Levans: I. Fractionation, solution viscosity, and chemical analysis of levan produced by Streptococcus salivarius.
Levan produced by Streptococcus salivarius was fractionated into a series of 20 fractions of varying molecular weight. The range of intrinsic viscosities of the fractions was 0.07 to 0.18 dl/gm in water and 0.20 to 0.29 dl/gm in dimethyl sulfoxide. The molecular weight of the unfractionated leval determined by light scattering was 31.5 times 10-6. Small amounts of fatty acids and protein were found associated with levan.


The isolation and amino acid sequences of echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) milk lysozyme I and II.
Comparative studies of monotreme proteins are of particular value in gaining an understanding of the origin of mammals and their interrelationships. The presence of two lysozyme variants, echidna lysozyme I and II, has been confirmed in mature milk samples of Tachyglossus aculeatus multiaculeatus and Tachyglossus aculeatus aculeatus respectively. A simplified procedure is described for their isolation. Their amino acid sequences, the first determined for a monotreme secretory protein, are unusual. They are shown to be c-type lysozymes, each consisting of a single chain of 125 residues (terminating at Cys 125). The only other known c-type lysozyme with this termination is that of pigeon eggwhite. Echidna lysozyme is unique in having no Cys at position 6, but at position 9. It has precisely the residues relevant to the binding of Ca(II), and most of the residues implicated in the galactosyl transferase modifier action of alpha-lactalbumin. However, the weak modifier action previously observed for variant I, prepared by a different method, was not found for the present preparation. The evolutionary significance of the results is discussed.


Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome associated with L-tryptophan. A case report with pulmonary manifestations and review of the literature.
On October 1989, eosinophilia and incapacitating myalgia, together with arthralgia, dyspnea, cough and edema of the extremities, were shown to be associated with L-tryptophan ingestion. Since then, 1531 cases of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome have been reported in United States and 22 in Belgium. We report here the unusual pulmonary presentation of this syndrome with a dramatic response of eosinophilia to corticotherapy. The cardio-pulmonary symptoms of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome and its pathophysiology, which remains unclear, are discussed. The withdrawal of the substance and corticotherapy generally lead to complete recovery although several deaths have been reported.


Determinants of compliance in a cluster randomised controlled trial on screening of breast and cervix cancer in Mumbai, India. 1. Compliance to screening.
This study aims to investigate the efficacy of screening by low-cost technology in down-staging and reducing mortality due to breast and cervix cancer. The present trial is a community-based, cluster randomised controlled cohort study on screening for breast and cervix cancers (clinical breast examination and visual inspection of the cervix after application of 4% acetic acid). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses are conducted to identify the predictors of participation in screening. The average compliance is 71.43 and 64.93% for breast and cervix cancer screening, respectively, with the highest compliance in round 1. At the end of 3 screening rounds, 94 and 84% of the eligible women were screened at least once for breast and cervix cancer, respectively. Younger women, women from other than Hindu and Muslim communities, school level-educated women, women belonging to lower-income families, Marathi-speaking women, married women and women who had previously consulted for any breast or gynaecological complaints had higher compliance to participation in screening. Good compliance rates to screening have been demonstrated in the trial, reflecting acceptance of the study by the society, which has implications while translating the trial into a programme.


A method for presenting and comparing dose-response curves.
When dose-response curves are replicated, averaging the responses to each dose of drug reduces the slope of the mean curve. The shape of the curve can be preserved, however, by first normalizing each dose-response curve and then interpolating log concentrations that induce predetermined responses. These log concentrations are averaged, and then the responses are scaled to the mean maximal response. Mean dose-response curves obtained using this method were compared with mean curves obtained by the conventional method. It was found that this method did not distort the slope of the curve, and smaller differences were detected as significant. Neither method was found to be satisfactory for obtaining a truly representative mean curve for biphasic dose-response curves. The nature of the distribution of EC50 and maximal response was investigated, and it was confirmed that EC50 are log-normally distributed, whereas maximal responses are normally distributed.


Actions of endomorphins on synaptic transmission of Adelta-fibers in spinal cord dorsal horn neurons.
The effects of endogenous mu-opioid ligands, endomorphins, on Adelta-afferent-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) were studied in substantia gelatinosa neurons in spinal cord slices. Under voltage-clamp conditions, endomorphins blocked the evoked EPSCs in a dose-dependent manner. To determine if the block resulted from changes in transmitter release from glutamatergic synaptic terminals, the opioid actions on miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) were examined. Endomorphins (1 microM) reduced the frequency but not the amplitude of mEPSCs, suggesting that endomorphins directly act on presynaptic terminals. The effects of endomorphins on the unitary (quantal) properties of the evoked EPSCs were also studied. Endomorphins reduced unitary content without significantly changing unitary amplitude. These results suggest that in addition to presynaptic actions on interneurons, endomorphins also inhibit evoked EPSCs by reducing transmitter release from Adelta-afferent terminals.


Paediatric surgery in Cambodia.
More than half of Cambodia's nine million people are under 17 years of age, but there are no certified paediatric surgeons. On a mission sponsored by CARE Australia and the International Federation of Surgical Colleges, Paddy A Dewan investigated the surgical care of Cambodia's children.


Uptake and metabolism of individual polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners by embryonic zebrafish.
Embryonic zebrafish were used to compare the uptake and metabolism of six polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners (BDEs 28, 47, 99, 100, 153, and 183) and identified metabolites from static exposures at 24 and 120 h postfertilization (hpf). An inverse relationship was observed between uptake of PBDEs and their octanol-water partitioning coefficients (uptake of BDEs 28 and 47>99 and 100>153 and 183). Debromination metabolites were identified in all congeners (excluding BDE 28) tested in the 120-hpf tissue samples. Interestingly, BDE 153 underwent meta-debromination, forming BDEs 47 and 99. Gene transcription analysis was conducted at 120 hpf to identify potential metabolic pathways for the PBDEs examined in the present study (gstpi, deiodinases 1 and 2, cyp1a1, cyp1b1, and ugt5g). The greatest induction was of ugt5g for all congeners and deiodinase transcription was also upregulated by BDEs 28, 47, and 183. The cyp1a1 and cyp1b1 were upregulated by BDEs 28, 47, 99, and 183. The least alterations in gene transcription were in the BDE 153-exposed embryos. A clear primary pathway of debromination metabolism was not identified; however, upregulation of these different genes indicated that fish were responding to exposure of PBDEs. Furthermore, the present study demonstrated that the most bioavailable congeners are also those with the highest reported toxicity.


[Effect of tiaoxin recipe on learning and memory related gene expression in hippocampus of senescence accelerated mice].
To study the effect of Tiaoxin Recipe (TXR) on learning and memory related gene expression in hippocampus of senescence accelerated mice (SAM). Changes of learning and memory related gene expression, including mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), presenile protein 1 and 2 (PS-1, PS-2), tau, APP, apoE and bcl-2 in hippocampus of SAM were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The effect of TXR were tested. E2020 was used as the drug for control. Compared with those in the same aged mice, in the 5-month old SAM, levels of gene expression of MR, tau, PS-2 and APP were significantly higher, that of apo-E lower, levels of gene expression PS-1 and bcl-2 were unobviously changed; while in the 12-month old SAM, gene expression of MR and tau were higher, bcl-2 was lower and PS-1, PS-2, apoE and APP were also unobviously changed. Continuously orally taken TXR could correct the abnormality of MR, tau and apoE gene expression in hippocampus of 5-month SAM and that of MR and bcl-2 in 12-month SAM. Continuously orally taken of TXR has the effect of regulating and correcting learning and memory related gene expression in hippocampus of 5-month and 12-month SAM.


Gender and income associations in physical activity and blood pressure among older adults.
To examine physical activity (PA) in multiple contexts (household, walking, and leisure-time PA) and blood pressure (BP) across gender and income among older adults living independently. A convenience sample of 372 older adults completed 2 BP measurements and PA questionnaires. Older adults with high incomes (≥$30,000) engaged in less household activity, more leisure time PA and better controlled their BP than those with low incomes (<$30,000). Men walked more than women. Older women in the low-income group had less controlled BP than those women in the high-income group. Participants with normal or controlled BP were engaged in more household and walking activities than those with uncontrolled BP. Findings suggest that older men and women at high or low-income levels have different mode of PA and BP management that should be considered for intervention strategies.


Therapeutic potential of "rexinoids" in cancer prevention and treatment.
Retinoid X receptor (RXR) is a combinatorial partner for one third of the 48 human nuclear receptor superfamily members and acts as a master coordinator of nuclear receptor signaling pathways involved in the control of cell growth and differentiation. Thus, ligand-dependent simultaneous activation of multiple pathways is an attractive strategy for molecular-targeted therapy of neoplastic disease. However, clinical trials in RXR-targeted molecular therapy with the RXR ligand (rexinoid) have yielded disappointing outcomes. In this review, we discuss a possible mechanism underlying the loss of sensitivity to rexinoid therapy.


Critical values in pediatric surgical pathology: definition, implementation, and reporting in a children's hospital.
Timely communication of significant or unexpected findings in surgical pathology can significantly improve patient care. Although surgical pathology critical values have been published, no systematic assessment in pediatric surgical pathology has been published. We surveyed pediatric pathologists and pediatric subspecialists to develop pediatric surgical pathology critical values for verbal reporting before the final pathology report. A policy and process for reporting and documentation was implemented, with retrospective and prospective quality review. Critical values cases constituted 9.4% of surgical pathology accessions. Retrospective analysis revealed that 80% (73/91) had been reported and documented before policy implementation. Following implementation, 97.3% (402/413) were verbally reported and documented. A multidisciplinary group provided valuable information about critical values that might not have been obvious to pediatric pathologists but are important for patient care. Although the term critical values has become embedded in the surgical pathology literature, we would propose an alternative term for significant or unexpected findings that require timely communication and documentation.


