Characteristics and Outcomes of Children Discharged With Nasoenteral Feeding Tubes.
To describe the characteristics and outcomes of children discharged from the hospital with new nasoenteral tube (NET) use after acute hospitalization. Retrospective cohort study using multistate Medicaid data of children <18 years old with a claim for tube feeding supplies within 30 days after discharge from a nonbirth hospitalization between 2016 and 2019. Children with a gastrostomy tube (GT) or requiring home NET use in the 90 days before admission were excluded. Outcomes included patient characteristics and associated diagnoses, 30-day emergency department (ED-only) return visits and readmissions, and subsequent GT placement. We identified 1815 index hospitalizations; 77.8% were patients ≤5 years of age and 81.7% had a complex chronic condition. The most common primary diagnoses associated with index hospitalization were failure to thrive (11%), malnutrition (6.8%), and acute bronchiolitis (5.9%). Thirty-day revisits were common (49%), with 26.4% experiencing an ED-only return and 30.9% hospital readmission. Revisits with a primary diagnosis code for tube displacement/dysfunction (10.7%) or pneumonia/pneumonitis (0.3%) occurred less frequently. A minority (16.9%) of patients progressed to GT placement within 6 months, 22.3% by 1 year. Children with a variety of acute and chronic conditions are discharged from the hospital with NET feeding. All-cause 30-day revisits are common, though revisits coded for specific tube-related complications occurred less frequently. A majority of patients do not progress to GT within a year. Home NET feeding may be useful for facilitating discharge among patients unable to meet their oral nutrition goals but should be weighed against the high revisit rate.


Genetic diversity of Campylobacter jejuni isolates from Korea and travel-associated cases from east and southeast Asian countries.
Forty domestic and travel-associated Campylobacter jejuni isolates were analyzed by profiling 7 pathogenic genes (cdtB, cadF, Cj0131, ciaB, racR, wlaN, and virB11) along with multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. cdtB, cadF, and Cj0131 were present in all isolates, whereas virB11 was not detected in either domestic or travel-associated isolates. ciaB was present in all domestic isolates and 94% of travel-associated isolates. The respective detection rates of racR and wlaN in domestic and travel-associated isolates were 94% and 71% and 35.3% and 23%, respectively. MLST analyses of the 40 isolates generated 25 different sequence types (STs). ST-443 (12 isolates) and ST-21 (8 isolates) were dominant among the domestic isolates; however, STs varied among travel-associated isolates. Nalidixic acid, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin resistance rates of the 40 isolates were 100% (40/40), 95% (38/40), and 88% (35/40), respectively. Domestic isolates exhibited 2-fold higher ciprofloxacin, telithromycin, and chloramphenicol resistance rates than travel-associated isolates. These results indicate a diverse genetic background for travel-associated C. jejuni and suggest that this pathogen may be an important emerging public health threat to travelers.


The influence of sampling technique on ACT Plus results.
The manufacturer of the ACT Plus Automated Coagulation Timer, Medtronic Inc., recommends that test cartridges be prewarmed and the activating reagent resuspended (tapped/ mixed) before patient testing. In a busy clinical environment, these recommendations may be overlooked or disregarded. In this study, the impact of sampling technique on ACT Plus test results was investigated. In Series 1, two test cartridges were split into four individual chambers. Two ACT Plus machines were used, allowing for three separate comparisons to be made. The sample results from test Chambers 2 (cold/tapped), 3 (warmed/ not tapped), and 4 (cold/not tapped) were compared individually against the result from test Chamber 1, the recommended technique (warm/tapped). In Series 2, the manufacturer's recommendations were tested using a single double cartridge (warm/ tapped). Results were interpreted using the Bland-Altman method of analysis. The prewarming and tapping of cartridges before use independently influenced the agreement of results when compared with cartridges that were not prewarmed and tapped. Each factor (temperature and mixing) when excluded was found to affect the standard deviation and decrease the agreement of results. By following the manufacturer's recommendations to standardize the sampling technique, ACT Plus test results are more accurate.


Explorations in statistics: the assumption of normality.
Learning about statistics is a lot like learning about science: the learning is more meaningful if you can actively explore. This twelfth installment of Explorations in Statistics explores the assumption of normality, an assumption essential to the meaningful interpretation of a t test. Although the data themselves can be consistent with a normal distribution, they need not be. Instead, it is the theoretical distribution of the sample mean or the theoretical distribution of the difference between sample means that must be roughly normal. The most versatile approach to assess normality is to bootstrap the sample mean, the difference between sample means, or t itself. We can then assess whether the distributions of these bootstrap statistics are consistent with a normal distribution by studying their normal quantile plots. If we suspect that an inference we make from a t test may not be justified-if we suspect that the theoretical distribution of the sample mean or the theoretical distribution of the difference between sample means is not normal-then we can use a permutation method to analyze our data.


Effect of seasonal allergic rhinitis on airway mucosal absorption of chromium-51 labelled EDTA.
Hyperpermeability of the airway mucosa is thought to be characteristic of allergic rhinitis and asthma. Nine subjects with seasonal rhinitis caused by birch pollen were studied and the nasal mucosal absorption of chromium-51 labelled EDTA was examined both in an asymptomatic period before the season and late into the season when significant allergic rhinitis symptoms were present. A nasal pool device was used to keep a concentration of the absorption tracer in contact with a larger part of the mucosa of the ipsilateral nasal cavity. Absorption was allowed for 15 minutes and measured as the radioactivity appearing in the 24 hour urine sample. The nasal absorption of 51Cr-EDTA in subjects with seasonal allergic rhinitis was less during active disease than before the season. An airway epithelial barrier that is subject to prolonged eosinophilic inflammation may not be disrupted but may rather increase its functional tightness.


[Morphological observation of human gastric cancer cell SGC-7901 clones and identification of gastric cancer stem cells].
To dynamically investigate the morphology of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cell clones, and then compare the tumorigenic ability of different clones in order to identify the tumor stem cell clones. Clones derived from gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells were assessed by morphological observation, and the clone formation rate and proportion of each clone were calculated. The expression of CD44 and CDX2 in different clones was detected by immunofluorescence microscopy and Western blot. Furthermore, different clones were isolated and cultured, and their self-renewal property was assayed. Cells of different clones were subcutaneously inoculated into nude mice and the tumorigenic ability of each group was determined. Clones derived from gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells had three types, i.e. clones of tight, transitional and loose types. The total clone formation rate was (9.80 ± 1.07)%, and the proportion of tight, transitional and loose type clones was 10.2%, 56.0% and 33.8%, respectively. The results of immunofluorescence microscopic examination showed that the signal of CD44 was significantly stronger in the tight clones than in the transitional and loose clones, however, the signal of CDX2 was weakest in the tight colonies. The results of Western blot were consistent with that of immunofluorescence microscopic observation. SGC-7901 cells of tight clones possessed strong ability of self-renewal and in vivo tumorigenicity in the nude mice. SGC-7901 cell clones vary in morphology and differentiation, and the tight type clones may include rich gastric cancer stem cells.


Educating for care: a review of the literature.
Given that nursing is a practice-based discipline with care and caring at the core, it can be argued that these two elements should be fundamental concepts within the nursing curriculum. With the ever-increasing use of health care technology it is, however, possible that caring theory as an underpinning concept could be omitted from the curriculum. This literature review explores the issues surrounding student nurses' understanding of what care means to them, and considers the process of conveying the meaning and practice of care to the student nurse. Through reviewing the main theme of Education for Care, the question 'Is it possible to teach "care" to students?' will be explored.


Preoperative ultrasonographic findings of internal jugular veins and carotid arteries in kidney transplant recipients.
Hemodialysis via the internal jugular vein (IJV) has been widely used for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, as they have a higher risk of arterial diseases. We investigated the ultrasonographic findings of the IJV and carotid artery (CA) in recipients of kidney transplantation (KT) and identified factors influencing IJV/CA abnormalities. We enrolled 120 adult KT recipients. Patients in group A (n = 57) had a history of IJV hemodialysis, while those in group B (n = 63) were not yet on dialysis or undergoing dialysis methods not involving the IJV. The day before surgery, we evaluated the state of the IJV and CA using ultrasonography. We followed patients with IJV stenosis for six months after KT. Ultrasonography revealed that four patients (7%) in group A had IJV abnormalities, while no patients in group B had abnormalities (P = 0.118). Of the four patients with abnormalities, one with 57.4% stenosis normalized during follow- up. However, another patient with 90.1% stenosis progressed to occlusion, while the two patients with total occlusion remained the same. Twenty patients in group A (n = 11) and B (n = 9) had several CA abnormalities (P = 0.462). Upon multivariate analysis with stepwise selection, height and age were significantly correlated with IJV stenosis (P = 0.043, odds ratio = 0.9) and CA abnormality (P = 0.012, odds ratio = 1.1), respectively. IJV abnormalities (especially with a history of IJV hemodialysis) and CA abnormalities may be present in ESRD patients. Therefore, we recommend ultrasonographic evaluation before catheterization.


Moisture-induced aggregation of lyophilized proteins in the solid state.
A critical problem in the storage and delivery of pharmaceutical proteins is their aggregation induced by moisture. A model system has been elaborated and investigated to elucidate the mechanism of this phenomenon. When 10 mg of bovine serum albumin lyophilized from an aqueous solution of pH 7.3 are wetted with just 3 muL of a buffered physiological saline solution and incubated in the solid state at 37 degrees C, the protein progressively loses its solubility in water; e.g., after a 24 h incubation 97% of the protein becomes insoluble. This moisture-induced aggregation of albumin has been discovered to be due to an intermolecular S-S bond formation via the thiol-disulfide interchange reaction. The dependence of the extent of the solid-state aggregation on the amount and mode of addition of moisture and the atmosphere, additives, temperature, and history of the protein powder have been investigated. The moisture-induced solid-state aggregation has also been established and studied for three other lyophilized proteins: ovalbumin, glucose oxidase, and beta-lactoglobulin. In all cases, the loss of solubility is caused by thiol-disulfide interchange either alone or in combination with a conformational (noncovalent) process. The aggregation can be minimized by lyophilizing the proteins from acidic aqueous solutions, by adding inorganic salts, by co-lyophilizing the proteins with water-soluble polymers, or by controlling the moisture content at optimal levels.


