Assessing Crisis Chat Visitors' Capacity to Regulate Thoughts Related to Suicide.
Background: Regulation of suicidal thoughts may be defined as a person's beliefs about their capacity to control affective and cognitive processes related to suicide. The inability to regulate suicidal thoughts is related to persistent suicidal thoughts, intentions, attempts, and suicide. Aims: The purpose of this study was to validate a scale that counselors could use to assess chat visitors' capacity to regulate suicidal thoughts. Method: The validity and reliability of the Regulation of Suicidal Thoughts Scale (RSTS) was evaluated using two different samples (n = 1,162, n = 241). Results: All items correlated with the theoretical construct regulation of suicidal thoughts, and the structural model showed the RSTS predicted perceived certainty to attempt suicide. Construct and criterion validity were inferred from a decrease in visitors' ability to control their thoughts of suicide from pre-chat to post-chat (Cohen's d = 91). Greater regulation in thoughts was also related to less certainty to attempt suicide. Limitations: Additional evidence is needed to validate the RSTS, especially among diverse populations. Conclusion: Counselors could use RSTS pre-chat scores to match counseling skills with specific affective and cognitive processes related to visitors' suicidal thoughts.


A case of fungal conjunctivitis with giant papillae treated surgically.
Fungal conjunctivitis is a rare disorder, with low incidence and difficulty in diagnosis due to a lack of specific clinical findings. We report a case of fungal conjunctivitis which exhibited a specific clinical feature of giant papilla formation, and its diagnosis was a complex process. A 19-year-old woman with a history of atopic dermatitis and hard contact lens use was referred to us with a 3-month history of giant papillary conjunctivitis of the right eye in spite of treatment with antiallergic and corticosteroid eye drops, complicated by intraocular pressure elevation. The left eye showed no symptom of ocular surface disorder throughout the clinical course. The right eye did not respond to oral corticosteroid. Polymerase chain reaction of conjunctival scrapings against Chlamydia trachomatis was negative, and she was treated surgically by total papilla resection. Conjunctival giant papilla recurrence was not observed after surgery. Although the primary histopathological diagnosis was chronic inflammation due to atopic keratoconjunctivitis, repeated histopathological survey of excised conjunctival tissue including immunohistochemical staining revealed histiocytes, yeast type spores and hyphae, and phagocytosed spores and hyphae in macrophages. The causative organism was identified morphologically as a Candida species. Later, histopathological examination of a cervical swab revealed the presence of Candida sp. This rare case indicates that a fungal organism may underlie refractory conjunctivitis with specific giant papillary hypertrophy mimicking vernal keratoconjunctivitis.


Malaria Chemoprevention in the Postdischarge Management of Severe Anemia.
Children who have been hospitalized with severe anemia in areas of Africa in which malaria is endemic have a high risk of readmission and death within 6 months after discharge. No prevention strategy specifically addresses this period. We conducted a multicenter, two-group, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in nine hospitals in Kenya and Uganda to determine whether 3 months of malaria chemoprevention could reduce morbidity and mortality after hospital discharge in children younger than 5 years of age who had been admitted with severe anemia. All children received standard in-hospital care for severe anemia and a 3-day course of artemether-lumefantrine at discharge. Two weeks after discharge, children were randomly assigned to receive dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (chemoprevention group) or placebo, administered as 3-day courses at 2, 6, and 10 weeks after discharge. Children were followed for 26 weeks after discharge. The primary outcome was one or more hospital readmissions for any reason or death from the time of randomization to 6 months after discharge. Conditional risk-set modeling for recurrent events was used to calculate hazard ratios with the use of the Prentice-Williams-Peterson total-time approach. From May 2016 through May 2018, a total of 1049 children underwent randomization; 524 were assigned to the chemoprevention group and 525 to the placebo group. From week 3 through week 26, a total of 184 events of readmission or death occurred in the chemoprevention group and 316 occurred in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54 to 0.78; P<0.001). The lower incidence of readmission or death in the chemoprevention group than in the placebo group was restricted to the intervention period (week 3 through week 14) (hazard ratio, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.42) and was not sustained after that time (week 15 through week 26) (hazard ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.87 to 1.47). No serious adverse events were attributed to dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine. In areas with intense malaria transmission, 3 months of postdischarge malaria chemoprevention with monthly dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine in children who had recently received treatment for severe anemia prevented more deaths or readmissions for any reason after discharge than placebo. (Funded by the Research Council of Norway and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02671175.).


[Nursing care at the Jardim Lidia mental health day hospital].
The author describes her experience in this no insane asylum characteristics institution. She points the possibility of intensive treatment for patients who can stay home part-time. She elaborates individual activities and group therapy in order to reinstate this patient to the society providing them a better life quality.


Surface adsorption and hopping cause probe-size-dependent microrheology of actin networks.
A network of filaments formed primarily by the abundant cytoskeletal protein actin gives animal cells their shape and elasticity. The rheological properties of reconstituted actin networks have been studied by tracking micron-sized probe beads embedded within the networks. We investigate how microrheology depends on surface properties of probe particles by varying the stickiness of their surface. For this purpose, we chose carboxylate polystyrene (PS) beads, silica beads, bovine serum albumin (BSA) -coated PS beads, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) -grafted PS beads, which show descending stickiness to actin filaments, characterized by confocal imaging and microrheology. Probe size dependence of microrheology is observed for all four types of beads. For the slippery PEG beads, particle-tracking microrheology detects weaker networks using smaller beads, which tend to diffuse through the network by hopping from one confinement "cage" to another. This trend is reversed for the other three types of beads, for which microrheology measures stiffer networks for smaller beads due to physisorption of nearby filaments to the bead surface. We explain the probe size dependence with two simple models. We also evaluate depletion effect near nonadsorption bead surface using quantitative image analysis and discuss the possible impact of depletion on microrheology. Analysis of these effects is necessary in order to accurately define the actin network rheology both in vitro and in vivo.


Colonization by B. infantis EVC001 modulates enteric inflammation in exclusively breastfed infants.
Infant gut dysbiosis, often associated with low abundance of bifidobacteria, is linked to impaired immune development and inflammation-a risk factor for increased incidence of several childhood diseases. We investigated the impact of B. infantis EVC001 colonization on enteric inflammation in a subset of exclusively breastfed term infants from a larger clinical study. Stool samples (n = 120) were collected from infants randomly selected to receive either 1.8 × 1010 CFU B. infantis EVC001 daily for 21 days (EVC001) or breast milk alone (controls), starting at day 7 postnatal. The fecal microbiome was analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA, proinflammatory cytokines using multiplexed immunoassay, and fecal calprotectin using ELISA at three time points: days 6 (Baseline), 40, and 60 postnatal. Fecal calprotectin concentration negatively correlated with Bifidobacterium abundance (P < 0.0001; ρ = -0.72), and proinflammatory cytokines correlated with Clostridiaceae and Enterobacteriaceae, yet negatively correlated with Bifidobacteriaceae abundance. Proinflammatory cytokines were significantly lower in EVC001-fed infants on days 40 and 60 postnatally compared to baseline and compared to control infants. Our findings indicate that gut dysbiosis (absence of B. infantis) is associated with increased intestinal inflammation. Early addition of EVC001 to diet represents a novel strategy to prevent enteric inflammation during a critical developmental phase.


MOBILE SCREENING TO IDENTIFY AND FOLLOW-UP WITH HIGH RISK, HIV NEGATIVE YOUTH.
HIV prevalence remains disproportionately high among youth, especially among young men who have sex with men, young people with substance use disorders, and recently incarcerated youth. However, youth may not report behavioral risks because they fear stigma or legal consequences. While routine HIV screening programs have increased testing, current programs are not designed to identify, or provide prevention services to, high-risk patients who test HIV negative. To examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of: a tablet-based screening designed to facilitate HIV risk reporting and testing among a sample of young urban emergency department (ED) patients; and a text message-based follow up protocol for patients who test HIV-negative and report increased behavioral risk. 100 ED patients aged 18 - 24, who declined HIV tests offered at triage, completed a tablet-based intervention that included a risk screening, an educational video, and offered participants HIV tests. If patients accepted testing and reported increased risk, the tablets offered follow-up text messages. 30 participants accepted HIV tests following the intervention and 21 participants, identified by custom software as high-risk, agreed to receive text messages. Two thirds (66.7%) of text recipients responded to questions at week 6, more than half (57.1%) responded at week 8, one (4.76%) re-tested after week 12. Results indicate our intervention provides a feasible way to facilitate risk reporting, increase HIV testing, and maintain ongoing contact with hard-to-reach youth via tablet computers and text messages.


Delayed neonatal lung macrophage differentiation in a mouse model of in utero ethanol exposure.
We have previously demonstrated that fetal ethanol exposure deranges the function and viability of the neonatal alveolar macrophage. Although altered differentiation of the alveolar macrophage contributes to pulmonary disease states within the adult lung, the effects of fetal ethanol exposure on the normal differentiation of interstitial to alveolar macrophage in the newborn lung are unknown. In the current study, using a mouse model of fetal ethanol exposure, we hypothesized that altered terminal differentiation of the neonatal interstitial to alveolar macrophage contributes to the observed cellular dysfunction in the ethanol-exposed newborn mouse. Control alveolar macrophage differentiation was characterized by increased expression of CD32/CD11b (P < or = 0.05) and increased in vitro phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus (P < or = 0.05) compared with interstitial macrophage. After in utero ethanol exposure, both alveolar and interstitial macrophage lacked the acquisition of CD32/CD11b (P < or = 0.05) and displayed impaired in vitro phagocytosis (P < or = 0.05). Ethanol significantly increased transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (P < or = 0.05), as well as in both interstitial and alveolar macrophages (P < or = 0.05). Oxidant stress contributed to the ethanol-induced changes on the interstitial and alveolar cells, since maternal supplementation with the glutathione precursor S-adenosylmethionine during ethanol ingestion normalized CD32/CD11b (P < or = 0.05), phagocytosis (P < or = 0.05), and TGF-beta(1) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and macrophages (P < or = 0.05). Contrary to our hypothesis, fetal ethanol exposure did not solely impair interstitial to alveolar macrophage differentiation. Rather, fetal ethanol exposure impaired both neonatal interstitial and alveolar macrophage phagocytic function and differentiation. Increased oxidant stress and elevated TGF-beta(1) contributed to the impaired differentiation of both interstitial and alveolar macrophage.