Is there a therapeutic window of opportunity in early inflammatory bowel disease? Early stage inflammatory bowel disease: the actual management.
Traditionally therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompassed a sequential approach with subjects treated with 5-ASA products and/or corticosteroids initially, and only where failing such treatment, moving on to immunomodulator or biologic therapy. In the rheumatologic literature the importance of the early introduction of immunosuppressive therapies for inflammatory arthropathies has been increasingly recognized, however this concept remains much debated in IBD with no clear consensus on the optimal therapeutic approach. In this review we discuss how the natural history of IBD provides a rationale for the early introduction of the most effective therapy. We outline how the experience of early immunosuppressive therapy in rheumatoid arthritis informs therapeutic decision making in IBD. We review the evolving treatment strategies in IBD and the current evidence supporting the introduction of immunosuppressive treatment soon after IBD diagnosis. Finally we discuss the importance of selecting appropriate therapeutic endpoints in IBD and review the potential risks and benefits of early immunosuppressive treatment strategies in IBD.


Focus engineering based on analytical formulae for tightly focused polarized beams with arbitrary geometric configurations of linear polarization.
Highly confined electromagnetic fields with controllable intensity profiles and polarization orientations are greatly desired in many fields. In this paper, we report on the generation of highly confined fields through tightly focused locally linearly polarized beams. Using the Richards-Wolf vectorial diffraction method, we derive and build integrated analytical formulae for calculating the tightly focused field of polarized beams with arbitrary geometric configurations of linear polarization. Based on the analytical model, the focusing properties of four types of polarized light beams, i.e., linearly, azimuthally, radially, and spatially variant polarized beams, with locally linear states of polarization are investigated numerically and discussed in detail. By manipulating the radial and azimuthal indices and initial phases, we obtain a tunable three-dimensional optical cage, multifoci, optical needles, and channels in the focal volume of a high-numerical-aperture objective lens. These peculiar properties may find applications in fields such as optical trapping and manipulation of nanoparticles and super-resolution microscopy imaging.


Technology insight: brain MRI and cardiac surgery--detection of postoperative brain ischemia.
Annually, an estimated 1 million patients undergo heart surgery worldwide. Unfortunately, stroke continues to be a frequent complication of cardiac surgery, with the specific cerebrovascular risk depending upon the particular surgical procedure performed. Neuroimaging has an integral role in the initial evaluation and management of patients who present with acute stroke symptoms following cardiac surgery. The aim of this paper is to review the role brain MRI has in detecting postoperative brain ischemia in these patients. Multimodal MRI--using diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI), perfusion-weighted MRI, and gradient-recalled echo imaging--has an excellent capacity to identify and delineate the size and location of acute ischemic strokes as well as intracerebral hemorrhages. This differentiation is critical in making appropriate treatment decisions in the acute setting, such as determining patient eligibility for thrombolytic or hemodynamic therapies. At present, DWI offers prognostic value in patients with strokes following cardiac surgery. Additionally, DWI could be a valuable tool for evaluating stroke preventive measures as well as therapeutic interventions in patients undergoing CABG surgery.


Decomposition of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim by continuous UVA/LED/TiO2 photocatalysis: Decomposition pathways, residual antibacterial activity and toxicity.
In this study, continuous LED/UVA/TiO2 photocatalytic decomposition of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and trimethoprim (TMP) was investigated. More than 90% of SMX and TMP were removed within 20min by the continuous photoreactor (with the initial concentration of 400ppb for each). The removal rates of SMX and TMP decreased with higher initial antibiotics loadings. SMX was much easier decomposed in acidic condition, while pH affected little on TMP's decomposition. 0.003% was found to be the optimum H2O2 dosage to enhance SMX photocatalytic decomposition. Decomposition pathways of SMX and TMP were proposed based on the intermediates identified by using LC-MS-MS and GC-MS. Aniline was identified as a new intermediate generated during SMX photocatalytic decomposition. Antibacterial activity study with a reference Escherichia coli strain was also conducted during the photocatalytic process. Results indicated that with every portion of TMP removed, the residual antibacterial activity decreased by one portion. However, the synergistic effect between SMX and TMP tended to slow down the antibacterial activity removal of SMX and TMP mixture. Chronic toxicity studies conducted with Vibrio fischeri exhibited 13-20% bioluminescence inhibition during the decomposition of 1ppm SMX and 1ppm TMP, no acute toxicity to V. fischeri was observed during the photocatalytic process.


LyP-1 modification to enhance delivery of artemisinin or fluorescent probe loaded polymeric micelles to highly metastatic tumor and its lymphatics.
Metastatic cancers are prone to form metastasis at a distance and acquire drug resistance, which are very common clinically and major obstacles to successful chemotherapy. Besides the tumor itself, the lymphatic system is increasingly emerging as a new target for anticancer therapy because it is an important route of tumor metastasis. To specifically deliver drug to both highly metastatic tumor and its lymphatics, tumor- and tumor lymphatics-homing peptide (LyP-1) conjugated PEG-PCL micelles (LyP-1-PM) were first constructed. Artemisinin (ART), a natural product with potential anticancer and antilymphangiogenesis effects, was chosen as the model drug and associated into the micelles. Both PM and LyP-1-PM had similar physiochemical properties, about 30 nm in size with uniform distribution. Highly metastatic breast cancer MDA-MB-435S cells and lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) were applied as cell models. Flow cytometry and confocal microscopy studies showed that LyP-1-PM exhibited its specificity to both cell lines evidenced by its higher cellular uptake than PM. LyP-1-PM-ART demonstrated higher inhibition effect than PM-ART against these two cell lines in cell apoptosis, cell cycle and cytotoxicity tests. Near-infrared imaging showed that LyP-1-PM was distributed more in orthotopic MDA-MB-435S tumor than PM. Further study by colocalization indicated that PM accumulated near blood vessels, while LyP-1-PM further homed to tumor lymphatic vessels. LyP-1-PM achieved higher antitumor efficacy than other ART formulations in vivo with low toxicity. Both in vitro and in vivo studies here proved that LyP-1 modification enhanced the specific delivery of ART or fluorescent probe loaded polymeric micelles to MDA-MB-435S and LEC. Therefore, LyP-1-PM might be promising in terms of specific delivery of therapeutic or imaging agents to both highly metastatic breast tumor and its lymphatics.


Thrombosis in systemic lupus erythematosus: risk and protection.
Thrombotic events occur with higher frequency in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) than in the general population and are associated with poor outcomes. In addition to the traditional risk factors, other predisposing factors for thrombosis, such as ethnicity, disease duration, disease activity, nephritis, hypertension and, most importantly, the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, associated or not with the antiphospholipid syndrome, have been reported in patients with SLE. On the other hand, aspirin and antimalarial medications may have a protective thrombotic effect in these patients. Strategies to prevent thrombosis occurrence should be part of the management of patients with SLE; thus, aPL antibodies should be screened in all lupus patients, especially if other risk factors are also present. Stratification of the risks of thrombotic events, smoking cessation and the use of protective medications are important elements of thrombosis prevention. To date, no laboratory test can predict a recurrent thrombotic event and no pharmacogenomics studies that could help with anticoagulation monitoring have been carried out in SLE patients. Advances in these fields may lead to a better understanding of the risk for thrombotic events and their recurrence, as well as choosing (and monitoring) the right anticoagulant agent.


Relationship between stress coping and burnout in Japanese hospital nurses.
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between stress coping and burnout in Japanese hospital nurses. Findings on effective stress management training are required in order to reduce nurse's stress and prevent it from becoming chronic. The study included 1291 nurses who completed the General Coping Questionnaire and the Japanese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling. In women, a frequent use of cognitive reinterpretation predicted low exhaustion and cynicism and high professional efficacy. In men, a frequent use of problem solving predicted low cynicism and high professional efficacy. Although for women, a frequent use of problem solving predicted high professional efficacy that was similar to men, there was also a concurrent high exhaustion. These findings suggested that enhancement of cognitive coping skills for women and problem-solving skills for men could contribute to a reduction of burnout in nurses. Our findings suggested that effective intervention strategies in order to prevent hospital nurse's stress from becoming chronic might be different between men and women. This difference should be taken into account in nursing management.


Echocardiographic determination of left ventricular haemodynamics following acute and chronic administration of frusemide (Lasix) to patients with heart failure.
Twenty patients (8 females) with NYHA class II symptoms of chronic left ventricular heart failure completed a study to investigate the hemodynamic effects of intravenous and oral frusemide. Echocardiography indicated that frusemide 20 mg intravenously produces a transient undesired hemodynamic effect in the prediuretic phase without any influence on the patient's clinical symptoms. Once diuresis is established the hemodynamic conditions are reversed and there is an improvement in cardiac function. There is no evidence of a direct positive inotropic effect of the drug. Repeated oral dosing with frusemide 40 mg/day for 3 weeks produced an improvement in cardiac hemodynamics particularly during the first 2 weeks of treatment. The possible underlying mechanisms for these observations are discussed.


Oxygen transfer coefficient and the kinetic parameters of exo-polygalacturonase production by Aspergillus flavipes FP-500 in shake flasks and bioreactor.
To evaluate and compare the sensitivity of Exo-PG production and kinetic parameters of Aspergillus flavipes FP-500 to oxygen transfer condition in shake flasks and bioreactor. Aspergillus flavipes FP-500 was grown on pectin as carbon source in shake flasks and bioreactor at different oxygen transfer conditions. The volumetric coefficient of oxygen transfer (kLa) was modified by changing both, the flask size/medium volume ratio and the agitation speed. Higher biomass concentration, Exo-PG activity, maximum specific growth rate and yield coefficient were obtained in bioreactor at higher kLa value. A strong correlation was found between biomass, Exo-PG activity and growth-associated product coefficient to kLa in bioreactor but does not in shake flasks. The mathematical model provided a good description of growth, pectin consumption and Exo-PG production in submerged batch cultures carried out in bioreactor. Biomass concentration, Exo-PG activity and their kinetics of Aspergillus flavipes FP-500 were strongly influenced by oxygen transfer condition and cultivation system. Significance and Impact of Study The production of enzymes by fungal fermentation is strictly aerobic and understanding the influence of oxygen transfer condition on the production kinetic is of vital importance in order to design, optimize and translate bioprocesses to industrial scale.


