Overexpression of AT14A confers tolerance to drought stress-induced oxidative damage in suspension cultured cells of Arabidopsis thaliana.
Drought stress can affect interaction between plant cell plasma membrane and cell wall. Arabidopsis AT14A, an integrin-like protein, mediates the cell wall-plasma membrane-cytoskeleton continuum (WMC continuum). To gain further insight into the function of AT14A, the role of AT14A in response to drought stress simulated by polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) in Arabidopsis suspension cultures was investigated. The expression of this gene was induced by PEG-6000 resulting from reverse transcription-PCR, which was further confirmed by the expression data from publically available microarray datasets. Compared to the wild-type cells, overexpression of AT14A (AT14A-OE) in Arabidopsis cultures exhibited a greater ability to adapt to water deficit, as evidenced by higher biomass accumulation and cell survival rate. Furthermore, AT14A-OE cells showed a higher tolerance to PEG-induced oxidative damage, as reflected by less H2O2 content, lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde (MDA) content), and ion leakage, which was further verified by maintaining high levels of activities of antioxidant defense enzymes such as ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase and soluble protein. Taken together, our results suggest that overexpression of AT14A improves drought stress tolerance and that AT14A is involved in suppressing oxidative damage under drought stress in part via regulation of antioxidant enzyme activities.


Systematic review of facilitators of, barriers to, and recommendations for healthcare services for child survivors of human trafficking globally.
Child trafficking is associated with multiple physical and mental health problems, yet relatively little is known about the factors that facilitate or hamper delivery of high-quality health care services to trafficked children. To summarize information about identified facilitators of, barriers to, and recommendations for medical and mental health service provision to trafficked children. A systematic review was conducted of the English-language, peer-reviewed literature on medical and mental healthcare of trafficked children published since 2010. Inclusion criteria were: (1) the study population or focus included, wholly or in part, individuals under the age of 18 years; (2) the study focus was clearly defined as human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation; (3) a main focus included health services or barriers to care, and (4) the article contained original data. Of the 29 articles meeting inclusion criteria, 19 included facilitators of health service provision to trafficked populations, 22 included barriers to that provision, and 25 included explicit recommendations for service improvement. 45 distinct facilitators were identified a total of 140 times, 118 distinct barriers were identified a total of 174 times, and 52 distinct recommendations were identified a total of 100 times. The majority of facilitators, barriers, and recommendations fell under the locus of the healthcare provider and healthcare organization. Existing research reveals abundant areas of opportunity for healthcare professionals and healthcare administrators to improve access to, and quality of, medical and mental health care for trafficked children.


First clinical experiences with perampanel--the Kork experience in 74 patients.
Perampanel (PER) has been approved for adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients age 12 years and older. In Germany, PER was licensed and marketed in September of 2012. At our tertiary referral epilepsy center, a couple of difficult-to-treat patients were awaiting this introduction of PER; therefore, we were able to initiate treatment in many patients within a short period of time. For this report we collected and analyzed the data of the first patients who had been started on add-on PER between September and December of 2012, so that we were able to evaluate at least 6 months of treatment when we made this analysis. At cutoff in June of 2013, 74 patients could be analyzed. Mean age was 38.4 years (range 15-71 years). PER doses ranged from 4 to 14 mg (mean 8.8 mg). All patients took PER once daily at bedtime. Seventy-one patients had focal epileptic seizures; the remaining four patients had Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Considering the last 3 months of observation compared with baseline, 34 patients (46%) were responders with a reduction of seizure frequency of at least 50%. Ten patients of these (14% of all) were seizure-free. Adverse events were reported in 40 patients (54%). Leading side effects were somnolence (n = 31, 42%) and dizziness (n = 13, 18%), followed by ataxia, irritability, falls, cognitive slowing, and depression in single cases. Six-month retention rate was 70%. Our first clinical experiences with add-on PER in a highly selected group of difficult-to-treat epilepsies are promising.


Dietary magnesium intake is inversely associated with mortality in adults at high cardiovascular disease risk.
The relation between dietary magnesium intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD) or mortality was evaluated in several prospective studies, but few of them have assessed the risk of all-cause mortality, which has never been evaluated in Mediterranean adults at high cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to assess the association between magnesium intake and CVD and mortality risk in a Mediterranean population at high cardiovascular risk with high average magnesium intake. The present study included 7216 men and women aged 55-80 y from the PREDIMED (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea) study, a randomized clinical trial. Participants were assigned to 1 of 2 Mediterranean diets (supplemented with nuts or olive oil) or to a control diet (advice on a low-fat diet). Mortality was ascertained by linkage to the National Death Index and medical records. We fitted multivariable-adjusted Cox regressions to assess associations between baseline energy-adjusted tertiles of magnesium intake and relative risk of CVD and mortality. Multivariable analyses with generalized estimating equation models were used to assess the associations between yearly repeated measurements of magnesium intake and mortality. After a median follow-up of 4.8 y, 323 total deaths, 81 cardiovascular deaths, 130 cancer deaths, and 277 cardiovascular events occurred. Energy-adjusted baseline magnesium intake was inversely associated with cardiovascular, cancer, and all-cause mortality. Compared with lower consumers, individuals in the highest tertile of magnesium intake had a 34% reduction in mortality risk (HR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.45, 0.95; P < 0.01). Dietary magnesium intake was inversely associated with mortality risk in Mediterranean individuals at high risk of CVD. This trial was registered at controlled-trials.com as ISRCTN35739639.


Competing for water: A new approach to understand disintegrant performance.
The understanding of tablet disintegration is still incomplete as not all involved factors and processes are known or accounted for. E.g., the negative influence of soluble fillers, on disintegration is usually attributed to increased viscosity due to dissolved filler. When the most common filler, lactose, dissolves, the viscosity increases only slightly. The impact of binders has hardly been studied systematically. In this study, water uptake and force development as well as water sorption experiments were performed of tablets containing either a soluble or an insoluble filler, one of four different binders, and one of four different disintegrants. For both fillers, one disintegrant performed distinctly worse than the others. For the insoluble filler, dibasic calcium phosphate (DCP), sodium starch glycolate resulted in the longest disintegration, for the soluble filler, lactose, croscarmellose sodium performed worst. Based on the experimental results, the authors introduce the competition-for-water hypothesis, which takes into consideration the amount of freely available water molecules and hydration kinetics of excipients. Soluble fillers bind a large number of water molecules in hydrate shells and prevent, therefore, proper disintegrant action. Previously inconsistent observations can be approached with this hypothesis and a better understanding of the underlying processes and explanations is possible.


Dental status and dental caries in 85-year-old Danes.
This study reports findings on the dental status and the prevalence of dental caries among a group of 85-year-old Danes from the Glostrup 1914 Cohort, Denmark. The purpose of the study was to analyse whether caries experience was related to number of teeth and to indicators of functional ability and cognitive function. A total of 191 individuals (78 men and 113 women) participated in a cross-sectional population study conducted in 2000. Using mobile dental equipment, a clinical oral examination and an interview were administered to all participants in their homes. Functional ability was measured by the Mob-H scale and cognitive function was assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination. Fifty-nine per cent of the participants had their own natural teeth and for the dentate participants, the mean number of teeth was 13 (range 1-27). A high prevalence of active caries on coronal and root surfaces was observed. Older adults with few natural teeth had a higher prevalence of active coronal and root caries and a higher unmet treatment need than older adults with many teeth. Further, the study showed that 85-year-old persons with reduced functional ability and cognitive impairment tended to have more active caries than 85-year-olds with no impairment. A substantial proportion of 85-year-old individuals had retained a natural dentition; however, active dental caries is a problem of concern among the most elderly.


DNA microarray gene expression analysis of a vocal fold polyp and granuloma.
Genome-wide transcriptional profiling has important applications in advancing knowledge of vocal fold biology. With the use of DNA microarray technology, analysis of global patterns of gene expression can reveal unexpected networks of coordinated regulation in the extracellular matrix of the lamina propria. Transcriptional gene expression patterns for 2 vocal fold pathologies--vocal fold polyp (VP; N = 1) and vocal fold granuloma (VG; N = 1) were analyzed by means of DNA microarray analysis for 4,632 human genes using another patient's true vocal fold (TVF; N = 1) as a control. Twenty-four and 29 genes for VG and VP, respectively, were established to be either over- or underexpressed compared to that of TVF. Five-way cluster analysis revealed broad patterns that suggest a potential degree of organization underlying gene expression in these tissues. For the 1 VG, genes involved represent inflammation and wound healing; for the 1 VP, involved genes demonstrate a tempered wound repair response and increased epithelial manifestations. These results successfully demonstrate the use of DNA microarray technology as a new approach for further investigations dissecting vocal fold disease. Further investigation is needed on larger sample sizes to establish transcriptional gene expression patterns for VP and VG.


[Re-operation extent of primary lesion of thyroid cancer].
Many thyroid cancer patients need to receive second operation because of tumor residue. This study was to explore the resection extent of primary lesion in re-operation of thyroid carcinoma. Clinical data of 55 thyroid carcinoma patients who received re-operation were reviewed. The patients, including seven men and 48 women, were aged of 18-56. All patients received ipsilateral residual lobectomy, isthmectomy, ipsilateral anterior cervical muscle and level VI lymph node dissection. The optimal extent for radical re-resection of primary lesion was explored. Tumor residue was proved by pathology in 29 patients, with a rate of 52.73%. Of the 29 patients, eight had primary lesion residue, seven had level VI lymph node residue, and 14 had both. Tumor cells were connected with muscle in four patients. Forty-five metastatic lymph nodes were found. Ipsilateral residual lobectomy, isthmectomy, ipsilateral anterior cervical muscle and level VI lymph node dissection is the basic re-resection extent of primary lesion for thyroid carcinoma patients.


Antioxidant capacity of mononitrosyl-iron-dithiocarbamate complexes: implications for NO trapping.
Using EPR spectroscopy, we show that the water-soluble mononitrosyl iron complexes with N-methyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (MNIC-MGD) ligands can easily react with superoxide and with peroxynitrite. The reaction with superoxide transforms the paramagnetic MNIC-MGD complex into an EPR silent complex with a reaction rate of 3 x 10(7) (M.s)(-1). Suppletion of ascorbate partially restores the complexes to their original paramagnetic state. We propose that the reaction of MNIC-MGD with either superoxide or peroxynitrite leads to identical EPR silent complexes. Our results have important implications for the technique of NO trapping in biosystems with Fe-dithiocarbamate complexes, where mononitrosyl-iron complexes (hydrophilic as well as hydrophobic) are formed as adducts in the trapping reaction. This principle is illustrated by NO trapping experiments on viable cultured endothelial cells. We find that MNIC-MGD acts as a very potent and water-soluble antioxidant with an efficiency exceeding most SOD mimics. Moreover, by accounting for the EPR silent fraction of iron complexes, the sensitivity of NO trapping can be enhanced considerably. The method was demonstrated for hydrophobic iron-dithiocarbamate complexes in endothelial cell cultures, where sensitivity for NO detection was enhanced by a factor of 5.


