Oral health status of people living with HIV/AIDS attending a specialized service in Brazil.
Verify factors that influence the oral health status of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Brazil. The study was cross-sectional and includes 177 HIV-positive individuals, who answered questionnaire on the sociodemographic conditions, HIV aspects, habits, and satisfaction with the service. The oral health data were collected by means of the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index, use and need of dentures, and the Community Periodontal Index. Average number of the DMFT was 17.64. Most HIV-positive patients presented good periodontal status, 35.0% used dentures, 41.5% needed denture in the maxilla, and 62.0% in the mandible. In the multivariate analysis, older age and dissatisfaction with health care were associated with nonuse of dentures. The abandonment of the use of antiretroviral therapy increased the risk of PLWHA presenting more than three decayed teeth. Poor oral health of the PLWHA was mainly influenced by sociodemographic factors and use and satisfaction with service.


Frequent hypoglycemia among elderly patients with poor glycemic control.
Episodes of hypoglycemia are particularly dangerous in the older population. To reduce the risk of hypoglycemia, relaxation of the standard hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) goals has been proposed for frail elderly patients. However, the risk of hypoglycemia in this population with higher HbA(1c) levels is unknown. Patients 69 years or older with HbA(1C) values of 8% or greater were evaluated with blinded continuous glucose monitoring for 3 days. Forty adults (mean [SD] age, 75 [5] years; HbA(1C) value, 9.3% [1.3%]; diabetes duration, 22 [14] years; 28 patients [70%] with type 2 diabetes mellitus; and 37 [93%] using insulin) were evaluated. Twenty-six patients (65%) experienced 1 or more episodes of hypoglycemia (glucose level <70 mg/dL). Among these, 12 (46%) experienced a glucose level below 50 mg/dL and 19 (73%), a level below 60 mg/dL. The average number of episodes was 4; average duration, 46 minutes. Eighteen patients (69%) had at least 1 nocturnal episode (10 pm to 6 am). Of the total of 102 hypoglycemic episodes, 95 (93%) were unrecognized by finger-stick glucose measurements performed 4 times a day or by symptoms. Hypoglycemic episodes are common in older adults with poor glycemic control. Raising HbA(1C) goals may not be adequate to prevent hypoglycemia in this population.


TFOS DEWS II Epidemiology Report.
The subcommittee reviewed the prevalence, incidence, risk factors, natural history, morbidity and questionnaires reported in epidemiological studies of dry eye disease (DED). A meta-analysis of published prevalence data estimated the impact of age and sex. Global mapping of prevalence was undertaken. The prevalence of DED ranged from 5 to 50%. The prevalence of signs was higher and more variable than symptoms. There were limited prevalence studies in youth and in populations south of the equator. The meta-analysis confirmed that prevalence increases with age, however signs showed a greater increase per decade than symptoms. Women have a higher prevalence of DED than men, although differences become significant only with age. Risk factors were categorized as modifiable/non-modifiable, and as consistent, probable or inconclusive. Asian ethnicity was a mostly consistent risk factor. The economic burden and impact of DED on vision, quality of life, work productivity, psychological and physical impact of pain, are considerable, particularly costs due to reduced work productivity. Questionnaires used to evaluate DED vary in their utility. Future research should establish the prevalence of disease of varying severity, the incidence in different populations and potential risk factors such as youth and digital device usage. Geospatial mapping might elucidate the impact of climate, environment and socioeconomic factors. Given the limited study of the natural history of treated and untreated DED, this remains an important area for future research.


Inhibition of endocannabinoid metabolism by the metabolites of ibuprofen and flurbiprofen.
In addition to their effects upon prostaglandin synthesis, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen and flurbiprofen inhibit the metabolism of the endocannabinoids 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and anandamide (AEA) by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), respectively. Here, we investigated whether these effects upon endocannabinoid metabolism are shared by the main metabolites of ibuprofen and flurbiprofen. COX activities were measured via changes in oxygen consumption due to oxygenation of arachidonic acid (for COX-1) and arachidonic acid and 2-AG (for COX-2). FAAH activity was quantified by measuring hydrolysis of tritium labelled AEA in rat brain homogenates. The ability of ibuprofen and flurbiprofen to inhibit COX-2-catalysed oxygenation of 2-AG at lower concentrations than the oxygenation of arachidonic acid was seen with 4'-hydroxyflurbiprofen and possibly also 3'-hydroxyibuprofen, albeit at lower potencies than the parent compounds. All ibuprofen and flurbiprofen metabolites retained the ability to inhibit FAAH in a pH-dependent manner, although the potency was lower than seen with the parent compounds. It is concluded that the primary metabolites of ibuprofen and flurbiprofen retain some of the properties of the parent compound with respect to inhibition of endocannabinoid metabolism. However, these effects are unlikely to contribute to the actions of the parent compounds in vivo.


Spatiotemporal mechanisms for detecting and identifying image features in human vision.
Our visual system constantly selects salient features in the environment, so that only those features are attended and targeted by further processing efforts to identify them. Models of feature detection hypothesize that salient features are localized based on contrast energy (local variance in intensity) in the visual stimulus. This hypothesis, however, has not been tested directly. We used psychophysical reverse correlation to study how humans detect and identify basic image features (bars and short line segments). Subjects detected a briefly flashed 'target bar' that was embedded in 'noise bars' that randomly changed in intensity over space and time. By studying how the intensity of the noise bars affected performance, we were able to dissociate two processing stages: an early 'detection' stage, whereby only locations of high-contrast energy in the image are selected, followed (after approximately 100 ms) by an 'identification' stage, whereby image intensity at selected locations is used to determine the identity (whether bright or dark) of the target.


Transferable learning from international primary care developments.
Alternative approaches to the comparative analysis of international health systems developments are reviewed in relation to the advent of new primary care organizations in countries with parallel 'modernizing' policies. A framework for transferable learning between these is articulated and its design described. This is derived from priorities defined by lead policy and practice representatives in UK primary care. It points to the benefits of examining the interaction of critical new public management and planning functions as an effective vehicle for identifying both individual country role models and shared international experiences. Illustrative examples are provided in five subject areas ranging from local engagement to multiple forms of financing.


Pain evaluation and management: a survey of Italian radiotherapists.
The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge possessed and the attitudes held by Italian radiotherapists regarding evaluation and treatment of pain. One hundred and twenty-six radiotherapists completed a 16-item questionnaire that was specifically designed to investigate three main topics: the attention paid to pain, the use of analgesics, and pain in children. Chi-square or Fisher's exact text was employed to evaluate differences based on position (staff/resident), age (<35 or >35 years old), availability of consultants in pain therapy and/or palliative care, colleagues with main interest in palliative care among their own staff, and region of residence (north/center/south of Italy). Overall percentage of correct answers was 76.6% (range 34.9-94.4%). Correct answers by groups of items were: attention paid to pain 77.3%, use of analgesics 81.5%, and pain in children 63.7%. Results of the survey demonstrate that knowledge and attitudes of Italian radiotherapists towards the approach to and treatment of pain can be considered satisfactory.


[The influence of calcitonin on the liver secretory function in rats].
The influence of calcitonin on the choleresis level and bile acids spectrum was investigated in acute experiments on the rats with common biliary duct cannulated. We determined the intensity of bile secretion during 3 hours and quantitative content of conjugated and free bile acids using thin-layer chromatography. It was shown that intramuscular introduction of synthetic salmon calcitonin (200 ng/kg) increases the secreted bile volume and the content of conjugated bile acids in the bile. The administration of salmon calcitonin resulted in increase of bile volume (+17.4% (P<0.05)), taurotrihydroxycholates (+58,3% (P<.001)), taurodihydroxycholates (+68.5% (P<0.01)), glycodihydroxycholates (+120.8% (P<0.01)), while the total content of free bile acids was not significantly altered as compared with control. At the same time, under the hormone influence we observed bile acid spectrum redistribution and a part of conjugated cholates increased against a decreasing of free bile acids part. The present results suggest that the salmon calcitonin intensifies the processes of conjugation of bile acids with amino acids taurine and glycine in hepatocytes and canalicular secretion that results in improvement of solubilization properties of the bile, ability of the bile to hold cholesterol in solute state and prevent the formation of calculi in biliary tracts.


Toddler fearfulness is linked to individual differences in error-related negativity during preschool.
We investigated associations between early fearfulness and error-related negativity (ERN) in preschoolers. Children were classified as low, moderate, or high in fearfulness based on observations at age 2 years. ERN was measured at age 4.5 years. ERN was visible in preschoolers who were moderate or high in fear during toddlerhood, but was characterized differently in children based on associations with fearfulness during toddlerhood. A non-localized ERN was visible across midline electrodes in high-fear children and an adult like ERN distribution was visible in moderately fearful children. In contrast, low-fear children showed no evidence of ERN at 4.5 years of age.


Amino acids at the N- and C-termini of human glutamate carboxypeptidase II are required for enzymatic activity and proper folding.
Human glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) is a co-catalytic metallopeptidase and its putative catalytic domain is homologous to the aminopeptidases from Vibrio proteolyticus and Streptomyces griseus. In humans, the enzyme is expressed predominantly in the nervous system and the prostate. The prostate form, termed prostate-specific membrane antigen, is overexpressed in prostate cancer and is used as a diagnostic marker of the disease. Inhibition of the form of GCPII expressed in the central nervous system has been shown to protect against ischemic injury in experimental animal models. Human GCPII consists of 750 amino acids, and six individual domains were predicted to constitute the protein structure. Here, we report the analysis of the contribution of these putative domains to the structure/function of recombinant human GCPII. We cloned 13 mutants of human GCPII that are truncated or extended at one or both the N- and C-termini of the GCPII sequence. The clones were used to generate stably transfected Drosophila Schneider's cells, and the expression and carboxypeptidase activities of the individual protein products were determined. The extreme C-terminal region of human GCPII was found to be critical for the hydrolytic activity of the enzyme. The deletion of as few as 15 amino acids from the C-terminus was shown to completely abolish the enzymatic activity of GCPII. Furthermore, the GCPII carboxypeptidase activity was abrogated upon removal of more than 60 amino acid residues from the N-terminus of the protein. Overall, these results clearly show that amino acid segments at the N- and C-termini of the ectodomain of GCPII are essential for its carboxypeptidase activity and/or proper folding.