Xeno-free culture of human pluripotent stem cells.
Stem cell culture systems that rely on undefined animal-derived components introduce variability to the cultures and complicate their therapeutic use. The derivation of human embryonic stem cells and the development of methods to produce induced pluripotent stem cells combined with their potential to treat human diseases have accelerated the drive to develop xenogenic-free, chemically defined culture systems that support pluripotent self-renewal and directed differentiation. In this chapter, we describe four xeno-free culture systems that have been successful in supporting undifferentiated growth of hPSCs as well as methods for xeno-free subculture and cryopreservation of hPSCs. Each culture system consists of a xeno-free growth medium and xeno-free substratum: (1) TeSR2™ with human recombinant laminin (LN-511); (2) NutriStem™ with LN-511; (3) RegES™ with human foreskin fibroblasts (hFFs); (4) KO-SR Xeno-Free™/GF cocktail with CELLstart™ matrix.


Lactobacillus ceti sp. nov., isolated from beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris).
Biochemical and molecular genetic studies were performed on three isolates of an unknown Gram-positive, catalase-negative and rod-shaped organism isolated from the lungs and liver of two beaked whales. The organisms were tentatively identified as Lactobacillus spp. based on cellular morphology and biochemical tests. 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies confirmed the provisional identification of the novel isolates as members of the genus Lactobacillus, but the isolates did not correspond to any recognized species of this genus. The novel strains shared the same phenotypic characteristics and exhibited 100 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. The nearest phylogenetic relatives of the novel isolates were Lactobacillus satsumensis DSM 16230T (94.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Lactobacillus salivarius JCM 1047 (94.0 %), Lactobacillus nagelii ATCC 700692T (94.0 %) and Lactobacillus saerimneri DSM 16049T (93.8 %). The novel isolates could be distinguished from these species and other related species of the genus Lactobacillus by physiological and biochemical tests. On the basis of these phenotypic, physiological and phylogenetic findings, it is proposed that the new isolates from whales be classified as a novel species of the genus Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus ceti sp. nov. The type strain is 142-2T (=CECT 7185T=CCUG 53626T).


[Evolution of leachate quantity and quality in the anaerobic-semiaerobic bioreactor landfill].
The Anaerobic-semiaerobic Bioreactor Landfill (AN-SABL) has been devised combining an Anaerobic Bioreactor Landfill (ANBL) with a Semi-aerobic Aged Refuse Biofilter (SAARB) for reducing the investment and the running expense. It was a novel bioreactor landfill which could accelerate the stabilization of waste obviously. The evolution of leachate quantity and quality for the AN-SABL was studied in order to provide a theoretical basis for the management and treatment of leachate. The results indicated that the quantitative reduction of leachate in the AN-SABL was obvious and the highest reduction could reach by 771 g x kg(-1). Moreover, the quality of leachate varied in phases. The concentration of nitrate including nitrite and ammonium was influenced markedly by Eh and pH. At the end of the experiment, the removal rates of COD for the AN-SABL2 and the AN-SABL3 reached by 98.49% and 97.98% and the concentrations of COD were only 14.5% and 21.1% of that in leachate from the ANBL1 respectively. Therefore, the organic matter could be degraded completely with the AN-SABL. Besides, the AN-SABL could remove the nitrogen pollutant effectively as well. The concentrations of ammonium in leachate from the AN-SABL2 and the AN-SABL3 decreased obviously from the maximum of 1 452 mg x L(-1) and 1 409 mg x L(-1) to 525 mg x L(-1) and 459 mg x L(-1) respectively which only were 36.5% and 31.9% of that in leachate from the ANBL1. For the SAARB unit, the TOC and TC ratio played a vital influence on the removal efficiency of the organic matter and nitrogen pollutant. After the TOC and TC ratio declined to about 0.2, the removal rate of COD and TN for SAARB decreased from over 95% and over 93% to 35.25% -69.56% and 64.53% -77.45% respectively.


[Disorder of the regulation of metabolic processes in coronary arteriosclerosis].
The activity of adenylcyclase was determined in the thrombocytes of 54 male patients with Stage III coronary atherosclerosis. In 34 patients without signs of ischaemic heart disease the activity of adenylcyclase and phosphodiestherase and the amount of cortisol were determined in blood plasma. In 40 rabbits the same enzymes activity was determined in the thrombocytes and lipid tissue, as well as the amount of lipoproteins of low and very low density was determined in blood plasma prior to and following cortisol administration. The results of clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated that cortisol affects the activity of the adenylcyclase system enzymes in the thrombocytes and lipid tissue, as well as the transformation of lipoproteins in blood plasma.


The chromosome complement of an Aotus hybrid.
Two divergent haploid chromosome sets were encountered in the chromosome complement of laboratory-born Aotus. Comparison of G-banded chromosomes of this individual with seven other established G-banded Aotus karyotypes revealed that this monkey is a hybrid offspring of two allopatric chromosome races (Brazilian Aotus X Colombian Aotus).


Evaluation of the role of c-Src and ERK in TCDD-dependent release from contact-inhibition in WB-F344 cells.
TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) is the most potent tumor promoter ever tested in rodents. Although it is known that most of the effects of TCDD are mediated by binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), the mechanisms leading to tumor promotion remain to be elucidated. Loss of contact-inhibition is one characteristic hallmark in tumorigenesis. In WB-F344 cells, TCDD induces a release from contact-inhibition which is manifested by a twofold increase in DNA-synthesis and cell number when TCDD (1 nmol L-1) is given to confluent cells. Because TCDD leads to phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor and an increase in c-Src-activation in WB-F344 cells, we investigated the functional relevance of this observation. Pharmacological inhibition of c-Src using PP1 (10 micromol L-1) or genistein (10 micromol L-1) did not prevent TCDD-dependent release from contact-inhibition. In accordance, elevation of cyclin A-a previously identified target of TCDD and marker of S-phase entry-was not reduced in the presence of PP1 or genistein. Western blot analysis revealed that phosphorylation of the EGF-receptor downstream target ERK was not induced in response to TCDD. Furthermore, TCDD-dependent increase in DNA-synthesis was not inhibited by the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 (10 micromol L-1). Our data show that neither c-Src-activation, nor ERK-activation are required for TCDD-dependent release from contact-inhibition arguing against a functional role of EGF-receptor activation in response to TCDD in WB-F344 cells.


Biometric and intraocular pressure change after cataract surgery.
To evaluate changes in ocular biometric parameters with optical biometry and intraocular pressure (IOP) by Goldmann tonometry after uneventful phacoemulsification in normotensive eyes. This prospective study was composed of 117 eyes of 117 patients who had undergone uncomplicated phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens implantation. The measurements were obtained preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively. Axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), pupil diameter (PD), and lens thickness were measured by the LenStar optical biometer, and IOP was measured by Goldmann applanation tonometry. The relationships between IOP change and ocular biometric parameters were evaluated. Mean age was 64.73 ± 10.83 years; 45 patients were women (38.46%) and 72 patients were men (61.54%). Comparing preoperative and postoperative 1-month measurements, the mean AL, PD, and IOP decreased (p < 0.01), whereas ACD (p < 0.01) and CCT (p > 0.05) increased. Intraocular pressure change correlated positively with AL change (p < 0.05) and PD change (p < 0.05) and preoperative IOP (p < 0.01) and preoperative CCT (p < 0.05). Anterior chamber depth change correlated positively with preoperative ACD (p < 0.01) and negatively with preoperative PD (p < 0.05). Pupil diameter change positively correlated with preoperative PD (p < 0.01). Regression analyses showed that preoperative IOP significantly associated with postoperative IOP reduction according to the standardized coefficient beta (-0.649). Anterior segment morphometry changed and IOP decreased after phacoemulsification. The preoperative IOP may be the best parameter for estimating postoperative IOP reduction.


Angiography in colonic carcinoma.
Angiography of the mesenteric arteries was performed in 17 patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum. At angiography, the marginal artery was encased in 13 patients and 10 of these were surgically unresectable while three could be resected radically. Encasement of the mesenteric arterial branches was found in seven of 11 unresectable tumors and in two of five resectable tumors. The resectability of colonic carcinoma cannot be established by means of angiography but in two patients with recurrent colonic carcinoma, barium-enema examinations were negative, while infiltrated vessels were demonstrated by angiography and the carcinomas were verified at surgery. Four patients received intra-arterial chemotherapy with mitomycin C. In one of these, a slight decrease in tumor size was noted, while in the others no change was noted.


Cognitive effort in modality retrieval by young and older adults.
A secondary task methodology was used to determine whether the retrieval of modality information is more cognitively effortful for older adults than younger ones. Young (M age = 20 years) and older (M age = 68 years) adults were asked to learn a mixed modality (auditory and visual) list of nouns. During recall of words and modality, subjects were asked to respond to a randomly presented light signal. Cognitive effort for the primary task (recall) was measured by interference with the signal detection task. Adding a modality identification task to word retrieval did not significantly increase cognitive effort for either age group, although young adults were better at both word and modality recall and word recall itself was more effortful for older adults. Results suggest that age decements in modality learning cannot be explained by greater cognitive effort during retrieval of information about modality.