Lack of Thy1 (CD90) expression in neuroblastomas is correlated with impaired survival.
Neuroblastoma (NBL) is the most common solid tumor in children. Tumors in advanced stage or with positive risk factors still have a poor prognosis. Thy1 (CD90) is a membrane glycoprotein expressed in thymus, retinal ganglionic cells, and several types of stem cells. The aim of this study was to assess Thy1 expression in NBL and analyze the correlation with clinical outcome. Sixty-three specimens of NBL were stained for Thy1 on a tissue microarray by immunohistochemistry. Fresh frozen tumor tissues were used for RNA isolation, and RT-PCR analysis for Thy1-mRNA expression was performed. Patients' survival data were correlated with Thy1 status using a log rank test and a Cox regression multivariate analysis. Thy1 was expressed on 51 (81%) of the tumors. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a significantly impaired survival in patients with NBL missing Thy1 (P < 0.005 by log-rank test). A multivariate Cox regression showed an independent prognostic value of Thy1 status for overall survival (P < 0.05). In addition, the frequency of events and deaths was significantly higher in the group of patients with Thy1 negative tumors, as assessed by ANOVA analysis (P < 0.05 by F-test). The data showed that Thy1-negative NBL patients have a significantly impaired overall survival compared with Thy1-positive NBL patients. Thus, Thy1 seemed to be a marker with a specific prognostic value in NBL patients. Future studies are aiming at the biological role of this marker in the tumor cell differentiation.


MR assessment of posttraumatic flexion contracture of the elbow.
Preoperative assessment of posttraumatic flexion contracture of the elbow includes plain radiographs and tomograms, which are difficult to obtain in the coronal plane due to the contracture. We conducted this study to determine the usefulness of MR imaging in the work-up of these patients. Twelve patients with flexion contracture of the elbow were studied. In addition to standard spin-echo sequences, a sagittally acquired spoiled gradient-recalled echo 3D data set of the flexed elbow was obtained and reformatted coronally using a curved plane of reconstruction. The MR findings were compared to the plain films, tomograms and surgical results. MRI allowed identification of loose bodies that were sometimes poorly visualized, or not seen, on plain films, and demonstrated degenerative changes equally as well as tomograms. MR showed soft tissue abnormalities including capsular and collateral ligament thickening. Curvilinear reconstructions were helpful in the assessment of collateral ligaments in patients with severe contractures. We conclude that MR is useful in the evaluation of elbow flexion contractures, particularly in assessing soft tissue causes.


The possible study of HuaXi-1 solution for all intra-abdominal organ preservation: a study in rats.
University of Wisconsin (UW) solution continues to be the most commonly used solution for intra-abdominal organs. However, it is expensive. Therefore, we have formulated HuaXi-1 (HX-1) solution. The aim of this research was to assess the effect of HX-1 solution compared to UW, Collins 2, and hypertonic citrate solutions on intra-abdominal organs. The effects of HX-1 solution for all intra-abdominal organ preservation were studied in a noncirculated, isolated, perfused rat liver model, in rat pancreas isografts in diabetic rats, and in a kidney autotransplant model. The effects were investigated by measuring hepatic tissue water content, sinusoidal lining cell mortality, Krebs-Henseleits perfusate, aspartate aminotransferase, the number of livers secreting bile during isolated perfusion, blood glucose, glucose tolerance tests, serum insulin of the rat pancreas-transplant recipients, the maximum serum creatinine levels, kidney graft survival rates, and observing the morphological changes in liver, pancreas, and kidneys. HX-1 solution preserved rat liver well for 24 hours as effectively as UW, rat pancreas as well for 48 hours, and dog kidney as well for 72 hours. The experimental findings indicated that HX-1 solution was effective to preserve all intra-abdominal organs; it may simplify cold storage of organs for transplantation.


Acute thanol effect on chemotaxis and other components of host defense.
The effect of alcohol on granulocyte chemotaxis was studies with a radioactive assaysystem. Chemotaxis was inhibited in vitro by concentrations of alcohol above 400 mg. per cent when present during all steps in the assay, but levels above 800 mg. per cent required for inhibition when alcohol was present only during the granulocyte incubation. No inhibition of chemotactic factor generation was found with alcohol concentration up to 1,500 mg. per cent. Cells and serum exposed to alcohol in vivo by acute intxication of donors demonstrated normal in vitro chemotactic performance, even when the assay itself was carried out in medium containing 200 mg. of alcohol. Thestudies do not exclude alcohol's in vivo induction of an inhibitor which must remain present during chemotaxis for inhibition; nor would they have detected an impairment of chemotaxis occurring after the peak blood alcohol concentration. The intoxicated volunteer subjects were also evaluated for changes in delayed hypersensitivity, serum complement concentration, granulocyte hexose monophosphate shunt activity, and circulating whiteblood cell counts; no consistent changes were seen.


[A clinical study on prosthodontic treatment of periodontal problems with conical telescopic removable denture]
OBJECTIVE:Clinical study was made on curative effect of medium to severe periodontal diseases as well as those complicated with partial edentulism by conical telescopic removable denture.METHODS:14 cases of medium to severe periodontal diseases and these complicated with partial edentulism were treated with prosthodontic methods after comprehensive periodontal therapy.Examinations of both before and following prosthetic restoration of 3,12,14 months were made.Bacterial plague index,gingival index,tooth movability and masticatory efficiency were recorded,analysed and compared. RESULTS:Periodontal plague attachment was under effective control through this way,which also eliminated periodontal trauma thus preventing the relapse of periodontal diseases.Further more it can diminish tooth movability and improve masticatory efficiency continuously as time goes on.CONCLUSION:Conical telescopic removable denturs is an effective prosthetic method in treating medium to severe periodontal diseases.


Anti-p53 autoantibodies in hepatitis C virus-infected patients.
Mutations in the p53 gene with generation of circulating autoantibodies to p53 protein (anti-p53) have been recently detected in a significant proportion of patients with different malignant diseases. Using ELISA methods we assessed alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and anti-p53 as serological screening parameters for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 147 consecutive patients with hepatitis C virus-related chronic hepatitis. Liver cirrhosis was histologically diagnosed in 58 patients (39,5%) and a HCC confirmed in 7 patients (4.8%). Serum AFP levels were raised above 20 ng/ml in 26/147 patients (17.7%) and above 100 ng/ml in 5/147 patients (3.4%). In 6/7 patients with HCC serum AFP was raised above 20 ng/ml, but only in 3/7 cases above 100 ng/ml. Autoantibodies to p53 protein were detected in 3/7 patients with HCC, but in 0/140 patients without HCC (sensitivity 42.9%, specificity 100%). In conclusion, the presence of anti-p53 was specific for malignancy and independent of AFP status. Overall, the sensitivity of serological screening for HCC in patients with hepatitis C virus-related chronic hepatitis was improved by combining AFP measurements (level > 100 ng/ml) with the detection of anti-p53.


Incidence and characteristics of acute referred orofacial pain caused by a posterior single tooth pulpitis in an Iranian population.
This study was designed to evaluate incidence and characteristics of acute referred orofacial pain caused by a posterior single tooth pulpitis in an Iranian population. In this cross-sectional study, 3,150 patients (1,400 males and 1,750 females) with pain in the orofacial region were evaluated via clinical and radiographic examination to determine their pain source. Patients completed a standardized clinical questionnaire consisting of a numerical rating scale for pain intensity and chose verbal descriptors from short form McGill questionnaire to describe the quality of their pain. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to score pain intensity. In addition, patients indicated sites to which pain referred by drawing on an illustration of the head and neck. Data were analyzed using chi-square, fisher exact, and Mann-Whitney tests. Two thousand and hundred twenty patients (67/3%) reported pain in sites that diagnostically differed from the pain source. According to statistical analysis, sex (P = 0.02), intensity of pain (0.04), and quality (P = 0.001) of pain influenced its referral nature, while age of patients and kind of stimulus had no considerable effect on pain referral (P > 0.05). The results of the present study show the prevalence of referred pain in the head, face, and neck region is moderately high. Therefore, in patients with orofacial pain, it is essential to carefully examination before carrying out treatment that could be inappropriate.


Phytochemical analysis of the Southern Australian marine alga, Plocamium mertensii using HPLC-NMR.
Over the last decade HPLC-NMR has become a robust analytical technique that has been applied to a wide range of studies, particularly plant extracts. There have been only a few applications of the use of HPLC-NMR to profile marine natural product extracts and no studies involving marine algae. The marine alga selected for this study belongs to the genus Plocamium, which is a well known source of polyhalogenated monoterpenes. To chemically profile the marine alga P. mertensii, using a combination of on-line (HPLC-NMR) and off-line approaches. P. mertensii was extracted with 3:1 methanol-dichloromethane and subsequently partitioned into dichloromethane and methanol-soluble fractions. The methanol partition was exclusively profiled by HPLC-NMR (on-flow, stop-flow and time-slice experiments) whilst the dichloromethane partition was investigated by conventional isolation and purification procedures. HPLC-NMR analysis of the methanol partition partially identified the presence of the major compounds 7, 13, 27 and 37, the structures of which were unequivocally elucidated by off-line characterisation of the dichloromethane partition. Two additional minor metabolites (3 and 8) present in the dichloromethane partition were only tentatively identified as these co-occurred in a mixture with compounds 7 and 13. As a result of this study a number of chemical shift reassignments were made for compound 37. This is one of the few reports describing the application of HPLC-NMR to rapidly profile or dereplicate a marine organism and the first application of HPLC-NMR to successfully profile the chemistry of a marine alga.


