Taxonomic studies on the Neotropical Landrevinae with description of new taxa (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Gryllidae).
The understanding of the subfamily Landrevinae has been modified by different authors since its creation. In the neotropics three genera are known to the present: Odontogryllus Saussure, 1877 (one from México, the others amazonian), Brasilodontus de Mello, 1992 with two species (from Brazilian Atlantic Forest), e Valchica de Mello, 1992 with one species (from Costa Rica). De Mello (1992) erroneously created the tribe Odontogryllini for this cluster of neotropical genera, here suppressed. In the present paper we revise and add new species to Brasilodontus and describe two monotypic genera, Xulavuna n. gen. and Yarrubura, n. gen. An identification key to the genera of neotropical Landrevinae is presented as well as one for the species of Brasilodontus. The male fore wings of Xulavuna adenoptera n. sp. is remarkable regarding its shape and its glandular condition.


Peritoneal fluid in the rabbit: permeability of the mesothelium to proteins, lipoproteins and acid hydrolases.
The peritoneal fluid in rabbits fed a normal and a cholesterol added diet was analysed for a wide variety of macromolecules of different size, viz albumin, alpha-, beta- and gamma-globulins, high density lipoprotein and lipoproteins of Sf0-12, Sf12-20 and Sf greater than 20 and three acid hydrolases, N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase, acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase. The composition of the lipoproteins and the concentrations of each substance were compared with corresponding values in plasma, hepatic lymph, thoraic duct lymph and leg lymph. The results indicate that the large lipoproteins of the thoraic duct lymph derived from the intestinal mucosa do not normally enter the peritoneal cavity probably because they do not mix with the subserous tissue fluid, that the macromolecular composition of peritoneal fluid resemble that of leg lymph, that the peritoneal mesothelium is freely permeable to these macromolecules and that the main plasma: peritoneal fluid barrier resides in the blood capillary membrane of the various subserous tissues.


Spurious suppression of a microstrip bandpass filter using three types of rectangular PBG loops.
A novel microstrip bandpass filter with three types of rectangular, photonic bandgap (PBG) loops on a middle layer was designed and demonstrated using a full-wave electromagnetic (EM) simulator, with the predicted results verified by experiment. This investigation presents the configurations of conventional parallel-coupled 2 GHz filters with and without a PBG. The middle-layer of PBG loops adds an extra stopband-rejection mode to filter stopband; and it provides attenuation in excess of 25 dB at the second, third, and fourth harmonics, thus demonstrating that superior stopband characteristics at high frequency can be obtained using the proposed PBG loops in microwave filters.


Cognitive vulnerability to depression: a comparison of the weakest link, keystone and additive models.
Multiple theories of cognitive vulnerability to depression have been proposed, each focusing on different aspects of negative cognition and utilising different measures of risk. Various methods of integrating such multiple indices of risk have been examined in the literature, and each demonstrates some promise. Yet little is known about the interrelations among these methods, or their incremental validity in predicting changes in depression. The present study compared three integrative models of cognitive vulnerability: the additive, weakest link, and keystone models. Support was found for each model as predictive of depression over time, but only the weakest link model demonstrated incremental utility in predicting changes in depression over the other models. We also explore the correlation between these models and each model's unique contribution to predicting onset of depressive symptoms.


The Role of the Surgeon on Outcomes of Vaginal Prolapse Surgery With Mesh.
Adverse outcomes after surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) with mesh are often attributed to the mesh material with little attention paid to the influence of surgeon factors. We used a national data set to determine whether surgeon case volume and specialty influenced vaginal prolapse surgery outcomes with mesh. Public Use File data on a 5% random national sample of female Medicare beneficiaries were obtained from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Women with a diagnosis of POP who underwent surgery with mesh between 2007 and 2008 were identified by relevant International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification and Current Procedural Terminology, 4th Edition procedure codes. Outcomes were compared by surgeon case volume and specialty. From 2007 to 2008, 1657 surgeries for POP were performed with mesh. Low-, intermediate-, and high-volume surgeons performed 881 (53%), 408 (25%), and 368 (22%) of the cases with mesh, respectively. The cumulative reoperation rates for low-, intermediate-, and high-volume providers were 6%, 2%, and 3%, respectively. The difference in reoperation rates between low and intermediate and low- and high-volume surgeons was statistically significant (P = 0.007 and 0.003, respectively). There was no significant difference in reoperation rates between gynecologists and urologists when vaginal mesh was implanted for POP surgery. Low-volume surgeons performed most of the vaginal prolapse repairs with mesh and had significantly higher reoperation rates. Surgeon experience must be a consideration when reporting mesh-related complications of POP surgery.


Salting out: experience in 9,000 cases.
A complete method of saline abortion has been presented. This method has been well thought out, is physiologically sound, and has been proven safe and reliable. Although we have reduced the potential for complications to a minimum, those specific to the salting-out procedure as well as those inherent in any mid-trimester labor and delivery cannot be completely eliminated. Therefore, there can be no shortcuts. Salting out must be performed only in a hospital where well trained specialists are available to handle any complications that may occur.


Intestinal transplantation for the treatment of desmoid tumors associated with familial adenomatous polyposis.
Desmoid tumors associated with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) are locally invasive. Often occurring in the mesentery of the intestine, they sometimes recur after resection. Complications can include intestinal failure and dependence on parenteral nutrition. We describe 9 patients who underwent intestinal transplantation for the treatment of desmoid tumors associated with FAP. Records of patients undergoing intestinal transplantation for desmoid tumors at 2 transplant centers were reviewed for patient age, sex, type of graft, procedure date, tumor site, desmoid complications, medications, extracolonic manifestations, status at follow-up, and length of survival. Nine patients with FAP and intestinal failure caused by desmoid tumors were treated with isolated intestinal (n = 6), multivisceral (n = 2), or combined liver-intestinal transplantation (n = 1). Desmoid tumors recurred in the abdominal walls of 2 patients. Two patients died: one as a result of sepsis, the other because of a rupture of a mycotic aneurysm of the aortic anastomosis. One graft lost to severe rejection was replaced with a second intestinal graft. Eleven to 53 months after transplantation, 7 patients were alive, well, independent of parenteral treatment, and leading apparently normal lifestyles. Transplantation of the intestine alone or as part of a multivisceral transplantation may help rescue otherwise untreatable patients with complicated desmoid tumors.


Institutional risk factors for outbreaks of nosocomial gastroenteritis: survival analysis of a cohort of hospital units in South-west England, 2002-2003.
Nosocomial outbreaks of gastroenteritis are a major burden on hospital inpatient services, costing an estimated pound115 million annually to the English National Health Service. We actively followed-up 171 inpatient units from four major acute hospitals and 11 community hospitals in South-west England for one year. Outbreaks of gastroenteritis were ascertained through an active surveillance network using standard clinical definitions. Survival analysis Cox regression models using an outbreak of gastroenteritis as the endpoint were fitted to identify institutional and operational attributes related to increased outbreak rates at the level of the care unit. Greater number of beds in unit [hazard ratio (HR) 1.22 (per 10 additional beds), 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.96-1.55] was associated with increased hazard, as were geriatric (HR 2.6, 95%CI 1.6-4.3) and general medical (HR 1.7, 95%CI 1.1-2.6) care units. The average length of stay on a unit was inversely associated with outbreak incidence [HR=0.89 (per additional week of stay), 95%CI 0.80-0.99]. Larger care units and those with higher throughput have increased rates of gastroenteritis outbreaks. These results should guide infection control policy and support the design of hospitals with smaller care units.


Influence of visual acuity on suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and depression in South Korea.
To assess the influence of visual acuity (VA) on suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and depression. From 2008 to 2012, a total of 28 919 nationally representative participants aged 19 years or older in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey underwent additional ophthalmological examinations by the Korean Ophthalmologic Society. Associations between best corrected VA in the better-seeing eye based on decimal fraction and mental health were identified using multivariable logistic regression analysis after adjusting for possible biopsychosocial confounders. Self-reported mental health (suicidal ideation, suicide attempt and depression), Euro Quality of Life-Visual Analog Scale and counselling experience were evaluated by direct interviews. A nomogram for risk of suicidal ideation was generated. By multivariable logistic regression analysis, low VA was significantly associated with suicidal ideation and suicide attempt but not depression. Participants with a VA of no light perception to 0.2 had a nearly twofold and threefold increased risk of suicidal ideation (adjusted OR, 1.85; 95% CI 1.04 to 3.27) and suicidal attempt (adjusted OR, 3.44; 95% CI 0.92 to 12.79), compared with participants with a VA of 1.0. Sociodemographic disparities, including age and socioeconomic status, existed for suicidal ideation, suicidal attempt and depression. Euro Quality of Life-Visual Analog Scale significantly decreased as VA decreased and was lower in participants who attempted suicide. Low VA was associated with the occurrence of suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt. Ophthalmologists should embrace their responsibility to help reduce suicidality and prevent suicides in patients with low VA by encouraging them to seek psychiatric care.


Breast cancer metastasis to thyroid: a retrospective analysis.
Breast cancers metastasizing to thyroid gland are relatively uncommon in clinical practice. Retrospective analysis of data from breast cancer patients with thyroid metastasis (TM). The US suspected, fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) confirmed TM in breast cancer patients, treated between 2005 and 2015 at our hospital, was retrospectively analyzed. The data were re-evaluated by the pathologist and radiologist who were blinded to the patients' data. FNAC and immunohistochemistry confirmed the ultrasonography (US) suspected TM in eight breast cancer patients. Clinically both unilateral and bilateral TM was seen, which were symptomless and metachronously (6-121 months) metastasized. Six of eight cases exhibited recurrence/distant metastasis and were treated with chemotherapy/thyroidectomy of which two cases passed away. The remaining two patients had no recurrences/distant metastases and were treated with partial/total thyroidectomy. Post-chemotherapy US showed more homogenous thyroid parenchyma with gathering of calcification that reduced in size, revealing the sensitiveness of TM to chemotherapy. US was useful in screening TM in breast cancer patients. Both partial and total thyroidectomy was effective in disease free survival of isolated TM cases, with controlled primary condition. TM responded well to chemotherapy in most of the recurrent breast cancer cases with or without distant metastasis.


