Factors predicting local recurrence of desmoid tumours including proliferating cell nuclear antigen.
A series of 24 patients with desmoid tumours were studied to determine factors predicting local recurrence, and to establish whether these desmoid tumours were oestrogen receptor-positive or -negative. Histology was reviewed and immunohistochemical studies were undertaken. Risk factors for local recurrence were analysed. The findings indicate that the 24 desmoid tumours were oestrogen receptor- and progesterone receptor-negative. Most tumours were proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive, and positivity was graded by percentage of cells staining and the intensity of the staining. The presence of incomplete macroscopic or histological surgical resection margins did not correlate with local recurrence. Although all tumours that recurred were strongly PCNA-positive with a high percentage of positive cell staining, this trend was not significant. Local recurrence was more common in desmoid tumours arising in extra-abdominal sites (P = 0.03). Extra-abdominal desmoid tumours were significantly more likely to have incomplete histological margins following resection (P < 0.05). Desmoid tumours are oestrogen receptor- and progesterone receptor-negative. Of factors analysed for local recurrence, only the extra-abdominal site was significant.


Safety and efficacy of human IgE pentapeptide.
The safety, dosage and efficacy of human IgE pentapeptide (HEPP) was evaluated in 12 patients with IgE-mediated atopic disease. Statistically significant differences were observed in allergy symptom scores, allergy medication usage and skin test results between the HEPP treatment and placebo control groups. HEPP appears to be a safe, new therapeutic modality for the treatment of allergic disease.


Effect of Music Therapy as Intervention on Peripheral Neuropathic Pain and Anxiety of Gynecologic Cancer Patients Undergoing Paclitaxel Chemotherapy.
This study was to investigate the effect of music therapy as intervention on peripheral neuropathic pain and anxiety of gynecologic cancer patients who were undergoing paclitaxel chemotherapy. Hospitalized 62 patients were assigned to an experimental group (n=30) and a control group (n=33) in this quasi-experimental study. The experimental group participated in music therapy that includes listening, singing and song writing during 1 hour. The peripheral neuropathic pain, anxiety and depression were examined as pre-intervention evaluation by using pain scale, anxiety scale (20 questions) and depression scale (20 questions) in both groups. There were no further treatments for the control group while the experimental group involved in music therapy. The peripheral neuropathic pain and anxiety were evaluated in both groups as post-intervention evaluation. Outcomes were verified through hypothesis testing. The level of peripheral neuropathic pain and anxiety in the experimental group was decreased, compared to the control group. According to the study, music therapy is a beneficial intervention that reduces peripheral neuropathic pain and anxiety in gynecologic cancer patients. These findings are encouraging and suggest that music therapy can be applied as an effective intervention for minimizing chemotherapy related symptoms.


Changes in protein interactions of cell cycle-related genes during the dormancy-to-growth transition in pea axillary buds.
Apical dominance is a phenomenon in which a terminal bud grows predominantly and the growth of the axillary buds is suppressed. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms associated with cell cycle control that occur in pea axillary buds as a result of decapitation. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein was detected in both dormant and growing buds, while PCNA mRNA was absent in dormant buds. Pissa; CycB1;2 and Cdc2 proteins were undetectable during dormancy. To analyze an interaction between PCNA and Pissa;CycD3;1, we performed anti-PCNA immunoaffinity column chromatography. Pissa;CycD3;1 protein was detected in the eluate prepared from the dormant buds, but not in the eluate prepared from the growing buds. Furthermore, we performed anti-Pissa;CycD3;1 immunoaffinity column chromatography. PCNA protein was detected in the eluate prepared from the dormant buds, but not in the eluate prepared from the growing buds. These results indicated that PCNA associated with Pissa;CycD3;1 only during dormancy. In addition, the interaction between PCNA and Pissa;CycD3;1 was confirmed by a yeast two-hybrid system.


Gender differences in acute psychomotor, cognitive, and pharmacokinetic response to alcohol.
This study investigated gender differences in acute response to alcohol. After practicing several cognitive and psychomotor tasks while sober, male (n = 11) and female (n = 13) social drinkers were administered a 0.65 g/kg dose of ethanol. Subjects were tested on both the ascending and descending limbs of the blood alcohol curve on measures of divided attention, short-term memory, body sway, pursuit tracking ability, and subjective level of intoxication. Blood alcohol level (BAL) was sampled frequently throughout the procedure. Females achieved consistently higher BALs than did males throughout, due mainly to higher BALs among women in the middle stage of the menstrual cycle. Women not using birth control medications also attained higher BALs than did males. When gender differences in BALs were controlled statistically, only memory functioning distinguished the groups: males recorded memory functioning more quickly on the descending limb of the blood alcohol curve than did females. Stage of menstrual cycle or use of birth control medications did not influence psychomotor or cognitive performance while women were intoxicated.


Bitentaculate Cirratulidae (Annelida, Polychaeta) collected chiefly during cruises of the R/V Anton Bruun, USNS Eltanin, USCG Glacier, R/V Hero, RVIB Nathaniel B. Palmer, and R/V Polarstern from the Southern Ocean, Antarctica, and off Western South America.
Forty-one species in five genera of bitentaculate cirratulids are reported from new collections from South America, the Southern Ocean, and seas around Antarctica. Twenty-seven species are new to science; one new genus is described to deal with some species formerly identified as Chaetozone. New records, synonymies, and new combinations are reported. Previous records are reviewed with type specimens of most species reexamined and redescribed. The sub-Antarctic species Aphelochaeta cincinnata (Ehlers, 1908) does not occur in Antarctica: the numerous published records of this species instead belong to several new species. The types of Tharyx epitocus Monro, 1930, and Tharyx fusiformis Monro, 1939, have spines in posterior setigers and are referred to other genera. Among the 41 species treated in this study, 11 belong to Aphelochaeta, eight are new; eight species belong to Caulleriella, six are new; six species belong to Chaetocirratulus n. gen., three are new; 12 species belong to Chaetozone, seven are new; and four species belong to Tharyx, three are new. Numerous samples come from slope and abyssal depths, expanding our knowledge of the distribution of Southern hemisphere deep-sea cirratulids.


['Clinical auditing', a novel tool for quality assessment in surgical oncology].
To determine whether systematic audit and feedback of information about the process and outcomes improve the quality of surgical care. Systematic literature review. Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were searched for publications on 'quality assessment' and 'surgery'. The references of the publications found were examined as well. Publications were included in the review if the effect of auditing on the quality of surgical care had been investigated. In the databases 2415 publications were found. After selection, 28 publications describing the effect of auditing, whether or not combined with a quality improvement project, on guideline adherence or indications of outcomes of care were included. In 21 studies, a statistically significant positive effect of auditing was reported. In 5 studies a positive effect was found, but this was either not significant or statistical significance was not determined. In 2 studies no effect was observed. 5 studies compared the combination of auditing with a quality improvement project with auditing alone; 4 of these reported an additional effect of the quality improvement project. Audit and feedback of quality information seem to have a positive effect on the quality of surgical care. The use of quality information from audits for the purpose of a quality improvement project can enhance the positive effect of the audit.


Variation in ATP requirement during influenza virus transcription.
The ATP requirement of influenza A virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase was studied during in vitro transcription reactions. In complete transcription reactions, the Km for ATP was 10-fold higher than the Km values for the other NTPs. However, during transcription elongation the Km for ATP was as low as the Km values for the other NTPs, suggesting a special requirement for ATP during transcription initiation. Gel analysis of RNA products of transcription initiation reactions showed that the incorporation of AMP into nascent RNA was more efficient at positions 4, 6 and 7 relative to the template RNA than at position 5. The polymerase produced short, abortive transcripts with lengths corresponding to positions 3 and 4 relative to the template but never to position 5 or longer. These results suggest that incorporation of AMP at position 5 induces the influenza A virus polymerase to go through a transition from a transcription initiation to an elongation complex. This functional change of the polymerase complex rather than a requirement for ATP beta-gamma bond hydrolysis is the most likely reason for the particularly high Km for ATP during the early phase of transcription. This conclusion is supported by the fact that the ATP analogue ATPgammaS [adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate)] can efficiently replace ATP in in vitro transcription reactions and shows a comparable drop of Km between transcription initiation and elongation.


Tailoring the stability/aggregation of one-dimensional TiO2(B)/titanate nanowires using surfactants.
The increased utilization of one-dimensional (1D) TiO2 and titanate nanowires (TNWs) in various applications was the motivation behind studying their stability in this work, given that stability greatly influences both the success of the application and the environmental impact. Due to their high abundance in aqueous environments and their rich technological applicability, surfactants are among the most interesting compounds used for tailoring the stability. The aim of this paper is to determine the influence of surfactant molecular structure on TNW stability/aggregation behavior in water and aqueous NaBr solution by dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering. To accomplish this, two structurally different quaternary ammonium surfactants (monomeric DTAB and the corresponding dimeric 12-2-12) at monomer and micellar concentrations were used to investigate TNW stability in water and NaBr. It was shown that TNWs are relatively stable in Milli-Q water. However, the addition of NaBr induces aggregation, especially as the TNW mass concentration increases. DTAB and 12-2-12 adsorb on TNW surfaces as a result of the superposition of favorable electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. As expected, the interaction of TNWs with 12-2-12 was stronger than with DTAB, due to the presence of two positively charged head groups and two hydrophobic tails. As a consequence of the higher adsorption of 12-2-12, TNWs remained stable in both media, while DTAB showed an opposite behavior. In order to gain more insight into changes in the surface properties after surfactant adsorption on the TNW surface, a surface complexation model was employed. With this first attempt to quantify the contribution of the surfactant structure on the adsorption equilibrium according to the observed differences in the intrinsic log K values, it was shown that 12-2-12 interacts more strongly with TNWs than DTAB. The modelling results enable a better understanding of the interaction between TNWs and surfactants as well as the prediction of the conditions that can promote stabilization or aggregation.