[Presuppositions and orientations in sex education literature. Brief report of an observation].
This article publishes the result of a gallup done with 40 books and publications dealing with sexual education and representing styles and tendencies as diversified as possible. The aim consisted insearching the multisciplinary structure (physiology, psychology, sociology, ethics...) on which the authors rely explicitely for proposing pedagogic orientations. It appears from analyses that the educational aim is most often limited to an information giving the greatest importance to anatomophysiological factors of reproductive functions. A larger concept of sexuality including dimensions of body eroticism, on the one hand, and psychological, social and relational ethical factors, on the other hand, is rejected by some authors proning pedagogic "neutrality". These dimensions are used in an "engaged pedagogy" by other authors, but differently according to their view of "sexual liberalisation" or humanistic or christian sexual ethics. Critical considerations are added to the description of these various tendencies.


Temporal dynamics of online petitions.
Online petitions are an important avenue for direct political action, yet the dynamics that determine when a petition will be successful are not well understood. Here we analyze the temporal characteristics of online-petition signing behavior in order to identify systematic differences between popular petitions, which receive a high volume of signatures, and unpopular ones. We find that, in line with other temporal characterizations of human activity, the signing process is typically non-Poissonian and non-homogeneous in time. However, this process exhibits anomalously high memory for human activity, possibly indicating that synchronized external influence or contagion play and important role. More interestingly, we find clear differences in the characteristics of the inter-event time distributions depending on the total number of signatures that petitions receive, independently of the total duration of the petitions. Specifically, popular petitions that attract a large volume of signatures exhibit more variance in the distribution of inter-event times than unpopular petitions with only a few signatures, which could be considered an indication that the former are more bursty. However, petitions with large signature volume are less bursty according to measures that consider the time ordering of inter-event times. Our results, therefore, emphasize the importance of accounting for time ordering to characterize human activity.


Occupational Risks in Hospitals, Quality of Life, and Quality of Work Life: A Systematic Review.
This study systematically reviewed the relationship between occupational risks and quality of life (QoL) and quality of work life (QWL) in hospitals. A systematic review was performed according to the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guide, and the protocol was submitted on the PROSPERO website (CRD 2019127865). The last search was performed in June 2021 by two independent reviewers in the main databases, a gray literature database, and a manual search (LILACS, MEDLINE/PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, Embase, Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations, Ovid). As eligibility criteria, we included observational studies, with adult hospital workers, with no restrictions on date and language, any type of instrument to assess QoL and QWL, any definition of QoL and QWL, and studies that presented the relationship between exposure and outcome. Newcastle-Ottawa was used to assess the methodological quality and RTI-Item Bank to assess the risk of bias. Given the impossibility of performing a meta-analysis, a qualitative synthesis was used to present the results. Thus, 11 studies met the criteria and were included in the review, with 6923 individuals aged 18 to 64 years. The studies were mainly carried out with health professionals (81.81%), women (63.60%), and in Asian countries (63.63%). All studies used different instruments and ways to categorize the QoL and QWL, and occupational risks. Only one study assessed occupational noise and another the ergonomic risk. All of them presented a relationship between occupational risk and quality of work life. They pointed to the need for measures to improve the lives of these professionals in the work environment. Therefore, studies show a relationship between occupational risks (noise, ergonomics, and stress) and workers' perception of low or moderate quality of work life. However, more homogeneous studies are necessary for instruments, conceptualization, and categorization of quality of work life.


Host plant flowering increases both adult oviposition preference and larval performance of a generalist herbivore.
Most adult Lepidoptera feed on nectar, whereas caterpillars consume mainly structural tissue such as leaves, stems, flowers, and/or fruits. This may result in behavioral trade-offs in which search time for high-quality oviposition sites suitable for larval food is restricted by adult foraging needs. Here we report on the preference for and performance on flowering and nonflowering host plants of the generalist herbivore Helicoverpa armigera to explore whether there are such behavioral trade-offs between moth and their caterpillars offpsring. We found that the adult moths have a strong oviposition preference for flowering tobacco and sunflower plants. Young caterpillars preferred to feed on the inflorescences. Adult-realized fecundity was almost 10 times higher when ovipositing on flowering plants. Weight at pupation, which is correlated with potential future fecundity of the caterpillars, was also higher when feeding on flowers. We found no evidence for a behavioral trade-off and conclude that a general preference for flowers by Helicoverpa armigera is highly beneficial from a nutritional perspective for both adults and larvae. The results suggest that the manipulation of flowering plants for the attraction of oviposition is relevant to pest control of this polyphagous species.


Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Pancreatic Cancer: An Integrative Model of Palliative Care-A Case Report.
Background: This case study examines the feasibility of application of an acceptance-based behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), to a patient with end-stage metastatic pancreatic cancer, depression, and anxiety, as a form of integrative palliative care. Case Presentation: ACT allowed the patient to identify her values of resuming her religious connection, improving relationships with family members and trusted friends, and organizing her affairs before death. As a result, the patient was able to remain engaged in cancer treatments despite side effects that she had previously deemed intolerable. She was able to move toward her values despite health-related and depression-related obstacles. Furthermore, she successfully reconnected with her religious faith, and with her parents, spent time with her family, and deepened relationships with close friends before her death. Her quality of life was much improved by a combination of ACT and cancer treatments, suggesting that ACT may be a feasible mental health adjunct for palliative care in end-stage pancreatic cancer. Conclusion: ACT was well received by this patient with metastatic pancreatic cancer, improving ability to cope with anxiety, depression, and treatment side effects, thereby accepting and managing her cancer more effectively.


[Construction and expression of a fusion protein containing extracellular domain of human Jagged1 and Fc fragment of human IgG1 in Pichia Pastoris].
In order to construct a pichia pastoris expression vector containing the extracellular domain of human Jagged1 and the Fc fragment of human IgG1 fusion gene, or containing only the Fc fragment of human IgG1 and to express them in pichia pastoris. The extracellular domain of human Jagged1 gene was cloned from normal human bone marrow cells. After DNA sequencing, the extracellular domain of Jagged1 gene was inserted into pIC-Fc vector constructed previously, which is Pichia pastoris expression vector containing only the Fc fragment of human IgG1. The constructed plasmid was transformed into yeast GS115 by means of electroporation. The recombinant transformants with a high copy number of the plasmid were selected on MD plate with G418. The expression of protein was induced by addition of methanol. Then, protein expression was analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The results indicated that the extracellular domain of human Jagged1 gene was effectively amplified. The DNA sequencing result showed that the constructed plasmid containing hJagged1(ext)-Fc fusion gene was the same as designed. The fusion protein was successfully expressed in Pichia pastoris. It is concluded that the hJagged1(ext) gene has been successfully cloned and expressed, which provides a new fusion protein for further experiments, the hJagged1(ext)-Fc fusion protein can be used as a new stimulator for proliferation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in vitro.


Off-clamp robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for complex renal tumors.
Considering the potential impact of warm ischemia time (WIT) on renal functional outcomes after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN), many techniques that reduce or eliminate WIT have been studied. We present our institutional experience and progression using one such technique-off-clamp RAPN-as well as the results of this technique in the management of complex cases. A retrospective chart review of 65 patients undergoing off-clamp RAPN was performed, 15 of whom underwent off-clamp RAPN for 26 complex tumors. Complex features included hilar location, completely endophytic growth, and ipsilateral multifocality. In all cases, hilar vessels were dissected but not clamped. Mean tumor size was 2.5 cm (standard deviation; [SD]=1.4), while mean nephrometry score was 8.7 (SD=1.5). One (7%) intraoperative complication occurred. Mean estimated blood loss was 403 mL (SD=381), mean operative time was 190 minutes (SD=68), and WIT was 0 minutes in all cases. Mean length of stay was 1.8 days (SD=0.9), with one patient needing a postoperative blood transfusion (Clavien II complication). Final pathology results demonstrated clear-cell carcinoma (n=16), papillary carcinoma (n=4), angiomyolipoma (n=1), oncocytoma (n=2), and cystic nephroma (n=3). Margins were negative for tumor for 96% (25/26) of resected masses. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decreased by an average of 3.1 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (SD=9.8, P=0.24), at a mean follow-up of 177 days (SD=296). Five patients with radiographic follow-up of at least 6 months have no evidence of disease recurrence. Off-clamp RAPN can be safely and effectively performed even in the case of complex tumors, but occurs with higher estimated blood loss. Minimal changes in eGFR were experienced by patients undergoing off-clamp RAPN at an average follow-up of roughly 6 months. Longer follow-up and direct comparison with conventional clamped RAPN technique are needed to establish the efficacy of off-clamp RAPN in complex cases.


Bisection of shapes and lines: analysis of the visual and motor aspects of pseudoneglect.
This study examined the visual and motor components of pseudoneglect as expressed on horizontal bisection tasks. Ten participants were tested on bisection of lines and elliptical shapes and judgement of pretransected lines. Results showed the same magnitude of leftward error on all three tasks, in contrast to previous findings for patients with visuospatial neglect who are known to bisect ellipses and circles much more accurately than lines. Participants' mean line bisection error was significantly further to the left than the mean subjective midpoint found on the judgement task. The findings contradict the claim that the visual component of pseudoneglect is caused by the same mechanism that causes visuospatial neglect but support the hypothesis that the motor component of pseudoneglect is similar to directional hypometria.


