[Occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders in Norway].
Musculoskeletal pain is one of the most common reasons for seeking both traditional and alternative medical treatment. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of musculoskeletal disorders in Norway. The article is based on a Norwegian report on musculoskeletal disorders from 2004, and a non-systematic search in PubMed for relevant literature from the period 2005-2009. Musculoskeletal pain is common in the Norwegian population, and 75-80% will have experienced such pain during a month. More women than men report musculoskeletal pain, and the prevalence increases with increasing age. Musculoskeletal pain from only one area is unusual (11%), while pain from five or more areas is reported by approximately 40%. A high number of painful areas is associated with reduced general functioning and an increase in work disability and sick leave. The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the population seems to be stable over time, but the proportion of work disability caused by these disorders has decreased the last 10 years. Despite of this, musculoskeletal disorders are still the most frequent cause of work disability. Many are affected by musculoskeletal disorders, and they are still the most common cause of disability benefits in Norway.


Multicenter phase II study of the AKT inhibitor MK-2206 in recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma from patients in the mayo phase II consortium and the cancer therapeutics research group (MC1079).
This study investigated the activity of MK-2206, an AKT inhibitor, in metastatic or recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Oral MK-2206 at a dose of 200 mg was administered on days 1, 8, 15 and 22 of a 28-day cycle until progression. Plasma EBV DNA clearance during the first month of treatment was measured, and archived tumors were analyzed for the expression of AKT and PIK3CA mutation and PIK3CA amplification. The dual primary endpoint was objective response rate and 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate. 21 patients were enrolled and one patient achieved a partial response (5 %) and 11 had stable disease (52 %), with a median PFS of 3.5 months (95 % confidence interval, CI: 0.9-7.3). The 6-month PFS rate was 43 % (95 % CI: 22-66 %) and the median OS was 10 months (95 % CI: 5.9 months-not reached). Seven patients (33 %) experienced grade 3 toxicities which could be related to MK-2206. Macular-papular rash was the most common (n = 6), followed by hyperglycemia (n = 2) and fatigue (n = 1). In the 12 tumor samples analyzed, PIK3CA amplification was detected in one patient's primary NPC, who had SD lasting over 12 months. Patients with decreasing EBV DNA values over time were more likely to be alive and progression-free for at least 6 months than those without a decrease (p = 0.001). The study was terminated due to the limited activity observed in this heavily pre-treated group of patients. Further studies are needed to elucidate the optimal way of selecting patients for AKT inhibitors.


Comparison of the behavior of a subwavelength diffractive lens in TE and TM polarization allowing some nonstandard functions.
This Letter introduces and discusses a difference in the behavior of a cylindrical diffractive lens encoded with subwavelength structures illuminated with monochromatic coherent light in the cases of TE and TM polarization. The effective medium theory is used to model with new binary phase function the diffractive lens. A new algorithm combines the finite-difference time domain for the propagation in the near field and the radiation spectrum method for the propagation in the far field. We observe the existence in the TM polarization of a second spot at half the distance of the focal length not predictable by scalar theory.


Increased formation and decreased resorption of bone in mice with elevated vitamin D receptor in mature cells of the osteoblastic lineage.
The microarchitecture of bone is regulated by complex interactions between the bone-forming and resorbing cells, and several compounds regulate both actions. For example, vitamin D, which is required for bone mineralization, also stimulates bone resorption. Transgenic mice overexpressing the vitamin D receptor solely in mature cells of the osteoblastic bone-forming lineage were generated to test the potential therapeutic value of shifting the balance of vitamin D activity in favor of bone formation. Cortical bone was 5% wider and 15% stronger in these mice due to a doubling of periosteal mineral apposition rate without altered body weight or calcium homeostatic hormone levels. A 20% increase in trabecular bone volume in transgenic vertebrae was also observed, unexpectedly associated with a 30% reduction in resorption surface rather than greater bone formation. These findings indicate anabolic vitamin D activity in bone and identify a previously unknown pathway from mature osteoblastic cells to inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption, counterbalancing the known stimulatory action through immature osteoblastic cells. A therapeutic approach that both stimulates cortical anabolic and inhibits trabecular resorptive pathways would be ideal for treatment of osteoporosis and other osteopenic disorders.


A novel beta-defensin structure: a potential strategy of big defensin for overcoming resistance by Gram-positive bacteria.
Big defensin is a 79-residue peptide derived from hemocytes of the Japanese horseshoe crab. It has antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. The amino acid sequence of big defensin can be divided into an N-terminal hydrophobic half and a C-terminal cationic half. Interestingly, the trypsin cleaves big defensin into two fragments, the N-terminal and C-terminal fragments, which are responsible for antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, respectively. To explore the antimicrobial mechanism of big defensin, we determined the solution structure of mature big defensin and performed a titration experiment with DPC micelles. Big defensin has a novel defensin structure; the C-terminal domain adopts a beta-defensin structure, and the N-terminal domain forms a unique globular conformation. It is noteworthy that the hydrophobic N-terminal domain undergoes a conformational change in micelle solution, while the C-terminal domain remains unchanged. Here, we propose that the N-terminal domain achieves its antimicrobial activity in a novel fashion and explain that big defensin has developed a strategy different from those of other beta-defensins to suppress the growth of Gram-positive bacteria.


Zinc finger as distance determinant in the flexible linker of intron endonuclease I-TevI.
I-TevI, the phage T4 td intron-encoded endonuclease, recognizes a lengthy DNA target and initiates intron mobility by introducing a double-strand break in the homing site. The enzyme uses both sequence and distance determinants to cleave the DNA 23-25 bp upstream of the intron insertion site. I-TevI consists of an N-terminal catalytic domain and a C-terminal DNA-binding domain separated by a long, flexible linker. The DNA-binding domain consists of three subdomains: a zinc finger, a minor-groove binding alpha-helix, and a helix-turn-helix. In this study, a mutational analysis was undertaken to assess the roles of these subdomains in substrate binding and cleavage. Surprisingly, the zinc finger is not required for DNA binding or catalysis. Rather, the zinc finger is a component of the linker and directs the catalytic domain to cleave the homing site at a fixed distance from the intron insertion site. When the cleavage site (CS) is shifted outside a given range, wild-type I-TevI defaults to the fixed distance, whereas zinc-finger mutants have lost the distance determinant and search out the displaced cleavage sequences. Although counterintuitive, a protein containing a 19-aa deletion of the zinc finger can extend further than can wild-type I-TevI to cleave a distant CS sequence, and a Cys-to-Ala mutant of the ligands for zinc, nominally a longer protein, can retract to cleave at a closer CS sequence. Models are presented for the novel function of the zinc finger, as a molecular constraint, whereby intramolecular protein-protein interactions position the catalytic domain by "catalytic clamp" and/or "linker-organizer" mechanisms.


Constriction rate variation produced by partial ligation of the portal vein at pre-hepatic portal hypertension induced in rats.
Partial portal vein ligation causes an increase in portal pressure that remains stable even after the appearance of collateral circulation, with functional adaptation to prolonged decrease in portal blood flow. To assess whether different constriction rates produced by partial ligation of the vein interfere with the results of this experimental model in rats. Three groups of five rats each were used; in group 1 (sham-operated), dissection and measurement of portal vein diameters were performed. Portal hypertension was induced by partial portal vein ligation, reducing its size to 0.9 mm in the remaining 10 animals, regardless of the initial diameter of the veins. Five animals with portal hypertension (group 2) underwent reoperation after 15 days and the rats in group 3 after 30 days. The calculation of the constriction rate was performed using a specific mathematical formula (1 - π r 2 / π R2) x 100% and the statistical analysis with the Student t test. The initial diameter of the animal's portal vein was 2.06 mm, with an average constriction rate of the 55.88%; although the diameter of the veins and the constriction rate in group 2 were lower than in group 3 (2.06 mm - 55,25% and 2.08 mm - 56.51%, respectively), portal hypertension was induced in all rats and no significant macroscopic differences were found between the animals that were reoperated after 15 days and after 30 days respectively, being the shorter period considered enough for the evaluation. Comparing the initial diameter of the vein and the rate of constriction performed in groups 2 and 3, no statistic significance was found (p>0.05). Pre-hepatic portal hypertension in rat can be induced by the reduction of the portal vein diameter to 0.9 mm, regardless the initial diameter of the vein and the vessel constriction rate.


Practical realization of magnetic resonance conductivity tensor imaging (MRCTI).
Magnetic resonance conductivity tensor imaging (MRCTI) is an emerging modality which reconstructs images of anisotropic conductivity distribution within a volume conductor. Images are reconstructed based on magnetic flux density distribution induced by an externally applied probing current, together with a resultant surface potential value. The induced magnetic flux density distribution is measured using magnetic resonance current density imaging techniques. In this study, MRCTI data acquisition is experimentally implemented and anisotropic conductivity images of test phantoms are reconstructed using recently proposed MRCTI reconstruction algorithms.