The prevalence of antinuclear, anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm and anti-RNP antibodies in a group of healthy blood donors.
We studied the prevalence of antinuclear (ANA), anti-double stranded DNA (dsDNA), anti-Sm and anti-RNP antibodies in a group of 93 blood donors (age range: 18-58 years). Antinuclear and anti-ds DNA antibodies were detected by immunofluorescence (IF) using HEp2 cells and Crithidia luciliae as substrates, respectively, while anti-Sm and anti-RNP antibodies were assayed by ELISA. ANA was found in 6.5% while anti-dsDNA antibodies were not detected in any of the subjects. The 98th percentile was used as cut off where values greater than 0.651 for anti-Sm and 0.601 for anti-RNP antibodies were taken to be positive. This gives a frequency of 1.1% for both antibodies. There was no significant association of antibody positivity with sex or race. We conclude that certain autoantibodies are present in low titres in the normal Malaysian Individuals, at a different frequency compared to other studies probably due to genetic, ethic or environmental factors.


EndoNet: an information resource about the intercellular signaling network.
In multicellular organisms, an intercellular signaling network communicates information from the environment or distant tissues to defined target cells. Intercellular signaling (mostly mediated by hormones) can affect the metabolic state and the gene expression program of target cells, thereby coordinating development, homeostasis of the organism and its reactions to external stimuli. Knowledge of the components of the intercellular signaling (specifically: the endocrine) network and their relations is an important, though so far a largely neglected part of systems biology. EndoNet is an information resource about the endocrine system in human. The content of this database comprises information about the biological components of the endocrine system, like hormones, receptors and cells, as well as their relations like the secretion or the binding of a hormone to its receptor. All data within EndoNet have been manually annotated from the scientific literature. The web interface of EndoNet provides the content by a detailed page for each component. These pages list information about the component, links to external resources including literature as well as to related entities of EndoNet. The anatomical ontology Cytomer is used, in conjunction with the Ontology Based Answers service (OBA), to query and list related anatomical structures ranging from the level of individual cells to complete organs. While querying the web interface the user can add components to an individual network. This network, or the complete network stored in the database, can be further analyzed in a configurable pipeline or can be exported in various formats. EndoNet is an important and unique information resource about the intercellular signaling network. Since the intercellular network is an integral part of systems biology, EndoNet provides essential information for analyzing interaction between different cellular networks.


High dynamic range processing for magnetic resonance imaging.
To minimize feature loss in T1- and T2-weighted MRI by merging multiple MR images acquired at different TR and TE to generate an image with increased dynamic range. High Dynamic Range (HDR) processing techniques from the field of photography were applied to a series of acquired MR images. Specifically, a method to parameterize the algorithm for MRI data was developed and tested. T1- and T2-weighted images of a number of contrast agent phantoms and a live mouse were acquired with varying TR and TE parameters. The images were computationally merged to produce HDR-MR images. All acquisitions were performed on a 7.05 T Bruker PharmaScan with a multi-echo spin echo pulse sequence. HDR-MRI delineated bright and dark features that were either saturated or indistinguishable from background in standard T1- and T2-weighted MRI. The increased dynamic range preserved intensity gradation over a larger range of T1 and T2 in phantoms and revealed more anatomical features in vivo. We have developed and tested a method to apply HDR processing to MR images. The increased dynamic range of HDR-MR images as compared to standard T1- and T2-weighted images minimizes feature loss caused by magnetization recovery or low SNR.


Evaluation of products and services of a nursing library: user satisfaction.
The goal of the study was to evaluate the quality of the services provided by the library at the Nursing School of the University of São Paulo. A questionnaire evaluating users' satisfaction with the service was employed, covering five quality components: tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy. The Satisfaction Rate was calculated through the degree of importance in relation to satisfaction. The analysis of the open-ended answers was quanti-qualitative. For Reliability and Empathy, the users showed dissatisfaction with the training for bibliographic research and the librarian's willingness to meet the clients' information needs, respectively. Responsiveness did not fully satisfy the users, disagreeing with the providers. However, both agreed that the archives are outdated. Among the tangible aspects, equipment and noise were criticized most often. The results show that the library offers good service quality to its users.


Isolation and comparative mapping of a human chromosome 20-specific alpha-satellite DNA clone.
We have isolated and characterized a human genomic DNA clone (PZ20, locus D20Z2) that identifies, under high-stringency hybridization conditions, an alphoid DNA subset specific for chromosome 20. The specificity was determined using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Sequence analysis confirmed our previously reported data on the great similarity between the chromosome 20 and chromosome 2 alphoid subsets. Comparative mapping of pZ20 on chimpanzee and gorilla chromosomes, also performed under high-stringency conditions, indicates that the alphoid subset has ancestral sequences on chimpanzee chromosome 11 and gorilla chromosome 19. However, no hybridization was observed to chromosomes 21 in the great apes, the homolog of human chromosome 20.


Cytoplasmic pH regulation in thymic lymphocytes by an amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ antiport.
The mechanisms underlying cytoplasmic pH (pHi) regulation in rat thymic lymphocytes were studied using trapped fluorescein derivatives as pHi indicators. Cells that were acid-loaded with nigericin in choline+ media recovered normal pHi upon addition of extracellular Na+ (Nao+). The cytoplasmic alkalinization was accompanied by medium acidification and an increase in cellular Na+ content and was probably mediated by a Nao+/Hi+ antiport. At normal [Na+]i, Nao+/Hi+ exchange was undetectable at pHi greater than or equal to 6.9 but was markedly stimulated by internal acidification. Absolute rates of H+ efflux could be calculated from the Nao+-induced delta pHi using a buffering capacity of 25 mmol X liter-1 X pH-1, measured by titration of intact cells with NH4+. At pHi = 6.3, pHo = 7.2, and [Na+]o = 140 mM, H+ extrusion reached 10 mmol X liter-1 X min-1. Nao+/Hi+ exchange was stimulated by internal Na+ depletion and inhibited by lowering pHo and by addition of amiloride (apparent Ki = 2.5 microM). Inhibition by amiloride was competitive with respect to Nao+. Hi+ could also exchange for Lio+, but not for K+, Rb+, Cs+, or choline+. Nao+/Hi+ countertransport has an apparent 1:1 stoichiometry and is electrically silent. However, a small secondary hyperpolarization follows recovery from acid-loading in Na+ media. This hyperpolarization is amiloride- and ouabain-sensitive and probably reflects activation of the electrogenic Na+-K+ pump. At normal Nai+ values, the Nao+/Hi+ antiport of thymocytes is ideally suited for the regulation of pHi. The system can also restore [Na+]i in Na+-depleted cells. In this instance the exchanger, in combination with the considerable cytoplasmic buffering power, will operate as a [Na+]i-regulatory mechanism.


Cardiovascular MR imaging of conotruncal anomalies.
Conotruncal anomalies are congenital heart defects that result from abnormal formation and septation of the outflow tracts of the heart and great vessels. The major conotruncal anomalies include tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries, double-outlet right ventricle, truncus arteriosus, and interrupted aortic arch. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is an important modality for the evaluation of patients with these defects. Major advances in cardiovascular MR imaging equipment and techniques allow precise delineation of the cardiovascular anatomy and accurate quantitative assessment of ventricular function and blood flow. The data provided by cardiovascular MR imaging are useful for treatment planning and posttreatment monitoring, supplement information obtained with echocardiography, and in many cases obviate cardiac catheterization.


Biophysical studies of protein misfolding and aggregation in in vivo models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's diseases (PD), are characterised by the formation of aberrant assemblies of misfolded proteins. The discovery of disease-modifying drugs for these disorders is challenging, in part because we still have a limited understanding of their molecular origins. In this review, we discuss how biophysical approaches can help explain the formation of the aberrant conformational states of proteins whose neurotoxic effects underlie these diseases. We discuss in particular models based on the transgenic expression of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau in AD, and α-synuclein in PD. Because biophysical methods have enabled an accurate quantification and a detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying protein misfolding and aggregation in vitro, we expect that the further development of these methods to probe directly the corresponding mechanisms in vivo will open effective routes for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.


Targeting VEGF in canine oxygen-induced retinopathy - a model for human retinopathy of prematurity.
Development of the dog superficial retinal vasculature is similar to the mechanism of human retinal vasculature development; they both develop by vasculogenesis, differentiation, and assembly of vascular precursors called angioblasts. Canine oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) was first developed by Arnall Patz in an effort to experimentally determine the effects of hyperoxia on the development of the retinal vasculature. The canine OIR model has many characteristics in common with human retinopathy of prematurity. Exposure of 1-day-old dogs to hyperoxia for 4 days causes a vaso-obliteration throughout the retina. Vasoproliferation, after the animals have returned to room air, is robust. The initial small preretinal neovascular formations anastomose to form large preretinal membranes that eventually cause tractional retinal folds. The end-stage pathology of the canine model is similar to stage IV human retinopathy of prematurity. Therefore, canine OIR is an excellent forum to evaluate the response to drugs targeting VEGF and its receptors. Evaluation of an antibody to VEGF-R2 and the VEGF-Trap demonstrated that doses should be titered down so that preretinal neovascularization is inhibited but retinal revascularization is able to proceed, vascularizing peripheral retina and preventing it from being a source of VEGF.