Using data from respondent-driven sampling studies to estimate the number of people who inject drugs: Application to the Kohtla-Järve region of Estonia.
Estimating the size of key risk populations is essential for determining the resources needed to implement effective public health intervention programs. Several standard methods for population size estimation exist, but the statistical and practical assumptions required for their use may not be met when applied to HIV risk groups. We apply three approaches to estimate the number of people who inject drugs (PWID) in the Kohtla-Järve region of Estonia using data from a respondent-driven sampling (RDS) study: the standard "multiplier" estimate gives 654 people (95% CI 509-804), the "successive sampling" method gives estimates between 600 and 2500 people, and a network-based estimate that uses the RDS recruitment chain gives between 700 and 2800 people. We critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of these statistical approaches for estimating the size of hidden or hard-to-reach HIV risk groups.


Effect of Hypnobirthing Training on Fear, Pain, Satisfaction Related to Birth, and Birth Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
We aimed to determine the effect of Hypnobirthing training on fear of childbirth (FOC), birth pain, birth satisfaction and birth outcomes. This randomized controlled trial study was conducted with 80 nulliparous pregnant who were divided into two groups (experimental group n = 40 and control n = 40) in a maternity hospital. The couples received the training in groups(4 weeks, once a week, 3-hour, group session). The mean score of hypnobirthing group for the whole Wijma Birth Expectancy/Experience Scale was significantly lower than that of the routine care group (p < .001).In the latent, active, and transitional phases of labor, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)scores of the experimental groups were found to be significantly lower than those of the control group (p < .001).The experimental group's rates of birth intervention were significantly lower and their deliveries period were shorter, than those that of the routine control group (p < .001).In addition, the vaginal delivery rates (p = .037)and the scores for the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R) were also found to be higher than those of the control group (p < .001).


Source apportionment of wide range particle size spectra and black carbon collected at the airport of Venice (Italy).
Atmospheric particles are of high concern due to their toxic properties and effects on climate, and large airports are known as significant sources of particles. This study investigates the contribution of the Airport of Venice (Italy) to black carbon (BC), total particle number concentrations (PNC) and particle number size distributions (PNSD) over a large range (14 nm-20 μm). Continuous measurements were conducted between April and June 2014 at a site located 110 m from the main taxiway and 300 m from the runway. Results revealed no significantly elevated levels of BC and PNC, but exhibited characteristic diurnal profiles. PNSD were then analysed using both k-means cluster analysis and positive matrix factorization. Five clusters were extracted and identified as midday nucleation events, road traffic, aircraft, airport and nighttime pollution. Six factors were apportioned and identified as probable sources according to the size profiles, directional association, diurnal variation, road and airport traffic volumes and their relationships to micrometeorology and common air pollutants. Photochemical nucleation accounted for ∼44% of total number, followed by road + shipping traffic (26%). Airport-related emissions accounted for ∼20% of total PNC and showed a main mode at 80 nm and a second mode beyond the lower limit of the SMPS (<14 nm). The remaining factors accounted for less than 10% of number counts, but were relevant for total volume concentrations: nighttime nitrate, regional pollution and local resuspension. An analysis of BC levels over different wind sectors revealed no especially significant contributions from specific directions associated with the main local sources, but a potentially significant role of diurnal dynamics of the mixing layer on BC levels. The approaches adopted in this study have identified and apportioned the main sources of particles and BC at an international airport located in area affected by a complex emission scenario. The results may underpin measures for improving local and regional air quality, and health impact assessment studies.


Renal adaptation to extrauterine life in patients with respiratory distress syndrome.
A spontaneous diuresis that precedes the improvement of pulmonary function has been described in patients with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The developmental changes in renal physiology responsible for this spontaneous diuresis are not completely understood. To describe the mechanisms responsible for the spontaneous diuresis, serial renal function studies were performed during the first five days of life in nine premature neonates with RDS. Diuresis was defined as a urine output that was at least 80% of fluid intake; prediuretic, diuretic, and postdiuretic periods were observed in all study infants. Oxygenation did not improve until the postdiuretic period. Renal function studies disclosed a significant increase in free water clearance during the diuresis with the production of dilute urine and a reciprocal rise in serum sodium concentration and plasma osmolality. The glomerular filtration rate increased at the onset of diuresis and remained elevated after the diuresis ended; however, the proportion of filtrate excreted was significantly elevated during the diuresis compared with prediuretic and postdiuretic values. These data suggest that the diuresis in patients with RDS is a water diuresis secondary to an endogenous water load.


Elevated monocyte distribution width in patients with active adult-onset Still's disease: a novel activity indicator.
Monocyte distribution width (MDW) correlates with volume modifications of circulating monocytes upon activation. Given the crucial role of monocyte activation in the pathogenesis of adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), we aimed to examine the associations between MDW and disease activity or inflammatory parameters in this disease. In 58 AOSD patients and 95 other patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as disease control, MDW and complete blood count were determined using a UniCel DxH800 analyser. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured by nephelometry, and ferritin levels by chemiluminescent immunoassay. AOSD activity was assessed using a modified Pouchot score. MDW was significantly higher in active AOSD patients (median 28.3, interquartile range [IQR] 23.3-32.1) compared with inactive AOSD (19.2, IQR 18.0-20.6, p<0.001) or non-severe COVID-19 patients (23.2, IQR 21.0-25.2, p<0.01). MDW was positively correlated with AOSD activity scores, CRP, and ferritin levels (all p<0.001). Longitudinal follow-up evaluation revealed that median MDW significantly declined (28.3 versus 18.5, p<0.001) along with disease activity, paralleling a decrease in CRP and ferritin levels. Severe COVID-19 and sepsis patients had elevated MDW, which were not different from active AOSD patients. Multivariate analysis revealed MDW as a significant predictor of active AOSD, and MDW threshold at 21.7 could predict an active status with a high sensitivity of 91.3% and specificity of 94.3%. Elevated MDW and its positive correlation with inflammatory parameters in AOSD patients indicate MDW as a novel activity indicator, with a high MDW value above 21.7 linked to a high probability of active AOSD.


Use of electrodialysis and reverse osmosis for the recovery and concentration of ammonia from swine manure.
This project aimed at producing a concentrated nitrogen fertilizer from liquid swine manure using electrodialysis (ED) and reverse osmosis (RO), as a mean to help resolve the excess nutrient problem faced by many swine producers, and offer an alternative to chemical nitrogen fertilizer production. Different types of ED membranes were evaluated based on the NH4+ transfer rate, current efficiency and membrane stability. A combination of CMB/AMX membranes was retained due to its high NH4+ transfer rate and chemical stability. The maximum total ammonia concentration (NH3-N) achievable by ED was limited by water transport from the manure to the concentrate compartment, and ammonia volatilization (17%) from the open concentrate compartment. Results suggested that, under the conditions of this experiment, a maximum total NH3-N concentration of about 16g/L could be reached with the ED system. An ED concentrate (8.7g/L of total NH3-N) was also fed to TFC-HF reverse osmosis membranes. A mass balance analysis revealed that the RO permeate, which represented 49.6% of the initial volume, contained 8.6% of the ammonia. However, the RO concentrate contained only 66.6% of the initial total NH3-N, suggesting that 21.2% of the ammonia was volatilized during the concentration test with RO membranes. Ammonia concentration in the RO concentrate reached approximately 13g/L, which is similar to the maximum concentration that could be achieved by ED. These results suggest that the use of ED and RO membranes to recover and concentrate ammonia is potentially interesting but the process must include an approach to minimize ammonia volatilization or trap volatilized ammonia.


Beta-adrenergic control of phosphatidylcholine synthesis by transmethylation in hepatocytes from juvenile, adult and adrenalectomized rats.
Changes in isoprenaline-sensitive phospholipid methyltransferase were studied in hepatocytes isolated from juvenile, mature and adrenalectomized rats. Isoprenaline produced greater stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation in juvenile and mature adrenalectomized rats than in mature animals. Similarly, isoprenaline stimulated phospholipid methyltransferase in juvenile and mature adrenalectomized rats but had no effect in mature animals. Isoprenaline-mediated activation of phospholipid methyltransferase in adrenalectomized rats was time- and dose-dependent. In hepatocytes isolated from adrenalectomized rats incubated with [Me-3H]methionine or [3H]-ethanolamine the addition of isoprenaline increased the amount of radioactivity incorporated into phosphatidylcholine. The activation by isoprenaline of phospholipid methyltransferase was abolished by the beta-blocker propranolol and by insulin. These results indicate that rat liver the occupation of functional beta-receptors causes a stimulation of phospholipid methylation. It is suggested that, as reported previously, cyclic AMP activates phospholipid methyltransferase.


Rapid detection of antibiotic-resistant organism carriage for infection prevention.
Rapid detection of multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) carriers could help reduce MDRO infections by allowing for faster institution of prevention measures. However, improving the turnaround time (TAT) of a test requires attention to more than the analytic TAT, and will only occur if postanalytic processes (test reporting and care interventions) are also rapid and efficient. Obstacles to rapid MDRO test development include complex evolving resistance mechanisms, performance directly on mixed samples (eg, nares, stool), and adaptation of new methods for routine clinical diagnostic use. Existing data to support the clinical utility of rapid detection (vs standard culture methods) are scant. For these reasons, rapid detection of MDRO carriers remains a work in progress. Future efforts should be on developing rapid tests to detect multidrug-resistant gram-negative rods, particularly those harboring β-lactamases, and on performing clinical trials to determine how best to incorporate rapid detection of MDRO carriage into healthcare-associated infection prevention efforts.


