Nonmonotonic generalization bias of Gaussian mixture models.
Theories of learning and generalization hold that the generalization bias, defined as the difference between the training error and the generalization error, increases on average with the number of adaptive parameters. This article, however, shows that this general tendency is violated for a gaussian mixture model. For temperatures just below the first symmetry breaking point, the effective number of adaptive parameters increases and the generalization bias decreases. We compute the dependence of the neural information criterion on temperature around the symmetry breaking. Our results are confirmed by numerical cross-validation experiments.


Kainic acid-mediated increase of preprotachykinin-A messenger RNA expression in the rat hippocampus and a region-selective attenuation by dexamethasone.
The hippocampus contains the highest number of glucocorticoid-sensitive neurons in the rat brain and excessive exposure to glucocorticoids can cause damage to hippocampal neurons and impair the capacity of the hippocampus to survive neuronal insults. In this study in situ hybridization combined with quantitative image analysis was used to study preprotachykinin-A mRNA levels after administration of a toxic dose of kainic acid in animals pretreated with glucocorticoids. Kainic acid was injected into dorsal hippocampus CA3 region in animals pretreated with the synthetic glucocorticoid receptor agonist dexamethasone and in control animals. Preprotachykinin-A mRNA was not detected in the hippocampus of untreated animals or in animals analysed 30 min after a kainic acid injection. However, 4 h after injection of kainic acid, the level of preprotachykinin-A mRNA increased to 20-times above the detection limit both in the dentate gyrus and the CA3 region of the hippocampus. Treatment of kainic acid-injected animals with dexamethasone 30 min before and 2 h after the injection attenuated the increase in the granule cells of the dentate gyrus by 50%. In contrast, dexamethasone pretreatment had no significant effect on the kainic acid-induced increase of preprotachykinin-A mRNA in pyramidal cells in regions CA3 or CA1. These results show that an excitatory stimulus within the hippocampus causes a substantial increase in the level of preprotachykinin-A mRNA in hippocampal granule and pyramidal cells and suggest that in granule cells of the dentate gyrus this increase can be modulated by glucocorticoids.


(Aminocarbene)(divinyltetramethyldisiloxane)iron(0) compounds: a class of low-coordinate iron(0) reagents.
The combined use of aminocarbene and divinyltetramethyldisiloxane (dvtms) as supporting ligands enables the access of unprecedented low-coordinate iron(0) alkene compounds [L(n)Fe(η(2):η(2)-dvtms)] (L=N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) or cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC), n=1 or 2) from the reactions of FeCl2 with alkali-metal reducing agents, free aminocarbene ligands, and dvtms. The iron(0) species deliver their {L(n)Fe(0)} fragments to perform redox reactions with Ph2SiH2, S8, Se, and DippN3, furnishing novel aminocarbene-supported iron(IV) silylene, all-ferrous iron-sulfur/selenium cubanes, and bis(imido)iron(IV) compounds. These conversions demonstrate the potential synthetic utility of the carbene-supported iron(0) complexes as a valuable class of low-coordinate iron(0) reagents.


Infrared spectroscopy of acetone-hexane liquid mixtures.
Acetone and hexane mixtures covering the whole solubility range were studied by Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy. Factor analysis separates the spectra into four principal factor spectra and multiplying factors. Those containing negative factors are abstract, but the spectra are real. A statistical distribution model of the molecules in the solutions rendered the factors real. From these we define the intermediate species that occur in a 1:2 molar ratio of acetone in hexane, present principally in the low acetone concentration regions, and in a 2:1 molar ratio of acetone in hexane, present principally in the higher acetone concentration region. However, except at the concentration range limits where only pure acetone and pure hexane are present, the four species are present over the whole solubility range. The IR spectra of the species indicated very little displacement of the CH stretch bands, HCH deformation bands, and CC stretch bands, although there are some small intensity variations. Most of the modifications are observed on the acetone C=O stretch band. From the gas phase position, a strong bathochromic shift of 19 cm(-1) of the pure liquid is assigned to dipole-dipole interactions. In the 2:1 groupings, the shift that decreases to 15 cm(-1) is due to the diminished dipole-dipole interactions. In the 1:2 groupings, no dipole-dipole interaction can exist, and the bathochromic displacement of 9 cm(-1) is attributed to van der Waals interactions. In the one acetone to two hexanes grouping, no dipole-dipole interaction can exist, and the bathochromic displacement of 9 cm(-1) is attributed to van der Waals interactions. From the statistical distribution of the molecules, we determine that mixtures of hexane and acetone form a random organization with no preferred association or complex.


Proposed preliminary diagnostic reference levels for three common interventional cardiology procedures in Ireland.
This study has gathered data across Ireland to determine the range of radiation doses received during interventional cardiology (IC) investigations. Radiation doses for three common types of IC examinations where investigated: coronary angiography (CA), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and pacemaker insertions (PPI). A total of 22 cardiac imaging suites participated in the study. Radiation dose was monitored for 1804 adult patients using dose area product (DAP) meters. Individual patient DAP values ranged from 136-23,101 cGy cm2, 475-41,038 cGy cm2 and 45-17,192 cGy cm2 for CA, PCI and PPI respectively, with third quartile values of 4654 cGy cm2, 10,650 cGy cm2 and 1686 cGy cm2. The importance of optimising radiation dose, while not compromising diagnostic efficacy is clear. Although setting reference levels for these complex procedures has some difficulties, it is important that some guideline values are available as a benchmark to guide the operators during these potentially high dose procedures. The third quartile values as described by this paper may offer such guidance.


Nutritional aspects of parasitic infection.
The nutritional basis of the ecological relationship between parasites and their hosts is reviewed using examples of the parasitic infections of man whenever possible. Two important points are discussed first: the distinction between parasitic infection and parasitic disease, and the concepts of synergism or antagonism between undernutrition and parasitic disease. The effects of parasites on the nutritional status of the host are examined in four ways. First, in terms of the ways in which parasites can disturb nutritive processes by effects on physical activity to obtain food, and by effects on food consumption, digestion and absorption. Secondly, in terms of the nutritional cost of an infection to a parasitised host. Thirdly, in terms of the feeding, nutrition and metabolism of parasites. Finally, in terms of damage to the tissues of the host caused by parasites. Two other sections deal briefly with the transmission of parasites in food and the effects of food on parasites.


Long-term demographic consequences of habitat fragmentation to a tropical understory bird community.
Tropical deforestation continues to cause population declines and local extinctions in centers of avian diversity and endemism. Although local species extinctions stem from reductions in demographic rates, little is known about how habitat fragmentation influences survival of tropical bird populations or the relative importance of survival and fecundity in ultimately shaping communities. We analyzed 22 years of mark-recapture data to assess how fragmentation influenced apparent survival, recruitment, and realized population growth rate within 22 forest understory bird species in the Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. This represents the first such effort, in either tropical or temperate systems, to characterize the effect of deforestation on avian survival across such a broad suite of species. Long-term demographic analysis of this suite of species experiencing the same fragmented environment revealed considerable variability in species' responses to fragmentation, in addition to general patterns that emerged from comparison among species. Across the understory bird community as a whole, we found significantly lower apparent survival and realized population growth rate in small fragments relative to large, demonstrating fragmentation effects to demographic rates long after habitat loss, Demographic rates were depressed across five feeding guilds, suggesting that fragmentation sensitivity was not limited to insectivores. Seniority analyses, together with a positive effect of fragmentation on recruitment, indicated that depressed apparent survival was the primary driver of population declines and observed extinctions. We also found a landscape effect, with lower vital rates in one mountain range relative to another, suggesting that fragmentation effects may add to other large-scale drivers of population decline. Overall, realized population growth rate (lambda) estimates were < 1 for most species, suggesting that future population persistence, even within large forest fragments, is uncertain in this biodiversity hotspot.


Descriptions of the final stadium larva and female adult of Coeliccia mingxiensis Xu (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platycnemididae).
The final stadium larva of Coeliccia mingxiensis Xu is described and illustrated. The female adult is also described for the first time. The larva can be easily separated from all known Coeliccia larvae by the following distinct morphological characters: (1) prementum longest in all known Coeliccia larvae; median lobe with 4 pairs of premental setae and palpal lobe with 6 palpal setae; (2) caudal gills shortest of all known Coeliccia larvae when compared with body length; median gill rounded at apex and lateral gill with a small median projection at apex. The female is similar to the male in many respects, differing chiefly in several respects as follows: the transverse yellow band on vertex of head broader and straighter than in male; antehumeral stripe on mesepisternum somewhat incurved basally, not forming a strong hook, which is present in male; distal abdomen with obviously different colour pattern; anal appendages brownish-black, shorter than S10; vulvar scales robust, brownish-yellow, projecting well beyond end of abdomen.


The use of gamma probe for the intraoperative localization of an ectopic parathyroid adenoma.
The most common etiologic factor of primary hyperparathyroidism is a solitary parathyroid adenoma that might be located in the mediastinum. The mediastinally located ectopic parathyroid adenomas are often out of reach with a cervical incision and require a thoracic approach. We present a case of 55 year-old female patient with a parathyroid adenoma located anterior to the ascending aorta within the thymus resulting in primary hyperparathyroidism. The patient underwent an extended thymectomy with intraoperative use of a gamma probe as an adjunct to surgical resection which provided the accurate localization of the parathyroid adenoma. Histologic diagnosis confirmed the tumor to be an ectopic parathyroid adenoma. The patient showed an uneventful postoperative period with decreased levels of both calcium and parathyroid hormone. We emphasize that the gamma probe serves as a very useful device to differentiate the ectopic parathyroid adenoma from surrounding tissues for complete surgical excision.