Ischemic preconditioning results in an ATP-dependent inhibition of cytochrome C oxidase.
This study addresses the effect of short myocardial ischemia on inhibitory effect of ATP for mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (CytOx) activity in myocardium and subsequent hemodynamic alterations. The activity of CytOx is inhibited by ATP (primary substrate control). This additional mechanism was proposed to be switched off at higher mitochondrial membrane potential values in case of stress. The ATP-dependent allosteric enzyme inhibition (second respiratory control) is suggested to reduce the formation of reactive oxygen species and thus is pivotal for cytoprotection. This report addresses the possible involvement of this mechanism in case of myocardial preconditioning. Rat hearts were perfused in a Langendorff system (n = 5 each group). The first two groups underwent short recurrent ischemic periods (three times 5 min) and subsequent high or low reperfusion for 40 min. Besides four control groups, hearts were exposed to an ischemia of 15 min and high flow reperfused for 30 min, in addition. Hemodynamic data were evaluated in parallel. Mitochondria were separated for the polarographic respiration measurements in the presence of ADP or ATP, respectively. Phosphorylation patterns of the CytOx subunits were studied by immunoblotting with P-Ser, P-Thr, and P-Tyr antibodies. Short recurrent episodes of ischemia result in an ATP-dependent inhibition of CytOx. Electrophoretic analysis and blotting techniques reveal different phosphorylation patterns of the enzyme. Frequent short-lasting ischemic impacts and subsequent increased coronary flow seem to be essential for this effect. The procedure of preconditioning is likely to be dependent on the mechanism of ATP-dependent inhibition of CytOx activity.


The characteristics of national health initiatives promoting earlier cancer diagnosis among adult populations: a systematic review protocol.
The increasing burden of cancer morbidity and mortality has led to the development of national health initiatives to promote earlier cancer diagnosis and improve cancer survival. This protocol describes a systematic review aiming to identify the evidence about such initiatives among the adult population. We will describe their components, stakeholders and target populations, and summarise their outcomes. We will search databases and websites for peer-reviewed publications and grey literature on national health initiatives in high-income countries as defined by the World Bank. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies will be included and assessed for their methodological quality. Study selection, quality assessment and data extraction will be carried out independently by two reviewers. Narrative synthesis will be used to analyse the findings. This systematic review analyses secondary data and ethical approval is not required. Review findings will be helpful to researchers, policy makers, governments and other key stakeholders developing similar initiatives and assessing cancer outcomes. The results will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal in order to reach a diverse group of healthcare professionals, researchers and policy makers. This systematic review protocol is registered at PROSPERO (CRD42016047233).


Complexity and nonlinear biomarkers in emotional disorders: A meta-analytic study.
This meta-analysis aimed at gathering and summarising the findings on nonlinear biomarkers in the field of emotional disorders under the hypothesis that diseased systems show lowered complexity and hence less flexibility to adjust daily contexts. Scientific manuscripts from 1970 to 2014 were reviewed, 58 articles were analysed, and independent meta-analyses on anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, and depressive disorders were conducted. Results revealed that anxious patients exhibited lower complexity than controls (p<0.05) despite panic patients showed more irregular respiratory activity. Inconclusive results were found for bipolar patients but pointed to higher randomness when suffering manic episodes. Finally, depressed patients showed a loss of complexity in the cardiac system and a loss of orderliness (despite a higher complexity) in brain and stress-related hormonal systems. As a conclusion, our findings highlight that either a loss of complexity or a loss of ordered complexity characterise the physiological systems of patients with emotional disorders. Several considerations for complexity, its related measurements, and suggestions for further research are discussed.


Ulcerative keratitis associated with contact lens wear.
To review the microbiological profile of ulcerative keratitis associated with contact lens (CL)-wear, 35 patients with culture-proven CL-associated microbial keratitis were studied between September 1999 and September 2002. Corneal scrapes and CL-care products were collected and were subjected to microbiological evaluation. Gram-negative bacilli alone were recovered from the corneal scrapes of all 35 (100%) patients, all 70 (100%) CL storage case wells and also from CL-care solution of six (17.14%) of the 35 patients. There was a significantly higher number of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (71.43%) isolated from eyes with CL-related keratitis than other bacterial isolates (28.57%) (P<0.001). Microbial contamination of CL storage cases was a great risk for gram-negative bacterial infection among soft CL-wearers.


High-resolution neurometabolic coupling in the lateral geniculate nucleus.
The relationships between neural and metabolic processes in activated brain regions are central to the interpretation of noninvasive imaging. To examine this relationship, we have used a specialized sensor to measure simultaneously tissue oxygen changes and neural activity in colocalized regions of the cat's lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). Previous work with this sensor has shown that a decrease or increase in tissue oxygen can be elicited by selective control of the location and extent of neural activation in the LGN. In the current study, to evaluate the temporal integration and homogeneity of neurometabolic coupling, we have determined the relationship between multiunit extracellular neural activity and tissue oxygen responses to visual stimuli of various durations and contrasts. Our results show that the negative but not the positive oxygen response changes in an approximately linear manner with stimulus duration. The relationship between the negative oxygen response and neural activity is relatively constant with stimulus duration. Moreover, both negative and positive oxygen responses saturate at high stimulus contrast levels. Coupling between neural activity and negative oxygen responses is well described by a power law function. These results help elucidate differences between the initial negative and subsequent positive metabolic responses and may be directly relevant to questions concerning brain mapping with functional magnetic resonance imaging.


Development and piloting of a brief intervention for suicidal American Indian adolescents.
American Indian (AI) adolescents have the highest suicide death and attempt rates of any U.S. group, yet few interventions have been developed or evaluated for this population. This paper presents the first adaptation of a brief evidence-based intervention for AI adolescents from one reservation who made a suicide attempt. We describe our community-driven approach to intervention development and a small pilot study (n = 13). Preliminary findings indicate reductions in adolescents' negative thinking, depression, and suicidal ideation, and an increase in psychological service utilization. Key innovations include delivery by AI paraprofessionals and potential to strengthen the continuum of care between emergency department and outpatient settings.


[Haplotipic associations of the two most common HLA-B*27 alleles in the Croatian population].
The aim of the present study was to analyze haplotypic associations of two the most common HLA-B*27 subtypes (B*2702 and *2705) in the Croatian population. One hundred and eleven unrelated HLA-B*27 positive individuals were included. None of them had any sign of ankylosing spondylitis. The total number of analyzed haplotypic associations was 112 because one individual was homozygous for HLA-B*27. HLA-B*27 alleles as well as HLA-A and DRB1 specificities were tested by PCR-SSP method. Among seven different HLA-B*27 alleles observed among our individuals, B*2705 was the most frequent (61.6%), followed by B*2702 (30.4%), while the frequency of all other observed alleles (B*2701, B*2703, B*2704, B*2708 and B*2714) was less than 2.0%. HLA-A*02 was the most frequent specificity at HLA-A locus in both groups of haplotypic associations (B*2702 and B*2705) and no difference in distribution of HLA-A genes was observed between two groups. Analysis of HLA-B*2702 haplotypic associations showed the high frequency of DRB1*16 (44.2%) in comparison to B*2705 haplotypic associations (4.0%) with significant P value (P<0.00001). HLA-DRB1*01 demonstrated significantly higher presence among 69 B*2705 haplotypic associations compared to 34 B*2702 haplotypic associations (28.0% vs. 1.5%; P<0.00001).


[On forest ecosystem health and its evaluation].
Definition and connotation of forest ecosystem health were introduced, and existing ideas and methods of health evaluation were analyzed in this paper. Furthermore, forest ecosystem health was discussed from the aspects of the management objective approach, ecosystem approach, and integration approach. Widespread application of ecological indicators is the main means of evaluation on forest ecosystem health at present, and some material forest health evaluation methods, especially EMAP and FHM, were introduced and summarized to impel the relative researches in China.


Expectant Management of Low-Risk Bladder Cancer.
Patients with one or more low-grade bladder tumors of the urinary bladder will often develop a subsequent tumor but these so called "recurrences" are almost always of similar grade and rarely invade beyond the basement membrane. Therefore, the clinician should try to minimize the morbidity associated with treating these new tumors. Since many of these patients are elderly or have comorbidities, active surveillance is a very reasonable initial approach if these tumors are very small and appear low-grade. Another alternative is fulguration in the outpatient setting using a flexible cystoscope and electrode. The goal is to try to avoid the hospital and performing a formal transurethral resection. This adds potential morbidity, inconvenience, and cost.


A general framework for the regression analysis of pooled biomarker assessments.
As a cost-efficient data collection mechanism, the process of assaying pooled biospecimens is becoming increasingly common in epidemiological research; for example, pooling has been proposed for the purpose of evaluating the diagnostic efficacy of biological markers (biomarkers). To this end, several authors have proposed techniques that allow for the analysis of continuous pooled biomarker assessments. Regretfully, most of these techniques proceed under restrictive assumptions, are unable to account for the effects of measurement error, and fail to control for confounding variables. These limitations are understandably attributable to the complex structure that is inherent to measurements taken on pooled specimens. Consequently, in order to provide practitioners with the tools necessary to accurately and efficiently analyze pooled biomarker assessments, herein, a general Monte Carlo maximum likelihood-based procedure is presented. The proposed approach allows for the regression analysis of pooled data under practically all parametric models and can be used to directly account for the effects of measurement error. Through simulation, it is shown that the proposed approach can accurately and efficiently estimate all unknown parameters and is more computational efficient than existing techniques. This new methodology is further illustrated using monocyte chemotactic protein-1 data collected by the Collaborative Perinatal Project in an effort to assess the relationship between this chemokine and the risk of miscarriage. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Seniors-on-line: introducing older people to technology.
Retired Engineers are playing an important role in ensuring that older people are not excluded from the benefits of technological advances. Technology is playing an increasingly important role in the lives of older people as it is incorporated into assistive devices, home security, access to health care, banking, communication and many other areas. However, if older people are unfamiliar with new technologies and find them daunting, they may not benefit fully from these advances. In order to minimize difficulties arising from unfamiliarity with technology, an introductory computer course was offered to people aged 55 and over. Teaching methods appropriate to the needs of older people were used: small classes, students and instructors from same age cohort, slow pace of presentation and ample opportunity to ask questions. Retired Engineers make up the majority of instructors. Three hundred and sixty nine older people have participated in the course and most plan to continue using a computer.