Cytolytic CD8+ T cells recognizing CFP10 are recruited to the lung after Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.
Optimum immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis requires both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. In contrast with CD4(+) T cells, few antigens are known that elicit CD8(+) T cells during infection. CD8(+) T cells specific for culture filtrate protein-10 (CFP10) are found in purified protein derivative positive donors, suggesting that CFP10 primes CD8(+) T cells in vivo. Using T cells from M. tuberculosis-infected mice, we identified CFP10 epitopes recognized by CD8(+) T cells and CD4(+) T cells. CFP10-specific T cells were detected as early as week 3 after infection and at their peak accounted for up to 30% of CD8(+) T cells in the lung. IFNgamma-producing CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells recognizing CFP10 epitopes were preferentially recruited to the lungs of M. tuberculosis-infected mice. In vivo cytolytic activity of CD8(+) T cells specific for CFP10 and TB10.3/10.4 proteins was detected in the spleen, pulmonary lymph nodes, and lungs of infected mice. The cytolytic activity persisted long term and could be detected 260 d after infection. This paper highlights the cytolytic function of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells elicited by M. tuberculosis infection and demonstrates that large numbers of CFP10-specific cytolytic CD8(+) T cells are recruited to the lung after M. tuberculosis infection.


Complications in aesthetic malar augmentation.
The complications of malar augmentation with prosthetic materials are few. The majority are related to incorrect choice of prosthesis size or position. No complications of tissue damage have occurred, but the two instances representing delayed infection may have been a result of seeding of the capsular space from the structures in the oral cavity abetted by what appeared in one case to be the remnant of an old hematoma. Preventable complications include the use of posterior Dacron fixation for gel prostheses, since the elongated or extended malar prosthesis may not resist the forces of capsular contracture in all instances. Patient acceptance has been extremely high in 35 cases, and removal has been requested in only one instance, reflecting the value of preoperative counseling with diagrams, photographs, and drawings.


The effect of fatty or lean fish intake on inflammatory gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with coronary heart disease.
Little is known about the effect of fish consumption on gene expression of inflammation-related genes in immune cells in coronary heart disease (CHD). We sought to evaluate the effect of a fatty fish (FF) or a lean fish (LF) diet on the modulation of inflammatory and endothelial function-related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of subjects with CHD, and its association with serum fatty acid (FA) profile and lipid metabolic compounds. Data from 27 patients randomized into an 8-week FF (n = 10; mean +/- SD: 4.3 +/- 0.4 portions of fish per week), LF (n = 11; 4.7 +/- 1.1 portions of fish per week), or control diet (n = 6; 0.6 +/- 0.4 portions of fish per week) were analyzed. The mRNA expression was measured using real-time PCR. The effect of the intervention on the mRNA expression of the genes studied did not differ among groups. In the FF group, however, the decrease in arachidonic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid (AA:EPA) ratio in cholesterol ester and phospholipid fractions strongly correlated with the change in IL1B mRNA levels (r (s) = 0.60, P = 0.06 and r (s) = 0.86, P = 0.002, respectively). In the LF group, the decrease in palmitic acid and total saturated FAs in cholesterol esters correlated with the change in intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1) expression (r (s) = 0.64, P = 0.04 for both). Circulating levels of soluble ICAM-1 decreased only in the LF group (P < 0.05). The intake of FF or LF diet did not alter the expression of inflammatory and endothelial function-related genes in PBMCs of patients with CHD. However, the decrease in AA:EPA ratio in serum lipids in the FF group may induce an anti-inflammatory response at mRNA levels in PBMCs. A LF diet might benefit endothelial function, possibly mediated by the changes in serum FA composition.


Antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in deer and raccoons.
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to detect serum antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis, in deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and raccoons (Procyon lotor). Blood samples were collected from these mammals in Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Seropositivity for deer was highest in Connecticut (56% of 353 sera) and Maryland (51% of 35 sera). Raccoons in Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, and Florida also had antibodies to B. burgdorferi, but prevalence of positive sera was highest in Maryland (79% of 14 samples). Based on adsorption tests, the immunoglobulins detected in these mammals were probably specific to B. burgdorferi. The ELISA was more sensitive than an indirect fluorescent antibody staining method and was more suitable for analyzing large numbers of serum samples.


The risk of developing invasive breast cancer in Hispanic women : a look across Hispanic subgroups.
Current evidence on breast cancer among US Hispanic women indicates a significant public health threat, although few studies have assessed the heterogeneity in breast cancer risk among Hispanics of different origin. The 2000 and 2005 National Health Interview Survey Cancer Control Modules were used to examine the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (BCRAT) 5-year risk and lifetime risk of invasive breast cancer among Mexican/Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban/Cuban American, Dominican (Republic), Central/South American, Other Hispanic, and non-Hispanic white (NHW) women ages 35 to 84 years. Multiple linear regression models were used to compare the BCRAT 5-year and lifetime breast cancer risk between 1) Hispanics and NHWs and 2) Hispanic subgroups. Hispanic women had significantly lower mean BCRAT 5-year and lifetime breast cancer risk compared with NHW women (P < .001). Among Hispanic subgroups, Cuban/Cuban Americans had a higher BCRAT 5-year risk (P < .05), whereas Dominicans had a higher lifetime risk (P < .001) compared with Mexican/Mexican Americans. Approximately 2.6% of Hispanic women were at high risk for breast cancer (BCRAT 5-year risk ≥1.67%), ranging from 1% of Central/South Americans to 3.7% of Puerto Ricans; few Hispanics (0.2%) had a lifetime risk ≥20%. The current findings indicate that Hispanic women have a significantly lower risk of breast cancer compared with NHW women, although the risk according to BCRAT differed significantly between specific Hispanic subgroups. We provide estimates of the number of US Hispanic women from six subgroups who may be eligible for prophylactic breast cancer chemoprevention. The authors concluded that future studies should further investigate the heterogeneity in breast cancer risk and risk factors between Hispanic women of different origins.


Virologic and CD4+ cell responses to new nucleoside regimens: switching to stavudine or adding lamivudine after prolonged zidovudine treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection. ACTG 302 Study Team. AIDS Clinical Trials Group.
Clinical benefit of zidovudine alone in the treatment of HIV infection wanes after several years, with decreasing CD4+ cell numbers and increasing HIV RNA in plasma. To develop treatment strategies following prolonged zidovudine treatment, 92 subjects from the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) 175 study after a median of 3.6 years of zidovudine monotherapy were randomized to treatment with stavudine or zidovudine and lamivudine. Evaluation of long-term changes, the average of 40- and 48-week HIV plasma RNA, demonstrated that lamivudine and zidovudine provided significantly greater virologic suppression compared with stavudine (mean decrease 0.70 versus 0.18 1og10 copies/ml,p = 0.003). Twenty-nine percent of zidovudine plus lamivudine recipients had HIV RNA levels below 500 copies per milliliter at 48 weeks as compared with 4% of stavudine recipients (p = 0.02). Both regimens significantly increased CD4+ cell numbers, the means of weeks 40 and 48 rose to 49 and 36 CD4+ cells per cubic millimeter among zidovudine plus lamivudine and stavudine recipients, respectively. Treatments were well tolerated and only 3 of 92 subjects died or developed AIDS within 48 weeks. In zidovudine-experienced subjects, addition of lamivudine resulted in significantly decreased plasma HIV RNA levels at 48 weeks compared with treatment with stavudine alone.


Assessing reproductive isolation using a contact zone between parapatric lake-stream stickleback ecotypes.
Ecological speciation occurs when populations evolve reproductive isolation as a result of divergent natural selection. This isolation can be influenced by many potential reproductive barriers, including selection against hybrids, selection against migrants and assortative mating. How and when these barriers act and interact in nature is understood for relatively few empirical systems. We used a mark-recapture experiment in a contact zone between lake and stream three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus, Linnaeus) to evaluate the occurrence of hybrids (allowing inferences about mating isolation), the interannual survival of hybrids (allowing inferences about selection against hybrids) and the shift in lake-like vs. stream-like characteristics (allowing inferences about selection against migrants). Genetic and morphological data suggest the occurrence of hybrids and no selection against hybrids in general, a result contradictory to a number of other studies of sticklebacks. However, we did find selection against more lake-like individuals, suggesting a barrier to gene flow from the lake into the stream. Combined with previous work on this system, our results suggest that multiple (most weakly and often asymmetric) barriers must be combining to yield substantial restrictions on gene flow. This work provides evidence of a reproductive barrier in lake-stream sticklebacks and highlights the value of assessing multiple reproductive barriers in natural contexts.


Characterization of surface electromyography using time domain features for determining hand motion and stages of contraction.
Surface electromyography (SEMG) signals can provide important information for prosthetic hand control application. In this study, time domain (TD) features were used in extracting information from the SEMG signal in determining hand motions and stages of contraction (start, middle and end). Data were collected from ten healthy subjects. Two muscles, which are flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) and extensor carpi radialis (ECR) were assessed during three hand motions of wrist flexion (WF), wrist extension (WE) and co-contraction (CC). The SEMG signals were first segmented into 132.5 ms windows, full wave rectified and filtered with a 6 Hz low pass Butterworth filter. Five TD features of mean absolute value, variance, root mean square, integrated absolute value and waveform length were used for feature extraction and subsequently patterns were determined. It is concluded that the TD features that were used are able to differentiate hand motions. However, for the stages of contraction determination, although there were patterns observed, it is determined that the stages could not be properly be differentiated due to the variability of signal strengths between subjects.


Heparin-modified small-diameter nanofibrous vascular grafts.
Due to high incidence of vascular bypass procedures, an unmet need for suitable vessel replacements exists, especially for small-diameter vascular grafts. Here we produced 1-mm diameter vascular grafts with nanofibrous structure via electrospinning, and successfully modified the nanofibers by the conjugation of heparin using di-amino-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a linker. Antithrombogenic activity of these heparin-modified scaffolds was confirmed in vitro. After 1 month implantation using a rat common carotid artery bypass model, heparin-modified grafts exhibited 85.7% patency, versus 57.1% patency of PEGylated grafts and 42.9% patency of untreated grafts. Post-explant analysis of patent grafts showed complete endothelialization of the lumen and neovascularization around the graft. Smooth muscle cells were found in the surrounding neo-tissue. In addition, greater cell infiltration was observed in heparin-modified grafts. These findings suggest heparin modification may play multiple roles in the function and remodeling of nanofibrous vascular grafts, by preventing thrombosis and maintaining patency, and by promoting cell infiltration into the three-dimensional nanofibrous structure for remodeling.