A neutralizing anti-G-CSFR antibody blocks G-CSF-induced neutrophilia without inducing neutropenia in nonhuman primates.
Neutrophils are the most abundant WBCs and have an essential role in the clearance of pathogens. Tight regulation of neutrophil numbers and their recruitment to sites of inflammation is critical in maintaining a balanced immune response. In various inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, cystic fibrosis, and inflammatory bowel disease, increased serum G-CSF correlates with neutrophilia and enhanced neutrophil infiltration into inflamed tissues. We describe a fully human therapeutic anti-G-CSFR antibody (CSL324) that is safe and well tolerated when administered via i.v. infusion to cynomolgus macaques. CSL324 was effective in controlling G-CSF-mediated neutrophilia when administered either before or after G-CSF. A single ascending-dose study showed CSL324 did not alter steady-state neutrophil numbers, even at doses sufficient to completely prevent G-CSF-mediated neutrophilia. Weekly infusions of CSL324 (≤10 mg/kg) for 3 wk completely neutralized G-CSF-mediated pSTAT3 phosphorylation without neutropenia. Moreover, repeat dosing up to 100 mg/kg for 12 wk did not result in neutropenia at any point, including the 12-wk follow-up after the last infusion. In addition, CSL324 had no observable effect on basic neutrophil functions, such as phagocytosis and oxidative burst. These data suggest that targeting G-CSFR may provide a safe and effective means of controlling G-CSF-mediated neutrophilia as observed in various inflammatory diseases.


Is aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 a credible genetic instrument for alcohol use in Mendelian randomization analysis in Southern Chinese men?
Mendelian randomization studies provide a means of assessing causal relations without interventions, but require valid genetic instruments. We assessed the credibility of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) as a genetic instrument for alcohol use in Southern Chinese men. We genotyped the single nucleotide polymorphism rs671 of ALDH2 in 4867 men from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study. We used linear regression to assess the strength of the association of ALDH2 variants with alcohol use, whether ALDH2 variants were independently associated with socio-economic position or other potential confounders and whether associations of ALDH2 variants with cardiovascular risk factors (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, fasting glucose), triglycerides, body mass index, self reported cardiovascular disease, self-reported ischaemic heart disease, cognitive function (delayed 10-word recall and Mini Mental State Examination score) and liver function (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase) were fully mediated by alcohol use. The minor allele frequency (A) of ALDH2 was 0.29. The F statistic for ALDH2 variants was 75.0, suggesting that substantial weak instrument bias is unlikely. ALDH2 variants were not associated with socio-economic position, smoking or physical activity. ALDH2 variants were only associated with diastolic blood pressure and HDL-cholesterol, but these genetic associations with blood pressure and HDL-cholesterol were attenuated after adjusting for alcohol use, suggesting the apparent genetic associations were possibly mediated by alcohol use. ALDH2 variants are a credible genetic instrument for Mendelian randomization studies of alcohol use and many attributes of health in Southern Chinese men.


Movement training advances the emergence of reaching in infants born at less than 33 weeks of gestational age: a randomized clinical trial.
This study had 2 purposes: (1) to compare the emergence of reaching in infants born full-term and infants born at less than 33 weeks of gestational age and (2) to evaluate the effectiveness of a movement training program on the emergence of reaching in this preterm population. Twenty-six infants born at less than 33 weeks of gestational age and with a birth weight less than 2,500 g were randomly assigned to receive 20 minutes of daily movement training (PT-M group) or daily social training (PT-S group) and were compared with 13 infants born full-term (FT-S group). Reaching and hand-object interactions were tested every other week for 8 weeks. At each visit, infants were allowed six 30-second opportunities to contact a midline toy. The FT-S and PT-M groups reached earlier and more consistently than the PT-S group. Specifically, the subjects in the FT-S group contacted the toy for longer durations and with an open, ventral surface of their hand. The PT-M group demonstrated increases in the number of hand-object contacts, the number of consistent reaches, and the percentage of time interacting with the toy and the surface of hand-object contact. This project demonstrates that there are early gross motor skill differences in infants born at less than 33 weeks of gestational age. A caregiver-based daily training program, however, is effective at lessening some, but not all, of these differences over the short term.


[Biological risk in health. Risk to third parties: medical-legal focus. Responsible behavior of the competent physician].
The responsibility of the occupational physician (OP) is discussed within the particular topic of biological risk generated by health care workers (HCW) versus third parties in health care settings. The present contribution offers keys of interpretation regarding current Italian legislation and passed sentences, taking into account principles of occupational medicine, the ICOH code of ethics for occupational health professionals, as well as duties and tasks of OP, employers and employees. Most of the responsibilities stand on employers, but OP has a primary duty of information and to judge fitness for work. It is underlined the difficult interpretation of the current legislation and indications. Behaviour of the OP could be censored in case of particular fitness for work or in case of inadequate information, as well as if the comprehension of information is not verified or when indication to minimize the risk are not controlled.


The role of psychological flexibility in appearance anxiety in people who have experienced a visible burn injury.
Individuals with visible differences can experience appearance anxiety that is distressing and disruptive to daily functioning. Understanding psychological factors that maintain appearance anxiety related to scarring is important in developing theoretical understanding of adjustment to injury, and in identifying targets for psychological therapies. This study aimed to investigate whether psychological flexibility, a key element underpinning acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), was associated with appearance anxiety. It was hypothesised that reduced psychological flexibility (lower acceptance, cognitive defusion, mindfulness, and committed action) would be related to increased appearance anxiety. The role of psychological flexibility in the maintenance of appearance anxiety was investigated using a cross-sectional quantitative questionnaire study. Seventy-eight burns patients (47 female, 31 male; M age=45.2years) completed the Derriford Appearance Scale (DAS-24), the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II), the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ), the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), and the Committed Action Questionnaire (CAQ-8). As hypothesised, increased appearance anxiety was related to reduced acceptance (rs(76)=0.80, p<0.001, one-tailed) and cognitive defusion (rs(76)=0.76, p<0.001). Reduced levels of mindfully describing (r(72)=-0.39, p<0.001), acting with awareness (r(72)=-0.57, p<0.001), non-judging (r(72)=-0.61, p<0.001) and non-reactivity (r(72)=-0.28, p<0.01) as well as reduced committed action (r(72)=-0.57, p<0.001) were also related to increased appearance anxiety. Individuals experiencing appearance anxiety associated with a burn injury may struggle with accepting difficult emotions, stepping back from distressing thoughts, being mindful and engaging in valued action. These findings suggest that ACT may be useful in treating appearance related anxiety and concerns associated with conditions causing a visible difference.


[Subcutaneous nodules with malignant presentation, but caused by infection].
Three patients, a woman aged 32, a boy aged 6.5 and a man aged 56 years, presented with a subcutaneous mass suggesting a malignancy: respectively a rubbery swelling, painful to the touch below the left scapula, a partly massive, partly soft swelling on the inside of the left upper leg, and a non-fluctuating mass near the right eighth rib, parasternally. Additional diagnostic investigation revealed an infectious cause: respectively Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Bartonella henselae and Salmonella typhi. Antimicrobial therapy was successful. Subcutaneous masses suspected of being a benign or malignant tumour are sometimes caused by an infection. The differential diagnosis is extensive. Sometimes the travel anamnesis yields helpful information. It is concluded that besides histopathological examination, microbiological investigation can play a major role in the evaluation of subcutaneous masses.


Biodegradation of methyl tert-butyl ether using bacterial strains.
Prospective methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) degrading bacterial strains and/or consortia were identified. The potential for aerobic degradation of MTBE was examined using bacterial isolates from contaminated soils and groundwater. Using the 16S rDNA protocol, two isolates capable of degrading MTBE (Rhodococcus pyridinivorans 4A and Achromobacter xylosoxidans 6A) were identified. The most efficient consortium of microorganisms was acquired from contaminated groundwater. The growth of both strains and the consortium on MTBE was supported by various organic substrates, and monitored using Bioscreen. The biochemical oxygen demand of the cultures was measured using OxiTop, and their MTBE concentrations were estimated by gas chromatography. After 3 weeks of aerobic cultivation using n-alkanes as cosubstrate, the concentration of MTBE in R. pyridinivorans 4A was reduced to 62.4 % of its initial amount (50 ppm).


Detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA in buffy-coat samples of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Recent studies have suggested that Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is a risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysm. This study explores the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA in buffy-coat samples of control subjects and of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm. The seroepidemiological association between abdominal aortic aneurysm and Chlamydia pneumoniae was also investigated. Buffy-coat samples and serum specimens were obtained from 88 patients and 88 control subjects. Detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA in buffy-coat samples and measurement of IgG antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae in serum specimens were performed by polymerase chain reaction and microimmunofluorescence, respectively. Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA was detected in buffy-coat samples of 18 (20%) patients and 8 (9%) control subjects (adjusted odds ratio 2.9, 95% confidence interval 1-8.5). IgG antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae were detected in 85 (97%) patients and 71 (81%) control subjects (adjusted odds ratio 7.2, 95% confidence interval 1.7-31). The results show an association between abdominal aortic aneurysm and either the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA in buffy-coat samples or IgG antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae. These findings support the hypothesis that previous infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae might be a risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysm.


Efficacy of p53 adenovirus-mediated gene therapy against human breast cancer xenografts.
In response to DNA damage, p53 protein accumulates in the cell nucleus causing cells to undergo DNA repair or apoptosis, programmed cell death. Reintroduction of wild-type p53 into tumors with null or mutant p53 offers a novel strategy for controlling tumor growth, by inducing apoptotic death in neoplastic cells. The efficacy of a replication-deficient p53 adenovirus construct was tested against three human breast cancer cell lines expressing mutant p53, MDA-MB-231, -468, and -435. 231 and 468 cells were both highly transduced at a multiplicity of infection of 10. By contrast, 435 cells were rarely transduced. p53 adenovirus-mediated gene therapy was highly effective against 231 and 468 tumor xenografts in nude mice. At a total dose of 2.2 x 10(9) cellular infectious units (CIU), inhibition of 231 tumor growth was 86% (P < or = .01). Thirty-seven percent of that growth inhibition was due to p53, while 49% was adenovirus-specific. Inhibition of 468 tumor growth was 74% (P < or = .001). Forty-five percent of that inhibition was p53-specific, while 28% was adenovirus-specific. The ED50 values for 231 tumors and 468 tumor growth inhibition were 3 x 10(8) CIU and 2 x 10(8) CIU, respectively. Injection of p53 Ad into 231 or 468 tumors induced apoptosis. By contrast, growth inhibition in 435 tumors treated with p53 adenovirus was not significant, probably due to low adenovirus transduction. 231 and 435 cells both expressed high levels of alpha v, beta 1, beta 3, and beta 5 integrin subunits, ruling out lack of the appropriate integrins as the reason for the low infection rate in 435 cells. Our results demonstrate the ability of wild-type p53 to curtail cancerous cell growth in vivo in tumors expressing mutant p53. The ability of beta-gal Ad to infect tumor cells in vitro was generally predictive of in vivo p53 Ad efficacy.