Expression of an evolutionarily distinct novel BiP gene during the unfolded protein response in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Compared to mammals, little is known about the unfolded protein response (UPR) in plants. Using an oligonucleotide array comprising approximately 8200 Arabidopsis genes we investigated the effect of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress on gene expression. Expression of 26 genes increased, including at least nine whose products act in the ER, while their transcriptional activations were confirmed by promoter analyses. Among them, BiP-L, a novel BiP, whose expression appeared to be regulated by two promoter sequences perfectly matching mammalian ERSE. Cloning and sequencing of full-length BiP-L cDNA showed it contained a signal peptide sequence and the ER retention signal (HDEL). Interestingly, BiP-L was substantially different from the other two Arabidopsis BiP genes in genomic organization and sequence homology. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis showed that the BiP-L protein is the most distal form among the reported plant BiP proteins. RNA levels of BiP-L were very low in various mature Arabidopsis plant organs, while significant levels of BiP-L only observed in stressed seedlings. Transcription of BiP-L during ER stress was shown to be regulated by a feedback loop.


Development of advanced nursing practice in China: Act local and think global.
This paper discusses the development of advanced nursing practice in China in the context of global development. The scope of nursing is evolving over time, with increasing demands for the management of complex healthcare situations at individual, community and system levels. These demands are aggravated by the specialization of medical practice, with advanced treatment plans and patients requiring care in focused areas. The qualifications and competencies of the initial entrants into nursing practice are not adequate to deal with these demands. Advanced nursing practice (ANP) developed first in response to service demands, and education programs were introduced to prepare nurses for practicing at a higher level. This paper will first review the historical development of ANP in China, followed by a discussion of the differentiation of competence levels in nursing practice and the classification of specializations. It concludes by exploring how education in combination with experience protected by regulation of practice can support nurses to gradually evolve from registered nurse, specialty nurse to advanced practiced nurse.


Anticarcinogenic and cocarcinogenic effects of benzo[e]pyrene and dibenz[a,c]anthracene on skin tumor initiation by polycyclic hydrocarbons.
In the present study, we have examined the effects of benzo[e]pyrene (B[e]P) and dibenz[a,c]anthracene (DB[a,c]A) on the skin tumor-initiating activities of methylated and non-methylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). B[e]P, when applied 5 min prior to initiation with seven different PAH skin carcinogens, effectively inhibited the tumor-initiating activities of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and dibenz[a,h]anthracene (DB[a,h]A) but had little or no effect on the tumor-initiating activities of 3-methyl-cholanthrene (MCA), 7-methylbenz[a]anthracene (7-MBA), 12-methylbenz[a]anthracene (12-MBA), and 5-methyl-chrysene (5-MeC). B[e]P potentiated the tumor-initiating activity of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) by approximately 30%, DB[a,c]A, when applied 5 min prior to initiation, inhibited the tumor-initiating activities of DMBA, MCA, and DB[a,h]A but had little or no effect on the tumor-initiating activities of B[a]P, 7-MBA, 12-MBA, and 5-MeC. DB[a,c]A, when applied 12, 24, or 36 h prior to initiation with B[a]P, which allowed time for induction of epidermal monooxygenase enzymes, inhibited tumor initiation. The covalent binding of DMBA and B[a]P to epidermal DNA was examined under the influence of B[e]P. Doses of 20 and 200 nmol B[e]P given 5 min prior to 10 nmol [3H]DMBA reduced binding to 47 and 22%, respectively, of the control value. In contrast, doses of 200 or 2000 nmol B[e]P given 5 min prior to 200 nmol [3H]B[a]P had little or no effect on total binding. The data indicate that one cannot predict anti and cocarcinogenic effects of B[e]P and DB[a,c]A on the basis of a presence or absence of a methyl substituent. In addition, fundamental differences exist in the processing and metabolism of DMBA and B[a]P by mouse epidermal cells.


Iron control of erythroid development by a novel aconitase-associated regulatory pathway.
Human red cell differentiation requires the action of erythropoietin on committed progenitor cells. In iron deficiency, committed erythroid progenitors lose responsiveness to erythropoietin, resulting in hypoplastic anemia. To address the basis for iron regulation of erythropoiesis, we established primary hematopoietic cultures with transferrin saturation levels that restricted erythropoiesis but permitted granulopoiesis and megakaryopoiesis. Experiments in this system identified as a critical regulatory element the aconitases, multifunctional iron-sulfur cluster proteins that metabolize citrate to isocitrate. Iron restriction suppressed mitochondrial and cytosolic aconitase activity in erythroid but not granulocytic or megakaryocytic progenitors. An active site aconitase inhibitor, fluorocitrate, blocked erythroid differentiation in a manner similar to iron deprivation. Exogenous isocitrate abrogated the erythroid iron restriction response in vitro and reversed anemia progression in iron-deprived mice. The mechanism for aconitase regulation of erythropoiesis most probably involves both production of metabolic intermediates and modulation of erythropoietin signaling. One relevant signaling pathway appeared to involve protein kinase Calpha/beta, or possibly protein kinase Cdelta, whose activities were regulated by iron, isocitrate, and erythropoietin.


Current trends in gas-synergized phototherapy for improved antitumor theranostics.
Phototherapy, such as photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT), has been considered an elegant solution to eradicate tumors due to its minimal invasiveness and low systemic toxicity. Nevertheless, it is still challenging for phototherapy to achieve ideal outcomes and clinical translation due to its inherent drawbacks. Owing to the unique biological functions, diverse gases have attracted growing attention in combining with phototherapy to achieve super-additive therapeutic effects. Specifically, gases such as nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) have been proven to kill tumor cells by inducing mitochondrial damage in synergy with phototherapy. Additionally, several gases not only enhance the thermal damage in PTT and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in PDT but also improve the tumor accumulation of photoactive agents. The inflammatory responses triggered by hyperthermia in PTT are also suppressed by the combination of gases. Herein, we comprehensively review the latest studies on gas-synergized phototherapy for cancer therapy, including (1) synergistic mechanisms of combining gases with phototherapy; (2) design of nanoplatforms for gas-synergized phototherapy; (3) multimodal therapy based on gas-synergized phototherapy; (4) imaging-guided gas-synergized phototherapy. Finally, the current challenges and future opportunities of gas-synergized phototherapy for tumor treatment are discussed. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: 1. The novelty and significance of the work with respect to the existing literature. (1) Strategies to design nanoplatforms for gas-synergized anti-tumor phototherapy have been summarized for the first time. Meanwhile, the integration of various imaging technologies and therapy modalities which endow these nanoplatforms with advanced theranostic capabilities has been summarized. (2) The mechanisms by which gases synergize with phototherapy to eradicate tumors are innovatively and comprehensively summarized. 2. The scientific impact and interest. This review elaborates current trends in gas-synergized anti-tumor phototherapy, with special emphases on synergistic anti-tumor mechanisms and rational design of therapeutic nanoplatforms to achieve this synergistic therapy. It aims to provide valuable guidance for researchers in this field.


Collagen-platelet composite enhances biomechanical and histologic healing of the porcine anterior cruciate ligament.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) fails to heal after traumatic rupture. Furthermore, large-animal models have recently shown that 1-month functional ACL healing is augmented after suture repair when a bioactive scaffold is placed in the tear site. At the time of suture repair, placement of a bioactive scaffold in the ACL wound site would improve the structural properties of the tissue. Controlled laboratory study. Twenty-seven knees in immature pigs underwent ACL transection and suture repair. A collagen-platelet composite (CPC) was used to supplement the repair in 14 knees. Knees were harvested at 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months. Mechanical testing and histologic analysis were performed. The addition of a CPC to a suture repair resulted in improvements in yield load and linear stiffness of the repair tissue at 3 months, as well as a significant increase in cell density. A reduction in yield load and stiffness occurred at the 6-week time point in both groups, a phase when revascularization was noted. The addition of a CPC to a suture repair enhanced the structural properties of the ACL, and the improvement was associated with increased cellularity within the healing ligament. The addition of a bioactive scaffold to the wound site improved the functional healing of the ACL after suture repair. The decreased repair strength during revascularization may indicate a need to protect the repair site through this period.


Irrational health beliefs and health anxiety.
The Irrational Health Belief Scale (IHBS) assesses the tendency to appraise health-related information in an irrational manner. Despite the central role that dysfunctional assumptions about health play in the cognitive-behavioral model of hypochondriasis and health anxiety, researchers have not examined the relation between health anxiety and the types of irrational health beliefs assessed by the IHBS. Two samples (n = 198, n = 295) of students completed the IHBS and measures of anxiety and health anxiety. In both studies, the IHBS was correlated with health anxiety, and this association was mediated by anxiety. These findings suggest that the range of dysfunctional beliefs associated with health anxiety is greater than was initially described by the cognitive-behavioral model.


Biomarkers of oxidative damage to DNA and repair.
Oxidative-stress-induced damage to DNA includes a multitude of lesions, many of which are mutagenic and have multiple roles in cancer and aging. Many lesions have been characterized by MS-based methods after extraction and digestion of DNA. These preparation steps may cause spurious base oxidation, which is less likely to occur with methods such as the comet assay, which are based on nicking of the DNA strand at modified bases, but offer less specificity. The European Standards Committee on Oxidative DNA Damage has concluded that the true levels of the most widely studied lesion, 8-oxodG (8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine), in cellular DNA is between 0.5 and 5 lesions per 10(6) dG bases. Base excision repair of oxidative damage to DNA can be assessed by nicking assays based on oligonucleotides with lesions or the comet assay, by mRNA expression levels or, in the case of, e.g., OGG1 (8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1), responsible for repair of 8-oxodG, by genotyping. Products of repair in DNA or the nucleotide pool, such as 8-oxodG, excreted into the urine can be assessed by MS-based methods and generally reflects the rate of damage. Experimental and population-based studies indicate that many environmental factors, including particulate air pollution, cause oxidative damage to DNA, whereas diets rich in fruit and vegetables or antioxidant supplements may reduce the levels and enhance repair. Urinary excretion of 8-oxodG, genotype and expression of OGG1 have been associated with risk of cancer in cohort settings, whereas altered levels of damage, repair or urinary excretion in case-control settings may be a consequence rather than the cause of the disease.