Norepinephrine and concentric hypertrophy in patients with end-stage renal disease.
We have recently observed that in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) raised plasma norepinephrine (NE) is an independent predictor of incident cardiovascular events but that its prognostic power is reduced when this sympathetic marker is tested in statistical models including also left ventricular mass. Because left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) may be a mechanism whereby NE contributes to the high rate of cardiovascular events in ESRD, we examined the relationship between plasma NE and echocardiographic parameters of left ventricle mass in a large group of ESRD patients. Mean wall thickness (MWT) was higher in patients in the third NE tertile than in the other 2 tertiles (P=0.001), and such an increase was paralleled by a rise in relative wall thickness (RWT) (P=0.006). Concentric LVH was more prevalent in patients in the third NE tertile (46%) than in the second (38%) and first (25%) NE tertiles. Multivariate regression analysis confirmed that the association of plasma NE with the muscular component of left ventricle (MWT) and with RWT was independent (P< or =0.001) of other cardiovascular risk factors, and in these models, plasma NE ranked as the second correlate of MWT and RWT. Similarly, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the association of plasma NE with concentric LVH was strong and again independent of other risk factors (P=0.003). Plasma NE is associated to concentric LVH in ESRD patients. These observations constitute a sound basis for testing the effect of anti-adrenergic drugs on left ventricle mass and on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with ESRD.


Effect of trifluridine/tipiracil in patients treated in RECOURSE by prognostic factors at baseline: an exploratory analysis.
The choice of treatment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is generally influenced by tumour and patient characteristics, treatment efficacy and tolerability, and quality of life. Better patient selection might lead to improved outcomes. This post hoc exploratory analysis examined the effect of prognostic factors on outcomes in the Randomized, Double-blind, Phase 3 Study of trifluridine tipiracil (FTD/TPI) plus Best Supportive Care (BSC) versus Placebo plus BSC in Patients with mCRC Refractory to Standard Chemotherapies (RECOURSE) trial. Patients were redivided by prognosis into two subgroups: those with <3 metastatic sites at randomisation (low tumour burden) and ≥18 months from diagnosis of metastatic disease to randomisation (indolent disease) were included in the good prognostic characteristics (GPC) subgroup; the remaining patients were considered to have poor prognostic characteristics (PPC). GPC patients (n=386) had improved outcome versus PPC patients (n=414) in both the trifluridine/tipiracil and placebo arms. GPC patients receiving trifluridine/tipiracil (n=261) had an improved median overall survival (9.3 vs 5.3 months; HR (95% CI) 0.46 (0.37 to 0.57), p<0.0001) and progression-free survival (3.3 vs 1.9 months; HR (95% CI) 0.56 (0.46 to 0.67), p<0.0001) than PPC patients receiving trifluridine/tipiracil (n=273). Improvements in survival were irrespective of age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS), KRAS mutational status, and site of metastases at randomisation. In the trifluridine/tipiracil arm, time to deterioration of ECOG PS to ≥2 and proportion of patients with PS=0-1 discontinuing treatment were longer for GPC than for PPC patients (7.8 vs 4.2 months and 89.1% vs 78.4%, respectively). Low tumour burden and indolent disease were factors of good prognosis in late-line mCRC, with patients experiencing longer progression-free survival and greater overall survival.


Ras1-mediated modulation of Drosophila homeotic function in cell and segment identity.
Mutations of the Drosophila homeotic proboscipedia gene (pb, the Hox-A2/B2 homologue) provoke dose-sensitive defects. These were used to search for dose-sensitive dominant modifiers of pb function. Two identified interacting genes were the proto-oncogene Ras1 and its functional antagonist Gap1, prominent intermediaries in known signal transduction pathways. Ras1+ is a positive modifier of pb activity both in normal and ectopic cell contexts, while the Ras1-antagonist Gap1 has an opposite effect. A general role for Ras1 in homeotic function is likely, since Ras1+ activity also modulates functions of the homeotic loci Sex combs reduced and Ultrabithorax. Our data suggest that the modulation occurs by a mechanism independent of transcriptional control of the homeotic loci themselves, or of the Ras1/Gap1 genes. Taken together our data support a role for Ras1-mediated cell signaling in the homeotic control of segmental differentiation.


[Epidemiology of hepatitis (author's transl)].
Within the scope of a field survey carried out in the Tyrolean village of Oberperfuss in April 1977, a questionnaire was filled out by 296 men and 315 women aged between 20 and 64 years and the HBs Antigen (HBs Ag) was determined. 16,9% of the men and 15,9% of the woman, indicated that they suffered once from a liver disease of jaundice. The prevalence of HBs Ag positive subjects in men was 10,2/1000 and in woman, 3,2/1000. The incidence of hepatitis in the political districts of Innsbruck City and County in the above mentioned age group, in 1977 was 0,71/1000 in men and 0,53/1000, in women. Out of these, 60% of the male and 66% of the female cases, were HBs Ag positive.


Intragastric pH during treatment with omeprazole: role of Helicobacter pylori and H. pylori-associated gastritis.
Omeprazole treatment produces lower intragastric pH values 4 weeks after cure of Helicobacter pylori infection than before. We therefore investigated the effect of healing H. pylori-associated gastritis on intragastric pH in the presence and in the absence of omeprazole therapy. Before and on day 8 of omeprazole, 20 mg once daily, 24-h intragastric pH-recordings were performed in 14 subjects with H. pylori infection and repeated 4 and 52 weeks after cure of infection. Gastritis severity in corpus and antrum was graded by using a modified Sydney system. In the absence of omeprazole administration, median 24-h pH values before cure did not differ from those 4 and 52 weeks after cure. On day 8 of omeprazole administration, 24-h pH values were much higher before cure (median, 5.15; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.3-6.0) than 4 weeks (3.6; 2.1-4.4; P < 0.001) and 52 weeks after cure (3.0; 2.1-4.4; P < 0.001). The activity of corpus and antral gastritis was not associated with the magnitude of H+ change induced by omeprazole. The increased pH produced by omeprazole during H. pylori infection is likely to be due to neutralizing substances produced by H. pylori and not to H. pylori-induced gastritis.


[Epidemiological view of fracture risk].
Incidence of hip fracture increases exponentially with age. Women had two times higher hip fracture incidence than men. Major risk factors for the hip fracture are age, sex, bone mineral density, and previous fracture and others, but each risk factor contributes differently to development of the fracture by sites. Factors related to fall are important role in developing hip fracture.


Biological properties of baicalein in cardiovascular system.
The dried roots of Scutellaria baicalensis (S. baicalensis) Georgi (common name: Huangqin in China) have been widely employed for many centuries in traditional Chinese herbal medicine as popular antibacterial and antiviral agents. They are effective against staphylococci, cholera, dysentery, pneumococci and influenza virus. Baicalein, one of the major flavonoids contained in the dried roots, possesses a multitude of pharmacological activities. The glycoside of baicalein, baicalin is a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor agent. This review describes the biological properties of baicalein (Table 1), which are associated with the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Baicalein is a potent free radical scavenger and xanthine oxidase inhibitor, thus improving endothelial function and conferring cardiovascular protective actions against oxidative stress-induced cell injury. Baicalein lowers blood pressure in renin-dependent hypertension and the in vivo hypotensive effect may be partly attributed to its inhibition of lipoxygenase, resulting in reduced biosynthesis and release of arachidonic acid-derived vasoconstrictor products. On the other hand, baicalein enhances vasoconstricting sensitivity to receptor-dependent agonists such as noradrenaline, phenylephrine, serotonin, U46619 and vasopressin in isolated rat arteries. The in vitro effect is likely caused by inhibition of an endothelial nitric oxide-dependent mechanism. The anti-thrombotic, anti-proliferative and anti-mitogenic effects of the roots of S. baicalensis and baicalein are also reported. Baicalein inhibits thrombin-induced production of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and interleukin-1beta- and tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced adhesion molecule expression in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The pharmacological findings have highlighted the therapeutic potentials of using plant-derived baicalein and its analogs for the treatment of arteriosclerosis and hypertension.


Assessment of Full-Scale N2O Emission Characteristics and Testing of Control Concepts in an Activated Sludge Wastewater Treatment Plant with Alternating Aerobic and Anoxic Phases.
This work aims to obtain full-scale N2O emission characteristics translatable into viable N2O control strategies and conduct full-scale testing of the proposed N2O control concepts. Data of a long-term monitoring campaign was first used to quantify full-scale N2O emission and probe into the seasonal pattern. Then trends between N2O production/emission and process variables/conditions during typical operating cycles were revealed to explore the dynamic N2O emission behavior. A multivariate statistical analysis was performed to find the dependency of N2O emission on relevant process variables. The results show for the first time that relatively low/high N2O emission took place in seasons with a decreasing/increasing trend of water temperature, respectively. Aerobic phase contributed to N2O production/emission probably mainly through the hydroxylamine pathway. Comparatively, heterotrophic bacteria had a dual role in the anoxic phase and could be responsible for both net N2O production and consumption. Incomplete denitrification might contribute mainly to the N2O production/emission in the anoxic phase and the accumulation of N2O to be significantly emitted in the following cycle due to the competition between different denitrification steps for electron donors. Therefore, properly extending the length of anoxic phase could serve as a potential control means to regulate N2O accumulation in the anoxic phase. The full-scale testing not only verified the efficacy of reduced dissolved oxygen set-point in reducing N2O emission by 60%, but also confirmed the proposed concepts of control over the aerobic and anoxic phases collectively.


Extracellular matrix molecules and their receptors: an overview with special emphasis on periodontal tissues.
Knowledge of extracellular matrix molecules and their cell receptors has increased exponentially during the last 2 decades. It is now known that the structure and function of each tissue is based on specific combinations of matrix molecules. The major constituents of the extracellular matrix are collagens, proteoglycans, and adhesive glycoproteins. The rapid development of biochemical, molecular biological, and immunological research has revealed a lot of interesting details pertaining to these molecules. Several new collagen types have been discovered. In addition to being responsible for the strength and form of tissues, each collagen type has specific sequences providing them with special features such as flexibility and the ability to interact with other matrix molecules and cells. Proteoglycans are another large group of matrix molecules with a variety of functions. Proteoglycans play an important role in tissue resilience and filtering. Some proteoglycans have a capacity to specifically bind other matrix molecules and growth factors, while others act as matrix receptors on the cell surface. An important part of regulation of the cell behavior is played by adhesive glycoproteins belonging to the fibronectin and laminin families. Several isoforms of fibronectin and laminin that result from alternative RNA splicing serve specific functions such as controlling the attachment, migration, and synthetic activity of cells. A major group of cell receptors for cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions is termed integrins. The integrins are cell surface proteins composed of two polypeptides whose structure dictates the specificity of each receptor. The cytoplasmic domain of the integrins interacts with cytoskeletal elements within the cell, and thereby relays the information from the extracellular space into the protein synthesis machinery. The expression of the integrins is controlled by the extracellular matrix and growth factors, most notably TGF beta. During periodontal diseases several aspects of the cell-matrix interactions may be disturbed. Therefore, an understanding of the special features of the extracellular matrix and their receptors in periodontal tissues is a prerequisite for developing new approaches to the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases.