Amperometric determination of lactate with novel trienzyme/poly(carbamoyl) sulfonate hydrogel-based sensor.
A novel trienzyme sensor for the amperometric determination of lactate was constructed by immobilizing salicylate hydroxylase (SHL, E.C. 1.14.13.1), l-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, E.C. 1.1.1.27), and pyruvate oxidase (PyOD, E.C. 1.2.3.3) on a Clark-type oxygen electrode. The enzymes were entrapped by a poly(carbamoyl) sulfonate (PCS) hydrogel on a Teflon membrane. LDH catalyzes the specific dehydrogenation of lactate consuming NAD(+). SHL catalyzes the irreversible decarboxylation and the hydroxylation of salicylate in the presence of oxygen and NADH produced by LDH. PyOD decarboxylates pyruvate using oxygen and phosphate. SHL and PyOD force the equilibrium of dehydrogenation of lactate by LDH to the product side by consuming NADH and pyruvate, respectively. Dissolved oxygen acts as an essential material for both PyOD and SHL during their respective enzymatic reactions. Therefore, an amplified signal, caused by the consumptions of dissolved oxygen by the two enzymes, was observed in the measurement of lactate. Regeneration of cofactor was found in the trienzyme system. A Teflon membrane was used to fabricate the sensor in order to avoid interferences. The sensor has a fast response (2s) and short recovery times (2 min). The total test time for a measurement by using this lactate sensor (4 min) was faster than using a commercial lactate testing kit (up to 10 min). The sensor has a linear range between 10 and 400 microM lactate, with a detection limit of 4.3 microM. A good agreement (R2 = 0.9984) with a commercial lactate testing kit was obtained in beverage sample measurements.


Predictors of Pain Management among American Indian Cancer Survivors.
There is little research on cancer symptom management among Indigenous populations. This paper reports on the predictors of cancer pain management among American Indian cancer patients/survivors and their caregivers/family. The intervention was a symptom management toolkit delivered via traditional talking circles vs. standard care (control) at eight randomized reservation and urban clinic sites in the Southwest. Participants (N=184) were American Indian adults diagnosed with cancer and/or caregiver/family members. The primary outcome measure collected via pre-test and post-test questionnaires was the ability to manage cancer pain. Significant differences at post-test were the ability to manage cancer-related pain (p=.02) and a close relationship (p=.0018) that proved significant for intervention participants and was instrumental in fostering their ability to manage pain. The study also showed improvement in the desire and ability to improve cancer pain management among intervention participants. Programs targeting American Indians should use culturally appropriate education to improve management of cancer-related symptoms.


Neurochemical insights.
The 20th biennial meeting of the International Society for Neurochemistry was recently held in Innsbruck, Austria. This meeting gave an overview of the latest findings in the field of molecular mechanisms and diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and prion disease. There was a focus on the molecular pathogenesis of protein misfolding in these disorders as well as on the association between oxidative metabolism and neurological diseases. RNA interference, metal chelators, and the use of metallopeptidases were discussed as possible therapeutic strategies.


Application of carcinogenesis theory to primary prevention.
To apply current cancer development theory to concepts of and interventions for cancer prevention. Current medical and nursing literature. Carcinogenesis is a complex process that is only partially understood. The information that is available supports efforts to control the disease. However, the lack of detailed understanding limits attempts to alter the course of cancer. The understanding that cancer is the result of cumulative genetic errors can be used to direct oncology nursing interventions to prevent the disease. Oncology nurses should be aware of the various factors that influence cancer development to prescribe primary prevention measures. Nurses also must be aware that efforts to understand carcinogenesis and exploit that knowledge are ongoing. Awareness of advances in the understanding of cancer development are keys to appropriate patient care.


Perspective-taking: decreasing stereotype expression, stereotype accessibility, and in-group favoritism.
Using 3 experiments, the authors explored the role of perspective-taking in debiasing social thought. In the 1st 2 experiments, perspective-taking was contrasted with stereotype suppression as a possible strategy for achieving stereotype control. In Experiment 1, perspective-taking decreased stereotypic biases on both a conscious and a nonconscious task. In Experiment 2, perspective-taking led to both decreased stereotyping and increased overlap between representations of the self and representations of the elderly, suggesting activation and application of the self-concept in judgments of the elderly. In Experiment 3, perspective-taking reduced evidence of in-group bias in the minimal group paradigm by increasing evaluations of the out-group. The role of self-other overlap in producing prosocial outcomes and the separation of the conscious, explicit effects from the nonconscious, implicit effects of perspective-taking are discussed.


Are antimicrobial peripherally inserted central catheters associated with reduction in central line-associated bloodstream infection? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Antimicrobial peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) may reduce the risk of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). However, data regarding efficacy are limited. We aimed to evaluate whether antimicrobial PICCs are associated with CLABSI reduction. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINHAL, and Web of Science were searched from inception to July 2016; conference proceedings were searched to identify additional studies. Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by 2 authors. Of 597 citations identified, 8 studies involving 12,879 patients met eligibility criteria. Studies included adult and pediatric patients from intensive care, long-term care, and general ward settings. The incidence of CLABSI in patients with antimicrobial PICCs was 0.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0%-0.5%), and the incidence among nonantimicrobial catheters was 5.3% (95% CI, 2.6%-8.8%). Compared with noncoated PICCs, antimicrobial PICCs were associated with a significant reduction in CLABSI (relative risk [RR], 0.29; 95% CI, 0.10-0.78). Statistical heterogeneity (I2, 71.6%; T2 = 1.07) was resolved by publication type, with peer-reviewed articles showing greater reduction in CLABSI (RR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.06-0.74). Twenty-six patients (95% CI, 21-75) need to be treated with antimicrobial PICCs to prevent 1 CLABSI. Studies of adults at greater baseline risk of CLABSI experienced greater reduction in CLABSI (RR, 0.20; P = .003). Available evidence suggests that antimicrobial PICCs may reduce CLABSI, especially in high-risk subgroups. Randomized trials are needed to assess efficacy across patient populations.


[Western and traditional Chinese medicine disease management programs of chronic heart failure].
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is one of the greatest disease in modem medicine as chronic disease . It cost lots of financial resources to deal with. Western and traditional Chinese medicine Disease management programs (DMP) can notability improve the qualities of life and reduce the expenses for CHF. The disease management programs of CHF have achieved kind of success, but the management programs method witch is of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) characteristic idea carry into testing execution in few TCM hospitals only. This article review the necessary of DMP research, advances in research of DMP research, and relationship between management programs method of Western and traditional Chinese medicine and illness state improvement of CHF patients.


The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2/angiotensin (1-7)/Mas axis protects the function of pancreatic β cells by improving the function of islet microvascular endothelial cells.
In the diabetic state, the local rennin-angiotensin system (RAS) is activated in the pancreas, and is strongly associated with islet dysfunction. The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)/angiotensin (1-7) [Ang(1-7)]/Mas axis is a protective, negative regulator of the classical renin-angiotensin system. In this study, we assessed the role of the ACE2/Ang(1‑7)/Mas axis in pancreatic β cell survival and function. ACE2 knockout and wild-type mice were fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks. We then performed terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assays, and determined the expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the pancreatic islets. The effects of Ang(1-7) or Mas receptor silencing on endothelial function were assessed in MS-1 cells. MIN6 cells were then co-cultured with the MS-1 cells to evaluate the effects of ACE2 on insulin secretion. The ACE2 knockout mice were more susceptible than the wild-type mice to high-fat diet-induced β cell dysfunction. The TUNEL-positive area of the pancreatic islets and the expression levels of IL-1β and iNOS were markedly increased in the ACE2 knockout mice compared with their wild-type littermates. The Mas-silenced MS-1 cells were more sensitive to palmitate-induced dysfunction and apoptosis in vitro. Ang(1-7) increased the activity of the Akt/endothelial NOS/nitric oxide (NO) pathway in the MS-1 cells, protected MIN6 cells against palmitate-induced apoptosis, and improved MIN6 insulin secretory function in the co-culture system. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the ACE2/Ang(1-7)/Mas axis is a potential target for protecting the funcion of β cells by improving the function of islet microvascular endothelial cells.


Either desipramine or TMB-8 suppresses cyanide-induced norepinephrine efflux from in vivo cardiac sympathetic nerves of cats.
To investigate the effect of hypoxia on endogenous norepinephrine (NE) release from cardiac sympathetic nerve ending, we administered sodium cyanide (NaCN) for 30 min into the myocardial interstitial space through a dialysis probe and measured dialysate NE levels. During the NaCN perfusion, a marked and concentration-dependent increase in dialysate NE was observed. This cyanide-induced NE response was suppressed by pretreatment with despiramine (a membraneous NE transport inhibitor). Furthermore, the cyanide-induced NE response was suppressed by pretreatment with TMB-8 (intracellular Ca(2+) antagonist) but unaffected by omega-conotoxin GVIA (NE releasing inhibitor). Our data suggest that two (desipramine or TMB-8 suppressive) mechanisms contributed to the amount of NE efflux induced by cyanide in in vivo cardiac sympathetic nerve.