Titanium(IV) and zirconium(IV) sulfato complexes containing the Kläui tripodal ligand: molecular models of sulfated metal oxide surfaces.
Treatment of titanyl sulfate in about 60 mM sulfuric acid with NaL(OEt) (L(OEt) (-)=[(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))Co{P(O)(OEt)(2)}(3)](-)) afforded the mu-sulfato complex [(L(OEt)Ti)(2)(mu-O)(2)(mu-SO(4))] (2). In more concentrated sulfuric acid (>1 M), the same reaction yielded the di-mu-sulfato complex [(L(OEt)Ti)(2)(mu-O)(mu-SO(4))(2)] (3). Reaction of 2 with HOTf (OTf=triflate, CF(3)SO(3)) gave the tris(triflato) complex [L(OEt)Ti(OTf)(3)] (4), whereas treatment of 2 with Ag(OTf) in CH(2)Cl(2) afforded the sulfato-capped trinuclear complex [{(L(OEt))(3)Ti(3)(mu-O)(3)}(mu(3)-SO(4)){Ag(OTf)}][OTf] (5), in which the Ag(OTf) moiety binds to a mu-oxo group in the Ti(3)(mu-O)(3) core. Reaction of 2 in H(2)O with Ba(NO(3))(2) afforded the tetranuclear complex (L(OEt))(4)Ti(4)(mu-O)(6) (6). Treatment of 2 with [{Rh(cod)Cl}(2)] (cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene), [Re(CO)(5)Cl], and [Ru(tBu(2)bpy)(PPh(3))(2)Cl(2)] (tBu(2)bpy=4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-dipyridyl) in the presence of Ag(OTf) afforded the heterometallic complexes [(L(OEt))(2)Ti(2)(O)(2)(SO(4)){Rh(cod)}(2)][OTf](2) (7), [(L(OEt))(2)Ti(O)(2)(SO(4)){Re(CO)(3)}][OTf] (8), and [{(L(OEt))(2)Ti(2)(mu-O)}(mu(3)-SO(4))(mu-O)(2){Ru(PPh(3))(tBu(2)bpy)}][OTf](2) (9), respectively. Complex 9 is paramagnetic with a measured magnetic moment of about 2.4 mu(B). Treatment of zirconyl nitrate with NaL(OEt) in 3.5 M sulfuric acid afforded [(L(OEt))(2)Zr(NO(3))][L(OEt)Zr(SO(4))(NO(3))] (10). Reaction of ZrCl(4) in 1.8 M sulfuric acid with NaL(OEt) in the presence Na(2)SO(4) gave the mu-sulfato-bridged complex [L(OEt)Zr(SO(4))(H(2)O)](2)(mu-SO(4)) (11). Treatment of 11 with triflic acid afforded [(L(OEt))(2)Zr][OTf](2) (12), whereas reaction of 11 with Ag(OTf) afforded a mixture of 12 and trinuclear [{L(OEt)Zr(SO(4))(H(2)O)}(3)(mu(3)-SO(4))][OTf] (13). The Zr(IV) triflato complex [L(OEt)Zr(OTf)(3)] (14) was prepared by reaction of L(OEt)ZrF(3) with Me(3)SiOTf. Complexes 4 and 14 can catalyze the Diels-Alder reaction of 1,3-cyclohexadiene with acrolein in good selectivity. Complexes 2-5, 9-11, and 13 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography.


Analysis of VX on soil particles using ion trap secondary ion mass spectrometry.
The direct detection of the nerve agent VX (methylphosphonothioic acid, S-[2-[bis(1-methylethyl)amino]ethyl] O-ethyl ester) on milligram quantities of soil particles has been achieved using ion trap secondary ion mass spectrometry (IT-SIMS). VX is highly adsorptive toward a wide variety of surfaces; this attribute makes detection using gas-phase approaches difficult but renders the compound very amenable to surface detection. An ion trap mass spectrometer, modified to perform SIMS, was employed in the present study. A primary ion beam (ReO4-) was fired on axis through the ion trap, where it impacted the soil particle samples. [VX + H]+, [VX + H]+ fragment ions, and ions from the chemical background were sputtered into the gas-phase environment of the ion trap, where they were either scanned out or isolated and fragmented (MS2). At a surface concentration of 0.4 monolayer, intact [VX + H]+, and its fragment ions, were readily observable above background. However, at lower concentrations, the secondary ion signal from VX became obscured by ions derived from the chemical background on the surface of the soil particles. MS2 analysis using the ion trap was employed to improve detection of lower concentrations of VX: detection of the 34S isotopic ion of [VX + H]+, present at a surface concentration of approximately 0.002 monolayer, was accomplished. The study afforded the opportunity to investigate the fragmentation chemistry of VX. Semiempirical calculations suggest strongly that the molecule is protonated at the N atom. Deuterium labeling showed that formation of the base peak ion (C2H4)N(i-C3H7)2+ involves transfer of the amino proton to the phosphonothioate moiety prior to, or concurrent with, C-S bond cleavage. To manage the risk associated with working with the compound, the vacuum unit of the IT-SIMS was located in a hood, connected by cables to the externally located electronics and computer.


Living with breathlessness: a systematic literature review and qualitative synthesis.
What is the experience of people living with breathlessness due to medical conditions, those caring for them and those treating them, with regard to quality of life and the nature of clinical interactions?Electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL Plus and PsycINFO) were searched (January 1987 to October 2017; English language), for qualitative studies exploring the experience of chronic breathlessness (patients, carers and clinicians). Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts and papers retrieved against inclusion criteria. Disagreements were resolved with a third reviewer. Primary qualitative data were extracted and synthesised using thematic synthesis.Inclusion and synthesis of 101 out of 2303 international papers produced four descriptive themes: 1) widespread effects of breathlessness; 2) coping; 3) help-seeking behaviour; and 4) clinicians' responsiveness to the symptom of breathlessness. The themes were combined to form the concept of "breathing space", to show how engaged coping and appropriate help-seeking (patient) and attention to symptom (clinician) helps maximise the patient's quality of living with breathlessness.Breathlessness has widespread impact on both patient and carer and affects breathing space. The degree of breathing space is influenced by interaction between the patient's coping style, their help-seeking behaviour and their clinician's responsiveness to breathlessness itself, in addition to managing the underlying disease.


Hemispheric asymmetry in the processing of absolute versus relative spatial frequency.
Observers indicated whether a stimulus presented to one visual field or the other consisted of two sine-wave gratings (the baseline stimulus) or those same two gratings with the addition of a 2 cycle per degree (cpd) component. When the absolute spatial frequencies of the baseline stimulus were low (0.5 and 1.0 cpd), there was a left visual field-right hemisphere (LVF-RH) advantage in reaction time (RT) to respond to the baseline stimulus which disappeared when the 2 cpd component was added (i.e., the stimulus consisted of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 cpd components). When the absolute spatial frequencies of the baseline stimulus were moderate to high (4.0 and 8.0 cpd), a right visual field-left hemisphere advantage in RT to respond to the baseline stimulus approached significance and shifted to a significant LVF-RH advantage when the 2 cpd component was added (i.e., the stimulus consisted of 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 cpd components. That is, adding the same 2 cpd component caused opposite shifts in visual laterality depending on whether 2 cpd was a relatively high or relatively low frequency compared to the baseline.


Empirical relationships between predator and prey size among terrestrial vertebrate predators.
In an effort to make complex food web relations more tractable, published data on the food habits of terrestrial vertebrate predators were analyzed for patterns in the use of prey by size. Regressions of prey weight on predator weight were run and provided descriptions of both the relationship between mean prey weight and predator weight and the variation in prey weights taken by the predators. Separate models proved necessary for three trophic specializations: insectivores, piscivores and carnivores. Insectivores were found to take proportionately much smaller prey than carnivores. Mean prey weight tends to decrease slightly relative to predator weight among larger insectivores, while the ratio of prey weight to predator weight tends to increase with carnivore size. On average, insectivores also take a relatively wider range, of prey sizes than carnivores. In all respects, piscivores were intermediate to insectivores and carnivores. These models produce log-normal approximations to the frequency distributions (by weight) of prey sizes in the ration of predators from knowledge of the predators's body mass. Combined with allometric models of the bionergetics and productivity of animals, these relations are used to predict, that: (1) the daily kill rate declines with predator weight and (2) the upper limit to predator biomass is independent of predator weight.


Diagnostic accuracy of MRI for preoperative staging of pancreatic carcinoma: tendency for understaging.
To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for preoperative staging in pancreatic carcinoma. MRI investigations, including MR-angio and MR-cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) of 19 patients who underwent surgery for pancreatic carcinoma were retrospectively evaluated by two radiologists. The size, localization of the tumor and possible infiltration of neighboring organs, as well as the presence of enlarged lymph nodes, were determined to define a preoperative, radiological TN stage. Lymph node metastasis was defined as peripancreatic lymphoma greater than 10 mm. Our findings were correlated to postoperative diagnosis. The T-stage was correctly evaluated in 52.6% of the cases (10/19). Understaging took place in 31.6% (6/19) and overstaging in 15.8% (3/19). In three cases of understaging, a micro-infiltration of the peripancreatic tissue was not visible in MRI. Pathologically enlarged lymph nodes were correctly found in 63.2% of the cases (12/19). Overstaging took place in 21.1% of the cases (4/19) and understaging in 15.8% (3/19). MRl for preoperative staging of pancreatic carcinoma showed a tendency to understage tumor size in this study population. Especially in cases of small tumor size, micro-infiltration of peripancreatic tissue or the common bile duct may not be detected by MRI. Concerning N-stage, the 95% confidence interval reveals a distribution of over- and understaged.


[Late outcome after implantation of the PFC modular knee system].
The objective of the current, prospective study was the evaluation of long-term results after total knee arthroplasty with the PFC-Modular-knee system. A total of 514 total knee arthroplasties were implanted between 1991 and 1994 in 248 female and 55 male patients. Their average age amounted to 62.4 years and 449 of them (87.4%) were re-investigated within the first half-year of 2000. Clinical and radiological data were evaluated according the recommendations of the American Knee Society. Late complications were observed in 6.5% of the cases. They consisted of prosthetic loosening (13 knees), patella problems (11 knees), instability (2 knees), periprosthetic fractures (2 knees), and one prosthesis fracture, 18 patients complained about a therapy-resistant, chronic pain syndrome. These findings lead to revision arthroplasty in 15 cases (3.3%). Preoperative American Knee Society Score values were on average 33, 35 an 17 points and improved to mean values of about 85, 79 and 5 points. Radiological signs of prosthetic loosening were observed in 12 cases (2.7%). Long-term results after total knee arthroplasty with the PFC-Modular-knee system showed a significant improvement in the patients' complaints and clinical findings at an average of 7.8 years postoperatively. Complication and revision rates of 6.5% and 3.3%, respectively, were low when compared with the international literature and--apart from this--decreased in the course of the observation time.