A primary healthcare approach to the management of chronic disease in Ethiopia: an example for other countries.
Chronic non-communicable diseases such as epilepsy, diabetes, cardiac disease and hypertension represent a growing but neglected burden in developing countries. Rural sufferers, distant from health facilities, bear this most acutely. In response, a community care programme has been developed at Jimma University Hospital and its allied health centres in rural southwest Ethiopia. This involves general duty nurses at rural health centres being trained to provide care for chronic disease patients, with regular supervision from the hospital physicians. The programme allows treatment to be provided away from the main hospital so that those who cannot afford to travel can access care near their homes. Improved access increases the request for care, and helps to address the large unmet need for chronic disease treatment. This is a good model in which rural healthcare delivery through a team can bring widespread benefit. In this article chronic disease care is discussed with a particular focus on diabetes and epilepsy. The model can be replicated in more or less developed countries and may also be relevant for HIV care.


MRI-compatible device for examining brain activation related to stepping.
Repetitive and alternating lower limb movements are a specific component of human gait. Due to technical challenges, the neural mechanisms underlying such movements have not been previously studied with functional magnetic resonance imaging. In this study, we present a novel treadmill device employed to investigate the kinematics and the brain activation patterns involved in alternating and repetitive movements of the lower limbs. Once inside the scanner, 19 healthy subjects were guided by two visual cues and instructed to perform a motor task which involved repetitive and alternating movements of both lower limbs while selecting their individual comfortable amplitude on the treadmill. The device facilitated the performance of coordinated stepping while registering the concurrent lower-limb displacements, which allowed us to quantify some movement primary kinematic features such as amplitude and frequency. During stepping, significant blood oxygen level dependent signal increases were observed bilaterally in primary and secondary sensorimotor cortex, the supplementary motor area, premotor cortex, prefrontal cortex, superior and inferior parietal lobules, putamen and cerebellum, regions that are known to be involved in lower limb motor control. Brain activations related to individual adjustments during motor performance were identified in a right lateralized network including striatal, extrastriatal, and fronto-parietal areas.


The morbidity and mortality conference: a case assessment tool, quality control measure, and teaching method.
The morbidity and mortality conference and other traditions in hospital-based training inculcate the habits of understanding evidence and its clinical application and being able to articulate these to one's peers and to learn from unanticipated outcomes. By contrast, predoctoral dental training and the environment of general dental practice do not encourage collegial reflection on the outcomes of practice. Benefits and cautions in applying the habits learned through M&M conferences are discussed for both the oral and maxillofacial and the general practice settings.


Role of a pituitary-specific transcription factor (pit-1/GHF-1) or a closely related protein in cAMP regulation of human thyrotropin-beta subunit gene expression.
cAMP regulation of the human thyrotropin-beta (TSH beta) gene cAMP was studied in two heterologous cell lines, a human embryonal kidney cell line (293) and a rat pituitary cell line (GH3). In 293 cells, human TSH beta gene expression was not stimulated by the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin or the cAMP analogue 8-bromo-cAMP (8-Br-cAMP). On the other hand, these agents induced human TSH beta gene expression 4-12-fold in GH3 cells. Deletion analysis demonstrated that the regions from +3 to +8 bp and from -128 to -61 bp were both necessary for cAMP stimulation. The latter region contains three DNA sequences homologous to a pituitary-specific transcription factor, Pit-1/GHF-1, DNA-binding site. Gel-mobility assays demonstrated that a radiolabeled human TSH beta probe (-128 to -61 bp) formed five specific DNA-protein complexes with mouse thyrotropic tumor (MTT) nuclear extract and two specific complexes with in vitro translated Pit-1/GHF-1. Four of the five MTT complexes and both in vitro Pit-1/GHF-1 complexes were reduced or eliminated by excess of an unlabeled Pit-1/GHF-1 DNA-binding site from the rat growth hormone gene, but not a mutated version of the same DNA fragment, suggesting that Pit-1/GHF-1 or a closely related thyrotroph protein binds to these DNA sequences. In 293 cells, co-transfection of an expression vector containing the Pit-1/GHF-1 cDNA restored cAMP-responsiveness to the human TSH beta promoter (5.2- and 6.6-fold maximal stimulation by 8-Br-cAMP and forskolin, respectively) but not the herpes virus thymidine kinase promoter (1.2-fold maximal stimulation by either agent). Thus we conclude that the human TSH beta gene is positively regulated by cAMP in GH3 but not 293 cells. Since the human TSH beta gene contains at least one high-affinity binding site for Pit-1/GHF-1 in a region necessary for cAMP stimulation and cAMP stimulation could be restored to the human TSH beta promoter in a previously nonresponsive cell line by the addition of Pit-1/GHF-1, this suggests that Pit-1/GHF-1, or a closely related protein in the thyrotroph, may be a trans-acting factor for cAMP stimulation of the TSH beta gene.


Paradox of sonic hedgehog (SHH) transcriptional regulation: Alternative transcription initiation overrides the effect of downstream promoter DNA methylation.
Recently, DNA methylation has been suggested as a potential mechanism involved in the transcriptional regulation of SHH gene expression in cancer. However, detailed analyses on the underlying transcriptional mechanisms of SHH expression have not been presented so far and were therefore the focus of this study. We found that the genomic region of SHH contains two different transcriptional start sites and four CpG islands spread from the 5' promoter region to the 3' end of the SHH gene. Based on this CpG island topology we analyzed the influence of DNA methylation within the promoter region as well as in exon 2 and exon 3 on SHH mRNA expression in a large set (n = 14) of benign and malignant human cell lines, and further elucidated the functionality of the two identified SHH transcription initiation sites. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) clearly showed that SHH is expressed independently of DNA methylation within exon 2 and exon 3 of its genomic region, while methylation of the promoter region is able to abrogate SHH expression. Most interesting, we found activation of the upstream SHH promoter in several breast cancer cell lines when the downstream SHH promoter is methylated. These observations lead us to propose a transcriptional model for the SHH gene, in which combined mechanisms of DNA methylation and alternative promoter usage coordinate the transcriptional activity of this important developmental gene.


Novosphingobium fluoreni sp. nov., isolated from rice seeds.
A yellow-pigmented, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium designated strain HLJ-RS18(T), which could degrade fluorene, was isolated from rice seeds collected from Heilongjiang Province, China. Similarities of full-length of 16S rRNA gene sequences between strain HJL-RS18(T) and the type strains of the genus Novosphingobium with validly published names ranged from 93.8 to 97.1%. Phylogenetic analysis with maximum-likelihood and neighbour-joining methods revealed that strain HLJ-RS18(T) belonged to genus Novosphingobium and strain HLJ-RS18(T) formed a distinct clade to Novosphingobium chloroacetimidivorans BUT-14(T) (96.9% similarity based on 16S rRNA gene). DNA-DNA hybridization of HLJ-RS18(T) and BUT-14(T) showed a low relatedness value of 22.4 ± 0.9%, which indicated that strain HLJ-RS18(T) represents a novel species of the genus Novosphingobium. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain HLJ-RS18(T) was 62 mol%. Ubiquinone Q-10 was the major respiratory quinone. Spermidine was the predominant polyamine. Polar lipids consisted mainly of aminophospholipid, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phospholipid and sphingoglycolipid. The predominant fatty acid composition of HLJ-RS18(T) were summed 8 (C(18:1)ω7c and/or C(18:1)ω6c, 61.5%), C(16 : 0) (14.2%), summed 3 (C(16:1)ω7c and/or C(16:1)ω6c, 13.5%) and C14:0 2-OH (6.8%). Phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization, chemotaxonomic data and phenotypic characteristics support the conclusion that HLJ-RS18(T) represents a novel species within the genus Novosphingobium. Therefore, we propose the species Novosphingobium fluoreni sp. nov. with HLJ-RS18(T) ( = DSM 27568(T) = ACCC19180(T)) as the type strain.


Investigation of the presence and protective effects of maternal antibodies against Campylobacter jejuni in chickens.
The role of maternal antibodies in the lag phase of Campylobacter positivity, widely observed in commercial broiler flocks, was investigated. The results indicate that 3-wk-old birds derived from a commercial flock are more susceptible to colonization with Campylobacter jejuni than 1-to-2-wk-old birds. This increasing susceptibility parallels the loss of maternally derived, circulating, anti-Campylobacter, immunoglobulin Y antibodies as detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The role of these antibodies in resistance to colonization was further investigated using progeny from breeder flocks of known Campylobacter status. These results confirmed that maternal antibodies confer partial protection against Campylobacter colonization on young chickens (1-2 wk old). This protection was directed against challenge with both homologous and heterologous strains of C. jejuni and even against strains with a high colonization potential. However, evidence presented indicates that newly hatched chicks, with the highest levels of maternal antibodies, were as susceptible to Campylobacter challenge as 3-wk-old birds. This conundrum was investigated further, and an increase in resistance was detected from 1 to 3 days of age. The reasons for this are, as yet, unknown, but the observation validates the use of newly hatched chicks in models of Campylobacter colonization. Moreover, this high susceptibility in the first few days of life may explain the occasional early flock colonization observed, especially when environmental exposure to Campylobacter is high, for example, in free-range birds.