Computational epidemiology study of homeostatic compensation during sensorimotor aging.
The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) stabilizes vision during head motion. Age-related changes of vestibular neuroanatomical properties predict a linear decay of VOR function. Nonetheless, human epidemiological data show a stable VOR function across the life span. In this study, we model cerebellum-dependent VOR adaptation to relate structural and functional changes throughout aging. We consider three neurosynaptic factors that may codetermine VOR adaptation during aging: the electrical coupling of inferior olive neurons, the long-term spike timing-dependent plasticity at parallel fiber - Purkinje cell synapses and mossy fiber - medial vestibular nuclei synapses, and the intrinsic plasticity of Purkinje cell synapses Our cross-sectional aging analyses suggest that long-term plasticity acts as a global homeostatic mechanism that underpins the stable temporal profile of VOR function. The results also suggest that the intrinsic plasticity of Purkinje cell synapses operates as a local homeostatic mechanism that further sustains the VOR at older ages. Importantly, the computational epidemiology approach presented in this study allows discrepancies among human cross-sectional studies to be understood in terms of interindividual variability in older individuals. Finally, our longitudinal aging simulations show that the amount of residual fibers coding for the peak and trough of the VOR cycle constitutes a predictive hallmark of VOR trajectories over a lifetime.


Suzuki-Miyaura coupling revisited: an integrated computational study.
New density functional theory (DFT) computations are reported concerning the mechanism of the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of aryl halides and aryl boronic acids catalyzed by palladium phosphine complexes. The calculations are aimed at refining the understanding of the overall catalytic mechanism using state of the art theoretical approaches (including, for the first time, an attempt to describe the Gibbs energy of the reactant base in a realistic way). New experimental results (Thomas and Denmark, Science, 2016, 352, 329-332) concerning pre-transmetallation intermediates with a Pd-O-B linkage provide an invaluable benchmark to test the accuracy of the calculations. The calculations show that bottlenecks to catalysis associated with oxidative addition, X-to-O substitution at Pd, and transmetallation can lie close in energy.


To bridge or not to bridge?
Ventricular assist devices (VAD) are an important therapy that saves the lives of candidates a waiting heart transplantation (HTx). However, there are questions about posttransplantation effects of VADs. Seventy-four patients with end-stage heart failure who underwent HTx in our clinic between February 2007 and July 2011 were divided into two groups; a bridge cohort (n = 28) and a nonbridge group comprising 46 who underwent HTx without mechanical circulatory support. There mean ages were 39.89 ± 15.66 and 38.33 ± 16.23 years respectively. Significantly more patients in the bridge group, were man displayed anemia, were treated with anticoagulation therapy, and underwent a resternotomy. In the nonbridge group, more patients needed preoperative inotropic support. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed preoperative renal failure (P = .007, odds ratio [OR] 27) and inotropic support (P = .006, OR: 10,222) as well as longer cardiopulmonary bypasses (≥ 130 minutes, P = .001, OR: 11,24) to be risk factors for in-hospital mortality, which was 15.2% in nonbridge and 10.7% in bridge subjects, P = .733). Major adverse events, such as renal failure, pulmonary failure, right ventricular failure, neurological event, and reoperation due to bleeding, shown similar incidences between the groups. The amount of blood transfusion was significantly higher in the bridge group (2.34 U versus 3.56 U, P = .037). The preoperative incidence of human leukocyte antigen sensitization (panel reactive antibody ≥ 10%) and grade 2R were rejection episodes in the early period were similar. Early posttransplant results were not adversely or beneficially influenced by the use of VADs. Similar to other types of cardiac surgery, a patients preoperative condition seemed to be the major factor affecting mortality.


Towards a Bavarian Oncology Real World Data Research Platform.
In the last decade numerous real-world data networks have been established in order to leverage the value of data from electronic health records for medical research. In Germany, a nation-wide network based on electronic health record data from all German university hospitals has been established within the Medical Informatics Initiative (MII) and recently opened for researcherst' access through the German Portal for Medical Research Data (FDPG). In Bavaria, the six university hospitals have joined forces within the Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF). The oncology departments aim at establishing a federated observational research network based on the framework of the MII/FDPG and extending it with a clear focus on oncological clinical data, imaging data and molecular high throughput analysis data. We describe necessary adaptions and extensions of existing MII components with the goal of establishing a Bavarian oncology real world data research platform with its first use case of performing federated feasibility queries on clinical oncology data. We share insights from developing a feasibility platform prototype and presenting it to end users. Our main discovery was that oncological data is characterized by a higher degree of interdependence and complexity compared to the MII core dataset that is already integrated into the FDPG. The significance of our work lies in the requirements we formulated for extending already existing MII components to match oncology specific data and to meet oncology researchers needs while simultaneously transferring back our results and experiences into further developments within the MII.


Effects of a caspase and a calpain inhibitor on resting energy expenditures in normal and hypermetabolic rats: a pilot study.
Several diseases induce hypermetabolism, which is characterized by increases in resting energy expenditures (REE) and whole body protein loss. Exaggerated protein degradation is thought to be the driving force underlying this response. The effects of caspase and calpain inhibitors on REE in physiological and hypermetabolic conditions, however, are unknown. Thus, we studied whether MDL28170 (calpain inhibitor) or z-VAD-fmk (caspase inhibitor) affect REE under physiological conditions and during hypermetabolism post-burn. Rats were treated five times weekly and observed for 6 weeks. Treatment was started 2 h (early) or 48 h (late) after burn. In normal rats, MDL28170 transiently increased REE to 130 % of normal during week 2-4. z-VAD-fmk reduced REE by 20-25 % throughout the observation period. Within 14 days after burns, REE increased to 130+/-5 %. Whereas MDL28170/early treatment did not affect REE, MDL28170/late transiently increased REE to 180+/-10 % of normal by week 4 post-burn. In contrast, with z-VAD-fmk/early REE remained between 90-110 % of normal post-burn. z-VAD-fmk/late did not affect burn-induced increases in REE. These data suggest that caspase cascades contribute to the development of hypermetabolism and that burn-induced hypermetabolism can be pharmacologically modulated. Our data point towards caspase cascades as possible therapeutic targets to attenuate hypermetabolism after burns, and possibly in other catabolic disease processes.


Reaching and grasping a moving object in 6-, 8-, and 10-month-old infants: laterality and performance.
The goal of this study was to investigate some of the visuo-motor factors underlying an infant's developing ability to grasp a laterally-moving object. In particular, hand preference, midline crossing, and visual-field asymmetry were investigated by comparing performance as a function of the object's direction of motion. We presented 6-, 8-, and 10-month-old infants with a graspable object, moving in a circular trajectory in the horizontal plane. Six-month-old infants reached for the object with the ipsilateral hand and grasped it with the contralateral hand. Eight-month-old infants showed a strong right-hand bias for both reaching and grasping. Ten-month-old infants showed a greater diversity of strategy use including bimanual and successful ipsilateral grasping following ipsilateral reaching in both directions of motion. Thus, motor constraints due to spatial compatibility, hand preference and bimanual coordination (but not midline crossing) must be taken into account to understand age differences in grasping a moving object.


Typology of Internet gaming disorder and its clinical implications.
Various perspectives exist regarding Internet gaming disorder. While the concept of behavioral addiction is gaining recognition, some view the phenomenon as merely excessive indulgence in online pastimes. Still, in recent years, complaints from patients or their family members about problems related to Internet use, particularly Internet gaming, have become more common. However, the clinical picture of Internet gaming disorder could be obscured by its heterogeneous manifestations with other intertwined factors, such as psychiatric comorbidities, neurodevelopmental factors, sociocultural factors, and game-related factors, which may influence the pathogenesis as well as the clinical course. To mitigate such problems, clinicians should be able to consider diverse aspects related to Internet gaming disorder. Classifying such a heterogeneous problem into subtypes that share a similar etiology or phenomenology may provide additional clues in the diagnostic process and allow us to designate available clinical resources for particularly vulnerable factors. In this review paper, we suggest a typology of 'impulsive/aggressive,' 'emotionally vulnerable,' 'socially conditioned,' and 'not otherwise specified' as subtypes of the heterogeneous phenomena of pathological Internet gaming. The implications of these subtypes for assessment and treatment planning will also be highlighted.


Disease-associated visual image degradation and spherical refractive errors in children.
Retrospective clinical data from 496 eyes of 256 children attending a low vision clinic were analyzed to determine the relation between disease states which involve visual image degradation and refractive error. Refractive data from 1023 normal vision children were used as a control. The low vision children were grouped according to their disease classification and the acknowledged age-of-onset of their visual disability. It was found that there was an overall inability to emmetropize and a trend towards myopia. It was also observed that the diseases which led to myopia were associated with a peripheral or peripheral plus central impairment of vision and that those conditions in which foveal vision was primarily impaired showed a mild hypermetropic trend. Eyes in which the visual impairment was not congenital but occurred before the age of 3 years tended to develop hypermetropia. The deviation from emmetropia decreased with increasing age-of-onset of the visual impairment, as did the variation about the mean refraction. The plastic period for emmetropization is estimated to end at 8 to 9 years of age.


Lithium ion-water clusters in strong electric fields: a quantum chemical study.
We use density functional theory to investigate the impact that strong electric fields have on the structure and energetics of small lithium ion-water clusters, Li(+)·nH2O, with n = 4 or 6. We find that electric field strengths of ∼0.5 V/Å are sufficient to break the symmetry of the n = 4 tetrahedral energy minimum structure, which undergoes a transformation to an asymmetric cluster consisting of three water molecules bound to lithium and one additional molecule in the second solvation shell. Interestingly, this cluster remains the global minimum configuration at field strengths ≳0.15 V/Å. The 6-coordinated cluster, Li(+)·6H2O, features a similar transition to 5- and 4-coordinated clusters at field strengths of ∼0.2 and ∼0.3 V/Å, respectively, with the tetra-coordinated structure being the global minimum even in the absence of the field. Our findings are relevant to understanding the behavior of the Li(+) ion in aqueous environments under strong electric fields and in interfacial regions where field gradients are significant.