Cross reactivity and lethality neutralization of venoms of Indonesian Trimeresurus complex species by Thai Green Pit Viper Antivenom.
Arboreal pit vipers of the Trimeresurus complex group are medically important species in Indonesia (west of Wallace's line), but there is no specific antivenom produced in the country for treating related envenomation. Instead, the exiting trivalent Indonesian antivenom, Biosave® Serum Anti Bisa Ular (SABU, indicated for envenoming by Malayan pit viper, Javan spitting cobra and banded krait) is often misused to treat Trimeresus envenoming resulting in poor therapeutic outcome. Here, we investigated the cross-reactivity and neutralization capability of Thai Green Pit Viper Antivenom (GPVAV) against the venoms of four Indonesian Trimeresurus species. Consistently, the venoms of Trimeresurus (Trimeresurus) insularis, Trimeresurus (Trimeresurus) purpureomaculatus, Trimeresurus (Parias) hageni and Trimeresurus (Craspedocephalus) puniceus of Indonesia showed stronger immunoreactivity on ELISA to GPVAV than to Biosave®. The findings correlated with in vivo neutralization results, whereby GPVAV was far more effective than Biosave® in cross-neutralizing the lethality of the venoms by a potency of at least 13 to 80 times higher. The efficacy of GPVAV is partly attributable to its cross-neutralization of the procoagulant effect of the venoms, thereby mitigating the progression of venom-induced consumptive coagulopathy. The paraspecific effectiveness of GPVAV against Trimeresurus species envenoming in Indonesia await further clinical investigation.


The semi-permeability of silicone: a saline-filled breast implant with intraluminal and pericapsular Aspergillus flavus.
Fungal infection of breast implants is a rare complication. Growth of fungi within the lumen of saline-filled implants has previously been demonstrated in laboratory studies, however, clinical infections are rare. We report a case of Aspergillus flavus growth within and around a saline-filled breast implant that was inserted 18 months previously. This was successfully treated with implant removal and wound irrigation. Possible routes of microbial contamination as well as survival mechanisms of organisms within saline-filled implants are discussed. This case re-iterates that the silicone envelope of a saline-filled implant is selectively permeable and we believe this is instrumental in facilitating intraluminal microbial growth. This also emphasises the importance of stringent asepsis when dealing with saline-filled breast implants including avoiding contamination of the saline filling fluid.


Characterization of a new Acidobacteria-derived moderately thermostable lipase from a Brazilian Atlantic Forest soil metagenome.
A clone (LP001) expressing a new lipase gene was isolated from a metagenomic library of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest soil. The DNA insert of LP001 was fully sequenced, and 38 ORFs were identified. Comparison of ORFs, %G + C content and gene organization with sequenced bacterial genomes suggested that the fosmid DNA insert belongs to an organism of the Acidobacteria phylum. Protein domain analysis and inactivation by transposon insertion showed that the protein encoded by ORF29 was responsible for the lipase activity and was named LipAAc. The purified LipAAc lipase was capable of hydrolyzing a broad range of substrates, showing the highest activity against p-nitrophenol (pNP) decanoate. The lipase was active over a pH range of 5.0-10.0 and was insensitive to divalent cations. LipAAc is moderately thermostable with optimum temperature between 50 and 60 °C and was thermally activated (80% activity increase) after 1 h incubation at 50 °C. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the LipAAc is a member of family I of bacterial lipases and clusters with other moderately thermostable lipases of this group. Comparisons of the DNA insert of fosmid LP001 with other acidobacterial genomes and sequence database suggest that lipAAc gene has a fungal origin and was acquired by horizontal transfer.


Untangling a Repetitive Amyloid Sequence: Correlating Biofilm-Derived and Segmentally Labeled Curli Fimbriae by Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy.
Curli are functional bacterial amyloids produced by an intricate biogenesis machinery. Insights into their folding and regulation can advance our understanding of amyloidogenesis. However, gaining detailed structural information of amyloids, and their tendency for structural polymorphisms, remains challenging. Herein we compare high-quality solid-state NMR spectra from biofilm-derived and recombinantly produced curli and provide evidence that they adopt a similar, well-defined β-solenoid arrangement. Curli subunits consist of five sequence repeats, resulting in severe spectral overlap. Using segmental isotope labeling, we obtained the unambiguous sequence-specific resonance assignments and secondary structure of one repeat, and demonstrate that all repeats are most likely structurally equivalent.


Asymmetry and sexual dimorphism of lungs weight in fetal ontogeny.
1079 male fetuses and 727 female fetuses at the age of 20 to 41 weeks were investigated for the process of asymmetry and sexual dimorphism of lungs weight formation as well as developmental correlation between the weight of the lungs and the size of the heart. Statistical analysis of the results was applied. It was ascertained, among others, that asymmetry of lungs weight occurs in the investigated developmental period--the right lung is heavier than the left one about 20 to 30%. Between the increase in the weight of the lungs and the size of the heart positive correlation occurs, but it is not of directed character. A substantial, intersexual differentiation of lungs weight was not ascertained.


Modular Synthesis of Alkylarylazo Compounds via Iron(III)-Catalyzed Olefin Hydroamination.
A novel Fe-catalyzed olefin hydroamination with aryldiazo sulfones for accessing alkylarylazo compounds has been successfully developed. Aryldiazo sulfones are used as radical acceptors, and N-N double bonds will be regenerated when an arene sulfonyl group leaves. The reaction features mild reaction conditions and a broad substrate scope, allowing access to many azo compounds that would be difficult or perhaps impossible to access using other methods.


Genome-specific control of meiotic pairing evidenced in mutant Aegilops ventricosa-Secale cereale amphidiploids.
The Ae. ventricosa and S. cereale genomes were distinguished at meiosis by the C-banding procedure. Only two plants of the amphiploid Ae. ventricosa-S. cereale were found to exhibit the high degree of asynapsis limited to Aegilops ventricosa genomes. In addition, these genomes showed higher homoeologous pairing than homologous pairing frequencies. These results can be explained by the existence of separate genome-specific control of meiotic pairing between the chromosomes of both species in these synaptic mutant plants.


[Results of repeated studies of gastric acid secretion in patients with duodenal ulcer before the operation].
Gastric secretion indices were determined in patients with duodenal ulcers with 2-4 days intervals between the investigations. Considerable fluctuations in the gastric acid secretion levels were found in the first and second investigations. The findings were more stable in patients with pronounced hypersecretion. An analysis of results of the investigations performed in 109 patients with duodenal ulcer is presented.


Relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus and a novel polymorphism C698T in C5L2 in the Chinese Han population.
In a previous study, we reported a novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 698C>T (P233L) in the gene, C5L2. This gene has been demonstrated to encode a functional receptor of acylation-stimulating protein (ASP), a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), that has been shown to influence insulin secretion in cultured pancreatic islet cells in vitro and is a stimulator of triglyceride synthesis and glucose transport in vivo. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between this novel C5L2 SNP and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the Chinese Han population. A case-control study examining Chinese Han T2DM patients (n = 554) and healthy controls (n = 648) was performed to investigate the role of the 698C>T (P233L) C5L2 polymorphism. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis was used to determine expression of this SNP. Heterozygote carriers of the 698CT C5L2 genotype were more frequent among T2DM patients (13.5%) than controls (3.2%; P < 0.001). The frequency of 698CT heterozygote carriers was significantly higher in women (12.8%) than in male subjects (5.7%, P < 0.001). The odds ratio (OR) of T2DM for 698CT carriers was 4.675 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.840-7.694]. After adjustment of confounding factors such as age, sex, smoking, drinking, hypertension, and triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein levels, the difference remained significant (P < 0.001, OR 5.556, 95% CI 2.444-12.630). Furthermore, the diabetic 698CT carriers displayed an increase in their serum TG level. However, there were no significant differences observed in any of the parameters measured in the control group. We conclude that the 698CT genotype of C5L2 may be an influencing genetic factor for T2DM in the Chinese Han population. These findings also indicate that heterozygous expression of 698CT C5L2 may contribute to metabolic abnormalities.


Measuring teacher implementation in delivery of a bullying prevention program: the impact of instructional and procedural adherence and competence on student responsiveness.
Although there is evidence that school-based prevention programs can produce positive effects on students' academic and behavioral functioning, the ability of teachers to sustain high-quality implementation remains an open and vexing question. Because teachers are often the intervention agents in school-based prevention programs, assessing both their adherence to program procedures and their competence in program delivery is critical for ensuring student responsiveness to prevention programs, which in turn may impact their efficacy. The current study assessed treatment fidelity of implementation of the Olweus' Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) in two urban middle schools. Trained observers completed 280 observations of teachers' delivery of the class meeting component of the OBPP and rated teachers' instructional and procedural adherence and competence of delivery and students' responsiveness. Analyses using multilevel modeling indicated that competence of delivery was significantly related to student responsiveness above and beyond teacher instructional behavior adherence, such that class meetings conducted with higher instructional adherence and procedural competence resulted in higher student responsiveness to the program after controlling for the clustered nature of teachers, and several observation-level and teacher-level covariates. This study highlights the need for strategies to increase teacher use of effective instructional practices and competence with program procedures to enhance the efficacy of prevention programming in schools.


Interdependence of histamine and methylhistamine kinetics: modelling and simulation approach.
In the article a model of histamine kinetics is described. A motivation of this project was to investigate the hypothesis that methylhistamine may be a marker of histamine appearance in plasma. A model has been made to support the hypothesis. Since metabolic and transport pathways of histamine and methylhistamine are complex and not very well known, the relationship between histamine and methylhistamine should be elucidated by mathematical modelling. From experimental data and the information in the literature, a nonlinear and time-varying four-compartment model is proposed. Extensive release of histamine from mast cells when methylhistamine is injected, is modelled as histamine to methylhistamine ratio control loop.