Risk of Stroke, Myocardial Infarction, and Death After Retinal Artery Occlusion.
Patients with retinal artery occlusions (RAOs) are recommended to have emergent stroke workup, although the true risk of death and subsequent vascular events post-RAO is not clear. To determine short-term and long-term rates of stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and death in patients after RAO compared with a control cohort. This retrospective cohort study used aggregated electronic health records from January 1, 2003, through April 14, 2023, from TriNetX, a network with data from more than 111 million patients. Patients with RAO and a cataract control group were identified and matched for age, sex, race, and comorbidities, including hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and smoking status. Patients were excluded if they had a stroke or MI within 2 years before the diagnosis of RAO or cataract. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, diagnosis code for RAO or age-related cataract. Rate of death, stroke, and MI at 2 weeks, 30 days, 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years after RAO compared with matched controls. There were a total of 34 874 patients with at least 1 year of follow-up in the RAO cohort. The mean (SD) age at the RAO event was 66 (15.2) years. The rate of death after RAO diagnosis was higher than after cataract diagnosis at 2 weeks (0.14% vs 0.06%; relative risk [RR], 2.45; 95% CI, 1.46-4.12; risk difference [RD], 0.08%; 95% CI, 0.04%-0.13%; P < .001), 30 days (0.29% vs 0.14%; RR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.49-2.97; RD, 0.15%; 95% CI, 0.08%-0.22%; P < .001), 1 year (3.51% vs 1.99%; RR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.61-1.94; RD, 1.41%; 95% CI, 1.17%-1.66%; P < .001), 5 years (22.74% vs 17.82%; RR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.23-1.33; RD, 4.93%; 95% CI, 4.17%-5.68%; P < .001), and 10 years (57.86% vs 55.38%; RR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.07; RD, 2.47%; 95% CI, 1.25%-3.69%; P < .001). Risk of stroke after RAO was higher at 2 weeks (1.72% vs 0.08%; RR, 21.43; 95% CI, 14.67-31.29; RD, 1.64%; 95% CI, 1.50%-1.78%; P < .001), 30 days (2.48% vs 0.18%; RR, 14.18; 95% CI, 10.94-18.48; RD, 2.31%; 95% CI, 2.14%-2.47%; P < .001), 1 year (5.89% vs 1.13%; RR, 5.20; 95% CI, 4.67-5.79; RD, 4.64%; 95% CI, 4.37%-4.91%; P < .001), 5 years (10.85% vs 4.86%; RR, 2.24; 95% CI, 2.09-2.40; RD, 6.00%; 95% CI, 5.50%-6.50%; P < .001), and 10 years (14.59% vs 9.18%; RR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.48-1.70; RD, 5.41%; 95% CI, 4.62%-6.21%; P < .001). Risk of MI after RAO was higher at 2 weeks (0.16% vs 0.06%; RR, 3.00; 95% CI, 1.79-5.04; RD, 0.11%; 95% CI, 0.06%-0.16%; P < .001), 30 days (0.27% vs 0.10%; RR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.78-3.83; RD, 0.17%; 95% CI, 0.10%-0.23%; P < .001), 1 year (1.66% vs 0.97%; RR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.51-1.97; RD, 0.59%; 95% CI, 0.42%-0.76%; P < .001), 5 years (6.06% vs 5.00%; RR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.12-1.31; RD, 1.07%; 95% CI, 0.64%-1.50%; P < .001), and 10 years (10.55% vs 9.43%; RR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.04-1.21; RD, 1.13%; 95% CI, 0.39%-1.87%; P = .003). This study showed an increased risk of death, stroke, and MI in patients with RAO at both short-term and long-term intervals after RAO compared with a matched control population diagnosed with cataract. These findings suggest a potential need for multidisciplinary evaluation and long-term systemic follow-up of patients post-RAO.


Current assessment of heart rate variability and QTc interval length in HIV/AIDS.
The increasing prevalence of cardiovascular disease comorbidity in persons infected with the HIV has become a global concern. The electrocardiogram (ECG) is increasingly being utilized to provide clinically relevant information regarding cardiac arrhythmias and cardio-autonomic dysfunction. The purpose of this review is to summarize the latest research comparing QT and R-to-R interval length as a function of HIV+ status or antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen. Prolongation of the corrected QTc interval may be acquired in HIV+ ART-naive individuals, exacerbated by various classes of ART drugs, and is generally predictive of lethal cardiac arrhythmias, with effects observed from childhood to adulthood. Recent literature also suggests the trend of lower heart rate variability in HIV is indicative of cardiorespiratory and inflammatory-immune dysfunction. These emergent studies support the clinical relevance of the ECG across the age and HIV disease spectrum. Furthermore, the reported findings have implications for the management of cardiovascular and chronic inflammatory disease comorbidity in persons living with HIV.


Substrate specificity of human collagenase 3 assessed using a phage-displayed peptide library.
The substrate specificity of human collagenase 3 (MMP-13), a member of the matrix metalloproteinase family, is investigated using a phage-displayed random hexapeptide library containing 2 x 10(8) independent recombinants. A total of 35 phage clones that express a peptide sequence that can be hydrolyzed by the recombinant catalytic domain of human collagenase 3 are identified. The translated DNA sequence of these clones reveals highly conserved putative P1, P2, P3 and P1', P2', and P3' subsites of the peptide substrates. Kinetic analysis of synthetic peptide substrates made from human collagenase 3 selected phage clones reveals that some of the substrates are highly active and selective. The most active substrate, 2, 4-dinitrophenyl-GPLGMRGL-NH(2) (CP), has a k(cat)/K(m) value of 4.22 x 10(6) m(-)(1) s(-)(1) for hydrolysis by collagenase 3. CP was synthesized as a consensus sequence deduced from the preferred subsites of the aligned 35 phage clones. Peptide substrate CP is 1300-, 11-, and 820-fold selective for human collagenase 3 over the MMPs stromelysin-1, gelatinase B, and collagenase 1, respectively. In addition, cleavage of CP is 37-fold faster than peptide NF derived from the major MMP-processing site in aggrecan. Phage display screening also selected five substrate sequences that share sequence homology with a major MMP cleavage sequence in aggrecan and seven substrate sequences that share sequence homology with the primary collagenase cleavage site of human type II collagen. In addition, putative cleavage sites similar to the consensus sequence are found in human type IV collagen. These findings support previous observations that human collagenase 3 can degrade aggrecan, type II and type IV collagens.


Structure and possible mechanisms of TEL-AML1 gene fusions in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
TEL-AML1 gene fusion derived by chromosomal translocation is a common acquired genetic lesion in pediatric cancer that is present in approximately 25% of B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemias, and recent evidence suggests that this recombination event may initiate leukemogenesis prenatally during fetal hemopoiesis. Analysis of the DNA sequence and structure surrounding the breakpoints may reveal clues to their formation. A long-distance inverse PCR strategy was used to amplify TEL-AML1 genomic fusion sequences from diagnostic DNA from nine patients. Breakpoints were scattered within the 14 kb of intronic DNA between exons 5 and 6 of TEL and in two putative cluster regions within AML1 intron 1. Fusion sequences exhibited characteristic signs of nonhomologous end joining, including microhomologies at the end points, and small deletions and duplications. DNA sequences near the breakpoints did not reveal any consistent characteristic signal sequences of the V(D)J recombinase, topoisomerase II consensus sites, or other sequence motifs associated with recombination. However, several translocations occurred near a repeat region of TEL that was found to be highly polymorphic. This region was cloned and found in nuclease sensitivity assays to exhibit paranemic structures, which may have contributed to DNA breakage or illegitimate recombination. The data are compatible with the possibility that TEL-AML1 translocations occur by nonhomologous recombination involving imprecise, constitutive repair processes following DNA double-strand breaks.


How Well Do Neurochecks Perform After Stroke?
In the certification of stroke centers, the performance of serial nursing neurological assessments and reassessments, commonly known as neurochecks, is often cited as one of the most problematic standards. The role of neurochecks is to readily detect neurological change, but it is surprising that this practice has undergone relatively little scientific study. Their effectiveness in detecting worsening in acute ischemic stroke patients has not been well studied. Our objective was to investigate the sensitivity of neurochecks to detect neurological deterioration after acute ischemic stroke. We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with acute ischemic stroke who were admitted to a comprehensive stroke center over a 2-year period and who received intravenous thrombolysis. The incidence, reasons, and detection rates for neurological deterioration by neurochecks were collected during the first 72 hours of admission. A total of 231 patient records were reviewed. Over the first 72 hours of admission, each patient had a mean of 63±15 neurochecks. Neurological worsening as determined by a stroke neurologist was found in 62 (27%) patients. This deterioration was first detected by a scheduled neurocheck in 28 (45%) patients and was discovered by the nurse outside of a scheduled neurocheck in 16 (26%) patients. In 18 out of 62 (29%) patients, the worsening was not detected. Although neurochecks detected neurological deterioration in almost half of patients with acute stroke, a significant proportion of deteriorations were found outside scheduled assessments or remained undetected. This suggests that novel monitoring strategies are needed to readily identify worsening neurological status in acute stroke.


Electrophysiology of isolated hippocampal pyramidal dendrites.
In order to study the electrical properties of dendritic membranes independent of the effects of somatic potentials, intracellular recordings in guinea pig hippocampal slices were obtained from the dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurons (HPCs) which had been isolated from their somata by cuts made through the proximal stratum radiatum. Spikes and subthreshold membrane responses to intracellular current pulses were compared in intact and isolated dendrites and in the residual portions of neurons whose apical dendrites had been severed ("isolated somata"). Isolated dendrites generated both fast, QX-314-sensitive, sodium-mediated spikes, and slow higher threshold spikes which were QX-314-resistant and presumably mediated by Ca2+. Depolarization of "isolated somata" ordinarily evoked only fast (Na+) spikes, but presumed Ca2+ spikes could be elicited after exposure to QX-314 (a local anesthetic). Anomalous inward rectification was depressed by QX-314 in somata but not in dendrites, suggesting that the ionic basis for subthreshold as well as regenerative conductances was different at different sites on the neuron. The dendritic membrane in CA2 HPCs thus generates both Na+- and CA2+-mediated spike potentials and a subthreshold response which probably is mediated primarily by CA2+. Attempts to describe the integrative functions of these neurons must take into account the variety of conductances which are activated nonuniformly in somata and dendrites by changes in membrane potential.


Modular Molecular Nanoplastics.
In view of their facile fabrication and recycling, functional materials that are built from small molecules ("molecular plastics") may represent a cost-efficient and sustainable alternative to conventional covalent materials. We show how molecular plastics can be made robust and how their (nano)structure can be tuned via modular construction. For this purpose, we employed binary composites of organic nanocrystals based on a perylene diimide derivative, with graphene oxide (GO), bentonite nanoclay (NC), or hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), that both reinforce and enable tailoring the properties of the membranes. The hybrids are prepared via a simple aqueous deposition method, exhibit enhanced mechanical robustness, and can be recycled. We utilized these properties to create separation membranes with tunable porosity that are easy to fabricate and recycle. Hybrids 1/HEC and 1/NC are capable of ultrafiltration, and 1/NC removes heavy metals from water with high efficiency. Hybrid 1/GO shows mechanical properties akin to covalent materials with just 2-10% (by weight) of GO. This hybrid was used as a membrane for immobilizing β-galactosidase that demonstrated long and stable biocatalytic activity. Our findings demonstrate the utility of modular molecular nanoplastics as robust and sustainable materials that enable efficient tuning of structure and function and are based on self-assembly of readily available inexpensive components.