Postnatal growth of the ventral prostate in Wistar rats: a stereological and morphometrical study.
Morphological and stereological analyses were used to characterize the growth kinetics of the Wistar rat ventral prostate (VP). Volume density and absolute volume of the epithelium, lumen, smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and nonmuscular stroma were determined by stereology and paired with plasma testosterone levels and different morphometric measurements. The VP shows an initial growth within the first 3 weeks, a resting phase, and the puberal growth. The puberal growth was coincident with the raise in plasma testosterone. Lumen formation occurred within the 3 postnatal weeks. After an expected increase during puberty, the lumen showed a further increase at the 12th week. The volume density of the nonmuscular stroma and of the SMCs decreased slowly postnatally. Absolute volume of the luminal compartment showed three phases of growth (weeks 1-3, 6-9, and 11-12). On the other hand, the increase in the absolute volume of the epithelium was steady up to the 8th week and then showed a marked increase up the 10th week. The increase in epithelial volume was characterized morphologically by the presence of epithelial infoldings and sprouts. The growth of the epithelium showed a 2-week delay as compared to the lumen and occurred only until the 10th week. The epithelial height was variable but could be related to the synthetic activity of the epithelium. In conclusion, the postnatal growth of the VP results from a combination of epithelial proliferation/differentiation and synthesis/accumulation of the secretory products in the lumen.


Functional heterogeneity of pituitary gonadotropes in response to a variety of neuromodulators.
Agents previously implicated in control of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis were screened for their ability to regulate male rat gonadotropes directly. GnRH-evoked gonadotropin release is accompanied by oscillations of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and of an outward K+ current that is activated by Ca2+. Substances that caused current responses similar to those with GnRH were hypothesized to evoke secretion. Endothelin-1, oxytocin, neurotensin, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, and serotonin raised [Ca2+]i and evoked LH release as assayed by the reverse hemolytic plaque assay. These agents affected only subpopulations of gonadotropes establishing functional heterogeneity of pituitary gonadotropes. One neuromodulator (ATP) evoked ionic current in all gonadotropes but the current was different than that evoked by GnRH. Many other substances, including galanin and neuropeptide Y, caused no changes in currents and were considered not to affect [Ca2+]i and not to be secretagogues for gonadotropes.


How Vocal Emotions Produced by Children With Cochlear Implants Are Perceived by Their Hearing Peers.
Purpose Cochlear implants (CIs) transmit a degraded version of the acoustic input to the listener. This impacts the perception of harmonic pitch, resulting in deficits in the perception of voice features critical to speech prosody. Such deficits may relate to changes in how children with CIs (CCIs) learn to produce vocal emotions. The purpose of this study was to investigate happy and sad emotional speech productions by school-age CCIs, compared to productions by children with normal hearing (NH), postlingually deaf adults with CIs, and adults with NH. Method All individuals recorded the same emotion-neutral sentences in a happy manner and a sad manner. These recordings were then used as stimuli in an emotion recognition task performed by child and adult listeners with NH. Their performance was taken as a measure of how well the 4 groups of talkers communicated the 2 emotions. Results Results showed high variability in the identifiability of emotions produced by CCIs, relative to other groups. Some CCIs produced highly identifiable emotions, while others showed deficits. The postlingually deaf adults with CIs produced highly identifiable emotions and relatively small intersubject variability. Age at implantation was found to be a significant predictor of performance by CCIs. In addition, the NH listeners' age predicted how well they could identify the emotions produced by CCIs. Thus, older NH child listeners were better able to identify the CCIs' intended emotions than younger NH child listeners. In contrast to the deficits in their emotion productions, CCIs produced highly intelligible words in the sentences carrying the emotions. Conclusions These results confirm previous findings showing deficits in CCIs' productions of prosodic cues and indicate that early auditory experience plays an important role in vocal emotion productions by individuals with CIs.


What makes you work while you are sick? Evidence from a survey of workers.
Sickness absenteeism has been a focus of the EU Labour Force Surveys since the early 1970s. In contrast, sickness presenteeism is a newcomer. Based on surveys, this concept emerged in the empirical literature as late as the 1990s. Knowledge of the determinants of sickness presenteeism is still relatively sparse. The article examines the prevalence of sickness presenteeism in comparison with sickness absenteeism, using survey data covering 725 Finnish union members in 2008. We estimate logit models. The predictor variables capture working-time arrangements and the rules at the workplace. We include control variables such as the sector of the economy and educational attainment. Controlling for worker characteristics, we find that sickness presenteeism is much more sensitive to working-time arrangements than sickness absenteeism is. Permanent full-time work, mismatch between desired and actual working hours, shift or period work and overlong working weeks increase sickness presenteeism. We also find an interesting trade-off between sickness categories: regular overtime decreases sickness absenteeism, but increases sickness presenteeism. Two work-related sickness categories, absenteeism and presenteeism, are counterparts. However, the explanations for their prevalence point to different factors.


Rigidity and Flexibility: The Central Basis of Inter-Leg Coordination in the Locust.
Many motor behaviors, and specifically locomotion, are the product of an intricate interplay between neuronal oscillators known as central pattern generators (CPGs), descending central commands, and sensory feedback loops. The relative contribution of each of these components to the final behavior determines the trade-off between fixed movements and those that are carefully adapted to the environment. Here we sought to decipher the endogenous, default, motor output of the CPG network controlling the locust legs, in the absence of any sensory or descending influences. We induced rhythmic activity in the leg CPGs in isolated nervous system preparations, using different application procedures of the muscarinic agonist pilocarpine. We found that the three thoracic ganglia, each controlling a pair of legs, have different inherent bilateral coupling. Furthermore, we found that the pharmacological activation of one ganglion is sufficient to induce activity in the other, untreated, ganglia. Each ganglion was thus capable to impart its own bilateral inherent pattern onto the other ganglia via a tight synchrony among the ipsilateral CPGs. By cutting a connective and severing the lateral-longitudinal connections, we were able to uncouple the oscillators' activity. While the bilateral connections demonstrated a high modularity, the ipsilateral CPGs maintained a strict synchronized activity. These findings suggest that the central infrastructure behind locust walking features both rigid elements, which presumably support the generation of stereotypic orchestrated leg movements, and flexible elements, which might provide the central basis for adaptations to the environment and to higher motor commands.


The preparation of a series of nitrostilbene ester compounds using micro reactor technology.
The synthesis of stilbene esters using Wittig chemistry has been used to illustrate the generic diversity micro reactors offer in terms of chemical control and rapid method development. The micro reactor consisted of a 'T' design based on channel geometries 200 microns wide and 100 microns deep, etched into borosilicate glass and sealed with a borosilicate top plate using a thermal bonding technique. The movement of the reagent and products was achieved using electroosmotic flow (EOF), assisted by the incorporation of micro porous silica frits within the micro-channels to allow accurate solution control. To optimise the operating conditions methyl 4-formylbenzoate, premixed with sodium methoxide, was reacted with 2-nitrobenzyl-triphenylphosphonium bromide in dry degassed MeOH using flow conditions for both reagents of 0.40 microL min-1 for 20 min. A product yield of 70% (2:1 reaction stoichiometry with the aldehyde in excess) was obtained representing a 10% increase compared with the traditional batch synthesis. To demonstrate the capability of micro reactors to perform atom efficient synthesis a series of experiments based on an injection methodology (optimised to 30 s) were performed in the micro reactor at 1:1 stoichiometry resulting in a yield of 59%. Finally, the capability of micro reactors to perform a series of analogue reactions was investigated. The yields for a further three aldehydes indicated that the technology will be suitable for the development of automated device to support the generation of combinatorial libraries and rapid high throughput synthetic methods.


DNA methylation profiling across the spectrum of HPV-associated anal squamous neoplasia.
Changes in host tumor genome DNA methylation patterns are among the molecular alterations associated with HPV-related carcinogenesis. However, there is little known about the epigenetic changes associated specifically with the development of anal squamous cell cancer (SCC). We sought to characterize broad methylation profiles across the spectrum of anal squamous neoplasia. Twenty-nine formalin-fixed paraffin embedded samples from 24 patients were evaluated and included adjacent histologically normal anal mucosa (NM; n = 3), SCC-in situ (SCC-IS; n = 11) and invasive SCC (n = 15). Thirteen women and 11 men with a median age of 44 years (range 26-81) were included in the study. Using the SFP(10) LiPA HPV-typing system, HPV was detected in at least one tissue from all patients with 93% (27/29) being positive for high-risk HPV types and 14 (93%) of 15 invasive SCC tissues testing positive for HPV 16. Bisulfite-modified DNA was interrogated for methylation at 1,505 CpG loci representing 807 genes using the Illumina GoldenGate Methylation Array. When comparing the progression from normal anal mucosa and SCC-IS to invasive SCC, 22 CpG loci representing 20 genes demonstrated significant differential methylation (p<0.01). The majority of differentially methylated gene targets occurred at or close to specific chromosomal locations such as previously described HPV methylation "hotspots" and viral integration sites. We have identified a panel of differentially methlylated CpG loci across the spectrum of HPV-associated squamous neoplasia of the anus. To our knowledge, this is the first reported application of large-scale high throughput methylation analysis for the study of anal neoplasia. Our findings support further investigations into the role of host-genome methylation in HPV-associated anal carcinogenesis with implications towards enhanced diagnosis and screening strategies.