Studies on Brucella interferon: chromatographic behaviour and purification.
Interferon was induced by infecting mice with Brucella suis. Serum containing interferon activity was analyzed by chromatography on Concanavalian A-Sepharose and Phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B columns. Antiviral activity was completely retained by the lectin column indicating that all the interferon molecules are glycosylated. The chromatographic behaviour of Brucella interferon on Phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B shows that, like other interferons, Brucella displays hydrophobic properties. However, the hydrophobicity of the interferon molecule was masked in the crude preparation and was only detectable when purified Brucella interferon was used for chromatography. The antigenic properties of Brucella interferon provided the means for developing an affinity chromatographic method resulting in about 60,000 fold purification. As in the case of viral interferon, treatment of L cells with Brucella interferon induced specific enhanced in vitro phosphorylation of a 67,000 molecular weight protein after incubation of cell extracts with double-stranded RNA and [gamma-32P] ATP.


Redescription of Andrya cuniculi (Blanchard, 1891) (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae), a parasite of Oryctolagus cuniculus (Lagomorpha) in Spain.
Andrya cuniculi (Blanchard, 1891) (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) is redescribed from Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.) from Spain. Large ranges of variability in body length and width, testes number and position of the cirrus sac were observed. An external seminal vesicle covered with small glandular cells is present. The pattern of development of the uterus is similar to that of Andrya rhopalocephala (Riehm, 1881). The only reliable differential characters to distinguish A. cunliculi from A. rhopalocephala are the position of the uterus in gravid segments and the position of the testes in mature segments. The uterus of A. cuniculi occupies the median field and parts of the lateral fields but is restricted to the median field in A. rhopalocephala. Testes are distributed more symmetrically lateral to the female organs in A. cuniculi but are mostly antiporal in A. rhopalocephala.


Induction of arthritis in SCID mice by T cells specific for the "shared epitope" sequence in the G3 domain of human cartilage proteoglycan.
To study the immunologic function and determine the fine epitope structure of a synthetic peptide p135H ((2373)TTYKRRLQKRSSRHP) of the G3 domain of human cartilage proteoglycan (aggrecan), which contains a highly homologous sequence motif of the shared epitope (QKRAA), the most common sequence motif in HLA-DR4 alleles, which predispose humans to the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Synthetic p135 peptides with altered sequences were used for (hyper)immunization of arthritis-susceptible BALB/c mice and then challenged with a single dose of cartilage proteoglycan. Human p135 (p135H) and mouse p135 (p135M) synthetic peptides of the G3 domain of aggrecan were used to prime lymphocytes, which were then used for adoptive transfer of arthritis into "presensitized" SCID mice, determining cross-reactivity among p135 peptides and their analogous sequences, and generating T cell hybridomas. T cell hybridomas were also used for arthritis transfer into SCID mice and for characterizing the fine epitope structure of T cell receptor (TCR) and major histo-compatibility complex (MHC) binding sites of the immunogenic/arthritogenic p135H sequence. While p135H peptide-(hyper)immunized mice became sensitized, they developed arthritis only after injection of a single dose of cartilage proteoglycan aggrecan. An altered peptide sequence (p135H-AA) carrying the shared epitope motif (QKRAA) was as effective as the natural peptide p135H sequence for inducing arthritis. Mouse p135M-specific lymphocytes induced arthritis with a lower incidence, but synthetic peptides to Escherichia coli heat-shock protein (DnaJ) or HLA-DR4 allele (both having the shared epitope sequence with different flanking regions) were also positive. Fine epitope sequence recognition of an arthritogenic T cell hybridoma derived from p135H-primed lymphocyte population was determined. Interestingly, in the most central position, a basic amino acid triplet of p135H peptide was found to be the MHC-binding motif, whereas the flanking amino acids bound to the TCR. Peptide p135H, corresponding to the peptide sequence in the G3 domain of human cartilage proteoglycan aggrecan, is immunogenic/arthritogenic in BALB/c mice. Peptide p135H includes a highly homologous motif of the shared epitope, a sequence that is overrepresented in bacterial heat-shock proteins, envelope protein of human JC polyomavirus, and numerous HLA-DR4 alleles. Since the G3 domain of cartilage proteoglycan aggrecan with the p135 sequence is "lost" during the normal metabolic turnover of cartilage proteoglycan or in pathologic conditions, an antigenoriented T cell migration into joints of presensitized (susceptible) individuals may contribute to the organ-specificity of RA.


Posttraumatic Progressive Vertebral Hemangioma Induced by a Fracture.
The authors present an extremely rare case of an aggressive and progressive vertebral capillary hemangioma of the lumbar spine secondary to a trauma. A 40-year-old man who complained of back and leg pain due to a hemangioma of L1 that had begun a year after the fracture of the same vertebra was subsequently operated on. Due to the profuse bleeding, only a subtotal removal was possible. Histopathological diagnosis of the lesion revealed a capillary hemangioma. Postoperative control MRI taken at eight months showed that the lesion and destruction of the L1 vertebra were progressive. A second embolization procedure was performed and this time the hemangioma was totally removed via an anterior approach and corpectomy. Fusion was achieved by Th12-L2 graft and plaque. In the fourteenth year of follow-up, he was symptom-free and radiologically clear of this lesion. We propose that progressive hemangioma is extremely rare and that its cure is possible by total surgical removal of the lesion. This case is the second extradural capillary hemangioma secondary to spinal trauma ever to have been documented in English literature. The emergence of a hemangioma in a fractured vertebra suggests that its pathogenesis can be related to the deviation of the angiogenetic pathways from the normal healing process.


[Construction of a genetic map of sunflower using a population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs)].
A genetic linkage map of sunflower was constructed by combined applying the SSR and AFLP markers using 187 F5:6 individuals of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) which derived from the cross between Helianthus annuus K55 and Helianthus annuus K58 through single-seed descent (SSD). Using 78 pairs of SSR primers and 48 pairs of AFLP primer, 341 and 1119 bands were amplified, respectively. Among these 1460 bands, 557 bands (39.52%) were polymorphic, including 184 bands by SSR markers and 393 bands by AFLP markers. In the group of these polymorphic bands, 84 bands from SSR markers and 108 bands from AFLP markers showed the genetic distortion (P = 0.05). A total of 192 segregation distortion markers were obtained in this study. By using the JoinMap 4.0 software to do the linkage analysis, a genetic linkage map was established with length of 2759.4 cM, consisted of 17 linkage groups, and comprised of 495 polymorphic molecular markers including 170 segregation distortion markers. The mean marker interval distance is 5.57 cM between markers. In addition, the number of markers in the linkage groups varied from 5 to 72, and the length of linkage groups were from 68.88 cM to 250.17 cM. The genetic map developed in the present study could be used for QTL mapping and gene cloning of sunflower important genes.


Biochemical markers in screening for preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between the concentrations of substances released by the placenta: placental growth factor (PIGF), pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) and the risk of early and late preeclampsia (PE) and intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IUGR). A total of 180 pregnant women between 11+0 and 13+6 weeks gestation were recruited for a case-control study Twenty-two patients suffered from early PE, 29 patients from late PE. Data analyzed during the study included maternal histoty and concentrations of PAPP-A, PlGF beta-hCG. The multiple of the median (MoM) value of the PAPP-A concentrations was 1.01 in the control group (interquartile range (1QR), 0.65-1.55), 0.67 (1QR, 0.382-0.82) in the group of patients with early preeclampsia and 0.74 (IQ, 0.33-1.09) in the group of patients suffering from late preeclampsia. MoM value of the PIGF concentrations was 1.21 in the control group (IQR, 0.93-1.57), 0.62 (IQR, 0.51-0.96) in the group of patients with early preeclampsia and 0.92 (lQR, 0.63-1.09) in the group of patients suffering from late preeclampsia. MoM value of beta-hCG concentrations was 1.14 in the control group (IQR, 0.75-1.49), 1.08(IQR, 0.74-1.23) in the group of patients with early preeclampsia and 1,25(IQR, 1,05-1,49) in the group of patients suffering from late preeclampsia. The performance of screening was determined by the areas under the curve and detection rates, with a fixed false-positive rate of 10%. Decreased levels of PAPP-A and PIGF are related to an increased risk of preeclampsia and its complications.


Predictive validity in middle childhood of short tests of early childhood development used in large scale studies compared to the Bayley-III, the Family Care Indicators, height-for-age, and stunting: A longitudinal study in Bogota, Colombia.
There is increasing global commitment to establish early childhood interventions that promote the development of the millions of disadvantaged children in low- and middle-income countries not reaching their developmental potential. However, progress is hindered by the lack of valid developmental tests feasible for use at large scale. Consequently, there is an urgent need for such tests. Whilst screeners and single-domain tests ('short tests') are used as alternatives, their predictive validity in these circumstances is unknown. A longitudinal study in Bogota, Colombia began in 2011 when 1,311 children ages 6-42 months were given the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley-III) by psychologists and randomized to receive one of two batteries of short tests under survey conditions. Concurrent validity of the short tests with the Bayley-III ('gold standard') was reported. In 2016, at 6-8 years, 940 of these children were given tests of IQ (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, WISC-V) and school achievement (arithmetic, reading, and vocabulary) by psychologists. We compared the ability of the short tests, the Family Care Indicators (FCI), height-for-age, stunting (median height-for-age <-2 SD), and the Bayley-III to predict IQ and achievement in middle childhood. Predictive validity increased with age for all tests, and cognition and language were usually the highest scales. At 6-18 months, all tests had trivial predictive ability. Thereafter, the Bayley-III had the highest predictive validity, but the Denver Developmental Screening Test was the most feasible and valid short test and could be used with little validity loss compared with the Bayley-III. The MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory at 19-30 months and the FCI under 31 months predicted IQ and school achievement as well as the Bayley-III. The FCI had higher predictive validity than stunting and height-for-age, and could be added to stunting for use as a population-based indicator of child development.