Postoperative Bleeding Associated with Ibuprofen Use after Tonsillectomy: A Meta-analysis.
To better quantify the risk of ibuprofen-associated posttonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH). PUBMED/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Clinical Trials Database. Literature searches were performed for English-language publications containing the terms tonsillectomy, ibuprofen, and tonsillectomy from database inception to May 2017. Human clinical trials, prospective cohort studies, and retrospective cohort studies related to tonsillectomy, ibuprofen use, and posttonsillectomy hemorrhage among pediatric patients were selected. Electronic searches revealed 151 studies, of which 12 were deemed eligible for analysis. Studies were weighted according to level of evidence and risk of bias. Pooling of results across all studies showed a statistically significant increase in PTH among the patients taking ibuprofen (odds ratio, 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.72). The I2 statistic of 20.8% demonstrates overall low study heterogeneity and good comparability of the results. Our meta-analysis of available cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) shows possible increased tendency to PTH with the use of ibuprofen. This has not been demonstrated in other studies and systematic reviews because their analyses were limited by use of multiple nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and inclusion of studies limited to the perioperative period and low sample size. However, the current analysis is limited due to inclusion of many retrospective cohort studies with unclear follow-up and no blinding. Further RCTs will be required to investigate this trend toward increased PTH.


Expression of additional genes in a vector derived from a minimal RNA virus.
Previous studies have shown that expression of the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) glycoprotein (G) from a Semliki Forest virus (SFV) RNA replicon results in the production of propagating infectious particles that we call minimal viruses. These minimal viruses consist of vesicles containing VSV G protein that bud from the plasma membrane and trap the infectious SFV G RNA, but they do not contain other viral structural proteins. The cell binding and membrane fusion activity of the VSV G protein allow minimal viruses to propagate in tissue culture cells. To determine if these minimal viruses could be used to express foreign genes, we added a second SFV promoter and a multiple cloning site downstream of the VSV G gene. We report here expression of three different proteins from this modified, minimal virus vector. Although expression of each foreign, unselected gene was lost rapidly from the vector upon passaging, it was possible after the initial transfection to derive stocks of infectious particles that could be used to infect multiple additional cultures and transfer protein expression efficiently. When cells were infected with these minimal viruses, host protein synthesis was shut off and the foreign protein and VSV G proteins were the major proteins expressed in the infected cells. Both were expressed at similar levels and accumulated to about 1-2% of total cell protein.


Developing leadership in nursing: the impact of education and training.
This is the second of two articles on developing leadership in nursing; this article explores the role and impact of training and education on nursing leadership. Nursing leadership education has been identified as much needed, and can be provided by universities (at Masters, diploma and certificate levels), healthcare organizations or hospitals. Research demonstrates that where leadership has been effectively taught and integrated into nursing, it has a positive impact on nurses' leadership skills and practice. It is suggested that healthcare organizations continue to develop and support leadership training, while also seeking ways of maintaining and promoting leadership development in practice.


[DNA analysis for paternity testing and forensic identification].
Non coding DNA of human genome contains an important part of tandem repetitive DNA which last years has been extensively applied to solve paternity disputes and individual identification cases. A class of this DNA are minisatellites and microsatellites loci. Such loci are highly polimorphics because they have a multiple of different alleles to make them ideals genetic markers for these purposes. This article is a review about these loci, methods of their analysis and practical aspects about their applications to determine biological paternity or individual identification in the forensic genetic field are considered.


Diagnosis of oral precancer with optical coherence tomography.
A procedure for computer analyzing an optical coherence tomography (OCT) image of normal and precancerous oral mucosae is demonstrated to reasonably plot the boundary between epithelium (EP) and lamina propria (LP) layers, determine the EP thickness, and estimate the range of dysplastic cell distribution based on standard deviation (SD) mapping. In this study, 54 normal oral mucosa, 39 oral mild dysplasia, and 44 oral moderate dysplasia OCT images are processed for evaluating the diagnosis statistics. Based on SD mapping in an OCT image, it is found that the laterally average range percentages of 70% SD maximum level in the EP layer is a reasonably good threshold for differentiating moderate dysplasia from mild dysplasia oral lesion based on the OCT image analysis. The sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis statistics can reach 82 and 90%, respectively.


Semen quality among men attending urology services in the Dschang Health District, west Cameroon: A retrospective study on 379 cases.
Infertility is a common condition affecting at least 15% of couples worldwide, and male factors are involved in about half of this prevalence rate. In Cameroon, about 20%-40% of couples are the victims. However, the sperm characteristics of infertile men are yet to be described in the health districts in Cameroon for better management of male infertility. The present study was designed to assess the sperm profile and related sociodemographic factors of men attending the urology services at the Dschang Health District. It consisted of a 10 yr retrospective study carried out in the Dschang Health District. The results of patients' semen analysis (SA) were computed using Epi Info software and expressed as qualitative and quantitative spermogram state as described by the clinician and sociodemographic features of those patients. Out of the 379 patients studied, 83.91% had abnormal spermogram. Patients older than 50 yr were the most affected when grouped into age categories. With regard to patient's profession, 52.51% had specified their profession and from that group, although farmers (9.31%) represented the lowest size category, they were the most affected with 94.74% having abnormal spermogram. This study indicates that the sperm damage is the major cause of male infertility in the Dschang Health District. It also shows that farmers are the most affected category and it could be linked to the long-term exposure to pesticides. These results call for the assessment of the reproductive toxicity of locally used pesticides.


A strategy for the successful management of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare, locally invasive soft tissue sarcoma with extensive subclinical involvement. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend immediate reconstruction in most cases. Our study reviewed the methods of treatment of DFSP at our institution, examined the types of closure used after surgical excision, and analyzed the prevalence of positive margins on permanent pathology after immediate closure after conventional non-Mohs excision of DFSP. The charts of 25 patients treated with surgical excision and 16 with Mohs surgery from 1990 to 2009 for lesions consistent with DFSP were reviewed for clinical variables including disease state, tumor site, closure type, permanent pathology margin status, disease recurrence/persistence, and excisional margin size. The trunk, followed by the head and neck, were the most common sites for DFSP. No patients had distant metastasis at diagnosis or experienced recurrence in either the surgical excision or the Mohs surgery group. Twelve (48%) patients were found to have positive margins after initial surgical resection. All lesions treated with Mohs surgery had clear histological margins at completion. Average margin size for surgical excision patients was 2.33 cm (range, 0.75-4.5 cm), and 1.36 cm (range, 0.74-2.55 cm) for Mohs excision. The average duration of follow-up was 107.9 months. The extent of DFSP is difficult to determine intraoperatively with traditional surgical excision, which leads to a higher rate of positive margins. Considering this difficulty and the complications of reconstruction with positive margins, we believe that reconstruction after tumor resection should be dependent on definitive pathologic clearance of the tumor.


Nudging and boosting children's restaurant menus for healthier food choice: a blinded quasi-randomized controlled trial in a real life setting.
Restaurants are ideal settings for implementing food interventions targeted at children. Studies with adults suggest that changes to the physical menu can lead to healthier food choices; online studies with parents indicate that specific menu designs facilitate healthier choices. However, it is unknown whether applying well-established nudging and boosting methods to children's menus also increases their choice of healthier meals in a real-world restaurant setting. The effects of two versions of a restaurant menu on the frequency of choosing a healthy meal (newly created, healthy target dish) were tested in a blinded quasi-randomized controlled trial. The menu in the control condition contained all dishes (including the healthy target dish) in a standardized format. The intervention menu included nudging (e.g. comic character, fun attractive name for the dish) and boosting elements (e.g. information on low calorie density) next to the healthy target dish. Over five months, the control and intervention menus were switched every two weeks and records were made of how often the healthy target dish was ordered. In total, 607 orders were made from the children's restaurant menu (57% from the intervention menu). During the intervention phase, 4.2% of all ordered dishes from the children's menu were the healthy target dish, during the control phase, 4.4% of orders were for the target dish (p=.896). Contrary to our hypothesis, a modified children's menu did not lead to a significant increase in the number of orders for a healthy dish compared with a neutral control menu. Importantly, given that parents and children often choose the child's dish together, particularly boosting methods that focus on social processes and joint decision making could be promising to increase children's frequency of healthy food choices in restaurants. DRKS00027039 , registered on 11/22/2021, (Retrospectively registered).


Sex and age differences in symptoms and signs of dry eye disease in a Norwegian cohort of patients.
To investigate sex and age differences in symptoms and signs in a Norwegian clinic-based cohort of patients with dry eye disease (DED). Visitors at the Norwegian Dry Eye Clinic were examined using Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire score, tear osmolarity, tear break-up time (TFBUT), ocular surface staining, corneal sensitivity, Schirmer I test, and meibum expressibility (ME) and quality (MQ). A diagnosis of DED was made by an ophthalmologist based on symptoms and signs, and only DED patients were enrolled in the study: 1823 patients (338 males; mean age 51.2 ± 16.2 years; 1485 females; mean age 52.5 ± 16.0 years). The patients were divided into age subgroups: 20-39 years, 40-59 years and ≥60 years. Sex differences in the aforementioned tests were analyzed. Values were reported as mean ± standard deviation (SD), and intergroup comparisons were performed using Mann-Whitney U test. Multiple regression was used to analyze sex and age influences on symptoms and signs. When patients of all ages were analyzed, females had increased osmolarity, shorter TFBUT, reduced MQ and ME and higher corneal sensitivity. OSDI, Schirmer I test, ocular surface staining and corneal staining were not significantly different between the sexes. Only with TFBUT and ME were the sex difference present in all age subgroups. Multiple regression showed that all parameters were influenced by either sex or age, but only TFBUT and ME were influenced by both sex and age. (all p < 0.05). Sex and age differences in dry eye were most consistent in TFBUT and ME, that indicate differences in meibomian gland functionality. Sex and age subgroup stratification is important in future studies investigating DED in other populations.