Initial Assessments of E-Learning Modules in Cytotechnology Education.
Nine E-learning modules (ELMs) were developed in our program using Articulate software. This study assessed our cytotechnology (CT) students' perceptions on the content of the ELMs, and the perceived influence of the ELMs on students' performance during clinical rotations. All CT students watched nine ELMs before the related classroom lecture and group discussion. Following that, students completed nine preclinical rotation surveys. After their clinical rotations, students completed nine postclinical rotation surveys. Statements on the content of the ELMs regarding the quality of the video and audio, duration, navigation, and the materials presented, received positive responses from the majority of the students. While there were a few disagreements and neutral responses, most of the students responded positively saying that the ELMs better prepared them for their role, as well as helped them to better perform their roles during the clinical rotation. The majority of the students recommended developing more EMLs for cytology courses in the future. This study has given hope that the ELMs have potential to enhance our online curriculum and benefit students, within the United States and internationally, who have no easy access to cytology clinical laboratories for hands-on training.


Uncoupling of GPCR and RhoA-induced Ca2+-sensitization of chicken amnion smooth muscle lacking CPI-17.
Ca2+-sensitization of smooth muscle occurs through inhibition of myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP) leading to an increase in the MLCK:MLCP activity ratio. MLCP is inhibited through phosphorylation of its regulatory subunit (MYPT-1) following activation of the RhoA/Rho kinase (ROK) pathway or through phosphorylation of the PP1c inhibitory protein, CPI-17, by PKC delta or ROK. Here, we explore the crosstalk between these two modes of MLCP inhibition in a smooth muscle of a natural CPI-17 knockout, chicken amnion. GTPgammaS elicited Ca2+-sensitized force which was relaxed by GDI or Y-27632, however, U46619, carbachol and phorbol ester failed to induce Ca2+-sensitized force, but were rescued by recombinant CPI-17, and were sensitive to Y-27632 inhibition. In the presence, but not absence, of CPI-17, U46619 also significantly increased GTP.RhoA. There was no affect on MYPT-1 phosphorylation at T695, however, T850 phosphorylation increased in response to GTPgammaS stimulation. Together, these data suggest a role for CPI-17 upstream of RhoA activation possibly through activation of another PP1 family member targeted by CPI-17.


Visual cortex neurons in monkey and cat: effect of contrast on the spatial and temporal phase transfer functions.
The responses of simple cells (recorded from within the striate visual cortex) were measured as a function of the contrast and the frequency of sine-wave grating patterns in order to explore the effect of contrast on the spatial and temporal phase transfer functions and on the spatiotemporal receptive field. In general, as the contrast increased, the phase of the response advanced by approximately 45 ms (approximately one-quarter of a cycle for frequencies near 5 Hz), although the exact value varied from cell to cell. The dynamics of this phase-advance were similar to the dynamics of the amplitude: the amplitude and the phase increased in an accelerating fashion at lower contrasts and then saturated at higher contrasts. Further, the gain for both the amplitude and the phase appeared to be governed by the magnitude of the contrast rather than the magnitude of the response. For the spatial phase transfer function, variations in contrast had little or no systematic effect; all of the phase responses clustered around a single straight line, with a common slope and intercept. This implies that the phase-advance was not due to a change in the spatial properties of the neuron; it also implies that the phase-advance was not systematically related to the magnitude of the response amplitude. On the other hand, for the temporal phase transfer function, the phase responses fell on five straight lines, related to the five steps in contrast. As the contrast increased, the phase responses advanced such that both the slope and the intercept were affected. This implies that the phase-advance was a result of contrast-induced changes in both the response latency and the shape/symmetry of the temporal receptive field.


[Presentation and stability of cognitive and noncognitive symptom patterns in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Disease course over a two-year period under constant treatment conditions with rivastigmine].
The course of behavioural and psychotic features of patients with Alzheimer's disease treated with an inhibitor of the acetylcholinesterase (rivastigmine), and their association to cognitive impairment is presented in the study. Standardized examination of global functional deterioration (GDS), cognitive impairment (MMSE) and behavioural or psychotic symptoms (Behave-AD) were performed over two years. We could analyse the complete data from 44 of initially 91 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. The cognitive component (measured by MMSE, ADAS-cog) and the functional assessment (GDS) showed a continuous decline after a one year period of stabilization, in contrast with behavioural and psychotic symptoms, especially delusions, which still improved after treatment of two years. While cognitive items in correlation with functional aspects formed a homogeneous factor over the two-year period, psychotic features displayed more variability over time evaluated by factor analysis. Nevertheless mood and anxiety disorder in combination with aggressive behaviour as well as hallucinations formed an independent factor in the course of Alzheimer's disease. In addition to other studies of the course of Alzheimer's disease we could demonstrate that distinct behavioural and psychotic symptoms may also present as independent factors in Alzheimer patients under constant treatment conditions with an inhibitor of the acetylcholinesterase (rivastigmine).


Epitopes associated with MHC restriction site of T cells. III. I-J epitope on MHC-restricted T helper cells.
I-J epitopes were found to be associated with the functional site of the class II MHC-restricted helper T (Th) cells: Virtually all of the H-2k-restricted Th cell function of H-2kxbF1 T cells was inhibited by the anti-I-Jk mAb, leaving the H-2b-restricted function unaffected. The I-Jk epitope was inducible in Th cells of different genotype origin according to the environmental class II antigens present in the early ontogeny of T cells. Although above results suggested that I-J is the structure reflecting the inducible MHC restriction specificity, further studies revealed some interesting controversies: First, the I-J phenotype did not always correlate with the class II restriction specificity, e.g., I-Ab-restricted Th from 5R was I-Jk-positive, whereas I-Ak-restricted Th of 4R was not. Second, there was no trans expression of parental I-J phenotypes and restriction specificities in F1 Th, e.g., the I-J phenotype was detected only on I-Ab-restricted Th of (4R X 5R)F1, whereas it was absent on I-Ak-restricted Th. This strict linkage between the restriction specificity and I-J phenotype was also found on Th cells developed in bone marrow chimera constructed with intra-H-2-recombinant mice. The expression of I-Jk was always associated with the restriction specificity of the relevant host. Thus, the restriction specificity of Th cells followed the host type, and the I-J expression on Th was exactly the same as that expressed by the host haplotype. These results indicate that I-J is an isomorphic structure adaptively expressed on Th cells that is involved in the unidirectional regulatory cell interactions, and that the polymorphism cannot be explained merely by the restriction specificity of the conventional T cell receptor heterodimer.


Theoretical and experimental investigation of near-infrared light propagation in a model of the adult head.
Near-infrared light propagation in various models of the adult head is analyzed by both time-of-flight measurements and mathematical prediction. The models consist of three- or four-layered slabs, the latter incorporating a clear cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) layer. The most sophisticated model also incorporates slots that imitate sulci on the brain surface. For each model, the experimentally measured mean optical path length as a function of source-detector spacing agrees well with predictions from either a Monte Carlo model or a finite-element method based on diffusion theory or a hybrid radiosity-diffusion theory. Light propagation in the adult head is shown to be highly affected by the presence of the clear CSF layer, and both the optical path length and the spatial sensitivity profile of the models with a CSF layer are quite different from those without the CSF layer. However, the geometry of the sulci and the boundary between the gray and the white matter have little effect on the detected light distribution.


Chronic lithium treatment and twenty-four hour rhythm of serum prolactin, growth hormone and melatonin in rats.
This study was undertaken to extend the observations that lithium chlordie has the ability to phase shift the 24-hour pattern of a large number of physiological parameters relative to the environmental lighting cycle. Adult male Wistar rats were housed individually in a temperature and sound controlled environment under a lighting schedule of 12 hours dark/12 hours light. Six point 24-hour maps were generated by taking measurements every four hours throughout 24 hours on separate groups of rats maintained for six weeks on ad lib water and one of three diets: 1) normal lab chow, 2) lab chow supplemented with 50 mM/kg of lithium chloride, 3) lab chow supplemented with 50 mM/kg of sodium chloride to control for the effects of a possible salt load. Variables measured included plasma and red blood cell lithium and sodium concentrations, serum prolactin, growth hormone and melatonin. Plasma lithium levels were 0.7 - 1.0 mEq/L. Plasma, but not red blood cell lithium levels demonstrated a 24-hour rhythm with higher levels following the normal feeding period. Serum and red blood cell sodium levels did not differ among the diets and showed no 24-hour variation. The sodium diet had no significant effects on any of the variables measured. The 24-hour pattern of prolactin was not significantly affected by the diets, while growth hormone and melatonin levels differed in animals on the lithium diet. During the light hours when growth hormone levels are normally falling and melatonin levels are barely detectable, there were no differences on these measurements among the diets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Nectar secondary compounds affect self-pollen transfer: implications for female and male reproduction.
Pollen movement within and among plants affects inbreeding, plant fitness, and the spatial scale of genetic differentiation. Although a number of studies have assessed how plant and floral traits influence pollen movement via changes in pollinator behavior, few have explored how nectar chemical composition affects pollen transfer. As many as 55% of plants produce secondary compounds in their nectar, which is surprising given that nectar is typically thought to attract pollinators. We tested the hypothesis that nectar with secondary compounds may benefit plants by encouraging pollinators to leave plants after visiting only a few flowers, thus reducing self-pollen transfer. We used Gelsemium sempervirens, a plant whose nectar contains the alkaloid gelsemine, which has been shown to be a deterrent to foraging bee pollinators. We found that high nectar alkaloids reduced the total and proportion of self-pollen received by one-half and one-third, respectively. However, nectar alkaloids did not affect female reproduction when we removed the potential for self-pollination (by emasculating all flowers on plants). We then tested the assumption that self-pollen in combination with outcrossed pollen depresses seed set. We found that plants were weakly self-compatible, but self-pollen with outcrossed pollen did not reduce seed set relative to solely outcrossed flowers. Finally, an exponential model of pollen carryover suggests that high nectar alkaloids could benefit plants via increased pollen export (an estimate of male function), but only when pollinators were efficient and abundant and plants had large floral displays. Results suggest that high nectar alkaloids may benefit plants via increased pollen export under a restricted set of ecological conditions, but in general, the costs of high nectar alkaloids in reducing pollination balanced or outweighed the benefits of reducing self-pollen transfer for estimates of female and male reproduction.