Melanoma in situ (MIS) adjacent to an invasive nodular melanoma ("SSM/NM") and its metastases--DNA-cytophotometry, mitotic index, and anisokaryosis.
Malignant melanomas of the superficial spreading type usually have an intraepidermal tumour component in their periphery which frequently displays the morphological features of a melanoma in situ (adjacent MIS). It is thus comparable to exclusively epidermal melanomas; melanoma in situ (MIS). Taking 10 superficial melanomas with a nodular component ("SSM/NM") 31 adjacent MIS regions and 36 nodular melanoma components were analysed in serial tissue slides. Planimetric estimation of the nuclear areas was employed as a measure of anisokaryosis. DNA-Feulgen-cytophotometry was applied to obtain an objective variable in judging malignancy in the DNA-histographs (paraffin material). Furthermore we investigated 8 metastases of one of the malignant melanomas applying the methods described. A comparison of the epidermal with the invasive tumour components revealed an increase in the nuclear area which, however, decrease from the superior to the inferior nodular regions and which are further reduced in melanoma metastases. Anisokaryosis is evidently less in metastases compared with all primary melanomas. The nuclear DNA-content increases from the epidermal to the invasive tumour compartments and is lower in the inferior nodular regions when compared with the superior ones. No further significant differences are, however, established in the metastases. The coefficients of variability of the DNA-contents, being a potential indicator of DNA-heterogeneity reflect higher values in the epidermal tumour components compared with the nodular regions, decreasing from the superior to the inferior nodular parts of the tumour. All metastases have smaller values than the respective primary melanoma. In the DNA-histographs 75% of the intraepidermal tumour components have obvious signs of malignancy including tumour cell stem lines in 19% of the cases. 85% of the nodular regions investigated have clear signs of malignancy, 33% of which also have aneuploid stem lines. All metastases have obvious signs of malignancy and tumour cell stem lines in 50% of the cases observed. The following conclusions can be drawn from our findings: DNA-Feulgen-cytophotometry and nuclear planimetry are additional feasible methods for judging the epidermal component of a melanocytic lesion as malignant (adjacent melanoma in situ) on paraffin material. Furthermore these methods give different results in invasive nodular versus epidermal (in situ) melanoma components. Both the DNA-histographs and our immunohistochemical investigations (monoclonal antibody P 3.58) indicate the malignant potential of adjacent MIS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


[Periarteritis of the carotid siphon (Tolosa-Hunt syndrome, painful ophthalmoplegia)].
A detailed clinical analysis of 5 cases of Tolos-Hunt's syndrome is presented, and the most characteristic diagnostic signs and the peculiarities of the clinical syndrome formation are described. These signs and peculiarities are: regular presence (from the very beginning) of the symptoms of involvement of the carotid artery sympathetic plexus and absence of any other symptoms on the part of the brain stem, the hemispheres, and the meninges. Since this syndrome can be simulated by a number of other organic diseases and primarily, by an infraclinoid aneurysm, the use of carotid angiography is obligatory in all cases. No connection between the disease onset and any local or systemic inflammatory process was discovered. The positive effect from the application of corticosteroids should not be regarded as a diagnostic criterion. Instead of the names "Tolos-Hunt's syndrome" and "pain ophthalmoplegia" the terms "Tolos-Hunt's" periarteritis of the carotid siphon" or "Tolos-Hunt's disease" are suggested.


Coherent synchrotron radiation monitor for microbunching instability in XFEL.
The microbunching instability is an important issue in an X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL). The intensity of the Free Electron Laser (FEL) can be reduced significantly by the microbunching instability so that the laser heater is widely used to reduce it. In the X-ray Free Electron Laser of the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory (PAL-XFEL), to directly monitor the microbunching instability, a visible charge coupled device camera was included into the coherent radiation monitor which uses a pyroelectric detector. It enabled us to measure the microbunching instability more clearly and optimize the FEL lasing in the PAL-XFEL.


Gerontology and youth-focused service learning: the relation between service recipient age and student responses.
Service learning is a pedagogical technique that integrates traditional coursework with activities outside the classroom that meet the needs of the community. Gerontology-focused service learning has been incorporated into many courses that cover aging content and is believed to be beneficial to the learning process. Other research has demonstrated that service learning in general has benefits, regardless of the age of the service recipient. It is unclear whether benefits associated with gerontology-focused service learning are unique to experiences with older adults or are a product of the general benefits associated with this pedagogy. This study examined student responses to gerontology-focused service learning compared to youth-focused service learning. The results revealed that students working with older adults reported more negative expectations related to the assignment, more positive experiences interacting with the service recipients, and more reports of learning benefits attributed to service learning.


Signs in vector-electrocardiography (VECG) predicting the fibrillatory propensity of iodixanol and mannitol solutions after injection into the left coronary artery of pigs.
To find signs in vector-electrocardiography (VECG) predicting the ventricular fibrillatory propensity (VF-PROP) of iodixanol and mannitol solutions after injection into the left coronary artery (LCA) of pigs. Five plasma-isotonic solutions perfused LCA: Iod 320 + Na/Ca (iodixanol 320 mg I/mL, 19 mM NaCl, 0.3 mM CaCl(2)), Iod 320 + Mann (iodixanol 320 mg I/mL, 50 mM mannitol), Mann + Na/Ca (240 mM mannitol, 19 mM NaCl, 0.3 mM CaCl(2)), Mann (275 mM mannitol), and Ringer (representing "physiologic electrolytes"). The first two solutions have at 37 degrees C viscosity 13 mPas and the others <1 mPas. In eight pigs, 20 mL of each solution was injected twice for 10 seconds, and in 15 pigs, each solution was injected for 11-40 seconds (0.5 mL/second) through a wedged catheter in the LCA. If ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurred, injection was stopped and heart was defibrillated. If VF did not occur, perfusion period was 40 seconds. A higher frequency of VF and a shorter period from start of injection until start of VF gave a solution a higher ranking of VF-PROP. The 10-second injections caused no VF. Ringer and Iod 320 + Na/Ca caused no VF after 40-second injections, whereas the other solutions caused VF. Ranking the solutions from lowest to highest VF- PROP gave: Ringer = Iod 320 + Na/Ca < Iod 320 + Mann < Mann + Na/Ca < Mann. Prolongation of QRS time and QTc time were the only VECG signs that showed significant differences (P < .05) between all solutions and correctly ranked the VF-PROP of all solutions in both animal groups. The results fit with the concept that a more physiologic electrolyte composition and a higher viscosity of a test solution will, after start of injection of that solution into LCA, delay changes in the electrolyte composition in myocardial interstitial fluid and also delay start of VF. If a plasma isotonic contrast medium (CM) with lower viscosity than that of iodixanol at 320 mgI/mL were created, we conclude that such a CM should have electrolyte composition closer to that of Ringer than present composition (19 mM NaCl and 0.3 mM CaC1(2)) to counteract the effects of faster diffusion of nonphysiologic electrolyte composition from the low-viscosity CM to myocardial interstitial fluid.


Single-step adhesives are permeable membranes.
This study tested the hypotheses that micro-tensile bond strengths of all currently available single-step adhesives to dentine are adversely affected by delayed activation of a light-cured composite, and that such a phenomenon only occurs in the presence of water from the substrate side of the bonded interface. In experiment I, a control three-step adhesive (All-Bond 2, Bisco) and six single-step adhesives (One-Up Bond F, Tokuyama; Etch&Prime 3.0, Degussa; Xeno CF Bond, Sankin; AQ Bond, Sun Medical; Reactmer Bond, Shofu and Prompt L-Pop, 3M ESPE) were bonded to sound, hydrated dentine. A microfilled composite was placed over the cured adhesive and was either light-activated immediately, or after leaving the composite in the dark for 20 min. In experiment II, three single-step adhesives (Etch&Prime 3.0, Xeno CF Bond and AQ Bond) were similarly bonded to completely dehydrated dentine using the same delayed light-activation protocol. In experiment III, a piece of processed composite was used as the bonding substrate for the same three single-step adhesives. The microfilled composite was applied to the cured adhesives using the same immediate and delayed light-activation protocols. Bonded specimens were sectioned for micro-tensile bond strength evaluation. Fractographic analysis of the specimens was performed using SEM. Stained, undemineralised sections of unstressed, bonded specimens were also examined by TEM. When bonded to hydrated dentine, delayed light-activation had no effect on the control three-step adhesive, but significantly lowered the bond strengths of all the single-step adhesives (p < 0.05). This adverse effect of delayed light-activation was not observed in the three single-step adhesives that were bonded to either dehydrated dentine or processed composite. Morphological manifestations of delayed light-activation of composite in the hydrated dentine bonding substrate were exclusively located along the composite-adhesive interface, and were present as large voids, resin globules and honeycomb structures that formed partitions around a myriad of small blisters along the fractured interfaces. These features resembled the 'overwet phenomenon' that was previously reported along the dentine-adhesive interfaces of some acetone-based three-step adhesives. The cured adhesive layer in single-step adhesives may act as semi-permeable membranes that allow water diffusion from the bonded hydrated dentine to the intermixed zone between the adhesive and the uncured composite. Osmotic blistering of water droplets along the surface of the cured adhesive layer and emulsion polymerisation of immiscible resin components probably account for the compromised bond strength in single-step adhesives after delayed activation of light-cured composites.


Partial reinforcement and latent inhibition effects on stimulus-outcome associations in flavor preference conditioning.
Two experiments with thirsty rats explored the harmful effects of non-reinforced exposures to a flavor cue in the control by sensory-specific flavor-sucrose associations in a conditioned flavor preference paradigm. Experiment 1 demonstrated that rats learned to prefer a flavor cue that was consistently paired with sucrose over one that was paired with sucrose the same number of times but was also presented without sucrose on other occasions. However, rats for which sucrose was devalued following the conditioning phase preferred the partially reinforced flavor cue over the consistently reinforced flavor, suggesting that non-reinforcement weakened the ability of that flavor cue to evoke a specific representation of sucrose during the preference test. Experiment 2 demonstrated comparable effects of non-reinforcement in a latent inhibition procedure, although relatively more non-reinforced pre exposures to the flavor, in conjunction with fewer flavor-sucrose pairings, were required to see the effect. Together, the results suggest, as is often found with more traditional learning paradigms, that non-reinforcement of a flavor cue has deleterious effects on preference learning and/or performance.


