[Not Available].
Visually guided orientation is studied during ontogeny in field crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus) bred into complete darkness from egg stage. It is compared to control animals bred in normal 12L 12D light cycle conditions. Control animals are strongly scototactic: whatever their age, 85% of them step towards low reflecting targets. On the contrary, for the experimental group (visually deprived), only 20% of the first larval instar crickets orientate towards vertical black stripes on a white background. A frame by frame analysis of video recordings allows to measure more accurate parameters of the orientation trails. Results show that experimental animals, already at the fifth larval instar, are able to orientate towards the targets as many as the control ones, nevertheless, they still present strong, permanent impairments of exploratory behaviour and visual fixation.


Social factors ameliorate psychiatric disorders in community-based asylum seekers independent of visa status.
The impact of industrialised host nations' deterrent immigration policies on the mental health of forced migrants has not been well characterised. The present study investigated the impact of Australia's refugee determination process (RDP) on psychiatric morbidity in community-based asylum-seekers (AS) and refugees. Psychiatric morbidity was predicted to be greater in AS than refugees, and to persist or increase as a function of time in the RDP. The effect on mental health of demographic and socio-political factors such as health cover and work rights were also investigated. Psychiatric morbidity was measured prospectively on five mental health indices at baseline (T1, n=131) and an average of 15.7 months later (T2, n=56). Psychiatric morbidity in AS significantly decreased between time points such that it was no longer greater than that of refugees at T2. Caseness of PTSD and demoralisation reduced in AS who gained protection; however, those who maintained asylum-seeker status at T2 also had a significant reduction in PTS and depression symptom severity. Reduced PTS and demoralisation symptoms were associated with securing work rights and health cover. Living in the community with work rights and access to health cover significantly improves psychiatric symptoms in forced migrants irrespective of their protection status.


Highly purified FSH is as efficacious as recombinant FSH for ovulation induction in women with WHO Group II anovulatory infertility: a randomized controlled non-inferiority trial.
The objective of this study was to demonstrate non-inferiority of a highly purified urinary follicle stimulating hormone (HP-FSH) preparation compared with a recombinant (rFSH) preparation with respect to ovulation rate (primary end-point). This was a randomized, open-label, assessor-blind, multinational study. Women with anovulatory infertility WHO Group II and resistant to clomiphene citrate were randomized (computer-generated list) to stimulation with HP-FSH (n=73) or rFSH (n=78) using a low-dose step-up protocol. The non-inferiority limit was prespecified at -20%. The ovulation rate was 85.2% (51/62) with HP-FSH and 90.9% (60/66) with rFSH (per-protocol population), and non-inferiority was demonstrated [95% confidence interval: -16.9; 5.6]. No differences were noted between groups in number of follicles>or=12 mm, >or=15 mm or >or=18 mm, mono-follicular development, pregnancy rates, endometrial thickness, number of ovarian stimulation syndrome cases or frequency of injection site reactions/pain. The singleton live birth rate was 15% in both groups (11/73 with HP-FSH and 12/78 with rFSH). This urinary HP-FSH preparation is non-inferior compared with a rFSH preparation with respect to ovulation rate in anovulatory WHO Group II women failing to ovulate or conceive on clomiphene citrate.


Action strategies of individuals during aperture crossing in nonconfined space.
Walking through cluttered environments is a requirement of everyday locomotion, and individuals will walk toward open space and adjust their actions in order to prevent injury. When walking in a confined space, individuals require a shoulder rotation to pass through apertures smaller than 1.3 times their shoulder widths. The current study aimed to identify the action strategies employed by young adults to avoid contacting two obstacles placed in the travel path when walking in a nonconfined space. Participants (N = 12) walked along a 10-m path towards a goal while avoiding two vertical obstacles specifically placed to create an aperture (of 0.6 to 1.8 times the participants' shoulder widths) on opposite sides of the travel path midline. Results showed that participants walked around obstacles that were separated by less than 1.4 times their shoulder width (i.e., critical point). When participants deviated from their initial travel path, they did so by maintaining a consistent protective zone, regardless of the aperture width. The protective zone had dimensions of 3.80 m in the plane of progression and of 0.30 m between themselves and the obstacles at the time of crossing. This study demonstrates that individuals use body-scaled information to control actions in nonconfined space similar to that used in confined space.


High-throughput T-cell receptor sequencing across chronic liver diseases reveals distinct disease-associated repertoires.
Hepatic T-cell infiltrates and a strong genetic human leukocyte antigen association represent characteristic features of various immune-mediated liver diseases. Conceptually the presence of disease-associated antigens is predicted to be reflected in T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoires. Here, we aimed to determine if disease-associated TCRs could be identified in the nonviral chronic liver diseases primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and alcoholic liver disease (ALD). We performed high-throughput sequencing of the TCRβ chain complementarity-determining region 3 of liver-infiltrating T cells from PSC (n = 20), PBC (n = 10), and ALD (n = 10) patients, alongside genomic human leukocyte antigen typing. The frequency of TCRβ nucleotide sequences was significantly higher in PSC samples (2.53 ± 0.80, mean ± standard error of the mean) compared to PBC samples (1.13 ± 0.17, P < 0.0001) and ALD samples (0.62 ± 0.10, P < 0.0001). An average clonotype overlap of 0.85% was detected among PSC samples, significantly higher compared to the average overlap of 0.77% seen within the PBC (P = 0.024) and ALD groups (0.40%, P < 0.0001). From eight to 42 clonotypes were uniquely detected in each of the three disease groups (≥30% of the respective patient samples). Multiple, unique sequences using different variable family genes encoded the same amino acid clonotypes, providing additional support for antigen-driven selection. In PSC and PBC, disease-associated clonotypes were detected among patients with human leukocyte antigen susceptibility alleles. We demonstrate liver-infiltrating disease-associated clonotypes in all three diseases evaluated, and evidence for antigen-driven clonal expansions. Our findings indicate that differential TCR signatures, as determined by high-throughput sequencing, may represent an imprint of distinctive antigenic repertoires present in the different chronic liver diseases; this thereby opens up the prospect of studying disease-relevant T cells in order to better understand and treat liver disease.


Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and hexadactyly in two brothers.
Familial idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is rare. Only about 3% of patients have affected siblings. The association of familial nephrotic syndrome with congenital abnormalities is even more uncommon. To our knowledge this is the first report of the association of steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome and postaxial hexadactyly in two brothers born to consanguineous parents.


Neurodegenerative Disease Mortality among Former Professional Soccer Players.
Neurodegenerative disorders have been reported in elite athletes who participated in contact sports. The incidence of neurodegenerative disease among former professional soccer players has not been well characterized. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to compare mortality from neurodegenerative disease among 7676 former professional soccer players (identified from databases of Scottish players) with that among 23,028 controls from the general population who were matched to the players on the basis of sex, age, and degree of social deprivation. Causes of death were determined from death certificates. Data on medications dispensed for the treatment of dementia in the two cohorts were also compared. Prescription information was obtained from the national Prescribing Information System. Over a median of 18 years, 1180 former soccer players (15.4%) and 3807 controls (16.5%) died. All-cause mortality was lower among former players than among controls up to the age of 70 years and was higher thereafter. Mortality from ischemic heart disease was lower among former players than among controls (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66 to 0.97; P = 0.02), as was mortality from lung cancer (hazard ratio, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.70; P<0.001). Mortality with neurodegenerative disease listed as the primary cause was 1.7% among former soccer players and 0.5% among controls (subhazard ratio [the hazard ratio adjusted for competing risks of death from ischemic heart disease and death from any cancer], 3.45; 95% CI, 2.11 to 5.62; P<0.001). Among former players, mortality with neurodegenerative disease listed as the primary or a contributory cause on the death certificate varied according to disease subtype and was highest among those with Alzheimer's disease (hazard ratio [former players vs. controls], 5.07; 95% CI, 2.92 to 8.82; P<0.001) and lowest among those with Parkinson's disease (hazard ratio, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.17 to 3.96; P = 0.01). Dementia-related medications were prescribed more frequently to former players than to controls (odds ratio, 4.90; 95% CI, 3.81 to 6.31; P<0.001). Mortality with neurodegenerative disease listed as the primary or a contributory cause did not differ significantly between goalkeepers and outfield players (hazard ratio, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.43 to 1.24; P = 0.24), but dementia-related medications were prescribed less frequently to goalkeepers (odds ratio, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.89; P = 0.02). In this retrospective epidemiologic analysis, mortality from neurodegenerative disease was higher and mortality from other common diseases lower among former Scottish professional soccer players than among matched controls. Dementia-related medications were prescribed more frequently to former players than to controls. These observations need to be confirmed in prospective matched-cohort studies. (Funded by the Football Association and Professional Footballers' Association.).


Generation and characterization of a Notch1 signaling-specific reporter mouse line.
Signaling through the Notch1 receptor is essential for the control of numerous developmental processes during embryonic life as well as in adult tissue homeostasis and disease. Since the outcome of Notch1 signaling is highly context-dependent, and its precise physiological and pathological role in many organs is unclear, it is of great interest to localize and identify the cells that receive active Notch1 signals in vivo. Here, we report the generation and characterization of a BAC-transgenic mouse line, N1-Gal4VP16, that when crossed to a Gal4-responsive reporter mouse line allowed the identification of cells undergoing active Notch1 signaling in vivo. Analysis of embryonic and adult N1-Gal4VP16 mice demonstrated that the activation pattern of the transgene coincides with previously observed activation patterns of the endogenous Notch1 receptor. Thus, this novel reporter mouse line provides a unique tool to specifically investigate the spatial and temporal aspects of Notch1 signaling in vivo.


Subjective outcome measures of drug efficacy.
The use of subjective outcome measures for assessing drug efficacy varies according to the disease in question. Subjective outcome measures used to complement an objective outcome measure can clearly claim the status of a main outcome measure. The validation of an instrument follows an appropriate methodology that focuses on two points: the methods used for its construction are set out and its performance is evaluated in a study. In drug evaluation, the importance of the subjective outcome measure should be discussed, depending on the aim and the disease. The methodology of the study obeys the same rules as when an objective outcome measure is used. The issue of the clinical significance of the results should be broached and discussed. Subjective outcome measures deserve to be considered in the evaluation of the drug because they provide a different and complementary perspective on the disease and the patient, both at the time of obtaining the marketing authorization or when reassessing a drug.