Multipoint pulmonary vascular pressure-cardiac output plots in conscious dogs.
To characterize quantitatively the relationships among pulmonary vascular pressures (P) and cardiac output (Q) in conscious dogs, multipoint plots of pulmonary arterial (PAP), pulmonary capillary wedge (PCWP), PAP - PCWP, and left atrial (LAP) pressure versus Q were generated by graded constriction of the thoracic inferior vena cava (IVC) to vary Q. Slopes and extrapolated pressure intercepts from linear regression fits to the P/Q plots were determined for three inspired oxygen tensions: normoxia, hyperoxia, and hypoxia. During normoxia (arterial Po2 87 +/- 1 Torr), the extrapolated pressure intercepts for PAP, PCWP, and PAP - PCWP were virtually 0 mmHg, and for LAP, substantially negative (-5.5 +/- 1.1 mmHg; P less than 0.01). Hyperoxia (Po2 365 +/- 28 Torr) had no effect on any of the P/Q plots. In contrast, hypoxia (Po2 51 +/- 1 Torr) significantly increased the intercepts (P less than 0.01) as well as the slopes (P less than 0.05) of PAP and PAP - PCWP versus Q, but produced only minor changes in PCWP and LAP versus Q. These hypoxia-induced changes in intercepts, perhaps related to changes in critical closing pressures, demonstrate the limitations of pulmonary vascular resistance calculations (quotient of pressure gradient and Q) in quantifying changes in pulmonary vasomotor tone. In this way, the IVC constriction technique provides a more complete description of P/Q relationships than that permitted by simple calculations of pulmonary vascular resistance. We conclude that this technique can be utilized to investigate the effects of other physiological and pharmacological interventions on pulmonary vasomotor tone in conscious dogs.


Associations Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma Among Young People Who Offend: A Systematic Literature Review.
This systematic review synthesized current knowledge about the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among young people known to have offended and examined evidence of associations between ACEs, trauma symptoms, and offending behavior. A systematic search of English-language, peer-reviewed studies published from the year 2000 onwards was conducted. A final pool of 124 studies that reported quantitative data were included in the review. The Cambridge Quality Checklist for the assessment of studies on offending was used to assess methodological quality of included studies. Pooled data indicated that almost 87% of justice-involved young people across 13 countries experienced at least one traumatic event. The odds of experiencing at least one ACE were over 12 times greater for justice-involved young people compared with nonjustice-involved young people. Prevalence of individual ACEs ranged from 12.2% for childhood sexual abuse to 80.4% for parental separation among justice-involved young people. Those who reported both a higher number and multiple types of ACEs were more likely to be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress symptoms. However, when considering only high-quality studies, there was minimal evidence to suggest that a higher incidence of ACEs predicted trauma symptoms or that trauma symptoms mediated the association between ACEs and offending behavior. Further research is needed to elucidate factors that differentiate young people exposed to ACEs who go on to offend from those who do not. This research is essential to understanding whether ACEs and trauma are drivers of offending behavior and for informing prevention and intervention strategies.


Saliva for Assessing Vitamin A Status in Extremely Preterm Infants: A Diagnostic Study.
Salivary measurement of hormones and vitamins is gaining prominence as a minimally invasive procedure with the negligible potential for harm. We aimed to assess the utility of saliva for assessing vitamin A status in extremely preterm infants. Paired saliva and blood samples were collected at 4 weeks of age from infants born <28 weeks of gestation using a proprietary polymer swab. Plasma retinol was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography, and salivary retinol was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Thirty infants were recruited with a median (IQR) gestation and birth weight of 26.2 weeks (24.8-27.2) and 865 g (718-1,002), respectively. An adequate volume of saliva (>50 µL) was obtained in 68%. There was no significant correlation (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.16, p = 0.3) between individual plasma and salivary retinol levels. Bland-Altman analysis showed wide limits of agreement (-113 to +119%) between individual plasma and salivary retinol levels. Individual vitamin A status cannot be determined reliably from saliva in extremely preterm infants using current collection materials and analysis techniques.


An evolutionary approach to the high frequency of the Delta F508 CFTR mutation in European populations.
The diffusion of the cattle pastoralism across Europe during the Neolithic period was probably accompanied by the emergence and spread of diverse contagious diseases that were unknown in the Paleolithic and that would have affected the frequency of genes directly or indirectly associated with differential susceptibility and/or resistance to infectious pathogens. We therefore propose that the high frequency of the CFTR gene, and in particular, the common Delta F508 allele mutation in current European and European-derived populations might be a consequence of the impact of selective pressures generated by the transmission of pathogenic agents from domesticated animals, mainly bovine cattle, to the man. Intestinal infectious diseases were probably a major health problem for Neolithic peoples. In such a context, a gene mutation that conferred an increased resistance to the diseases caused by pathogens transmitted by dairy cattle would have constituted a definite selective advantage, particularly in those human groups where cow's milk became an essential component of the diet. This selective advantage would be determined by an increased resistance to Cl(-)-secreting diarrheas of those individuals carrying a single copy of the Delta F508 CFTR mutation (heterozygote resistance). This hypothesis is supported by the strong association between the geography of the diffusion of cattle pastoralism (assessed indirectly by the lactase persistence distribution), the geographic distribution of a sizeable number of HLA alleles (as indicative of potential selective pressures generated by epidemic mortality) and the geographic distribution of the most common mutation causing cystic fibrosis (Delta F508). The systematic interaction of humans with infectious pathogens would have begun in northern Europe, among the carriers of the Funnel Beaker Culture, the first farmers of the North European plain, moving progressively to the south with the dissemination of the cattle pastoralism. This gradual exposure to epidemic mortality among populations located further and further south in Europe as cattle pastoralism expanded could have generated differences in CFTR gene frequencies, thereby shaping the latitudinal frequency gradients observed in present-day European populations.


Comparing numbers of drinks: college students' reports from retrospective summary, followback, and prospective daily diary measures.
Retrospective summary, followback (retrospective diaries), and prospective daily diary measures of alcohol use among college students were compared across 29 days. Participants were college students (n = 176; 60.2% female). Similarities in the three web-based reporting methods and both between-persons (i.e., gender, past drinking behavior, fraternity/sorority affiliation, average drinking behavior during the study period) and within-person (i.e., daily number of drinks, weekend days, Halloween, and week of study) predictors of concordance between reports of followback and prospective diaries were analyzed. On prospective diaries, students reported a greater number of maximum drinks (compared with followback only) and a greater number of heavy drinking days in the past 2 weeks (compared with both followback and retrospective summary measures). In followback compared with prospective diaries, students tended to provide inflated accounts of their drinking behavior when reporting about occasions with greater typical drinking (i.e., weekends, Halloween) and deflated accounts of their drinking on their own heavier drinking days, especially if they were affiliated with a fraternity/sorority. Women and students who drank more on average across study days tended to provide deflated estimates of their day-to-day drinking in followback compared with prospective diary. Understanding the concordance and discordance in self-reported alcohol use is an important area for continued research efforts.


Effects of acute supplementation of caffeine and Panax ginseng on endurance running performance in a hot and humid environment.
Acute supplementation of Panax ginseng (PG) is known not to impose any significant effect on endurance performance of recreational Malaysian runners, while caffeine augments the ergogenic property of some herbs. The present study was aimed to examine the effects of acute supplementation of caffeine and PG on endurance running performance in a hot and humid condition. Nine heat adapted Malaysian recreational runners (age : 25.4 ± 6.9 years, body mass : 57.6 ± 8.4 kg; body height : 168.3 ± 7.6 cm) ingested either placebo or combined dose of 5 mg x kg(-1) of body weight of caffeine and 200 mg of PG one hour before the running on treadmill at 70% of VO2(max) in this placebo-controlled double blind randomised study in a laboratory environment of 31 degrees C and 70% relative humidity. They drank 3 ml x kg(-1) of body weight of cool water every 20 minutes during the exercise to prevent dehydration. Blood samples were withdrawn and oxygen uptake was recorded every 20 minutes while heart rate, core body temperature, skin temperature and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded every 10 minutes during the trials. Endurance time was significantly different (P < 0.05) between experimental and placebo trials. Heart rate, skin temperature, core body temperature, oxygen uptake, RPE, plasma insulin, glucose, free fatty acid and lactate levels during the endurance exercise did not show any significant difference between the trials. Thus, we conclude that combined and acute supplementation of caffeine and PG in the said doses improved the endurance running performance of the heat-adapted male recreational runners.


Comparative analysis of expressed sequences reveals a conserved pattern of optimal codon usage in plants.
Codon usage bias is a ubiquitous phenomenon, which may be caused by mutational bias, selection, or both. The patterns of codon usage in plants are not well understood. Datasets of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) available for many plant species provide the resources for large-scale comparative analysis of codon usage patterns. We developed a computational approach to translate EST or assembled contig sequences, and then used the coding information for comparative analysis of codon usage in 12 plant species, including 6 eudicots, 5 monocots and the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. While codon nucleotide composition is highly conserved within eudicots or monocots, there is a significant difference between these two major taxonomic groups of higher plants. The third nucleotide position of codons is AU-rich in the eudicot genomes (35-42% of G+C content), but GC-rich in the monocot genomes (59-61% of G+C content). To identify optimal codons in these species, we used EST counts to estimate gene transcript levels. It was demonstrated that codon usage bias is correlated positively with gene transcript levels. Interestingly, the use of optimal codons appears to be well conserved between eudicots and monocots, and to a lesser degree between the higher plants and C. reinhardtii. Most of the optimal codons end with a C or G base, regardless of the different nucleotide composition in these genomes. The results suggest that plant codon usage is affected by translational selection, and the selective pressure appears to be conserved in the plant kingdom.