Incidence of lymphoceles after robot-assisted pelvic lymph node dissection.
• To determine the incidence and predictive factors of lymphocele formation in patients undergoing pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). • Between April and December 2008, 76 patients underwent PLND during RARP for ≥cT2c, prostate-specific antigen level ≥10, Gleason score ≥7 prostate cancer. • All patients were prospectively followed up with pelvic computed tomography 6-12 weeks after the procedure. • All patients received s.c. heparin preoperatively and postoperatively. PLND was limited to zones 1 and 2 as defined by Studer. • Plasma-kinetic bipolar forceps were used for haemostasis during PLND. • At a mean follow-up of 10.8 weeks, 51% (39/76) of patients had developed a lymphocele. Of these 39 lymphoceles 32 (82%) were unilateral and seven (18%) were bilateral. • The mean (range) lymphocele size was 4.3 × 3.2 (1.5-12.3) cm; 41% of lymphoceles were <4 cm, 53.9% were 4-10 cm, and 5.1% were >10 cm in diameter. Six of the 39 lymphoceles (15.4%) were clinically symptomatic. The symptoms were as follows: pelvic pressure in five patients, abdominal distension with ileus in three patients, leg pain/weakness in one patient and costovertebral tenderness in one patient. Two lymphoceles required intervention. • On the logistic regression model the presence of nodal metastases, tumour volume in the prostate specimen and extracapsular extension (ECE) were independent risk factors for the development of a lymphocele. • There was no correlation between estimated blood loss, body mass index, pathological Gleason score or number nodes dissected and the presence of lymphocele. • The incidence of lymphoceles was higher than anticipated given the believed protective effect of the transperitoneal approach against lymphocele formation. • The risk of lymphocele seemed to increase linearly with the presence of more extensive disease, particularly ECE and nodal involvement. • The benefit of PLND during RARP should be weighed against the elevated risk of lymphocele formation and its potential complications.


Increased Use of Ticagrelor After Myocardial Infarction Is Not Associated With Intracranial Hemorrhage.
Background and Purpose- Guidelines recommend dual antiplatelet treatment with ticagrelor instead of clopidogrel after acute myocardial infarction. Ticagrelor increases major and minor noncoronary artery bypass graft bleeding compared with clopidogrel, but whether the risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) increases is unknown. We aimed to examine any association between ticagrelor and ICH and to identify predictors of ICH among unselected patients after acute myocardial infarction. Methods- Patients with acute myocardial infarction were identified using the Register of Information and Knowledge About Swedish Heart Intensive Care Admissions, and the data were combined with the Swedish National Patient Registry to identify ICH occurrence. To avoid obvious selection bias related to the choice of dual antiplatelet treatment, we divided the study cohorts into 2 time periods of similar length using the first prescription of ticagrelor as a cutoff point (December 20, 2011). The risk of ICH during the first period (100% clopidogrel treatment) versus the second period (52.1% ticagrelor and 47.8% clopidogrel treatment) was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cox proportional-hazards regression analyses, with assessment of interactions between all significant variables, were used to identify predictors of ICH. Results- The analysis included 47 674 patients with acute myocardial infarction. The cumulative incidence of ICH during the first period was 0.59% (91 cases [95% CI, 0.49-0.69]) versus 0.52% (97 cases [95% CI, 0.43-0.61]) during the second period ( P=0.83). In multivariable Cox analysis, study period (second versus first period) was not predictive of ICH. Interaction analyses showed that age and prior cardiovascular morbidities were of importance in predicting the risk of ICH. Conclusions- The increased use of ticagrelor was not associated with ICH, whereas age and prior cardiovascular morbidities were related to the risk of ICH and interacted significantly.


[Influence of lactobacterin on the upper respiratory tract microflora of subjects with microflora disorders].
High respiratory tract microflora recovery has been revealed in human subjects treated perorally with commercial Lactobacterinum. In most of the participants in the study, different (up to epidemically significant) values of disbiotic shifts including persistence of conventional pathogens (enterobacteria) and pathogenic staphylococci in high respiratory tract mucosa as well as nasopharyngeal lactoflora deficiency were observed in the pretreatment period. Significant, in the order of one to four, decreases in pathogenic microflora count up to complete elimination were accompanied by lactoflora restoration in a part of the subjects after treatment. Hence, Lactobacterinum seems to be a perspective means for correcting and optimizing the high respiratory tract microflora, especially in contingents subjected to the environmental factors with a high risk of disbiotic disorders.


Prime Editing Technology and Its Prospects for Future Applications in Plant Biology Research.
Many applications in plant biology requires editing genomes accurately including correcting point mutations, incorporation of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and introduction of multinucleotide insertion/deletions (indels) into a predetermined position in the genome. These types of modifications are possible using existing genome-editing technologies such as the CRISPR-Cas systems, which require induction of double-stranded breaks in the target DNA site and the supply of a donor DNA molecule that contains the desired edit sequence. However, low frequency of homologous recombination in plants and difficulty of delivering the donor DNA molecules make this process extremely inefficient. Another kind of technology known as base editing can perform precise editing; however, only certain types of modifications can be obtained, e.g., C/G-to-T/A and A/T-to-G/C. Recently, a new type of genome-editing technology, referred to as "prime editing," has been developed, which can achieve various types of editing such as any base-to-base conversion, including both transitions (C→T, G→A, A→G, and T→C) and transversion mutations (C→A, C→G, G→C, G→T, A→C, A→T, T→A, and T→G), as well as small indels without the requirement for inducing double-stranded break in the DNA. Because prime editing has wide flexibility to achieve different types of edits in the genome, it holds a great potential for developing superior crops for various purposes, such as increasing yield, providing resistance to various abiotic and biotic stresses, and improving quality of plant product. In this review, we describe the prime editing technology and discuss its limitations and potential applications in plant biology research.


A Robust Motion Artifact Detection Algorithm for Accurate Detection of Heart Rates From Photoplethysmographic Signals Using Time-Frequency Spectral Features.
Motion and noise artifacts (MNAs) impose limits on the usability of the photoplethysmogram (PPG), particularly in the context of ambulatory monitoring. MNAs can distort PPG, causing erroneous estimation of physiological parameters such as heart rate (HR) and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2). In this study, we present a novel approach, "TifMA," based on using the time-frequency spectrum of PPG to first detect the MNA-corrupted data and next discard the nonusable part of the corrupted data. The term "nonusable" refers to segments of PPG data from which the HR signal cannot be recovered accurately. Two sequential classification procedures were included in the TifMA algorithm. The first classifier distinguishes between MNA-corrupted and MNA-free PPG data. Once a segment of data is deemed MNA-corrupted, the next classifier determines whether the HR can be recovered from the corrupted segment or not. A support vector machine (SVM) classifier was used to build a decision boundary for the first classification task using data segments from a training dataset. Features from time-frequency spectra of PPG were extracted to build the detection model. Five datasets were considered for evaluating TifMA performance: (1) and (2) were laboratory-controlled PPG recordings from forehead and finger pulse oximeter sensors with subjects making random movements, (3) and (4) were actual patient PPG recordings from UMass Memorial Medical Center with random free movements and (5) was a laboratory-controlled PPG recording dataset measured at the forehead while the subjects ran on a treadmill. The first dataset was used to analyze the noise sensitivity of the algorithm. Datasets 2-4 were used to evaluate the MNA detection phase of the algorithm. The results from the first phase of the algorithm (MNA detection) were compared to results from three existing MNA detection algorithms: the Hjorth, kurtosis-Shannon entropy, and time-domain variability-SVM approaches. This last is an approach recently developed in our laboratory. The proposed TifMA algorithm consistently provided higher detection rates than the other three methods, with accuracies greater than 95% for all data. Moreover, our algorithm was able to pinpoint the start and end times of the MNA with an error of less than 1 s in duration, whereas the next-best algorithm had a detection error of more than 2.2 s. The final, most challenging, dataset was collected to verify the performance of the algorithm in discriminating between corrupted data that were usable for accurate HR estimations and data that were nonusable. It was found that on average 48% of the data segments were found to have MNA, and of these, 38% could be used to provide reliable HR estimation.


Dysarthria induced by irinotecan in a patient with colorectal cancer.
Successful management and subsequent prevention of a rare adverse drug reaction (ADR) associated with irinotecan chemotherapy are reported. A 49-year-old man with meta-static colon cancer undergoing treatment with i.v. irinotecan (180 mg/m(2) to be infused over 120 minutes) as part of a multidrug chemotherapy regimen developed dysarthria about 90 minutes into irinotecan infusions on two occasions. In both instances, the dysarthric symptoms (numbness of the tongue and difficult speech) resolved after the discontinuation of irinotecan and administration of hydration therapy. Brain imaging studies showed no functional or structural abnormalities; several concomitantly administered medications, including metoclopramide, palonosetron, and other components of the chemotherapy regimen, were deemed unlikely to have played a causal or contributory role in the episodes of dysarthria. Application of the ADR probability scale of Naranjo et al. in this case yielded a score of 9, indicating a definite ADR caused by irinotecan. For subsequently administered chemotherapy cycles, the duration of the patient's irinotecan infusions was increased (to 180 minutes for cycles 3-5 and to 240 minutes for cycles 6-12). Dysarthria did not recur and, with the exception of transient tongue twisting during two of the 180-minute infusions, he completed the full course of irinotecan therapy without a recurrence of dysarthric symptoms. Irinotecan-induced dysarthria in a man being treated for colon cancer resolved with the discontinuation of irinotecan. With increases in the duration of infusion, the man received additional irinotecan treatments with no recurrence of dysarthria.