[Periodic decerebrate spasm with ocular dipping, Cheyne-Stokes respiration and hypersympathetic activity].
Decerebrate spasm is a generalized muscular spasm produced by some stimuli on decerebrate posture. Such spasm are called "tonic fit" or "decerebrate extensor spasm". We reported a 50-year-old man with periodic decerebrate spasm after cerebral hemorrhage. On admission, the patient was comatose. The pupils were round but anisocoric and did not react to light. Corneal reflexes were absent. The face, arms, and legs did not move voluntarily. Two weeks after admission, he was found in decerebrate rigidity. Periodic decerebrate spasms were also observed and were accompanied by ocular dipping. Cheyne-Stokes respiration, and hypersympathetic activity (transiently dilated pupils, hypertension, tachycardia). These symptoms persisted for two months and were induced by painful or sonic stimuli and suppressed by sleep, sedative or antiedematous drugs. The cycle was 0.6 approximately 0.7 per minute in accord with that of Cheyne-Stokes respiration. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an area of low signal intensity in the midbrain to the bottom of the pons caused by the tentorial herniation on T1-weighted images. From the the clinical features and results of MRI studies, we considered that dysfunction of the midbrain to the pons in addition to diffuse cerebral dysfunction played some role in the manifestation of periodic decerebrate spasm with ocular dipping.


Dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and insomnia symptoms in early adulthood: A twin and sibling study.
This study examines the associations between dysfunctional belief about sleep (DBAS), its subtypes and insomnia symptoms and estimates the relative contribution of genetic and environmental influences to these variables and the associations between them. The data came from G1219, a twin/sibling study that comprises 862 individuals (aged 22-32 years, 34% male). The Insomnia Symptoms Questionnaire was used to measure insomnia symptoms and a 10-item version of the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep Scale was used to assess DBAS. A higher DBAS score was associated with more insomnia symptoms. Overall DBAS showed a mainly non-shared environmental influence (86%). The genetic correlation between overall DBAS and insomnia symptoms was large but not significant, the shared environmental correlation was very small, negative and not significant, whereas a moderate, significant overlap in the non-shared environmental influences was evident (non-shared environmental correlation = 0.32). For the association between the subscales of DBAS and insomnia symptoms no significant overlap for genetic (weak to strong associations) or shared environmental factors (very weak negative to strong associations) was indicated. Most of the non-shared environmental influences on the four variables were significantly moderately correlated (non-shared environmental correlation = 0.24-0.46). These findings help to deepen our understanding of cognitive theories of insomnia by dissecting one of its crucial elements and illuminating the factors involved in its association with insomnia symptoms.


Single rooms may help to prevent nosocomial bloodstream infection and cross-transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in intensive care units.
Nosocomial infections remain a major problem in intensive care units. Several authorities have recommended housing patients in single rooms to prevent cross-transmission of potential pathogens, but this issue is currently debated. The aim of the present study was to compare the rate of nosocomial cross-contamination between patients hosted in single rooms versus bay rooms. Prospective observational data acquisition over 2.5 years. A 14-bed medico-surgical ICU, composed of six single-bed rooms plus a six-bed and a two-bed bay room served by the same staff. All patients admitted from 1 July 2002 to 31 December 2004. None. Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in admitted patients was 1.1% and acquisition rate 2.4%. The incidence density of MRSA acquisition was 4.1 [95% CI 2.7-6.3]/1,000 patient-days in bay rooms versus 1.3 [0.5-3.4]/1,000 patient-days in single rooms (p<0.001). Pseudomonas spp. acquisition rate was 3.9 [2.5-6.1]/1,000 patient-days in bay rooms versus 0.7 [0.2-2.4]/1,000 patient-days in single rooms (p<0.001), and Candida spp. colonization was 38.4 [33.3-44.1]/1,000 patient-days in bay rooms versus 13.8 [10.2-18.6]/1,000 patient-days (p<0.001). By multivariate analysis, the relative risk of MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida spp. acquisition in single rooms or cubicles versus bay rooms was 0.65, 0.61 and 0.75 respectively. These data suggest that in an institution where MRSA is not hyperendemic, infection control measures may be more effective to prevent cross-transmission of microorganisms in patients housed in single rooms.


Reductive and Emergent Views on Motor Learning in Rehabilitation Practice.
To allow different views on motor learning to inform rehabilitation research, the authors aimed to explicate a frequently missed yet fundamental difference in starting point of such views. By considering how rehabilitation in practice answers the question of what parts an activity consists of, reductive and emergent approaches to motor learning are identified and traced throughout rehabilitation practice. The authors show that when a task is cut up along reductive dimensions while also apparently relying on emergent components, this unequally favors the reductive approach and acts to limit the views on motor learning available. By showing the approaches in practice, the authors hope to inspire an awareness that brings both approaches the opportunity to independently inform research so that new theories and practices can proliferate.


Treatment of complicated colorectal cancer. Evaluation of the outcome.
A comparison of the outcome of 66 patients with complicated colorectal cancer (CRC) who underwent an emergency operation and 217 electively operated patients in an 11-year period was retrospectively determined. The complications presented on admission were obstruction (13.4%), perforation with peritonitis (6.36%), obstruction and perforation (1.4%) and massive bleeding (2.1%). The majority of the patients electively treated were of stages II and III (45.5% and 29%) and those urgently operated on were stages III and IV (67.7% and 14.1%) respectively. Radical resections were performed in 45 patients and palliative in 21. Only ten patients from the urgently treated are still alive and free of the disease. In conclusion, the treatment of complicated CRC carries a considerable incidence of complications, morbidity and mortality, and the overall 5-year survival rate is disappointing compared to electively treated patients.


Adaptive changes of saccadic eye-head coordination resulting from altered head posture in torticollis spasmodicus.
We asked whether and how the abnormal head posture in torticollis patients affects saccadic gaze shifts and impairs the associated head movements. We wanted to learn to what extent observed changes directly result from the disease or reflect compensatory mechanisms, secondary to the altered head posture. We compared the results of patients with those of normal subjects. When patients viewed a centric target, their heads were a priori deviated in the direction of the torticollis, with orbital eye position showing a compensatory offset in the opposite direction. These abnormal eye and head positions were re-established when patients returned from an eccentric gaze position by means of a centripetal gaze shift, independently of its direction and magnitude, unlike in normal subjects who always recentred eyes and head. In normal subjects the share of the head in the total gaze shift amounted to about 70%, whereas in patients it contributed only 30%, necessitating correspondingly larger orbital eye displacements and eccentricities. Moreover, patients' head movements were asymmetric; they were larger when gaze was shifted into, or returned from the hemifield contralateral to the torticollis direction compared with gaze shifts in the ipsilateral hemifield. The eyes displayed a reversed asymmetry. Patients showed a significant increase in gaze latency and head versus eye delay as well as in the number of corrective saccades. However, head velocity was normal in four out of seven patients. Moreover, all patients made normal eye saccades (peak velocity, duration, gaze error), except for the increase in latency, which also occurred when gaze was shifted without head movements. Thus, patients' saccadic eye-head coordination showed abnormalities which mainly concerned the involved head movements. We suggest that the observed changes do not reflect a direct involvement of the disease upon the gaze shift mechanism, but can be interpreted as adaptive changes that compensate for the altered head posture. We formalized this view in the form of a dynamic model.


Not accounting for interindividual variability can mask habitat selection patterns: a case study on black bears.
Habitat selection studies conducted at the population scale commonly aim to describe general patterns that could improve our understanding of the limiting factors in species-habitat relationships. Researchers often consider interindividual variation in selection patterns to control for its effects and avoid pseudoreplication by using mixed-effect models that include individuals as random factors. Here, we highlight common pitfalls and possible misinterpretations of this strategy by describing habitat selection of 21 black bears Ursus americanus. We used Bayesian mixed-effect models and compared results obtained when using random intercept (i.e., population level) versus calculating individual coefficients for each independent variable (i.e., individual level). We then related interindividual variability to individual characteristics (i.e., age, sex, reproductive status, body condition) in a multivariate analysis. The assumption of comparable behavior among individuals was verified only in 40% of the cases in our seasonal best models. Indeed, we found strong and opposite responses among sampled bears and individual coefficients were linked to individual characteristics. For some covariates, contrasted responses canceled each other out at the population level. In other cases, interindividual variability was concealed by the composition of our sample, with the majority of the bears (e.g., old individuals and bears in good physical condition) driving the population response (e.g., selection of young forest cuts). Our results stress the need to consider interindividual variability to avoid misinterpretation and uninformative results, especially for a flexible and opportunistic species. This study helps to identify some ecological drivers of interindividual variability in bear habitat selection patterns.


Fire alters patterns of genetic diversity among 3 lizard species in Florida Scrub habitat.
The Florida Sand Skink (Plestiodon reynoldsi), the Florida Scrub Lizard (Sceloporus woodi), and the Six-lined Racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineata) occur in the threatened and fire-maintained Florida scrub habitat. Fire may have different consequences to local genetic diversity of these species because they each have different microhabitat preference. We collected tissue samples of each species from 3 sites with different time-since-fire: Florida Sand Skink n = 73, Florida Scrub Lizard n = 70, and Six-lined Racerunner n = 66. We compared the effect of fire on genetic diversity at microsatellite loci for each species. We screened 8 loci for the Florida Sand Skink, 6 loci for the Florida Scrub Lizard, and 6 loci for the Six-lined Racerunner. We also tested 2 potential driving mechanisms for the observed change in genetic diversity, a metapopulation source/sink model and a local demographic model. Genetic diversity varied with fire history, and significant genetic differentiation occurred among sites. The Florida Scrub Lizard had highest genetic variation at more recently burned sites, whereas the Florida Sand Skink and the Six-lined Racerunner had highest genetic variation at less recently burned sites. Habitat preferences of the Florida Sand Skink and the Florida Scrub Lizard may explain their discordant results, and the Six-lined Racerunner may have a more complicated genetic response to fire or is acted on at a different geographic scale than we have investigated. Our results indicate that these species may respond to fire in a more complicated manner than predicted by our metapopulation model or local demographic model. Our results show that the population-level responses in genetic diversity to fire are species-specific mandating conservation management of habitat diversity through a mosaic of burn frequencies.