Hyperthermic enhancement of serum antimicrobial activity: mechanism by which fever might exert a beneficial effect on the outcome of gram-negative sepsis.
We have previously demonstrated heightened antibiotic activity at temperatures at the upper end of the physiological range. In the present studies we examined the effect of physiological variations in temperature on the antibacterial activity of antibiotic-free pooled human serum by comparing serum minimal inhibitory and bactericidal titers for gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains at 33, 37, and 41 degrees C. We observed a progressive rise in both minimal inhibitory and minimal bactericidal titers with temperature for all classes of gram-negative bacilli studied. However, gram-positive cocci were generally resistant to serum, even at the highest experimental temperature. Bacterial strains adapted to growth at temperatures normally encountered on body surfaces were more susceptible to the enhancing effect of hyperthermia on serum inhibition than were strains adapted to 37 degrees C. In addition, in vitro adaptation of one bacterial strain to different temperatures within the physiological range resulted in readily apparent variations in colonial morphology. These in vitro observations indicate that serum antibacterial activity and bacterial morphology may vary in response to minor changes in either the temperature to which bacteria are adapted before examination or the temperature of the assay system. If similar principles operate in vivo, hyperthermically augmented serum antimicrobial activity might represent one mechanism by which fever exerts a beneficial effect on the outcome of gram-negative sepsis.


In-hospital charges associated with the treatment of adult femoral neck fractures.
A retrospective analysis of 41 adult patients treated for a femoral neck fracture was performed to determine the variables that best predict total hospital charges. The patients were treated for an isolated femoral neck fracture at our hospital from January 1993 through December 1994. There were 13 men and 28 women. The average age at the time of injury was 63 years. The average length of stay was 12.1 days, and the average total hospital charges per patient were $16,072. No physician fees were included in our analysis. Detailed multivariate regression analysis of 10 variables was performed for each patient. Stepwise linear regression analysis, which controlled for all variable (such as age at injury, number of medical illnesses, gender, and others), revealed that the strongest predictors of total hospital charges were the number of medical illnesses (P < 0.0001), age at injury (P = 0.023), length of stay (P < 0.0001), and number of complications (P = 0.0007).


Tryptophan extends the life of cytochrome P450.
Powerfully oxidizing enzymes need protective mechanisms to prevent self-destruction. The flavocytochrome P450 BM3 from Priestia megaterium (P450BM3) is a self-sufficient monooxygenase that hydroxylates fatty acid substrates using O2 and NADPH as co-substrates. Hydroxylation of long-chain fatty acids (≥C14) is well coupled to O2 and NADPH consumption, but shorter chains (≤C12) are more poorly coupled. Hydroxylation of p-nitrophenoxydodecanoic acid by P450BM3 produces a spectrophotometrically detectable product wherein the coupling of NADPH consumption to product formation is just 10%. Moreover, the rate of NADPH consumption is 1.8 times that of O2 consumption, indicating that an oxidase uncoupling pathway is operative. Measurements of the total number of enzyme turnovers before inactivation (TTN) indicate that higher NADPH concentrations increase TTN. At lower NADPH levels, added ascorbate increases TTN, while a W96H mutation leads to a decrease. The W96 residue is about 7 Å from the P450BM3 heme and serves as a gateway residue in a tryptophan/tyrosine (W/Y) hole transport chain from the heme to a surface tyrosine residue. The data indicate that two oxidase pathways protect the enzyme from damage by intercepting the powerfully oxidizing enzyme intermediate (Compound I) and returning it to its resting state. At high NADPH concentrations, reducing equivalents from the flavoprotein are delivered to Compound I by the usual reductase pathway. When NADPH is not abundant, however, oxidizing equivalents from Compound I can traverse a W/Y chain, arriving at the enzyme surface where they are scavenged by reductants. Ubiquitous tryptophan/tyrosine chains in highly oxidizing enzymes likely perform similar protective functions.


Employer-Sponsored Insurance Stable For Low-Income Workers In Medicaid Expansion States.
We assessed rates of employer health insurance offer, take-up, and coverage in June 2013 and March 2017 among workers. Overall, offer rates remained stable, and take-up and coverage rates increased. In Medicaid expansion states, the share of workers with family incomes at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level who had employer-based coverage held steady, while uninsurance rates declined.


Patterns of self-management practices undertaken by cancer survivors: variations in demographic factors.
The study purpose was to examine self-management (SM) use among cancer survivors; and to explore variations in uptake of SM in survivorship and whether these differed in relation to age, income, gender, ethnicity, cancer type and treatment type. This is an important area for exploration as SM utilisation has the potential to impact on the health status, health behaviours and quality of life (QoL) of cancer survivors. A postal survey was conducted among 445 cancer survivors identified from a hospital in the West Midlands, UK. Demographic data were collected and respondents were asked to identify which practices across six SM categories - diet, exercise, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), psychological therapies, support groups and spirituality/religion - they had used (if any). The findings indicate that the large majority (91%) had used some form of SM after their cancer treatment. Exercise (84%) and diet (56%) were the most popular SM interventions for cancer survivors and socio-demographic and cancer-related factors were associated with SM uptake. These findings can form the basis for designing and implementing appropriate SM interventions aimed at improving the health, well-being and QoL of cancer survivors.


Butch, femme, or straight acting? Partner preferences of gay men and lesbians.
On average, gay men are somewhat feminine and lesbians somewhat masculine, but there is variation within each group. The authors examined the consequences of this variation for gay men's and lesbians' desirability as romantic partners. In 2 studies the authors analyzed personal advertisements. Homosexual people were more likely than heterosexual people to mention traits related to sex typicality and more likely to request sex-typical than sex-atypical partners. In 2 studies the authors assessed partner preferences directly. On average, gay men preferred men who described themselves as masculine rather than feminine, but this preference was weaker among men who rated themselves as relatively feminine. Lesbians preferred women who described themselves as feminine looking but did not discriminate against women calling themselves masculine acting. The authors discuss implications of the results for theories of sexual orientation and the adjustment of sex-atypical homosexual people.


[Effects of lycopene on metabolism of glycolipid and inflammation in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease rats].
To investigate the effects of lycopene on metabolism of glycolipid and inflammation in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. According to body weight, sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, non-alcoholic fatty liver model group, 20, 60 mg/kg lycopene intervention groups, with 15 rats in each group. The control group was fed normal diet, and the other 3 groups were fed high-fat and high-fructose diet for 4 weeks to establish the model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. After modeling, the intervention groups were fed lycopene of different doses by gavage. After 8 weeks of continuous feeding, the rats were sacrificed, the body weight and liver weight were weighed, and the liver index was calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the morphological changes of liver tissue. Serum was collected, fasting blood glucose(FBG), fasting insulin(INS), and insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR) were calculated; Liver function indicators alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST) were measured; Serum triglycerides(TG), total cholesterol(TC), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C) and levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-18(IL-18) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) were measured. Compared with the control group, the liver weight and liver index in the model group increased by 27% and 24%, respectively; And steatosis occurred in the liver tissue; The levels of serum ALT, TG, TC, LDL-C, IL-6, IL-1β were significantly increased, the level of serum HDL-C was significantly decreased(P<0. 05). Compared with the model group, liver weight, liver index, levels of serum ALT, TG, FBG, IL-6 and IL-1β were significantly lower in the 20, 60 mg/kg lycopene intervention groups(P<0. 05), the INS and HOMA-IR index showed a downward trend; Liver tissue lesions were reduced to different degrees, and the effect was more significant in the 60 mg/kg lycopene group. Lycopene can improve non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by regulating glycolipid metabolism and reducing levels of inflammatory cytokines in rats.


Landscape analysis and overview of the literature on oxidative stress and pulmonary diseases.
Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance in oxidant/antioxidant processes and is a critical process in pulmonary diseases. As no truly effective therapies exist for lung cancer, lung fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), at present, it is important to comprehensively study the relationship between oxidative stress and pulmonary diseases to identify truly effective therapeutics. Since there is no quantitative and qualitative bibliometric analysis of the literature in this area, this review provides an in-depth analysis of publications related to oxidative stress and pulmonary diseases over four periods, including from 1953 to 2007, 2008 to 2012, 2013 to 2017, and 2018 to 2022. Interest in many pulmonary diseases has increased, and the mechanisms and therapeutic drugs for pulmonary diseases have been well analyzed. Lung injury, lung cancer, asthma, COPD and pneumonia are the 5 most studied pulmonary diseases related to oxidative stress. Inflammation, apoptosis, nuclear factor erythroid 2 like 2 (NRF2), mitochondria, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) are rapidly becoming the most commonly used top keywords. The top thirty medicines most studied for treating different pulmonary diseases were summarized. Antioxidants, especially those targeting reactive oxygen species (ROS) in specific organelles and certain diseases, may be a substantial and necessary choice in combined therapies rather than acting as a single "magic bullet" for the effective treatment of refractory pulmonary diseases.


Episodic memory following deep brain stimulation of the ventral anterior limb of the internal capsule and electroconvulsive therapy.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) are effective treatments for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). However, a common side effect of ECT is autobiographical memory loss (e.g., personal experiences), whereas the impact of DBS on autobiographical memories has never been established. Comparing autobiographical memories following DBS and ECT. In two hospitals in The Netherlands, we interviewed 25 TRD patients treated with DBS of the ventral anterior limb of the internal capsule (vALIC), 14 TRD patients treated with ECT and 22 healthy controls (HC) with the Autobiographical Memory Inventory - Short Form (AMI-SF) in a prospective, longitudinal study between March 2010 and August 2016. Patients treated with DBS were interviewed before surgery, after surgery, and twice during treatment over 122.7 (SD: ±22.2) weeks. Patients treated with ECT were tested before ECT, after six right unilateral (RUL) ECT sessions and twice following ECT over 65.1 (±9.3) weeks. Controls were tested four times over 81.5 (±15.6) weeks. Compared to HC, the AMI-SF score decreased faster in both TRD groups (P < 0.001). More specifically, AMI-SF score decreased in a comparable rate as HC after DBS surgery, but decreased more during treatment. The AMI-SF decrease in the ECT group was larger than both the DBS and HC groups. Both ECT and vALIC DBS result in a faster autobiographical memory decline compared to HC. DBS might have a negative impact on autobiographical memories, although less so than ECT. Future work should dissect whether DBS or characteristics of TRD cause this decline.