A greedy algorithm for gene selection based on SVM and correlation.
Microarrays serve scientists as a powerful and efficient tool to observe thousands of genes and analyse their activeness in normal or cancerous tissues. In general, microarrays are used to measure the expression levels of thounsands of genes in a cell mixture. Gene expression data obtained from microarrays can be used for various applications. One such application is that of gene selection. Gene selection is very similar to the feature selection problem addressed in the machine-learning area. In a nutshell, gene selection is the problem of identifying a minimum set of genes that are responsible for certain events (for example the presence of cancer). Informative gene selection is an important problem arising in the analysis of microarray data. In this paper, we present a novel algorithm for gene selection that combines Support Vector Machines (SVMs) with gene correlations. Experiments show that the new algorithm, called GCI-SVM, obtains a higher classification accuracy using a smaller number of selected genes than the well-known algorithms in the literature.


LncRNA CALML3-AS1 modulated by m6A modification induces BTNL9 methylation to drive non-small-cell lung cancer progression.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a common and lethal malignancy. The carcinogenic roles of lncRNA CALML3 antisense RNA 1 (CALML3-AS1) have been documented. However, the function and potential mechanisms of CALML3-AS1 in the progression of NSCLC need to be further explored. The molecule expression was assessed by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The subcellular localization of CALML3-AS1 was observed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The malignant behaviors of NSCLC cells were evaluated by CCK-8, colony formation, EdU, wound healing and transwell assays. In vivo xenograft tumor and liver metastatic models were established. The molecular mechanisms were investigated by RIP, RNA pull-down and ChIP assays. The methylation level was detected by MSP. Herein, we found that CALML3-AS1 was upregulated, while butyrophilin-like 9 (BTNL9) was downregulated in NSCLC. Functionally, CALML3-AS1 depletion repressed NSCLC cell malignant phenotypes, in vivo tumor growth, and liver metastasis. Mechanistically, AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) enhanced CALML3-AS1 stability via N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylation, whereas m6A reader YTH domain-containing 2 (YTHDC2) destabilized CALML3-AS1. Moreover, CALML3-AS1 inhibited BTNL9 transcription and expression through the recruitment of Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). Rescue experiments demonstrated that BTNL9 downregulation counteracted sh-CALML3-AS1-mediated antitumor effects on NSCLC. Taken together, CALML3-AS1 modulated by ALKBH5 and YTHDC2 in an m6A modification dependent manner drives NSCLC progression via epigenetically repressing BTNL9.


Effect of verbal instruction on muscle activity during the bench press exercise.
Recent research suggests that humans have some ability to selectively activate or relax some muscles during isometric or dynamic muscle actions without changing posture or position. This study sought to reveal whether trained athletes could isolate either the pectoral or triceps muscles, respectively, at different intensities when given verbal technique instruction. Eleven male Division III football players performed 3 sets of bench press at 50% 1-repetition max (1RM) and 80% 1RM while electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded from the pectoralis major (PM), anterior deltoid (AD), and triceps brachii (TB). In the first set, the subjects performed the exercise without instruction. In the second set, the subjects were given verbal instructions to use only chest muscles. In the third set, the subjects were instructed to use only triceps muscles. Mean normalized root mean square EMG activity was calculated during 3 repetitions in each condition. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to detect differences from the preinstruction condition, with significance set to p ≤ 0.017 as indicated by a Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. During the 50% max lift with verbal instructions to focus on chest muscles, PM EMG activity increased by 22% over preinstruction activity (p = 0.005), whereas AD and TB activities were statistically unchanged. When the subjects were instructed to focus on only the triceps muscles, PM returned to baseline activity, whereas TB activity was increased by 26% (p = 0.005). When the lift was increased to 80% max, PM and AD activities were both increased with verbal instructions to use only chest muscles. The TB activity was unchanged during the 80% lifts, regardless of instructions. In conclusion, it is found that verbal technique instruction is effective in shifting muscle activity during a basic lift, but it may be less effective at higher intensities.


The influence of sex and the presence of giant cells on postoperative long-term survival in adult patients with supratentorial glioblastoma multiforme.
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains incurable by conventional treatments, although some patients experience long-term survival. A younger age, a higher Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score, more aggressive treatment, and long progression-free intervals have been reported to be positively associated with long-term postoperative patient survival. The aim of this retrospective study was the identification of additional favorable prognostic factors affecting long-term survival in surgically treated adult patients with supratentorial GBM. Of 113 adult patients newly diagnosed with histologically verified supratentorial GBM who were enrolled in Phase III trials during the period between 1987 and 1998, six (5.3%) who survived for longer than 5 years were defined as long-term survivors, whereas the remaining 107 patients served as controls. All six were women and were compared with the controls; they were younger (mean age 44.2 years, range 31-60 years), and their preoperative KPS scores were higher (mean 85, range 60-100). Four of the six patients underwent gross-total resection. In five patients (83.3%) the progression-free interval was longer than 5 years and in three a histopathological diagnosis of giant cell GBM was made. This diagnosis was not made in the other 107 patients. Among adult patients with supratentorial GBM, female sex and histopathological characteristics consistent with giant cell GBM may be predictive of a better survival rate, as may traditional factors (that is, younger age, good KPS score, more aggressive resection, and a long progression-free interval).


Age-related changes in the pressure diuresis and natriuresis response.
The renal-excretory responses to changes in renal perfusion pressure (RPP) were studied in anesthetized young (3 mo old), adult (12 mo old), and senescent (24 mo old) rats to evaluate whether the pressure diuresis and natriuresis mechanism is altered as a function of age. Experiments were performed in anesthetized animals in which nervous and systemic hormonal influences to the kidney were fixed. Mean arterial pressure was similar in all three groups: 97.6 +/- 2.6, 102.1 +/- 3.7, and 95.2 +/- 5.2 mmHg in young, adult, and senescent rats, respectively. The relationships between RPP and diuresis/natriuresis or fractional excretions of water and sodium were similar in young and adult rats. However, in senescent rats the pressure-diuretic and pressure-natriuretic responses were slightly shifted to the right, so that diuresis and natriuresis were significantly lower at higher levels of RPP. Glomerular filtration rate was well autoregulated, and there were no differences between young and adult rats at each level of RPP. However, a significantly lower glomerular filtration rate was observed in senescent rats. These results indicate an age-related decline in the pressure-dependent sodium and water excretion that appears to be due to a decrease in glomerular filtration and an increase in tubular sodium reabsorption.


Stunting, double orphanhood and unequal access to public services in democratic South Africa.
Orphans who lack household or community support face significant socio-economic disadvantages. In particular, they are at greater risk of malnutrition and stunting in developing countries. Children who have no living parents, also called double orphans, are most likely to require support from extended families or public institutions. This paper explores how WASH infrastructure, and public health and social services relate to stunting. It is one of the first studies to analyse these factors with a specific focus on double orphans, who tend to live in under-serviced areas with high stunting rates and poor access to public resources. We collate a cross sectional spatial dataset with local child stunting rates from 2013, rates of double orphanhood, private household resources, and public services from 2011 for South Africa, a country where the HIV/AIDS pandemic has led to high rates of double orphanhood. We estimate spatial econometric models that account for unobserved regional shocks and measurement bias, but which do not address other biases. Our results show that high stunting rates, particularly in areas with high proportions of double orphans, overlap strongly with poor provision of WASH and the availability of household resources. By contrast, other softer services accessed outside the home, such as access to health, social welfare and early childhood development facilities are not correlated with stunting in the same way. WASH is more strongly related to reduced stunting when infrastructure covers larger geographic areas and with the combined use of services from adjacent areas. This occurs because of economies of scale in provision and preventing transmission of disease across regions. Policy makers can explore the option to reduce stunting by expanding geographic networks of WASH service delivery into under-serviced areas where double orphans tend to locate.


Phenotypic properties of a unique rpoA mutation (phs) of Escherichia coli.
The phs mutation of Escherichia coli has been suggested to affect the Na+/H+ antiport (D. Zilberstein, E. Padan, and S. Schuldiner, FEBS Lett. 168:327-330, 1980). We have recently shown that the mutation affects the rpoA gene and thus affects transcription. The extent of the pleiotropy of the phs mutation was investigated. In addition to the previously reported growth defect on L-glutamate and melibiose, the mutation also affects at least two other metabolic systems. The transport and metabolism of arabinose is impaired and the transport of sulfate is reduced. The extent to which the effects of the phs mutation on metabolism are due to a defect in the Na+/H+ antiport was investigated, and no causal role for this transport system in the metabolic defects was found.