Cost-effectiveness analysis and insurance coverage: solving a puzzle.
The conventional model for the use of cost-effectiveness analysis for health programs involves determining whether the cost per unit of effectiveness of the program is lower than some socially determined maximum acceptable cost per unit of effectiveness. If a program is better by this criterion, the policy implication is that it should be implemented by full coverage of its cost by insurance; if not, the program should not be implemented. This paper examines the unanswered question of how cost-effectiveness analysis should be performed and interpreted when insurance coverage may involve cost sharing. It explores the question of how cost sharing should be related to the magnitude of a cost-effectiveness ratio. A common view that cost sharing should vary inversely with program cost-effectiveness is shown to be incorrect. A key issue in correct analysis is whether there is heterogeneity in marginal effectiveness of care that cannot be perceived by the social planner but is known by the demander. It is possible that some programs that would fail the social efficiency test at full coverage will be acceptable with positive cost sharing. Combining individual and social preferences affects both the choice of programs and the extent of cost sharing.


Permeability changes induced by 130 GHz pulsed radiation on cationic liposomes loaded with carbonic anhydrase.
The effects of pulsed 130 GHz radiations on lipid membrane permeability were investigated by using cationic liposomes containing dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), cholesterol, and stearylamine. Carbonic anhydrase (CA) was loaded inside the liposomes and the substrate p-nitrophenyl acetate (p-NPA) added in the bulk aqueous phase. Upon permeation across the lipid bilayer, the trapped CA catalyzes the conversion of the p-NPA molecules into products. Because the self-diffusion rate of p-NPA across intact liposomes is very low the CA reaction rate, expressed as Delta A/min, is used to track membrane permeability changes. The effect of 130 GHz radiation pulse-modulated at low frequencies of 5, 7, or 10 Hz, and at time-averaged incident intensity (I(AV)) up to 17 mW/cm(2) was studied at room temperature (22 degrees C), below the phase transition temperature of DPPC liposomes. At all the tested values of I(AV) a significant enhancement of the enzyme reaction rate in CA-loaded liposomes occurred when the pulse repetition rate was 7 Hz. Typically, an increase from Delta A/min = 0.0026 +/- 0.0010 (n = 11) to Delta A/min = 0.0045 +/- 0.0013 (n = 12) (P < 0.0005) resulted at I(AV) = 7.7 mW/cm(2). The effect of 130 GHz pulse-modulated at 7 Hz was also observed on cationic liposomes formed with palmitoyloleoyl phosphatidylcholine (POPC), at room temperature (22 degrees C), above the phase transition temperature of POPC liposomes.


Quantitative study of osteoporosis model based on synchrotron radiation.
To investigate the changes of different periods of primary osteoporosis, we made quantitative analysis of osteoporosis using synchrotron radiation computed tomography (SRCT), together with histomorphometry analysis and finite element analysis (FEA). Tibias, femurs and lumbar vertebras were dissected from sham-ovariectomy rats and ovariectomized rats suffering from osteoporosis at certain time points. The samples were scanned by SRCT and then FEA was applied based on reconstructed slices. Histomorphometry analysis showed that the structure of some trabecular in osteoporosis degraded as the bone volume decreased, for femurs, the bone volume fraction (BV/TV) decreased from 69% to 43%. That led to the increase of the thickness of trabecular separation (from 45.05μm to 97.09μm) and the reduction of the number of trabecular (from 7.99 mm(-1) to 5.97mm(-1)). Simulation of various mechanical tests indicated that, with the exacerbation of osteoporosis, the bones' ability of resistance to compression, bending and torsion gradually became weaker. The compression stiffness decreased from 1770.96 Fμm(-1) to 697.41 Fμm(-1), and it matched the histomorphometry analysis. This study suggested that the combination of both analysis could quantitatively analyze the bone strength in good accuracy.


[Early stages of myocardial infarct studied by opitcal methods].
The hearts of 45 dogs were investigated at times from 10 minutes to 24 hours following ligation of the anterior interventricular branch of the left coronary artery. The material was fixed in formalin and embedded in parafin. It was established that at early stages of experimental myocardial infarction in the zone of eschemia there took place eschemic zone various foms of contactural damages, lumpy decmposition, relaxation and sarcoplasmic matrix. By the polarizing microscope method in the peripheral area of the eshemic zone various forms of contractural damages, lumpy decomposition, relaxation and desaggregation of myofibrills, were noted. Phaso-contrast and interference microscopy investigations revealed in the damaged cells an induration of the sarcoplasmic matrix due to an increase in the dry matter concentration. The studies conducted with the help of polarizing, phaso-contrast, and interference microscopy methods showed that by using these methods it is possible at early periods to reveal the zone of myocardial infarction on stained and unstained preparations prepared by conventional methods.


Zwitterionic {Fe(I)Pc(-2)-}·(TMP+) assemblies comprising anionic iron(I) phthalocyanines and coordinating N,N,N'-trimethylpiperazinium cations.
{[Fe(I)Pc(-2)(-)]·(TMP(+))}·0.5C6H14 (1) and {Co(i)Pc(-2)(-)}·(TMP(+)) (2) salts containing iron(I) and cobalt(I) phthalocyanine anions and N,N,N'-trimethylpiperazinium cations (TMP(+)) have been obtained as single crystals. The TMP(+) cations coordinate to the iron(I) centers in 1 by free nitrogen atoms to form a weak N(TMP(+))-Fe bond of 2.568(3) and 2.553(3) Å length at 150 and 105 K, respectively. This is the first zwitterionic assembly containing anions and cations in one neutral coordination {[Fe(I)Pc(-2)(-)]·(TMP(+))} unit. The Fe(I)Pc(-2)(-) anions manifest strongly asymmetric EPR signals in the spectrum of 1 which can be fitted well by four components at 298 K with g1 = 2.1770, g2 = 2.1681, g3 = 2.1425 and g4 = 2.0708. The signal is attributed to the low-spin (S = 1/2) Fe(I) with the d(7) configuration. The EPR spectrum of 1 does not change qualitatively upon slow cooling from 298 down to 4 K. Quenching of the sample for seconds produces a different EPR spectrum at 4 K. This spectrum can be attributed to the frozen metastable state of Fe(I)Pc(-2)(-) which exists only at low temperatures and transfers to the spectrum observed for the slowly cooled sample above 70 K. Salt 2 contains EPR silent cobalt(I) with the d(8) configuration and in this case the TMP(+) cations do not coordinate to the cobalt(I) atoms.


17beta-estradiol alters the activity of conventional and IFN-producing killer dendritic cells.
Estrogens increase aspects of innate immunity and contribute to sex differences in the prevalence of autoimmune diseases and in response to infection. The goal of the present study was to assess whether exposure to 17beta-estradiol (E2) affects the development and function of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and to determine whether similar changes are observed in CD11c(+) splenocytes exposed to E2 in vivo. E2 facilitated the differentiation of BM precursor cells into functional CD11c(+)CD11b(+)MHC class II(+) dendritic cells (DCs) with increased expression of the costimulatory molecules CD40 and CD86. Exposure of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells to E2 also enhanced production of IL-12 in response to the TLR ligands, CpG and LPS. In contrast, CD11c(+) cells isolated from the spleens of female C57BL/6 mice that were intact, ovariectomized, or ovariectomized with E2 replacement exhibited no differences in the number or activity of CD11c(+)CD11b(+)MHC class II(+) DCs. The presence of E2 in vivo, however, increased the number of CD11c(+)CD49b(+)NK1.1(low) cells and reduced numbers of CD11c(+)CD49b(+)NK1.1(high) cells, a surface phenotype for IFN-producing killer DCs (IKDCs). Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated that CD11c(+)NK1.1(+) populations were comprised of cells that had the appearance of both DCs and IKDCs. CD11c(+) splenocytes isolated from animals with supplemental E2 produced more IFN-gamma in response to IL-12 and IL-18. These data illustrate that E2 has differential effects on the development and function of DCs and IKDCs and provide evidence that E2 may strengthen innate immunity by enhancing IFN-gamma production by CD11c(+) cells.


α-Oligofurans: an emerging class of conjugated oligomers for organic electronics.
While the field of organic electronics has developed extensively in recent years, it remains limited by number of materials available. Further expansion requires the innovation of new types of π-conjugated backbones, but suitable candidates are discovered only very rarely. The recent introduction of a new class of conjugated materials, long α-oligofurans, was therefore greeted with considerable interest. α-Oligofurans possess many of the properties required to excel in applications as organic electronic materials, can be manufactured from renewable resources, and are expected to be biodegradable. This Minireview provides an account of long oligofurans from the perspectives of their synthesis, molecular properties, chemical reactivity, and use in electronic devices.


Cross-informant agreement between adolescents with myelomeningocele and their parents.
The development of self-management skills by adolescents with myelomeningocele is an ongoing process. Previous studies lack consensus about what data can be accurately obtained from adolescents. This cross-sectional study using a convenience sample of 66 adolescent-parent dyads evaluated whether adolescents with myelomeningocele and their parents are interchangeable reporters of data. Adolescents' ages ranged from 12 to 21 years with a mean of 16 years 2 months (SD 2y 8mo); 38 were female, 28 were male; 30% had thoracic lesions, 32% had lumbar lesions, 15% had lumbosacral lesions, 23% had sacral lesions, and 85% had ventriculoperitoneal shunts. In this analysis, participants reported activities (decision-making, household responsibility, and friendship activities) and select outcomes (functional status, self-management, and social competence) similarly. However, differences emerged in reports of beliefs (adolescent future expectations, family variables) and select developmental competencies (school, job, athletic, behavioral, attractiveness, and romantic appeal). Analysis using t-test and interclass correlations supported a pattern of adolescent-parent agreement in areas of observable behavior and differences in more subjective domains such as perception of developmental competencies.


An automated apparatus for the study of visual discriminations in pigeons.
A fully automated apparatus for the study of visual discriminations in pigeons is described. The apparatus allows the presentation of a single stimulus for successive discriminations and of two or more stimuli at the same time for simultaneous discriminations. It has proven advantageous for comparing successive and simultaneous discriminations in tests of interocular transfer.