The active site of the junction-resolving enzyme T7 endonuclease I.
Endonuclease I is a junction-resolving enzyme encoded by bacteriophage T7, that selectively binds and cleaves four-way DNA junctions. We have recently solved the structure of this dimeric enzyme at atomic resolution, and identified the probable catalytic residues. The putative active site comprises the side-chains of three acidic amino acids (Glu20, Asp55 and Glu65) together with a lysine residue (Lys67), and shares strong similarities with a number of type II restriction enzymes. However, it differs from a typical restriction enzyme as the proposed catalytic residues in both active sites are contributed by both polypeptides of the dimer. Mutagenesis experiments confirm the importance of all the proposed active site residues. We have carried out in vitro complementation experiments using heterodimers formed from mutants in different active site residues, showing that Glu20 is located on a different monomer from the remaining amino acid residues comprising the active site. These experiments confirm that the helix-exchanged architecture of the enzyme creates a mixed active site in solution. Such a composite active site structure should result in unilateral cleavage by the complemented heterodimer; this has been confirmed by the use of a cruciform substrate. Based upon analogy with closely similar restriction enzyme active sites and our mutagenesis experiments, we propose a two-metal ion mechanism for the hydrolytic cleavage of DNA junctions.


Crystalline inorganic frameworks with 56-ring, 64-ring, and 72-ring channels.
The development of zeolite-like structures with extra-large pores (>12-membered rings, 12R) has been sporadic and is currently at 30R. In general, templating via molecules leads to crystalline frameworks, whereas the use of organized assemblies that permit much larger pores produces noncrystalline frameworks. Synthetic methods that generate crystallinity from both discrete templates and organized assemblies represent a viable design strategy for developing crystalline porous inorganic frameworks spanning the micro and meso regimes. We show that by integrating templating mechanisms for both zeolites and mesoporous silica in a single system, the channel size for gallium zincophosphites can be systematically tuned from 24R and 28R to 40R, 48R, 56R, 64R, and 72R. Although the materials have low thermal stability and retain their templating agents, single-activator doping of Mn(2+) can create white-light photoluminescence.


Validation criteria for nucleic acid amplification techniques for bacterial infections.
Nucleic acid techniques (NATs), such as species-specific and universal polymerase chain reactions (PCRs), are finding ever wider use in the diagnosis of bacterial infection. However, although universal PCR assays, in particular, approach a type of modern Petri dish, they have a number of limitations which restrict their applicability. The sensitivity of universal PCR is lower than that of many species-specific PCRs, and the contamination of samples and PCR reagents with irrelevant DNA from various sources remains a problem. Thus, NATs in general and universal PCR assays in particular require careful validation to be of value for the diagnosis of infection. Validation includes sampling, DNA extraction/isolation, template amplification and visualisation of the results. Furthermore, it implies the establishment of measures of asepsis, the inclusion of positive and negative controls, techniques to optimise the release of DNA from bacterial cells, adequate repetition of the amplification reaction, and routine testing of reagent negative and inhibition controls. Finally, it entails the comparison of results obtained by NATs with those obtained by conventional microbiological methods and matching with clinical evidence of infection. Validation of NATs in clinical diagnosis remains an ongoing challenge. Because of these limitations, NATs can only serve as adjunct tools for the diagnosis of infection in selected cases; they cannot replace conventional culturing techniques.


A systematic review of the measurement properties of the Body Image Scale (BIS) in cancer patients.
Body image is acknowledged as an important aspect of health-related quality of life in cancer patients. The Body Image Scale (BIS) is a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) to evaluate body image in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to systematically review measurement properties of the BIS among cancer patients. A search in Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science was performed to identify studies that investigated measurement properties of the BIS (Prospero ID 42017057237). Study quality was assessed (excellent, good, fair, poor), and data were extracted and analyzed according to the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology on structural validity, internal consistency, reliability, measurement error, hypothesis testing for construct validity, and responsiveness. Evidence was categorized into sufficient, insufficient, inconsistent, or indeterminate. Nine studies were included. Evidence was sufficient for structural validity (one factor solution), internal consistency (α = 0.86-0.96), and reliability (r > 0.70); indeterminate for measurement error (information on minimal important change lacked) and responsiveness (increasing body image disturbance in only one study); and inconsistent for hypothesis testing (conflicting results). Quality of the evidence was moderate to low. No studies reported on cross-cultural validity. The BIS is a PROM with good structural validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability, but good quality studies on the other measurement properties are needed to optimize evidence. It is recommended to include a wider variety of cancer diagnoses and treatment modalities in these future studies.


The performance of plasma amyloid beta measurements in identifying amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease: a literature review.
The extracellular buildup of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques in the brain is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Detection of Aβ pathology is essential for AD diagnosis and for identifying and recruiting research participants for clinical trials evaluating disease-modifying therapies. Currently, AD diagnoses are usually made by clinical assessments, although detection of AD pathology with positron emission tomography (PET) scans or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis can be used by specialty clinics. These measures of Aβ aggregation, e.g. plaques, protofibrils, and oligomers, are medically invasive and often only available at specialized medical centers or not covered by medical insurance, and PET scans are costly. Therefore, a major goal in recent years has been to identify blood-based biomarkers that can accurately detect AD pathology with cost-effective, minimally invasive procedures.To assess the performance of plasma Aβ assays in predicting amyloid burden in the central nervous system (CNS), this review compares twenty-one different manuscripts that used measurements of 42 and 40 amino acid-long Aβ (Aβ42 and Aβ40) in plasma to predict CNS amyloid status. Methodologies that quantitate Aβ42 and 40 peptides in blood via immunoassay or immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry (IP-MS) were considered, and their ability to distinguish participants with amyloidosis compared to amyloid PET and CSF Aβ measures as reference standards was evaluated. Recent studies indicate that some IP-MS assays perform well in accurately and precisely measuring Aβ and detecting brain amyloid aggregates.


A woman in her fifties with recurrent dizziness.
Vasculitis caused by neuroborreliosis is one of many rare described causes of stroke. A female smoker in her fifties presented with dizziness due to a left cerebellar infarction, and after general stroke workup atherosclerosis was considered the probable cause. In the preceding months she had experienced nonspecific intermittent headache, neck pain and dizziness initially attributed to prior head trauma. Over the following months she presented with relapsing and additional symptoms from the posterior circulation and a new right cerebellar infarction was diagnosed. Contrast-enhanced MRI showed signs of myelitis and meningeal enhancement. CSF examination revealed leukocytes 230 · 106/L (0-4 · 106/L) with 98 % mononuclear cells, protein 3.12 g/L (0.00-0.45 g/L). Borrelia IgG and IgM antibodies were positive in serum and CSF, with ratio examinations consistent with intrathecal synthesis. She had a history of multiple tick bites, but not of erythema migrans. She had satisfactory clinical, biochemical and radiological response to antibiotic treatment with ceftriaxone. Neuroborreliosis was considered the aetiology of her cerebellar infarctions although no definite signs of cerebral vasculitis were evident from CT angiography. Rare causes of stroke, including neuroborreliosis, should be considered in stroke patients without risk factors for cerebrovascular disease and negative primary workup, and in recurrent stroke despite secondary preventive treatment.


Associative learning of shape as a cue to appearance: a new demonstration of cue recruitment.
The perceived rotation direction of a wire-frame Necker cube at stimulus onset can be conditioned to be dependent on retinal location (B. T. Backus & Q. Haijiang, 2007; S. J. Harrison & B. T. Backus, 2010a). This phenomenon was proposed to be an example of the visual system learning new cues to visual appearance, by adaptation in response to new experiences. Here, we demonstrate recruitment of a new cue, object shape, for the appearance of rotating 3D objects. The cue was established by interleaving ambiguous and disambiguated instances of two shapes, cubes and spheres, at the same retinal location. Disambiguated cubes and spheres rotated in opposite directions. A significant bias was consequently introduced in the resolution of ambiguity, whereby the proportions of ambiguous shapes perceived as rotating clockwise differed, in the direction predicted by their disambiguated counterparts. This finding suggests that training led the visual system to distinguish between the two shapes. The association of rotation direction and shape was only achieved when monocular depth cues were used to depict rotation in depth; shapes disambiguated by binocular disparity did not lead to recruitment of the shape cue. We speculate that this difference may be the consequence of a difference in the neural pathways by which the disambiguating cues act. This new instance of the cue recruitment effect opens possibilities for further generalization of the phenomenon.


The plasma free fatty acid rebound induced by nicotinic acid.
The time course of the nicotinic acid-induced changes in levels of plasma free fatty acids (FFA) was examined. The plasma FFA response of fasted dogs to graded doses of nicotinic acid was shown to be biphasic: an initial depression of the level of plasma FFA was followed by a rebound elevation to supernormal levels. FFA rebound was not seen after the administration of the nicotinic acid homologue, pyridylacetic acid, or a variety of nicotinic acid metabolities. A similar pattern of FFA response was observed in fasted, normal rats. Adrenalectomy did not abolish the secondary elevation of FFA but did cause a somewhat delayed response. Hypophysectomy modified the time course of the response-the initial FFA decrease was prolonged-and the intensity of the FFA rebound was diminished. No rebound was observed in hypophysectomized, adrenalectomized rats. In normal rats, nicotinic acid caused a significant rise in the level of plasma corticosterone. A normal rebound pattern was observed in thyroidectomized rats. Reserpine, administered on a schedule designed to deplete catecholamine stores, altered the time course of plasma FFA changes only slightly. The results indicate that both the pituitary and adrenal functions are required for the expression of the rebound phenomenon after nicotinic acid administration.