Human pancreatic cancer fusion 2 (HPC2) 1-B3: a novel monoclonal antibody to screen for pancreatic ductal dysplasia.
BACKGROUND.: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is rarely detected early enough for patients to be cured. The objective of the authors was to develop a monoclonal antibody to distinguish adenocarcinoma and precancerous intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia (IPMN) from benign epithelium. METHODS.: Mice were immunized with human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells and monoclonal antibodies were screened against a panel of archived pancreatic tissue sections, including pancreatitis (23 cases), grade 1 IPMN (16 cases), grade 2 IPMN (9 cases), grade 3 IPMN (13 cases), and various grades of adenocarcinoma (17 cases). One monoclonal antibody, human pancreatic cancer fusion 2 (HPC2) 1-B3, which specifically immunostained adenocarcinoma and all grades of IPMN, was isolated. Subsequently, HPC2 1-B3 was evaluated in a retrospective series of 31 fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies from clinically suspicious pancreatic lesions that had long-term clinical follow-up. RESULTS.: HPC2 1-B3 was negative in all 31 cases of chronic pancreatitis that were tested. In contrast, HPC2 1-B3 immunostained the cytoplasm and luminal surface of all 16 well- to moderately differentiated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas. It demonstrated only weak focal staining of poorly differentiated carcinomas. All high-grade IPMNs were found to be positive for HPC2 1-B3. The majority of low-grade to intermediate-grade IPMNs were positive (66% of cases). Immunostaining a separate series of pancreatic FNA cell blocks for HPC2 1-B3 demonstrated that the relative risk for detecting at least low-grade dysplasia (2.0 [95% confidence interval, 1.23-3.26]) was statistically significant (P = .002 by the Fisher exact test). CONCLUSIONS.: To reduce the mortality of pancreatic cancer, more effective early screening methods are necessary. The data from the current study indicate that a novel monoclonal antibody, HPC2 1-B3, may facilitate the diagnosis of early pancreatic dysplasia.


Impact of hepatitis C virus and direct acting antivirals on kidney recipients: a retrospective study.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in kidney transplanted patients (KTx-p) carries a high risk for a worse outcome. This retrospective study evaluates the impact of HCV and of the new direct acting antivirals (DAAs) on patient and graft outcomes in KTx patients. Forty (6.5%) of the 616 KTx-p, who received a kidney transplantation (KTx) in our Centre had antibodies against HCV: 13 were positive for HCV RNA and received DAAs (Group A); 11 were HCV RNA positive and did not receive any treatment (Group B; n = 11); 16 were negative for HCV RNA (Group C). All Group A patients had HCV RNA negativity after 12 weeks of treatment, and 12 (92.30%) achieved a sustained virological response (SVR). Only two patients, who had proteinuria greater than 500 mg/day showed a worsening of proteinuria after antiviral therapy in Group A. Liver enzyme elevation and death were significantly more frequent in Group B than other groups. Our results support the notion that active HCV infection negatively affects kidney recipients and that DAA have a high safety and efficacy profile after KTx with no significant negative effect on allograft function, particularly in well-functioning renal grafts.


BCLAF1 induces cisplatin resistance in lung cancer cells.
Treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains challenging due to frequent recurrence and the development of resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy. The mechanism underlying NSCLC chemoresistance remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism of cisplatin resistance in NSCLC cells and it found that the expression of Bcl-2-associated transcription factor 1 (BCLAF1) was higher in the A549 cell line with cisplatin resistance (A549/DDP) by western blotting and reverse-transcription quantitative PCR, suggesting that elevated BCLAF1 expression is associated with acquired cisplatin resistance in A549 cells. BCLAF1 was found to promote DNA damage repair in A549/DDP cells by regulating γH2A histone family member X foci formation by immunofluorescence and western blotting. BCLAF1 was also demonstrated to regulate ubiquitin-specific peptidase 22 mRNA expression in A549/DDP cells, in addition to regulating G1 phase arrest by targeting p21 expression. Taken together, these findings suggest that BCLAF1 mediates cisplatin resistance by regulating the repair of DNA damage and p21-mediated G1 phase arrest.


Glycoproteomics-based signatures for tumor subtyping and clinical outcome prediction of high-grade serous ovarian cancer.
Inter-tumor heterogeneity is a result of genomic, transcriptional, translational, and post-translational molecular features. To investigate the roles of protein glycosylation in the heterogeneity of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC), we perform mass spectrometry-based glycoproteomic characterization of 119 TCGA HGSC tissues. Cluster analysis of intact glycoproteomic profiles delineates 3 major tumor clusters and 5 groups of intact glycopeptides. It also shows a strong relationship between N-glycan structures and tumor molecular subtypes, one example of which being the association of fucosylation with mesenchymal subtype. Further survival analysis reveals that intact glycopeptide signatures of mesenchymal subtype are associated with a poor clinical outcome of HGSC. In addition, we study the expression of mRNAs, proteins, glycosites, and intact glycopeptides, as well as the expression levels of glycosylation enzymes involved in glycoprotein biosynthesis pathways in each tumor. The results show that glycoprotein levels are mainly controlled by the expression of their individual proteins, and, furthermore, that the glycoprotein-modifying glycans correspond to the protein levels of glycosylation enzymes. The variation in glycan types further shows coordination to the tumor heterogeneity. Deeper understanding of the glycosylation process and glycosylation production in different subtypes of HGSC may provide important clues for precision medicine and tumor-targeted therapy.


Adaptors, junction dynamics, and spermatogenesis.
Adaptors are component proteins of junctional complexes in all epithelia, including the seminiferous epithelium of the mammalian testis. They recruit other regulatory and structural proteins to the site of both anchoring junctions (such as cell-cell actin-based adherens junctions [AJs], e.g., ectoplasmic specialization [ES] and tubulobulbar complex, which are both testis-specific cell-cell actin-based AJ types, and cell-cell intermediate filament-based desmosome-like junctions) and tight junctions (TJ). Furthermore, adaptors per se can be substrates and/or activators of kinases or phosphatases. As such, the integrity of cell junctions and the regulation of junction dynamics during spermatogenesis rely on adaptors for their ability to recruit and link different junctional components to the same site and to tether transmembrane proteins at both anchoring and TJ sites to the underlying cytoskeletons, such as the actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. These protein-protein interactions are possible because adaptors are composed of conserved protein binding domains, which allow them to link to more than one structural or signaling protein, recruiting multi-protein complexes to the same site. Herein, we provide a timely review of adaptors recently found at the sites of AJ (e.g., ES) and TJ. In addition, several in vivo models that can be used to delineate the function of adaptors in the testis are described, and the role of adaptors in regulating junction dynamics pertinent to spermatogenesis is discussed.


Kaolin-based hemostatic dressing improves hemorrhage control from a penetrating inferior vena cava injury in coagulopathic swine.
Retrohepatic inferior vena cava (RIVC) injuries are often lethal due to challenges in obtaining hemorrhage control. We hypothesized that packing with a new kaolin-based hemostatic dressing (Control+; Z-Medica, Wallingford, CT) would improve hemorrhage control from a penetrating RIVC injury compared with packing with standard laparotomy sponges alone. Twelve male Yorkshire pigs received a 25% exchange transfusion of blood for refrigerated normal saline to induce a hypothermic coagulopathy. A laparotomy was performed and a standardized 1.5 cm injury to the RIVC was created which was followed by temporary abdominal closure and a period of uncontrolled hemorrhage. When the mean arterial pressure reached 70% of baseline, demonstrating hemorrhagic shock, the abdomen was re-entered, and the injury was treated with perihepatic packing using standard laparotomy sponges (L; n = 6) or a new kaolin-based hemostatic dressing (K; n = 6). Animals were then resuscitated for 6 hours with crystalloid solution. The two groups were compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test and Fisher exact test. A p value of 0.05 or less was considered statistically significant. There was no difference in the animal's temperature, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, cardiac output, and blood loss at baseline or before packing was performed (all p > 0.05). In the laparotomy sponge group, five of six pigs survived the entire study period, whereas all six pigs treated with kaolin-based D2 hemostatic dressings survived. Importantly, there was significantly less blood loss after packing with the new hemostatic kaolin-based dressing compared with packing with laparotomy sponge (651 ± 180 mL vs. 1073 ± 342 mL; p ≤ 0.05). These results demonstrate that the use of this new hemostatic kaolin-based dressing improved hemorrhage control and significantly decreased blood loss in this penetrating RIVC model. This is basic science research based on a large animal model, level V.


Exploration for Asian longhorned beetle parasitoids in Korea using an improved sentinel log trap.
The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is a destructive invasive woodboring insect pest, and efforts are being made to find parasitoids for ALB biological control. Through a four-year survey in Korea using a sentinel log trap associated with host chemical cues potentially important for host finding by parasitoids, two parasitoid species were discovered attacking ALB. One species is Spathius ibarakius Belokobylskij & Maetô, which is known to also parasitize citrus longhorned beetle, Anoplophora chinensis (Forster). The other parasitoid species, whose offspring were dead before imago, could not be morphologically identified at the adult stage. We attempted molecular and morphological identification of the larvae/pupae of the unidentified parasitoid; however, only superfamily-level identification was possible. The parasitism rate recovered in the logs was 0.3% by the unidentified parasitoid in Gapyeong-gun in 2019, while it reached 29.2% by S. ibarakius in Busan city in 2022. Future efforts for exploring ALB natural enemies in the pest's native range may focus on parasitoids with high parasitism rates.


Long-term evaluation of surgical periodontal treatment with and without maintenance care.
A study was conducted on the effectiveness of individual maintenance recalls and the long-term effects of surgical therapy on pocket depth and tooth loss in 43 patients with moderate to advanced periodontal disease. Sixteen of the patients had periodic control and 27 were uncontrolled. Intervals of periodic recall ranged from 3 to 6 months according to individual needs. Pocket depths were measured from four aspects of each tooth and initially classified as shallow (1-3 mm), moderate (4-6 mm) or deep (7 mm or more). Changes in each pocket depth level were determined after 10 years. Tenth-year comparisons showed that the uncontrolled group had significantly higher mean pocket depth values. Tooth loss rate was 3.6% in the controlled group, and 14.1% in the uncontrolled group, and the mean numbers of lost teeth were 0.69 and 3.63, respectively, in the ten-year period. It was concluded that periodic recalls were essential for long-term success of periodontal surgery.