Flaviata longa, a new species in Flaviata Lu & Qin and new synonymies in Empoasca (Matsumurasca) Anufriev (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Empoascini).
A new species of genus Flaviata Lu & Qin, Flaviata longa sp. nov. is described from Yunnan (southwest China). An identification key for males of all known species in this genus is provided. Photographs and illustrations of adults and male genitalia of the new species are also given. New synonymies for two species in the leafhopper subgenus Empoasca (Matsumurasca) Anufriev of Empoascini are proposed: E. (M.) southerni Zhang, 2014 = E. (M.) clypealata Qin & Zhang, 2011; E. (M.) qini Zhang, 2014 = E. (M.) quadrialata Qin & Zhang, 2011.


Radiation therapy for intractable bleeding in extremity arteriovenous malformation: considerations on a clinical case.
Arteriovenous malformations are rare clinicopathological entities with varied distribution and a constellation of symptoms. In the extremities they are usually associated with dermatological manifestations, such as angiodermatitis with a potential risk of torrential haemorrhage. Surgical resection is a morbid procedure. Transcatheter embolization and sclerotherapy is an attractive alternative to surgical resection. However, proper case selection is a prerequisite and may not be possible in all the cases. The case reported here is a paradigm of a complex and extensive vascular malformation with torrential haemorrhage where a unique therapeutic approach of radiation therapy was used as an alternative to morbid surgery after embolization and sclerotherapy failure.


A study of the problems older adults encounter when using a mnemonic technique.
This study explored problems older adults experience when using a mnemonic technique known as the method of loci. Older subjects received six hours of imagery, judgment, and relaxation pretraining followed by mnemonic training for either four or six hours (Regular or Extended training, respectively). At the end of training, subjects were given a list of the constituent steps of the method of loci and asked to indicate which, if any, were problematic. The factor structure of the relations among the problems varied according to the length of the training subjects received. Specifically, the factor structure of the difficulties reported by the Regular training group reflected problems with using the steps involved in the application of the method of loci, whereas for the Extended training group the factor structure reflected problems with abilities called upon in using the technique. Thus, even with Extended training, subjects may need additional pretraining to develop specific abilities necessary for the successful application of the mnemonic.


Chronic urticaria: assessment of current treatment.
Chronic urticaria is heterogenous, long-persisting and has a severe impact on quality of life and daily work. Effective treatment is essential but remains a confounding problem. This review summarizes available treatment strategies for chronic urticaria and their strength of evidence. Besides treatment of identified triggering factors such as chronic persistent bacterial infections (e.g., with Helicobacter pylori, streptococci, staphylococci or yersinia), standard treatment consists of nonsedating H1-antihistamines. Most patients require increasing (off-label) dosages that should be taken daily and regularly, however, this still fails in a third of cases. Reliable alternatives in the world literature are rare and the level of evidence is low. Certain subgroups may display benefit from additional treatment with cyclosporine A, cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists, chloroquine, dapsone or other alternatives. A practicable step-wise treatment approach is given to optimize and individualize the treatment of patients with chronic urticaria.


Introduction and Overview.
The overall aim of this book is to set out the main changes needed in the field of economic and regulatory conditions as a consequence of these rapid developments in oncology. The traditional approaches of health economics, like health economic evaluation, health technology assessment (HTA), modeling methods, assessing value, pricing techniques, are bound to be altered in the contributions to this book. It is understandable that with the life-threatening diagnosis of cancer the new treatment options need to be accompanied by the best available health economic tools. This pertains to well-implemented decision rules concerning willingness to pay, incremental cost-effectiveness ratio thresholds, equity, patient access, end of life criteria, etc. Their application differs with regard to the usual health economic analyzes implemented in other treatment areas. Overstating a bit one could ask whether we need a strongly modified concept of oncology economics?


Field prevalence and laboratory susceptibility of southern Australian land snails to Brachylaima cribbi sporocyst infection.
Brachylaima cribbi is a terrestrial trematode of birds and mammals with helicid and hygromiid land snails reported as first and second intermediate hosts. However, reports describing the first intermediate host range of B. cribbi have been limited to those snail species present in a small number of geographical locations in South Australia. The natural first intermediate host range, distribution and prevalence of B. cribbi in land snails in southern Australia were determined. A total of 6,432 introduced and native land snails were collected from eight geographical districts across 3,000 km of southern Australia and examined microscopically for B. cribbi sporocysts. Four introduced European snails, Theba pisana, Cernuella virgata, Cochlicella acuta and Cochlicella barbara were natural first intermediate hosts. Sporocyst-infected snails were detected in all districts from Victoria to the west coast of South Australia, a distance of over 1,300 km. Natural sporocyst infection was not observed in introduced European snails Microxeromagna armillata and Helix aspersa or in native Australian land snails Succinea australis and Strangesta gawleri. Egg feeding experiments in the laboratory with B. cribbi confirmed the susceptibility of those species of snails found to be natural first intermediate hosts. Of those species not found to be infected in nature, only M. armillata could be infected in the laboratory. Although this study has shown that five different species of European land snails are suitable first intermediate hosts for B. cribbi there are as yet no reports of B. cribbi from these snails in Europe or from other countries where they have been introduced. Further investigations are needed in Europe to clarify the origins of this parasite.


Clozapine reduces severe self-mutilation and aggression in psychotic patients with borderline personality disorder.
Clozapine has been reported to be effective in diminishing violence toward others in psychotic patients. This article describes the impact of clozapine on severe self-mutilation among patients with the dual diagnoses of borderline personality disorder and persistent psychoses. Seven subjects known to the authors were selected for careful chart audits. These subjects had been admitted to 2 state psychiatric hospitals owing to severe self-mutilation and/or violence and subsequently treated with clozapine. A mirror-image design anchored to the start date of clozapine treatment and extending in either direction to a maximum of 1 year was used to extract data. Data extracted included incidents of self-mutilation (restraint), seclusion, the as and when needed (p.r.n.) use of medications, injuries to staff and peers, hospital privileges, and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores. The subjects were all white women with a mean age of 37 years. All subjects carried DSM-III-R or DSM-IV borderline personality disorder diagnoses and an Axis I disorder diagnosis. They had received trials of several psychotropic agents, often in combination and mostly without benefit. After clozapine treatment, there were statistically significant reductions in incidents of self-mutilation (restraint), seclusion, the use of p.r.n. antianxiety medications, and injuries to staff and peers. These subjects received higher levels of hospital privileges, and their GAF scores nearly doubled following clozapine treatment. Four subjects were subsequently discharged from hospital. These preliminary but nonetheless favorable results suggest that clozapine deserves careful consideration for a controlled study in patients with borderline personality disorder and psychoses, especially if the clinical issues include severe self-mutilation, aggression, and violence. Until such studies are done, the risk-to-benefit ratio of clozapine treatment needs to be carefully evaluated on an individualized basis in such subjects.


The effect of surface finish and of vertical ribs on the stability of a cemented femoral stem: an in vitro stair climbing test.
The search for improved femoral fixation in cemented total hip arthroplasty is ongoing. Two design variables, surface finish and stem contour, were evaluated. Sixteen titanium femoral stems of one design were cemented into fiberglass femora. One half of the components had a polished surface and the rest had a roughened finish. Within each group, 4 stems had vertically oriented ribs on the proximal portion and 4 did not. Micromotion was measured in a stair climbing simulator with loading to a joint reaction force of 200 kg for 6 million cycles. Micromotion increased throughout the course of the experiment. Stems with a polished surface had significantly higher micromotion. Although stems with ribs had less micromotion compared with those without ribs, this difference was not statistically significant.


Measurement of Humoral Immune Competence and the Risk of Sinopulmonary Infection in a Cohort of Kidney Transplant Recipients.
The aim of this study was to determine if measurement of B cell protective immunity was associated with susceptibility to sinopulmonary infection in kidney transplant recipients. A prospective cohort of 168 patients with stable graft function (median 4.1 years) underwent assessment of B-lymphocyte antigen CD19 (CD19+) cell number, immunoglobulin G concentration, and seroresponses to influenza vaccination upon study entry. Patients received a single dose of a trivalent, seasonal influenza vaccine. After 2 years follow-up, 31 patients (18%) developed sinopulmonary infection. CD19+ cell number was strongly associated with future sinopulmonary infection. A higher proportion of patients with CD19+ cell counts below the fifth percentile for controls developed sinopulmonary infections than those above the fifth percentile, 30% (23 of 77 patients) compared with 9% (7 of 79 patients; P = .001). There was a trend toward a higher proportion of patients with reduced immunoglobulin G concentrations developing infections than in the normal range for controls, 29% (14 of 48 patients) compared with 15% (16 of 108 patients; P = .060). Influenza vaccination seroresponses were poor in patients and controls such that they could not be used to identify a subgroup of patients at high risk for the development of severe pulmonary infection. Monitoring B-cell numbers represents a simple, inexpensive means of stratifying transplant recipients' risk of sinopulmonary infection.


[Mometasone and calcipotriol optimize the initial therapeutic effect of dithranol in chronic persistent psoriasis].
In a randomized study 30 patients with chronic stationary psoriasis were treated with 3 different topical schemes. Group 1 (n = 10) received monotherapy (dithranol (D) twice a day, D/D), group 2 (n = 10) calcipotriol mornings/dithranol evenings (calcipotriol (C)/dithranol (D) C/D) and 3 (mometasone (M) mornings/dithranol (D) evenings, M/D). During the therapy period of 4 weeks we documented the PASI-Score as well as infiltration, erythema and desquamation weekly. The M/D group revealed in the first week a significantly faster reduction of the PASI-score (5.3) than in the D/D group (PASI 13.22). The C/D group (PASI 10.5) show a not significantly faster reduction. After 4 weeks of treatment and after a follow period of 6 weeks there were similar PASI-Scores in all groups. There were less side-effects in the M/D group than in the others. The beginning, more anti-psoriatic effectiveness was achieved by the mometasone/dithranol combination than the other schemes. In the long term, the effects were similar.