Long-term treatment of hypertension with felodipine.
Hypertensive patients who had previously taken part in double-blind, controlled studies were treated with open-label felodipine for 1 year: 377 had felodipine added to a beta-blocker and 94 were receiving monotherapy. In the first group, supine blood pressure (BP), measured at the beginning of the double-blind period, was reduced from 172 +/- 23/107 +/- 8 to 140 +/- 20/86 +/- 8 mm Hg at the end of 1 year of therapy. In the monotherapy group, BP was reduced from 170 +/- 22/101 +/- 7 mm Hg measured before treatment to 149 +/- 17/90 +/- 9 mm Hg after 1 year. The most common adverse experiences that led to withdrawal were peripheral edema, headache, flushing, and dizziness. No development of tolerance was noted.


Intradialytic kinetics of middle molecules during hemodialysis and hemodiafiltration.
The kinetics of β2-microglobulin during hemodialysis and hemodiafiltration is well described by a two-compartment model where clearance by the dialyzer is from a central compartment volume that approximates plasma volume and a total distribution volume that approximates extracellular fluid volume. The kinetics of middle molecules with molecular weights larger than β2-microglobulin have not been extensively studied. Intradialytic plasma concentrations and overall dialyzer clearances of β2-microglobulin (11.8 kD), myoglobin (16.7 kD) and complement factor D (24.4 kD) were used to estimate three kinetic parameters from a two-compartment model, namely intercompartmental clearance, central compartment volume and total distribution volume, in hemodialysis patients; these data were collected during two clinical trials of medium cut-off dialyzers (with extended middle molecule removal) during hemodialysis and high-flux dialyzers during hemodialysis and hemodiafiltration. In the current exploratory analyses, the kinetic parameters from all dialyzers were combined. Overall dialyzer clearance was evaluated by total mass removed in the dialysate. In total, 345 sets of kinetic parameters from 35 patients were determined. Intercompartmental clearance and central compartment volume for myoglobin and complement factor D were smaller (P < 0.001) than those for β2-microglobulin. Independent of middle molecule, intercompartmental clearance and central compartment volume were associated with overall dialyzer clearance (P < 0.001), but total distribution volume was not (P = 0.083). A two-compartment kinetic model can only describe intradialytic kinetics of middle molecules with molecular weights larger than β2-microglobulin if the central compartment is small and dependent on overall dialyzer clearance.


Function-specific and Enhanced Brain Structural Connectivity Mapping via Joint Modeling of Diffusion and Functional MRI.
A joint structural-functional brain network model is presented, which enables the discovery of function-specific brain circuits, and recovers structural connections that are under-estimated by diffusion MRI (dMRI). Incorporating information from functional MRI (fMRI) into diffusion MRI to estimate brain circuits is a challenging task. Usually, seed regions for tractography are selected from fMRI activation maps to extract the white matter pathways of interest. The proposed method jointly analyzes whole brain dMRI and fMRI data, allowing the estimation of complete function-specific structural networks instead of interactively investigating the connectivity of individual cortical/sub-cortical areas. Additionally, tractography techniques are prone to limitations, which can result in erroneous pathways. The proposed framework explicitly models the interactions between structural and functional connectivity measures thereby improving anatomical circuit estimation. Results on Human Connectome Project (HCP) data demonstrate the benefits of the approach by successfully identifying function-specific anatomical circuits, such as the language and resting-state networks. In contrast to correlation-based or independent component analysis (ICA) functional connectivity mapping, detailed anatomical connectivity patterns are revealed for each functional module. Results on a phantom (Fibercup) also indicate improvements in structural connectivity mapping by rejecting false-positive connections with insufficient support from fMRI, and enhancing under-estimated connectivity with strong functional correlation.


[THE NATIONAL NUTRIENT MEDIUM FOR DIAGNOSTIC OF PURULENT BACTERIAL MENINGITIS].
The national growth mediums were developed for isolating and cultivating of main agents of purulent bacterial meningitis--haemophilus agar, chocolate agar, PBM-agar. The growing and selective characteristics of developed growth mediums are examined. The haemophilus agar ensures growth of Haemophilus influenzae. The chocolate agar, PBM-agar ensure growth of Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. By growing characteristics, the national growth mediums match foreign analogues. Under application of growth mediums with selective additions it is possible to achieve selective isolation of main agents of purulent bacterial meningitis with inhibition of growth of microbes-associates.


Bone scan findings in metastatic calcification from calciphylaxis.
A 51-year-old woman on peritoneal dialysis for chronic renal failure secondary to diabetic and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug nephropathy was referred for a Tc-99m MDP bone scan to assess firm subcutaneous plaques in the sacral and gluteal regions. This showed extensive superficial tracer localization in the subcutaneous tissues as well as visceral tracer activity in the myocardium, lungs, stomach, and kidneys. These findings were typical for calciphylaxis (calcific uremic arteriolopathy), a form of metastatic calcification encountered in patients with chronic renal failure that is characterized by subcutaneous soft tissue calcification, painful ulcerations, high morbidity, and mortality. Treatment with sodium thiosulfate resulted in dramatic scintigraphic improvement.


Safety of oligonol, a highly bioavailable lychee-derived polyphenolic antioxidant, on liver, kidney and heart function in rats.
Oligonol (OLG), derived from lychee fruit, is a novel compound produced from the oligomerization of polyphenols. In this study, the acute effect of OLG treatment was investigated on heart, liver and kidney in rats. OLG treatment at two different doses (15 or 30 mg/kg body weight) and two different time points (1 day or 7 days of treatment) demonstrated that no toxic effects were observed on heart, liver and renal functions. Moreover, OLG did not induce any DNA damage or oxidative stress as measured by 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels in plasma. OLG supplementation increased the phosphorylation of myocardial endothelial nitric oxide (NO) level (p-eNOS) in both the treatment groups. Even the low dose OLG treatment (15mg/kg b.w) demonstrated an increase in p-eNOS/eNOS ratio after normalization of p-eNOS values with eNOS on day 1 (1.5-fold) and day 7 (2.2-fold) groups as compared to control. The above results suggest that OLG treatment increases endothelial NO levels and may play a role in NO-mediated vasodilatory effects without adverse side effects on cardiovascular function. This endothelial NO production may underlie the beneficial effect of OLG in cardiovascular health.


Eco-Friendly Approach for the Construction of Superhydrophobic Coating on Stainless Steel Metal Based on Biological Metal-Organic Framework and Its Corrosion Resistance Performance.
In this paper, we present a sustainable approach for the creation of superhydrophobic (SP) coating on a stainless-steel substrate based on a biological metal-organic framework (MOF). The MOF was synthesized using aspartic acid as a linker and copper ions as a core metal. Two SP coatings were well constructed on stainless steel utilizing electrodeposition of nickel (Ni) and nickel altered by MOF (Ni@Bio-MOF) coatings followed by soaking in a solution of stearic acid in ethanol. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrate that the stearic acid-grafted nickel coating (Ni@SA) and the stearic acid-grafted Ni@Bio-MOF composite (Ni@Bio-MOF@SA), were effectively deposited on the stainless steel. The wettability findings displayed that the water contact angle of Ni@SA and Ni@Cu-As MOF@SA are 160° ± 1.1°, and 168° ± 1.2°, respectively. The prepared SP coating was also found to be chemically and mechanically stable. The results show that the Ni@SA coating maintains SP characteristics in a pH range of 3-11 while the Ni@Cu-As MOF@SA coating retained SP characteristics in a pH range of 1-13. Additionally, the superhydrophobic Ni@SA coating demonstrated SP characteristics up to a length of abrasion equal to 1300 mm, while the Ni@Cu-As MOF@SA coating exhibited SP characteristics up to a length of abrasion equal to 2700 mm. Furthermore, the Ni@SA and Ni@Cu-As MOF@SA coatings exhibited significantly improved corrosion protection in a 0.5 M NaCl solution compared with bare stainless steel, with protection efficiencies of approximately 94% and 99%, respectively. The results of this study demonstrate that the proposed approach is a promising method for the fabrication of eco-friendly and corrosion-resistant SP coatings on stainless steel substrate.


Potential proton-release channels in bacteriorhodopsin.
The protein bacteriorhodopsin pumps protons across a bacterial membrane; its pumping cycle is triggered by the photoisomerization of a retinal cofactor and involves multiple proton-transfer reactions between intermittent protonation sites. These transfers are either direct or mediated by hydrogen-bonded networks, which may include internal water molecules. The terminal step of the proton-transfer sequence is the proton release from a pocket near Glu194 and Glu204 to the extracellular bulk during the transition from the L to the M photointermediate states. The polar and charged side chains connecting these two regions in the crystal structures show no structural changes between the initial bR state and the L/M states, and no intermittent protonation changes have been detected so far in this region. Based on biomolecular simulations, we propose two potential proton-release channels, which connect the release pocket to the extracellular medium. In simulations of the L photointermediate we observe bulk water entering these channels and forming transient hydrogen-bonded networks, which could serve as fast deprotonation pathways from the release pocket to the bulk via a Grotthuss mechanism. For the first channel, we find that the triple Arg7, Glu9, and Tyr79 acts as a valve, thereby gating water uptake and release. The second channel has two release paths, which split at the position Asn76/Pro77 underneath the release group. Here, water molecules either exchange directly with the bulk or diffuse within the protein towards Arg 134/Lys129, where the exchange with the bulk occurs.