Purification of diphtheria toxin receptor from Vero cells.
Diphtheria toxin receptor has been solubilized from Vero cell membranes with octyl beta-D-glucoside. CRM197, the product of a mutated diphtheria toxin gene, was used for the identification of the receptor. The binding activity of the solubilized receptor was assayed by precipitating the receptor with acetone in the presence of phospholipids and carrier proteins. The solubilized receptor was purified by the combination of several chromatographic steps in the presence of the detergent, resulting in about a 10(6)-fold purification of the receptor. The purified receptor showed essentially a single band of 14.5 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. When partially purified receptor fractions were subjected to ligand blotting analysis using 125I-CRM197 as the probe, the 14.5-kDa protein and a few minor protein bands were identified as diphtheria toxin-binding molecules. These results show clearly that the 14.5-kDa protein is the diphtheria toxin receptor, or at least the major diphtheria toxin-binding molecule. When partially purified receptor was applied to a Sephacryl S-300 column in the presence of detergent, the receptor was eluted in the fractions corresponding to the 60-90-kDa size range. This suggests that the protein forms a complex with itself or with another protein.


Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with transgastric visualization: another step toward totally NOTES procedures.
Laparoendoscopic single-site sleeve gastrectomy is gaining acceptance. However, totally natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) in morbidly obese patients is still controversial due to safety and technical issues. To this end, we have developed a technique for sleeve gastrectomy in which the surgical field view is achieved through transgastric approach and the operating channel will eventually be through the vagina to form a dual lumen totally NOTES procedure for sleeve gastrectomy. As a step toward this approach, we performed a single abdominal incision in order to simulate the transvaginal route. This study is another step toward combined transvaginal and transgastric totally NOTES sleeve gastrectomy. A combined NOTES and single trocar sleeve gastrectomy was performed on 8 porcine animal models. The endoscope was inserted through the gastric wall and served as the vision source for the procedure. A second endoscope was inserted via the transabdominal trocar together with the surgical instruments. Sleeve gastrectomy was performed on 8 porcine models. The operative time for the first procedure was 5 hours, but after determining the technique, the time was reduced by half. Combined NOTES and single trocar sleeve gastrectomy is feasible in a porcine model. We achieved an excellent view of the surgical field through the transgastric approach. We believe that in the near future, combining the transgastric visualization of the surgical field together with a transvaginal approach may enable performing a total NOTES sleeve gastrectomy procedure. This hypothesis will be studied in further animal experiments before implementation in humans.


SIAD: practical recommendations for diagnosis and management.
Hyponatremia is the commonest electrolyte disturbance encountered in hospitalized patients, and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD) is the most frequent underlying disorder. There is a well-recognized relationship between hyponatremia and increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore, to provide appropriate treatment is critical to improve the clinical outcome related to SIAD-hyponatremia. There have been important advances in the treatment of SIAD over the last decade, leading to the publication of several clinical guidelines. In particular, the introduction of the vasopressin-2 receptor antagonists provides a potent pharmacological tool to target the underlying pathophysiology of SIAD. The evidence base recommendations of the available therapies for SIAD are discussed in this study. Fluid restriction is considered the first-line therapy by the recent published guidelines, but it is certainly ineffective or unfeasible in many patients with SIAD. We discuss a number of relevant points to the use of fluid restriction in this study, including the lack of good evidence-based recommendations to support its use. Conversely, the clinical efficacy of oral tolvaptan in SIAD supported by good quality randomized, placebo controlled, clinical trials. However, the cost of the therapy and the need for long-term safety data may limit its widespread use. Finally, new recommendations for the management of acute hyponatremia with a focus on the use of bolus therapy with 3 % hypertonic sodium chloride are described in this study.


Human serum and epithelial spread in tissue culture.
The dependence of epithelial spread on human serum in culture has been studied. Using measured pieces of mouse ear skin epithelial outgrowth about floating explants (epiboly) and from adherent explants was studied. Where compared directly the two systems show similar results. Because of its ease of quantitation, the adherent explant culture was studied in greater detail. In this system in the presence of serum appreciable spread was found only after 48 h but spread continued for at least the next 4 days. In the absence of serum only minimal epithelial spread occurred. Adding serum to deficient media enhanced spreading and removing serum from media depressed spreading. The extent of spread appeared independent of mouse age for the first 4-10 weeks though 2-week-old mouse skin showed quantitatively greater spreading. The activity in human serum responsible for epithelial spread acts under conditions of minimal DNA synthesis and is not reproduced by bovine serum albumin, fetuin, or serum that had been exposed to 100 degrees C for 5 min. The activity is not dialyzable and it is resistant to the protease inhibitors DFP and PMSF. These studies suggest that a specific serum component(s) serves to support epithelial spread in vitro.


[Alternative treatments in irritable bowel syndrome].
Managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is difficult and often a source of dissatisfaction for the patient, explaining the increasingly frequent recourse to alternative treatments. These highly varied treatments are often associated. They can be classed into four categories: reflexology methods, interventions on the psyche, biological therapies, and treatments using certain forms of energy. Although some studies show interesting results, currently there are not sufficient scientific arguments to recommend one or another of these alternative treatments. Multicenter controlled studies are needed to better evaluate the strategies that appear to be cost-effective.


Spontaneous fracture of the sternum simulating myocardial infarction.
Spontaneous fractures of the sternum are rare but worth knowing as they may simulate acute cardiac and pulmonary emergencies. A case of an insufficiency sternal fracture mimicking myocardial infarction and subsequent anginal pain is presented. The risk factors of this condition, its clinical features and the diagnostic procedures are discussed. Spontaneous fractures of the sternum should be considered as a diagnostic possibility for unexplained chest pains in the elderly.


A further case of a Prader-Willi syndrome phenotype in a patient with Angelman syndrome molecular defect.
Angelman syndrome (AS) and Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) are distinct human neurogenetic disorders; however, a clinical overlap between AS and PWS has been identified. We report on a further case of a patient showing the PWS phenotype with the AS molecular defect. Despite the PWS phenotype, the DNA methylation analysis of SNRPN revealed an AS pattern. Cytogenetic and FISH analysis showed normal chromosomes 15 and microsatellite analysis showed heterozygous loci inside and outside the 15q11-13 region. The presence of these atypical cases could be more frequent than previously expected and we reinforce that the DNA methylation analysis is important for the correct diagnosis of severe mental deficiency, congenital hypotonia and obesity.


Impact of Structured Nurse Leader Rounds on Satisfaction With Nursing Care Among Patients With Cancer.
The patient satisfaction rate is considered a challenge for nurse leaders, especially among patients with cancer, due to the complexity of the disease, diagnostic procedures, and treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of structured nurse leader rounds (NLRs) on satisfaction with nursing care among patients with cancer. Moreover, we assessed the relationship among NLRs, patient satisfaction, and demographical variables. A two-group posttest design was used in four adult inpatient oncology units in a specialized oncology center. A stratified random sampling technique was utilized to select 169 patients for the experimental group (80 patients) and control group (89 patients). Structured leader rounds were conducted by nurse leaders using a scripted nurse leader tool to standardize the rounds in the experimental group, while the unstructured leader round was conducted in the control group. Patient satisfaction was measured using the Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care Quality Questionnaire. The findings revealed that there was a significant difference in total score of patients' satisfaction between study groups (t = -9.213, p > .001). Conversely, the structured leader round has a significant impact on the patient's experience with nurse concern and caring (t = -2.054, p = .042). Adoption of a structured NLR has a significant impact on improving patient satisfaction in an oncology setting where patients receive care from many disciplines, such as surgical, medical, radiotherapy, and radiology. Efficient structured NLRs of nursing professionals are important for enhancing the quality of nursing care and patient satisfaction.


The nonlinear transition period of broadband ultrasound attenuation as bone density varies.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether a transition period occurs between cortical and cancellous bone in the relationship between ultrasound parameters [broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and ultrasonic velocity] and density. Twenty-two cancellous bone discs wee obtained from proximal bovine tibiae. Also included were three samples of human vertebral cancellous bone from an elderly female and four samples of bovine cortical bone. Ultrasonic velocity did not show any transition period as density varied from cancellous to cortical bone. Ultrasonic velocity exhibited a definite linear dependence on density over the entire range examined. However, BUA has shown a transition period as density varied. Although BUA increased linearly with density for a low density cancellous bone tested (below 0.64 g cm-3), the dependence of BUA on density is nonlinear with a downwardly inflected parabola shape when covering a wide density range (0.130-0.913 g cm-3) of cancellous bone. When one includes cortical bone, the parabola tends to level off in a slow exponential decay. This nonlinear dependence may help to understand the characteristics of BUA measurement.


H-point standard addition method--first derivative spectrophotometry for simultaneous determination of palladium and cobalt.
H-point standard addition method (HPSAM) has been applied for simultaneous determination of palladium and cobalt in trace levels, using disodium 1-nitroso-2-naphthol-3, 6-disulphonate (nitroso-R salt) as a selective chromogenic reagent. Palladium and cobalt in the neutral pHs form red color complexes with nitroso-R in aqueous solutions and making spectrophotometric monitoring possible. Simultaneous determination of palladium and cobalt were performed by HPSAM--first derivative spectrophotometry. First derivative signals at the two pairs of wavelengths, 523 and 589 nm or 513 and 554 nm were monitored with the addition of standard solutions of palladium or cobalt, respectively. The method is able to accurately determine palladium/cobalt ratio 1:10 to 15:1 (wt/wt). Accuracy and reproducibility of the determination method on the various amounts of palladium and cobalt known were evaluated in their binary mixtures. To investigate selectivity of the method and to ensure that no serious interferences were observed the effects of diverse ions on the determination of palladium and cobalt were also studied. The recommended procedure was successfully applied to real and synthetic cobalt or palladium alloys, B-complex ampoules, a palladium-charcoal mixture and real water matrices.


Lipid peroxidation caused by hyperthermic perfusion of rat liver.
The data presented support the premise that hyperthermia-induced hepatocellular injury is the end result of lipid peroxidation. Evidence for lipid peroxidation is the formation of diene conjugates and the decrease in microsomal P450 and glucose-6-phosphatase activity during hyperthermic liver perfusion.