Classification of diaper dermatitis: an overview.
Several types of diaper dermatitis are discussed: generic diaper dermatitis is most common and involves a simple erythema and mild scaling of the gluteal crease, buttocks, thighs, and lower abdomen. Candidal diaper dermatitis involves clinically significant infection with Candida albicans and presents as a sharply marginated area of erythema with significant involvement of the anterior thighs, genital creases, abdomen, and genitalia. Noduloulcerative diaper dermatitis may develop in a small percentage of patients who have chronic diaper dermatitis, as large, raised erosions with rolled margins. The lesions are most noticeable on the prominent body parts-genitalia, abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. Infantile seborrheic dermatitis involves a distinctive pattern of inflammation that usually begins beneath the diaper as a sharply marginated area of erythema with satellite lesions. Within 1-2 weeks, lesions develop on the scalp, cheeks, arms, legs, and intertriginous parts of the body. Impetigo is common in the diaper area, particularly in the first 6 months of life and during the warmer summer season. The lesions are usually bullous and represent infection by Staphylococcus aureus. Folliculitis appears as small, perifollicular erythematous papules and pustules, usually on the buttocks, thigh and lower abdomen. It is common in the warm summer months and is usually caused by bacteria such as S. aureus. Intertrigo categorizes disease that does not fit into the above categories. Often the patient presents with simple erythema of the folds without pustules or induration. This probably represents irritation and low-grade infection. It is important for the clinician to be aware that many other diseases can have manifestations in the diaper area.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


[Structure of drug resistance in Staphylococci].
The structure of drug resistance was studied on 2788 clinical strains of staphylococci isolated from various materials of patients with purulent-inflammatory processes, stuff and environment within 12 years from 1968 to 1973. The number of staphylococci resistant to tetracycline increased 13 times among the cultures with resistance marker, while the number of staphylococci resistant to penicillin decreased 1-8 times. The study of the complex resistance revealed the predominance of staphylococci with tetracycline resistance structure (60-5 percent).


Fungal and parasitic infections of the eye.
The unique structure of the human eye as well as exposure of the eye directly to the environment renders it vulnerable to a number of uncommon infectious diseases caused by fungi and parasites. Host defenses directed against these microorganisms, once anatomical barriers are breached, are often insufficient to prevent loss of vision. Therefore, the timely identification and treatment of the involved microorganisms are paramount. The anatomy of the eye and its surrounding structures is presented with an emphasis upon the association of the anatomy with specific infection of fungi and parasites. For example, filamentous fungal infections of the eye are usually due to penetrating trauma by objects contaminated by vegetable matter of the cornea or globe or, by extension, of infection from adjacent paranasal sinuses. Fungal endophthalmitis and chorioretinitis, on the other hand, are usually the result of antecedent fungemia seeding the ocular tissue. Candida spp. are the most common cause of endogenous endophthalmitis, although initial infection with the dimorphic fungi may lead to infection and scarring of the chorioretina. Contact lens wear is associated with keratitis caused by yeasts, filamentous fungi, and Acanthamoebae spp. Most parasitic infections of the eye, however, arise following bloodborne carriage of the microorganism to the eye or adjacent structures.


Advancing clinical leadership to improve the implementation of evidence-based practice in surgery: a longitudinal mixed-method study protocol.
Clinical leadership is fundamental in facilitating service improvements in healthcare. Few studies have attempted to understand or model the different approaches to leadership which are used when promoting the uptake and implementation of evidence-based interventions. This research aims to uncover and explain how distributed clinical leadership can be developed and improved to enhance the use of evidence in practice. In doing so, this study examines implementation leadership in orthopaedic surgery to explain leadership as a collective endeavour which cannot be separated from the organisational context. A mixed-method study consisting of longitudinal and cross-sectional interviews and an embedded social network analysis will be performed in six NHS hospitals. A social network analysis will be undertaken in each hospital to uncover the organisational networks, the focal leadership actors and information flows in each organisation. This will be followed by a series of repeated semi-structured interviews, conducted over 4 years, with orthopaedic surgeons and their professional networks. These longitudinal interviews will be supplemented by cross-sectional interviews with the national established surgical leaders. All qualitative data will be analysed using a constructivist grounded theory approach and integrated with the quantitative data. The participant narratives will enrich the social network to uncover the leadership configurations which exist, and how different configurations of leadership are functioning in practice to influence implementation processes and outcomes. The study findings will facilitate understanding about how and why different configurations of leadership develop and under what organisational conditions and circumstances they are able to flourish. The study will guide the development of leadership interventions that are grounded in the data and aimed at advancing leadership for service improvement in orthopaedics. The strength of the study lies in the combination of multi-component, multi-site, multi-agent methods to examine leadership processes in surgery. The findings may be limited by the practical challenges of longitudinal qualitative data collection, such as ensuring participant retention, which need to be balanced against the theoretical and empirical insights generated through this comprehensive exploration of leadership across and within a range of healthcare organisations.


[On the possibility to reconstruct the initial position of the body of a victim from the configuration of wound canals in the scapular region].
The objective of the present study was to estimate the influence of the position of an upper extremity on the formation of wound canals resulting from the injury to the scapular region and the chest. The secondary objective was to substantiate the possibility of the detection of the position of the upper extremity at the time of wound infliction. A few series of experiments were carried out with the differently positioned upper extremities. They allowed to determine: 1) the degree of tissue displacement in the scapular and thoracic regions, 2) disjunctive (discontinuous) dislocation of the wound canal, and 3) the possibility to detect the relative position of the upper extremity at the time of wound infliction in the scapular region.


Inactivation of coxsackieviruses B3 and B5 in water by chlorine.
The inactivation rates of coxsackievirus B3 (CB3) and B5 (CB5) by chlorine in dilute buffer at pH 6 were very nearly the same and about half that of poliovirus (Mahoney) under similar conditions. Purified CB3, like the poliovirus, aggregated in the acid range but not at pH 7 and above. Purified CB5 aggregated rapidly at all pH values; still, the graph of log surviving infectivity versus time was a straight line. No chlorine inactivation data were obtained with dispersed CB5, for it could be dispersed only by addition of diethylaminoethyl dextran, which would react with the chlorine. Addition of 0.1 M NaCl to the buffer at pH 6 did not influence the aggregation of CB5 or the rate of chlorine action on either of the coxsackie-viruses, but at pH 10 it increased the disinfection activity of OCl- for both viruses roughly 20-fold. Cesium chloride had a similar but smaller effect. KCl was the most active of the three in this respect, making the inactivating effect of OCl- at pH 10 about equal to that of HOCl at pH 6.


Screening of broad-spectrum aptamer and development of electrochemical aptasensor for simultaneous detection of penicillin antibiotics in milk.
Penicillin antibiotics (PENs) play an important role in killing pathogenic bacteria. However, the residues of various penicillin antibiotics in milk gradually accumulate in the human body with the increase of milk intake, which causes direct harm to the human body. Aptamers can be used as recognition element of sensors. It is great significance to use broad-spectrum aptamers for simultaneous detection of PENs. In this study, we reported the screening and identification of DNA aptamers for PENs. The aptamers were screened by graphene oxide-systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (GO-SELEX). The broad-spectrum aptamers with high affinity and specificity were successfully obtained after 13 rounds of screening. The affinity and specificity of candidate aptamers were analyzed by a GO fluorescence competition method. Further sequence analysis revealed that a truncated 47 nt aptamer (P-11-1) had a higher affinity than the original 79 nt aptamer. The truncated aptamer P-11-1 was used as a recognition element, and an electrochemical aptasensor was prepared using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) combined with ferroferric oxide-multi walled carbon nanotube (Fe3O4-MWCNTs) complex. The results showed that the developed aptasensor achieved the simultaneous detection of PENs in milk samples across a concentration range of 2 nM-10,000 nM, achieving a limit of detection of 0.667 nM. This methodology provided a simple and sensitive new thinking for antibiotic multi-residue detection.


The Use of Both Therapeutic and Prophylactic Vaccines in the Therapy of Papillomavirus Disease.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus. The high-risk HPV types (i.e., HPV16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59) are considered to be the main etiological agents of genital tract cancers, such as cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, and anal cancers, and of a subset of head and neck cancers. Three prophylactic HPV vaccines are available that are bivalent (vs. HPV16, 18), tetravalent (vs. HPV6, 11, 16, 18), and non-avalent (vs. HPV6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33,45, 52, 58). All of these vaccines are based on recombinant DNA technology, and they are prepared from the purified L1 protein that self-assembles to form the HPV type-specific empty shells (i.e., virus-like particles). These vaccines are highly immunogenic and induce specific antibodies. Therapeutic vaccines differ from prophylactic vaccines, as they are designed to generate cell-mediated immunity against transformed cells, rather than neutralizing antibodies. Among the HPV proteins, the E6 and E7 oncoproteins are considered almost ideal as targets for immunotherapy of cervical cancer, as they are essential for the onset and evolution of malignancy and are constitutively expressed in both premalignant and invasive lesions. Several strategies have been investigated for HPV therapeutic vaccines designed to enhance CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses, including genetic vaccines (i.e., DNA/ RNA/virus/ bacterial), and protein-based, peptide-based or dendritic-cell-based vaccines. However, no vaccine has yet been licensed for therapeutic use. Several studies have suggested that administration of prophylactic vaccines immediately after surgical treatment of CIN2 cervical lesions can be considered as an adjuvant to prevent reactivation or reinfection, and other studies have described the relevance of prophylactic vaccines in the management of genital warts. This review summarizes the leading features of therapeutic vaccines, which mainly target the early oncoproteins E6 and E7, and prophylactic vaccines, which are based on the L1 capsid protein. Through an analysis of the specific immunogenic properties of these two types of vaccines, we discuss why and how prophylactic vaccines can be effective in the treatment of HPV-related lesions and relapse.