Birdsong and singing behavior.
Birdsong provides neuroscientists with a uniquely powerful model for studying imitative vocal learning in a system where the brain structures responsible for song learning and production are well known. The 4,500+ species of songbirds provide a remarkable diversity of songs with a variety of tonal, structural, and learning characteristics, but most studies of the neural bases of learning have concentrated on two domesticated species, the canary and the zebra finch. Important differences in the songs of these two species provide useful properties for comparative studies, which could be expanded by using other species that demonstrate mimicry or action-based learning. Although the primary goal of most studies of the neural bases of song has been to define the mechanisms responsible for imitative learning during development, studies of adult crystallized song are important for two reasons. First, they define the endpoint of learning, and second, adult song shows interesting forms of variability in its performance. The degree of adult song variability itself varies among individuals and is influenced by the sources from which the song was learned, how the song was assembled during learning, behavioral responses of adult listeners, and levels of circulating sex steroids. In addition, song may be associated with coordinated visual displays, which also contribute to its communicative function. Thus the study of crystallized adult song is likely to provide insights into the neural control of facultative behavior as well as into the important question of how imitative learning takes place.


Radiation protection for nurses. Regulations and guidelines.
Rules and regulations of federal agencies and state radiation protection programs provide the bases for hospital policy regarding radiation safety for nurses. Nursing administrators should work with the radiation safety officer at their institutions to ensure that radiation exposures to staff nurses will be as low as reasonably achievable and that special consideration will be given to pregnant nurses. Nurses' fears about their exposure to radiation can be greatly reduced through education.


Emotional inertia and psychological maladjustment.
In this article, we examine the concept of emotional inertia as a fundamental property of the emotion dynamics that characterize psychological maladjustment. Emotional inertia refers to the degree to which emotional states are resistant to change. Because psychological maladjustment has been associated with both emotional underreactivity and ineffective emotion-regulation skills, we hypothesized that its overall emotion dynamics would be characterized by high levels of inertia. We provide evidence from two naturalistic studies that, using different methods, showed that the emotional fluctuations of individuals who exhibited low self-esteem (Study 1) and depression (Study 2) were characterized by higher levels of inertia in both positive and negative emotions than the emotional fluctuations of people who did not exhibit low self-esteem and depression. We also discuss the usefulness of the concept of emotional inertia as a hallmark of maladaptive emotion dynamics.


A 2-Week Specific Volleyball Training Supported by the Whole Body Cryostimulation Protocol Induced an Increase of Growth Factors and Counteracted Deterioration of Physical Performance.
Potentially beneficial effects of cold therapies on training adaptation still remain unequivocal. We have, thus, decided to evaluate the effects of a 2-week volleyball training program supported by 10 sessions of whole body cryostimulation (WBC) on growth factors and physical performance. Twenty healthy college-aged men and women randomly assigned either to the cryostimulation group (CRY) or the control group (CON; executed passive rest). Both groups took part in the same 2-weeks training program. Additionally, the CRY group attended in 10 cryo-sessions (3 min, -110°C temperature, five times/week). Blood samples were collected at baseline, 1 h after the first cryo-session as well as before and 1 h after the last session of WBC to assess growth factors, myokines concentration and the amino acid profile. Motor abilities were tested before commencing the training program and 2 days after its completion. The applied intervention resulted in an increase of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and insulin-like growth factor 1 concentrations. The adjusted effect describing the difference between groups in response to applied procedures was for both growth factors large and very likely in the CRY, higher than in the CON group (113%; Coefficient Interval: 38-230%, 45%; Coefficient Interval: 17-79%, respectively). Physical performance dropped in both groups, yet in the CRY group, the magnitude of change was smaller. The fibroblast growth factor dropped significantly 1 h following the first cryo-session, yet irisin remained statistically unchanged. The similar tendency was maintained after the whole procedure, still the range of changes was smaller. In the CRY group, an elevated uptake of tryptophan and valine noted in response to the whole intervention, could have induced a significant decrease of fasting glucose concentration (the adjusted effect small and very likely -6%; Coefficient Interval: -10 to -2%). Overall, a 2-week volleyball training program supported by the whole body cryostimulation protocol resulted in an increase of growth factors and offset a decline of physical performance. Thus these procedure can be applied in professional sport during competition period, especially among those disciplines focusing on an explosive power and ability to concentrate.


Regression and Alignment for Functional Data and Network Topology.
In the brain, functional connections form a network whose topological organization can be described by graph-theoretic network diagnostics. These include characterizations of the community structure, such as modularity and participation coefficient, which have been shown to change over the course of childhood and adolescence. To investigate if such changes in the functional network are associated with changes in cognitive performance during development, network studies often rely on an arbitrary choice of pre-processing parameters, in particular the proportional threshold of network edges. Because the choice of parameter can impact the value of the network diagnostic, and therefore downstream conclusions, we propose to circumvent that choice by conceptualizing the network diagnostic as a function of the parameter. As opposed to a single value, a network diagnostic curve describes the connectome topology at multiple scales - from the sparsest group of the strongest edges to the entire edge set. To relate these curves to executive function and other covariates, we use scalar-on-function regression, which is more flexible than previous functional data-based models used in network neuroscience. We then consider how systematic differences between networks can manifest in misalignment of diagnostic curves, and consequently propose a supervised curve alignment method that incorporates auxiliary information from other variables. Our algorithm performs both functional regression and alignment via an iterative, penalized, and nonlinear likelihood optimization. The illustrated method has the potential to improve the interpretability and generalizability of neuroscience studies where the goal is to study heterogeneity among a mixture of function- and scalar-valued measures.


Taraxacum officinale Wigg. Attenuates Inflammatory Responses in Murine Microglia through the Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways.
As a long-established medicinal and edible homologous plant, Taraxacum officinale Wigg. is widely distributed in Asia, Europe, and other parts of the world. T. officinale is reported to exert a variety of biological and pharmacological activities, including anticancer, hepatoprotective, and anti-obesity effects. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extracts of T. officinale (A-TOW) by examining the suppression of proinflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated BV2 and mouse hippocampus. Furthermore, A-TOW also inhibited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB p65 caused by stimulation with LPS. In addition, A-TOW regulates heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression through the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in BV2 cells. The effects of A-TOW on the over-expression of proinflammatory mediators were partially reversed by transfection of the cells with HO-1 siRNA. These findings suggest that the potent anti-inflammatory activity of T. officinale, possibly through the regulation of Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB signaling pathway.


The fixation of nuclei and chromosomes.
Chromosomes in the nuclei of living salivary glands of Simulium have been observed with Nomarski optics and polarized light before and during irrigation with various fixatives. All cause loss of chromosomal organization to some degree. The best fixative is redistilled glutaraldehyde; even so, although it leaves the nucleus visually unaltered, a network forms in the nuclear sap and birefringence is lost. Calcium ions in the fixative cause chromosomal movements. The fixatives may alter nucleoli and may dissolve them completely. New fixatives are needed for reliable fine-structural studies of chromosomal organization.


Disconnection surgery to cure or palliate medically intractable epileptic spasms: a retrospective study.
Surgery is a treatment option for medically intractable epileptic spasms (ESs). However, outcomes of ES after surgery are not well understood, especially when surgeries aimed at seizure palliation are included. The purpose of the present study was to 1) investigate the proportion of favorable postoperative ES outcomes, 2) explore the preoperative factors related to favorable postoperative ES outcomes, and 3) examine the timing of ES recurrence after disconnection surgeries, including both curative and palliative indications. This retrospective study included patients who underwent disconnection surgery for medically intractable ES at the authors' institution between May 2015 and April 2021. Patients with suggested focal-onset ES based on preoperative evaluations initially underwent lobar disconnection. Patients with suggested generalized or unknown-onset ES underwent corpus callosotomy (CC). If evaluations after initial CC showed focalized or lateralized change, they were considered secondarily revealed focal-onset ES, and lobar disconnection was performed. ES outcomes were evaluated using the International League Against Epilepsy classification. ES outcomes were divided into classes 1-4 as favorable outcomes and classes 5 and 6 as unfavorable outcomes. The relationship between the favorable postoperative ES outcomes and the following preoperative factors was analyzed: sex, age at onset (< or > 1 year), duration between seizure onset and initial surgery (< or > 2 years), type of seizure at onset (ES or others), presence of other types of seizures, substrate, hypsarrhythmia, and MRI abnormalities. The period between the last surgery and ES recurrence was also analyzed. A total of 41 patients were included, of whom 75.6% achieved favorable ES outcomes. A longer seizure duration between seizure onset and initial surgery, presence of hypsarrhythmia, and positive MRI findings led to poorer postoperative ES outcomes (p = 0.0028, p = 0.0041, and p = 0.0241, respectively). A total of 60.9% of patients had ES recurrence during the follow-up period, and their ES recurred within 13 months after the last surgery. Disconnection surgery is an effective treatment option for medically intractable ES, even when the preoperative evaluation suggests a generalized or unknown onset.


Clinical pattern of gynecological/early pregnancy complaints and the outcome of pelvic sonography in a private diagnostic center in Ilorin.
Gynecological and early pregnancy complaints (GEPC)/lower abdominal complaints (LAC) are common in female patients seeking medical advice or treatments. Clinical limitations of GEPC or LAC are better resolved through appropriate laboratory and imaging investigation, among which the ultrasound examination (USS) is one. To determine the distribution/clinical pattern of female patients with GEPC/LAC, and to evaluate the correlation between the clinical and sonographical diagnoses, as seen in a private diagnostic center in the Ilorin metropolis. Records of 253 consecutive cases with GEPC/LAC, who had USS, were retrieved using 3.5 and 5 MHZ probes with SIEMENS Sonoline SL-1 machine, from January 2004 to December 2006, and retrospectively analyzed for the following variables: Age, occupation, complaints of vaginal bleeding, with or without pain, history of amenorrhea or infertility, clinical and ultrasound impression of early pregnancy complaints, including ectopic pregnancies and pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID), with exclusion of urogenital and gastrointestinal complaints/cases. Pregnancies greater than 12 weeks were excluded, bringing the total number of cases examined to 242. Mean age was 30.44 years, median = 29.00; Mode = 25.00; with an STD of 7.69973. The youngest patient was 15-years-old while the oldest was 70 years. Cases of bleeding per vaginam Bleeding per vaginam (BPV), with or without pain, were the highest, 149 cases (61.6%), followed by threatened abortion, 45 cases (18.6%), and non-viable or incomplete abortions, 13 cases (5.4%). In contrast dysfunctional uterine bleedings (DUB) ranked the highest among the USS results, with 62 cases (25.6%), incomplete abortion cases were 44 (18.2%), while the non-viable pregnancies (missed abortions, blighted ovum, and early intrauterine fetal deaths (IUFD) cases) contributed to 26 cases (10.7%). Viable pregnancies were nine; incomplete abortions, nine; DUB, seven; Non-viable pregnancies, six; Threatened abortions, four; PID, four; complete abortions, two; Query-infected or degenerating fibroids, two; and others two. Threatened abortion ranked the highest among the definite clinical diagnoses. Bleeding per vaginam ranked the highest among GEPC/LACS in this environment, while there was poor correlation between clinical impressions and USS findings.