Long-term follow-up of fellow eye in patients with lamellar macular hole.
To evaluate macular changes in fellow eyes of patients diagnosed with lamellar macular hole (LMH) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and blue fundus autofluorescence (B-FAF). Fellow eyes of patients diagnosed with a LMH were retrospectively evaluated on OCT. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT) were recorded. Corresponding B-FAF images, vitreo-macular relations, and type of epiretinal membranes (ERMs) were also examined. Thirty-five patients were included. At baseline, six fellow eyes (17%) showed a normal foveal profile, 26 (74%) had a tractional ERM, and three cases (9%) revealed a bilateral LMH, one of them with a lamellar hole-associated epiretinal proliferation (LHEP). A posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) was present in 29 patients (83%), four (11%) had only a vitreo-papillary adhesion (VPA), and two (6%) had both vitreo-macular adhesion (VMA) and VPA. After a mean follow-up of 4.6 ± 1.9 years, one eye (3%) developed a vitreous detachment from the macula with persistent VPA, and one developed a PVD from a VPA with subsequent ERM formation. BCVA and mean CFT remained stable in 35 eyes (100%). Likewise, no B-FAF signal variations were detected. One patient developed a LMH during the 3rd year of follow-up. Our data suggest that the presence of a LMH in one eye does not increase significantly the risk of developing the same condition in the fellow eye after 4 years. Bilateral condition is uncommon, and an ERM is often detected in the fellow eye. LHEPs were not observed in fellow eyes with foveal integrity, and all LHEPs observed (in main and fellow eyes) were always associated with LMHs; this supports the hypothesis that LHEP is a consequence and not a causative factor for LMHs. The occurrence of a LMH in one fellow eye after 3 years follow-up may suggest that a higher incidence of bilateral disease could develop in a longer time span.


Blindness and eye disease in Cambodia.
To assess the prevalence and etiology of blindness and low vision and to assess the prevalence of common eye diseases in central Cambodia. In this cross-sectional, population-based study, 6,558 residents of Kandal Province, Cambodia were registered, and 5,803 (88.5%) were interviewed and examined. This house-to-house survey was conducted by a team consisting of a senior ophthalmologist, a Cambodian eye doctor, and eight Cambodian eyecare workers. The prevalence of bilateral blindness (visual acuity <3/60) is 1.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9-1.4), and an additional 4.4% (95% CI, 3.9-5.0) have low vision (visual acuity < 6/18, > or =3/60 in the better eye). The major causes of bilateral blindness are cataract (67.4%), phthisis (6.1%), uncorrected refractive error (6.1%), corneal scar (5.3%), uncorrected aphakia (3.0%), trachoma corneal scar (3.0%), optic atrophy (3.0%), and others (6.1%). The major causes of low vision are uncorrected refractive error (49.8%) and cataract (42.7%). The prevalence of unilateral blindness is 1.2% (95% CI, 0.9-1.4), often caused by cataract, corneal scar, or phthisis. Trauma due to landmine explosions and war-related injuries was frequently the underlying etiology in subjects with phthisis, corneal scarring, or other pathology. The prevalence of blindness and low vision in Cambodia is relatively high compared to other developing countries. Most of the causes of blindness and low vision are treatable or preventable. Landmines and other war-related injuries are an important cause of ocular injury. These results will assist in developing a national plan for the prevention of blindness in Cambodia.


A pharmacokinetic comparison of tenoxicam in plasma and synovial fluid.
In view of the paucity of information on the synovial-fluid pharmacokinetics of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with a long half-life, we have compared the pharmacokinetics of tenoxicam (Tilcotil, Mobiflex) in plasma and synovial fluid in six patients with polyarthritis causing knee effusion. Plasma and synovial-fluid concentrations of tenoxicam were measured up to 96 h after an oral dose of a single 40 mg tablet. A full pharmacokinetic analysis was performed. Tenoxicam passed into synovial fluid attaining a peak concentration significantly later than that for plasma. However, the mean half-life for synovial fluid (45 h) was not significantly different from that for plasma (42 h). Comparison of area under the curve (AUC) indicated the total exposure of the synovial fluid to tenoxicam was consistent in different patients, comprising 50-60% of the corresponding plasma levels in every case. In the case of tenoxicam, synovial fluid exhibits the pharmacokinetic properties of a peripheral 'tissue' compartment.


Z-type pattern pectus excavatum/carinatum in a case of Noonan syndrome.
Noonan syndrome is a genetic condition that can present with complex thoracic defects, the management of which often presents a surgical challenge. We present the surgical approach applied to a severe combined excavatum/carinatum deformity that had resulted in a Z-type configuration of the chest in a 9-year-old girl with Noonan syndrome.


Selective mouse breeding for short ethanol sleep time has led to high levels of hepatic aromatic hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor.
Following a selective breeding program of heterogeneous mice for more than 30 generations, SS ("short sleep") and LS ("long sleep") lines have been developed on the basis of their sleep times when challenged with a single intraperitoneal dose of ethanol. The aromatic hydrocarbon responsiveness (Ah) locus encodes the Ah receptor, which regulates the induction of certain drug-metabolizing enzymes by polycyclic aromatic compounds such as 3-methylcholanthrene and tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. The C57BL/6 inbred mouse strain (B6; Ahb/Ahb) has a high-affinity Ah receptor, while the DBA/2 inbred mouse strain (D2; Ahd/Ahd) has a low-affinity Ah receptor. We show here that the SS inbred mouse line exhibits markedly elevated hepatic levels of the high-affinity Ah receptor, while the LS outbred mouse line contains the low-affinity Ah receptor. Among progeny of (B6D2)F1 X D2 backcross, the b/d heterozygote (having the high-affinity Ah receptor) was found to be several times more resistant than the d/d homozygote to a single dose of intraperitoneal ethanol. The D2.B6-Ahb congenic line is also several times more resistant to intraperitoneal ethanol than the B6.D2-Ahb congenic line is also several times more resistant to intraperitoneal ethanol than B6.D2-Ahd congenic line. We found that the waking blood ethanol levels are the same in b/d and d/d mice, suggesting that the relative ethanol resistance in b/d mice cannot be explained on the basis of a difference in central nervous system sensitivity. There are no differences between SS and LS mice or between b/d and d/d mice with regard to (i) blood acetaldehyde levels after a single intraperitoneal dose of ethanol, or (ii) hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase activities. There is a difference in the rate of ethanol elimination: SS more rapid than LS; b/d more rapid than d/d. Although SS mice have lower hepatic aldehyde dehydrogenase activities (cytosolic, mitochondrial low-Km: and mitochondrial high-Km forms) than LS mice, b/d and d/d do not show this difference. These data suggest that a selected mouse breeding program, based on resistance to a single intraperitoneal dose of ethanol, selects concurrently for the hepatic high-affinity Ah receptor. This selective advantage cannot be explained on the basis of changes in alcohol dehydrogenase or aldehyde dehydrogenase activities and might provide insight into the nature of the endogenous ligand for the Ah receptor.


Pain and quality of life for patients with venous leg ulcers: proof of concept of the efficacy of Biatain-Ibu, a new pain reducing wound dressing.
Wound pain is a serious problem for elderly patients suffering from chronic leg ulcers, and it may lead to reduced wound healing rates and reduced quality of life. Biatain-Ibu Non-adhesive (Coloplast A/S), a new pain-reducing moist wound healing dressing containing ibuprofen was tested for pain reduction, safety, and efficacy on 10+2 patients in a single-blinded crossover study against Biatain Non-adhesive (Coloplast A/S). Pain was measured with a Numeric Box Scale before, during, and after dressing change. Quality of life was measured using the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index. Dressing moist wound healing properties such as absorption capacity and leakage were tested together with assessment of wound exudate and blood plasma content of ibuprofen. Use of the Biatain-Ibu foam dressing correlated with a decrease in pain intensity scores from 7 in the run-in period to approximately 2.5 in the Biatain-Ibu treatment phase. Quality of life measures were improved which together with the reduced pain could contribute to faster wound healing. The moist wound healing properties of Biatain-Ibu were similar to that of the Biatain Non-adhesive and ulcer size was reduced by 24% during the treatment period. Neither side effects nor systemic plasma concentrations of ibuprofen were observed. These data indicate that Biatain-Ibu could reduce persistent and temporary wound pain, increase Quality of life, was found safe to use, and had excellent moist wound healing properties.


Monitoring infants by automatic video processing: A unified approach to motion analysis.
A unified approach to contact-less and low-cost video processing for automatic detection of neonatal diseases characterized by specific movement patterns is presented. This disease category includes neonatal clonic seizures and apneas. Both disorders are characterized by the presence or absence, respectively, of periodic movements of parts of the body-e.g., the limbs in case of clonic seizures and the chest/abdomen in case of apneas. Therefore, one can analyze the data obtained from multiple video sensors placed around a patient, extracting relevant motion signals and estimating, using the Maximum Likelihood (ML) criterion, their possible periodicity. This approach is very versatile and allows to investigate various scenarios, including: a single Red, Green and Blue (RGB) camera, an RGB-depth sensor or a network of a few RGB cameras. Data fusion principles are considered to aggregate the signals from multiple sensors. In the case of apneas, since breathing movements are subtle, the video can be pre-processed by a recently proposed algorithm which is able to emphasize small movements. The performance of the proposed contact-less detection algorithms is assessed, considering real video recordings of newborns, in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves, with respect to medical gold standard devices. The obtained results show that a video processing-based system can effectively detect the considered specific diseases, with increasing performance for increasing number of sensors.


Space availability influence laterality in donkeys (Equus asinus).
Cerebral lateralization is the portioning of the cognitive functions between the two cerebral hemispheres. Several factors, like embryological manipulations, light exposure, health conditions, sex and age can influence the left-right brain asymmetries and contribute to increasing the variability in the strength and direction of laterality within most species. We investigated the influence of an environmental constraint, namely space availability, as a new source of variation on laterality in an adult vertebrate model, the donkey. In a baseline condition we tested whether donkeys show a motor lateralization bias at population level, while in an experimental condition we manipulated space availability to verify if a reduction in this parameter could represent a new source of variation in laterality. Results show that donkeys are lateralized at population level with a strong bias to standing with the right forelimb advanced over the left and that a reduction of space availability is an important source of variation in the laterality strength and direction within this species. The comparative analysis of the environmental and developmental factors that give origin to neural and behavioural laterality in animal models will be very important for a better understanding of the evolutionary origin of such multifaceted phenomenon.