Multiple molecular forms of cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase from rat liver: purification and subunit structure.
Cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase (L-cysteine:tRNACys ligase (AMP-forming), EC 6.1.1.16) has been purified from rat liver in 23% overall yield. The enzyme was resolved by hydroxyapatite chromatography into three active forms (Fractions CRS-1, CRS-2 and CRS-3). The total activity ratio was about 0.7:2:1. The fractions CRS-2 and CRS-3 contained no other detectable aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase activity. CRS-2 was homogeneous by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, CRS-3 gave two active bands with mobilities corresponding to those of CRS-1 and CRS-2. The molecular weight of CRS-2 was about 240 000 by electrophoretic mobilities on the gels of various porosity, and 115 000-140 000 by sucrose gradient centrifugation. By gel-filtration, CRS-1, CRS-2 and CRS-3 exhibited apparent molecular weights of 122 000, 235 000 and 300 000, respectively. By sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis, both CRS-2 and CRS-3 gave a single major band of 120 000 daltons. Stoichiometric study of cysteinyl adenylate formation indicated that CRS-2 has two active sites per molecule. These results are consistent with a dimeric structure of the type alpha2 for the major form of rat liver cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase, composed of two probably identical subunits of about 120 000 daltons. Available evidence also suggests that CRS-1 and CRS-3 are alpha and alpha3 (or alpha4), respectively.


High incidence of extrahepatic manifestations in an HCV hyperendemic area.
We previously investigated the incidence of extrahepatic manifestations including oral precancerous disease among the inhabitants in a hepatitis C virus (HCV) hyperendemic area in Fukuoka in Japan. The present study design was based on a prospective cohort at the other HCV hyperendemic area. One oral surgeon examined the oral lesions of 59 adult inhabitants (21 men, 38 women; mean age of 70.7 years), of a hyperendemic area of HCV infection. Furthermore, all subjects were interviewed regarding the natural history of extrahepatic manifestations. All sera were examined for antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV), serum HCV RNA, HCV genotype, antinuclear antibody (ANA), rheumatoid factor (RF) activity, and anti-SS-A and-B antibodies. Anti-HCV or HCV RNA was detected in sera from 59 (100%) or 57 (96.7%) of all subjects. Oral lichen planus (OLP), leukoplakia with leukoedema, or only leukoedema was observed in 8 (8.5%), 1 (1.7%), or 2 (3.4%) subjects, respectively. The incidence of all subjects with one or more HCV-related extrahepatic manifestation was 66.1% (39/59). The subjects with dry mouth were 25.4% (15/59). There was no relation among these autoantibodies, symptoms of dry mouth, or prevalence of HCV-associated extrahepatic manifestations. These findings demonstrate that the inhabitants with HCV infection showed various extrahepatic manifestations, and was not always limited to specific HCV areas.


[Evidence-based medicine and medical databases in obstetrics and gynecology].
Evidence-based medicine is a new trend in both teaching medicine and supporting the clinical decisive process, answering the clinical questions. The basis of the evidence-based medicine comprises of analysing and interpreting current and reliable medical publications concerning certain subject. The important condition, which has to be fulfilled is a possibility of an easy access to current medical information--via internet, medical publications' databases and publications themselves. It is crucial to use the proper hardware system (local net) and proper software system--tools for using evidence-based medicine. Regarding the medical research, nowadays, database systems became unavoidable. By using such a programs process of data collection, control and analysis became both easier and more reliable thanks to eliminating many "human based" errors. In following paper own experience in introducing evidence-based medicine and medical databases in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology will be presented.


Computer modeling of actinomycin D interactions with double-helical DNA.
We have performed molecular mechanical calculations on intercalation complexes of actinomycin D with a series of base-paired hexanucleoside pentaphosphates; d(GCGCGC)2, d(GCCGGC)2, d(GCATGC)2, d(GCTAGC)2 and d(ATGCAT)2. Our results are in good agreement with previous experimental work on sequence selectivity. The results provide a rationalization for the strong preference of actinomycin D to intercalate on the 3' side of guanine residues, consistent with previously proposed models. Finally, the computed structures for d(ATGCAT)2-actinomycin D complexes have been compared with two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance nuclear Overhauser effect experimental results. To our knowledge, this is the first extensive comparison of molecular mechanical model structures for a drug-DNA complex with experimental solution phase data. We find generally good agreement between our computational models and the experimental solution phase structures.


[Electroneuromyography and somatosensory evoked potentials in HTLV-I associated myelopathy].
The objective of the present study was to correlate electroneuromyography (ENMG) and evoked potentials findings with clinical aspects and intrathecal synthesis of HTLV-I antibodies production on HTLV-I myelopathy (HAM). Patients were seropositive for HTLV-I by different assays and seronegative for HIV and VDRL. They had no other causes of myelopathy and peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy was established in 34.3% of the cases by ENMG. Peripheral neuropathy was mostly asymmetric (82%), sensory motor (90%), axonal (54.5%) or of a mixed type (45.4%). In 63.6% of these cases related symptoms were observed. ABR was abnormal in one patient and the PRVEP in 28.5%, who were symptom-free. The SEP was abnormal in 85.7% of the cases, half of them presenting clinical complaints. In only 14% of the individuals with clinical manifestations, SEP was normal. In 28% of patients with abnormal SEP the ENMG disclosed a peripheral neuropathy.


Raman spectra of poly(p-phenylenevinylene)s with fluorinated vinylene units: evidence of inter-ring distortion.
Ring the changes: Experimental Raman spectra of fluorinated and non-fluorinated polyphenylenevinylenes are assigned according to quantum chemical calculations for oligomer model systems [picture: see text]. Characteristic differences in the spectra can be traced back to strong inter-ring distortion of the fluorinated compounds.The Raman spectrum of poly{2-methoxy-5-[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]-1,4-phenylenedifluorovinylene} (MEH-PPDFV) is reported and compared with that of a well-known non-fluorinated reference polymer, namely poly{2-methoxy-5-[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]-1,4-phenylenevinylene} (MEH-PPV). The Raman spectra of both polymers are assigned on the basis of density functional theory calculations of the corresponding oligomers. The main differences between vinylene fluorinated and non-fluorinated structures deal with the intensity, frequency shift and broadening of C--C vinylene stretching. Additional differences concern the relative intensities of C-C phenylene and vinylene stretching as well as the deformation modes in the range 1250-1350 cm(-1). It is shown that these effects are due to the larger distortion from planarity of the fluorinated polymer, compared with the non-fluorinated counterpart, induced by repulsive interactions between the fluorine atoms on the vinylene units and the oxygen atoms of the alkoxy groups on the aromatic rings.


Molecular and genetic profiles of radiographically defined de novo meningiomas.
With the exception of radiation-induced tumors, benign meningiomas that are known to have developed within a defined time period are extremely rare. We have genetically characterized two cases of radiographically defined de novo, sporadic meningiomas--a 5-cm, left parasagittal tumor in a 61-year-old male and a 2.3-cm, right falx tumor in a 53-year-old female. Neither tumor was observed during MRIs performed for unrelated complaints 49 and 28 months before surgery, respectively. Both tumors were totally resected, and histopathological examination revealed WHO grade I meningiomas. In both cases, the MIB-1 staining indices were high for grade I meningioma (5.6% for case 1 and 9.1% for case 2), and abnormal accumulation of p53 were observed by immunohistochemistry. The two tumors shared losses of chromosome arms 1p and 7p by comparative genomic hybridization. The tumor suppressor merlin, product of the NF2 gene, was not detected in either tumor. These abnormalities found in common in both of the de novo meningiomas likely to play significant roles in the pathogenesis and/or rapid development of meningiomas. Moreover, taken together with previous studies, our findings indicate that the combined loss of 1p and 7p may play a critical role in the tumorigenesis of de novo, aggressive meningiomas.


[Uterine perforation revealing a rare placental tumor: trophoblastic tumor of the implantation site. Review of the literature. Apropos of a case].
The trophoblastic tumor of the implantation site (TTIS), recently discovered, is a peculiar and rare choriocarcinoma; the authors are reporting the 36th case in the world. Clinically, it is different from the typical choriocarcinoma by amenorrhea, frequent uterine perforations and negative pregnancy tests. The diagnosis is made histologically; most important are the monomorphic tumor cells, and especially, the immunocytochemical labelling for human chorionic gonadotropic hormone and lactogenic placental hormone permitting the differentiation of TTIS in choriocarcinoma from TTIS in non-trophoblastic tumors. Its course is highly malignant in 25 p. cent of the cases without any absolute prognostic factor at this time. The treatment is not codified; it seems that, unlike in the typical choriocarcinoma, a place of choice should be given to surgery, since the usual chemotherapy of trophoblastic tumors has not proved to be effective in this indication. On the contrary, monitoring will be supported by serum hCG assays.


Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae-derived lipid-associated membrane proteins induce apoptosis in porcine alveolar macrophage via increasing nitric oxide production, oxidative stress, and caspase-3 activation.
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is the primary etiological agent of enzootic pneumonia in swine. Lipid-associated membrane proteins (LAMP) of mycoplasma are the main pathogenicity factors in mycoplasma diseases. In this study, we investigated the effects of M. hyopneumoniae LAMP on porcine alveolar macrophage (PAM) 3D4/21 cell line. Apoptotic features, such as chromatin condensation and apoptotic bodies, were observed in LAMP-treated PAM 3D4/21 cells. Moreover, LAMP significantly increased the number of TUNEL positive apoptotic cells in PAM 3D4/21 cells compared with the untreated control. In addition, flow cytometric analysis using dual staining with annexin-V-FITC and propidium iodide (PI) showed that LAMP of M. hyopneumoniae induced a time-dependent apoptosis in PAM 3D4/21 cells. Moreover, increased levels of superoxide anion production and activated caspase-3 in PAM 3D4/21 cells were observed after exposure to LAMP. Increased production of nitric oxide (NO) was also confirmed in the cell supernatants. Besides, apoptotic rates increase and caspase-3 activation were suppressed by NOS inhibitor or antioxidant. It is suggested that LAMP of M. hyopneumoniae induced apoptosis in porcine alveolar macrophage via NO production, superoxide anion production, and caspase-3 activation.