A comparative analysis of fatty acid composition of root and shoot lipids in Zea mays under copper and cadmium stress.
A comparative analysis of fatty acid composition was conducted in maize (Zea mays L.) under copper and cadmium stress. The unsaturation level (double-bond index) of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG) was increased in response to both metal treatments, whereas the phosphatidylinositol (PI), the phosphatidylcholine (PC) showed no significant changes. The Cu-treated roots showed a marked increase (about 2-fold) in the phospholipid (PL) content, while the Cd-treated roots showed a slight but insignificant increase. The steryl lipid SL/PL ratio was markedly decreased in response to Cu stress, and therefore, may indicate an activated phospholipid biosynthesis and turnover, in response to damage caused by Cu stress. The double bond indices of chloroplastic lipids: phosphatidylglycerol (PG), monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG), digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG) and sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG) revealed a similar but not identical pattern of change. The PG and MGDG contents in shoots were markedly decreased under Cu (by 53 and 48%) and Cd (by 78 and 65%) stress. The increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in roots induced by both metals indicates lipid peroxidation. Generally, in the presence of Cu fatty acid composition was markedly modulated but to lesser extent under Cd stress. These results suggest that changes in the fatty acid composition under Cu and Cd stress conditions are metal-specific and may therefore result in differential metal tolerance.


Sex-dependent effects of letrozole on anxiety in middle-aged rats.
Aromatase catalyzes the conversion of testosterone to estradiol and is involved in the physiological effects of sex hormones on brain function. Animal experiments have shown that the aromatase inhibitor, letrozole, can induce anxiety in young ovariectomized females that are used as a model of aging. Whether or not these effects would be similar in intact middle-aged animals is unknown. The aim of our study was to analyze the effects of letrozole on anxiety in middle-aged rats of both sexes. Fifteen month old male and female rats were treated daily with either letrozole or vehicle for 2 weeks. The elevated plus maze was used to test anxiety-like behaviour. Sex differences were found not only in plasma concentrations of testosterone but also in the effects of letrozole treatment on plasma testosterone (P<.05). The interaction between sex and treatment was also proven in locomotor activity (P<.05) and time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze (P<.05). Letrozole-treated male rats spent 95% less time in the open arms of the elevated plus maze than the control rats did (P<.05) suggesting an anxiogenic effect of aromatase inhibition. This difference was not found between letrozole-treated and vehicle-treated females. In contrast to previous experiments on young animals, letrozole seems to induce anxiety in male but not in female middle-aged rats. This sex-specific effect might be related to sex differences of oestrogen and androgen signalling in aging brains. These results should be taken into account in clinical applications of letrozole, especially in men.


Biological effects of cyclosporin A: a new antilymphocytic agent.
The fungus metabolite cyclosporin A is a small peptide acting as a novel antilymphocytic agent. It strongly depressed appearance of both direct and indirect plaque-forming cells and produced a clear dose-dependent inhibition of haemagglutinin formation in mice upon oral administration. Skin graft rejection in mice and graft-versus-host disease in mice and rats were considerably delayed by cycloporin A which also prevented the occurrence of paralysis in rats with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. This compound was not only highly effective in preventing development of Freund's adjuvant arthritis, but in addition improved the symptoms in rats with established arthritis, although it is inactive in acute inflammation. This new agent contrasts with other immunosuppressives and cytostatic drugs in its weak myelotoxicity. Experimental evidence suggests that cyclosporin A, rather than being cytostatic or lympholytic, affects an early stage of mitogenic triggering of the immunocompetent lymphoid cell.


Formononetin attenuates hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis and NF-κB activation in RGC-5 cells.
Diabetic retinopathy is a common diabetic eye disease caused by changes in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Several studies suggest that the oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy in adults. Formononetin is a flavone with powerful antioxidant properties that exists naturally in various plants and Chinese medicine. In the present study, an attempt has been made to investigate the antioxidative effects of formononetin on H2O2-induced apoptosis of RGC-5 cells. Exposure of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) to the indicated concentrations of formononetin and H2O2 for 24 h, analyzed by MTT assay. Cells were stained with Annexin V-FITC and PI, analyzed by flow cytometry. And the level of superoxide anions, malondialdehyde (MDA, a marker of lipid peroxidation), 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG, indicator of oxidative DNA damage) and MnSOD (manganese superoxide dismutase) activity were measured by kits. Formononetin reduced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis and improved the levels or activity of indicators of oxidative stress. Formononetin also inhibited the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), which is a significant transcription factor for RGC-5 apoptosis. Formononetin may be developed as a antioxidant drug to treat diabetic retinopathy.


The anti-emetic efficacy of maropitant (Cerenia) in the treatment of ongoing emesis caused by a wide range of underlying clinical aetiologies in canine patients in Europe.
The efficacy of maropitant (Cerenia; Pfizer Inc.) as an anti-emetic for use in dogs with ongoing emesis was evaluated in a two-phase multi-centric study conducted at veterinary clinics in France, Italy, Slovakia and the UK. In phase I, dogs with ongoing emesis were randomised in a 1:1 ratio to either maropitant (32 dogs) or metoclopramide (34 dogs). In phase II, dogs were randomised in a 2:1 ratio to maropitant (77 dogs) or metoclopramide (40 dogs). Maropitant was administered subcutaneously at 1 mg/kg/day for up to five days. Metoclopramide was administered as recommended on the product labels as licensed at 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/day subcutaneously or orally with the daily dose divided over two to three administrations per day for up to three to five days. In phase I, 97 per cent of dogs treated with maropitant and 71 per cent of dogs treated with metoclopramide did not vomit after treatment (P<0.01). The mean number of emetic events after maropitant treatment was significantly reduced compared with that after metoclopramide treatment (P=0.01). In phase II, the occurrence of emesis was lower for maropitant during the first 24 hours (P<0.0001) and for each day thereafter. A single daily dose of maropitant was more effective than metoclopramide administered two or three times daily in the treatment of emesis caused by various aetiologies in dogs.


[Effect of amitriptyline and nortriptyline on the intracular pressure and aqueous humor dynamics in rabbits (author's transl)].
Both amitriptyline and nortriptyline applied conjunctivally produced pupil size enlargement, intraocular pressure decrease and a fall in aqueous humor formation. Phenoxybenzamine and superior cervical sympathetic ganglionectomy prevented the amitriptyline or nortriptyline inducing intraocular pressure changes. Either systemic administered or conjunctivally applied amitriptyline or nortriptyline, potentiated the effects on the pupil and intraocular pressure of exogenously norepinephrine.


Material coefficients of the strain energy function of pulmonary arteries in normal and cigarette smoke-exposed rats.
The effect of cigarette smoke on the stress-strain relationship of pulmonary arteries was studied in 2- and 3-month smoke-exposed rats. The animals were exposed to cigarette smoke in a smoke-generating system 10 times daily with one cigarette each time. The smoke density and the puffing duration and frequency of the system were regulated in accordance with reference values measured from human smokers. The mechanical properties of the pulmonary arteries about 450 microns in external diameter (at zero pressure) were determined in vitro by inflation and deflation tests. The average stress and middle-wall strain of the selected pulmonary arteries were determined on the basis of experimental data including inflation and deflation pressures during loading and unloading processes, respectively, and vessel diameter and length at various pressure levels, and vessel circumferential and longitudinal lengths at zero-stress state. A constitutive equation for the pulmonary arteries was derived from an energy function depending on circumferential and longitudinal Green's strains. The coefficients of the strain energy function of the pulmonary arteries were determined in both the smoke-exposed and control rats by fitting the experimental stress-strain data with the constitutive equation. It was found that the wall stress of the pulmonary arteries at a given strain and most of the coefficients of the strain energy function were increased in both the 2- and 3-month smoke-exposed rats in comparison with those in the corresponding controls. These results indicated that cigarette smoke induced an increase in the wall stiffness of the pulmonary arteries in the rats.


[Multiple arteriovenous malformations of left parietal lobe and left cerebellar hemisphere with symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia: a case report].
The authors described a case of multiple arteriovenous malformations of the left parietal lobe and the left cerebellar hemisphere, and presented a review of literature. A 42-year-old right-handed man was admitted to our Dept. of Neurosurgery on October 20, 1983, with left facial pain and occipitalgia. He had an episode of subarachnoid hemorrhage ten years ago, however, its etiology was not clear at neurological examination. This brief episode of pain began on the left side of his face about 9 years ago and has been gradually increasing. Although he has been treated with trigeminal nerve blocks several times, relapses were almost always evident within 6 months after those nerve blocks. On admission, there were no abnormal findings at neurological and physical examination. A CT scan with contrast medium infusion revealed two small AVMs on the left parietal region and on the left cerebellar hemisphere. A four-vessels cerebral angiogram confirmed the presence of two AVMs and fenestration of the left vertebral artery. The angiogram also revealed that his severe left trigeminal neuralgia had been caused by elongation of the anterior pontine segment of left SCA which was the main feeder of the cerebellar AVM. Two stages of surgical operations were carried out at two months interval. The first operation was total removal of the cerebellar AVM and microvascular decompression for the left trigeminal nerve. The second was total removal of the left parietal AVM. The postoperative course was uneventful, and angiographically the AVMs completely disappeared. The patient was discharged without any neurological deficits on March 11, 1984.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Cutting-Edge Implant Rehabilitation Design and Management: A Tapered Abutment Approach.
Immediate implant placement can pose challenges surgically and, ultimately, restoratively. Yet immediate placement has become the standard when adequate bone is present to achieve primary stability and site infection is minimal. To avoid prosthetic complications and ensure the implant is encased in bone after healing, proper planning must consider that implant placement does not necessarily need to follow the trajectory of the root socket. As discussed in this article, maxillary anterior sites have potential issues related to the "triangle of bone" that are not encountered in molar sites and demand different approaches to ensure treatment success. Additionally, this article addresses decision-making on molar sites in regard to implant diameter, as well as the rationale for platform switching.