Oomycete Gene Table: an online database for comparative genomic analyses of the oomycete microorganisms.
Oomycetes form a unique group of the fungal-like, aquatic, eukaryotic microorganisms. Lifestyle and pathogenicity of the oomycetes are diverse. Many pathogenic oomycetes affect a broad range of plants and cause enormous economic loss annually. Some pathogenic oomycetes cause destructive and deadly diseases in a variety of animals, including humans. No effective antimicrobial agent against the oomycetes is available. Genomic data of many oomycetes are currently available. Comparative analyses of the oomycete genomes must be performed to better understand the oomycete biology and virulence, as well as to identify conserved and biologically important proteins that are potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets of these organisms. However, a tool that facilitates comparative genomic studies of the oomycetes is lacking. Here, we described in detail the Oomycete Gene Table, which is an online user-friendly bioinformatic tool, designed to search, analyze, compare and visualize gene contents of 20 oomycetes in a customizable table. Genomic contents of other oomycete species, when available, can be added to the existing database. Some of the applications of the Oomycete Gene Table include investigations of phylogenomic relationships, as well as identifications of biologically important and pathogenesis-related genes of oomycetes. In summary, the Oomycete Gene Table is a simple and useful tool for comparative genomic analyses of oomycetes.


Clustering Infertile Couples With Dyadic Approach: WHO-5-WBI as a Promising Tool for Assessing Psychological State.
Infertility may be associated with severe psychological burden and many couples need mental support. We used dyadic approach to identify couples with disturbed psychological condition and we tested the WHO-5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5-WBI) questionnaire as a possible, rapid screening method. Extensive psychological assessment of infertile couples was carried out with Beck's Depression Inventory, Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, WHO-5-WBI, Symptom Check List-90 Revised Test, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Data of 128 patients (64 couples) were used in the statistical calculations. The Two-Step cluster analysis has revealed 2 groups, which could be separated supremely based on the level of experienced depression, anxiety and according to the general mental health. The WHO-5-WBI questionnaire showed consistent results while classifying couples into groups, which were formed. Our results indicate that infertility affects both spouses almost in the same extent in several psychological aspects. A cluster of couples with increased psychological burden could be clearly separated. The WHO-5-WBI questionnaire was a promising tool to screen reliably spouses based on their psychological state and identify couples that need psychological support during their fertility work-up and treatment.


Hyper-Selective Posterior Fusion in Lenke 5C Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: When Can We Stop Below the Upper End Vertebra?
A prospective analysis. To investigate whether the hyper-selective posterior fusion (upper instrumented vertebra [UIV] as the vertebra one level below the upper end vertebra [UEV], lower instrumented vertebra [LIV] as the lower end vertebra [LEV]) was applicable in posterior fusion of Lenke 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients and what could be the indication of hyper-selective fusion. The improper UIV selection in selective fusion could lead to progressive thoracic compensatory curve, shoulder imbalance, and even coronal imbalance. However, few studies analyzed the clinical outcome of hyper-selective fusion. A prospective analysis of 80 patients with Lenke 5C AIS who underwent selective fusion was performed. According to the relationship between UEV and UIV, the patients were divided into UEV group (UIV = UEV) and UEV-1 group (UIV = UEV-1). Radiographic parameters and the incidence of postoperative proximal decompensation were compared. The Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22 scores were used to evaluate clinical outcomes between two groups. Thirteen patients (27%) in UEV group and six (18.75%) in UEV-1 group showed proximal decompensation during follow-up, and the incidence was equivalent (P = 0.280). Within the UEV-1 group, the patients with proximal decompensation showed similar Risser grade, baseline thoracic Cobb angle, and main Cobb angle (P = 0.611, 0.435, 0.708, respectively). However, the baseline L-T apical vertebral translation (AVT) ratio was significantly larger in patients with proximal decompensation (P = 0.028). Meanwhile, patients with proximal decompensation in UEV group showed significantly smaller preoperative UIV translation and lumbar AVT but similar postoperative UIV tilt. Hyper-selective posterior fusion strategy could be performed in Lenke 5C patients with Risser more than grade 2 and with thoracic compensatory curve over 15°. The UIV in patients with small baseline thoracic curve, represented by larger baseline lumbar-thoracic AVT ratio, should be selected as UEV to prevent proximal decompensation. 4.


Role of the kidneys in acid-base regulation and ammonia excretion in freshwater and seawater fish: implications for nephrocalcinosis.
Maintaining normal pH levels in the body fluids is essential for homeostasis and represents one of the most tightly regulated physiological processes among vertebrates. Fish are generally ammoniotelic and inhabit diverse aquatic environments that present many respiratory, acidifying, alkalinizing, ionic and osmotic stressors to which they are able to adapt. They have evolved flexible strategies for the regulation of acid-base equivalents (H+, NH4 +, OH- and HCO3 -), ammonia and phosphate to cope with these stressors. The gills are the main regulatory organ, while the kidneys play an important, often overlooked accessory role in acid-base regulation. Here we outline the kidneys role in regulation of acid-base equivalents and two of the key 'urinary buffers', ammonia and phosphate, by integrating known aspects of renal physiology with recent advances in the molecular and cellular physiology of membrane transport systems in the teleost kidneys. The renal transporters (NHE3, NBC1, AE1, SLC26A6) and enzymes (V-type H+ATPase, CAc, CA IV, ammoniagenic enzymes) involved in H+ secretion, bicarbonate reabsorption, and the net excretion of acidic and basic equivalents, ammonia, and inorganic phosphate are addressed. The role of sodium-phosphate cotransporter (Slc34a2b) and rhesus (Rh) glycoproteins (ammonia channels) in conjunction with apical V-type H+ ATPase and NHE3 exchangers in these processes are also explored. Nephrocalcinosis is an inflammation-like disorder due to the precipitation of calcareous material in the kidneys, and is listed as one of the most prevalent pathologies in land-based production of salmonids in recirculating aquaculture systems. The causative links underlying the pathogenesis and etiology of nephrocalcinosis in teleosts is speculative at best, but acid-base perturbation is probably a central pathophysiological cause. Relevant risk factors associated with nephrocalcinosis are hypercapnia and hyperoxia in the culture water. These raise internal CO2 levels in the fish, triggering complex branchial and renal acid-base compensations which may promote formation of kidney stones. However, increased salt loads through the rearing water and the feed may increase the prevalence of nephrocalcinosis. An increased understanding of the kidneys role in acid-base and ion regulation and how this relates to renal diseases such as nephrocalcinosis will have applied relevance for the biologist and aquaculturist alike.


Palladium catalyzed C-H functionalization of O-arylcarbamates: selective ortho-bromination using NBS.
A series of cyclometalated palladium complexes derived from O-phenylcarbamates has been synthesized by the reaction of the respective carbamates with Pd(OAc)(2) in the presence of acids, CF(3)CO(2)H, CF(3)SO(3)H, and p-TsOH. The palladacycles were observed to coordinate amines and electron rich anilines but not sulfonamides or carboxamides. Analysis of the (t)Bu-NH(2) adduct of the palladacycle 2b (2b·(t)Bu-NH(2)) by NMR spectroscopy (NOE) revealed a cis-coordination of the amine. However, the amine adducts failed to undergo ortho-amination (C-N bond formation) under varied reaction conditions. Notably, the palladacycle 1d was found to react efficiently with N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) to yield the ortho-iodinated carbamate, 1e. More significantly, this reaction can be extended to a palladium-catalyzed ortho C-H bromination of aryl-O-carbamates even at 5 mol % loading of Pd(OAc)(2) using N-bromosuccinimide (NBS).


Anion effect on the shape evolution of gold nanoparticles during seed-induced growth in imidazolium-based ionic liquids.
The relevance of anion structure on the shape regulating effect of 3-ethyl-1-methylimidazolium-based ionic liquids during the seed-induced growth of gold nanocrystals is evaluated for the particular case of lactate, acetate, methylsulfate, ethylsulfate and tosylsulfonate anion systems. Carboxylate-based anions (lactate and acetate) are found to inhibit the reduction of the gold precursor salt presumably due to the deprotonation of the reducing agent ascorbic acid. The formation of non-uniform, 'head-tail'-type anisotropic particle structures is observed in both methyl- and ethylsulfate anion systems whereas rapid precipitation is observed in the case of tosylsulfonate anions. The particular efficiency of the ethylsulfate solvent system in promoting shape anisotropic growth is interpreted to be a consequence of both reduced anion/cation interactions that act to support the coordination of imidazolium to the metal surface and the enhanced capacity of anions to participate in the particle stabilization process.


Effects of Green Tea (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) on Cardiac Function - A Review of the Therapeutic Mechanism and Potentials.
Heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide, refers to various illnesses that affect heart structure and function. Specific abnormalities affecting cardiac muscle contractility and remodeling and common factors including oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis underlie the pathogenesis of heart diseases. Epidemiology studies have associated green tea consumption with lower morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases, including heart and blood vessel dysfunction. Among the various compounds found in green tea, catechins are believed to play a significant role in producing benefits to cardiovascular health. Comprehensive literature reviews have been published to summarize the tea catechins' antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptosis effects in various diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and metabolic diseases. However, recent studies on tea catechins, especially the most abundant (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG), revealed their capabilities in regulating cardiac muscle contraction by directly altering myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity on force development and Ca2+ ion handling in cardiomyocytes under both physiological and pathological conditions. In vitro and in vivo data also demonstrated that green tea extract or EGCG protected or rescued cardiac function, independent of their well-known effects against oxidative stress and inflammation. This mini-review will focus on the specific effects of tea catechins on heart muscle contractility at the molecular and cellular level, revisit their effects on oxidative stress and inflammation in various heart diseases, and discuss EGCG's potential as one of the lead compounds for new drug discovery for heart diseases.