Antiepileptic effect of carbenoxolone on seizures induced by 4-aminopyridine: a study in the rat hippocampus and entorhinal cortex.
We have examined the effects of the gap junction blocker carbenoxolone (CBX) on the generation and propagation of epileptiform activity induced by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) in the rat entorhinal cortex and hippocampus. We analyzed the epileptiform pattern generated on awaked rats by administering 10 nmol of 4-AP and we studied the effect of administering CBX (50 nmol) 30 min later by injection into the entorhinal cortex. The injection of 4-AP produced an epileptiform pattern in EEG recordings characterized by an initial hypersynchronic activity followed by trains of high-amplitude epileptiform discharges. This pattern was associated with convulsive behavior rated as 0, 1 and 3 in the Racine Scale. In contrast, no changes in electrical activity or behavior were observed in animals that received NaCl or CBX alone. The application of CBX to rats that had received 4-AP decreased the amplitude and frequency of the epileptiform discharges, as well as the number and duration of the epileptiform trains in the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus. Indeed, discharge trains were completely blocked by CBX after 22+/-4.4 min, and likewise CBX reverted the convulsive behavior of these animals. We conclude that Gap junctions participate in the generation and propagation of epileptiform activity induced by 4-AP in these regions, as well as blocking motor alterations.


How family 26 glycoside hydrolases orchestrate catalysis on different polysaccharides: structure and activity of a Clostridium thermocellum lichenase, CtLic26A.
One of the most intriguing features of the 90 glycoside hydrolase families (GHs) is the range of specificities displayed by different members of the same family, whereas the catalytic apparatus and mechanism are often invariant. Family GH26 predominantly comprises beta-1,4 mannanases; however, a bifunctional Clostridium thermocellum GH26 member (hereafter CtLic26A) displays a markedly different specificity. We show that CtLic26A is a lichenase, specific for mixed (Glcbeta1,4Glcbeta1,4Glcbeta1,3)n oligo- and polysaccharides, and displays no activity on manno-configured substrates or beta-1,4-linked homopolymers of glucose or xylose. The three-dimensional structure of the native form of CtLic26A has been solved at 1.50-A resolution, revealing a characteristic (beta/alpha)8 barrel with Glu-109 and Glu-222 acting as the catalytic acid/base and nucleophile in a double-displacement mechanism. The complex with the competitive inhibitor, Glc-beta-1,3-isofagomine (Ki 1 microm), at 1.60 A sheds light on substrate recognition in the -2 and -1 subsites and illuminates why the enzyme is specific for lichenan-based substrates. Hydrolysis of beta-mannosides by GH26 members is thought to proceed through transition states in the B2,5 (boat) conformation in which structural distinction of glucosides versus mannosides reflects not the configuration at C2 but the recognition of the pseudoaxial O3 of the B2,5 conformation. We suggest a different conformational itinerary for the GH26 enzymes active on gluco-configured substrates.


Predictors of poor weight gain in infants with a single ventricle.
To assess growth from the time of neonatal discharge to the time of performance of the bidirectional Glenn (BDG) procedure in infants with a single ventricle and determine predictors of poor growth. We performed a retrospective case series of infants who underwent the BDG procedure at our institution between January 2001 and December 2007 (n=102). Anthropometric and clinical data were recorded during neonatal hospitalization and before BDG. Outcome variables included weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) at the time of BDG and average daily weight gain between neonatal discharge and BDG. Median age at the time of BDG was 5.1 months (range, 2.4-10 months), and median WAZ was -0.4 (range, -2.6 to 3.2) at neonatal admission and -1.3 (range, -3.9 to 0.6) at the time of BDG. Non-Caucasian infants (P=.03) and those with lower WAZ at neonatal discharge (P<.0001) had a lower WAZ at BDG. Being formula-fed at neonatal discharge (P=.04), and having higher mean pulmonary arterial pressure (P=.04) and systemic oxygen saturation (P=.006) were associated with lower average daily weight gain between neonatal discharge and BDG. Infants with a single ventricle have poor weight gain between neonatal discharge and BDG. Non-Caucasian infants and those with evidence of increased pulmonary blood flow are at particular risk for growth failure.


M-Currents in voltage-clamped mammalian sympathetic neurones.
The M-current (IM), a species of time- and voltage-dependent K+-current previously identified in amphibian sympathetic neurones, has been detected in voltage-clamped rat sympathetic neurone somata. IM had an activation threshold of about -70 mV and, since it did not show time-dependent inactivation, contributed an increasing outward component to the steady membrane current between -70 and -20 mV. Selective inhibition of IM by muscarine or by angiotensin-II probably accounts for the membrane depolarization produced by these two agonists on rat ganglia.


Free radicals and antioxidants in normal physiological functions and human disease.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS, e.g. nitric oxide, NO(*)) are well recognised for playing a dual role as both deleterious and beneficial species. ROS and RNS are normally generated by tightly regulated enzymes, such as NO synthase (NOS) and NAD(P)H oxidase isoforms, respectively. Overproduction of ROS (arising either from mitochondrial electron-transport chain or excessive stimulation of NAD(P)H) results in oxidative stress, a deleterious process that can be an important mediator of damage to cell structures, including lipids and membranes, proteins, and DNA. In contrast, beneficial effects of ROS/RNS (e.g. superoxide radical and nitric oxide) occur at low/moderate concentrations and involve physiological roles in cellular responses to noxia, as for example in defence against infectious agents, in the function of a number of cellular signalling pathways, and the induction of a mitogenic response. Ironically, various ROS-mediated actions in fact protect cells against ROS-induced oxidative stress and re-establish or maintain "redox balance" termed also "redox homeostasis". The "two-faced" character of ROS is clearly substantiated. For example, a growing body of evidence shows that ROS within cells act as secondary messengers in intracellular signalling cascades which induce and maintain the oncogenic phenotype of cancer cells, however, ROS can also induce cellular senescence and apoptosis and can therefore function as anti-tumourigenic species. This review will describe the: (i) chemistry and biochemistry of ROS/RNS and sources of free radical generation; (ii) damage to DNA, to proteins, and to lipids by free radicals; (iii) role of antioxidants (e.g. glutathione) in the maintenance of cellular "redox homeostasis"; (iv) overview of ROS-induced signaling pathways; (v) role of ROS in redox regulation of normal physiological functions, as well as (vi) role of ROS in pathophysiological implications of altered redox regulation (human diseases and ageing). Attention is focussed on the ROS/RNS-linked pathogenesis of cancer, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, ischemia/reperfusion injury, diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease), rheumatoid arthritis, and ageing. Topics of current debate are also reviewed such as the question whether excessive formation of free radicals is a primary cause or a downstream consequence of tissue injury.


Anthralin inflammation versus UV-erythema in psoriatics.
Anthralin has been applied in low and high concentrations with and without UV-irradiation in the treatment of psoriasis (Schauder & Mahrle, 1982a,b). We have studied the relationship between the sensitivity to anthralin and UV-irradiation which might possibly help us to give a more individually adapted therapy.


[The respiratory system im chronic pyelonephritis].
The respiratory system was studied in 221 patients with chronic pyelonephritis (CP), satisfactory renal function and varying arterial pressure (AP) using tests of systemic hemodynamics, echocardiography, zonal rheography of the lungs and rheospirography. Ventilation-perfusion correlations were also taken into account. It is shown that the respiratory system, along with circulatory organs, is involved in the pathological process at early stages of pyelonephritic inflammation. Patients with the so-called "normal high AP" develop vascular dysfunction in the lungs manifesting in enlarged pulmonary artery base without an increase in pressure gradient in it, gradual growth of resistance of not only systemic vascular bed of the greater but lesser circulation as well, ventilation dysfunction of the lungs by the restrictive type, imbalance between the ventilatory reserve and reserve of pulmonary and systemic blood flow with progression of arterial hypertension.


Effects of anti-CD4 antibody: enhancement of lymph node PPD-memory T cell response.
In vitro incubations of CD4+ T cells with anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody (Mab) demonstrated saturation binding and inhibited both PPD-stimulated proliferation and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) after passive transfer of these cells into naive rats. In comparison, in vivo administration of anti-CD4 Mab into rats, 2 weeks after CFA immunization (PPD priming), saturated CD4 molecules expressed on T lymphocytes and depleted significant percentages of CD4+ T cells from blood, spleen, and lymph nodes, yet failed to cause significant inhibition of PPD-stimulated DTH ear swelling. Only repeated in vivo administration of anti-CD4 Mabs during the CFA/PPD antigen priming caused significant decreases (36 +/- 5%) in PPD-stimulated DTH ear swelling. T cells isolated from the blood and spleen showed insignificant relative decreases in PPD-stimulated proliferation after anti-CD4 treatments. In contrast, PPD-stimulated proliferation of T cells isolated from the draining lymph nodes after anti-CD4 treatments showed dramatic increases in PPD reactivity. PPD stimulation of T cells isolated from the draining lymph nodes of anti-CD4 Mab-treated rats produced relative phenotypic changes in CD4 coexpressions with CD45RC (inverse memory), CD49d (inflammatory adhesion integrin VLA-4), and OX40 (CD4+ blast), representative of memory CD4+ T cell blasts with reduced capacity for endothelial infiltration. These data demonstrate that depletion of CD4+ T cells by anti-CD4 Mab injections, administered either during or after antigen priming, selectively enhanced memory responses in T lymphocytes in the draining lymph nodes.


Correction to: Genetic characterization and expression analysis of wheat (Triticum aestivum) line 07OR1074 exhibiting very low polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity.
The above-mentioned article was published in 2015 with an error in the reverse primer sequence for the PPOA2d1074 marker, which made amplification difficult. The reverse primer was missing a thymine nucleotide at the thirteenth position (GCGGTGCTTCACTTGGT).


Styrene toxicity: an ecotoxicological assessment.
Although other aromatic compounds (e.g., benzene, toluene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), etc.) have been thoroughly studied over the years, styrene has been given little attention probably due to its lower rate of industrial use. In addition, it is less toxic than benzene and PAH, proven carcinogens. However, it is classified as a mutagen and thus potentially carcinogenic. Its main use is in the production of the polymer polystyrene and in the production of plastics, rubber, resins, and insulators. Entry into the environment is mainly through industrial and municipal discharges. In this review, the toxicological effects of styrene on humans, animals, and plants are discussed. Its mode of entry and methods of monitoring its presence are examined. Although its effects on humans and aquatic life have been studied, the data on short- or long-term exposures to plants, birds, and land animals are insufficient to be conclusive. Since exposure to workers can result in memory loss, difficulties in concentration and learning, brain and liver damage, and cancer, development of accurate methods to monitor its exposure is essential. In addition, the review outlines the present state of styrene in the environment and suggests ways to deal with its presence. It might appear that the quantities are not sufficient to harm humans, but more data are necessary to evaluate its effect, especially on workers who are regularly exposed to it.