Pharmacological activation of the prostaglandin E2 receptor EP4 improves cardiac function after myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury.
Increased expression of several subtypes of prostaglandin E(2) receptors (EP1-4) has recently been described in clinical and experimental myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, their pathophysiological significance in I/R remains obscure. Thus, we determined whether the activation of the prostanoid receptor, EP4, suppresses myocardial I/R injury. To analyse the role of EP4, we administered an EP4 selective agonist (EP4RAG, 1 or 3 mg/kg) or vehicle to rats with myocardial I/R injury. After 7 days of reperfusion, I/R rats exhibited left ventricular (LV) dilatation and contractile dysfunction with myocyte hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis. EP4RAG significantly reduced infarction area/ischaemic myocardium (72.4 +/- 0.7 vs. 23.3 +/- 0.6%; P < 0.05) and improved LV contraction and dilatation compared with that of the vehicle. EP4RAG also attenuated the recruitment of inflammatory cells, especially macrophages, and interstitial fibrosis in hearts. Monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and other cytokines were increased in both non-ischaemic (area not at risk, ANAR) and ischaemic (area at risk, AAR) myocardium; however, western blot analysis and RNase protection assay showed that EP4RAG suppressed these changes. Gelatin zymography revealed EP4RAG significantly reduced matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 activities in both ANAR and AAR. Chemoattractant assay demonstrated that EP4RAG suppressed the migration of cytokine-stimulated macrophages and decreased the level of MCP-1 production in the supernatant (587.3 +/- 55.3 vs. 171.5 +/- 47.5 pg/mL; P < 0.05). The data suggest that the EP4 agonist is effective for attenuation of I/R injury by suppressing MCP-1 and the infiltration of inflammatory cells, especially macrophages.


Bridging the Gaps in Meta-Omic Analysis: Workflows and Reproducibility.
The past few years have seen significant advances in the study of complex microbial communities associated with the evolution of sequencing technologies and increasing adoption of whole genome shotgun sequencing methods over the once more traditional Amplicon-based methods. Although these advances have broadened the horizon of meta-omic analyses in planetary health, human health, and ecology from simple sample composition studies to comprehensive taxonomic and metabolic profiles, there are still significant challenges in processing these data. First, there is a widespread lack of standardization in data processing, including software choices and the ease of installing and running attendant software. This can lead to several inconsistencies, making comparing results across studies and reproducing original results difficult. We argue that these drawbacks are especially evident in metatranscriptomic analysis, with most analyses relying on ad hoc scripts instead of pipelines implemented in workflow managers. Additional challenges rely on integrating meta-omic data, since methods have to consider the biases in the library preparation and sequencing methods and the technical noise that can arise from it. Here, we critically discuss the current limitations in metagenomics and metatranscriptomics methods with a view to catalyze future innovations in the field of Planetary Health, ecology, and allied fields of life sciences. We highlight possible solutions for these constraints to bring about more standardization, with ease of installation, high performance, and reproducibility as guiding principles.


High-throughput migration modelling for estimating exposure to chemicals in food packaging in screening and prioritization tools.
Specialty software and simplified models are often used to estimate migration of potentially toxic chemicals from packaging into food. Current models, however, are not suitable for emerging applications in decision-support tools, e.g. in Life Cycle Assessment and risk-based screening and prioritization, which require rapid computation of accurate estimates for diverse scenarios. To fulfil this need, we develop an accurate and rapid (high-throughput) model that estimates the fraction of organic chemicals migrating from polymeric packaging materials into foods. Several hundred step-wise simulations optimised the model coefficients to cover a range of user-defined scenarios (e.g. temperature). The developed model, operationalised in a spreadsheet for future dissemination, nearly instantaneously estimates chemical migration, and has improved performance over commonly used model simplifications. When using measured diffusion coefficients the model accurately predicted (R2 = 0.9, standard error (Se) = 0.5) hundreds of empirical data points for various scenarios. Diffusion coefficient modelling, which determines the speed of chemical transfer from package to food, was a major contributor to uncertainty and dramatically decreased model performance (R2 = 0.4, Se = 1). In all, this study provides a rapid migration modelling approach to estimate exposure to chemicals in food packaging for emerging screening and prioritization approaches.


Temperature-Dependent Approach to Electronic Charge Transfer.
A charge transfer model is developed within the framework of the grand canonical ensemble through the analysis of the behavior of the fractional charge as a function of the chemical potential of the bath when the temperature and the external chemical potential are kept fixed. Departing from the fact that, before the interaction between two species, each one has a zero fractional charge, one can identify two situations after the interaction occurs where the fractional charge of at least one of the species is different from zero, indicating that there has been charge transference. One of them corresponds to the case when one of the species is immersed in a bath conformed by the other one, while the other is related to the case in which both species are present in equal amounts (stoichiometric proportion). Correlations between the fractional charges and average energies, thus obtained with experimental equilibrium constants, kinetic rate constants, hydration constants, and bond enthalpies, indicate that, although at the experimental temperatures, they are very small quantities, they have chemically meaningful information. Additionally, in the stoichiometric case, one also finds a rather good correlation between the equalized chemical potential and the one obtained from experimental information for a test set of diatomic and triatomic molecules.


Conundrums and confusions regarding how polyethylene glycol-fusion produces excellent behavioral recovery after peripheral nerve injuries.
Current Neuroscience dogma holds that transections or ablations of a segment of peripheral nerves produce: (1) Immediate loss of axonal continuity, sensory signaling, and motor control; (2) Wallerian rapid (1-3 days) degeneration of severed distal axons, muscle atrophy, and poor behavioral recovery after many months (if ever, after ablations) by slowly-regenerating (1 mm/d), proximal-stump outgrowths that must specifically reinnervate denervated targets; (3) Poor acceptance of microsutured nerve allografts, even if tissue-matched and immune-suppressed. Repair of transections/ablations by neurorrhaphy and well-specified-sequences of PEG-fusion solutions (one containing polyethylene glycol, PEG) successfully address these problems. However, conundrums and confusions regarding unorthodox and dramatic results of PEG-fusion repair in animal model systems often lead to misunderstandings. For example, (1) Axonal continuity and signaling is re-established within minutes by non-specifically PEG-fusing (connecting) severed motor and sensory axons across each lesion site, but remarkable behavioral recovery to near-unoperated levels takes several weeks; (2) Many distal stumps of inappropriately-reconnected, PEG-fused axons do not ever (Wallerian) degenerate and continuously innervate muscle fibers that undergo much less atrophy than otherwise-denervated muscle fibers; (3) Host rats do not reject PEG-fused donor nerve allografts in a non-immuno-privileged environment with no tissue matching or immunosuppression; (4) PEG fuses apposed open axonal ends or seals each shut (thereby preventing PEG-fusion), depending on the experimental protocol; (5) PEG-fusion protocols produce similar results in animal model systems and early human case studies. Hence, iconoclastic PEG-fusion data appropriately understood might provoke a re-thinking of some Neuroscience dogma and a paradigm shift in clinical treatment of peripheral nerve injuries.


[Sonographic diagnosis (B-mode technique) for the eyes in horses. 1. Methods and normal findings].
In this presentation, normal sonoanatomy of the horse eye will be introduced and biometrical data of 30 healthy eyes along optical axis will be presented. We used the ultrasound system Philips Diagnost R 1200 in connection with a 5 MHz linear transducer. With this equipment it is possible to visualize and measure at the unaltered eye the cornea, the anterior chamber of the eye, ciliary body, iris, lens, vitreous body, wall of the posterior globe (retina, choroid, sclera) and retrobulbar structures (optical nerve, retrobulbar muscles, orbital fat pad, bony orbita). The echographical examination of the eye yields important information about inner structures of the eye, especially in diseases where a visual examination of the whole eye is impossible due to opacity of the optical system or after artificial eyelid closure. Biometrical measurements of the bulbus dimensions give the possibility to accumulate so-called standard values for the horse eye, which examiners who mostly are confronted with altered eyes can use and compare to their own measurements. The course of disease or success of therapy can then be evaluated objectively using the measurements and ultrasonic pictures.


Spatio-temporal Spread Variation through Myocardium in Supply and Demand Ischemia.
In this paper, we investigate spatio-temporal progression of Myocardial ischemia (MI) and propose a metric for quantifying ischemic manifestation using cardiac activation time. Spatio-temporal spread is separately analyzed and compared for two different types of ischemia, namely 'Demand' and 'Supply' ischemia. This is done for both surface progression, along the epicardial surface as well as volume progression, along the three sub-myocardial layers. Cardiac activation time or depolarization time is computed from cardiac surface potential using a combined spatio-temporal derivative function. Ischemic zones in the cardiac surface is computed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and eigen vector projection of the depolarization time. Spatio-temporal ischemic spread analysis revealed different ischemic initiation and manifestation pattern for Demand and Supply ischemia, both in surface and volume progression.Clinical relevance Activation time based ischemic progression metric can serve as an alternate marker for ischemia detection and can provide more intuitive understanding on the pathological progression, and in turn assist in developing methods to prevent cell damage due to ischemic progression.


Analysis of three Ptx2 splice variants on transcriptional activity and differential expression pattern in the brain.
Three different transcripts of the homeodomain gene termed pituitary homeobox (Ptx) 2 (Pitx2/Brx/Rieg/Solurshin/Arp) were cloned from different species encoding proteins belonging to the paired-like family of homeodomain proteins. Ptx2a (324 amino acids), Ptx2b (271 amino acids), and Ptx2c (318 amino acids) share the C terminus, including the homeodomain, and have different N termini. Here we report the comparative analysis of all three different Ptx2 splice variants for their transcriptional activity and their expression pattern in the adult rat brain. Ptx2 is able to trans-activate via different model promoters in different cell lines. A mild difference in trans-activating potential is observed among the splice variants, but the underlying mechanism is at present unknown. It is surprising that all Ptx2 transcripts displayed an identical expression pattern in the brain. This markedly restricted pattern is limited to the following brain areas: the anterior and intermediate lobes of the pituitary gland, the subthalamic nucleus, the posterior hypothalamic nucleus, the mammillary bodies, the red nucleus, and the deep gray layer of the superior colliculus. The data presented suggest that all variants of Ptx2 are involved in the development and regulation of distinct neuronal cell groups and the pituitary gland.