Pursuing Darwin's curious parallel: Prospects for a science of cultural evolution.
In the past few decades, scholars from several disciplines have pursued the curious parallel noted by Darwin between the genetic evolution of species and the cultural evolution of beliefs, skills, knowledge, languages, institutions, and other forms of socially transmitted information. Here, I review current progress in the pursuit of an evolutionary science of culture that is grounded in both biological and evolutionary theory, but also treats culture as more than a proximate mechanism that is directly controlled by genes. Both genetic and cultural evolution can be described as systems of inherited variation that change over time in response to processes such as selection, migration, and drift. Appropriate differences between genetic and cultural change are taken seriously, such as the possibility in the latter of nonrandomly guided variation or transformation, blending inheritance, and one-to-many transmission. The foundation of cultural evolution was laid in the late 20th century with population-genetic style models of cultural microevolution, and the use of phylogenetic methods to reconstruct cultural macroevolution. Since then, there have been major efforts to understand the sociocognitive mechanisms underlying cumulative cultural evolution, the consequences of demography on cultural evolution, the empirical validity of assumed social learning biases, the relative role of transformative and selective processes, and the use of quantitative phylogenetic and multilevel selection models to understand past and present dynamics of society-level change. I conclude by highlighting the interdisciplinary challenges of studying cultural evolution, including its relation to the traditional social sciences and humanities.


Gut Microbiome Developmental Patterns in Early Life of Preterm Infants: Impacts of Feeding and Gender.
Gut microbiota plays a key role in multiple aspects of human health and disease, particularly in early life. Distortions of the gut microbiota have been found to correlate with fatal diseases in preterm infants, however, developmental patterns of gut microbiome and factors affecting the colonization progress in preterm infants remain unclear. The purpose of this prospective longitudinal study was to explore day-to-day gut microbiome patterns in preterm infants during their first 30 days of life in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and investigate potential factors related to the development of the infant gut microbiome. A total of 378 stool samples were collected daily from 29 stable/healthy preterm infants. DNA extracted from stool was used to sequence the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene region for community analysis. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and α-diversity of the community were determined using QIIME software. Proteobacteria was the most abundant phylum, accounting for 54.3% of the total reads. Result showed shift patterns of increasing Clostridium and Bacteroides, and decreasing Staphylococcus and Haemophilus over time during early life. Alpha-diversity significantly increased daily in preterm infants after birth and linear mixed-effects models showed that postnatal days, feeding types and gender were associated with the α-diversity, p< 0.05-0.01. Male infants were found to begin with a low α-diversity, whereas females tended to have a higher diversity shortly after birth. Female infants were more likely to have higher abundance of Clostridiates, and lower abundance of Enterobacteriales than males during early life. Infants fed mother's own breastmilk (MBM) had a higher diversity of gut microbiome and significantly higher abundance in Clostridiales and Lactobacillales than infants fed non-MBM. Permanova also showed that bacterial compositions were different between males and females and between MBM and non-MBM feeding types. In conclusion, infant postnatal age, gender and feeding type significantly contribute to the dynamic development of the gut microbiome in preterm infants.


Optical measurement of neural activity using surface plasmon resonance.
We demonstrate that surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is applicable to the optical detection of neural signals. A low-noise SPR sensor was developed as a label- and artifact-free method for the extracellular recording of neural activity. The optical responses obtained from a rat sciatic nerve were highly correlated with simultaneously recorded electrical responses. Additional studies with stimulation intensity and lidocaine further confirmed that the optically measured signals originated from neural activities.


Evidence that novobiocin and nalidixic acid do not inhibit excision repair in u.v.-irradiated human skin fibroblasts at a pre-incision step.
The effects of novobiocin and nalidixic acid on the specific toxicity of aphidicolin towards u.v. irradiated arrested (nondividing) human skin fibroblasts have been determined. Contrary to the result expected if either drug were causing inhibition of excision repair at a pre-incision step the sector of toxicity due to a combined treatment of 300 micrograms ml-1 nalidixic acid and 1.0 micrograms ml-1 aphidicolin is unchanged when compared with that due to treatment with 1.0 micrograms ml-1 aphidicolin alone, while that for 150 micrograms ml-1 novobiocin + 1.0 micrograms ml-1 aphidicolin was slightly increased. In parallel measurements of the inhibition of u.v.-induced DNA repair synthesis in arrested fibroblasts by these drugs, 150 micrograms ml-1 novobiocin inhibited repair synthesis by approximately 60% over the fluence range employed. Nalidixic acid at a concentration of 300 micrograms ml-1 caused no detectable inhibition of repair synthesis. We conclude that the mode of action of novobiocin in the inhibition of DNA excision repair is not via the inhibition of a pre-incision step and the data do not support the hypothesis that a type II topoisomerase mediated change in DNA supercoiling is an essential early step in excision repair of u.v.-induced damage.


Is Maximal or Usual Walking Speed from Large Scale Wrist Sensor Data Better at Predicting Dementia, Depression and Death?
Older people are at increased risk of many adverse health outcomes, including dementia and depression, that burden the global health system. This paper presents algorithms for the large-scale assessment of daily walking speeds. We hypothesize that (i) data from wrist-worn sensors can be used to assess walking speed accurately; and that (ii) maximal daily walking speed is a better predictor of health outcomes than usual daily walking speed. First, algorithms were developed and tested using data from 101 participants aged 19 to 91 (47 ± 18) years. Participants wore an AX3 accelerometer (Axivity, UK) on their dominant wrist while undertaking daily life activities with electronic walkway data used for ground truth. Subsequently, prediction models for dementia, depression and death were developed using the data of 47,406 participants (≥ 60 years) from the UK Biobank study. Daily walking speeds were derived from 7-day AX3 data with time-to-events using electronic health records. The accuracy of derived walking speeds was assessed using root mean square error (RMSE). Time-to-events were modelled using Cox regression with inverse hazard ratios reported for univariable models and Harrell's concordance for multivariable models. Derived walking speeds had an RMSE of between 3% and 4% depending on arm position. We found that for simple models, maximal walking speed was significantly better than usual walking speed at predicting time to dementia (1.62 vs 1.34), depression (1.29 vs 1.17) and death (1.56 vs 1.27). However, the addition of known risk factors in subsequent multivariable models reduced the apparent benefit of using maximal as opposed to usual daily walking speed as the gait parameter. In summary, walking speed was accurately measured with a wrist-worn device, and maximal daily waking speed may be better than usual daily walking speed at predicting some adverse health outcomes.Clinical Relevance- This study demonstrated the validity of using a simple and unobtrusive wrist-worn sensor to remotely assess daily walking speed. As a single, modifiable and easily understood measure, maximal walking speed was shown to be better than usual walking speed at predicting time-to-dementia, depression and death. Therefore, the inclusion of maximal daily walking speed into screening programs and clinical interventions presents a promising area for further research.


Seeing the colour red: Menstruation in global body politics.
In this article, we set out how menstrual activism is emerging as a novel strand in global feminist health demands that challenge the norms and practices which condone and institutionalise gender inequalities. Menstruation has moved from being understood principally as a biological function, invisible in the public sphere, to a vibrant form of global body politics with a flourishing set of diverse practices. We examine how menstruation has been brought to global attention in two ways: one through a global development discourse that promotes menstrual health by improving hygiene and the sanitary infrastructure in the Global South; and two through the upswell of feminist groups involved in menstrual activism around the world. The article is a contribution to moving closer towards productive alliances between these two strands as together they contribute to important changes in menstrual health and sexual rights.


Activity based matching in distributed camera networks.
In this paper, we consider the problem of finding correspondences between distributed cameras that have partially overlapping field of views. When multiple cameras with adaptable orientations and zooms are deployed, as in many wide area surveillance applications, identifying correspondence between different activities becomes a fundamental issue. We propose a correspondence method based upon activity features that, unlike photometric features, have certain geometry independence properties. The proposed method is robust to pose, illumination and geometric effects, unsupervised (does not require any calibration objects). In addition, these features are amenable to low communication bandwidth and distributed network applications. We present quantitative and qualitative results with synthetic and real life examples, and compare the proposed method with scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) based method. We show that our method significantly outperforms the SIFT method when cameras have significantly different orientations. We then describe extensions of our method in a number of directions including topology reconstruction, camera calibration, and distributed anomaly detection.


Neuronal Myocyte-Specific Enhancer Factor 2D (MEF2D) Is Required for Normal Circadian and Sleep Behavior in Mice.
The transcription factor, myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2), is required for normal circadian behavior in Drosophila; however, its role in the mammalian circadian system has not been established. Of the four mammalian Mef2 genes, Mef2d is highly expressed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, a region critical for coordinating peripheral circadian clocks. Using both conventional and brain-specific Mef2d KO (Mef2d-/-) mouse lines, we demonstrate that MEF2D is essential for maintaining the length of the circadian free-running period of locomotor activity and normal sleep patterns in male mice. Crossing Mef2d-/- with Per2::luc reporter mice, we show that these behavioral changes are achieved without altering the endogenous period of the master circadian oscillator in the SCN. Together, our data suggest that alterations in behavior in Mef2d-/- mice may be the result of an effect on SCN output, rather than an effect on timekeeping within the SCN itself. These findings add to the growing body of evidence that MEF2 proteins play important roles in the brain.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT These studies are the first to show a role for MEF2 proteins in the brain outside of the hippocampus, and our findings suggest that these proteins may play diverse roles in the CNS. It is important to continue to build on our understanding of the roles of proteins acting in the SCN because SCN dysfunction underlies jet lag in humans and influences the response to shift work schedules, which are now known as risk factors for the development of cancer. Our work on MEF2D could be the basis for opening new lines of research in the development and regulation of circadian rhythms.


