 months). RFPDT with anti-VEGF is safe and effective treatment with polyp regression and vision improvement in 80% of cases, without any complication of subretinal hemorrhage/vitreous hemorrhage.


A commonly carried allele of the obesity-related FTO gene is associated with reduced brain volume in the healthy elderly.
A recently identified variant within the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene is carried by 46% of Western Europeans and is associated with an approximately 1.2 kg higher weight, on average, in adults and an approximately 1 cm greater waist circumference. With >1 billion overweight and 300 million obese persons worldwide, it is crucial to understand the implications of carrying this very common allele for the health of our aging population. FTO is highly expressed in the brain and elevated body mass index (BMI) is associated with brain atrophy, but it is unknown how the obesity-associated risk allele affects human brain structure. We therefore generated 3D maps of regional brain volume differences in 206 healthy elderly subjects scanned with MRI and genotyped as part of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. We found a pattern of systematic brain volume deficits in carriers of the obesity-associated risk allele versus noncarriers. Relative to structure volumes in the mean template, FTO risk allele carriers versus noncarriers had an average brain volume difference of approximately 8% in the frontal lobes and 12% in the occipital lobes-these regions also showed significant volume deficits in subjects with higher BMI. These brain differences were not attributable to differences in cholesterol levels, hypertension, or the volume of white matter hyperintensities; which were not detectably higher in FTO risk allele carriers versus noncarriers. These brain maps reveal that a commonly carried susceptibility allele for obesity is associated with structural brain atrophy, with implications for the health of the elderly.