Does advanced medical technology encourage hospitalist use and their direct employment by hospitals?
In the United States, inpatient medical care increasingly encompasses the use of expensive medical technology and, at the same time, is coordinated and supervised more and more by a rapidly growing number of inpatient-dedicated physicians (hospitalists). In the production of inpatient care services, Hospitalist services can be viewed as complementary to sophisticated and expensive medical equipment in the provision of inpatient medical care. We investigate the causal relationship between a hospital's access to three types of sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic medical equipment - intensity-modulated radiation therapy, gamma knife, and multi-slice computed tomography - and its likelihood of using hospitalists. To rule out omitted variables bias and reverse causality, we use technology-specific Certificate of Need regulation to predict technology use. We find a strong positive association, yet no causal link between access to medical technology and hospitalist use. We also study the choice of employment modality among hospitals that use hospitalists, and find that access to expensive medical technology reduces the hospital's propensity to employ hospitalists directly.


Potential synergy: voltage-driven steps in receptor-G protein coupling and beyond.
G protein-coupled receptor responses are not generally considered to show voltage dependence, but recently, the sensitivity of an oocyte to acetylcholine, which activates the m2 subtype of muscarinic receptors, was shown to be affected by changes in the membrane potential. Another example is the m2 receptor-evoked cation current in mammalian smooth muscle cells, which shows strong voltage dependence even when the receptor is bypassed by activating the G protein directly by intracellular application of GTPgammaS, a hydrolysis-resistant guanosine triphosphate (GTP) analog. Even among the few examples of voltage-dependent behavior known from among the plethora of G protein-coupled responses, the mechanism underlying the voltage dependence seems to differ.


Effect of Fibrin Glue on the Incidence of Surgical Complications After Living-Related-Donor Kidney Transplantation: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial.
BACKGROUND The incidence of surgical complications after kidney transplantation ranges from 10-25%. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the application of fibrin glue as a preventive agent reduces surgical morbidity after a living-related-donor kidney transplantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS A controlled clinical trial involving 78 recipients randomly assigned to receive fibrin glue and 79 in the control group without the application of fibrin glue. Patients were followed for six months after surgery. RESULTS The average ages were 24.8±9.4 and 27.4±11.3 years in the control and study groups, respectively (p=0.11). Individual morbidities, such as urologic, lymphatic, vascular, and wound complications, were not statistically different between groups; however, the total number of surgical complications observed were in five patients in the study group and 16 patients in the control group. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.01, relative risk 0.44, 95% CI 0.20-0.97). There was no mortality or adverse reaction to fibrin glue. One kidney graft was lost because of uncontrollable bleeding secondary to tearing of the renal capsule. The incidence of early medical complications was similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS Applications of the biological adhesive reduced the incidence of surgical complications.


Atherosclerosis in relation to cholelithiasis and cholesterolosis.
The frequency of cholelithiasis and cholesterolosis was remarkably similar in Prague and Malmö subjects. When the possible effects of associated hypertension or diabetes mellitus were taken into account, subjects with cholelithiasis showed the same extent of raised and calcified lesions of the coronary arteries, the same prevalence of large myocardial scars, and the same distribution of heart weight as subjects without cholelithiasis. In general, they showed rather fewer raised and calcified lesions of the aorta, less coronary stenosis, and fewer fresh myocardial infarctions than subjects without cholelithiasis. Subjects with cholesterolosis were similar to those without this condition in respect of raised lesions of the aorta and coronary arteries. Men with cholesterolosis had slightly more aortic calcification and slightly less coronary calcification. Women with cholesterolosis had slightly less coronary stenosis than those without cholesterolosis. There was a slight tendency for those with cholesterolosis to show an increased frequency of fresh myocardial infarction and large myocardial scars and to have a higher heart weight.


Pattern and microbiological characteristics of diabetic foot ulcers in a Nigerian tertiary hospital.
To determine the pattern and bacteriological characteristics of diabetic foot ulcers in patients attending a tertiary health care facility. 160 Patients with Diabetes Mellitus foot syndrome were recruited, out of which 52 had diabetic foot ulcers. Relevant clinical, biochemical, and microbiological evaluations were carried out on the subjects. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20. p value was set at <0.05. 52 (32.5%) out of 160 subjects with Diabetes Mellitus Foot Syndrome (DMFS) had diabetic foot ulcers. Poor glycaemic control (mean HbA1c = 9.2 (2.7) %), and abuse of antibiotics (76.9%) characterized the subjects. Foot ulcers mainly involved the right lower limb and followed spontaneous blister formation (50%). Microbiological culture pattern was polymicrobial (71.2%); predominantly anaerobic organisms (53.3%). Gram positive and negative aerobic isolates yielded high sensitivity to common quinolones (76% - 87.8%). The gram positive and negative anaerobic isolates were highly sensitive to Clindamycin and Metronidazole respectively (80.2% - 97.8%). High sensitivity (>80%) yield for gram negative anaerobes was recorded for Imipinem and Ampicillin/Sulbactam. Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) contribute about one-third of DMFS. The bacteriological isolates from these ulcers are mainly polymicrobial with high sensitivity to common antibiotics. The need for appropriate use of antibiotics should be advocated among the patients.


'Not that I want to be thought of as a hero': narrative analysis of performative masculinities and the experience of informal cancer caring.
Providing care to a partner with cancer can have a significant impact on a carer's well-being and experience of subjectivity. However, there is little research examining how men experience the role of cancer carer, and in particular, how they negotiate constructions of gender in this role. This paper draws on a single case study of a heterosexual man caring for his partner, and conducts a narrative analysis of the construction and performance of masculine subjectivity. It was found that rather than inhabiting a stable masculinity, this carer engaged in a complex negotiation of masculinities, enacting a caring role associated with victimisation, rejection, distress and powerlessness, as well as strength and heroic resilience. We highlight the importance of the relationship context to the experience of caring, and suggest that research into the gendered experience of cancer care needs to acknowledge the active negotiation of masculinities and caring. We also discuss the utility of case study research in analyses of masculinity and cancer care, and in health psychology more broadly.


The t-SNARE AtVAM3p resides on the prevacuolar compartment in Arabidopsis root cells.
Protein cargo is trafficked between the organelles of the endomembrane system inside transport vesicles, a process mediated by integral membrane proteins called SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptors) that reside on the surface of the vesicle (v-SNAREs) and target membrane (t-SNAREs). In examining transport of cargo between the trans-Golgi network and the vacuole in Arabidopsis, we have previously characterized AtPEP12p as a t-SNARE residing on the prevacuolar compartment and AtVTI1a as a v-SNARE that interacts with AtPEP12p. Recently, we have begun to characterize AtVAM3p, another Arabidopsis t-SNARE that shows high sequence homology to AtPEP12p. We have found that AtVTI1a also interacts with AtVAM3p, suggesting a role for this t-SNARE in post-Golgi trafficking. AtVAM3p has been suggested to localize to the vacuolar membrane in Arabidopsis cells; however, using specific antisera and expression of epitope-tagged versions of each t-SNARE, we have discovered that AtVAM3p is found on the same prevacuolar structure as AtPEP12p in Arabidopsis root cells.


Regulation of macrophage foam cell formation by alphaVbeta3 integrin: potential role in human atherosclerosis.
The accumulation of macrophage foam cells in atherosclerotic lesions is associated with both initiation and progression of this disease. Scavenger receptors CD36 and SRA are the primary receptors responsible for conversion of macrophages into foam cells. Integrin alphaVbeta3 plays a role in the differentiation of several cell types, but its involvement in the transition of macrophages into foam cells and the potential role of this receptor in atherosclerosis have not been examined. Using an in vitro model of single surface receptor activation by binding with an immobilized monoclonal antibody specific to alphaVbeta3 integrin we show that ligation of alphaVbeta3 integrin prevents differentiation of blood monocytes and macrophages into the foam cell phenotype via coordinate down-regulation of CD36 and SRA. This effect of alphaVbeta3 integrin ligation can be reproduced by contact with endothelial cells, whereas the inhibition of alphaVbeta3 receptor ligation restores the uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein. Moreover, we found that alphaVbeta3 integrin is readily detected in situ on macrophages in early and advanced atherosclerotic lesions and that in vitro exposure to oxidized low-density lipoprotein up-regulates alphaVbeta3 integrin expression. We hypothesize that alphaVbeta3 integrin regulates macrophage functional maturation into foam cells in a persistent manner, and therefore, by targeting alphaVbeta3 receptor it could potentially be possible to regulate progression of atherosclerosis in humans.


Does Postoperative Cognitive Decline Result in New Disability After Surgery?
Establish whether POCD is associated with new disability after surgery, which would inform whether POCD impacts patient-centered outcomes. POCD is a decline in neuropsychiatric tests scores from presurgical baseline which occurs in approximately 15% of older patients 3 months after surgery. POCD is a research construct meant to investigate patient and family reports of older adults who were "never the same after surgery." However, many patients with POCD do not perceive difficulty with thinking and memory, and the question remains whether POCD impacts patient function. We performed a prospective cohort study of 167 older adults undergoing major noncardiac surgery (requiring at least a 2-day hospital stay). Exclusion criteria were: history of dementia, cardiac or intracranial procedure, inability to consent for themselves, or emergency surgery. We administered formal neuropsychiatric testing (Alzheimer Disease Research Center UDS battery), basic and instrumental activities of daily living (Alzheimer Disease Research Center IADLs), pain (geriatric pain measure), and depression screening (hospital depression and anxiety scale) before and 3 months after surgery. We recorded all patient refined diagnostic related groups codes, blood pressure, anesthetics and narcotics administered, surgical and anesthesia duration, and measured complications and severity, length of stay, and readmissions. Patients with POCD (21/167, 14.1%) had twice the proportion of new impairment in IADL as compared to those without POCD (57% vs 27%, P = .01). The most common areas of decline were social activities, ability to find items around the house, remember appointments, shop and pay for items, do laundry, drive a car/use public transport, and do housework. Predictors of IADL change after surgery included POCD, presurgical cognition, presurgical function, postoperative depression, and the development of postoperative complications. Patients with POCD experience a much higher incidence of new disability after surgery. Baseline cognitive or functional limitations are also risk factors for new disability. Many patients are not aware of their limitations before surgery. Future study is needed to identify practical ways to routinely screen patients and reduce risk. Patients need to be informed of their risk for new disability after surgery to inform their medical decision making.