Celiac Disease Autoimmunity.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by the ingestion of gluten, the protein fraction of wheat, barley and rye. It is not simply an intestinal disease; it is multifactorial caused by many different genetic factors acting together with non-genetic causes. Similar to other autoimmune diseases, celiac disease is a polygenic disorder for which the major histocompatibility complex locus is the most important genetic factor, and is the result of an immune response to self-antigens leading to tissue destruction and the autoantibodies production. Celiac disease exemplifies how an illness can have autoimmune-like features having to be driven by exogenous antigen and how can be reasonably considered as a model of organ-specific autoimmunity.


Neural cell adhesion molecule L1: relating disease to function.
Neural cell adhesion molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily are important components of the network of guidance cues and receptors that govern axon growth and guidance during development. For neural cell adhesion molecule L1, the combined application of human genetics, knockout mouse technology, and cell biology is providing fundamental insight into the role of L1 in mediating neuronal differentiation. Disease-causing mutations as well as mouse models of L1 disruption can now be used to examine the relevance of L1 binding specificities and signal transduction pathways that have been observed in vitro.


Emotional influences in patient safety.
The way that health care providers feel, both within themselves and toward their patients, may influence their clinical performance and impact patient safety, yet this aspect of provider behavior has received relatively little attention. How providers feel, their emotional or affective state, may exert a significant, unintended influence on their patients, and may compromise safety. We examined a broad literature across multiple disciplines to review the interrelationships between emotion, decision making, and behavior, and to assess their potential impact on patient safety. There is abundant evidence that the emotional state of the health care provider may be influenced by factors including characteristics of the patient, ambient conditions in the health care setting, diurnal, circadian, infradian, and seasonal variables, as well as endogenous disorders of the individual provider. These influences may lead to affective biases in decision making, resulting in errors and adverse events. Clinical reasoning and judgment may be particularly susceptible to emotional influence, especially those processes that rely on intuitive judgments. There are many ways that the emotional state of the health care provider can influence patient care. To reduce emotional errors, the level of awareness of these factors should be raised. Emotional skills training should be incorporated into the education of health care professionals. Specifically, clinical teaching should promote more openness and discussion about the provider's feelings toward patients. Strategies should be developed to help providers identify and de-bias themselves against emotional influences that may impact care, particularly in the emotionally evocative patient. Psychiatric conditions within the provider, which may compromise patient safety, need to be promptly detected, diagnosed, and managed.


Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor polymorphism (Thr307Ala) is associated with variable ovarian response and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in Indian women.
To evaluate the association of FSH receptor polymorphism and ovarian response. Retrospective study. Academic research institute and private IVF clinic. Fifty women were recruited in an assisted reproductive technology program (ART) and 100 proven fertile women of Indian origin. Polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment-length polymorphism for detecting polymorphisms at T(307)A and N(680)S. FSH receptor polymorphisms, serum FSH, and estradiol levels, amount of FSH administered, occurrence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Prevalence of polymorphism at 307 position was 24%, 53%, and 23% in controls and 24%, 62%, and 14% in ART subjects for TT, TA, and AA, respectively, whereas at position 680, it was 31%, 56%, and 13% in controls and 42%, 46%, and 12% in ART subjects for NN, NS, and SS, respectively. The amount of FSH required for ovulation induction was low in AA compared with TT and TA subjects; the estradiol levels before and on the day of hCG administration were significantly higher. Eighty-five percent of the subjects with AA genotype developed OHSS. In Indian women, the subjects with AA genotype require low amounts of FSH for ovarian stimulation and have an increased risk of developing OHSS.


Respiratory gas transport by the incompletely separated double circulation in the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana.
To investigate respiratory gas transport in the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana (mean body weight 249 g. ambient temperature 25 degrees C), O2 uptake and CO2 output were determined, and blood gas parameters (PO2, PCO2, pH, O2 content, O2 capacity and hematocrit) were measured in blood samples taken from various heart cavities and blood vessels. Analysis of the data on the basis of a simplified circulatory gas transport model allowed to estimate the cardiac output and its distribution, and to describe the O2 and CO2 exchange in lungs, skin and tissues. The total cardiac output (average 20.5 ml/min) was estimated to be distributed about equally to the pulmocutaneous (56%) and systemic arterial vessels (44%), whereas the systemic venous return (62%) was larger than the pulmonary venous return (38%). The marked difference in oxygenation between aortic and pulmocutaneous arterial blood (average O2 saturation 85% and 47%, respectively) showed a highly effective separation of systemic venous and pulmonary venous blood in the ventricle and conus arteriosus. After enlargement of the ventricle produced by incision of the pericardium, the separation of arterialized and venous blood was markedly reduced, but not abolished.


Transposon Tn21 encodes a RecA-independent site-specific integration system.
The IncW plasmid R388 and the DNA region of Tn21 containing the Smr and the Sur genes are capable of RecA-independent recombination. This recombination occurs at a relatively high frequency (up to 10(-4) recombinants per recipient molecule) and results in integration of the two plasmids. No detectable repeats are formed in the process. The crossover points have been confined to a 0.4-kb homologous segment in both plasmids which contains a 59-bp DNA sequence presumably involved in the acquisition of new genes by Tn21 and its relatives (Cameron et al. 1986). It is likely that the recombination occurs precisely at this point. At least one trans-acting function (an integrase) is required for the site-specific recombination. It has been localized to a 1456-bp BstEII-BamHI fragment of Tn21 and can efficiently complement the integration of plasmids containing the integration site.


Allergenicity and lymphocyte-stimulating property of rice protein.
Two protein fractions of rice, grain, glutelin and globulin, were prepared by dilute alkali and salt extraction, respectively. The globulin fraction was separated into G1-1, G1-2, and G1-3 fractions by Sephadex G-200 column chromatography. The allergenic activities and lymphocyte-stimulating properties of these fractions were investigated by the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) with sera from 6 individuals who showed immediate skin reaction to soluble rice extract and by 3H-thymidine incorporation tests with 5 subjects with indurated skin reaction of delayed onset. All fractions were found to be reactive with specific IgE antibody, and G1-1 and G-2 revealed lymphocyte-stimulating activity. RAST inhibition revealed considerable cross-reactivity of IgE antibody with the glutelin and globulin fractions. When the glutelin and globulin fractions were heated at 60 degrees C for 1 hr, 100 degrees C for 2 min, or 100 degrees C for 10 min, RAST activities were reduced to 40%-70% of native. On the other hand, lymphocyte-stimulating activities of the globulin fraction heated at 60 degrees C for 1 hr or 100 degrees C for 2 min were enhanced up to 6 times of native activities, while those of identically treated glutelin fractions remained unchanged.


A novel NF1 mutation in a Chinese patient with giant café-au-lait macule in neurofibromatosis type 1 associated with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor and bone abnormality.
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1; OMIM#162200) is a common neurocutaneous disorder that is characterized by multiple café-au-lait, skinfold freckling, Lisch nodules, and neurofibromas. Mutations in the NF1 gene, which encodes the neurofibromin protein, have been identified as the pathogenic gene of NF1. In this study, we present a clinical and molecular study of a Chinese patient with giant café-au-lait in NF1. The patient showed >6 café-au-lait spots on the body, axillary freckling, and multiple subcutaneous neurofibromas. He also had a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor and bone abnormalities. The germline mutational analysis of the NF1 gene revealed a novel missense mutation in exon 13. It is a novel heterozygous nucleotide G>A transition at position 2241 of the NF1 gene. We found no mutation in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor DNA from this patient. This expands the database for NF1 gene mutations in NF1. Its absence in the normal chromosomes suggests that it is responsible for the NF1 phenotype. To our knowledge, this is the first case of giant café-au-lait macule in NF1 associated with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor and bone abnormality.


Mechanism of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate enhanced metabolism of arachidonic acid in dog urothelial cells.
The mechanism of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) enhanced arachidonic acid metabolism was investigated in dog urothelial cells. Primary cultures of dog urothelial cells were grown to confluency and evaluated in the presence or absence of overnight prelabeling with [3H]arachidonic acid. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of media from TPA stimulated cells indicated that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was the major eicosanoid produced. Lipoxygenase products were not detected. Control cell media contained only arachidonic acid. Effects of selected inhibitors on TPA and exogenous arachidonic acid mediated increases in radioimmunoassayable PGE2 were assessed. Prostaglandin H synthase inhibitors (indomethacin and aspirin) prevented both TPA and arachidonic acid increases in PGE2. By contrast, inhibitors of phospholipases (quinacrine, W-7, and trifluoropromazine), protein synthesis (cycloheximide), and protein kinase C (staurosporine) prevented TPA but not arachidonic acid increases in PGE2. The latter agents also reduced TPA mediated increases in the release of total radioactivity from cells labeled with [3H]arachidonic acid. However, aspirin reduced the amount of 3H-prostaglandins formed with TPA. A calcium requirement was demonstrated when increases in radioimmunoassayable PGE2 elicited by TPA and the calcium ionophore A23187 were reduced with calcium depleted media. When epidermal growth factor in combination with either TPA or bradykinin was used, at least additive effects were observed with respect to release of [3H]arachidonic acid, 3H-prostaglandins, and radioimmunoassayable PGE2. These experiments suggest that separate pathways may be involved in enhanced arachidonic acid metabolism demonstrated with different agonists. For TPA, increased arachidonic acid release occurs by a calcium dependent process involving phospholipase(s), protein synthesis, and protein kinase C.


The surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation. I. Summary of the current concepts of the mechanisms of atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that is frequently resistant to medical therapy and has no satisfactory surgical therapy. The development of an effective surgical procedure to treat atrial fibrillation has been hampered by the paucity of clinically relevant information on the basic mechanisms responsible for the arrhythmia. This paper summarizes the current concepts of the electrophysiologic abnormalities in atrial flutter and fibrillation.