Effects of phase I periodontal treatment on gingival crevicular fluid levels of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1.
Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) is a member of a family of enzymes which are capable of degrading most extracellular matrix macromolecules. Extracellular control of MMPs is exerted by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP) and by mechanisms of pro-MMP activation. Levels of MMPs and TIMPs change during healing, inflammation, and normal tissue turnover. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of phase I periodontal treatment on gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of MMP-1 and TIMP-1. Ten patients with chronic periodontitis who had sites with probing depths > or = 4 mm and 10 periodontally healthy persons (controls) were included in this study. Clinical measurements including plaque (PI) and gingival (GI) indexes, probing depths (PD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were recorded both at baseline (before treatment, BT) and after phase I periodontal treatment (AT). Assays for MMP-1 and TIMP-1 were performed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. All of the clinical conditions significantly improved and GCF volume decreased AT (P<0.05). Levels of MMP-1 were higher in patients BT than in controls (C) (P<0.05). Levels of MMP-1 were reduced AT compared to BT (P<0.05). In addition, TIMP-1 levels were lower at BT than AT and in C (P<0.05). Statistically significant differences were found between levels of TIMP-1 at BT and AT (P<0.05). The ratio of MMP-1 to TIMP-1 was significantly lower in C than patients at BT; this ratio was also significantly lower at AT than BT (P<0.05). These results suggest that levels of MMP-1 in GCF decreased and total levels of TIMP-1 in GCF increased after phase I periodontal therapy. The ratio of MMP-1 to TIMP-1 changed after phase I periodontal therapy, becoming close to that of the controls.


Essentials of Advocacy in Case Management: Part 2: Client Advocacy Model and Case Manager's Advocacy Strategies and Competencies.
This article describes a client advocacy model for use by case managers. It delineates necessary competencies for the case manager and shares important strategies for effective client advocacy. All practice settings across the continuum of health and human services and case managers of diverse professional backgrounds. Advocacy is a primary role and necessary competency of professional case managers functioning in various care settings. It is rooted in ethical theory and principles. Successful case managers apply ethical principles of advocacy at every step of the case management process and in the decisions they make. Part II of this two-part article presents a client advocacy model for case managers to apply in their practice, describes the role of advocacy in client engagement, and identifies important strategies and a set of essential competencies for effective case management advocacy. Part I already explored the ethical theories and principles of advocacy, the perception of case management-related professional organizations of advocacy, and the common types of advocacy based on scope, complexity, impact, and reach. Acquiring foundational knowledge, skills, and competencies in what advocacy is and how to effectively enact its related behaviors is essential for success of case managers and for achieving desired outcomes for both the clients and health care agencies/providers alike. Case management leaders are urged to use the knowledge shared in this article to develop advocacy training and competency management programs for their case managers.


The effect of three-monthly albendazole treatment on Th2 responses: Differential effects on IgE and IL-5.
Helminth parasites induce a strong Th2 response, characterized by high levels of IgE and elevated signature cytokines such as IL-5. As many global deworming programmes are underway, there is concern that this might lead to emergence of Th1-mediated pathologies when the counterbalancing helminth-induced Th2 response is absent. Therefore, we assessed the effect of deworming on Th2-mediated responses in a household-clustered randomized controlled trial in Indonesia. Total plasma IgE and whole-blood IL-5 responses to mitogen phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) were measured in 1494 and 682 subjects, respectively, at baseline, 9 and 21 months after three-monthly single-dose treatment with albendazole or placebo. Anthelmintic treatment did not result in complete removal of helminth infections in the community. However, treatment significantly decreased IgE levels in albendazole- compared to placebo-treated subjects. IL-5 responses to PHA were not significantly affected by anthelmintic treatment and tended to increase in albendazole-treated subjects, indicating that intensive treatment of helminth parasites has different outcomes on B-cell (IgE levels) and T-cell (IL-5) responses. The data shows that 2 years of deworming can have differential effects on responses typified as Th2-mediated, which needs to be taken into account when examining the impact of helminths on noncommunicable diseases.


Effects of thermal binders on chemical stabilities and tabletability of gabapentin granules prepared by twin-screw melt granulation.
The effect of thermal binders on the physicochemical properties of gabapentin, a thermally labile drug, in granules prepared using twin-screw melt granulation was investigated in this study. Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), a thermoplastic high molecular-weight binder, was compared against conventional low molecular-weight semi-crystalline thermal binders PEG 8000 and Compritol. Both the chemical degradation and polymorph form change of gabapentin were analyzed. The effects of particle size and molecular weight of HPC on the properties of granules were also studied. To overcome the high melt viscosity of HPC, higher barrel temperatures and higher specific mechanical energy were required to attain suitable granules. As a result, higher levels of gabapentin degradant were observed in HPC-based formulations. However, gabapentin form change was not observed in all formulations. Smaller particle size and lower molecular weight of HPC led to faster granule growth. The tabletability of granules was insensitive to the variations in particle size and molecular weight of HPC. Gabapentin crystal size reduction, HPC size reduction, and HPC enrichment on granule surface were observed for HPC-based granules.


Osmotic stress represses root growth by modulating the transcriptional regulation of PIN-FORMED3.
Osmotic stress influences root system architecture, and polar auxin transport (PAT) is well established to regulate root growth and development. However, how PAT responds to osmotic stress at the molecular level remains poorly understood. In this study, we explored whether and how the auxin efflux carrier PIN-FORMED3 (PIN3) participates in osmotic stress-induced root growth inhibition in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). We observed that osmotic stress induces a HD-ZIP II transcription factor-encoding gene HOMEODOMAIN ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA2 (HAT2) expression in roots. The hat2 loss-of-function mutant is less sensitive to osmotic stress in terms of root meristem growth. Consistent with this phenotype, whereas the auxin response is downregulated in wild-type roots under osmotic stress, the inhibition of auxin response by osmotic stress was alleviated in hat2 roots. Conversely, transgenic lines overexpressing HAT2 (Pro35S::HAT2) had shorter roots and reduced auxin accumulation compared with wild-type plants. PIN3 expression was significantly reduced in the Pro35S::HAT2 lines. We determined that osmotic stress-mediated repression of PIN3 was alleviated in the hat2 mutant because HAT2 normally binds to the promoter of PIN3 and inhibits its expression. Taken together, our data revealed that osmotic stress inhibits root growth via HAT2, which regulates auxin activity by directly repressing PIN3 transcription.


[In vivo bactericidal activity of an oxacillin-netilmicin combination against Staphylococcus aureus. Influence of the rhythm of netilmicin administration].
The bactericidal activity of two regimens of netilmicin (8 mg/kg/day) given intravenously once a day (od) or thrice daily (tid) both alone and in combination with oxacillin (200 mg/kg/day) was compared using a model of fibrin clots infected with a strain of Staphylococcus aureus (10(7) CFU/g) sensitive to methicillin and netilmicin (clinical isolate) and implanted subcutaneously in rabbit. This study shows that: 1) Netilmicin given alone as both single and divided doses results in early bacterial killing but does not exert a bactericidal effect after 24 hours because of a significant late increase of the number of bacterial. 2) The netilmicin-oxacillin combinations are more bactericidal at 1 h, 2 h and 24 h than oxacillin alone (P less than 0.001). 3) The oxacillin-netilmicin combination appears to be better for bacterial killing when netilmicin is given thrice daily (P less than 0.001). It is hard to draw a clinical inference from such an experimental study but it seems that 8-hour divided doses intervals should be better for administration of netilmicin than single daily dose during the acute period of staphylococcal infections.


[Criteria for the establishment of limits for antibacterial chemotherapy].
The safety of patients asks for stringent standards when fixing limit values of the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) in mg/l. It should be possible to recognize resistant bacterial strains with a low error on the basis of the recommendations of the bacteriological laboratory which are eventually important for therapy. Attention is drawn to the use of recognized methods such as DIN 58940 and 58944 and the participation in interlaboratory studies. Only such bacteria should be interpreted as "susceptible" whose MIC's are reliably below or, which is even better, much below the generally recognized average blood and tissue levels. Thus the break-points for the rating "susceptible" must be within the range of low variation. As a result, a few strains more would come within the "moderately susceptible" range. This would not exclude them from being selected if chemotherapy is performed with a correspondingly higher dosage (provided it is tolerated). Information on the chances of a success of therapy is improved in this way. A generous interpretation of pharmacokinetic data will in the end be more to the patient's detriment. In addition, there are numerous factors determining success or failure of therapy which cannot be established in vitro so that it is advisable to fix laboratory parameters in a stringent manner like that applied in the annexes (evaluation steps) to parts 3 and 4 of DIN 58940.


Optoacoustic Dermoscopy of the Human Skin: Tuning Excitation Energy for Optimal Detection Bandwidth With Fast and Deep Imaging in vivo.
Optoacoustic (photoacoustic) dermoscopy offers two principal advantages over conventional optical imaging applied in dermatology. First, it yields high-resolution cross-sectional images of the skin at depths not accessible to other non-invasive optical imaging methods. Second, by resolving absorption spectra at multiple wavelengths, it enables label-free 3D visualization of morphological and functional features. However, the relation of pulse energy to generated bandwidth and imaging depth remains poorly defined. In this paper, we apply computer models to investigate the optoacoustic frequency response generated by simulated skin. We relate our simulation results to experimental measurements of the detection bandwidth as a function of optical excitation energy in phantoms and human skin. Using raster-scan optoacoustic mesoscopy, we further compare the performance of two broadband ultrasonic detectors (a bandwidth of 20-180 and 10-90MHz) in acquiring optoacoustic readouts. Based on the findings of this paper, we propose energy ranges required for skin imaging with considerations of laser safety standards.