[Significance of endocrine cells and their hormones in colorectal cancer].
To analyse the expression and clinical pathologic significance of endocrine cell (EC) and their hormones in colorectal cancer (CC). Chromograin A (CGA) and five kinds of hormones in 117 cases of CC were detected by immunohistochemistry with 13 observed by electron microscopy. CGA positive cells (EC) occurred in 46 cases (39.3%). 69.2%(27/39) expressed more than one hormone. The lymph node metastasis rate (68.0%) in the EC-positive CC was higher than EC-negative CC (43.7%) (P < 0.05). The incidence of EC(+2) in CC with morderative and poor differentiated (25.5%) was higher than well differentiated (P < 0.05). EC-positive CC gave shorter survival. It's an independent factor for evaluating prognosis in CC. The expression of 5-HT, GLU, GAST and beta-HCG occurred more offen in tumor with moderate and poor differentiation giving poor prognosis (P < 0.05). Cancer cells containing endocrine granules were found in 8 cases of CC by electron microscopy. The two methods were comformable in 92.3%. EC-positive CC has poor histological differemtiation, giving rise to more lymph mode metastasis and poor prognosis. Some hormones secreted by EC could partly account for the growth and metastasis of CC.


[Effects of postural changes on blood pressure and pulse rate in neonates].
Information about the effect of body position on blood pressure (BP) in neonates is rare and controversial. The aim of the present study was to investigate the type of orthostatic reaction and it s incidence in a group of infants in relation to basal resting values of BP and heart rate (HR). BP and HR were measured in 125 full-term neonates in the supine position and in the 2nd minute after changing the position by lifting on arms to 90 degrees. The reactive values of BP and HR were significantly higher, p < 0.001 (71 +/- 12 compared to 66 +/- 9 Torr in systolic BP, 41 +/- 8 to 37 +/- 6 in diastolic BP, and 127 +/- 19 to 120 +/- 8.min-1 in HR). In the head-up position an increase in BP and HR was observed in about 70% of neonates, whereas their basal supine BP values of 66/36 Torr were significantly lower compared to the values of 69/40 Torr recorded in neonates whose BP decreased in the head-up position. These differences were significant (p < 0.01 syst. and p < 0.001 diast.). (Fig. 3, Ref. 15.).


[Issues related to quality of life measures for persons with dementia].
The rising population of elderly worldwide has led to an increasing number of people with dementia. Managing and providing quality care for people with dementia has thus become a priority public health issue in developed countries. Dementia is a gradually degenerative disease. In the absence of a cure, improving, maintaining or maximizing quality of life is becoming the primary goal of nursing care for patients with this disease. Quality of life is an important outcome index of medical care and can be a criterion for making health economics decisions. The fact that dementia is a disease that presents steadily declining cognitive function has led to numerous challenges and debates regarding the optimal concepts and methodologies to be used to measure quality of life in those with dementia. This paper reviews relevant debates on these issues and makes suggestions that may serve as guides to monitoring / studying quality of life in dementia patients.


Clonal spread of Staphylococcus aureus with reduced susceptibility to oxacillin in a dermatological hospital unit.
In November 2000, we became aware of isolates of Staphylococcus aureus with borderline resistance to oxacillin (BORSA) from patients in the Department of Dermatology, Aarhus University Hospital. The objective was to describe the isolates phenotypically and genotypically and to assess possible transmission routes in order to intervene and prevent further spread. Clonality of the isolates was confirmed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Several breaches in infection control procedures were revealed suggesting both direct and indirect transmission between patients. Defective skin barriers, high carrier rates of S. aureus in dermatological patients and high consumption rates of dicloxacillin in the department might facilitate transmission. Following improvement of the general infection control measures, and after reassessment of the antibiotic policy in the department, the outbreak has disappeared.


Small molecular weight PEGylation of diosgenin in an in vivo animal study for diabetic auditory impairment treatment.
Diosgenin was modified to control its in vivo bioavailability by conjugating a hydrophilic unit, tetraethylene glycol. The diosgenin-tetraethylene glycol conjugate (TE) was orally administered in streptozotocin induced diabetic mice for this auditory protection study. The bioactivity improvement of TE for in vivo diabetic auditory impairment treatment was clearly observed in three different auditory tests and compared with that of diosgenin. The improvement in in vivo efficacy suggests that the small molecular weight PEGylation of diosgenin is a synthetically robust and systematically applicable strategy to reform the poor pharmacokinetics of a hydrophobic aglycone.


The Relationship between Socioeconomic Status, Family Income, and Measures of Muscular and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Colombian Schoolchildren.
To determine the associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and physical fitness in a sample of Colombian youth. Prueba SER is cross-sectional survey of schoolchildren in Bogota, Colombia. Mass, stature, muscular fitness (standing long-jump, handgrip), and cardiorespiratory fitness (20-m shuttle run) were measured in 52?187 schoolchildren 14-16 years of age. Area-level SES was categorized from 1 (very low) to 4 (high) and parent-reported family income was categorized as low, middle, or high. Converting measures into z scores showed stature, muscular, and cardiorespiratory fitness were significantly (z?=?0.3-0.7) below European values. Children in the mid- and high SES groups jumped significantly further than groups with very low SES. Differences were independent of sex but became nonsignificant when adjusted for anthropometric differences. Participants in the mid-SES and high-SES groups had better handgrip scores when adjusted for body dimension. There were, however, no significant between-group differences in cardiorespiratory fitness, which was strongly clustered by school and significantly greater in students from private schools. Area-level SES is associated with measures of muscular fitness in Colombian schoolchildren. These associations were largely explained by the large differences in body dimensions observed between SES groups. When area-level SES is considered, there was no evidence that family income influenced fitness. The clustering of outcomes reaffirms the potential importance of schools and area-level factors in promoting fitness through opportunities for physical activity. Interventions implemented in schools, can improve academic attainment; a factor likely to be important in promoting the social mobility of children from poorer families.


The role of temporomandibular disorders and cervical dysfunction in tension-type headache.
It has been estimated that 30% to 80% of the population has at least one tension-type headache each year. Tension-type headaches can be located in any region of the head, which can confuse a differential diagnosis with temporomandibular joint disorders and cervical dysfunction. The roles of temporomandibular joint disorders and cervical dysfunction in tension-type headache are evaluated. Definitions, pathophysiology, and treatment considerations for each are discussed.


The Evolution of the Female Broadway Belt Voice: Implications for Teachers and Singers.
Traditionally, the female belt range extended to C5, but in current rock/pop Broadway productions, women are often required to belt up to an F5. This recent extension of the belt voice beyond C5 is a significant change, and female musical theater singers need effective strategies to produce these higher belt notes. The intent of this study was to gain a clear understanding of the strategies used to successfully teach and produce the higher range of the female musical theater belt voice. The study is a qualitative design composed of two data collection methods: interviews with four nationally recognized master musical theater voice teachers and 17 of their female belt students, and observations of the master teachers working with these students in their private studios. There was much consensus among the teachers and singers on the strategies of producing the higher belt range, such as incorporating more head voice involvement with closed vowels and maintaining a speech-like quality. Singers report that they produce high belt notes with more of a mix vocal approach. Teachers suggest that female voice type may determine the extent of a singer's ability in this high belt range. The high belt will be narrow, based on closed vowels, mixing in some degree of head voice function. Although this study has revealed some guidelines for the female musical theater high belt and similar strategies among master teachers, voice teachers should be aware of the variability of their female musical theater voice students.


Molecular phylogenetic relationships of neotropical salamanders of the genus Pseudoeurycea.
Pseudoeurycea, with 34 described species, is one of the most diversified groups of neotropical salamanders. I generated a phylogenetic hypothesis of relationships for Pseudoeurycea and related taxa, based on DNA sequences of 16S, Cyt b, and ND4 mitochondrial genes. The analyses include 27 species of Pseudoeurycea and samples from the monotypic Lineatriton, Ixalotriton, and Parvimolge. All phylogenetic analyses resulted in a paraphyletic Pseudoeurycea. Ixalotriton and Pseudoeurycea parva always form a monophyletic group. P. parva is transferred to Ixalotriton based on morphological and molecular grounds. The phylogenetic position of the newly defined Ixalotriton clade is uncertain since it is part of an unresolved basal polytomy. Parvimolge is closely related to Pseudoeurycea, and it is also part of the basal polytomy. Lineatriton, a highly specialized taxon, is deeply nested within Pseudoeurycea. In order to provide a taxonomic arrangement consistent with the monophyly of the different units that reflects both evolutionary history and morphological specialization, Pseudoeurycea should be split into several taxonomic units.


Extreme fluorescence sensitivity of some aniline derivatives to aqueous and nonaqueous environments: mechanistic study and its implication as a fluorescent probe.
Effects of solvent water on the photophysical properties of a series of meta- and para-substituted anilines have been investigated by means of time-resolved fluorescence, transient absorption, and photoacoustic measurements. Some aniline derivatives exhibit extremely short fluorescence lifetime (tau(f)) and small quantum yield (Phi(f)) in water (e.g., tau(f) = 45 ps and Phi(f) = 0.0019 for m-cyanoaniline (m-ANCN) in H(2)O), which is in marked contrast with their much larger values in nonaqueous solvents (tau(f) = 7.3 ns and Phi(f) = 0.14 for m-ANCN in acetonitrile). Photoacoustic and transient absorption measurements show that the remarkable fluorescence quenching of m-ANCN in water is attributed almost exclusively to fast internal conversion. The lifetime measurements of m-ANCN in H(2)O/acetonitrile binary solvent mixtures reveal that the quenching is related to variation of hydrogen-bonding interactions between the amino group and water molecules and the conformational change of the amino group upon electronic excitation. Similar fluorescence quenching due to solvent water is also found for N-alkylated m-ANCNs. The drastic differences in the fluorescence intensity and lifetime of m-ANCNs under hydrophobic and hydrophilic environments and also the large solvent polarity dependence of the fluorescence band position suggest the possibility that they can be utilized as fluorescent probes for investigating the microenvironment of biological systems. In suspensions of human serum albumin (HSA) in water, remarkable enhancement of the fluorescence intensity and lifetime is observed for m-ANCN and its N-alkylated derivatives, demonstrating that m-ANCNs can be a candidate for novel fluorescent probe with small molecular size.