Value of high-resolution contrast-enhanced ultrasound in detection and characterisation of endoleaks after EVAR.
To compare the value of high-resolution contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the detection and characterisation of endoleaks after EVAR. In this retrospective study, a cohort of 80 patients underwent both standard examination using a curved array 5 MHz transducer and a second examination using a curved array 9 MHz transducer. The examination included B-mode, color Doppler and contrast-enhanced ultrasound using the Philips EPIQ 7 scanner. 80 patients were included in the study. CEUS was used as the preferred examination in determining the presence of an endoleak. The sensitivity and specificity for the detection of endoleak using the 5 MHz transducer was: CEUS (96.8%, 100%), Color Doppler (47.6%, 94.1%), B-mode (15.8%, 94.1%), while for the 9 MHz transducer: CEUS (100%, 100%), Color Doppler (39.7%, 94.1%), B-mode (23.8%, 24.1%). High resolution ultrasound (9 MHz) in detection and characterization of endoleaks after EVAR has some minor advantages in comparison to lower resolution ultrasound (5 MHz).


Liquid culture production of microsclerotia and submerged conidia by Trichoderma harzianum active against damping-off disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani.
Media and culturing protocols were identified that supported the formation of submerged conidia and microsclerotia (MS) by Trichoderma harzianum Rifai strain T-22 using liquid culture fermentation. Liquid media with a higher carbon concentration (36 g L(-1)) promoted MS formation at all C:N ratios tested. Hyphae aggregated to form MS after 2 d growth and after 7 d MS were fully melanized. This is the first report of MS formation by T. harzianum or any species of Trichoderma. Furthermore, submerged conidia formation was induced by liquid culture media, but yields, desiccation tolerance, and storage stability varied with C:N ratio and carbon rate. Air-dried MS granules (<4% moisture) retained excellent shelf life under cool and unrefrigerated storage conditions with no loss in conidial production. A low-cost complex nitrogen source based on cottonseed flour effectively supported high MS yields. Amending potting mix with dried MS formulations reduced or eliminated damping-off of melon seedlings caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Together, the results provide insights into the liquid culture production, stabilization process, and bioefficacy of the hitherto unreported MS of T. harzianum as a potential biofungicide for use in integrated management programs against soilborne diseases.


Polymer-drug conjugates for novel molecular targets.
Polymer therapeutics can be already considered as a promising field in the human healthcare context. The discovery of the enhanced permeability and retention effect by Maeda, together with the modular model for the polymer-drug conjugate proposed by Ringsdorf, directed the early steps of polymer therapeutics towards cancer therapy. Orthodox anticancer drugs were preferentially chosen in the development of the first conjugates. The fast evolution of polymer chemistry and bioconjugation techniques, and a deeper understanding of cell biology has opened up exciting new challenges and opportunities. Four main directions have to be considered to develop this 'platform technology' further: the control of the synthetic process, the exhaustive characterization of the conjugate architectures, the conquest of combination therapy and the disclosure of new therapeutic targets. We illustrate in this article the exciting approaches offered by polymer-drug conjugates beyond classical cancer therapy, focusing on new, more effective and selective targets in cancer and in their use as treatments for other major human diseases.


Combination therapy in stage C and D prostatic cancer: rationale and five year clinical experience.
In 1941, Huggins and his colleagues discovered that testicular androgens exert a stimulatory effect on prostate cancer growth. Our group has made the key observations that the human adrenals, in addition to the tests, also secrete important amounts of androgens and cancer cells exhibit a marked heterogeneity of androgen sensitivity. In fact, human adrenals secrete large amounts of precursor steroids that are converted into active androgens in peripheral tissues (including the prostate), thus providing 40% to 50% of total androgens in adult men. The action of these androgens remaining after castration can be inhibited in prostatic cancer tissue by administering a pure antiandrogen that also decreases the local concentration of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The castration levels of serum testosterone left in men after castration have an important stimulatory activity on the growth of androgen-sensitive normal as well as cancer tissues. Cancer cells have markedly different requirements for androgens. Some cell clones can grow in the presence of minimal amounts of androgens, requiring more complete androgen blockade and more potent antiandrogens for inhibiting growth. Among the compounds recommended as antiandrogens, the most unexpected finding is that many of them are devoid of any antiandrogenic activity. In fact, medroxyprogesterone acetate, chlormadinone acetate, and megestrol acetate have androgenic activity, but do not inhibit the peripheral action of DHT in prostatic tissue. These compounds should not be classified as antiandrogens. Cyproterone acetate, on the other hand, is a mixed agonist-antagonist. The only compounds showing pure antiandrogenic activity are Flutamide and its analogues. There is thus a need for a more complete blockade of androgens of both testicular and adrenal origins in order to exert a maximal inhibitory effect on cancer growth. We have therefore performed clinical studies in previously untreated stage D2 and C prostate cancer patients with the combination therapy using the LHRH agonist [D-Trp6, des Gly NH2(10)] LHRH ethylamide and the antiandrogen Flutamide. There was a significant increase in patients with a complete response, as compared with studies limited to the removal or blockade of testicular androgens. There was also a significant decrease in the number of non-responders, an increased duration of positive response, and a decrease in the death rate. This was achieved with minimal or no side effects, thus preserving a good quality of life.


Treatment of carcinoma of the anal canal at Groote Schuur Hospital.
Chemoradiation is the treatment of choice for squamous carcinoma of the anal canal, resulting in the same local control rates as surgery but with the advantage of organ function preservation. We aimed to review all cases of anal canal carcinoma treated at Groote Schuur Hospital between 2000 and 2004 and to assess treatement outcome. The records for 31 patients presenting during this period were reviewed. Patient and tumour characteristics were recorded. Twenty-six patients were treated with chemoradiation. Local failure-free, colostomy-free and overall survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Compared with the literature, the median patient age was younger and the stage was more advanced in this study. The complete response rate for all stages with chemoradiation was 80%. The local failure-free survival at 5 years was 60.7%. Colostomy-free and overall survival at 5 years were 59.2% and 65.6%, respectively. The patients presented with locally advanced disease. Chemoradiation is effective treatment for this group of patients and the majority avoid a permanent colostomy as they preserve anal sphincter function.


Effective esophageal balloon dilation for esophageal stenosis in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.
Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is an inherited disorder of squamous epithelium that results in dystrophic scarring of the skin after minor trauma. RDEB is classified into two subtypes: Hallopeau-Siemens (HS) and non-Hallopeau-Siemens (nHS). Although severe scarring of the skin is the most common and obvious complication of the disease, esophageal scarring with formation of long strictures may also develop. Treatment options for esophageal stenosis in patients with RDEB include steroids, hyperalimentation, esophageal dilation and replacement. This report describes a child who was dilated immediately after diagnosis of severe esophageal stenosis subsequent to nHS-RDEB and managed successfully. Endoscopic esophageal balloon dilation under fluoroscopic control was very useful for detecting the region of stenosis and bougienage. The literature on such injuries is reviewed here, and the problems associated with the treatment of children with esophageal stenosis associated with RDEB are discussed.


An immunological comparison of third companion in advanced drug-naive HIV-infected patients.
An immunological comparison of three different third companions (abacavir [ABC], efavirenz [EFV], ritonavir-boosted indinavir [IDVr]) on a backbone of either zidovudine plus didanosine (AZT/ddI) or zidovudine plus lamivudine (AZT/3TC) was performed in 76 HIV-infected, advanced-naive patients. Baseline median CD4 count and viremia were 217/microL and 238,301 copies/mL, respectively. Immunologic parameters were measured at baseline and after months of therapy. By the end of the study, 36 patients (mostly in the protease inhibitor [PI]-containing arms) had dropped out of the study; 22/36 cases of drop out were due to tolerability issues. All regimens resulted in increases in CD4 counts, with the most solid changes seen in patients using ABC as a third companion. Median HIV plasma viremia at month 12 was <50 copies/mL, and viremia was undetectable in 26/38 patients (68%). At the end of the study period, HIV antigen- and mitogen-stimulated proliferation overall was better in patients using either of the PI-boosted third companions. In these patients, the strongest down-modulation of activation marker-bearing cells was also observed. Finally, CD8+/28-/CD45RA+ lymphocytes (effector cells) were increased in all groups of patients with the exception of individuals receiving PI-boosted therapies. Results of this pilot study, although very preliminary, suggest that different combinations of antivirals result in a range of effects on immune cell functions. The clinical implications of these results need to be further analyzed in follow-up studies and in larger cohorts of patients.


Redescription of Pethia melanomaculata (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Sri Lanka.
The name Pethia melanomaculata (Deraniyagala) is available for the Sri Lankan fish previously referred to P. ticto, being distinguished from its Indian congeners by the combination of the following characters; having ½4/1/3½ scales in transverse line on body; body depth 32.4-41.5% of standard length (SL); head length (HL) 26.1-29.2% of SL; snout length 25.3-35.6% of HL; eye diameter 24.4-31.9% of HL; a small black humeral spot on lateral-line scales 3 or 4; a black spot on caudal peduncle, on scales 16-18 of the lateral line series; 3 unbranched dorsal-fin rays, the last one strongly serrated, with 8-11 serrae.


Vertigo: analysis by magnetic resonance imaging and angiography.
The relationship of vascular disease of the vertebrobasilar artery system to isolated vertigo was examined by magnetic resonance imaging and angiography. Eighty-nine individuals complaining of vertigo were evaluated by standard otoneurologic investigations, and the data were correlated with the vascular patterns of the cervical region and posterior fossa. The age distribution extended from the fourth decade to the ninth decade; the peak occurrence was observed in the eighth. Approximately 85% of the group experienced numerous episodes of vestibular dysfunction from months to years before examination; the remaining segment was examined following the first episode due to severity or persistence of symptoms. The criteria for vascular abnormality proposed by the authors are based upon comparison with previous normal findings. Approximately 52% of the cohort demonstrated abnormal configurations or evidence of diminished flow within the vertebrobasilar artery system. Of this segment, a vertebral artery was most frequently abnormal, in 76%; the basilar artery was judged pathological in 32%, and combined disease of several arteries was evident in 20%.


Elevation of plasma MB creatine kinase and the development of new Q waves in association with pericarditis.
A 64-year-old woman with an acute exacerbation of chronic relapsing pericarditis had initial clinical and ECG features that were consistent with an acute anterior myocardial infarction. Transient Q waves were observed in the precordial leads, and she also exhibited elevated plasma MB creatine kinase (MB CK) activity. However, the overall clinical and laboratory data, including angiographic and radionuclide studies, suggest that the myocardial damage was secondary to pericarditis per se, rather than ischemic myocardial infarction. This case emphasizes that Q waves and elevated MB CK activity can be seen in association with pericarditis, and this must be differentiated from myocardial infarction secondary to coronary artery disease.