Cysteine-scanning mutagenesis reveals a conformationally sensitive reentrant pore-loop in the glutamate transporter GLT-1.
Removal of glutamate from the synaptic cleft by (Na(+) + K(+))-coupled transporters prevents neurotoxicity due to elevated concentrations of the transmitter. These transporters exhibit an unusual topology, including two reentrant loops. Reentrant loop II plays a pivotal role in coupling ion and glutamate fluxes. Here we used cysteine-scanning mutagenesis of the GLT-1 transporter to test the idea that this loop undergoes conformational changes following sodium and substrate binding. 15 of 22 consecutive single cysteine mutants in the stretch between Gly-422 and Ser-443 exhibited 30-100% of the transport activity of the cysteine-less transporter when expressed in HeLa cells. The transport activity of 11 of the 15 active mutants including five consecutive residues in the ascending limb was inhibited by small hydrophilic methanethiosulfonate reagents. The sensitivity of seven cysteine mutants, including A438C and S440C, to the reagents was significantly reduced by sodium ions, but the opposite was true for A439C. The non-transportable analogue dihydrokainate protected at almost all positions throughout the loop, and at two of the positions, the analogue protected even in the absence of sodium. Our results indicate that reentrant loop II forms part of an aqueous pore, the access of which is blocked by the glutamate analogue dihydrokainate, and that sodium influences the conformation of this pore-loop.


Cumulative inflammatory load is associated with short leukocyte telomere length in the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study.
Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is an emerging marker of biological age. Chronic inflammatory activity is commonly proposed as a promoter of biological aging in general, and of leukocyte telomere shortening in particular. In addition, senescent cells with critically short telomeres produce pro-inflammatory factors. However, in spite of the proposed causal links between inflammatory activity and LTL, there is little clinical evidence in support of their covariation and interaction. To address this issue, we examined if individuals with high levels of the systemic inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) had increased odds for short LTL. Our sample included 1,962 high-functioning adults who participated in the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study (age range: 70-79 years). Logistic regression analyses indicated that individuals with high levels of either IL-6 or TNF-α had significantly higher odds for short LTL. Furthermore, individuals with high levels of both IL-6 and TNF-α had significantly higher odds for short LTL compared with those who had neither high (OR = 0.52, CI = 0.37-0.72), only IL-6 high (OR = 0.57, CI = 0.39-0.83) or only TNF-α high (OR = 0.67, CI = 0.46-0.99), adjusting for a wide variety of established risk factors and potential confounds. In contrast, CRP was not associated with LTL. Results suggest that cumulative inflammatory load, as indexed by the combination of high levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, is associated with increased odds for short LTL. In contrast, high levels of CRP were not accompanied by short LTL in this cohort of older adults. These data provide the first large-scale demonstration of links between inflammatory markers and LTL in an older population.


Antigenicity and immunogenicity of phage library-selected peptide mimics of the major surface proteophosphoglycan antigens of Entamoeba histolytica.
Entamoeba histolytica is the protozoan parasite responsible for intestinal amoebiasis and amoebic liver abscess, which cause significant morbidity and mortality in many countries of the world. Proteophosphoglycans (PPGs, also known as lipophosphoglycans, LPGs, or lipopeptidophosphoglycans, LPPGs) represent dominant surface components of E. histolytica. Passive immunization with a monoclonal antibody (EH5) directed against these components protected SCID mice from amoebic liver abscess, so PPGs might be regarded as vaccine candidates; however, their structure is very complex and only known in part. They are glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked polypeptides of unknown sequence carrying glycan side-chains linked to serine residues via phosphodiester bonds. In order to identify peptide mimics of the E. histolytica PPG antigens, we screened six different phage-displayed random peptide libraries with the antibody EH5. Various peptide mimics of different length were identified and, in all the peptides, a distinct consensus sequence Gly-Thr-His-Pro-X-Leu could be identified. The phages strongly bound to the antibody, and the natural antigen inhibited binding of the phages to antibody EH5. In addition, several of the phages induced a significant immunoglobulin G response against amoebic antigens in immunized mice.


Genetic association studies in critically ill patients: protocol for a systematic review.
Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are highly heterogeneous in characteristics, their clinical course, and outcomes. Genetic variability may partly explain the variability and similarity in disease courses observed among critically ill patients and may identify clusters of subgroups. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of all genetic association studies of critically ill patients with their outcomes. This systematic review will be conducted and reported according to the HuGE Review Handbook V1.0. We will search PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for relevant studies. All types of genetic association studies that included acutely admitted medical and surgical adult ICU patients will be considered for this review. All studies will be selected according to predefined selection criteria, evaluated and assessed for risk of bias independently by two reviewers. Risk of bias will be assessed according to the HuGE Review Handbook V1.0 with some modifications reflecting recent insights. We will provide an overview of all included studies by reporting the characteristics of the study designs, the patients included in the studies, the genetic variables, and the outcomes evaluated. We will use data from peer-reviewed published articles, and hence, there is no requirement for ethics approval. The results of this systematic review will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. PROSPERO CRD42021209744.


Current trends in live liver donation.
The introduction of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has been one of the most remarkable steps in the field of liver transplantation (LT), able to significantly expand the scarce donor pool in countries in which the growing demands of organs are not met by the shortage of available cadaveric grafts. Although the benefits of this procedure are enormous, the physical and psychological sacrifice of the donors is immense, and the expectations for a good outcome for themselves, as well as for the recipients, are high. We report a current overview of the latest trends in live liver donation in its different aspects (i.e. donor's selection, evaluation, operation, morbidity, mortality, ethics and psychology). This review is based on our center's personal experience with almost 200 LDLTs and a detailed analysis of the international literature of the last 7 years about this topic. Knowing in detail how to approach to the different aspects of living liver donation may be helpful in further improve donor's safety and even recipient's outcome.


Peptide-Based Targeting of the L-Type Calcium Channel Corrects the Loss-of-Function Phenotype of Two Novel Mutations of the CACNA1 Gene Associated With Brugada Syndrome.
Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited arrhythmogenic disease that may lead to sudden cardiac death in young adults with structurally normal hearts. No pharmacological therapy is available for BrS patients. This situation highlights the urgent need to overcome current difficulties by developing novel groundbreaking curative strategies. BrS has been associated with mutations in 18 different genes of which loss-of-function (LoF) CACNA1C mutations constitute the second most common cause. Here we tested the hypothesis that BrS associated with mutations in the CACNA1C gene encoding the L-type calcium channel (LTCC) pore-forming unit (Cavα1.2) is functionally reverted by administration of a mimetic peptide (MP), which through binding to the LTCC chaperone beta subunit (Cavβ2) restores the physiological life cycle of aberrant LTCCs. Two novel Cavα1.2 mutations associated with BrS were identified in young individuals. Transient transfection in heterologous and cardiac cells showed LoF phenotypes with reduced Ca2+ current (ICa). In HEK293 cells overexpressing the two novel Cavα1.2 mutations, Western blot analysis and cell surface biotinylation assays revealed reduced Cavα1.2 protein levels at the plasma membrane for both mutants. Nano-BRET, Nano-Luciferase assays, and confocal microscopy analyses showed (i) reduced affinity of Cavα1.2 for its Cavβ2 chaperone, (ii) shortened Cavα1.2 half-life in the membrane, and (iii) impaired subcellular localization. Treatment of Cavα1.2 mutant-transfected cells with a cell permeant MP restored channel trafficking and physiologic channel half-life, thereby resulting in ICa similar to wild type. These results represent the first step towards the development of a gene-specific treatment for BrS due to defective trafficking of mutant LTCC.


Selective C-H chalcogenation of thiazoles via thiazol-2-yl-phosphonium salts.
Thiazoles and benzothiazoles undergo regioselective C2-H chalcogenation via the sequence of thiazole C2-functionalization with phosphines to produce phosphonium salts which in turn react with S- and Se-centered nucleophiles to give products of C2-H chalcogenation and allow for recovery of the starting phosphine. The atom economical sequence proceeds under mild conditions and features broad scope for both the nucleophiles (electron-rich, electron-poor, sterically hindered thiols) and the various substituted benzothiazoles. The access to the substituted medicinally relevant C2-thio benzothiazoles also enables stereoselectivity improvements in the modified Julia olefinations.


Development of a Method to Potentially Substitute Direct Evaluation of Mesopic Visual Acuity in Drivers.
(1) Background: In mesopic lighting conditions, or under adverse environmental circumstances, visual information is reduced, which increases the risk of traffic accidents. This effect could be reduced with a precise evaluation of the visual function under mesopic conditions, but it is difficult to replicate in clinics. This study aims to develop an easy-to-adopt method to evaluate mesopic visual acuity (VA) in drivers. (2) Methods: Prospective and observational study in drivers. logMAR mesopic VA was compared with photopic VA measured under different combinations of contrast charts and filters to find the combination that responds best to mesopic conditions. (3) Results: Fifty-six drivers were examined. The best correlation was found with an 80% density filter and a Weber contrast chart of 20%. The logMAR VA for this combination was 0.01 ± 0.11, which was close to the mesopic VA values (0.01 ± 0.12). The difference between both logMAR VA was 0.00 ± 0.06 (R = 0.86; p ≤ 0.001; ICC = 0.86). (4) Conclusions: The use of 20% contrast optotypes and the interposition of an 80% filter under photopic conditions provide VA values similar to those measured under mesopic lighting conditions, making this simple system a good predictor of mesopic VA values.