Evaluating Upper-Body Strength and Power From a Single Test: The Ballistic Push-up.
Wang, R, Hoffman, JR, Sadres, E, Bartolomei, S, Muddle, TWD, Fukuda, DH, and Stout, JR. Evaluating upper-body strength and power from a single test: the ballistic push-up. J Strength Cond Res 31(5): 1338-1345, 2017-The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability of the ballistic push-up (BPU) exercise and to develop a prediction model for both maximal strength (1 repetition maximum [1RM]) in the bench press exercise and upper-body power. Sixty recreationally active men completed a 1RM bench press and 2 BPU assessments in 3 separate testing sessions. Peak and mean force, peak and mean rate of force development, net impulse, peak velocity, flight time, and peak and mean power were determined. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to examine the reliability of the BPU. Stepwise linear regression was used to develop 1RM bench press and power prediction equations. Intraclass correlation coefficient's ranged from 0.849 to 0.971 for the BPU measurements. Multiple regression analysis provided the following 1RM bench press prediction equation: 1RM = 0.31 × Mean Force - 1.64 × Body Mass + 0.70 (R = 0.837, standard error of the estimate [SEE] = 11 kg); time-based power prediction equation: Peak Power = 11.0 × Body Mass + 2012.3 × Flight Time - 338.0 (R = 0.658, SEE = 150 W), Mean Power = 6.7 × Body Mass + 1004.4 × Flight Time - 224.6 (R = 0.664, SEE = 82 W); and velocity-based power prediction equation: Peak Power = 8.1 × Body Mass + 818.6 × Peak Velocity - 762.0 (R = 0.797, SEE = 115 W); Mean Power = 5.2 × Body Mass + 435.9 × Peak Velocity - 467.7 (R = 0.838, SEE = 57 W). The BPU is a reliable test for both upper-body strength and power. Results indicate that the mean force generated from the BPU can be used to predict 1RM bench press, whereas peak velocity and flight time measured during the BPU can be used to predict upper-body power. These findings support the potential use of the BPU as a valid method to evaluate upper-body strength and power.


Imaging of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia with 111In-labelled non-specific polyclonal IgG: an experimental study in rats.
The relative sensitivity of imaging with 67Ga-citrate (67Ga) and non-specific human polyclonal IgG radiolabelled with 111In (111In-IgG) for the detection of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) was determined in rats. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was induced by low protein diet and dexamethasone. The course of the disease was monitored by serial imaging with 111In-IgG and 67Ga. Diffuse accumulation of both radiopharmaceuticals was observed in the lungs of infected animals (infection was verified by histological examination of the lungs), however, accumulation of 111In-IgG was consistently higher. In rats with early PCP, 111In-IgG imaging revealed pulmonary accumulation in animals with normal chest radiographs and 67Ga scans. In animals successfully treated for PCP, decreased pulmonary accumulation of 111In-IgG coincided with histological improvements. Several animals developed superinfection with bacteria or fungi. These animals had striking focal accumulation of 111In-IgG, in addition to the pattern of generalized uptake. Gallium concentration in these animals did not show this focal accumulation. These observations suggest that 111In-IgG may be useful for detecting PCP and pulmonary abscesses in the immunocompromised host.


Dose and time-dependent effects of sodium fluoride on sperm motility: An in vitro study.
The present study was undertaken to investigate the toxic effects of sodium fluoride (NaF) on sperm motility and abnormality. Treatment of epididymal sperm suspensions with different doses of NaF (0.1, 1, 10, and 100 mg/ml) significantly reduced sperm motility at 15- and 30-min time intervals. Further, incubation at the same concentrations of NaF for 5-, 10-, and 15-min time intervals decreased sperm motility in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The present investigation revealed for the first time the adverse effect of lower doses of NaF (0.1 mg/ml) on sperm motility. Further, higher doses of NaF (10 and 100 mg/ml) caused a complete loss of sperm motility with a concomitant increase in sperm abnormality, which reflected the toxic effect of NaF on spermatozoa and its capability in fertilization.


The effect of source of fiber on ileal and fecal amino acid digestibility and bacterial nitrogen excretion in growing pigs.
Studies were carried out with six barrows (initial BW 50 kg) to determine the effect of two fiber sources on the apparent ileal and fecal N and amino acid digestibilities and bacterial N excretion in feces. The pigs, fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum, were fed three cornstarch-based diets formulated to contain 16% CP from soybean meal according to a repeated 3 x 3 Latin square design. Diet 1 did not contain additional fiber. Diets 2 and 3 contained 10% powdered cellulose and 10% barley straw (ground through a 2-mm mesh screen), included at the expense of cornstarch, respectively. The pigs were fed 900 g at each meal twice daily, 0800 and 2000. Feces were collected for 48 h after a 10-d adaptation period. Thereafter, ileal digesta were collected for 24 h. Chromic oxide was used as a digestibility marker. With the exception of leucine, the inclusion of fiber did not affect (P greater than .05) the ileal digestibilities of the indispensable amino acids. The values for the average of the ileal digestibilities of the indispensable amino acids were 85.3, 82.9, and 83.2% for diets 1, 2, and 3, respectively. On the other hand, the inclusion of fiber decreased (P less than .05) the fecal digestibilities of all the indispensable amino acids. The values for the average of the fecal digestibilities of the indispensable amino acids were 91.7, 87.4, and 89.1% for diets 1, 2, and 3, respectively. These decreases resulted from an increase (P less than .05) in the excretion of bacterial N, which was measured using 2,6-diaminopimelic acid as a marker. In conclusion, as measured with the ileal analysis method, the inclusion of fiber had little effect on the digestible amino acid supply.


Collision-induced dissociation of protonated MK-0991: novel ring opening of a cyclic hexapeptide in the gas phase.
Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was applied to probe the collision-induced dissociation (CID) of protonated MK-0991 {(4R,5S)-5-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]-N(2)-(10, 12-dimethyl-1-oxotetradecyl)-4-hydroxy-L-ornithyl-L-threonyl-trans -4- hydroxy-L-prolyl-(S)-4-hydroxy-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-L-threonyl-threo-3-h ydroxy-L-or-nithyl-trans-3-hydroxy-L-proline cyclic (6-1)-peptide} in the gas phase; MK-0991 is a newly developed, broad-spectrum pneumocandin antifungal drug. The study showed that protonated MK-0991 (m/z 1094) undergoes specific ring opening under the CID conditions to form two protonated linear peptides at m/z 1076 and 1034. This is different from the commonly observed ring opening of a cyclic peptide that occurs by the cleavage of the N-acyl bonds in many places on the peptide backbone. The structures of the two linear peptides were elucidated on the basis of their tandem mass spectra. The results strongly indicate that the specific ring opening of MK-0991 is affected by the ethylenediamine side-chain formed from the modification of one of the ornithine amino acids in this cyclic hexapeptide.


Gene expressions associated with chemosensitivity in human hepatoma cells.
Only limited patients with hepatoma benefit from chemotherapy without a clear explanation. We aimed to identify genes associated with chemosensitivity using transcriptional profiles. In 8 hepatoma cells (HLE, HLF, Huh7, Hep3B, PLC/PRF/5, SK-Hep1, Huh6, and HepG2) transcriptional profiles were obtained using cDNA microarray including 2300 genes. Chemosensitivities to 8 anticancer drugs (nimustine, mitomycin C, cisplatin, carboplatin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, mitoxantrone, and 5-fluorouracil) were measured by obtaining 50% growth inhibitory concentrations (GI50) using MTT assay. Genes having drug-specific association with chemosensitivity were selected. Up-regulation of topoisomerase II beta was associated with chemo-resistance, the target of doxorubicin. Platinum-specific resistance was associated with superoxide dismutase 2 expression. Antigen peptide transporter 1 expression correlated with nimustine and mitoxantrone-specific susceptibility. These results were verified by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Drug inactivators reported in non-liver cancers such as multidrug transporters and drug metabolizers showed less diversity of chemosensitivity in hepatoma cells. To evaluate these gene expressions may be useful to select anticancer drugs, and possibly to consider new therapeutic target to modify drug action.


Staphylococcus aureus tricuspid valve endocarditis in young women after gynaecological events. A report of 3 cases.
Three cases of Staphylococcus aureus tricuspid valve endocarditis are reported; each was preceded by a gynaecological event. In 2 cases there was no overt pelvic sepsis and there had been no operative or instrumental intervention, but in the 3rd pelvic inflammatory disease was present, probably not as a result of interference. There are few reports in the recent literature of gynaecological events precipitating this condition; in contrast, intravenous narcotic abuse is well documented. In the literature there is insufficient stress laid on the fact that non-septic gynaecological events may cause the endocarditis. The difficulties in diagnosing tricuspid endocarditis, especially in a milieu where intravenous narcotic abuse is virtually unknown, are noted. When endocarditis is present in women known not to abuse narcotics, the absence of signs of pelvic inflammation may also cause difficulties in diagnosis.


Coalescence of bubbles and drops in an outer fluid.
When two liquid drops touch, a microscopic connecting liquid bridge forms and rapidly grows as the two drops merge into one. Whereas coalescence has been thoroughly studied when drops coalesce in vacuum or air, many important situations involve coalescence in a dense surrounding fluid, such as oil coalescence in brine. Here we study the merging of gas bubbles and liquid drops in an external fluid. Our data indicate that the flows occur over much larger length scales in the outer fluid than inside the drops themselves. Thus, we find that the asymptotic early regime is always dominated by the viscosity of the drops, independent of the external fluid. A phase diagram showing the crossovers into the different possible late-time dynamics identifies a dimensionless number that signifies when the external viscosity can be important.


Influence of the breathing mode on the time course and amplitude of the cyclic inter-atrial pressure reversal in postoperative coronary bypass surgery patients.
The haemodynamic basis for paradoxical embolization in patients with stroke and decompression sickness has not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore right and left atrial pressures were measured simultaneously with peroperatively placed catheters after coronary artery bypass grafting in 17 patients with sinus rhythm and normal left ventricular function. Recordings were made both during spontaneous breathing and positive pressure ventilation. A cyclic pressure reversal in which right atrial pressure exceeded left atrial pressure was reproducibly recorded. It started on average 215 +/- 5 ms (mean +/- SEM) after the onset of the electrocardiographic P-wave, lasted on average 179 +/- 14 ms and had a maximal amplitude of on average 4.1 +/- 0.3 mmHg. During the expiration phase of spontaneous breathing and inspiration phase of positive pressure ventilation, the onset of the pressure reversal occurred later, its duration was shorter and its amplitude smaller. These observations demonstrate the presence of a cyclic inter-atrial pressure reversal and illustrate the importance of the breathing mode for the time course and amplitude of this reversal.