Intravenous digital subtraction angiography in Takayasu's disease. A report of 32 cases.
IVDSA appears to be a reliable method and should therefore be considered as a first step examination when Takayasu's disease is suspected. The simplicity and safety of the method provide a rationale for the use of this technique in Takayasu's disease. Therapeutic decisions can usually be obtained without further radiological investigation, and conventional arteriography has to be performed only when data obtained with IVDSA are insufficient. In these rare cases, conventional arteriography aims at the investigation of a particular area. The site of arterial puncture can be precisely guided by IVDSA.


Effect of microcrystalline cellulose on liquid penetration in and disintegration of directly compressed tablets.
The penetration of isooctane and water into tablets of microcrystalline cellulose, dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate, spray-crystallized maltose-dextrose, and blends of microcrystalline cellulose with one of the other excipients were studied. The isooctane penetrations occurred according to the Washburn equation and were not affected by the presence of 0.5 or 1.0% magnesium stearate. The inhibition of aqueous penetration into tablets resulting from hydrophobic magnesium stearate was less pronounced for vehicles like dibasic calcium phosphate, which exhibited extensive brittle fracture under compression. Microcrystalline cellulose tablets, both with and without magnesium stearate, exhibited extremely fast aqueous penetration even at low porosities, caused by breaking of the hydrogen bonds and subsequent widening of the pores. Ratios between water uptake and original pore volume up to 20 were obtained for microcrystalline cellulose tablets. This unique property was, however, suppressed by the presence of fast dissolving and highly soluble excipients like dextrose, resulting in an antagonistic disintegration behavior of tablets compressed at pressures over 10,000 N/cm2. Improved disintegration properties were obtained by blending microcrystalline cellulose with an insoluble vehicle such as dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate.


Radioimmunoassays that demonstrate type-specific and group-specific antigenic reactivities for the major internal structural protein of murine mammary tumor viruses.
The 28,000-dalton (p28) major structural polypeptide of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) was isolated and used to develop a highly sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay. Under conditions of limiting antibody in competitive binding assays, as little as 50 pg of purified p28, as well as disrupted MMTV virions and mammary tumor extracts, competed specifically with 125I-labeled MMTV p28. The p28 polypeptide was further shown to contain both group-specific and type-specific antigenic determinants, thus also allowing for further differentiation of various MMTV strains.


Protein S levels and the risk of venous thrombosis: results from the MEGA case-control study.
In thrombophilic families, protein S deficiency is clearly associated with venous thrombosis. We aimed to determine whether the same holds true in a population-based case-control study (n = 5317). Subjects were regarded protein S deficient when protein S levels were < 2.5th percentile of the controls. Free and total protein S deficiency was not associated with venous thrombosis: free protein S < 53 U/dL, odds ratio [OR] 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56-1.21) and total protein S < 68 U/dL, OR 0.90 (95% CI, 0.62-1.31). When lower cutoff values were applied, it appeared that subjects at risk of venous thrombosis could be identified at levels < 0.10th percentile of free protein S (< 33 U/dL, OR 5.4; 95% CI, 0.61-48.8). In contrast, even extremely low total protein S levels were not associated with venous thrombosis. PROS1 was sequenced in 48 subjects with free protein S level < 1st percentile (< 4 6 U/dL), and copy number variations were investigated in 2718 subjects, including all subjects with protein S (free or total) < 2.5th percentile. Mutations in PROS1 were detected in 5 patients and 5 controls reinforcing the observation that inherited protein S deficiency is rare in the general population. Protein S testing and PROS1 testing should not be considered in unselected patients with venous thrombosis.


Topographic organization of the auditory thalamocortical system in the albino rat.
The organization of the auditory thalamocortical connections was studied in rats. Retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase conjugated to wheat germ agglutinin following injections into parietal, occipital and temporal cortex was used. The medial geniculate body, the suprageniculate, the lateral part of the nucleus posterior thalami, the posterior part of the nucleus lateralis thalami, and the nucleus ventroposterior project to the investigated part of the neocortex. Corresponding to different patterns of labeling, five areas of auditory neocortex were distinguished: 1. The rostral area is innervated by neurons of the nucleus ventroposterior, the lateral part of the nucleus posterior thalami, and the medial division of the medial geniculate body. 2. The dorsal area is innervated by neurons of the suprageniculate, the posterior part of the nucleus lateralis thalami and the rostral region of the dorsal division of the medial geniculate body. 3. The caudal area is innervated by neurons of the posterior part of the nucleus lateralis thalami, the suprageniculate, the medial division, the caudal region of the dorsal division and the ventrolateral nucleus of the medial geniculate body. 4. The ventral area is innervated by neurons of the suprageniculate, the medial division, the caudal region of the dorsal division, and the ventrolateral nucleus of the medial geniculate body. 5. The core area of the temporal cortex is exclusively connected to the caudal region of the medial division and the ventral division of the medial geniculate body. The findings of the present study indicate topographic organizations of the ventral division of the medial geniculate body and of the corea area. Four segments (a-d) of the ventral division each show a different set of topographic axes. They correspond to sets of topographic axes in the core area of the auditory cortex. These topographies characterize the segments which are each exclusively connected to one of the four fields of the core area.


Small bowel cancers diagnosed by device-assisted enteroscopy at a U.S. referral center: a five-year experience.
Primary malignant neoplasms of the small bowel comprise only 1-3% of all gastrointestinal malignancies. Small bowel cancers pose a significant diagnostic challenge. The recent development of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) and device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE) have greatly facilitated evaluation of the small bowel. We retrospectively reviewed all cases referred to a single U.S. center from September 2004 to July 2009 to determine the frequency and type of primary small bowel cancers found on DAE. The charts of 555 patients who underwent a total of 805 procedures (768 double-balloon and 37 rotational enteroscopies) were reviewed. A total of 20 patients with small bowel cancers were diagnosed. There was no gender predominance (ten men and ten women). The average age at presentation was 66 ± 11 years, essentially identical to our overall population. We identified eight neuroendocrine tumors, five adenocarcinomas, four GIST, two lymphomas, and one poorly differentiated carcinoma. Small bowel cancer is a rare but important finding on DAE. The per-patient incidence in our series was 3.6%. A recent multicenter Japanese series showing a higher incidence of small bowel tumors (14%) included polyposis syndrome patients and benign lesions, which were excluded from our study. The high frequency of neuroendocrine tumors in our series was also in contrast to the Japanese series, where lymphoma and GIST were more common. This may reflect a difference between our referral populations. Most of our patients underwent surgery as a consequence of these findings, underscoring the importance of identifying these tumors. DAE provides direct endoscopic access to the small bowel and is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of small bowel cancers.


Persistent right coronary flow reserve at low perfusion pressure.
To determine whether right coronary (RC) flow reserve persists at perfusion pressures below the apparent autoregulatory range, the RC artery of 18 anesthetized dogs was cannulated and perfused at controlled pressures. RC blood flow (RCBF) fell from 65.3 +/- 6.1 to 33.7 +/- 2.3 ml.min-1.100 g-1 as RC perfusion pressure (RCPP) was reduced from 80 to 40 mmHg. At 40 mmHg, intracoronary adenosine increased RCBF by 97.9 +/- 10.6 ml.min-1.100 g-1 (P less than 0.001). RCBF fell to 9.5 +/- 1.7 ml.min-1.100 g-1 at 20 mmHg, and RCBF did not significantly increase during adenosine, although RC vasodilation was observed in four dogs. Regional right ventricular (RV) blood flows at RCPP of 80 and 40 mmHg were measured by radioactive microsphere technique. Before adenosine infusion, RCBF was distributed uniformly across the RV free wall at normal and low perfusion pressures. During adenosine infusion, blood flow in both regions increased significantly, but the flow reserve was greater in the subendocardial region at both normal and reduced pressures. RV myocardial O2 consumption (MVo2) was decreased significantly at 40 mmHg, however, there was no evidence of ischemia at this pressure, since the RV lactate extraction ratio was normal (n = 8). Thus RV O2 demand fell when RC O2 supply was reduced, although a flow reserve was available. RV MVo2 was restored to normal when right coronary flow reserve was mobilized by adenosine infusion. For RCBF from 65 to 365 ml.min-1.100 g-1, RC venous O2 content rose and RV MVo2 was essentially constant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Topological interface states in multiscale spoof-insulator-spoof waveguides.
The spoof-insulator-spoof (SIS) structure can serve as a waveguide for spoof surface plasmon polaritons (spoof SPPs). If a periodic geometry modulation in the wavelength scale is introduced to the SIS waveguide, this multiscale SIS (MSIS) waveguide possesses band gaps for spoof SPPs analogous to the band gaps in a photonic crystal. Inspired by the topological interface states found in photonic crystals, we construct an interface by connecting two MSIS waveguides with different topological properties (inverted Zak phases of bulk bands). The topological interface states in the MSIS waveguides are observed experimentally. The measured decay lengths of the interface states agree excellently with the numerical results. These localized interface states may find potential applications in miniaturized microwave devices.


Primary intraosseous meningioma. Case report.
Primary intraosseous meningioma of the skull is an uncommon lesion often confused preoperatively with a primary bone tumor of the skull. The case of an intraosseous meningioma without dural connection or association with a cranial suture is reported that was radiographically diagnosed as Paget's disease and initially treated conservatively. Persistent headache prompted a biopsy, yielding a benign, heavily ossified, and psammomatous meningioma. The lesion was treated with wide surgical excision and acrylic cranioplasty. Subsequent review of the literature has revealed 35 additional cases of purely intraosseous meningioma. An analysis of these 36 cases demonstrates a mean patient age at diagnosis of 45 years and a 2:1 female preponderance, with the majority of lesions associated with cranial sutures. Sixty-four percent of the lesions were hyperostotic on plain skull x-ray films; the rest were osteolytic or a mixture of both. There was no relationship to prior trauma. The treatment of choice is wide surgical resection followed by cranial reconstruction.