Ureterocystoneostomy (UCN) and subureteral collagen injection (SCIN): combined one-stage correction of high-grade bilateral vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children.
The treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is still a controversial issue. The efficacy of medical treatment appears to be equal to that of operative procedures in avoiding new formation of renal scars. However, there are generally accepted indications for operative procedures including bilateral high-grade VUR, especially in young patients. Ureteral reimplantation (UCN) is the operative treatment of choice in cases with high-grade VUR. Alternatively in cases with lower-grade VUR, injection of bulking agents under the refluxive orifice can be performed. It is also generally accepted that UCN with extravesical preparation of the ureter and the bladder should not be done bilaterally in a one-stage procedure. Postoperative bladder dysfunction may result due to detrimental neurogenic effects. In this study we report on our operative procedure in cases with bilateral high-grade VUR, during which we perform intra/extravesical UCN (mod. Leadbetter-Politano) of the higher-grade refluxive ureter, and (open) subureteral collagen injection (SCIN) of the lower-grade refluxive orifice as a combined one-stage procedure. In this study 50% of the patients had no VUR on either side after the first combined procedure. 15% of the patients showed significant down-grading of VUR of the injected side. These patients underwent a 2nd endoscopic SCIN. 35% of the patients showed no change of VUR of the injected side after the first procedure; these patients underwent reimplantation of this side in another operation. Accordingly, 50% of patients with bilateral high-grade VUR required a 2nd operative procedure under full anesthesia to achieve loss of VUR on both sides. None of the patients showed bladder dysfunction postoperatively. Mean follow-up after the last operative correction was 29.9 months (6 - 84 months).


[Status of the visual system in operators causing railway accidents].
One hundred and eighty four engine-drivers aged 21-60 years were examined; 91 from them provoked an accident not stopping the train in front of the "Stop" signal; 93 constituted a control group. Compared was the status of the visual system and the efficiency of the visual functions such as: binocular vision, color vision and asthenopia, mesopic vision and the sensitivity to glare. In engine-drivers of the "accident-prone" group one observed an increased sensitivity for glare. The authors suggest it would be necessary to introduce to the qualification examinations for engine-drivers the evaluation of the sensitivity to glare and of the visual ability in mesopic conditions.


Assessment of quality of life in pregnant Japanese women: comparison of hospitalized, outpatient, and non-pregnant women.
This cross-sectional study explored the comfort and quality of life in hospitalized, preterm, pregnant women compared with pregnant outpatients, and identified the relationship between comfort, quality of life, and hospitalization. Two-hundred-and-twenty-one hospitalized pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria were recruited from obstetric units, and 1015 outpatient pregnant women were recruited from obstetric outpatient units in Japan. The women were questioned on six domains of the Japanese Short-Form-36 version 2 (bodily pain, general health, vitality, role emotional, social functioning, and mental health) and on their subjective comfort. A total of 189 hospitalized pregnant women and 503 low-risk pregnant women were analyzed. Subjective comfort and all six domains of health-related quality of life showed significantly lower scores for hospitalized women than outpatient women (P < 0.05-0.001). The mean differences in social functioning and role-emotional domains between the two groups were particularly marked. The result of this study suggests that these patients require positive psychological support to improve their comfort and quality of life.


Asymptomatic visual field disturbances in multiple sclerosis patients without a history of optic neuritis.
The aim of our study was to evaluate visual field in patients with multiple sclerosis without a history of optic neuritis. We assessed presence and localisation of visual field defects and evaluated correlation between visual field disturbances and patient's neurological status. A group of 52 patients with multiple sclerosis and 17 healthy persons who served as the control group were enrolled into the study. The patients went through a routine neurological examination, ophthalmologic check-up and perimetric visual field assessment. Visual fields were examined with static perimetry Medmont M700. In all of the patients, results of perimetry were evaluated according to localisation of lesions. A decibel scale was used to quantitatively assess disturbances in patient's visual field. We found that "asymptomatic" visual field disturbances were present in a large number (38, 73.1%) of multiple sclerosis patients. Among these patients, we diagnosed concentric visual field lesions in 46.2%, and we recognized disturbances in the upper part of the visual field in 26.9%. There was a correlation between the presence of those visual field lesions, duration of multiple sclerosis, and the degree of patients' disability. Asymptomatic visual field disturbances occur frequently in MS patients (despite no history of retrobulbar optic neuritis). Static perimetry may be a valuable, complementary method in addition to examinations used so far in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.


Electrochemical synthesis of zinc nanoparticles via a metal-ligand-coordinated vesicle phase.
Two salt-free Zn(2+)-ligand-coordinated vesicle phases were prepared from the mixtures of alkyldimethylamine oxide (C(n)DMAO, n = 14 and 16, i.e., C(14)DMAO and C(16)DMAO) and zinc laurate [(CH(3)(CH(2))(10)COO)(2)Zn] in aqueous solution. The two salt-free Zn(2+)-ligand-coordinated vesicle phases were subsequently used as the templating media for fabricating zinc nanoparticles on an indium-doped tin oxide (ITO) electrode via electrodeposition. Influence of temperature, direct current density, and composition of the surfactant mixtures on the average diameter and size distribution of Zn nanoparticles was investigated in more detail. The structure of Zn@ITO was determined by scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. Monodispersed Zn nanoparticles on ITO electrode (ZnNPs@ITO) with different average diameters were obtained, and the distribution can be controlled. Finally, ZnO nanostructures on the ITO substrate were prepared from the as-synthesized Zn@ITO nanoparticles through electrochemical surface oxidation. The preparation of nanostructured Zn and ZnO particles by our established method may pave the way for a new templating route from metal-ligand-coordinated vesicles.


Prophylaxis and treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis: intraperitoneal chemotherapy with mitomycin C bound to activated carbon particles.
A novel method of prophylaxis and treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis--mitomycin C bound to activated carbon particles (MMC-CH)--was tested in patients with advanced gastric cancer in a prospective randomized study. Activated carbon particles are taken up selectively by lymphatic tissues, which seem to be a primary site of peritoneal carcinomatosis in the peritoneal cavity, and adsorb a large amount of anticancer agent mitomycin C, which is subsequently released slowly and for a protracted period. A group of 113 patients who underwent radical resection for gastric cancer with definite serosal involvement were entered in this trial. Those in the control group received no intraperitoneal anticancer drugs. Patients in the MMC-CH group were given 50 mg mitomycin C as MMC-CH, which was dispersed throughout the peritoneal cavity just before surgical closure. No other anticancer drugs were given to these patients after surgery. The 2- and 3-year survival rates for the MMC-CH group were 42% and 38%, respectively; and the rates for the control group were 28% and 20%, respectively. The difference in survival between the two groups was significant at 2 and 3 years (p < 0.05). For the survival of patients with macroscopic peritoneal carcinomatosis, there was no difference between these two groups. For the survival of patients who underwent histologically curative resection, 2- and 3-year survivals for the MMC-CH group were 66% and 66%, respectively and for the control group 35% and 20%, respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.01) at both 2 and 3 years.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Molecular characterization of the hepatitis B virus in autochthonous and endogenous populations in the Western Brazilian Amazon.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious public health issue worldwide. Hepatitis B virus is classified into eight genotypes, varying from A to H, with distinct geographical distributions. In Brazil, the most frequent genotypes are A, D, and F. This study aimed to characterize the HBV genotypes in cases of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis D virus (HDV) co-infections in an endemic area in the Western Brazilian Amazon. We analyzed 86 serum samples reactive for HBsAg from indigenous and non-indigenous populations obtained from previous serological surveys. Of the 86 reactive serum samples, 39 were found to be HBV-DNA-positive by semi-nested PCR. The genotypes were established by sequencing the amplified S gene region. We obtained 20 sequences classified into three genotypes: A, D, and F. Genotype A was the most frequent (60%), followed by D (35%) and F (5%). The distribution of the HBV genotypes reflected the pattern of historical occupation of the region.


Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate involvement in hepatic triacylglyceride lipase release from prazosin-stimulated primary cultured rat hepatocytes.
We recently found that hepatic triglyceride lipase (HTGL) was released from primary cultured rat hepatocytes after treatment with prazosin, an antagonist of alpha-1 adrenoceptors. However, the details of prazosin-induced HTGL release remain uncertain. Here we investigated whether changes in cAMP levels in hepatocytes were related to HTGL release from prazosin-stimulated hepatocytes. When hepatocytes were treated with prazosin, cAMP levels during stimulated release of HTGL increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Stimulated release of HTGL was suppressed by the adenylate cyclase inhibitors MDL-12,330A and 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine. Further, cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) activity in prazosin-stimulated hepatocytes also increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Moreover, prazosin-stimulated HTGL release was suppressed by the PKA inhibitors H-89 and KT5720. These results suggest that prazosin-stimulated HTGL release from hepatocytes was due to cAMP production and partly due to subsequent PKA activation in hepatocytes.


Sequence-specific 1H-NMR assignments and determination of the secondary structure in aqueous solution of the cardiotoxins CTXIIa and CTXIIb from Naja mossambica mossambica.
Sequence-specific assignments of the 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of the cardiotoxins CTXIIa and CTXIIb from Naja mossambica mossambica were obtained using two-dimensional NMR experiments at 500 MHz and the independently determined amino acid sequences. Assignments were obtained from data at 25 degrees C and 45 degrees C for all but one backbone proton of the 60 residues in each protein. Complete or partial assignments are also reported for the side-chain protons. These assignments supercede those published previously for the toxin preparation VII2 [Hosur, R. V., Wider, G. & Wüthrich K. (1983) Eur. J. Biochem. 130, 497-508]. The 1H/2H-exchange kinetics were measured in 2H2O at 20 degrees C for the amide protons and the N-terminal amino group. These and additional NMR data enabled the determination of the secondary structure in aqueous solution, which is virtually identical in CTXIIa and CTXIIb. Both proteins contain a short double-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet comprising the residues 2-4 and 11-13, and a triple-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet consisting of the residues 20-26, 35-39, and 49-55. The two peripheral strands of the triple-stranded beta-structure were found to be connected by a right-handed cross-over, and the locations of several tight turns were also identified.


Reconstructing two-dimensional acoustic object fields by use of digital phase conjugation of scanning laser vibrometry recordings.
A scanning laser Doppler vibrometer is used to record two-dimensional ultrasound fields in air. The laser light of the vibrometer traverses the sound field to and from a rigid reflector and determines the velocity field, a quantity proportional to the sound pressure rate, in each scanned point relative to the sound source. The object sound is the scattered field from objects outside the recording area. Digital reconstruction by use of phase conjugation (time reversal) of the object sound field is then performed, and the original object field intensity and phase is reconstructed.