Comparison of alpha and beta tin for lithium, sodium, and magnesium storage: An ab initio study including phonon contributions.
We present a comparative ab initio study of Li, Na, and Mg storage in tin, including phononic effects and phase competition between α and β Sn. Mg doping at low concentration is found to stabilize the β phase. On the contrary, Li and Na doping is shown to reverse the stability of the phases at room temperature: Li/Na-doped α-Sn is more stable than Li/Na-doped β-Sn up to a temperature of around 380/400 K. This may rationalize the formation of α-Sn upon lithiation and delithiation of β-Sn anodes reported in experimental studies. The changes in phase stability with Li/Na/Mg doping are directly related to the intercalation energies of Li/Na/Mg in one phase versus the other: at 300 K, Li/Na is easier intercalated in α-Sn (-0.37/-0.08 eV) than in β-Sn (0.06/0.49 eV), while Mg intercalation energy is, although positive (i.e., unfavored intercalation), lower in β-Sn (0.53 eV) than in α-Sn (0.66 eV). The temperature effect is found to affect significantly the intercalation energy, by up to 0.13 eV at 300 K. Analysis of diffusion barriers shows that Li, Na, and Mg diffusion in β-Sn is anisotropic with migration barriers along the (001) direction (respectively, 0.01, 0.22, and 0.07 eV) significantly lower than those in α-Sn (respectively, 0.20, 0.52, and 0.40 eV).


Hyperthyroidism in identical adolescent male twins.
Monozygous adolescent male twins with hyperthyroidism are presented. One twin had associated thyroiditis. The other twin presented with muscle weakness and paralysis. Treatment was successful with antithyroid medication and levothyroxine.


Effects of tandospirone, a 5-HT1A agonistic anxiolytic agent, on haloperidol-induced catalepsy and forebrain Fos expression in mice.
We studied the effects of tandospirone, a 5-HT(1A) agonistic anxiolytic agent, on haloperidol-induced catalepsy and forebrain Fos expression in mice. Haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) markedly increased the catalepsy time and enhanced Fos expression in the shell (AcS) and core (AcC) regions of the nucleus accumbens, the dorsolateral striatum (dlST), and the lateral septal nucleus (LSN). Tandospirone (0.1 - 1 mg/kg, s.c.) significantly alleviated haloperidol-induced catalepsy in a dose-dependent manner, which was antagonized by WAY-100135 (a selective 5-HT(1A) antagonist). The anticataleptic dose of tandospirone (1 mg/kg, s.c.) significantly reduced haloperidol-induced Fos expression in the dlST. This inhibition by tandospirone was regionally specific, and it failed to affect haloperidol-induced Fos expression either in the AcS, AcC, or LSN. In addition, the reversal of haloperidol-induced striatal Fos expression by tandospirone was antagonized by WAY-100135. These results support the notion that stimulation of 5-HT(1A) receptors region-specifically counteracts the D(2)-blocking actions of haloperidol in the striatum, which may account for the ameliorative effects of 5-HT(1A) agonists on antipsychotic-associated extrapyramidal disorders.


The application of coulometry for total antioxidant capacity determination of human blood.
New coulometric method for estimation of blood and plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) based on using electrogenerated bromine was proposed. TAC of blood from patients with chronic renal disease undergoing long-term hemodialysis was investigated. Statistical significant changes in TAC level of venous and arterial blood were found. Catalase activity and low density lipoproteins (LDL) concentrations were determined. Linear correlation between TAC and parameters mentioned was found. Contribution from some individual antioxidants was investigated. The developed method for TAC assay is expressive, simple, stable and reliable, and successfully could be used for TAC determination of some biological fluids. This method could be applied in clinic for estimation of blood TAC from patients.


Quality of life and hormone therapy in women before and after menopause.
To study how women evaluate their quality of life (QoL) in relation to age, menopause and hormone therapy (HT). An anonymous postal questionnaire comprising the Gothenburg QoL Instrument and items concerning menopause, symptoms, diseases, drugs and smoking. A primary care district in southern Sweden. All women aged 45, 50, 55 and 60 in 1995 (n = 126), 1996 (n = 130), 1997 (n = 134) and 1998 (n = 145). QoL (global, social, physical/mental well-being) and number of symptoms (psychological, physical) reported during the past 3 months. The older women rated their QoL, especially social well-being (p < 0.001), higher and reported a lower number of symptoms, particularly psychological symptoms (p = 0.02), than the younger women did. Pre- and post-menopausal women in the various age groups did not differ on the main outcome measures. A history of HT and use of hormonal contraceptives tended to be associated with lower well-being and a greater number of symptoms, an association found in women 55 years of age to be highly significant (p < 0.01-0.001) for all the main outcome measures. The effects of menopause on QoL seemed generally to be of minor importance. QoL in women was lower in those with a history of HT than in those with no such experience.


Contrast in the evanescent near field of lambda/20 period gratings for photolithography.
Light propagation through gratings with periods as small as lambda/20 is investigated computationally by use of the multiple multipole method in two dimensions. High image contrast is evident close to the grating. Strong evanescent decay of the high spatial frequency components is observed with the region of high contrast shrinking linearly as the period of the grating is decreased. Simulations were performed for TE and TM polarizations with the TM polarization providing the dominant contrast compared with TE, which is strongly attenuated owing to the polarizing effect of the gratings. These results show good promise for optical contact lithography in the evanescent near field of a shadow mask to attain feature sizes smaller than lambda/20.


Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy and computed tomography (CT) in clinical practice. Primary and secondary evaluation for localization of phaeochromocytomas.
To determine the diagnostic value of metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy compared with computed tomography (CT) for the localization of phaeochromocytomas in clinical practice. Retrospective comparison between MIBG scintigrams and CT for localization of phaeochromocytomas in all patients successively examined with MIBG scintigraphy in Malmö from 1984 until January 1997. Malmö University Hospital, Sweden. Sixty-four patients with clinically suspected phaeochromocytomas. MIBG scintigrams and CTs classified as positive or negative based on original interpretations (primary evaluation) and in a secondary evaluation by one blinded examiner are assessed through histological confirmation or clinical rule out of phaeochromocytomas. Twenty-five patients had surgically removed phaeochromocytomas. The remaining 39 patients had no proof of phaeochromocytomas. In the secondary evaluation, sensitivity for MIBG scintigraphy was 88% (22/25) and for CT was 100% (25/25). The specificity for MIBG scintigraphy was 89% (35/39) but only 50% for CT (18/36). Two out of a total of six extra-adrenal tumours were amongst the false-negative MIBG scintigrams. MIBG scintigraphy for the localization of phaeochromocytomas is superior to CT as far as specificity, whereas CT has a higher sensitivity. After biochemical diagnosis, CT will detect most phaeochromocytomas. MIBG scintigraphy can be of value in patients who show inconclusive results with biochemical testing and CT.


A single exposure to the American flag shifts support toward Republicanism up to 8 months later.
There is scant evidence that incidental cues in the environment significantly alter people's political judgments and behavior in a durable way. We report that a brief exposure to the American flag led to a shift toward Republican beliefs, attitudes, and voting behavior among both Republican and Democratic participants, despite their overwhelming belief that exposure to the flag would not influence their behavior. In Experiment 1, which was conducted online during the 2008 U.S. presidential election, a single exposure to an American flag resulted in a significant increase in participants' Republican voting intentions, voting behavior, political beliefs, and implicit and explicit attitudes, with some effects lasting 8 months after the exposure to the prime. In Experiment 2, we replicated the findings more than a year into the current Democratic presidential term. These results constitute the first evidence that nonconscious priming effects from exposure to a national flag can bias the citizenry toward one political party and can have considerable durability.


Identification of Bordetella avium using the polymerase chain reaction.
A DNA fragment from Bordetella pertussis, encoding the fim2 fimbrial subunit gene with adjacent sequences, was used as a probe for the detection of homologous sequences in chromosomal DNA of Bordetella avium. A 1.8 kb Sa1I-PstI fragment from the genome of B. avium, which hybridized with the probe, was isolated and sequenced. No fimbrial subunit gene was located on the B. avium DNA fragment. Two regions could be distinguished in the sequence of the fragment. Region 1, which was 80% identical to the sequence upstream of the fim2 gene of B. pertussis and region 2, which had no identity with any known sequence. A 491 bp EagI DNA fragment (probe A) within region 1 and a 650 bp EagI DNA fragment (probe B) within region 2 were used as DNA probes on restriction endonuclease digests of chromosomal DNA from various bacterial species. This hybridization experiment showed that the region 2 sequence was specific for B. avium. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primers within region 2 resulted in the amplification of a 500 bp DNA fragment with B. avium DNA only. This PCR is a useful method for the rapid detection of B. avium and appeared useful to discriminate B. avium from other Bordetella species and also from Alcaligenes faecalis.


Expression profiling of choline and ethanolamine kinases in MCF7, HCT116 and HepG2 cells, and the transcriptional regulation by epigenetic modification.
The function of choline kinase (CK) and ethanolamine kinase (EK) is to catalyse the phosphorylation of choline and ethanolamine, respectively, in order to yield phosphocholine (PCho) and phosphoethanolamine (PEtn). A high expression level of PCho, due to elevated CK activity, has previously been associated with malignant transformation. In the present study, a quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine the mRNA expression profiles of ck and ek mRNA variants in MCF7 breast, HCT116 colon and HepG2 liver cancer cells. The ck and ek mRNA expression profiles showed that total ckα was expressed most abundantly in the HepG2 cells. The HCT116 cells exhibited the highest ckβ and ek1 mRNA expression levels, whereas the highest ek2α mRNA expression levels were detected in the MCF7 cells. The ckβ variant had higher mRNA expression levels, as compared with total ckα, in both the MCF7 and HCT116 cells. Relatively low ek1 mRNA expression levels were detected, as compared with ek2α in the MCF7 cells; however, this was not observed in the HCT116 and HepG2 cells. Notably, the mRNA expression levels of ckα2 were markedly low, as compared with ckα1, in all three cancer cell lines. The effects of epigenetic modification on ck and ek mRNA expression, by treatment of the cells with the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA), were also investigated. The results of the present study showed that the mRNA expression levels of ckα, ckβ and ek2α were affected by TSA. An increase >8-fold was observed in ek2α mRNA expression upon treatment with TSA, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. In conclusion, the levels of ck and ek transcript variants in the three cancer cell lines were varied. The effects of TSA treatment on the mRNA expression levels of ck and ek imply that ck and ek mRNA expression may be regulated by epigenetic modification.