Uterine motor responses to an alpha-adrenergic agonist (phenylephrine) in the ewe during oestrus and at the end of gestation.
The alpha-adrenergic activity of the myometrium was studied by recording the electromyographic activity (EMG) of the uterus in 4 conscious cyclic ewes during oestrus and in 8 conscious pregnant ewes during the last 6 days of gestation. In the cyclic ewes, changes in intra-uterine pressure were recorded at the same time as the EMG. Motor responses to perfusions of phenylephrine, a specific alpha-adrenergic agonist, were studied at three uterine sites. In the ewes in oestrus, uterine activity was stimulated at the three sites by perfusions with phenylephrine (0.6, 2.5, 5 or 10 micrograms/kg/min). The whole uterine horn was alpha-adrenergic-responsive. The effect of the drug was dose-dependent in that the uterine response increased with the dose and reached a plateau at 5 micrograms/kg/min. In the late pregnant ewes, the motor responses to the perfusion of phenylephrine at 10 micrograms/kg/min were studied at three uterine sites once a day during the last 6 days of gestation. Plasma levels of progesterone and total oestrogens were measured at the same time. Up to 48 h before parturition, the effect of phenylephrine depended on the uterine site. The drug had no or little effect at the tubal end of the horn. Phenylephrine stimulated uterine activity at the cervical end of the horn in at least 50% of the ewes. Thus, during this part of gestation, the alpha-adrenergic sensitivity of the myometrium was greater at the cervical than at the tubal end of the uterine horn. Forty-eight hours before parturition, phenylephrine stimulated uterine activity at all three uterine sites in all the ewes. Thus, alpha-adrenergic sensitivity developed over the uterine horn beginning 48 h before parturition at the same time that the oestrogen level increased.


Adherence to HAART and its principal determinants in a cohort of Senegalese adults.
Access to programmes providing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is recent in Africa. In Senegal, a national initiative was launched in 1998. The capacity of African patients to adhere to complex antiretroviral treatments (ARV) is largely unknown. We assessed adherence and identified the main reasons for treatment interruption in a prospective observational cohort of patients participating in an ARV access programme in Dakar, Senegal. Adherence was estimated each month on the basis of the patients' stated consumption and on the proportion of the prescribed dose returned unused to the dispensing pharmacy. A total of 158 patients were studied between November 1999 and October 2001. A cross-section analysis showed that the stated level of adherence was high: on average, over the study period, the patients said they had taken 91% of each monthly dose and that they had taken the full monthly dose during two-thirds of the months studied. Adherence tended to be better among patients who were required to make little or no contribution to the cost of their treatment, through an appropriate pricing structure. Adherence was also better with efavirenz-containing regimens than with indinavir-containing regimens. These results show that adherence to HAART can be as high in Africa as that generally observed in industrialized countries, and that the cost and type of drug regimen must be taken into account when designing ARV access programmes for poor communities.


Immunohistochemical diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors - an analysis of 80 cases from 2004 to 2010.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common cancers of mesenchymal origin in the abdomen. An approximately 95% of GISTs show positive expression of the membrane receptor c-kit (CD117 antigen), which currently constitutes the basis for histopathological diagnosis if this type of tumor is suspected. The aim of this study was to perform and investigate wide parametric immunohistochemical and morphological analyses of stromal tumors diagnosed in the Podlasie province in the years 2004-2010. The study group consisted of 80 patients who had undergone surgical treatment for mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. The immunostaining technique was performed using the surgically resected material that was formalin-fixed and embedded in paraffin blocks, then sliced into sections and stained with the monoclonal antibodies CD117, CD34, SMA, S-100 and Ki-67. CD117 was positively expressed in 77 cases, which confirmed the diagnosis of GIST. In 66 of the cases of CD117-positive stromal tumors, positive immunoreactivity for CD43 was observed. Nearly 49% (38 cases) of the GISTs were negative for SMA by immunohistochemistry. Most of the cases (57.5%) were reported in the stomach, while 17.5% were located in the intestines; 18.75% presented in different locations (the colon, ovary or gall bladder). The use of a highly sensitive IHC panel can increase the accuracy of GIST diagnoses. Detailed immunohistochemical studies are useful in successfully identifying any case of GIST, which is crucial to clinical treatment.


Posttranslational modifications and receptor-associated proteins in AMPA receptor trafficking and synaptic plasticity.
AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) mediate most fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the mammalian brain. It is widely believed that the long-lasting, activity-dependent changes in synaptic strength, including long-term potentiation and long-term depression, could be the molecular and cellular basis of experience-dependent plasticities, such as learning and memory. Those changes of synaptic strength are directly related to AMPAR trafficking to and away from the synapse. There are many forms of synaptic plasticity in the mammalian brain, while the prototypic form, hippocampal CA1 long-term potentiation, has received the most intense investigation. After synthesis, AMPAR subunits undergo posttranslational modifications such as glycosylation, palmitoylation, phosphorylation and potential ubiquitination. In addition, AMPAR subunits spatiotemporally associate with specific neuronal proteins in the cell. Those posttranslational modifications and receptor-associated proteins play critical roles in AMPAR trafficking and regulation of AMPAR-dependent synaptic plasticity. Here, we summarize recent studies on posttranslational modifications and associated proteins of AMPAR subunits, and their roles in receptor trafficking and synaptic plasticity.


The in vitro effect of commercially available noble metal nanocolloids on the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) leukocyte and splenocyte activity.
The growing popularity of nanotechnology in the past decade has increased nanomaterial concentrations in the environment and the risk of their toxicity for aquatic organisms. Metal nanoparticles, which are easily absorbed and accumulated by fish, are probably able to interact directly with their immunocompetent cells. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of commercially available silver, gold and copper nanocolloids on the rainbow trout leukocyte and splenocyte activity. At high concentrations, all of the nanocolloids studied had adverse effects on the proliferative response of trout lymphocytes, and the most toxic of them, silver, decreased also the respiratory burst activity of splenocytes. Low concentrations of silver nanocolloid, however, had a stimulating effect on the lymhocyte proliferation.


Molecular cloning and characterization of OsCHR4, a rice chromatin-remodeling factor required for early chloroplast development in adaxial mesophyll.
Mi-2 protein, the central component of the NuRD nucleosome remodeling and histone deacetylase complex, plays a role in transcriptional repression in animals. Mi-2-like genes have been reported in Arabidopsis, though their function in monocots remains largely unknown. In the present study, a rice Mi-2-like gene, OsCHR4 (Oryza sativa Chromatin Remodeling 4, LOC_Os07g03450), was cloned from a rice mutant with adaxial albino leaves. The Oschr4 mutant exhibited defective chloroplasts in adaxial mesophyll, but not in abaxial mesophyll. Ultrastructural observations indicated that proplastid growth and/or thylakoid membrane formation in adaxial mesophyll cells was blocked in the Oschr4 mutant. Subcellular localization revealed that OsCHR4::GFP fusion protein was targeted to the nuclei. OsCHR4 was mainly expressed in the root meristem, flower, vascular bundle, and mesophyll cells by promoter::GUS analysis in transgenic rice. The transcripts of some nuclear- and plastid-encoded genes required for early chloroplast development and photosynthesis were decreased in the adaxial albino mesophyll of the Oschr4 mutant. These observations provide evidence that OsCHR4, the rice Mi-2-like protein, plays an important role in early chloroplast development in adaxial mesophyll cells. The results increase our understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying tissue-specific chloroplast development in plants.


Do Brazilian scientific journals promote the adherence of Chagas disease researchers to international ethical principles?
The ethical aspects of the Brazilian publications about human Chagas disease (CD) developed between 1996 and 2010 and the policy adopted by Brazilian medical journals were analyzed. Articles were selected on the SciELO Brazil data basis, and the evaluation of ethical aspects was based on the normative contents about ethics in research involving human experimentation according to the Brazilian resolution of the National Health Council no. 196/1996. The editorial policies of the section "Instructions to authors" were analyzed. In the period of 1996-2012, 58.9% of articles involving human Chagas disease did not refer to the fulfillment of the ethical aspects concerning research with human beings. In 80% of the journals, the requirements and confirmation of the information about ethical aspects in the studies of human CD were not observed. Although a failure in this type of service is still observed, awareness has been raised in federal agencies, educational institutions/research and publishing groups to standardize the procedures and ethical requirements for the Brazilian journals, reinforcing the fulfillment of the ethical parameters, according to the resolution of NHC no. 196/1996.


Atypical diaper dermatitis: contact allergy to mercapto compounds.
We present a case of allergic contact dermatitis in an 18-month-old boy caused by type-IV allergy to mercapto mix and mercaptobenzothiazole as components of the elastic border of diapers. Allergic contact dermatitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of diaper dermatitis, especially in difficult-to-treat cases or atypical clinical presentation.


[Proliferative markers of meningiomas: immunohistochemical analysis and prognostic value].
Routine pathological examination cannot precisely predict the clinical course of meningiomas because even histologically benign tumors may recur after total removal. And so, numerous efforts have been made for evaluation of meningioma growth fraction and its prognostic value. In this study the prognostic significance of DNA toposiomerase II alpha (topoII) and cyclin A immunohistochemistry was examined in a series of 263 meningiomas. The topoII and cyclin A scores exhibited a close correlation with Ki-67 immunostaining. Significant differences between the indices for all the three markers were noted among the three grades of meningiomas. The scores for all the three markers were significantly different between recurrent and non-recurrent meningiomas including removed benign tumors. The most important information for an individual clinical outcome of histologically benign meningiomas should be elicited from simultaneous evaluation of all the three proliferative markers.