Structure of sodiated octa-glycine: IRMPD spectroscopy and molecular modeling.
The structure of the sodiated peptide GGGGGGGG-Na(+) or G(8)-Na(+) was investigated by infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy and a combination of theoretical methods. IRMPD was carried out in both the fingerprint and N-H/O-H stretching regions. Modeling used the polarizable force field AMOEBA in conjunction with the replica-exchange molecular dynamics (REMD) method, allowing an efficient exploration of the potential energy surface. Geometries and energetics were further refined at B3LYP-D and MP2 quantum chemical levels. The IRMPD spectra indicate that there is no free C-terminus OH and that several N-Hs are free of hydrogen bonding, while several others are bound, however not very strongly. The structure must then be either of the charge solvation (CS) type with a hydrogen-bound acidic OH, or a salt bridge (SB). Extensive REMD searches generated several low-energy structures of both types. The most stable structures of each type are computed to be very close in energy. The computed energy barrier separating these structures is small enough that G(8)-Na(+) is likely fluxional with easy proton transfer between the two peptide termini. There is, however, good agreement between experiment and computations in the entire spectral range for the CS isomer only, which thus appears to be the most likely structure of G(8)-Na(+) at room temperature.


Risk factors for clinical failure in patients hospitalized with cellulitis and cutaneous abscess.
The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and risk factors associated with clinical failure in patients hospitalized with cellulitis with or without abscess. We performed a retrospective cohort study among adults admitted for cellulitis/cutaneous abscess from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. Binary univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for clinical failure among evaluable patients. A total of 210 cases met inclusion criteria. Among 106 evaluable cases, clinical failure occurred in 34 (32.1%) patients. Weight over 100 kg (Odds ratio [OR] = 5.20, P = 0.01), body mass index (BMI) ≥40 (OR 4.10, P = 0.02), inadequate empiric antibiotic therapy (OR = 9.25, P < 0.01), recent antimicrobial therapy (OR = 2.98, P = 0.03), and lower end of antibiotic dosing per treatment guidelines upon discharge (OR = 3.64, P < 0.01) were independent risk factors for clinical failure. Further subgroup analysis demonstrated that morbidly obese patients were at higher risk for clinical failure if they were discharged on a low oral dose of clindamycin or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (P = 0.002). Inappropriate antimicrobial selection and dosing may adversely affect clinical outcomes among patients with cellulitis/cutaneous abscess. Obese individuals may be at particular risk for clinical failure secondary to inadequate dosing of antimicrobial therapy.


[Percutaneous transluminal embolization of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations].
The aim was to evaluate the effect of embolisation of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVM), as estimated by contrast echocardiography, arterial blood-gas analyses and functional level, and further to evaluate procedure-related and late complications. Seventeen patients were treated on 25 occasions for a total of 48 PAVM. Fifteen patients had hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Chest X-ray, pulmonary angiography, contrast echocardiography, arterial blood-gas analyses, and functional level were analysed before and after embolisation of PAVM. The mean follow-up period was 22 months. Contrast intensity at contrast echocardiography decreased from median 4.0 (range 2-4) before embolisation to 1.5 after embolisation. PaO2 breathing 100% oxygen increased from mean 271 mm Hg before embolisation to 480 mm Hg after embolisation. The shunt was reduced from mean 24% before to 12% after embolisation. Most of the patients experienced an increased functional level after embolisation, and the median functional level (NYHA) increased from NYHA 2.5 to 1.2. No primary or secondary device migration, no cerebral insults, and no mortality was noted. Embolisation is a well-established method of treating PAVM, with a significant effect on oxygenation of the blood. It is a minimally invasive, lung-preserving treatment with high affectiveness and low morbidity and mortality. Patients with HHT should be screened for PAVM as a high percentage of these have PAVM.


Comparative phosphoproteomics of zebrafish Fyn/Yes morpholino knockdown embryos.
The coordinated movement of cells is indispensable for normal vertebrate gastrulation. Several important players and signaling pathways have been identified in convergence and extension (CE) cell movements during gastrulation, including non-canonical Wnt signaling. Fyn and Yes, members of the Src family of kinases, are key regulators of CE movements as well. Here we investigated signaling pathways in early development by comparison of the phosphoproteome of wild type zebrafish embryos with Fyn/Yes knockdown embryos that display specific CE cell movement defects. For quantitation we used differential stable isotope labeling by reductive amination of peptides. Equal amounts of labeled peptides from wild type and Fyn/Yes knockdown embryos were mixed and analyzed by on-line reversed phase TiO(2)-reversed phase LC-MS/MS. Phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated peptides were quantified, and significant changes in protein expression and/or phosphorylation were detected. We identified 348 phosphoproteins of which 69 showed a decrease in phosphorylation in Fyn/Yes knockdown embryos and 72 showed an increase in phosphorylation. Among these phosphoproteins were known regulators of cell movements, including Adducin and PDLIM5. Our results indicate that quantitative phosphoproteomics combined with morpholino-mediated knockdowns can be used to identify novel signaling pathways that act in zebrafish development in vivo.


Simulation of particle diversity and mixing state over Greater Paris: a model-measurement inter-comparison.
Air quality models are used to simulate and forecast pollutant concentrations, from continental scales to regional and urban scales. These models usually assume that particles are internally mixed, i.e. particles of the same size have the same chemical composition, which may vary in space and time. Although this assumption may be realistic for continental-scale simulations, where particles originating from different sources have undergone sufficient mixing to achieve a common chemical composition for a given model grid cell and time, it may not be valid for urban-scale simulations, where particles from different sources interact on shorter time scales. To investigate the role of the mixing state assumption on the formation of particles, a size-composition resolved aerosol model (SCRAM) was developed and coupled to the Polyphemus air quality platform. Two simulations, one with the internal mixing hypothesis and another with the external mixing hypothesis, have been carried out for the period 15 January to 11 February 2010, when the MEGAPOLI winter field measurement campaign took place in Paris. The simulated bulk concentrations of chemical species and the concentrations of individual particle classes are compared with the observations of Healy et al. (Atmos. Chem. Phys., 2013, 13, 9479-9496) for the same period. The single particle diversity and the mixing-state index are computed based on the approach developed by Riemer et al. (Atmos. Chem. Phys., 2013, 13, 11423-11439), and they are compared to the measurement-based analyses of Healy et al. (Atmos. Chem. Phys., 2014, 14, 6289-6299). The average value of the single particle diversity, which represents the average number of species within each particle, is consistent between simulation and measurement (2.91 and 2.79 respectively). Furthermore, the average value of the mixing-state index is also well represented in the simulation (69% against 59% from the measurements). The spatial distribution of the mixing-state index shows that the particles are not mixed in urban areas, while they are well mixed in rural areas. This indicates that the assumption of internal mixing traditionally used in transport chemistry models is well suited to rural areas, but this assumption is less realistic for urban areas close to emission sources.


Slow molecular mobility in the amorphous solid state of fructose: fragility and aging.
The molecular mobility of beta-D-fructose was studied by thermally stimulated depolarization currents (TSDC) in the amorphous solid state. The amorphous solid samples were prepared in such a way that the tautomeric mixture was near the equilibrium composition. A broad secondary relaxation was observed, that merges, at high temperatures, with the alpha relaxation. The alpha relaxation temperature provided by the TSDC technique is T(g) = 13 degrees C (at 4 K min(-1)). The fragility index calculated from TSDC data is m = 34, significantly lower when compared with the values reported in the literature obtained from Dielectric Relaxation Spectroscopy (DRS). The physical significance of the fragility obtained by the 2 dielectric techniques is discussed. The influence of physical aging on the secondary relaxation in amorphous fructose was analyzed as the glass structurally relaxes. A complex behavior was observed such that the faster components (lower temperature) of the secondary relaxation are negligibly dependent on aging and may be ascribed to intramolecular modes of motion, while the slower motional modes (higher temperature) show a significant dependence on aging and correspond to the genuine Johari-Goldstein beta-relaxation.


Lag Phase Is a Dynamic, Organized, Adaptive, and Evolvable Period That Prepares Bacteria for Cell Division.
Lag is a temporary period of nonreplication seen in bacteria that are introduced to new media. Despite latency being described by Müller in 1895, only recently have we gained insights into the cellular processes characterizing lag phase. This review covers literature to date on the transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, physiological, biochemical, and evolutionary features of prokaryotic lag. Though lag is commonly described as a preparative phase that allows bacteria to harvest nutrients and adapt to new environments, the implications of recent studies indicate that a refinement of this view is well deserved. As shown, lag is a dynamic, organized, adaptive, and evolvable process that protects bacteria from threats, promotes reproductive fitness, and is broadly relevant to the study of bacterial evolution, host-pathogen interactions, antibiotic tolerance, environmental biology, molecular microbiology, and food safety.