Transesophageal echocardiography: experience of a Canadian centre.
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a new application of echocardiography in which an ultrasonic transducer is positioned in the esophagus and stomach to obtain images of the heart without interference from lung and bone. It is particularly useful in the assessment of left atrial masses, atrial septal defects, mitral valve disease, valvular prostheses and aortic dissection. In the operative setting, TEE is used to detect early myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing noncardiac surgery as well as in the assessment of the results of valvular surgery. This review examines the technique of TEE, its indications and the early experience with the first 100 patients examined at the Toronto Western Hospital with this technique.


Fish Red Blood Cells Modulate Immune Genes in Response to Bacterial Inclusion Bodies Made of TNFα and a G-VHSV Fragment.
Fish Red-Blood Cells (RBCs) are nucleated cells that can modulate the expression of different sets of genes in response to stimuli, playing an active role in the homeostasis of the fish immune system. Nowadays, vaccination is one of the main ways to control and prevent viral diseases in aquaculture and the development of novel vaccination approaches is a focal point in fish vaccinology. One of the strategies that has recently emerged is the use of nanostructured recombinant proteins. Nanostructured cytokines have already been shown to immunostimulate and protect fish against bacterial infections. To explore the role of RBCs in the immune response to two nanostructured recombinant proteins, TNFα and a G-VHSV protein fragment, we performed different in vitro and in vivo studies. We show for the first time that rainbow trout RBCs are able to endocytose nanostructured TNFα and G-VHSV protein fragment in vitro, despite not being phagocytic cells, and in response to nanostructured TNFα and G-VHSV fragment, the expression of different immune genes could be modulated.


Biomaterials in Gastroenterology: A Critical Overview.
In spite of the large diversity of diagnostic and interventional devices associated with gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures, there is little information on the impact of the biomaterials (metals, polymers) contained in these devices upon body tissues and, indirectly, upon the treatment outcomes. Other biomaterials for gastroenterology, such as adhesives and certain hemostatic agents, have been investigated to a greater extent, but the information is fragmentary. Much of this situation is due to the paucity of details disclosed by the manufacturers of the devices. Moreover, for most of the applications in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, there are no studies available on the biocompatibility of the device materials when in intimate contact with mucosae and other components of the GI tract. We have summarized the current situation with a focus on aspects of biomaterials and biocompatibility related to the device materials and other agents, with an emphasis on the GI endoscopic procedures. Procedures and devices used for the control of bleeding, for polypectomy, in bariatrics, and for stenting are discussed, particularly dwelling upon the biomaterial-related features of each application. There are indications that research is progressing steadily in this field, and the establishment of the subdiscipline of "gastroenterologic biomaterials" is not merely a remote projection. Upon the completion of this article, the gastroenterologist should be able to understand the nature of biomaterials and to achieve a suitable and beneficial perception of their significance in gastroenterology. Likewise, the biomaterialist should become aware of the specific tasks that the biomaterials must fulfil when placed within the GI tract, and regard such applications as both a challenge and an incentive for progressing the research in this field.


Secular Trend of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components in a Cohort of Iranian Adults from 2001 to 2013.
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and all-cause mortality. Reports on the trends of MetS and its components in longitudinal studies are scarce, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence and trends of MetS and its components in a cohort of Iranian adults from 2001 to 2013. Participants were followed up for 12 years in a longitudinal population-based study of 6500 adults aged 35 years and older in 2001. Participants were randomly selected from three provinces in central Iran. Sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometry, blood pressure, and various biochemical indices were collected in 2001, 2007, and 2013. Secular trend and age-adjusted trend of MetS and its components were calculated from 2001 to 2013. The standardized prevalence of MetS, hypertension, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), abdominal obesity, and diabetes/impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) increased over the 12 years (6.9%, 5.5%, 12.0%, 2.3%, and 18.7%, respectively), while the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia decreased by 15.5% during this period. The prevalence of MetS, low HDL-C, and abdominal obesity were higher in females than males in all three phases. Moreover, the increases in the prevalence of these metabolic abnormalities were higher in the rural population than in the urban population. The present study underscored the increasing trends in MetS and most of its risk factors, thus, to prevent an increase in the cardiovascular risk factors, there is a need to improve lifestyle by education, screening, and treatment of abnormalities.


Serum adiponectin concentration is a positive predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in type 1 diabetes.
Adiponectin is widely regarded as an anti-atherogenic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecule. However, adiponectin concentration is paradoxically increased in individuals with type 1 diabetes, in whom it is positively associated with adverse clinical outcomes. To explore the association between serum adiponectin concentration and mortality outcomes in adults with type 1 diabetes. Multicentre prospective cohort study. Primary and tertiary care. Finnish adults with type 1 diabetes (n= 2034). Main outcome measures. All-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Independent predictors of mortality were determined using the Cox and the Fine and Gray competing risks proportional hazards models. During a median of 11 years of follow-up, there were 173 deaths (8.5%, 1.0 per hundred person-years). Adiponectin was linearly associated with all-cause mortality [Cox model: hazard ratio (HR) 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.03, P<0.001] and cardiovascular mortality (Fine and Gray model: HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.04, P=0.035); patients with the highest adiponectin concentrations had the shortest survival. The mortality risk associated with adiponectin was independent of glycaemic and lipid control, pre-existing cardiovascular disease, markers of inflammation and the presence and severity of kidney disease. Although adiponectin is generally considered to be a protective molecule, increased concentrations of adiponectin in type 1 diabetes are independently associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Moreover, the fact that this association was observed for the first time in patients with normal urinary albumin levels, who have few comorbidities, suggests that adiponectin is specifically linked with vascular damage in type 1 diabetes.


Three-dimensional, PEG-based hydrogels induce spheroid formation and enhance viability of A2058 melanoma cells.
Traditional drug screening methods use monolayer (2D) tumor cell cultures, which lack basic features of tumor complexity. As an alternative, 3D hydrogels have begun to emerge as simple, time-, and cost-saving systems. One of the most promising candidates, synthetic alkoxysilane-PEG (polyethylene glycol)-based hydrogels, are formed by "sol-gel" polymerization in an aqueous medium, which allows control over the incorporated elements. Our aims were to optimize siloxane-PEG hydrogels for three different cell lines of skin origin and utilize these 3D hydrogels as a feasible drug (e.g., daunorubicin) screening assay. A drastic increase in survival and the formation of cellular aggregates (spheroids) could be observed in A2058 melanoma cells, but not in keratinocyte and endothelial cell lines. A deep-learning neural network was trained to recognize and distinguish between the cellular formations and allowed the fast processing of hundreds of microscopic images. We developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted application (https://github.com/enyecz/CancerDetector2), which indicated that, in terms of average area of the spheroids treated with daunorubicin, A2058 melanoma cell 3D aggregates have better survival in a hydrogel containing 15% bis-mono-ethoxysilane-PEG.


Sonography of the internal capsule and basal ganglia in infants: 1. Coronal sections.
Coronal sonograms in infants obtained with 3.5 and 5.0 MHz sector and linear-array transducers now depict the anterior limb, genu, posterior limb, and sublenticular parts of internal capsule; the caudate nucleus; the putamen; the lateral and medial nuclei of globus pallidus; the lateral and medial medullary laminae of the lenticular nucleus; the nucleus accumbens septi; and some of the thalamic nuclei. Correlation of sonograms obtained in vivo with gross and myelin-stained sections of human brain illustrates the configurations of these structures and the interrelations among them. Physicians familiar with this anatomy may now use sonography to localize focal lesions more accurately than has been possible previously.


Multiple roles for neutrophils in atherosclerosis.
Because of their rare detection in atherosclerotic lesions, the involvement of neutrophils in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis has been largely denied. However, over the past couple of years, studies have provided convincing evidence for the presence of neutrophils in atherosclerotic plaques and further revealed the causal contribution of neutrophils during various stages of atherosclerosis. This review describes mechanisms underlying hyperlipidemia-mediated neutrophilia and how neutrophils may enter atherosclerotic lesions. It also highlights possible mechanisms of neutrophil-driven atherogenesis and plaque destabilization. Knowledge of the contribution of neutrophils to atherosclerosis will allow for exploration of new avenues in the treatment of atherogenesis and atherothrombosis.


Recovery of proximal tubular function from ischemic injury.
Fluid (sodium) reabsorption, total glucose efflux, and reabsorption of angiotensin II and insulin from the proximal convoluted tubule were studied in rats by in vivo microperfusion. After 35 min of total renal artery occlusion, function was assessed at two intervals, 0-1 h (early recovery, ER) and 2-4 h (late recovery, LR). Light and electron microscopic evaluation showed 60-75% loss of proximal convoluted tubule brush border membrane in ER and nearly complete restoration of brush border in LR. No other structural abnormalities were evident. Renal blood flow was unchanged from control during both ER and LR. During ER, fluid reabsorption was reduced to 29.8 +/- 5.2%, and total glucose efflux, at normal tubule loads, to 73.9 +/- 5.5% of control. However, angiotensin II and insulin reabsorption were unchanged. In LR, fluid reabsorption remained significantly reduced at 54.3 +/- 8.1% of control. Total glucose efflux from the proximal tubule was normal in LR at glucose loads of up to 400 pmol X min-1, but was significantly reduced at higher loads. Passive glucose efflux, measured in the presence of 10(-4)M phloridzin, was not altered by ischemia. Brief ischemia results in significant alterations in proximal tubular reabsorption of sodium and glucose, which correlate with a substantial loss of brush border during ER. However, despite restoration of cell morphology to normal in LR, transport defects for both sodium and glucose persist.