An International Validation of a Clinical Tool to Assess Carers' Quality of Life in Huntington's Disease.
Family carers of individuals living with Huntington's disease (HD) manage a distinct and unique series of difficulties arising from the complex nature of HD. This paper presents the validation of the definitive measure of quality of life (QoL) for this group. The Huntington's Disease Quality of Life Battery for Carers (HDQoL-C) was expanded (n = 47) and then administered to an international sample of 1716 partners and family carers from 13 countries. In terms of the psychometric properties of the tool, exploratory analysis of half of the sample demonstrated good internal consistency and reliability. Some items on the full version did not meet psychometric thresholds and a short version (HDQoL-Cs) (n = 23) was developed based on more stringent criteria. This was achieved using standard psychometric item reduction techniques to both increase reliability and reduce the burden of carers completing the scale. Confirmatory factor analysis of the model structure showed a good fit for all factors and indicated that the HDQoL-C and HDQoL-Cs are psychometrically robust measures of QoL. We found that carers who lived with and looked after their spouse/partner had reduced sense of coping, hope for the future, and overall QoL. Carers with children who were at risk carried the gene or were symptomatic also had poorer QoL outcomes. Findings indicated the HDQoL-C and HDQoL-Cs are valid in multiple languages and across varied cultures as measures of self-reported QoL in family carers of individual's living with HD. These psychometrically validated tools can aid and guide the implementation of therapeutic interventions to improve life quality in this population and research into international and cross-cultural carer experiences. The HDQoL-Cs is recommended as the definitive international measure of HD carer QoL.


The canonical nuclear factor-κB pathway regulates cell survival in a developmental model of spinal cord motoneurons.
In vivo and in vitro motoneuron survival depends on the support of neurotrophic factors. These factors activate signaling pathways related to cell survival or inactivate proteins involved in neuronal death. In the present work, we analyzed the involvement of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway in mediating mouse spinal cord motoneuron survival promoted by neurotrophic factors. This pathway comprises ubiquitously expressed transcription factors that could be activated by two different routes: the canonical pathway, associated with IKKα/IKKβ kinase phosphorylation and nuclear translocation RelA (p65)/p50 transcription factors; and the noncanonical pathway, related to IKKα kinase homodimer phosphorylation and RelB/p52 transcription factor activation. In our system, we show that neurotrophic factors treatment induced IKKα and IKKβ phosphorylation and RelA nuclear translocation, suggesting NF-κB pathway activation. Protein levels of different members of the canonical or noncanonical pathways were reduced in a primary culture of isolated embryonic motoneurons using an interference RNA approach. Even in the presence of neurotrophic factors, selective reduction of IKKα, IKKβ, or RelA proteins induced cell death. In contrast, RelB protein reduction did not have a negative effect on motoneuron survival. Together these results demonstrated that the canonical NF-κB pathway mediates motoneuron survival induced by neurotrophic factors, and the noncanonical pathway is not related to this survival effect. Canonical NF-κB blockade induced an increase of Bim protein level and apoptotic cell death. Bcl-x(L) overexpression or Bax reduction counteracted this apoptotic effect. Finally, RelA knockdown causes changes of CREB and Smn protein levels.


Long-term cocaine use is associated with increased coronary plaque burden - a pilot study.
Background: There is a lack of research regarding whether prolonged use of cocaine would lead to increase of coronary plaque burden. Objectives: To study the effects of cocaine use on the coronary artery plaque volume. We hypothesize the longer the cocaine use, the greater the plaque burden. Methods: We used coronary computed tomography angiography to evaluate plaque volumes. The study included chronic (N = 33 with 27 HIV+) and non-cocaine users (N = 15 with 12 HIV+). Chronic cocaine use was defined as use by any route for at least 6 months, administered at least 4 times/month. The Student's t-test was used to compare the plaque volumes between chronic and non-cocaine users. Multivariable regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, HIV status, cigarette smoking, diabetes, and total cholesterol was performed to determine the relationship between years of cocaine use and plaque volumes. Results: The total plaque volumes between groups showed no difference (p = .065). However, the total left anterior descending artery (LAD) plaque volume in the chronic cocaine group was significantly higher than that in the non-cocaine group (p = .047). For each year increase in cocaine use, total plaque volume and total LAD plaque volume increased by 7.23 mm3 (p = .013) and 4.56 mm3 (p = .001), respectively. In the multivariable analyses, both total plaque volume and total LAD plaque volume were significantly associated with years of cocaine use (p = .039 and 0.013, respectively). Conclusion: Prolonged cocaine use accelerates the development of sub-clinical atherosclerosis.


[Factors determining health practices: prenatal care in rural and urban environment].
A 1978 study of prenatal care patterns in one area of France showed that frequent visits to specialists was the dominant pattern in urban areas, whatever the socioeconomic characteristics, or conditions of health, of the women. In rural areas, however, the patterns adopted varied markedly according to health problems encountered during pregnancy. In the absence of illness, 64% of rural women went to their general practitioner for a reduced number of prenatal visits; when health problems were perceived, however, their practices became more similar to those of city women. These variations remained after allowing for socioeconomic and cultural differences. Overall, patterns adopted varied significantly according to area of residence.


Deadly in pink: the impact of cigarette packaging among young women.
This study sought to examine the impact of cigarette packaging on young women, including the impact of 'plain' packaging. Participants were randomised to view eight cigarette packs designed according to one of four experimental conditions: fully-branded female brands; the same brands without descriptors (eg, 'slims'); the same brands without brand imagery or descriptors (ie, 'plain' packs); and fully branded non-female brands as a control condition. Participants rated packs on perceived appeal, taste, tar, health risks and smoker 'traits'. Fully-branded female packs were rated as significantly more appealing than 'no descriptor' packs, 'plain' packs and non-female branded packs. Female branded packs were associated with a greater number of positive attributes including glamour, slimness and attractiveness, compared to brands without descriptors and 'plain' packs. Women who viewed plain packs were less likely to believe that smoking helps people control their appetite--an important predictor of smoking among young women--compared to women who viewed branded female packs. 'Plain' packaging--removing colours and design elements--and removing descriptors such as 'slims' from packs may reduce brand appeal and thereby susceptibility to smoking among young women.


Unilocular retroperitoneal cyst of mesothelial origin presenting as a renal mass.
We report the first 2 cases, to our knowledge, of retroperitoneal cysts with features of mesothelial differentiation that clinically mimic renal masses. The first lesion occurred in a 71-year-old man who presented with flank pain. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging studies showed a unilocular cystic structure arising from the upper pole of the left kidney. The second lesion was in a 44-year-old woman who presented with left flank pain. Imaging studies revealed an 8-cm hemorrhagic cyst at the lower pole of the left kidney. Histologic examination of the nephrectomy specimens in each case revealed a unilocular cyst with intracystic and pericystic hemorrhage. In each case, the cyst was lined by a single layer of cells with ample eosinophilic cytoplasm and benign nuclear features without mucinous or müllerian differentiation. Histochemical staining showed Alcian blue positivity on the cell surface, which was sensitive to hyaluronidase digestion. Intracytoplasmic mucin, however, was not detected. Immunostaining showed that the cyst lining cells were positive for keratin, vimentin, HBME-1, WT1, and thrombomodulin but negative for carcinoembryonic antigen, B72.3, Leu-M1, and BerEP4. The first case was positive for calretinin, whereas the second was negative. These findings support the mesothelial nature of the cysts.


Interrogation oscillator noise rejection in the comparison of atomic fountains.
The frequency stability of an atomic fountain clock can be limited by the phase noise of the interrogation oscillator via the "Dick effect." In this paper we demonstrate the rejection of the phase fluctuations of the interrogation oscillator by the synchronization of atomic fountains. A reduction by a factor of 16 in the Allan standard deviation of the relative frequency difference between two fountains has been obtained.


Effect of rumen fill on intake of fresh perennial ryegrass in young and mature dairy cows grazing or zero-grazing fresh perennial ryegrass.
Rumen fill may be a strong intake constraint for dairy cows fed on pasture, even though pasture is highly digestible in the grasslands of temperate climates. This constraint may also depend on the cows' maturity. Moreover, indoor feeding of fresh herbage may not always be a good model for the study of intake regulation at grazing. To test these hypotheses, four mature (6.3 ± 0.72 year old) and four young (3.8 ± 0.20 year old) dairy cows were offered fresh perennial ryegrass indoors or at grazing. The impact of rumen fill on intake was evaluated by addition of rumen inert bulk (RIB; coconut fiber, 15 l) compared to a control. The experimental design was a double 4 × 4 Latin square with four 14-day periods and a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of two feeding methods (indoor feeding v. grazing), combined with the addition, or not, of RIB (RIB v. control), repeated for four mature and four young cows. Digestibility of offered herbage was 0.81. The average ytterbium measured dry matter intake (Yb DMI) was 19.0 and 15.5 kg/day for mature and young cows respectively (P = 0.019). The effect of RIB on predicted Yb DMI interacted with feeding method and cow age (P = 0.043). The presence of RIB decreased Yb DMI by 4.4 kg/day in mature cows at grazing and by 3.4 kg/day in young cows indoors, whereas it did not affect the Yb DMI of mature cows indoors or grazing young cows. Both grazing and young age constituted a clear constraint on the feeding behavior of the cows. Grazing cows had fewer ingestion and rumination sequences, which were longer and less evenly distributed throughout the day and night. Young cows had lower intake rates that were less adaptable to the feeding method and the presence of RIB. Mature cows clearly decreased their daily intake rate at grazing compared to indoor feeding, and with RIB compared to control, whereas the intake rate of young cows did not vary. These results indicate that rumen fill can represent a constraint on intake in grazing cows, even when highly digestible perennial ryegrass is offered. The study also shows that the impact of RIB on intake is highly dependent upon other constraints applied to the chewing behavior, which in this experiment were methods of offering herbage and cow age.