Nuclear medicine imaging of bone infections.
The inflammation and infection of bone include a wide range of processes that can result in a reduction of function or in the complete inability of patients. Apart from the inflammation, infection is sustained by pyogenic microorganisms and results mostly in massive destruction of bones and joints. The treatment of osteomyelitis requires long and expensive medical therapies and, sometimes, surgical resection for debridement of necrotic bone or to consolidate or substitute the compromised bones and joints. Radiographs and bone cultures are the mainstays for the diagnosis but often are useless in the diagnosis of activity or relapse of infection in the lengthy management of these patients. Imaging with radiopharmaceuticals, computed tomography and magnetic resonance are also used to study secondary and chronic infections and their diffusion to soft or deep tissues. The diagnosis is quite easy in acute osteomyelitis of long bones when the structure of bone is still intact. But most cases of osteomyelitis are subacute or chronic at the onset or become chronic during their evolution because of the frequent resistance to antibiotics. In chronic osteomyelitis the structure of bones is altered by fractures, surgical interventions and as a result of bone reabsorption produced by the infection. Metallic implants and prostheses produce artefacts both in computed tomography and magnetic resonance images, and radionuclide studies should be essential in these cases. Vertebral osteomyelitis is a specific entity that can be correctly diagnosed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging at the onset of symptoms but only with radionuclide imaging is it possible to assess the activity of the disease after surgical stabilization or medical therapy. The lack of comparative studies showing the accuracy of each radiopharmaceutical for the study of bone infection does not allow the best nuclear medicine techniques to be chosen in an evidence-based manner. To this end we performed a meta-analysis of peer reviewed articles published between 1984 and 2004 describing the use of nuclear medicine imaging for the study of the most frequent causes of bone infections, including prosthetic joint, peripheric post-traumatic bone infections, vertebral and sternal infections. Guidelines for the choice of the optimal radiopharmaceuticals to be used in each clinical condition and for different aims is provided.


[Case of giant cell myocarditis].
A case of giant cell myocarditis with atrioventricular blockade and progressive cardiac insufficiency is reported that required implantation of an artificial pacemaker and ended in the death of the patient. The diagnosis was confirmed by a histological study following autopsy. The difficulty of diagnosis of this rare form of myocarditis with an aggressive clinical course is emphasized. It is concluded that life-time endomyocardial biopsy, combined immunosuppressive therapy, and frequently heart transplantation taken together may prolong life expectancy in such patients.


Direct Analysis of Dimethicone in Aqueous Emulsions by Infrared Spectroscopy.
Dimethicone is a mixture of fully methylated linear siloxane polymers of various molecular weights. This water-insoluble ingredient provides exceptional skin protection and lubrication when incorporated into skin and hair care products. Quantitative analysis of dimethicone is often required to support quality assurance testing of finished products. We report a new, rapid analytical method based on Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, using a special attenuated total reflectance cell to determine concentrations of dimethicone directly in aqueous emulsions present in personal care products. This rapid, simplified method eliminates sample preparation to remove water, while providing reliable results across a wide range of dimethicone concentrations.


Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 subtype C molecular variants among indigenous australians: new insights into the molecular epidemiology of HTLV-1 in Australo-Melanesia.
HTLV-1 infection is endemic among people of Melanesian descent in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Molecular studies reveal that these Melanesian strains belong to the highly divergent HTLV-1c subtype. In Australia, HTLV-1 is also endemic among the Indigenous people of central Australia; however, the molecular epidemiology of HTLV-1 infection in this population remains poorly documented. Studying a series of 23 HTLV-1 strains from Indigenous residents of central Australia, we analyzed coding (gag, pol, env, tax) and non-coding (LTR) genomic proviral regions. Four complete HTLV-1 proviral sequences were also characterized. Phylogenetic analyses implemented with both Neighbor-Joining and Maximum Likelihood methods revealed that all proviral strains belong to the HTLV-1c subtype with a high genetic diversity, which varied with the geographic origin of the infected individuals. Two distinct Australians clades were found, the first including strains derived from most patients whose origins are in the North, and the second comprising a majority of those from the South of central Australia. Time divergence estimation suggests that the speciation of these two Australian clades probably occurred 9,120 years ago (38,000-4,500). The HTLV-1c subtype is endemic to central Australia where the Indigenous population is infected with diverse subtype c variants. At least two Australian clades exist, which cluster according to the geographic origin of the human hosts. These molecular variants are probably of very ancient origin. Further studies could provide new insights into the evolution and modes of dissemination of these retrovirus variants and the associated ancient migration events through which early human settlement of Australia and Melanesia was achieved.


Delineation of the normal esophagus at computed tomography.
It has been accepted by many that the esophagus in its entire length is easy to delineate at CT in most patients due to surrounding fat planes. As this is not the experience of the present authors, the CT of the thorax in 100 normal men and women without mediastinal disease and in good nutritional status was reviewed, to record the relationship between the esophagus and neighbouring structures. In the upper third of the esophagus there is almost never a definite border between its wall and that of the trachea, while a separating border or even a fat plane can be seen to the spine in between 25 and 50 per cent of those tested. The vessels, as a rule, have a fat plane towards the esophagus. The middle part of the esophagus has the same intimate relationship to the trachea and left main bronchus, i.e. almost never any separating border. Two thirds of the cases have no border to the upper part of the pericardium (left atrium), while about 70 per cent have a border or fat plane towards the aorta. The middle and lower third of the esophagus has, as a rule, a distinct border or fat plane to the spine. In about 50 per cent of the patients the anterior wall of the lower esophagus is separable from the pericardium.


Association of Timing and Balance of Physical Activity and Rest/Sleep With Risk of COVID-19: A UK Biobank Study.
Behavioral lifestyle factors are associated with cardiometabolic disease and obesity, which are risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to investigate whether physical activity, and the timing and balance of physical activity and sleep/rest, were associated with SARS-CoV-2 positivity and COVID-19 severity. Data from 91,248 UK Biobank participants with accelerometer data and complete covariate and linked COVID-19 data to July 19, 2020, were included. The risk of SARS-CoV-2 positivity and COVID-19 severity-in relation to overall physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), balance between activity and sleep/rest, and variability in timing of sleep/rest-was assessed with adjusted logistic regression. Of 207 individuals with a positive test result, 124 were classified as having a severe infection. Overall physical activity and MVPA were not associated with severe COVID-19, whereas a poor balance between activity and sleep/rest was (odds ratio [OR] per standard deviation: 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62 to 0.81]). This finding was related to higher daytime activity being associated with lower risk (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.93) but higher movement during sleep/rest being associated with higher risk (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.42) of severe infection. Greater variability in timing of sleep/rest was also associated with increased risk (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.35). Results for testing positive were broadly consistent. In conclusion, these results highlight the importance of not just physical activity, but also quality sleep/rest and regular sleep/rest patterns, on risk of COVID-19. Our findings indicate the risk of COVID-19 was consistently approximately 1.2-fold greater per approximately 40-minute increase in variability in timing of proxy measures of sleep, indicative of irregular sleeping patterns.


Septic complications after restorative proctocolectomy do not impair functional outcome: long-term follow-up from a specialty center.
After restorative proctocolectomy, 7 to 8 percent of patients may have a pouch leak. Concern exists that pouch leak may be associated with impaired functional outcome. We evaluated patients who underwent restorative proctocolectomy to determine whether pouch leak adversely affected long-term functional outcome and quality of life. We queried our prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent restorative proctocolectomy for demographic and clinical data. We sent a long-term outcome questionnaire to patients, including the validated Fecal Incontinence Severity Index and Cleveland Global Quality of Life scores. Pouch leak was identified by clinical or radiographic evidence of leak. Patients with leak were compared with those without to determine the impact on long-term functional outcome or quality of life. A total of 817 patients were available for follow-up and 374 patients (46 percent) completed questionnaires. The group with (n = 60; 16 percent) and without (n = 314; 84 percent) leak had similar demographics. The median Fecal Incontinence Severity Index score (15.3 vs. 14.7, P = 0.77), Cleveland Global Quality of Life score (0.79 vs. 0.81, P = 0.48), and bowel movements per 24 hours (7.92 vs. 7.88, P = 0.92) were similar. The pouch loss/permanent ileostomy rate was higher in those who leaked (13.3 vs. 0.9 percent, P < 0.001). Anastomotic leak after restorative proctocolectomy does not adversely affect long-term quality of life or functional outcome. However, pouch loss/permanent ileostomy is significantly more likely in patients who have had an anastomotic leak.


Hydroponic Solutions for Soilless Production Systems: Issues and Opportunities in a Smart Agriculture Perspective.
Soilless cultivation represent a valid opportunity for the agricultural production sector, especially in areas characterized by severe soil degradation and limited water availability. Furthermore, this agronomic practice embodies a favorable response toward an environment-friendly agriculture and a promising tool in the vision of a general challenge in terms of food security. This review aims therefore at unraveling limitations and opportunities of hydroponic solutions used in soilless cropping systems focusing on the plant mineral nutrition process. In particular, this review provides information (1) on the processes and mechanisms occurring in the hydroponic solutions that ensure an adequate nutrient concentration and thus an optimal nutrient acquisition without leading to nutritional disorders influencing ultimately also crop quality (e.g., solubilization/precipitation of nutrients/elements in the hydroponic solution, substrate specificity in the nutrient uptake process, nutrient competition/antagonism and interactions among nutrients); (2) on new emerging technologies that might improve the management of soilless cropping systems such as the use of nanoparticles and beneficial microorganism like plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs); (3) on tools (multi-element sensors and interpretation algorithms based on machine learning logics to analyze such data) that might be exploited in a smart agriculture approach to monitor the availability of nutrients/elements in the hydroponic solution and to modify its composition in realtime. These aspects are discussed considering what has been recently demonstrated at the scientific level and applied in the industrial context.


[Chronic erosion of the stomach (clinico-morphologic study)].
Altogether 256 biopsies of the stomach from 175 patients with chronic gastric erosions diagnosed clinico-endoscopically were studied. Erosions were found histologically in 112 biopsies, in 48 cases they were estimated as acute and in 64 cases as chronic ones. Typical fibrinoid necrosis is characteristic of chronic erosions, granulation tissue is present less often.