Clinical observation for acupuncture treatment of a small area of hyperplastic scars in young and middle-aged women.
Hypertrophic scars are a common disease in plastic surgery, which is the reaction of skin connective tissue to trauma beyond the normal range. Although scholars around the world have explored the tissue structure and formation mechanism of HS for decades, they are not satisfactory the result of. No effective treatment has been found. Therefore, the search for safe and effective treatments for HS has always been the focus of medical attention and research. Acupuncture therapy has a definite effect on HS and has unique advantages. In this study, we will use our own front-to-back clinical research method. We plan to include 120 young and middle-aged female patients who meet the diagnostic criteria for HS. The untreated HS of the enrolled patients will be used as blank controls. The intervention group will be given acupuncture treatment. The assessment of scar area, color, hardness, thickness, itching and pain will be recorded for 30 days of treatment. This trial may provide evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of Acupuncture for patients with HS. ClinicalTrials.gov, ChiCTR2000032624, Registered on 04 May 2020.


Functional recovery in T13-L1 hemisected rats resulting from peripheral nerve rerouting: role of central neuroplasticity.
Functional improvements after spinal cord injury (SCI) have been reported anecdotally following neurotization, in other words, rerouting nerves proximal to injured cord segments to distal neuromuscular targets, although the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. To test our hypothesis that neurotization-mediated recovery is primarily attributable to CNS neuroplasticity that therefore manifests optimal response during particular therapeutic windows, we anastomosed the T12 intercostal nerve to the ipsilateral L3 nerve root 1-4 weeks after T13-L1 midline hemisection in rats. While axonal tracing and electromyography revealed limited reinnervation in the target muscles, neurobehavioral function, as assessed by locomotion, extensor postural thrust and sciatic functional index of SCI rats receiving neurotization 7-10 days postinjury (n = 11), recovered to levels close to non-SCI controls with neurotization only (n = 3), beginning 3-5 weeks postanastomosis. Conversely, hindlimb deficits were unchanged in hemisected controls with sham neurotization (n = 7) or 4 weeks-delayed neurotization (n = 3) and in rats that had undergone T13-L1 transection plus bilateral anastomoses (n = 6). Neurotized SCI animals demonstrated multiparameters of neural reorganization in the distal lumbar cord, including enhanced proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells, increased immunoreactivity of serotonin and synaptophysin, and neurite growth/sprouting, suggesting that anastomosing functional nerves with the nerve stump emerging distal to the hemisection stimulates neuroplasticity in the dysfunctional spinal cord. Our conclusion is validated by the fact that severance of the T13-L1 contralateral cord abolished the postanastomosis functional recovery. Neurotization and its neuroplastic sequelae need to be explored further to optimize clinical strategies of post-SCI functional repair.


SNP typing using the HID-Ion AmpliSeq™ Identity Panel in a southern Chinese population.
In the present study, 90 autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 34 Y chromosomal SNPs were sequenced simultaneously using HID-Ion AmpliSeq™ Identity Panel on the Ion PGM™ platform for 125 samples in a southern Chinese population. Raw data were analyzed and forensic parameters were calculated. Haplogrouping concordance was also assessed using alternative methods based on Y-SNP haplotypes and Y-STR haplotypes. The results showed that allelic imbalance occurred more frequently with low coverage while several SNPs with high coverage were also observed with poor allelic balance, including rs214955, rs430046, rs7520386, rs876724, rs9171188, rs16981290, and rs2032631. Totally, 21,261 miscalled reads (0.28%) were observed. The rate of allele-specific miscalled reads (ASMRs) was higher than that of allele nonspecific miscalled reads (ANMRs) and associated with genetic diversity of the SNP. The ASMRs of major allele were lower than that of minor allele while there was no difference for ANMRs. The combined discrimination power (CDP) was 1-4.81 × 10-34 and the combined power of exclusion (CPE) was 0.99989 and 0.99999992 for duo and trio paternity testing, respectively. No significant genetic difference was detected between southern and northern Chinese populations. For haplogroup study, O2 was the predominant haplogroup and 97.01% of samples were assigned consistent haplogoups with Y-SNP and Y-STR haplotypes. In conclusion, the AmpliSeq™ Identity Panel was powerful for individual identification and trio paternity testing. ASMRs were associated with the genetic diversity and allele frequency while neither was related for ANMRs. High concordance of haplogrouping assignment can be obtained with Y-STR and Y-SNP haplotypes.


Kinetics of the water/air phase transition of radon and its implication on detection of radon-in-water concentrations: practical assessment of different on-site radon extraction methods.
The on-site measurement of radon-in-water concentrations relies on extraction of radon from the water followed by its detection by means of a mobile radon-in-air monitor. Many applications of radon as a naturally occurring aquatic tracer require the collection of continuous radon concentration time series, thus necessitating the continuous extraction of radon either from a permanent water stream supplied by a water pump or directly from a water body or a groundwater monitoring well. Essentially, three different types of extraction units are available for this purpose: (i) a flow-through spray chamber, (ii) a flow-through membrane extraction module, and (iii) a submersible (usually coiled) membrane tube. In this paper we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these three methodical approaches with particular focus on their individual response to instantaneously changing radon-in-water concentrations. After a concise introduction into theoretical aspects of water/air phase transition kinetics of radon, experimental results for the three types of extraction units are presented. Quantitative suggestions for optimizing the detection setup by increasing the water/air interface and by reducing the air volume circulating through the degassing unit and radon detector are made. It was shown that the flow-through spray chamber and flow-through membrane perform nearly similarly, whereas the submersible membrane tubing has a significantly larger delay in response to concentration changes. The flow-through spray chamber is most suitable in turbid waters and to applications where high flow rates of the water pump stream can be achieved (e.g., where the power supply is not constrained by field conditions). The flow-through membrane is most suited to radon extraction from clear water and in field conditions where the power supply to a water pump is limited, e.g., from batteries. Finally, the submersible membrane tube is most suitable if radon is to be extracted in situ without any water pumping, e.g., in groundwater wells with a low yield, or in long-term time series, in which short-term variations in the radon concentration are of no relevance.


Phytostat for continuous culture and automatic sampling of plant-cell suspensions.
An apparatus for growing plant cells in suspension culture is described; it may be used for continuous or batch culture, and is equipped with a valve for automatic collection of samples. Aeration is by continuous bubbling of air into the culture through fritted glass. Normal culture-duplication times are from 30 to 35 hours.


Translocation of carbon by Rhizoctonia solani in nutritionally-heterogeneous microcosms.
Responses of Rhizoctonia solani to spatial heterogeneity in sources of carbon, and associated translocation of carbon (C), were studied in a simple microcosm system comprising two discrete domains of agar gels separated on a glass slide and overlain with a porous membrane. Two arrangements of the gel pairs were used, one containing two equally large resources (representing 'homogeneous' conditions) and one containing a large and a negligible resource (representing 'heterogeneous' conditions). The nutrient sources were a standard mineral salt medium with or without glucose as sole C source. The fungus was inoculated onto one domain and growth responses determined by direct measurement of biomass. Translocation of C was quantified by use of 13C-enriched glucose. This substrate was either added to the agar at the outset, when studying newly developing colonies, or as a pulse into already established colonies. When growing in heterogeneous conditions, the fungus actively translocated C from a glucose-containing domain to sustain growth in the adjacent region lacking such a resource. In homogeneous conditions there was evidence of passive translocation (diffusion), but the fungus preferentially used local resource to maintain growth. Active translocation was only observed in newly growing colonies, whereas passive translocation occurred in both growing and established colonies. When the fungus was pulsed with a 13C-enriched glucose solution after 10 d growth, 2.5 times more 13C was taken up by the fungus grown in heterogeneous than homogeneous conditions, suggesting uptake exceeded local demands. In heterogeneous conditions, the total amount of 13C enriched glucose taken up by the fungus was independent of the location of the enriched glucose in the underlying medium. When the nylon membrane was replaced by Cellophane (an additional C source), degradation of the membrane and an increase in biomass occurred only in the heterogeneous system. The possible implications for these results in soil systems are discussed.


Evidence that pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase belongs to the ATPase/kinase superfamily.
In this study the roles of invariant Asn-247, Asp-282, Gly-284, Gly-286 and Gly-319 of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase were investigated by site-directed mutagenesis. Recombinant kinases, wild-type, Asn-247Ala, Asp-282Ala, Gly-284Ala, Gly-286Ala and Gly-319Ala, were expressed in bacteria, purified, and characterized. Three mutant kinases, Asn-247Ala, Asp-282Ala and Gly-286Ala, lacked any appreciable activity. Two other mutants, Gly-284Ala and Gly-319Ala, were catalytically active, with apparent V(max) values close to that of the wild-type kinase (67 and 85 versus 70 nmol/min per mg, respectively). The apparent K(m) value of Gly-319Ala for nucleotide substrate increased significantly (1500 versus 16 microM). In contrast, Gly-284Ala had only a slightly higher K(m) value than the wild-type enzyme (28 versus 16 microM). ATP-binding analysis showed that Asn-247Ala, Asp-282Ala and Gly-286Ala could not bind nucleotide. The K(d) value of Gly-284Ala was slightly higher than that of the wild-type enzyme (7 versus 4 microM, respectively). In agreement with kinetic analysis, the Gly-319Ala mutant bound ATP so poorly that it was difficult to determine the binding constant. Despite the fact that Asn-247Ala, Asp-282Ala and Gly-286Ala lacked enzymic activity, they were still capable of binding the protein substrate, as shown by their negative-dominant effect in the competition assay with the wild-type kinase. The results of CD spectropolarimetry indicated that there were no major changes in the secondary structures of Asp-282Ala and Gly-286Ala. These results suggest strongly that the catalytic domain of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase is located at the C-terminus. Furthermore, the catalytic domain is likely to be folded similarly to the catalytic domains of the members of ATPase/kinase superfamily [molecular chaperone heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90), DNA gyrase B and histidine protein kinases].