Arsenate reductase II. Purine nucleoside phosphorylase in the presence of dihydrolipoic acid is a route for reduction of arsenate to arsenite in mammalian systems.
An arsenate reductase has been partially purified from human liver using ion exchange, molecular exclusion, hydroxyapatite chromatography, preparative isoelectric focusing, and electrophoresis. When SDS-beta-mercaptoethanol-PAGE was performed on the most purified fraction, two bands were obtained. One of these bands was a 34 kDa protein. Each band was excised from the gel and sequenced by LC-MS/MS, and sequest analyses were performed against the OWL database SWISS-PROT with PIR. Mass spectra analysis matched the 34 kDa protein of interest with human purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP). The peptide fragments equal to 40.1% of the total protein were 100% identical to the corresponding regions of the human purine nucleoside phosphorylase. Reduction of arsenate in the purine nucleoside arsenolysis reaction required both PNP and dihydrolipoic acid (DHLP). The PNP rate of reduction of arsenate with the reducing agents GSH or ascorbic acid was negligible compared to that with the naturally occurring dithiol DHLP and synthetic dithiols such as BAL (British anti-lewisite), DMPS (2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonate), or DTT (alpha-dithiothreitol). The arsenite production reaction of thymidine phosphorylase had approximately 5% of such PNP activity. Phosphorylase b was inactive. Monomethylarsonate (MMAV) was not reduced by PNP. The experimental results indicate PNP is an important route for the reduction of arsenate to arsenite in mammalian systems.


Toward Flow Cytometry Based Platelet Function Diagnostics.
The laboratory diagnostics of (inherited) platelet function disorders mainly comprises aggregation and secretion assays, which may be suitable for diagnosing some specific severe platelet function disorders, but are not reliable enough for diagnosing mild platelet function disorders or disorders associated with low platelet count. Flow cytometric assessment of platelet reactivity will expectedly provide additional value during the diagnostic work-up of platelet function disorders because it only requires a small volume of whole blood and allows the measurement of platelet function in thrombocytopenic samples. Flow cytometry has frequently been used to evaluate platelet function in the research setting, and therefore, these assays will require clinical validation before they can be used as routine diagnostic tools. The main challenge in the validation of innovative platelet function diagnostic tests is the lack of a gold standard test for mild platelet function disorders. This review aims to address the many applications of flow cytometry in the current diagnostic work-up of platelet function testing and to discuss the challenges in introducing new tools for diagnosing platelet function disorders.


Odontoma-like malformation in a permanent maxillary central incisor subsequent to trauma to the incisor predecessor.
This report describes a case of a patient (1 year and 8 months old) with traumatic avulsion of the maxillary right primary central incisor and morphological changes in the germ of the permanent successor. One year after the trauma, an odontoma-like malformation developed. This malformation was removed 6 years after trauma and orthodontic treatment was started. Clinical follow-up and periodic radiographs are necessary after traumatic avulsion of primary teeth to monitor possible sequelae in the permanent successor. An odontoma-like malformation requires a multidisciplinary approach.


Resveratrol-Induced AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Activation Is Cell-Type Dependent: Lessons from Basic Research for Clinical Application.
Despite the promising effects of resveratrol, its efficacy in the clinic remains controversial. We were the first group to report that the SIRT1 activator resveratrol activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) (Diabetes 2005; 54: A383), and we think that the variability of this cascade may be responsible for the inconsistency of resveratrol's effects. Our current studies suggest that the effect of SIRT1 activators such as resveratrol may not be solely through activation of SIRT1, but also through an integrated effect of SIRT1-liver kinase B1 (LKB1)-AMPK. In this context, resveratrol activates SIRT1 (1) by directly binding to SIRT1; and (2) by increasing NAD⁺ levels by upregulating the salvage pathway through Nampt activation, an effect mediated by AMPK. The first mechanism promotes deacetylation of a limited number of SIRT1 substrate proteins (e.g., PGC-1). The second mechanism (which may be more important than the first) activates other sirtuins in addition to SIRT1, which affects a broad spectrum of substrates. Despite these findings, detailed mechanisms of how resveratrol activates AMPK have not been reported. Here, we show that (1) resveratrol-induced activation of AMPK requires the presence of functional LKB1; (2) Resveratrol increases LKB1 activity, which involves translocation and phosphorylation at T336 and S428; (3) Activation of LKB1 causes proteasomal degradation of LKB1; (4) At high concentrations (50-100 µM), resveratrol also activates AMPK through increasing AMP levels; and (5) The above-mentioned activation mechanisms vary among cell types, and in some cell types, resveratrol fails to activate AMPK. These results suggest that resveratrol-induced activation of AMPK is not a ubiquitous phenomenon. In addition, AMPK-mediated increases in NAD⁺ in the second mechanism require several ATPs, which may not be available in many pathological conditions. These phenomena may explain why resveratrol is not always consistently beneficial in a clinical setting.


[Interface between bioinformatics and docking study].
We describe the prospects of bioinformatics for drug discovery and discuss the current status, problems, and future direction of the interface between bioinformatics and docking studies. We also describe our recent work on sequence and structure analysis using the guanidino-modifying enzymes superfamily as a good example.


Analysis of physician attitudes concerning requests for autopsy.
To quantify the role of failure to request consent as a determinant of the autopsy rate, questionnaires asking whether an autopsy had been requested and the reasons for that decision were distributed to primary physicians after each death in a consecutive series of 75 patient deaths. Autopsies were requested in only 56% of cases. Common reasons to request an autopsy included unanswered medical questions (37%), medical education (22%), research protocol participation (16%), or routine policy (14%). When autopsies were not requested, the most common reason was the belief that there were no outstanding medical questions (64%). Follow-up interviews with 14 oncologists and hematologists revealed that 8 generally request autopsies (usually to contribute to medical education or to discover unexpected findings) and 6 generally do not (usually because no unexpected findings are anticipated). Attempts to increase the current low autopsy rate should address the question of when and why physicians are willing to request this procedure.


Allergic contact dermatitis from ketoconazole.
Ketoconazole is a widely used imidazole antifungal agent. True contact allergy to topical ketoconazole is rare, and few cases of patients with contact allergy to ketoconazole have been reported. We present the case of a patient with a history of undiagnosed recurrent dermatitis who developed acute facial swelling and pruritus after using ketoconazole cream and shampoo for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. Patch testing revealed true contact allergy to ketoconazole without cross-reactivity to 4 other imidazole antifungals. Review of the patient's medical record suggested that prior incidences of dermatitis might have been due to ketoconazole exposure. When the patient avoided this imidazole agent, the dermatitis resolved.


The Precise Repositioning Instrument for Genioplasty.
To improve the surgical precision of genioplasty, the authors develop and validate the precise repositioning instrument for genioplasty, which can guide the precise repositioning of chin bone segment truncated during genioplasty. The patent application for the precise repositioning instrument for genioplasty is already submitted (Patent No. 201410032051. 2, China). The accuracy of genioplasty can be improved significantly by using the precise repositioning instrument to locate the chin bone segment truncated. And this method is quick, simple, and safe.


A Model of Collaborative Spiritual and Psychiatric Care of Oncology Patients.
Many oncology patients see both chaplains and consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatrists during medical hospitalizations. Studies show that spirituality and mental health influence one another, and that patients often prefer that physicians understand their spirituality. Though models of inpatient chaplaincy-psychiatry collaboration likely exist, none are apparent in the literature. In this study, we present one model of chaplaincy-psychiatry collaboration, hypothesizing that both specialties would find the intervention helpful. From April through December 2015, the C-L psychiatry service at Brigham & Women's Hospital piloted 13 sessions of interdisciplinary rounds, where chaplains and C-L psychiatrists discussed common oncology patients. Participants completed questionnaires including quantitative and qualitative prompts before the intervention, after each session, and at the study's conclusion. Eighteen individuals completed baseline questionnaires. Between baseline and final surveys, the proportion of participants describing themselves as "very satisfied" with the 2 services' integration rose from 0-36%. The proportion of participants feeling "not comfortable" addressing issues in the other discipline declined from 17-0%. The most frequently chosen options on how discussions had been helpful were that they had enhanced understanding of both patient needs (83.3%) and the other discipline (78.6%). Qualitative data yielded similar themes. At conclusion, all respondents expressed preference that interdisciplinary rounds continue. This study describes a model of enhancing collaboration between chaplains and C-L psychiatrists, an intervention not previously studied to our knowledge. A pilot intervention of the model was perceived by both specialties to enhance both patient care and understanding of the other discipline.


Development of modified siRNA molecules incorporating 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine residues to enhance cytotoxicity.
Therapeutic small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are composed of chemically modified nucleotides, which enhance RNA stability and increase affinity in Watson-Crick base pairing. However, the precise fate of such modified nucleotides once the siRNA is degraded within the cell is unknown. Previously, we demonstrated that deoxythymidine release from degraded siRNAs reversed the cytotoxicity of thymidylate synthase (TS)-targeted siRNAs and other TS inhibitor compounds. We hypothesized that siRNAs could be designed with specific nucleoside analogues that, once released, would enhance siRNA cytotoxicity. TS-targeted siRNAs were designed that contained 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FdU) moieties at various locations within the siRNA. After transfection, these siRNAs suppressed TS protein and messenger RNA expression with different efficiencies depending on the location of the FdU modification. FdU was rapidly released from the siRNA as evidenced by formation of the covalent inhibitory ternary complex formed between TS protein and the FdU metabolite, FdUMP. These modified siRNAs exhibited 10-100-fold greater cytotoxicity and induced multiple DNA damage repair and apoptotic pathways when compared with control siRNAs. The strategy of designing siRNA molecules that incorporate cytotoxic nucleosides represents a potentially novel drug development approach for the treatment of cancer and other human diseases.


Partial Recovery in Toxic Leukoencephalopathy: Is It Really a Slow Improvement or a Warning Sign?
A 55-year-old African American man who was found down by a friend nine hours after being last seen at the same place was brought to the emergency department (ED) with encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, elevated troponin, acute kidney injury (AKI), and transaminitis. His urine drug screen (UDS) was positive for cocaine. Intravenous (IV) Narcan was given with minimal improvement in mental status. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the head and a CT scan of the cervical spine in the ED showed no acute findings. Due to hypoxia, the patient was eventually intubated. The patient also required a fasciotomy and eventually hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy due to the left lower extremity wound. He was transferred to our facility for further care. Due to incomplete cognitive recovery, as the patient was oriented to self only, further neurological workup, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, was obtained, which showed bilateral symmetric T2 FLAIR (Fluid attenuated inversion recovery) hyperintensity in the globus pallidus. The patient had slow and gradual deterioration with worsening encephalopathy, akinetic mutism, parkinsonian features, and seizures, which prompted further evaluation from neurology. The patient eventually underwent extensive workup, including a continuous video electroencephalogram (cvEEG), repeat MRI brain with and without contrast, lumbar puncture for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, MRI brain with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The patient was treated with multivitamin therapy and coenzyme Q10, but there was no significant benefit. We report a case of cocaine-induced leukoencephalopathy with findings like 'chasing the dragon encephalopathy' with a possible component of delayed post-hypoxic injury with underlying neuroinflammation.