[Comparative clinico-genetic studies of senile dementia and Alzheimer's disease].
The families of 128 probands with senile dementia (SD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) were entered into the study. The correlation between the familial and sporadic cases of the disease was established. A geneticomathematic analysis was employed to estimate the clinicogenealogical findings. Two genetic models (monogenous and multifactorial) were tested. The contribution of the genetic factors to SD and AD liability was assessed. As a result of a comparative clinicogenetic study of SD and AD it was found that there is no doubt about the contribution made by the genetic factors to the origin of the Alzheimer type dementia (ATD). The rate of the afflicted relatives considerably exceeded the population rates of the investigated patterns of dementia. The limit estimations of the genetic similarity between the manifestations of AD and SD, both in the monogenous and multifactorial models, were obtained, which rejects the presence of the common major gene responsible for liability to these patterns of the ATD. It was assumed that AD and SD are characterized by the presence of the common genes modifiers. In addition, the difference was established between the types of inheritance in persons afflicted with these diseases: an oligogenic type of inheritance in SD, a quasidominant type with incomplete penetrance of homo- and heterozygotes in AD.


Identification and significance of phenazone drugs and their metabolites in ground- and drinking water.
Residues of three phenazone-type pharmaceuticals have been identified in routine analyses of groundwater samples from selected areas in the north-western districts of Berlin, Germany. Phenazone, propiphenazone, and dimethylaminophenazone have been detected in some wells at concentrations up to the low microg/l-level. Additionally, three phenazone-type metabolites namely 1-acetyl-1-methyl-2-dimethyl-oxamoyl-2-phenylhydrazide (AMDOPH), 1-acetyl-1-methyl-2-phenylhydrazide, and dimethyloxalamide acid-(N'-methyl-N-phenyl)-hydrazide have also been identified in these groundwater samples. The residues are suspected to originate from former production spills of a pharmaceutical plant located in a city north of Berlin. It was observed that with the exception of AMDOPH all other residues were efficiently removed during conventional drinking water treatment. The drug metabolite AMDOPH deriving from dimethylaminophenazone residues was found at concentrations of 0.9 microg/l in finished drinking water. However, a following study on the toxicological relevance of the AMDOPH residues has shown that there is no toxicological harm for humans at the low concentrations of AMDOPH observed in Berlin drinking water.


Clinical and financial benefits of intra-articular tranexamic acid in total knee arthroplasty.
To determine whether intra-articular tranexamic acid (TXA) use after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) results in decreased postoperative blood transfusion and length of hospital stay. Medical records of 1981 patients (mean age, 69.2 years) who underwent primary TKA with (n=1006) or without (n=975) TXA use by any of 4 knee arthroplasty surgeons were reviewed. TXA (3000 mg/30ml) was administered via an epidural catheter into the knee joint after wound closure. Postoperative blood transfusion was given to patients with haemoglobin (Hb) level <80 g/dl on days 1 and 2 or with symptoms of acute anaemia. Intra-articular TXA use after TKA resulted in a lower blood transfusion rate (4.5% [45/1006] vs. 14.8% [144/975], p<0.0001), fewer units of blood transfused (86 vs. 313 units, p<0.0001), fewer units of blood transfused per 100 patients (8.5 vs. 32.1, p<0.0001), and shorter length of hospital stay (4.7±2.3 vs. 5.3±2.7 days, p<0.0001). Total cost savings with respect to the reduction in blood transfusion was AU$143.68 per patient. When the change in length of hospital stay and TXA costs were included, the overall saving was AU$631.36 per patient. Intra-articular TXA use can reduce costs as a result of decreased blood transfusion rate and length of hospital stay in patients undergoing TKA.


Intestinal carcinoid tumours in a father and daughter.
Familial cases of carcinoid tumours that are not associated with any known syndrome or disease are extremely rare. All cases reported in the world literature have involved carcinoid tumours of the gastrointestinal tract. Two cases of carcinoid tumours of the small intestine in a father and daughter are presented. Laboratory analyses did not support the hypothesis that the occurrence of carcinoid tumours in this family is a variant of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome. A review of the literature on familial occurrence of intestinal carcinoid tumours in the absence of any other known carcinoid tumour-predisposing genetic syndrome is provided.


[Are migrants more susceptible to mental disorders?].
There are few, methodically heterogeneous and unsatisfactory studies about the mental health of immigrants. Commonly, these studies refer to a single group of immigrants and in consequence general statements about the mental health of immigrants are impossible. In a representative population survey in Germany (N = 2 510) depressive and somatoform symptoms were screened with the Patients Health Questionnaire, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was screened with the PTDS. If at least one parent was born abroad, people are classified as immigrants. 11.1 % of the sample are immigrants, which are mostly better integrated ones. There are no significant differences in the prevalence of the investigated mental disorders of immigrants compared to the native population. The sample includes a large variety of immigrants living in Germany and does not refer to a single group. Asylum seekers and undocumented migrants are not included, those immigrants with low language skills might be underrepresented because of the methodology. Against our expectations, no differences in the mental health between imigrants and native Germans could be proven. This finding stands in a marked contrast to the well established deficit-oriented point of view on the health of immigrants.


Measuring the orbital angular momentum spectrum with a single point detector.
It is tough work to measure the orbital angular momentum (OAM) spectrum due to the requirement of a reference light or photodetector arrays, while measuring the spin angular momentum (SAM) is readily convenient and matured. In this work, the so-called OAM-SAM nonseparable states are employed, and the OAM spectrum can be obtained only by measuring the Stokes parameters of an arbitrary light beam with low loss noncascading structure and a single point detector. According to the experimental results, the fidelity of the measured OAM spectrum can be as high as 95.2% and 94.3% for OAM eigenstates and superposed states, respectively.


Lack of involvement of delta-1 opioid receptors in the development of physical dependence on morphine in mice.
Previously, we have shown that the development of physical dependence on morphine in mice is inhibited substantially by treatment of mice with the highly selective, nonequilibrium delta-2 opioid receptor antagonist, naltrindole-5'-isothiocyanate. With the availability of the highly selective, nonequilibrium delta-1 opioid receptor antagonist, [D-Ala2,Leu5,Cys6]enkephalin, it was possible, in the present report, to examine the possible involvement of delta-1 opioid receptors in the development of opiate dependence. Mice were made physically dependent on morphine by s.c. implantation of morphine pellets (75-mg free base) for 3 days. The degree of dependence was quantified by determining the ED50 values of naloxone to precipitate withdrawal jumping and diarrhea. Neither sign of opiate withdrawal was affected by chronic treatment of animals with [D-Ala2,Leu5,Cys6]enkephalin during the morphine implant period. The data suggest that delta-1, as opposed to delta-2, opioid receptors are not involved in the development of physical dependence on morphine. This fact takes on added significance because the recently cloned delta opioid receptors appear to be the delta-2 subtype and the present data together with previous findings suggest that the cloned receptors may be proper models for the study of opiate dependence.


MR imaging of the substantia nigra at 7 T enables diagnosis of Parkinson disease.
To evaluate the anatomy of the substantia nigra (SN) in healthy subjects by performing 7-T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the SN, and to prospectively define the accuracy of 7-T MR imaging in distinguishing Parkinson disease (PD) patients from healthy subjects on an individual basis. The 7-T MR imaging protocol was approved by the Italian Ministry of Health and by the local competent ethics committee. SN anatomy was described ex vivo on a gross brain specimen by using highly resolved proton-density (spin-echo proton density) and gradient-recalled-echo (GRE) images, and in vivo in eight healthy subjects (mean age, 40.1 years) by using GRE three-dimensional multiecho susceptibility-weighted images. After training on appearance of SN in eight healthy subjects, the SN anatomy was evaluated twice by two blinded observers in 13 healthy subjects (mean age, 54.7 years) and in 17 PD patients (mean age, 56.9 years). Deviations from normal SN appearance were described and indicated as abnormal, and both diagnostic accuracy and intra- and interobserver agreement for diagnosis of PD with 7-T MR imaging were calculated. Three-dimensional multiecho susceptibility-weighted 7-T MR imaging reveals a three-layered organization of the SN allowing readers to distinguish pars compacta ventralis and dorsalis from pars reticulata. The abnormal architecture of the SN allowed a discrimination between PD patients and healthy subjects with sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 96.2% (range, 92.3%-100%), respectively. Intraobserver agreement (κ = 1) and interobserver agreement (κ = 0.932) were excellent. MR imaging at 7-T allows a precise characterization of the SN and visualization of its inner organization. Three-dimensional multiecho susceptibility-weighted images can be used to accurately differentiate healthy subjects from PD patients, which provides a novel diagnostic opportunity.


[Efficacy of early cerebral MR in the detection of brain lesions in high risk preterm infants compared with conventional US].
To identify the efficacy of early cerebral MR, performed in the first month of birth, in the detection of brain lesions in high risk preterm infants, compared with conventional US, we recruited into the study a group of 30 preterm infants born at or below a gestational age of 30 weeks, who had a pathologic scan. The findings on US were compared with those of the early MR scan, performed in the same days, the results of which were considered as the final diagnosis. The value of cranial US as a predictor of MR signal intensity was assessed by calculating sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. Agreement between two investigations was evaluated by calculating the K coefficient. US showed 33 haemorrhagic lesions in 25 preterms; MR showed 27 haemorrhagic lesions in 22 infants: in 16 cases MR gave the same results of US. Cranial US was reliable in detecting lesions such as GLH and IVH, but less sensitive in the definition of their size and distribution. Sensitivity of US for haemorrhagic lesions was 96.3%, PPV 78.8%, K coefficient 0.55 (p < 0.001). About the White Matter, cranial US demonstrated 20 lesions in 20 preterms; MR showed 16 lesions in 16 infants: in 3 cases MR was agree to US. US showed high reliability in the detection of cystic lesions, but significant limitations in the demonstration of non-cystic injury. We founded that normal WM echogenicity on US is not a good predictor of normal WM signal intensity on MR (30%). Sensitivity of US for WM lesions was 81.3%, PPV 65%, K coefficient 0.23 (p = 0.04). Finally US showed 4 lesions in other brain locations, MR confirmed 3 of them and discovered other 10. Sensitivity of US for these lesions was 23.1%, PPV 75%, K coefficient 0.21 (p = 0.11). We founded that cranial US is a good method for detecting GLH, IVH, HPI and severe WM lesions (cystic PVL), but it can miss non-cystic PVL, punctate haemorrhages, WMD and lesions in other brain locations, that, on the other hand, MR detects clearly.