Pea lectin inhibits cell growth by inducing apoptosis in SW480 and SW48 cell lines.
Globally, colorectal cancer is the third most common type of malignant tumor, after lung and breast. Here anticancer property of pea lectin was evaluated against colorectal cancer cell lines SW480 and SW48. The cells were treated with different doses of lectin for 3 days in vitro and the inhibitory effects were found in a dose dependent manner. At the high dose(1.0 mg/ml) 62% and 63% cell growth inhibitions were observed for SW48 and SW480 cell lines, respectively. Cell growth inhibition was further studied by colony formation of the cell lines and the numbers of colonies in SW480+pea lectin and SW48+pea lectin cells were noted significantly lower in comparison to that of control cells. Cell morphological study revealed that pea lectin induced apoptosis both in SW48 and SW480 cell lines, which was further confirmed by caspase inhibitors. Involvement of intrinsic mitochondrial pathway in the apoptosis progression was confirmed by caspase inhibitors and increased of caspase-3 & -9 proteins expressions. Expression levels of p53 and p21 protein were also increased significantly in both cell lines with the decreased of PARP1 protein expression. G2/M and G0/G1 cell cycle arrested was noted in SW48 and SW480 cell lines, respectively, after treatment with pea lectin.


Thyroglossal duct cysts and obstructive sleep apnoea: three case reports and review of the literature.
Thyroglossal duct cysts and obstructive sleep apnoea are commonly occurring medical conditions which appear to present independently in patients. However, we noted three cases where the thyroglossal duct cysts influenced the development and/or therapy of obstructive sleep apnoea. In this article, these three case studies are presented, as is a study of the association between thyroglossal duct cysts and obstructive sleep apnoea, preceded by a literature review. The patient in the first case study underwent hyoidthyroidpexia for obstructive sleep apnoea, which revealed an unexpected thyroglossal duct cyst. The second patient had previously undergone Sistrunk surgery for the removal of a thyroglossal duct cyst and subsequently presented with obstructive sleep apnoea. Finally, the third patient, who had previously undergone Sistrunk surgery, presented with obstructive sleep apnoea and underwent alternative surgery as hyoidthyroidpexia was no longer possible. To our knowledge, the association between thyroglossal duct cysts and obstructive sleep apnoea has not been addressed previously. The results indicate that the relationship is much stronger than previously thought, and further research is required to investigate the extent of the association and possible causal relations.


Surrogate analysis of vancomycin to predict susceptible categorization of dalbavancin.
Dalbavancin (DAL) represents a recently approved addition for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs). Newly released antimicrobial agents are rarely found on commercial susceptibility testing devices, and surrogate testing may be an option for clinical microbiology laboratories. A total of 33,688 Staphylococcus aureus, 2800 viridans group streptococci (VGS), and 5722 β-hemolytic streptococci (BHS) were included in this cross-susceptibility (DAL versus vancomycin [VAN]) analysis as well as 4576 coagulase-negative staphylococci and 6515 enterococci (nonindicated species groups). Isolates were collected as part of the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program for the United States (USA) and Europe (2011-2013). Susceptibility testing followed CLSI (M07-A9 and M100-S24) methods. USA Food and Drug Administration (DAL) and CLSI (VAN) breakpoint criteria were used for correlations between DAL and VAN susceptibility results. A categorical agreement (CA; susceptible) rate of 99.9% was observed between DAL and VAN when testing S. aureus. Only 48 (0.14%) very major (false-susceptible) errors were noted against VAN-susceptible isolates that displayed a DAL-nonsusceptible (MIC, 0.25 or 0.5 μg/mL) phenotype. When susceptible MIC correlations were analyzed against indicated BHS species (Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus pyogenes), an overall CA rate of 97.7-100.0% was obtained. Complete (100.0%) CA was documented for S. pyogenes, as well as against all VGS isolates, including the indicated Streptococcus anginosus group (758 strains). In conclusion, high susceptible CA rates between DAL and VAN were observed when testing a contemporary collection of indicated clinical isolates found in ABSSSI. VAN-susceptible isolates can be inferred to be inhibited by DAL (97.7-100.0%) at the regulatory agency-approved susceptible interpretive breakpoint of ≤0.12 μg/mL.


Structural features of tannic acid important for DNA degradation in the presence of Cu(II).
Tannic acid has numerous food and pharmacological applications. It is an additive in medicinal products and is used as a flavouring agent and as an antioxidant in various foods and beverages. However, there are reports of its mutagenicity and carcinogenicity in bacterial and animal test systems. Tannic acid and its structural monomer gallic acid are also capable of inducing apoptosis in animal cells. We have earlier shown that tannic acid in the presence of Cu(II) causes DNA degradation through generation of reactive oxygen species such as hydroxyl radicals. In order to understand the chemical basis of the various biological properties of tannic acid we have studied the structure-activity relationship between tannic acid and gallic acid using the DNA cleavage assay. Results in the present paper indicate that gallic acid is considerably more active than tannic acid. However, if two of the three hydroxyl groups of gallic acid are methylated (syringic acid) the DNA degrading capacity declines sharply. Further, decarboxylation of gallic acid (pyrogallol) leads to enhancement of its activity. In conclusion, the results indicate that the DNA cleavage activity of tannic acid is due to its digalloyl moeity and that free hydroxyl groups are essential for cleavage.


Photorelease of alcohols from 2-nitrobenzyl ethers proceeds via hemiacetals and may be further retarded by buffers intercepting the primary aci-nitro intermediates.
The mechanism for the photoinduced release of glycolic acid from its 2-nitrobenzyl ether was reinvestigated. The pH-dependent rate constants of the thermal reactions initiated by irradiation are similar to those reported previously for 2-nitrobenzyl methyl ether. A hemiacetal intermediate that limits the release rate of glycolic acid at pH values </=7 was identified by time-resolved IR and UV measurements. Furthermore, 2-(2'-nitrosophenyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-one, a long-lived intermediate formed by intramolecular trapping of the aci-tautomer, was observed and characterized.


Atmospheric Oxidation of a Thiocarbamate Herbicide Used in Winter Cereals.
The gas-phase atmospheric degradation of prosulfocarb (a widely used thiocarbamate herbicide in winter cereals) at different NOx concentrations was investigated at the large outdoor European PHOtoREactor (EUPHORE) in Valencia, Spain. Photolysis under sunlight conditions and reaction with ozone were shown as unimportant. The rate constant for the reaction of prosulfocarb with OH radicals was determined as k = (2.9 ± 0.5) × 10-11 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 at 288 ± 10 K and atmospheric pressure by a conventional relative rate method. Significant ozone and aerosol formation was observed following the reaction of prosulfocarb with OH radicals, and the main detected carbon-containing gas-phase products were benzaldehyde, S-benzyl formyl(propyl)carbamothioate, and S-benzyl propanoyl(propyl)carbamothioate.


Fluorescent Methods for Measuring and Imaging Cytosolic Free Ca2+ in Neutrophils
Intracellular free Ca2+ plays an important role in the function of neutrophils and many other cell types. In this report, fluorescent techniques for the measurement of intracellular Ca2+ in neutrophils are reviewed. Thus, some commonly used fluorescent indicators are listed, and both theoretical and practical considerations required for their use are detailed. The use of these probes to study intracellular Ca2+ in neutrophil populations or in individual cells by imaging techniques, including measurement using confocal microscopy, is described.


Serum aluminum levels in dialysis patients after sclerotherapy of internal hemorrhoids with aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid.
Aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid (ALTA) is an effective sclerosing agent for internal hemorrhoids. However, it is contraindicated for patients with chronic renal failure on dialysis, because the aluminum in ALTA can cause aluminum encephalopathy when it is not excreted effectively. We conducted this study to measure the serum aluminum concentrations and observe for symptoms relating to aluminum encephalopathy in dialysis patients after ALTA therapy. Ten dialysis patients underwent ALTA therapy for hemorrhoids. We measured their serum aluminum concentrations and observed them for possible symptoms of aluminum encephalopathy. The total injection volume of ALTA solution was 31 mL (24-37). The median serum aluminum concentration before ALTA therapy was 9 μg/L, which increased to 741, 377, and 103 μg/L, respectively, 1 h, 1 day, and 1 week after ALTA therapy. These levels decreased rapidly, to 33 μg/L by 1 month and 11 μg/L by 3 months after ALTA therapy. No patient suffered symptoms related to aluminum encephalopathy. Although the aluminum concentrations increased temporarily after ALTA therapy, dialysis patients with levels below 150 μg/L by 1 week and thereafter are considered to be at low risk of the development of aluminum encephalopathy.


The effect of patient inhomogeneities in oesophageal 192Ir HDR brachytherapy: a Monte Carlo and analytical dosimetry study.
The effect of patient inhomogeneities surrounding the oesophagus on the dosimetry planning of an upper thoracic oesophageal 192Ir HDR brachytherapy treatment is studied. The MCNPX Monte Carlo code is used for dosimetry in a patient-equivalent phantom geometry and results are compared in terms of isodose contours as well as dose volume histograms with corresponding calculations by a contemporary treatment planning system software featuring a full TG-43 dose calculation algorithm (PLATO BPS version 14.2.4). It is found that the presence of patient inhomogeneities does not alter the delivery of the planned dose distribution to the planning treatment volume. Regarding the organs at risk, the common practice of current treatment planning systems (TPSs) to consider the patient geometry as a homogeneous water medium leads to a dose overestimation of up to 13% to the spinal cord and an underestimation of up to 15% to the sternum bone. These findings which correspond to the dose region of about 5-10% of the prescribed dose could only be of significance when brachytherapy is used as a boost to external beam therapy. Additionally, an analytical dosimetry model, which is efficient in calculating dose in mathematical phantoms containing inhomogeneity shells of materials of radiobiological interest, is utilized for dosimetry in the patient-equivalent inhomogeneous phantom geometry. Analytical calculations in this work are in good agreement with corresponding Monte Carlo results within the bone inhomogeneities of spinal cord and sternum bone but, like treatment planning system calculations, the model fails to predict the dose distribution in the proximal lung surface as well as within the lungs just as the TPS does, due to its inherent limitation in treating lateral scatter and backscatter radiation.