Differentiation of the drug-binding sites of calmodulin.
Calmodulin contains several binding sites for hydrophobic compounds. The apparent specificity of various 'calmodulin antagonists' for these sites was investigated. The Ki values for the inhibition of calmodulin-activated cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterase and myosin light-chain kinase was determined. In addition, the Kd values of the same compounds for binding to calmodulin were measured. The compounds could be separated into four groups. Group I and II compounds inhibited competitively the activation of the phosphodiesterase and myosin light-chain kinase by calmodulin. Group I compounds inhibited the activation of the phosphodiesterase and myosin light-chain kinase at identical concentrations. In contrast, group II compounds inhibited the activation of the phosphodiesterase at 5-10-fold lower concentrations than that of myosin light-chain kinase. Group III compounds inhibited the activation of these enzymes by an uncompetitive mechanism. Group IV compounds inhibited the activation of the phosphodiesterase with Ki values above 10 microM and did not affect the activation of myosin light-chain kinase. Binding of [3H]bepridil to calmodulin under equilibrium conditions yielded one high-affinity site (apparent Kd 0.4 microM) and four low affinity sites (apparent Kd 44 microM). Group I compounds interfered with the binding of bepridil to the high and low-affinity sites in a competitive manner. Group II compounds interfered in a non-competitive manner with the high-affinity site and apparently competed only with one of the low-affinity sites. Group III compounds did not compete with any of the bepridil-binding sites. Nimodipine, a group III compound, bound to one site on calmodulin with a Kd value of 1.1 microM. Other dihydropyridines competed with [3H]nimodipine for this site. The group I and II compounds, trifluoperazine and prenylamine, did not affect the binding of [3H]nimodipine. These data show that 'calmodulin antagonists' can be differentiated into at least three distinct groups. Kinetic and binding data suggest that the three groups bind to at least three different sites on calmodulin. Selective occupation of these sites may inhibit specifically the activation of distinct enzymes.


[A case of pheochromocytoma with hyperamylasemia].
Pheochromocytoma, a catecholamine-producing tumor of the chromaffin tissue, may present with various features. Herein, we report case of 66-year-old woman with pheochromocytoma accompanying hyperamylasemia and acute abdomen. She was admitted to another hospital due to myocardial infarction 5 months ago. At that time, pheochromocytoma was suggested on the basis of hormonal studies, but she refused surgical resection. When she came to our hospital, serum amylase level was 703 U/L. Subsequent studies revealed pancreatic type isoenzyme, and elevated lipase level. After normalization of serum amylase level, she undertook laparoscopic adrenalectomy. On pathologic examination, pheochromocytoma was confirmed. There are several cases of pheochromocytoma with hyperamylasemia. In general, the source of hyperamylasemia was thought to be pulmonary endothelial cells under ischemic damage caused by potent vasoconstrictive action of circulating catecholamines. In our case, analysis of isoenzymes and serum lipase level suggest that hyperamylasemia can originate from the pancreas. Thus, pancreatitis also should be considered when serum amylase level is elevated in pheochromocytoma.


High temperature Hall measurement setup for thin film characterization.
Hall measurement using the van der Pauw technique is a common characterization approach that does not require patterning of contacts. Measurements of the Hall voltage and electrical resistivity lead to the product of carrier mobility and carrier concentration (Hall coefficient) which can be decoupled through transport models. Based on the van der Paw method, we have developed an automated setup for Hall measurements from room temperature to ∼500 °C of semiconducting thin films of a wide resistivity range. The resistivity of the film and Hall coefficient is obtained from multiple current-voltage (I-V) measurements performed using a semiconductor parameter analyzer under applied constant "up," zero, and "down" magnetic field generated with two neodymium permanent magnets. The use of slopes obtained from multiple I-Vs for the three magnetic field conditions offer improved accuracy. Samples are preferred in square shape geometry and can range from 2 mm to 25 mm side length. Example measurements of single-crystal silicon with known doping concentration show the accuracy and reliability of the measurement.


Oxidative modification of proteasome: identification of an oxidation-sensitive subunit in 26 S proteasome.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have the potential to damage cellular components, such as protein, resulting in loss of function and structural alteration of proteins. The oxidative process affects a variety of side amino acid groups, some of which are converted to carbonyl compounds. We have previously shown that a prostaglandin D2 metabolite, 15-deoxy-delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2), is the potent inducer of intracellular oxidative stress on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells [Kondo, M., Oya-Ito, T., Kumagai, T., Osawa, T., and Uchida, K. (2001) Cyclopentenone prostaglandins as potential inducers of intracellular oxidative stress, J. Biol. Chem. 276, 12076-12083]. In the present study, to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the oxidative stress-mediated cell degeneration, we analyzed the protein carbonylation on SH-SY5Y cells when these cells were submitted to an endogenous inducer of ROS production. Upon exposure of SH-SY5Y cells to this endogenous electrophile, we observed significant accumulation of protein carbonyls within the cells. Proteomic analysis of oxidation-sensitive proteins showed that the major intracellular target of protein carbonylation was one of the regulatory subunits in 26 S proteasome, S6 ATPase. Accompanied by a dramatic increase in protein carbonyls within S6 ATPase, the electrophile-induced oxidative stress exerted a significant decrease in the S6 ATPase activities and a decreased ability of the 26 S proteasome to degrade substrates. Moreover, in vitro oxidation of 26 S proteasome with a metal-catalyzed oxidation system also confirmed that S6 ATPase represents the most oxidation-sensitive subunit in the proteasome. These and the observation that down-regulation of S6 ATPase by RNA interference resulted in the enhanced accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins suggest that S6 ATPase is a molecular target of ROS under conditions of electrophile-induced oxidative stress and that oxidative modification of this regulatory subunit of proteasome may be functionally associated with the altered recognition and degradation of proteasomal substrates in the cells.


PEComa with Transcription Factor E3 Overexpression: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge.
PEComa with transcription factor E3 overexpression, most commonly through gene rearrangement, represents a biologically distinct subset of disease. We present here an illustrative case to highlight its diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in the context of potential pathogenic signaling pathways.


Restriction pattern variability of respiratory syncytial virus during three consecutive epidemics in Denmark.
A PCR-based assay was used to distinguish between respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) group A and B in order to analyze their prevalence in Denmark in three consecutive epidemics during the winters of 1992/93, 1993/94 and 1994/95. A total of 96 RSV strains isolated from hospitalized children were examined, showing alternation of group prevalence. Furthermore, the genetic variability of the RSV isolates was illustrated by restriction enzyme analysis of PCR products originating from a part of the F and G proteins that has been reported to be highly variable. We found that, in general, different genome types predominated each year, some types being present in consecutive epidemics, indicating a contribution of strains circulating unattended between outbreak seasons, while others seemed to disappear or became undetectable, being replaced by emerging types. Some of the genome types found seemed related to strains isolated up to more than two decades ago in other parts of the world. This indicates that the temporal fluctuation in predominance of genome types presumably caused by selective pressure exerted by host immunity is due to the favoring of strains from a pool of globally circulating, genetically relatively stable genome types, rather than a molecular evolution in strains induced or directed by immunoselective pressure.


[Modeling the vehicle pollution in the urban streets before and during the Beijing Olympic Games traffic control period].
In order to investigate the vehicle pollution situation in the streets in Beijing and the abatement during the Olympic Games, the OSPM model was applied to calculate the concentrations of PM10, CO, NO2 and O3 inside the urban streets of Beijing before and during the Olympic traffic controlling period in July, 2008. The modeled concentrations before the traffic control are 146 micog/m3, 3.83 mg/m3, 114.4 microg/m3 and 4.71 x 10(-1), while after the traffic control are 112 microg/m3, 3.16 mg/m3, 102.4 microg/m3 and 5.31 x 10(-9) , with the reduction rates of 23.4%, 20.5%, 10.5% and -12.5%, respectively. The research on these concentration changes and the daily variations of the pollutants reveals: the concentration of PM10 is most influenced by the traffic control; the concentration of CO presents the most similar daily variation with the traffic flow; the reduction of NO2 concentration is limited, indicating the influence of other factors other than the traffic emission; the concentration of O3 increases after the traffic control, which means the traffic management measures can not abate the O3 pollution in the street. Furthermore, the comparison between the calculation results in different types of street canyons reveals that the fleet composition and street geometry impact the concentration changes. In a word, the vehicle pollution inside the streets of Beijing before the traffic control is relatively serious, as the concentrations of PM10, CO and NO2, all approach or exceed the Grade II National Air Quality Standard; the traffic control measures take effect in reducing the primary pollutants, but the secondary pollutants may increase after the traffic control.


Ovoglycoprotein, a protein of hen's-egg white.
1. A description is given of the isolation of a glycoprotein from hen's-egg white; it has been called ovoglycoprotein. 2. It contains 13.6% of hexose, 13.8% of hexosamine and 3% of sialic acid. 3. Hexose occurs as mannose and galactose in the ratio 2:1, hexosamine as glucosamine and sialic acid as N-acetylneuraminic acid. 4. It has S(20,w) 2.47s and a minimum molecular weight, calculated from the tryptophan content, of 24400. 5. At pH3.9 in acetate buffer, I0.1, which is in the isoelectric region, it is resolved into two components, one of which moves slowly towards the anode while the other moves slowly towards the cathode.