Skin toxicity and cosmesis after hypofractionated whole breast irradiation for early breast cancer.
To assess and compare the impact on skin reactions and cosmesis between hypofractionated whole breast and conventional irradiation for early breast cancer. Seventy-three patients with operable breast cancer (pT1-3pN0-1M0) who underwent breast-conserving surgery were assigned for irradiation to either conventional arm (50 Gy in 25 fractions) with a sequential electron boost of 15-16 Gy over five weeks or hypofractionated arm (43.2 Gy in 16 fractions) with a concomitant electron boost of 0.6 Gy over three weeks. At 3-week follow-up, skin toxicities in the hypofractionated arm were significantly worse than that seen in the conventional arm, while at 6-week follow-up, the percentages of skin toxicities in the conventional arm were higher After a median follow-up of six months, there was no significant difference in skin toxicities between the two treatment groups. In addition, there were no significant differences in the mean scores of cosmetic outcome for patients between two regimens. This hypofractionated radiotherapy regimen of 43.2 Gy in 16 fractions with a concomitant electron boost showed good results in terms of normal tissue effects and cosmesis. A long-term follow-up is needed to confirm these favorable results.


Self-Embedding Behavior in Adults: A Report of Two Cases and a Systematic Review.
Self-embedding behavior (SEB) is the repeated insertion of sharp objects, such as needles or pins, into the soft tissues of abdomen, limbs, and other body parts. In this study, two cases of SEB were reported and the scientific worldwide literature reviewed. Thirty-two cases of SEB were identified through systematic searches in the main bibliographic databases. Mean age was 35 years (SD = 8.97). Just over two-thirds of the patients were female. Although the number of embedded objects could be as high as 200, major clinical and surgical complications were uncommon and mortality was null. Patients with SEB presented three major diagnoses: psychotic (25%), personality (21.9%), and factitious (28.1%) disorders. The practice of SEB largely went undetected as the patients themselves did not bring it to the attention of family members or physicians and usually denied they have engaged in SEB. A high level of suspicion is required to avoid a missed diagnosis.


Walter Edward Dandy (1886-1946).
Dandy was a leading light in the initiation and development of neurosurgery, not only in his native America but also throughout the world. This paper attempts briefly to outline his main achievements. After a turbulent relationship with Cushing he emerged as a brilliant, if vain, surgeon and investigator, based mainly at Johns Hopkins. He initiated air ventriculography and effected original studies on cerebrospinal fluid formation and circulation. The Dandy-Walker syndrome, surgery for aneurysms and cerebellopontine angle tumours were but a few areas where he made his mark and left a lasting legacy of neurosurgical endeavour.


Adsorption of nonionic surfactant mixtures at the hydrophilic solid-solution interface.
The adsorption of the mixed nonionic surfactants, monododecyl triethylene glycol (C2EO3) and monododecyl octaethylene glycol (C12EO8), at the hydrophilic silica-solution interface has been studied by specular neutron reflectivity. The adsorption at the solid-solution interface is compared with that previously measured at the air-solution interface. The marked differences that are observed are explained in terms of the different packing constraints or preferred curvature arising from the disparity in the respective headgroup dimensions.


Resonant terahertz probes for near-field scattering microscopy.
We propose and characterize a scattering probe for terahertz (THz) near-field microscopy, fabricated from indium, where the scattering efficiency is enhanced by the dipolar resonance supported by the indium probe. The scattering properties of the probe were evaluated experimentally using THz time-domain spectroscopy (TDS), and numerically using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method in order to identify resonant enhancement. Numerical measurements show that the indium probes exhibit enhanced scattering across the THz frequency range due to dipolar resonance, with a fractional bandwidth of 0.65 at 1.24 THz. We experimentally observe the resonant enhancement of the scattered field with a peak at 0.3 THz. To enable practical THz microscopy applications of these resonant probes, we also demonstrate a simple excitation scheme utilizing a THz source with radial polarization, which excites a radial mode along the length of the tip. Strong field confinement at the apex of the tip, as required for THz near-field microscopy, was observed experimentally.


Malignant melanoma of the hepatic and common bile ducts. A case report and review of the literature.
We report a case of malignant melanotic melanoma involving the extrahepatic biliary tract in a 34-year-old white woman. The diagnosis was established using conventional light microscopic examination and immunohistochemical stains. The clinical absence of any primary cutaneous or visceral melanoma suggests that the tumor arose primarily from the biliary tract. To our knowledge, only two previous cases of malignant melanoma of the common bile duct have been reported in the literature.


Tankyrase Inhibition Blocks Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway and Reverts Resistance to PI3K and AKT Inhibitors in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer.
Oncogenic mutations in the KRAS/PI3K/AKT pathway are one of the most frequent alterations in cancer. Although PI3K or AKT inhibitors show promising results in clinical trials, drug resistance frequently emerges. We previously revealed Wnt/β-catenin signaling hyperactivation as responsible for such resistance in colorectal cancer. Here we investigate Wnt-mediated resistance in patients treated with PI3K or AKT inhibitors in clinical trials and evaluate the efficacy of a new Wnt/tankyrase inhibitor, NVP-TNKS656, to overcome such resistance. Colorectal cancer patient-derived sphere cultures and mouse tumor xenografts were treated with NVP-TNKS656, in combination with PI3K or AKT inhibitors.We analyzed progression-free survival of patients treated with different PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors in correlation with Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation, oncogenic mutations, clinicopathological traits, and gene expression patterns in 40 colorectal cancer baseline tumors. Combination with NVP-TNKS656 promoted apoptosis in PI3K or AKT inhibitor-resistant cells with high nuclear β-catenin content. High FOXO3A activity conferred sensitivity to NVP-TNKS656 treatment. Thirteen of 40 patients presented high nuclear β-catenin content and progressed earlier upon PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibition. Nuclear β-catenin levels predicted drug response, whereas clinicopathologic traits, gene expression profiles, or frequent mutations (KRAS, TP53, or PIK3CA) did not. High nuclear β-catenin content independently predicts resistance to PI3K and AKT inhibitors. Combined treatment with a Wnt/tankyrase inhibitor reduces nuclear β-catenin, reverts such resistance, and represses tumor growth. FOXO3A content and activity predicts response to Wnt/β-catenin inhibition and together with β-catenin may be predictive biomarkers of drug response providing a rationale to stratify colorectal cancer patients to be treated with PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors.


Practical formulae for calculation of Adomian's polynomials and application to the convergence of the decomposition method.
We present practical formulae for the calculus of Adomian's polynomials. We also prove the convergence of the decomposition method. Furthermore, we propose a new method for solving identification problems.


[Optodan: a new-generation laser semiconductor physiotherapeutic device].
The design of a new-generation semiconductor laser with automated operate is described (wavelength 0.85 to 0.95 mm, power up to 4 W, frequency 0.1 to 3 kHz) and potentialities of its use for laser physio- and reflex therapy of stomatological and general somatic diseases after the authors (patented and certified) methods outlined, including computer-aided laser systems for the differential diagnosis and treatment.


Increasing Immunization Rates in Infants with Severe Chronic Lung Disease: A Quality Improvement Initiative.
Immunizations provide important protection from serious childhood illnesses. Infant chronic lung disease (CLD) is a serious complication of prematurity and predisposes premature infants to respiratory morbidity, rehospitalization, and mortality. This high-risk group is especially vulnerable to infections, such as invasive pneumococcal disease, influenza, and bronchiolitis. Our purpose for this project was to increase 2-, 4-, and 6-month immunization rates in eligible infants with CLD in the NICU by 30% through December 2016. A multidisciplinary team developed weekly targeted rounds to identify eligible patients with outstanding immunizations. Exclusion criteria included the following: (1) a fraction of inspired oxygen requirement of >80%, (2) pulmonary hypertensive crisis, (3) positive blood culture results or if within 48 hours of a sepsis evaluation, (4) if within 5 days of a surgical or interventional procedure, (5) receiving steroid treatment (not including a physiologic hydrocortisone dose for adrenal insufficiency), (6) a CLD team consensus of contraindication, and (7) parental refusal. The project managed 60 patients from March 2016 to December 2016. Immunization of eligible patients increased from 44% to 75% and was sustained for the next 6 months. The average number of days from admission to immunization record review decreased from 71 days at baseline to 27 days. The implementation of (1) an in-hospital immunization record review, (2) an e-mail reminder, (3) a weekly multidisciplinary eligibility discussion, and (4) an updated rounding tool was successful in increasing and sustaining immunization rates in this population of infants with CLD. The multidisciplinary CLD meeting was a novel opportunity to discuss immunization eligibility and safety monitoring.


Prediction of total daily fecal excretion during acute childhood diarrhea.
Clinical data from 133 male patients between 3 and 36 months of age were reviewed to identify factors that could predict high rates of fecal excretion during acute diarrhea. Diarrheal severity after hospitalization was measured by separate 4-h quantitative collections of feces during 6 days: the number of these 4-h collection periods with any stool output was used as an estimate of the number of bowel movements each day. The number of 4-h periods with any stool output was highly correlated with total fecal excretion expressed as grams per kilogram of body weight per day (p less than 0.001). The age of the patient, type of diarrhea, and type of diet had little effect on the relationship between stool "number" and amount. The number of bowel movements, as estimated during this study, was a highly sensitive (greater than 90%) and reasonably specific (greater than 70%) predictor of children at risk of high fecal excretion rates (greater than 50 g/kg/day or greater than 100 g/kg/day) during acute diarrhea.


The protective effect of auto-immune buccal urine therapy (AIBUT) against the Raynaud phenomenon.
The efficacy of Auto-Immune Buccal Urine Therapy (AIBUT) against allergic symptoms depends upon sublingual administration of the correct dose of urine as determined by bio-assay in individual patients. Succeeding effective turn-off doses occur at the troughs of a sinusoidal dose-response curve. Efficacy of the administered dose is confirmed by reduction in the severity and duration of Cold-water-induced Raynaud symptoms after administration of effective doses of unboiled urine in AIBUT. Boiled urine does not affect the Raynaud phenomenon.