Outcomes of metachronous para-aortic lymphadenectomy in colorectal cancer: a systematic review of the literature.
Para-aortic lymph node metastasis associated with colorectal cancer is a very rare occurrence, but at the same time an important predictor of survival. Despite its importance, there is still no gold standard management strategy, particularly for lymph nodes detected during follow-up, after resection of the primary tumour. Therefore, this review was undertaken to examine the evidence available on the surgical and non-surgical management of metachronous para-aortic lymph node metastasis (m-PALNM) in colorectal cancer treatment. This is a systematic review using the patient, intervention, comparison, outcome and study strategy. The literature search was undertaken using Cochrane, MEDLINE, EMBASE and PubMed databases with the following MeSH terms: lymph node excision, para-aortic lymph node, metastasis, metachronous and colorectal neoplasms. Five original papers met the study criteria including 188 patients in total (55.3% male, 44.7% female). Surgical resection of the m-PALND was the management of choice in 64% of patients. Reporting styles on survival outcomes were heterogeneous. However, patients undergoing surgical management for m-PALNM had longer disease-free survival and overall survival rates. There is significant paucity in the evidence available on the management of m-PALNM. However, the evidence reported by this review suggests that surgical management should be considered whenever possible, with the aim of prolonging survival. Future randomised trials are needed in order to provide further high-level evidence on m-PALNM management.


Difficult issues in mentoring: recommendations on making the "undiscussable" discussable.
Many mentoring relationships do not reach fruition because the individuals fail to bridge a critical difference. When a difference prevents a learning partnership from achieving its potential, the loss is multidimensional for the individuals and the institution--wasting opportunities for the fostering of current and future talent. Insights into when such impasses are likely to arise may help both mentors and mentees address what feels "undiscussable." The authors offer numerous examples of how differences related to ethnicity, language, gender, and generation may interfere with the development of mentoring relationships. Next, the authors offer recommendations on preparing for and handling difficult conversations, including creating safety, noticing assumptions and emotions, and raising sensitive issues. Virtually all faculty can become more effective at communicating across differences and addressing difficulties that prevent mentoring relationships from achieving their potential. The pay-offs for these efforts are indisputable: increased effect in the limited time available for mentoring, an expanded legacy of positive influence, and enhanced communication and leadership skills. The honing of these relational skills enhances the colleagueship and teamwork on which virtually all research, clinical, and educational enterprises depend. Academic health centers that systematically support mentoring enhance institutional stability, talent development, and leadership capacity.


Unexpected drug residuals in human milk in Ankara, capital of Turkey.
Breast milk is a natural and unique nutrient for optimum growth and development of the newborn. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of unpredictable drug residues in mothers' milk and the relationship between drug residues and maternal-infant characteristics. In a descriptive study, breastfed infants under 3 months of age and their mothers who applied for child health monitoring were enrolled for the study. Information forms were completed for maternal-infant characteristics, breastfeeding problems, crying and sleep characteristics of infants. Maternal and infant anthropometric measurements and maternal milk sample were taken. Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale was applied to mothers. RANDOX Infiniplex kit for milk was used for residual analysis. Overall, 90 volunteer mothers and their breastfed infants were taken into the study and the mean age of the mothers and their infants was 31.5 ± 4.2 years and 57.8 ± 18.1 days, respectively. Anti-inflammatory drug residues in breast milk were detected in 30.0% of mothers and all had tolfenamic acid. Overall, 94.4% had quinolone, 93.3% beta-lactam, 31.1% aminoglycoside and 13.3% polymycin residues. Drugs used during pregnancy or lactation period were not affected by the presence of residues. Edinburgh postpartum depression scores of mothers and crying and sleeping problems of infants were similar in cases with and without drug residues in breast milk. When controlling confounding factors, maternal body mass index alterations were detected to be significantly lower in mothers with anti-inflammatory drug residues in breast milk than in their counterparts (p = 0.017). Our study suggests that there are unpredictable drug residues in the milk of many mothers. Anti-inflammatory drug exposure might affect maternal weight change during the postpartum period. Further studies are required to evaluate the impact of drug residues on maternal and infant health.


[Lateral dominance in 182 children. 1. The antimeres, the praxis, the structure-performance relation].
182 normal children from 6 to 14 years old presenting learning difficulties were neurologically examined. A 149 items questionnaire covering the intrauterine, peri and post partum life were answered by parents and afterwards detailed in interview consultation. Special procedures on motor skill were added to the usual neurological examination, to text motor performance differences between antimeros. Dextrallity appeared in 156 cases (85.71%), sinistrallity in 8 (4.39%) and in 18 cases (9.89%) the lateral dominance could not be determined. The concept of ambidextrallity was rejected for the bilateral equivalence in motor competence was not found in the subjects. The results lead to interpret the lateral dominance as a proportional distribution of motor performances in the right and left halves of the body in a process of constant improvement of motor skills which takes place in and belongs to the development of interdependence between the individuals and their environment. It is by way of such interrelationships that the significant motor activity (praxias) is acquired. Lateral dominance is considered a dynamic mechanism resulting from this interactive process which aim is directed together with other mechanisms to provide and improve the human being survival.


Three simple solutions for renal flush and preservation.
The harvesting of kidneys at small hospitals where standard flush solutions are not available has led to the use of several flush solutions that can be made from readily available materials. Mongrel dogs (15) had bilateral nephrectomy after receiving intravenously a mixture of Ringer's lactate, furosemide (Lasix), mannitol, and chlorpromazine (Thorazine). One kidney was perfused with iced Collins' solution and stored for 24 hours, submerged in the perfusate at 4 C. Five dogs each had the contralateral kidney perfused with a solution of either (1) Ringer's lactate, salt-poor albumin, and heparin; (2) 6% dextran 70 and Fenwall buffered heparin solution; or (3) Ringer's lactate, mannitol, and heparin, and were stored in their respective perfusate. After 24 hours' storage the kidneys were transplanted into the neck, and creatinine clearance (Crcl) was determined on days 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7. The dogs were sacrificed on day 7 and biopsy specimens were obtained from each kidney for pathologic examination. The kidneys perfused with Collins' solution had immediate function after transplantation with an average Crcl of 10.5 at 25 hours and 20.2 at seven days. The kidneys perfused with Ringer's lactate and albumin had minimal function immediately after transplantation and were anuric within 24 hours. The kidneys perfused with dextran solution and Ringer's lactate and mannitol solution had immediate function but output remained low, and by seven days the average Crcl was only 3.0 and 4.5 respectively. All solutions except the Ringer's lactate and albumin were hyperosmolar, thus helping to prevent the "no reflow" phenomenon. These results indicate that the solutions tested do not result in the adequate preservation to warrant clinical use.


Cisplatinum and BCNU chemotherapy in primary glioblastoma patients.
The prognosis of patients with glioblastoma is very poor with a mean survival of 10-12 months. Currently available treatment options are multimodal, which include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, these have been shown to improve survival only marginally in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients. Methylated methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter is correlated with improved progression-free and overall survival in patients treated with alkylating agents. Strategies to overcome MGMT-mediated chemoresistance are being actively investigated. A retrospective analysis on 160 adult patients (> or =16 years) treated for histologically confirmed GBM between 2003 and 2005 at our Institution was performed. All patients were treated with conventional fractionated radiotherapy and a combined chemotherapy treatment with Cisplatin (CDDP) (100 mg/sqm on day 1) and carmustine (BCNU) (160 mg/sqm on day 2); the treatment was repeated every 6 weeks for five cycles. Toxicity, progression free survival and overall survival were assessed. The median number of chemotherapy cycles delivered to each patient was 5 (range 3-6), with no patients discontinuing treatment because of refusal or toxicity. Dose reduction was required in 16 patients (10%), and all patients completed radiotherapy, whereas 5 patients discontinued chemotherapy before completing all planned cycles for disease progression. The primary toxicities were: neutropenia (grade 3-4: 23%), thrombocytopenia (grade 3-4: 18.5%), and nausea and vomiting (13%). Median progression-free survival times and 1-year progression free survival were 7.6 months (95% CI 6.6-8.5) and 17.3%, respectively. OS was 15.6 months (95% CI 14.1-17.1). Our results for PFS and overall survival are comparable with those obtained with temozolomide, but the toxicity occurring in our series was more frequent and persistent. The toxicity, and mainly the modalities of administration associated with cisplatin and BCNU combination, argues against future use in the treatment of patients with GBM.


Identification of genes induced by inflammatory cytokines in airway epithelium.
Epithelial cells lining the airways are thought to play a prominent role in respiratory diseases. We utilized cDNA representational difference analysis to identify the genes in which expression is induced by the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta in primary human bronchial epithelial cells and hence are relevant to airway inflammation. Hybridization of the subtraction product to arrayed cDNAs indicated that known tumor necrosis factor-alpha- and interleukin-1beta-inducible genes such as B94, Zfp36, and regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted were represented, confirming the success of the subtraction experiment. A 1,152-clone library potentially representing genes with higher transcript levels in cytokine-treated human bronchial epithelial cells was generated and sequenced. Sequence similarity searches indicated that these clones represented 57 genes of known function, 1 gene of unknown function, 6 expressed sequence tags, and 2 novel sequences. The expression of 19 of these clones was studied by a combination of Northern blotting and RT-PCR analyses and confirmation of differential expression for 10 known genes, 2 expressed sequence tags, and a novel sequence not represented in any of the public databases was obtained. Thus cDNA representational difference analysis was utilized to isolate known and novel differentially expressed genes, which putatively play a role in airway inflammation.