Surface molecular self-assembly for organophosphate pesticide imprinting in electropolymerized poly(p-aminothiophenol) membranes on a gold nanoparticle modified glassy carbon electrode.
This paper reports a surface molecular self-assembly strategy for molecular imprinting in electropolymerized polyaminothiophenol (PATP) membranes at the surface of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) modified glassy carbon (gc) electrode for the electrochemical detection of pesticide chlorpyrifos (CPF). Electropolmerizable p-aminothiophenol (ATP) was first assembled on the AuNPs at the gc electrode surface by the formation of Au-S bonds, and subsequently, the CPF template was further assembled onto the monolayer of ATP through the hydrogen-bonding interaction between amino group and CPF. A conductive hybrid membrane was fabricated at the assembled gc electrode by the electropolymerization in a mixing solution containing additional ATP and CPF templates, and meanwhile, the CPF was spontaneously imprinted into the PATP/AuNP film. The amount of imprinted sites at the PATP/AuNP film was significantly increased due to the additional replenishment of CPF templates. The cyclic voltammetric response of the imprinted PATP-AuNP-gc sensor to CPF is about 3.2-fold as compared with the imprinted PATP-Au sensor, and the detection limit for CPF is about 2 orders of magnitude lower than that by the imprinted PATP-Au sensor. An excellent electrochemical selectivity for CPF over other pesticides was also achieved. The combination of surface molecular self-assembly with electropolymerized molecular imprinting on a larger surface area of a AuNP-modified electrode produces a high ratio of imprinted sites and, thus, provides an ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of organophosphate pesticide.


Impact of the Mass Drug Administration for malaria in response to the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone.
As emergency response to the Ebola epidemic, the Government of Sierra Leone and its partners implemented a large-scale Mass Drug Administration (MDA) with artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) covering >2.7 million people in the districts hardest hit by Ebola during December 2014-January 2015. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) evaluated the impact of the MDA on malaria morbidity at health facilities and the number of Ebola alerts received at District Ebola Command Centres. The coverage of the two rounds of MDA with ASAQ was estimated by relating the number anti-malarial medicines distributed to the estimated resident population. Segmented time-series analysis was applied to weekly data collected from 49 primary health units (PHUs) and 11 hospitals performing malaria parasitological testing during the study period, to evaluate trends of malaria cases and Ebola alerts during the post-MDA weeks compared to the pre-MDA weeks in MDA- and non-MDA-cheifdoms. After two rounds of the MDA, the number of suspected cases tested with rapid diagnostic test (RDT) decreased significantly by 43 % (95 % CI 38-48 %) at week 1 and remained low at week 2 and 3 post-first MDA and at week 1 and 3 post-second MDA; RDT positive cases decreased significantly by 47 % (41-52 %) at week 1 post-first and remained lower throughout all post-MDA weeks; and the RDT test positivity rate (TPR) declined by 35 % (32-38 %) at week 2 and stayed low throughout all post-MDA weeks. The total malaria (clinical + confirmed) cases decreased significantly by 45 % (39-52 %) at week 1 and were lower at week 2 and 3 post-first MDA; and week 1 post-second MDA. The proportion of confirmed malaria cases (out of all-outpatients) fell by 33 % (29-38 %) at week 1 post-first MDA and were lower during all post-MDA weeks. On the contrary, the non-malaria outpatient cases (cases due to other health conditions) either remained unchanged or fluctuated insignificantly. The Ebola alerts decreased by 30 % (13-46 %) at week 1 post-first MDA and much lower during all the weeks post-second MDA. The MDA achieved its goals of reducing malaria morbidity and febrile cases that would have been potentially diagnosed as suspected Ebola cases with increased risk of nosocomial infections. The intervention also helped reduce patient case-load to the severely strained health services at the peak of the Ebola outbreak and malaria transmission. As expected, the effect of the MDA waned in a matter of few weeks and malaria intensity returned to the pre-MDA levels. Nevertheless, the approach was an appropriate public health intervention in the context of the Ebola epidemic even in high malaria transmission areas of Sierra Leone.


[The influence of damage to the septum pellucidum on the effects of electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus in rabbits].
In chronic experiments the influences of septal lesions on the behavioural emotional effects of electrical stimulation of various hypothalamic nuclei were investigated. The total ablation of the septum caused irreversible increase of the lateral hypothalamus self-stimulation and reversal of the negative emotional responses (escape--avoidance) to the medial hypothalamus stimulation into the positive self-stimulation behaviour. When the septal ablation was only partial, involving mainly the medial nucleus, effects were weaker and lasted only 2-3 days after the surgery. The role of the septum in the septohippocampal behavioural inhibition system (J. Gray) is discussed.


Gamblers seeking online help are active help-seekers: Time to support autonomy and competence.
Research investigating rates of help-seeking for problem gambling has traditionally focused on the uptake of face-to-face gambling services alone, despite the World Health Organisation defining help-seeking as any action or activity undertaken to improve or resolve emotional, psychological or behavioural problems. The primary aim of this study is to examine the full range of help-seeking options utilised by gamblers, and to determine whether administering a comprehensive list of help options yields higher help-seeking rates than a single item measure. A one-item and expanded 14-item help-seeking Questionnaire (the Help-Seeking Questionnaire; HSQ) were administered to 277 problem gamblers seeking help online. We found the 14-item HSQ yielded a significantly higher level of lifetime professional help-seeking (70%) compared to the one-item measure (22%). When we included self-directed activities, 93% of gamblers reported they had previously attempted at least one activity to reduce their gambling. Current measurement of help-seeking appears to underestimate the range of activities currently undertaken by gamblers to reduce their gambling. Surveys need to include the one-item HSQ (over the past 12 months have you sought professional help or advice (online, by phone, or in person), support from family or friends, or did something by yourself to limit or reduce your gambling?) or the three-item HSQ which measures engagement of face-to-face services (i.e., counselling, advice, groups), distance-based (i.e., anonymous telephone, online) and self-directed (i.e., activities not involving professional oversight) activities separately. The full 14-item screen can be administered when brief screens are positive to ensure accurate measurement of help-seeking.


Reevaluation of the cancer potency factor of toxaphene: recommendations from a peer review panel.
This reevaluation of the current U.S. EPA cancer potency factor for toxaphene is based upon a review of toxaphene carcinogenesis bioassays in mice conducted by Litton Bionetics (unpublished report, 1978) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) (Technical Report Series No. 37, conducted by Gulf South Research Institute, 1979). The mechanistic data available for toxaphene, including consideration of the potential of the compound to induce genotoxicity, was examined with an emphasis on whether this information supports a change in the cancer potency factor. If a quantitative dose-response assessment for toxaphene is to be performed, the data from both the NCI and Litton cancer bioassays should be used. Additionally, liver tumor results from female mice, rather than male mice, should be used for estimating potential human cancer risk because the background rate of liver tumors in females is lower and less variable than that exhibited by males. An ED(10) was estimated as the point of departure. The mechanistic data were not sufficient to fully support a margin of exposure approach. Therefore, we believe that applying a linear extrapolation from the ED(10) to the origin is an appropriate means to estimate risk at low doses. This is a highly conservative approach and, when it is applied, we conclude that the current EPA cancer potency factor should be reduced from 1.1 (mg/kg/day)(-1) to 0.1 (mg/kg/day)(-1).


A nano-liposomal carrier containing p-coumaric acid for induction of targeted apoptosis on melanoma cells and kinetic modeling.
There has been a growth in the use of plant compounds as biological products for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, including cancer. As a phenolic compound, p-Coumaric acid (p-CA) demonstrates preferrable biological effects such as anti-cancer activities. A nano-liposomal carrier containing p-CA was designed to increase the anticancer effectiveness of this compound on melanoma cells (A375). To determine the characteristics of synthesized liposomes, encapsulation efficiency was measured. In addition, the particle size was measured utilizing DLS, FTIR, and morphology examination using SEM. In vitro release was also studied through the dialysis method, while toxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay. To determine apoptotic characteristics, biotechnology tools like flow cytometry, real time PCR, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were employed. The findings indicated that in the cells treated with the liposomal form of p-CA, the amount of elastic modulus was higher compared to its free form. Kinetic modeling indicated that the best fitting model was zero-order.


The detection of herpesviral DNA in aqueous fluid samples from patients with Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis.
Members of the herpesvirus family have been found in association with a variety of intraocular inflammatory conditions. The aetiology and pathogenic mechanisms underlying the specific uveitis entity Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis (FHC) have yet to be determined. This study investigates the presence of specific herpesviral DNA in samples of aqueous fluid from patients with FHC. Aqueous humour was obtained from 40 patients undergoing cataract surgery, 20 patients with a clinical diagnosis of FHC and 20 patients with senile cataract who acted as controls. Each sample was tested for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) DNA after initial amplification with virus specific primers using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Herpesviral DNA could not be detected in any of the aqueous samples from the FHC patients. Although a viral aetiology is unlikely, this study cannot exclude the possibility that a virus may be the initiating factor in the development of FHC or that virus may be sequestered in different ocular tissues. Control patients also showed no significant carriage of herpesvirus in their aqueous humour implying that detection of any herpesviral DNA in aqueous samples may be clinically relevant.


Iron and Nickel Mixed Oxides Derived From NiIIFeII-PBA for Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysis.
The sluggish kinetics of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on anode hinders the efficiency of electrochemical water splitting. Electrocatalysts for OER based on non-precious transition metals are highly desirable. Herein, iron and nickel mixed oxides with surface oxygen vacancies were fabricated using NiIIFeII-Prussian blue analog as the precursors by a facile two-step thermal-assisted method. The precursor compositions and calcination temperatures exert great impact on the structure and morphology of the derivatives, as well as the electrocatalytic performances for OER. Both the higher content of Ni ions during the synthesis of precursors and lower calcination temperature favor the electrocatalytic performance of the corresponding derivatives. The porous metal oxides consisting of nickel oxide and nickel ferrite exhibited the remarkable electrocatalytic property toward OER in an alkaline solution, which can be attributed to the nanosized and porous structure, the co-existence of spinel NiFe2O4 and cubic NiO, the high content of surface oxygen vacancies, and the low charge transfer resistance. This study will provide new inspiration for the facile design of low-cost active catalysts for OER in the future.