Removal of Antiscatter Grids for Spinal Digital Subtraction Angiography: Dose Reduction without Loss of Diagnostic Value.
Background Spinal digital subtraction angiography (DSA) exposes patients and operators to substantial amounts of radiation. Antiscatter grid (ASG) removal is used to decrease radiation exposure but may reduce image quality. Purpose To determine whether ASG removal during spinal DSA in adults reduces radiation dose while maintaining diagnostic image quality and whether dose reduction is related to body mass index (BMI). Materials and Methods This Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant prospective study included adults undergoing spinal DSA between January and December 2016. Each procedure included an additional angiographic acquisition performed twice, once with and once without ASG, either documenting the artery of Adamkiewicz (no pathology group) or the condition leading to the procedure (pathology group). Dose differences between study acquisitions and the influence of BMI were evaluated via paired t test. Two neurointerventionalists blinded to acquisition protocols were asked to independently evaluate a sample of 40 study acquisitions (20 with ASG, 20 without ASG) from 20 randomly selected participants to (a) rate image quality, (b) categorize findings, and (c) determine whether images had been obtained with or without ASG. Percentage agreement on image quality, findings categorization, and ability to correctly identify the acquisition protocol was calculated for both readers. Results Fifty-three participants (mean age ± standard deviation, 51 years ± 15.2; 32 men) were evaluated. ASG removal reduced the mean dose per acquisition by approximately 33% (mean dose-area product and air kerma decreased from 202 to 135.6 µGy/m2 and from 35.3 to 24 mGy, respectively; P < .001) independently of BMI (P = .3). Both readers evaluated all images (40 of 40) as being of diagnostic quality and correctly categorized findings in 19 of 20 (95%) cases. Overall percentage agreement for correct protocol identification was 60% (12 of 20) for grid-in and 45% (nine of 20) for grid-out images. Conclusion Antiscatter grid removal during spinal digital subtraction angiography decreased participants' radiation exposure while preserving diagnostic image quality. © RSNA, 2020.


Theoretical evidence for a c60 "window" mechanism.
On the basis of semiempirical and high-level ab initio calculations, theoretical evidence is presented of a "window" mechanism operable on the surface of C(60) and other fullerenes. Through this mechanism, large holes may be formed in fullerenes excited to their triplet state, openings through which atoms and small molecules can pass. This work provides a theoretical foundation for experiments that have prepared endohedral noble gas compounds of C(60) under thermal excitation. A method is proposed that could increase the efficiency of the process of noble gas insertion into C(60) and provide a more general means to create endohedral fullerene compounds.


Economic analyses to support decisions about HPV vaccination in low- and middle-income countries: a consensus report and guide for analysts.
Low- and middle-income countries need to consider economic issues such as cost-effectiveness, affordability and sustainability before introducing a program for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. However, many such countries lack the technical capacity and data to conduct their own analyses. Analysts informing policy decisions should address the following questions: 1) Is an economic analysis needed? 2) Should analyses address costs, epidemiological outcomes, or both? 3) If costs are considered, what sort of analysis is needed? 4) If outcomes are considered, what sort of model should be used? 5) How complex should the analysis be? 6) How should uncertainty be captured? 7) How should model results be communicated? Selecting the appropriate analysis is essential to ensure that all the important features of the decision problem are correctly represented, but that the analyses are not more complex than necessary. This report describes the consensus of an expert group convened by the World Health Organization, prioritizing key issues to be addressed when considering economic analyses to support HPV vaccine introduction in these countries.


[Cardiovascular diseases caused by unemployment? An analysis from the viewpoint of social medicine].
Unemployment has become a sociopolitical problem of great importance in the Western industrialised countries. Although negative effects on social life and psyche resulting from unemployment are regarded as scientifically accepted today, a possible causal relationship between job loss and somatic illnesses is still a matter of controversy. A possible target organ is the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was, therefore, to check by means of extensive literature analysis to what extent unemployment can be seen to influence cardiovascular morbidity. Particular attention was paid to the method used and the clinical relevance of the results. Person-related epidemiological studies published since 1980 which investigated changes in cardiovascular risk factors associated with unemployment or prevalence rates of manifest disease influenced by unemployment, were included in the final evaluation. In some cases statistically significant associations were found between unemployment and the increase in cholesterol levels or systolic/diastolic blood pressure, but the clinical relevance of such slight changes is questionable. To consider unemployment as an independent, social, cardiovascular risk factor is at present unwarranted. An increase in the prevalence rates of coronary heart disease or arterial hypertonia causally linked in some studies with unemployment is scientifically questionable due to severe methodological shortcomings. On the basis of the currently available methodologically acceptable studies, the question of a qualitative contribution of unemployment to cardiovascular disease cannot be answered conclusively.


Risk of Parkinson's disease among first-degree relatives: A community-based study.
To determine the relative risk (RR) and cumulative incidence of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) in first-degree relatives of PD patients compared with relatives of controls from the same geographic region. A family history questionnaire was used to obtain information on all first-degree relatives of cases and controls. A subset of these first-degree relative was also examined. A Cox proportional hazards model with double-censoring techniques for missing information was used to model the RR for PD, adjusting for gender, ethnicity, and relationship to proband. A total of 1,458 first-degree relatives of 233 PD patients were 2.3 times as likely (95% CI = 1.3 to 4.0) as 7,834 relatives of 1,172 controls to develop PD. The cumulative incidence of PD to age 75 among first-degree relatives of PD patients was 2% compared with 1% among first-degree relatives of controls. The risk in male first-degree relatives was higher than in female relatives (RR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.1 to 3.4) and the risk in relatives of Caucasians was higher than in African-Americans and Hispanics (RR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.4 to 4.1). Risk for siblings and parents of probands was similar. Susceptibility to PD is increased in first-degree relatives of both sporadic and familial cases. The pattern of inheritance and the relationship between genetic and environmental risk factors warrant further study.


In situ evaluation of hen mortality meal as a protein supplement for dairy cows.
A study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional composition and in situ degradation of hen mortality meals. There were four treatments: control autoclaved hen meal (C-HM), enzyme-treated, fermented, autoclaved hen meal (E-HM), NaOH-treated, fermented, autoclaved hen meal (NaOH-HM), and soybean meal (SBM). For the E-HM or NaOH-HM, hen mortality was treated with a feather digesting enzyme or NaOH to improve digestibility of feathers on the carcass. After the enzyme or NaOH treatment, treated hen mortality was preserved by a fermentation procedure. The crude protein levels of the C-HM and SBM were higher than the E-HM and NaOH-HM, and the concentration of fat in the C-HM was higher than the other treatments. Levels of Lys, Thr, Arg, Ile, Leu, Val, and Phe for the C-HM and SBM were higher than in the E-HM and NaOH-HM. The Met, Cys, and Gly levels in the C-HM were higher than the soybean meal. In situ ruminal degradation data showed that the C-HM had lower dry matter and crude protein degradation than the other treatments, whereas the E-HM or NaOH-HM was more susceptible to ruminal degradation. These results indicate that the C-HM has higher levels of crude protein, amino acids, and resistance to ruminal degradation, whereas the E-HM or NaOH-HM was more digestible to ruminal microorganisms.


Adapted Couple Therapy (ACT) for pathological gamblers: a promising avenue.
The study of the effectiveness of treatment for pathological gambling constitutes a field that is still largely unexplored. To date, the models assessed primarily target the individual and include little or no involvement of the family circle. Yet, the deleterious effects of gambling on loved ones and especially spouses are well recognized. Further, the addition of a couple modality to individual treatment has been shown to be effective on many levels in the treatment of substances use disorders. This article therefore proposes a critical review of (1) the literature providing a better understanding of the complex interactions between the couple relationship and pathological gambling, (2) studies on the effects of couple therapies on gamblers and their partners. We then present the therapeutic model developed by our team of clinician-researchers in collaboration with actors from Québec clinical settings: Adapted Couple Therapy (ACT) for pathological gamblers. In the Québec context, this model will serve as a complement to an individual cognitive-behavioral treatment model that has been proven effective and is employed throughout the Canadian province. The assessment of couple therapies could reveal avenues of solutions to better assist pathological gamblers who tend to drop-out of treatment and relapse.


Pathogen invasion changes the intestinal microbiota composition and induces innate immune responses in the zebrafish intestine.
Numerous bacteria are harbored in the animal digestive tract and are impacted by several factors. Intestinal microbiota homeostasis is critical for maintaining the health of an organism. However, how pathogen invasion affects the microbiota composition has not been fully clarified. The mechanisms for preventing invasion by pathogenic microorganisms are yet to be elucidated. Zebrafish is a useful model for developmental biology, and studies in this organism have gradually become focused on intestinal immunity. In this study, we analyzed the microbiota of normal cultivated and infected zebrafish intestines, the aquarium water and feed samples. We found that the predominant bacteria in the zebrafish intestine belonged to Gammaproteobacteria (67%) and that feed and environment merely influenced intestinal microbiota composition only partially. Intestinal microbiota changed after a pathogenic bacterial challenge. At the genus level, the abundance of some pathogenic intestinal bacteria increased, and these genera included Halomonas (50%), Pelagibacterium (3.6%), Aeromonas (2.6%), Nesterenkonia (1%), Chryseobacterium (3.4‰), Mesorhizobium (1.4‰), Vibrio (1‰), Mycoplasma (0.7‰) and Methylobacterium (0.6‰) in IAh group. However, the abundance of some beneficial intestinal bacteria decreased, and these genera included Nitratireductor (0.8‰), Enterococcus (0.8‰), Brevundimonas (0.7‰), Lactococcus (0.7‰) and Lactobacillus (0.4‰). Additionally, we investigated the innate immune responses after infection. ROS levels in intestine increased in the early stages after a challenge and recovered subsequently. The mRNA levels of antimicrobial peptide genes lectin, hepcidin and defensin1, were upregulated in the intestine after pathogen infection. These results suggested that the invasion of pathogen could change the intestinal microbiota composition and induce intestinal innate immune responses in zebrafish.