Modeling residential fine particulate matter infiltration for exposure assessment.
Individuals spend the majority of their time indoors; therefore, estimating infiltration of outdoor-generated fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) can help reduce exposure misclassification in epidemiological studies. As indoor measurements in individual homes are not feasible in large epidemiological studies, we evaluated the potential of using readily available data to predict infiltration of ambient PM(2.5) into residences. Indoor and outdoor light scattering measurements were collected for 84 homes in Seattle, Washington, USA, and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, to estimate residential infiltration efficiencies. Meteorological variables and spatial property assessment data (SPAD), containing detailed housing characteristics for individual residences, were compiled for both study areas using a geographic information system. Multiple linear regression was used to construct models of infiltration based on these data. Heating (October to February) and non-heating (March to September) season accounted for 36% of the yearly variation in detached residential infiltration. Two SPAD housing characteristic variables, low building value, and heating with forced air, predicted 37% of the variation found between detached residential infiltration during the heating season. The final model, incorporating temperature and the two SPAD housing characteristic variables, with a seasonal interaction term, explained 54% of detached residential infiltration. Residences with low building values had higher infiltration efficiencies than other residences, which could lead to greater exposure gradients between low and high socioeconomic status individuals than previously identified using only ambient PM(2.5) concentrations. This modeling approach holds promise for incorporating infiltration efficiencies into large epidemiology studies, thereby reducing exposure misclassification.


An integrated multimodality MR brain imaging study: gray matter tissue loss mediates the association between cerebral hypoperfusion and Alzheimer's disease.
Multimodality MR image processing and analysis aims to determine to what extent information from various imaging modalities is redundant or complementary and how changes in various regions of the brain, detected by various modalities, interact with each other to produce cognitive and functional changes. Here, we presented a multimodality image processing framework to integrate unique and complementary observations on anatomical and physiological brain changes measured by structural and perfusion MR imaging modalities. A unique aspect to this study is that we performed a test on mediation hypothesis that requires a model based on measurements from both MR imaging modalities. Our findings from these integrated multi-modality analysis were congruent with previously published results on neuropathology of AD patients and supplied a comprehensive explanation on the integration between structural atrophy and physiological deterioration due to AD.


Selective probing of the OH or OD stretch vibration in liquid water using resonant inelastic soft-x-ray scattering.
High-resolution O 1s resonant inelastic x-ray scattering spectra of liquid H2O, D2O, and HDO, obtained by excitation near the preedge resonance show, in the elastic line region, well-separated multiple vibrational structures corresponding to the internal OH stretch vibration in the ground state of water. The energy of the first-order vibrational excitation is strongly blueshifted with respect to the main band in the infrared or Raman spectra of water, indicating that water molecules with a highly weakened or broken donating hydrogen bond are correlated with the preedge structure in the x-ray absorption spectrum. The vibrational profile of preedge excited HDO water is well fitted with 50%±20% greater OH-stretch contribution compared to OD, which strongly supports a preference for OH being the weakened or broken H-bond in agreement with the well-known picture that D2O makes stronger H-bonds than H2O. Accompanying path-integral molecular dynamics simulations show that this is particularly the case for strongly asymmetrically H-bonded molecules, i.e., those that are selected by preedge excitation.


Partite hallux sesamoid bones: Relationship with sesamoid bones at other metatarsophalangeal joints.
Partite hallux sesamoids are clinically meaningful but their association with other sesamoids is not clear. The objective was to relate the prevalence of the partite hallux sesamoid bones to sesamoid bones at other metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints. We conducted a retrospective review of plain radiographs of 7946 adult feet between November 2005 and September 2012 to identify partite hallux sesamoids and sesamoids at other MTP joints. Coexistence patterns of the partition and extra sesamoids were studied. Presence or absence of sesamoids at other MTP joints as well as sex and laterality were compared between the feet with and without partite hallux sesamoids using Pearson Chi-square test. Association between age and partition was evaluated using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Overall partite prevalence rate is 6.82%, and coexistence with extra MTP sesamoids was 0.42%. One pattern was partition in hallux sesamoid only, and 4 patterns were coexistence with extra sesamoids. The prevalence rates of partite hallux sesamoids were 7.17% (508/7081) and 3.93% (34/865) in feet without and with extra sesamoids, respectively. The relative risk of 1.889 (95% CI, 1.325-2.693) of partite hallux sesamoids was noted in feet without than with extra sesamoids (Χ2 = 12.759, P < 0.001). A negative correlation between age and distribution of partition was identified (r = -0.061, P < 0.001). Partition of hallux sesamoid bones is a developmental variation, it can coexist with sesamoids at other MTP joints following a certain pattern; and its prevalence rate is almost twice higher in feet without than with extra MTP sesamoids. Anat Rec, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Anat Rec, 301:34-38, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Hydration dynamics of the collagen triple helix by NMR.
The hydration of the collagen-like Ac-(Gly-Pro-Hyp)(6)-NH(2) triple-helical peptide in solution was investigated using an integrated set of high-resolution NMR hydration experiments, including different recently developed exchange-network editing methods. This approach was designed to explore the hydration dynamics in the proximity of labile groups, such as the hydroxyproline hydroxyl group, and revealed that the first shell of hydration in collagen-like triple helices is kinetically labile with upper limits for water molecule residence times in the nanosecond to sub-nanosecond range. This result is consistent with a "hopping" hydration model in which solvent molecules are exchanged in and out of solvation sites at a rate that is not directly correlated to the degree of site localization. The hopping model thus reconciles the dynamic view of hydration revealed by NMR with the previously suggested partially ordered semi-clathrate-like cylinder of hydration. In addition, the nanosecond to sub-nanosecond upper limits for water molecule residence times imply that hydration-dehydration events are not likely to be the rate-limiting step for triple helix self-recognition, complementing previous investigations on water dynamics in collagen fibers. This study has also revealed labile proton features expected to facilitate the characterization of the structure and folding of triple helices in collagen peptides.


Concentration and application order effects of sodium benzoate and eugenol mixtures on the growth inhibition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Zygosaccharomyces bailii.
Growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Zygosaccharomyces bailii cells was monitored in the presence of sodium benzoate and eugenol alone or combined. The two antimicrobials' concentration, addition order, and timing were varied to determine and quantify any additive inhibitory effect on the yeasts. The yeast growth was also followed in the presence of ethanol, which served as solubilizer, at pertinent concentrations. The growth patterns are depicted as adjusted optical density compared with time curves. They all had sigmoid shape, described mathematically by a shifted logistic model that had an almost perfect fit to the data. The model's 3 parameters accounted for the curve's asymptote, the location of its inflection point and slope, which are rough measures of the overall growth level and its degree of suppression, the time to reach the peak growth rate and its retardation, and the overall growth rate, respectively. Maximum growth inhibition was achieved when the sodium benzoate and eugenol were administered together or alone in full dose. When each was administered alone but in 2 half dose additions, their efficacy dropped. When they were used together but added sequentially with a 24 h pause, their administration order had a noticeable effect on the treatment's efficacy, which depended on their respective concentrations. These observations are presented in a slightly modified version of the "hurdle" ideogram. They suggest that sequencing the administration of antimicrobials can be a simple tool to probe their mode of activity and quantify their efficacy. Reducing the amount of additives in foods is a goal pursued by many branches of the food industry. In microbial growth suppression, a promising way to accomplish such a reduction is through the administration of 2 or more antimicrobials, preferably natural, exploiting their synergism. To search for effective combinations, in respect to type and concentration, one needs an insight into their mode of activity. Sequencing their administration, as demonstrated with 2 antimicrobials and 2 common yeasts that are involved in beverage spoilage, has offered a simple way to probe into certain aspects of the effect of antimicrobial combinations on microorganisms. The presented algebraic growth model enables to quantify, separately, the growth overall suppression, its retardation, and lowering its peak rate. The proposed modified version of the "hurdles paradigm" helps to visualize the differences in the antimicrobials' general mode of activity and how it is affected by their sequencing.


Parylene C topographic micropattern as a template for patterning PDMS and Polyacrylamide hydrogel.
Parylene C is a well-known polymer and it has been mainly employed as a protective layer for implantable electronics. In this paper, we propose a new approach to use Parylene C as a versatile template for patterning soft materials potentially applicable as scaffolds in cardiac tissue engineering (TE). Parylene C substrates were anisotropically patterned through standard lithographic process with hydrophilic channels separating raised hydrophobic strips. Ridges and grooves of the template are 10 µm width and depth ranging from 1 to 17 µm. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Polyacrylamide (PAm) hydrogel have been chosen as soft polymers to be moulded. Thanks to their chemical and physical properties PDMS and PAm hydrogel mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM). PDMS was spin coated on micropatterned Parylene C obtaining composite substrates with 460 nm and 1.15 µm high grooves. The Young's modulus of the composite Parylene C/PDMS was evaluated and it was found to be almost half when compared to PDMS. PAm hydrogel was also printed using collagen coated micro-grooved Parylene C. Optical micrographs and fluorescence analysis show the successful topographic and protein pattern transfer on the hydrogel.


In vitro antioxidant activity of Vetiveria Zizanioides root extract.
Free radicals induce numerous diseases by lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. It has been reported that some of the extracts from plants possess antioxidant properties capable of scavenging free radicals in vivo. Vetiveria zizanioides belonging to the family Gramineae, is a densely tufted grass which is widely used as a traditional plant for aromatherapy, to relieve stress, anxiety, nervous tension and insomnia. In this regard, the roots of V zizanioides was extracted with ethanol and used for the evaluation of various in vitro antioxidant activities such as reducing power ability, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, deoxyribose degradation assay, total antioxidant capacity, total phenolics and total flavonoid composition. The various antioxidant activities were compared with suitable antioxidants such as butyl hydroxy toluene, ascorbic acid, quercetin, alpha tocopherol, pyrocatechol and curcumin respectively. The generation of free radicals O2, H2O2 OH and N O were effectively scavenged by the ethanolic extract of V zizanioides. In all these methods, the extract showed strong antioxidant activity in a dose dependent manner. The results obtained in the present study clearly indicates that V zizanioides scavenges free radicals, ameliorating damage imposed by oxidative stress in different disease conditions and serve as a potential source of natural antioxidant. The study provides a proof for the ethnomedical claims and reported biological activities. The plant has, therefore, very good therapeutic and antioxidant potential.