Distribution of Polymorphisms of the Renin-Angiotensin System Genes (ACE, AGT, and AGTR1), ITGB3, and FTO in Pregnant Patients with Hypertensive Disorders.
The study included pregnant women aged 23-41 years with preeclampsia and gestation-associated arterial hypertension at weeks 27-40 and patients with essential arterial hypertension developing under conditions of the metabolic syndrome and without it. Frequency analysis of polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system genes (ACE, AGT, and AGTR1), ITGB3, FTO and their associations confirmed the syndrome nature of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. The presence allele T of AGT gene and/or allele C of AGTR1 gene in the genotype of patients with preeclampsia was associated with higher BP and pressure load over 24 h. Allele D of ACE gene was also essential for BP parameters (pressure load) in patients with preeclampsia and gestation-associated arterial hypertension. Due to high genetic heterogeneity of the preeclampsia syndrome and genetic differences in the incidence of the studied gene polymorphisms in preeclampsia and gestation-associated arterial hypertension, no direct associations between these gestation disorders and polymorphic markers of the renin-angiotensin system genes can be established. However, polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system genes are essential for the 24-h dynamics of BP and pressure load under conditions of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.


Moderate blast exposure alters gene expression and levels of amyloid precursor protein.
To explore gene expression after moderate blast exposure (vs baseline) and proteomic changes after moderate- (vs low-) blast exposure. Military personnel (N = 69) donated blood for quantification of protein level, and peak pressure exposures were detected by helmet sensors before and during a blast training program (10 days total). On day 7, some participants (n = 29) sustained a moderate blast (mean peak pressure = 7.9 psi) and were matched to participants with no/low-blast exposure during the training (n = 40). PAXgene tubes were collected from one training site at baseline and day 10; RNA-sequencing day 10 expression was compared with each participant's own baseline samples to identify genes and pathways differentially expressed in moderate blast-exposed participants. Changes in amyloid precursor protein (APP) from baseline to the day of blast and following 2 days were evaluated. Symptoms were assessed using a self-reported form. We identified 1,803 differentially expressed genes after moderate blast exposure; the most altered network was APP. Significantly reduced levels of peripheral APP were detected the day after the moderate blast exposure and the following day. Protein concentrations correlated with the magnitude of the moderate blast exposure on days 8 and 9. APP concentrations returned to baseline levels 3 days following the blast, likely due to increases in the genetic expression of APP. Onset of concentration problems and headaches occurred after moderate blast. Moderate blast exposure results in a signature biological profile that includes acute APP reductions, followed by genetic expression increases and normalization of APP levels; these changes likely influence neuronal recovery.


Testosterone deficiency syndrome: cellular and molecular mechanism of action.
There is virtually no correlation between what are generally accepted to be the symptoms of deficient androgen in men and levels of androgens as measured in the laboratory. Now that androgen deficiency is being shown to play a part in conditions as diverse as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and coronary heart disease, a hypothesis is needed to explain this apparent discrepancy between measured androgen levels and our understanding of the symptoms of androgen deficiency. When the possible mechanisms for androgen actions are considered, one explanation emerges that androgen may act much like insulin in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus: the degree of androgen resistance may be variable depending on the organs or systems considered. Therefore, the symptoms can result from altered or damaged synthesis of androgen synthesis or regulation, elevated androgen binding, a reduction in tissue response, or decreased as a result of polymorphism and aging. Genomic transcription and translation may also be affected. As with diabetes, in adult male androgen deficiency, it is suggested that the definition of androgen deficiency should be based on individual physiology, with the requirements of the individual at a particular stage of life setting the baseline against which any deficiency of androgens or androgen metabolites, either absolute or relative, is determined. This approach will affect the terminology, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of androgen deficiency.


Design and Characterization of Deformable Superstructures Based on Amine-Acrylate Liquid Crystal Elastomers.
Deformable superstructures are man-made materials with large deformation properties that surpass those of natural materials. However, traditional deformable superstructures generally use conventional materials as substrates, limiting their applications in multi-mode reconfigurable robots and space-expandable morphing structures. In this work, amine-acrylate-based liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are used as deformable superstructures substrate to provide high driving stress and strain. By changing the molar ratio of amine to acrylate, the thermal and mechanical properties of the LCEs are modified. The LCE with a ratio of 0.9 exhibited improved polymerization degree, elongation at break, and toughness. Besides an anisotropic finite deformation model based on hyperelastic theory is developed for the LCEs to capture the configuration variation under temperature activation. Built upon these findings, an LCE-based paper-cutting structure with negative Poisson's ratio and a 2D lattice superstructure model are combined, processed, and molded by laser cutting. The developed superstructure is pre-programmed to the configuration required for service conditions, and the deformation processes are analyzed using both experimental and finite element methods. This study is expected to advance the application of deformable superstructures and LCEs in the fields of defense and military, aerospace, and bionic robotics.


Complete genome sequence of Paludibacter propionicigenes type strain (WB4).
Paludibacter propionicigenes Ueki et al. 2006 is the type species of the genus Paludibacter, which belongs to the family Porphyromonadaceae. The species is of interest because of the position it occupies in the tree of life where it can be found in close proximity to members of the genus Dysgonomonas. This is the first completed genome sequence of a member of the genus Paludibacter and the third sequence from the family Porphyromonadaceae. The 3,685,504 bp long genome with its 3,054 protein-coding and 64 RNA genes consists of one circular chromosome and is a part of the Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea project.


Deletion of the GPIdeAc gene alters the location and fate of glycosylphosphatidylinositol precursors in Trypanosoma brucei.
Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) membrane anchors are ubiquitous among the eukaryotes. In most organisms, the pathway of GPI biosynthesis involves inositol acylation and inositol deacylation as discrete steps at the beginning and end of the pathway, respectively. The bloodstream form of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei is unusual in that these reactions occur on multiple GPI intermediates and that it can express side chains of up to six galactose residues on its mature GPI anchors. An inositol deacylase gene, T. brucei GPIdeAc, has been identified. A null mutant was created and shown to be capable of expressing normal mature GPI anchors on its variant surface glycoprotein. Here, we show that the null mutant synthesizes galactosylated forms of the mature GPI precursor, glycolipid A, at an accelerated rate (2.8-fold compared to wild type). These free GPIs accumulate at the cell surface as metabolic end products. Using continuous and pulse-chase labeling experiments, we show that there are two pools of glycolipid A. Only one pool is competent for transfer to nascent variant surface glycoprotein and represents 38% of glycolipid A in wild-type cells. This pool rises to 75% of glycolipid A in the GPIdeAc null mutant. We present a model for the pathway of GPI biosynthesis in T. brucei that helps to explain the complex phenotype of the GPIdeAc null mutant.


A general co-expression network-based approach to gene expression analysis: comparison and applications.
Co-expression network-based approaches have become popular in analyzing microarray data, such as for detecting functional gene modules. However, co-expression networks are often constructed by ad hoc methods, and network-based analyses have not been shown to outperform the conventional cluster analyses, partially due to the lack of an unbiased evaluation metric. Here, we develop a general co-expression network-based approach for analyzing both genes and samples in microarray data. Our approach consists of a simple but robust rank-based network construction method, a parameter-free module discovery algorithm and a novel reference network-based metric for module evaluation. We report some interesting topological properties of rank-based co-expression networks that are very different from that of value-based networks in the literature. Using a large set of synthetic and real microarray data, we demonstrate the superior performance of our approach over several popular existing algorithms. Applications of our approach to yeast, Arabidopsis and human cancer microarray data reveal many interesting modules, including a fatal subtype of lymphoma and a gene module regulating yeast telomere integrity, which were missed by the existing methods. We demonstrated that our novel approach is very effective in discovering the modular structures in microarray data, both for genes and for samples. As the method is essentially parameter-free, it may be applied to large data sets where the number of clusters is difficult to estimate. The method is also very general and can be applied to other types of data. A MATLAB implementation of our algorithm can be downloaded from http://cs.utsa.edu/~jruan/Software.html.


Prevalence and Associated Factors of Metabolic Syndrome Among Patients with Severe Mental Illness at Hawassa, Southern-Ethiopia.
Patients with severe mental disorders have a high risk of metabolic-related complications like metabolic syndrome (MetS), diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension and lipid derangements, and these factors may predispose them to a high mortality rate. Data is very scarce regarding MetS among patients with severe mental illness in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of MetS and its associated factors among patients with severe mental illness. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from January to June 2019 among adult patients attending a psychiatric outpatient department, Southern Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 245 study subjects. Socio-demographic and other data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Both the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) guidelines were used to define MetS. The prevalence of MetS was 24.5% and 26.9% by NCEP-ATP and IDF criteria respectively. In both definitions, females had significantly higher MetS when compared to males (31.4% vs 19.6%; p=0.03 by NCEP), and (34.3% vs 21.7%; p =0.03 by IDF), respectively. Duration >5 years with mental illness indicated higher MetS when compared to duration ≤ 5 years (42.9% vs 19.9%, p=0.001; and 46.9% vs 21.9%, p<0.0001) in NCEP and IDF, respectively. In addition, marital status [AOR (95% CI): 2.4 (1.1-5.3)], and BMI [AOR (95% CI): 8.4(4.0-17.6)], duration > 5 years with mental illness [AOR (95% CI): 2.8(1.2-6.5)], and age >40 years [AOR (95% CI): 2.7(1.2-6.1)] were significantly associated factors of MetS by NCEP. While BMI, age >40 years and duration > 5 years with mental illness were associated with MetS by IDF. Long-time experience with severe mental illness and antipsychotic therapy might predispose patients to metabolic complications with significant risks of cardiovascular events. Therefore, intensive screening of patients for MetS/components is required during follow-up based on national non-communicable diseases guideline. Besides, the proper intervention of patients concerning lifestyle changes and averting risk full behaviors is mandatory.