Gifts from the grave: lessons learned for living well.
Often expected to work institutional miracles although under resourced, most hospice and palliative care nurses excel in meeting consistently intense and demanding clinical and human challenges. They do so by staying focused and being grounded, highly accountable, responsive, and empathetic. With time and experience, they often master the art of advocacy, and through developing a capacity for "organization-with-heart," they navigate very complex institutional, systemic, cultural, and societal waters. Nurses are present to patient and familial wounds; the sights, sounds, smells of chaos and beauty; gladness and grief; intimacy and numbness. Our guest author today distills years of nursing experience into a very few words that can be shared in classrooms, homes, and clinics. It is clear that she not only knows of what she speaks, but, having died many times to that which is not fruitful, she separates the essential from the nonessential and, in so doing, is renewed and full of life. Isn't this an ultimate demonstration of integration and embodiment? Therese Schroeder-Sheker, The Chalice of Repose Project.


Neural economics and the biological substrates of valuation.
A recent flurry of neuroimaging and decision-making experiments in humans, when combined with single-unit data from orbitofrontal cortex, suggests major additions to current models of reward processing. We review these data and models and use them to develop a specific computational relationship between the value of a predictor and the future rewards or punishments that it promises. The resulting computational model, the predictor-valuation model (PVM), is shown to anticipate a class of single-unit neural responses in orbitofrontal and striatal neurons. The model also suggests how neural responses in the orbitofrontal-striatal circuit may support the conversion of disparate types of future rewards into a kind of internal currency, that is, a common scale used to compare the valuation of future behavioral acts or stimuli.


Studies on the lactose character in Salmonella S:41:z10.
A number of plasmids carrying the Lac+ character have been reported. Lac+ character of salmonella S:41:z10:- studied for transfer of Lac+ character to standard Escherichia coli K12 Lac-F- Nalr and Escherichia coli K12 F- Lac- Rifr, failed to transfer in in vitro experiments. Similarly, identification and characterisation of plasmid DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis technique did not show specific plasmid DNA as compared to standard molecular weight plasmids. Plasmid DNA appeared to have been embedded with chromosomal DNA molecule.


Indirect Costs and Family Burden of Pediatric Crohn's Disease in the United States.
Crohn's disease (CD) negatively impacts patient quality of life and results in greater healthcare utilization. For pediatric CD patients, the burden also extends to their caregivers. We aimed to estimate work loss and productivity costs among caregivers of pediatric CD patients. Data were from Truven MarketScan databases (2000-2012). Patients were <18 years old with ≥2 ICD-9 CD diagnostic codes. Controls were those without CD or ulcerative colitis and were matched to patients by age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, index year, and insurance plan category. Continuous enrollment was required ≥6 months before and ≥12 months after index, defined as the patient's first CD diagnosis date. Outcomes included hours of work loss and associated productivity costs of caregivers 1-year postindex. Work loss and productivity costs were compared between caregivers of patients and controls. Adjustments for unbalanced baseline factors were made using a generalized linear regression model. Each cohort included 200 study participants and their caregivers. Unadjusted annual hours of work loss after first diagnosis were 214.4 ± 171.5 and 169.6 ± 157.5 for caregivers of CD patients and controls, respectively (P = 0.007). Annual productivity costs were 27.2% ($1122) higher for caregivers of CD patients than controls, estimated at $5243 and $4,121, respectively (P = 0.004). Adjusted cost analyses yielded similar findings. Over the course of a patient's childhood, accumulated productivity losses were $24,118 for CD patients and $18,957 for control caregivers. Caregivers of pediatric CD patients have significantly higher loss in productivity costs compared with controls.


Fusarium species from the cassava root rot complex in west Africa.
ABSTRACT Fusarium species are a significant component of the set of fungi associated with cassava root rot. Yield losses due to root rot average 0.5 to 1 ton/ha but losses >3 ton/ha, an equivalent of 15 to 20% yield, often occur. This paper reviews previous work on cassava root rot and summarizes a few recent studies on Fusarium species associated with the disease. Our studies in Cameroon showed that 30% of rotted tubers were infected by Fusarium spp. 12 months after planting and represented 25% of all the fungal isolates recovered. Other commonly recovered fungi were Botryodiplodia theobromae and Armillaria spp. Numerous and diverse species of Fusarium were associated with rotted cassava roots in Nigeria and Cameroon. At least 13 distinct amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) groups of Fusarium were distinguishable, each group probably a distinct species, and many of them might represent previously undescribed Fusarium species. The two largest of the AFLP groups correspond to F. oxysporum and F. solani species complex. The distribution of Fusarium spp. varied among countries and among locations within a country, suggesting that germ plasm resistant at one location may not be resistant at another. Fusarium spp. also cause seedling blight of cassava and can be recovered from the stems of infected plants up to 1 m above the ground. Therefore, the pathogen can spread with stems cut as planting material. Fusarium spp. also can colonize Chromolaena odorata, the dominant weed in short fallows, which could further complicate management efforts by serving as an alternative host for strains that colonize cassava.


Vitamin D shows in vivo efficacy in a placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomised clinical trial on canine atopic dermatitis.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) in dogs is among the most common skin diseases in small animal practice. It is an inflammatory disease based on a genetic predisposition to develop hypersensitivity against environmental and food allergens and typical clinical signs up exposure. Treatment sometimes can be difficult and associated with adverse effects. Previous studies evaluating cholecalciferol as treatment for human AD have shown promising results. With canine AD being a good animal model for its human counterpart, it was hypothesised that cholecalciferol might have beneficial clinical effects in dogs, too. In this randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded eight-week cross-over study, 23 client-owned dogs received either systemic cholecalciferol (n=16), a vitamin D receptor analogue (n=8) or placebo (n=13). Blood samples for ionised calcium were obtained regularly during the study, and Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index and pruritus scores, blood levels of vitamin D metabolites, measurements of skin pH and transepidermal water loss were determined before and after. Pruritus and lesion scores decreased significantly in the cholecalciferol group versus placebo. No differences in water loss or skin pH were observed. An increase in serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol strongly correlated with a reduction in pruritus. Systemic cholecalciferol may be a viable treatment option for canine AD.


[Synthesis of amphiphilic photochromic benzo-15(18)-crown-5(6)-ethers and their properties in monolayers].
New amphiphilic photochromic benzo-15(18)-crown-5(6) ethers (APC) differing in the position of the octadecyl substituent and the size of the crown cavity were synthesized. The compounds form stable monolayers in the air/water and air/alkaline metal salt solution interfaces. The results of the pressure isotherm measurements, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and electronic spectroscopy show that the structure of the monolayers formed depends on the structure of the parent APC and the nature of the cation in salt solutions. The area per molecule of APC in the monolayer (specific area) is the smallest on the water surface and increases by 20-40% on the aqueous subphase surface with an increasing concentration of salts therein to indicate the formation of APC complexes with the metal cations. When the hydrophobic aliphatic substituent is displaced from position 3 to position 5 of the benzothiazole ring, the specific area on the surface of water and subphases decreases twofold, which indicates the compactization of the monolayer on this modification. A reversible E-Z-photoisomerization of APC was found in the monolayers formed in the salt solution/air interface. The features of the reaction are defined by the specific organization of the amphiphilic molecules in the monolayer and by the nature of the cation.


Association of cell cycle arrest with anticancer drug-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in alveolar epithelial cells.
Many drugs exert serious cytotoxic effects on pulmonary tissues. Although several reports have shown an association of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) with anticancer drug-induced lung injury, mechanisms of these effects are poorly understood. In the present study, we evaluated mechanisms of anticancer drug-induced EMT, with a focus on involvement of cell cycle arrest. We found that methotrexate (MTX) altered mRNA expression levels of many genes as determined by microarray analysis. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that cell cycle arrest pathways may be associated with MTX-induced EMT. In addition, thymidine (THY) and nocodazole (NOC), which induce cell cycle arrest at S-phase and G2/M-phase, increased mRNA expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), an EMT marker. Furthermore, α-SMA protein expression in cells arrested at S- and G2/M-phases by MTX and paclitaxel (PTX) was significantly higher than that in cells at G1. Notably, co-treatment of cells with THY or NOC and EMT-inducing anticancer drugs did not result in additional upregulation of α-SMA mRNA expression. These findings suggested that cell cycle arrest may be closely associated with anticancer drug-induced EMT in alveolar epithelial cells.


Sleep disordered breathing in children seeking orthodontic care.
Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence of high-risk factors for sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in an orthodontic population of children. SDB is a spectrum of breathing disorders ranging from primary snoring to obstructive sleep apnea. The sample included 303 healthy children between the ages of 9 and 17. High risk of SDB was assessed using the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire, a validated instrument that consists of 22 questions, and high risk is defined as positive answers to 33% or more of the questions answered. Sixteen randomly selected patients repeated the questionnaire 1 month after the initial survey for reliability. In this sample, high-risk status on the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire was not associated with sex, age, or race. The percentage of patients who were screened as high risk was 7.3% (95% confidence interval, 4.7%-10.6%). The results of this study suggest that approximately 7% of adolescent orthodontic patients may be at a significant risk for some form of SDB.


Effects of aging-related losses in strength on the ability to recover from a backward balance loss.
Although muscle weakness is a risk factor for falls, its direct influence on the ability to prevent a fall is largely unknown. This study therefore investigated the effect of aging-related losses in strength on the ability to restore static balance following a recovery step from a backward balance loss. A six-link, sagittal-plane musculoskeletal model with 10 Hill-type musculotendon actuators was developed to simulate the strength characteristics and balance recovery motions of young and older adults. Using this model, feasible regions for balance recovery were mapped for each age group for "slow" and "fast" initial conditions of backward and downward velocity. For both conditions, there was considerable overlap between the feasible regions of young and older adults, with both age groups able to restore static balance from similar initial hip heights. However, the ranges of initial center of mass positions, relative to the rear heel, for which balance could be restored did not extend as far anteriorly or posteriorly for older adults. The feasible region did not extend as far upward, downward, or posteriorly for the "fast" condition, with these differences between conditions being similar in each age group. The results suggest that aging-related losses in strength impair the ability to recover from a backward balance loss only if older adults take a very short or very long recovery step behind the center of mass, even for high velocities at step touchdown. Training of the stepping response might therefore be more effective than strength training in preventing backward falls.