Effect of Puerperal Infections on Early Neonatal Mortality: A Secondary Analysis of Six Demographic and Health Surveys.
Around 1.5 million annual neonatal deaths occur in the first week of life, and infections represent one of the major causes in developing countries. Neonatal sepsis is often strictly connected to infection of the maternal genital tract during labour. The association between signs suggestive of puerperal infection and early neonatal mortality (<7 days of life) was performed using Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) data of six countries, conducted between 2010 and 2013. The population attributable fraction (PAF) was generated using the estimates on early neonatal mortality of a 1990-2013 systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study. Signs of puerperal infection ranged from 0.7% in the Philippines to 16.4% in Honduras. Infection was associated with a 2.1 adjusted Risk Ratio (95% CI: 1.4-3.2) of early neonatal mortality. Around five percent of all deaths in the first week of life were attributable to signs suggestive of puerperal infections and varied from 13.9% (95% CI: 1.0-26.6) in Honduras to 3.6% (95% CI: 1.0-8.5) in Indonesia. Targeted interventions should be addressed to contain the burden of puerperal infections on early neonatal mortality. Consideration of the PAF will help in the discussion of the benefits of antenatal and perinatal measures.


Phylogeny, gene structures, and expression patterns of the ERF gene family in soybean (Glycine max L.).
Members of the ERF transcription factor family play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. In soybean (Glycine max L.), however, only a few ERF genes have been studied so far. In this study, 98 unigenes that contained a complete AP2/ERF domain were identified from 63,676 unique sequences in the DFCI Soybean Gene Index database. The phylogeny, gene structures, and putative conserved motifs in soybean ERF proteins were analysed, and compared with those of Arabidopsis and rice. The members of the soybean ERF family were divided into 12 subgroups, similar to the case for Arabidopsis. AP2/ERF domains were conserved among soybean, Arabidopsis, and rice. Outside the AP2/ERF domain, many soybean-specific conserved motifs were detected. Expression analysis showed that nine unigenes belonging to six ERF family subgroups were induced by both biotic/abiotic stresses and hormone treatment, suggesting that they were involved in cross-talk between biotic and abiotic stress-responsive signalling pathways. Overexpression of two full-length genes from two different subgroups enhanced the tolerances to drought, salt stresses, and/or pathogen infection of the tobacco plants. These results will be useful for elucidating ERF gene-associated stress response signalling pathways in soybean.


The Staphylococcus aureus ileS gene, encoding isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, is a member of the T-box family.
The Staphylococcus aureus ileS gene, encoding isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IleRS), contains a long mRNA leader region. This region exhibits many of the features of the gram-positive synthetase gene family, including the T box and leader region terminator and antiterminator. The terminator was shown to be functional in vivo, and readthrough increased during growth in the presence of mupirocin, an inhibitor of IleRS activity. The S. aureus ileS leader structure includes several critical differences from the other members of the T-box family, suggesting that regulation of this gene in S. aureus may exhibit unique features.


The Americans With Disabilities Act, Reasonable Accommodations, and Medical Education.
The number of students with a disability matriculating into institutions of medical education, including physician assistant programs, is increasing. Educational institutions must develop procedures with regard to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) including the provision of reasonable accommodations to provide equal opportunities for all. These procedures must be compliant with federal and state laws while protecting academic integrity, maintaining technical standards, and successfully navigating the institutional and individual faculty barriers. Knowledge of the ADA and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 as well as some familiarity with the legal precedent regarding these laws will facilitate planning and decision-making for students with disabilities. This is imperative for educating not just those with specific disabilities but also the evolving learners of today. Such knowledge, coupled with the continued prioritization of technical standards and student outcomes, will assist in the curricular development of the future.


The routines of women with fibromyalgia and an interdisciplinary challenge to promote self-care.
To describe the daily lives of women living with fibromyalgia through the implementation of an interdisciplinary group intervention and verify its benefits to the participants' health. This descriptive, exploratory, qualitative study was conducted with 12 women who participanted in an interdisciplinary health education group at the State University of Rio de Janeiro. Data were collected in 2016 through semi-structured interviews, which were organized and analyzed according to Bardin's content analysis. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (CAAE 16413013013100005259), in accordance with the legal and ethical guidelines estabished by Resolution 466/2012. Two categories emerged from the analytical corpus, namely: Expression of everyday life and Repercussions of the interdisciplinary group. The actions implemented by the interdisciplinary group resulted in numerous physical, psychological and social benefits for the women.


Performance Evaluation of KU-F40 Automatic Feces Analyzer.
The performance of a new inspection system should be verified before it is used. The aim of this study was to analyze the performance of the KU-F40 automatic feces analyzer, which can serve clinic better. A total of 1,822 fecal samples were collected at our hospital in September 2022 and tested by manual method and KU-F40 automatic feces analyzer. With manual microscopy as the gold standard, the clinical application value of KU-F40 was evaluated by sensitivity, specificity, coincidence rate, etc. Results: For the KU-F40 automatic feces analyzer, the sensitivity of red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), fungi, and occult blood (OB) was 95.08%, 92.68%, 89.47%, and 98.72%, respectively. The specificity was 99.38%, 99.83%, 99.94%, and 99.04%, respectively. The coincidence rates were 99.23%, 99.51%, 99.84%, and 98.96%, respectively. The Kappa values were 0.8883, 0.9415, 0.9181, and 0.9729, respectively. The p-values were 0.0574, 0.5078, 1.0000, and 0.1671, respectively. KU-F40 automatic feces analyzer results are reliable, can effectively improve the efficiency of testing, reduce the risk of biosafety, which is accordance with the current clinical need. At the same time, continuous improvement should be made to better serve the clinic.


Microbiome investigation in the ecological speciation context of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) using next-generation sequencing.
Few studies have applied NGS methods to investigate the microbiome of vertebrates in their natural environment and in freshwater fishes in particularly. Here, we used pyrosequencing of the 16S gene rRNA to (i) test for differences in kidney bacterial communities (i.e. microbiota) of dwarf and normal whitefish found as sympatric pairs, (ii) test the hypothesis of higher bacterial diversity in normal compared with dwarf whitefish and (iii) test for the occurrence of parallelism with the presence and composition of bacterial communities across species pairs inhabiting different lakes. The kidney microbiota of 253 dwarf and normal whitefish from five lakes was analysed combining a double-nested PCR approach with 454 pyrosequencing. Bacteria were detected in 52.6% of the analysed whitefish. There was no overall significant difference among lakes and forms, although the lake × form interaction was found significant. We identified 579 bacterial genera, which is substantially more than previous descriptions using less sensitive techniques of fish bacterial diversity in kidney, pathogenic or not. Ten of these genera contained eighteen pathogenic species. Differences in bacteria composition between whitefish forms were not parallel among lakes. In accordance with the higher diversity of prey types, normal whitefish kidney tissue consistently had a more diverse bacterial community and this pattern was parallel among lakes. These results add to building evidence from previous studies on this system that the adaptive divergence of dwarf, and normal whitefish has been driven by both parallel and nonparallel ecological conditions across lakes.


The Effect of Intra-articular Injection of Autologous Microfragmented Fat Tissue on Proteoglycan Synthesis in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the leading musculoskeletal disorders in the adult population. It is associated with cartilage damage triggered by the deterioration of the extracellular matrix tissue. The present study explores the effect of intra-articular injection of autologous microfragmented adipose tissue to host chondrocytes and cartilage proteoglycans in patients with knee OA. A prospective, non-randomized, interventional, single-center, open-label clinical trial was conducted from January 2016 to April 2017. A total of 17 patients were enrolled in the study, and 32 knees with osteoarthritis were assessed. Surgical intervention (lipoaspiration) followed by tissue processing and intra-articular injection of the final microfragmented adipose tissue product into the affected knee(s) was performed in all patients. Patients were assessed for visual analogue scale (VAS), delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage (dGEMRIC) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) glycans at the baseline, three, six and 12 months after the treatment. Magnetic resonance sequence in dGEMRIC due to infiltration of the anionic, negatively charged contrast gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA2-) into the cartilage indicated that the contents of cartilage glycosaminoglycans significantly increased in specific areas of the treated knee joint. In addition, dGEMRIC consequently reflected subsequent changes in the mechanical axis of the lower extremities. The results of our study indicate that the use of autologous and microfragmented adipose tissue in patients with knee OA (measured by dGEMRIC MRI) increased glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content in hyaline cartilage, which is in line with observed VAS and clinical results.


Half-time image reconstruction in thermoacoustic tomography.
Thermoacoustic tomography (TAT) is an emerging imaging technique with great potential for a wide range of biomedical imaging applications. In this paper, we propose and investigate reconstruction approaches for TAT that are based on the half-time reflectivity tomography paradigm. We reveal that half-time reconstruction approaches permit for the explicit control of statistically complementary information that can result in the optimal reduction of image variances. We also show that half-time reconstruction approaches can mitigate image artifacts due to heterogeneous acoustic properties of an object. Reconstructed images and numerical results produced from simulated and experimental TAT measurement data are employed to demonstrate these effects.


Targeted cytotoxic therapy kills persisting HIV infected cells during ART.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) can reduce HIV levels in plasma to undetectable levels, but rather little is known about the effects of ART outside of the peripheral blood regarding persistent virus production in tissue reservoirs. Understanding the dynamics of ART-induced reductions in viral RNA (vRNA) levels throughout the body is important for the development of strategies to eradicate infectious HIV from patients. Essential to a successful eradication therapy is a component capable of killing persisting HIV infected cells during ART. Therefore, we determined the in vivo efficacy of a targeted cytotoxic therapy to kill infected cells that persist despite long-term ART. For this purpose, we first characterized the impact of ART on HIV RNA levels in multiple organs of bone marrow-liver-thymus (BLT) humanized mice and found that antiretroviral drug penetration and activity was sufficient to reduce, but not eliminate, HIV production in each tissue tested. For targeted cytotoxic killing of these persistent vRNA(+) cells, we treated BLT mice undergoing ART with an HIV-specific immunotoxin. We found that compared to ART alone, this agent profoundly depleted productively infected cells systemically. These results offer proof-of-concept that targeted cytotoxic therapies can be effective components of HIV eradication strategies.