[Indications to the surgical treatment of patients with "simple" transposition of the great arteries. Analysis of 302 cases surgically treated according to mustard's technique (author's transl)].
Between January 1965 and December 1979, 302 patients underwent Mustard's operation for "simple" transposition of the great arteries (TGA). 31 cases who underwent Senning operation for "simple" TGA and 7 patients with "simple" TGA and severe pulmonary vascular disease, in whom Mustard's operation was performed and a ventricular septal defect created, have not been included in the present series. The patients analysed ranged in age from 3 days to 17 years (mean = 27,6 months) and in weight from 2.7 to 40 Kg (mean = 9.9 Kg). The technique originally described by Mustard was used, with some technical modifications. There were 26 early deaths (early mortality rate = 9%). The hospital mortality was 16% during the period 1965-1969, 75% between 1970 and 1974, while during the last 5 years it was 6%. The hospital mortality was lower among the infants between 6 and 12 months of age (6%), compared with an early mortality rate of 11% among those younger than 6 months and 9% in the age group over 1 year. There were 34 late deaths (12% of the survivors). Reoperation was performed in 42 cases. Forty patients required revision of the inter-atrial baffle for pulmonary and/or caval venous obstruction and 10 of them subsequently died. Post-operative venous obstructions were observed more frequently in patients with dumb-bell shaped dacron patch, which has been since 6 years abandoned. Since the introduction of Brom's trouser shape pericardial patch, venous obstructions are extremely rare. Both patients who underwent reoperation respectively for severe tricuspid valve incompetence and for occlusion of the left pulmonary artery, died early after reoperation. In our Unit, the actual management program for patients with "simple" TGA is the following. We keep to a minimum the degree of invasive investigations, 2 D ECHO diagnoses TGA with great accuracy. At the initial cardiac catheterization, a balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) is performed. A good inter-atrial mixing is usually obtained with balloons sized more than 2.5 ml. Angiocardiography is undertaken only when associated lesions, such as patent ductus arteriosus or aortic coarctation are suspected. If the child improves, complete investigation is performed at 3-4 months of age and the inter-atrial redirection of the venous inflow is scheduled for the age of 8-12 months. If the child fails to improve after BAS or deteriorates during the waiting period, restudy is performed immediately to ensure that additional lesions are not present and that the inter-atrial shunt is adequate. Rather than a surgical atrial septectomy, in this group of cases we prefer an early intracardial total repair, irrespective of age and weight.


Catecholamine turnover in rat cerebral cortex and caudate following repeated treatment with dihydroergotoxine.
The turnover rate of catecholamine in the cerebral cortex and caudate of adult Wistar rats was estimated after inhibition of synthesis by means of alpha-methyl-rho-tyrosine in animals treated with dihydroergotoxine (1 mg/kg body weight daily) for 1, 3 and 10 days. Following single as well as repeated treatments with the drug, blockade of norepinephrine receptors, as indicated by the increased catecholamine turnover rate, was found in both brain structures. The turnover rate of dopamine was changed only after repeated treatments; it was decreased in the cortex and increased in the caudate, indicating both agonistic and antagonistic effects of dihydroergotoxine on dopamine receptors.


[Directed isolation of gram-negative asporogenous bacteria from natural substrates].
A method for selective isolation of gramnegative nonsporulating bacteria from soil substrates was developed. The method consists of plating out the substrates on a glucose-yeast medium with addition of benzylpenicillin and nalidixic acid. The isolation frequency of gramnegative nonsporulating bacteria increased under such conditions from 9-16 (control) to 80-100 per cent. At the same time the isolation frequency of gram-positive bacteria decreased from 88.5 to 9.6 per cent.


Identification of potent odorants in a novel nonalcoholic beverage produced by fermentation of wort with shiitake (Lentinula edodes).
Novel refreshments with pleasant flavors were developed by fermentation of wort with basidiomycetes. Among 31 screened fungi, shiitake (Lentinula edodes) produced the most pleasant flavor. It was perceived as fruity, slightly sour, and plum-like. Flavor compounds were isolated by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and by headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME). The key odor-active compounds were analyzed by a gas chromatography system equipped with a tandem mass spectrometry detector and an olfactory detection port (GC-MS/MS-O) and aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA). For HS-SPME, a revised method of increasing the GC inlet split ratio was used. Most of the key odor-active compounds (e.g., 2-acetylpyrrole, β-damascenone, (E)-2-nonenal, and 2-phenylethanol) were detected with both extraction techniques. However, distinct differences between these two methods were observed.


Diagnostic problems with meningococcal disease in general practice.
Based on general practitioners' referral letters and hospital records, we made a retrospective analysis of a cohort of 177 consecutive cases of meningococcal disease that occurred during a period of 10 years in the County of North Jutland, Denmark. The analysis concerned diagnostic problems in general practice, prognosis, pre-hospital antibiotic treatment and its effect on subsequent cultures, and degree of obligatory notification. The referring doctor suspected meningococcal disease/central nervous infection in 123 patients (69.5%). Neck stiffness and petechiae were related to a correct referral diagnosis, in contrast to the occurrence of a non-petechial rash. The presence of disseminated intravascular coagulation was associated with the mortality rate, which was 0.062. The therapeutic recommendations of the Danish Health Authorities were followed in only 25 of the 98 patients who fulfilled the criteria for pre-hospital parenteral antibiotic treatment. Pre-hospital antibiotic treatment was related to negative culture of spinal fluid or blood. Seven of the 177 patients were not notified according to the rules. Difficulties in pre-hospital diagnosis seem not to influence the lethal course of the disease.


Assessment of the potential agonistic and antagonistic properties of ketamine at opiate receptors in the guinea-pig ileum.
The anesthetic agent ketamine was studied for its ability to interact with opiate receptors in the longitudinal smooth muscle-myenteric plexus preparation of the guinea-pig ileum. The drug was found to possess agonistic, but not antagonistic, activity on opiate receptors. Naloxone antagonized the effect of ketamine although to a lesser degree than the antagonism exhibited toward morphine. In addition to the opiate action, ketamine also produced a depression of the contractile responses of the ileal smooth muscle to acetylcholine and histamine. The concentrations of ketamine that produced this non-specific depression were generally higher than those needed to demonstrate the opiate effect. However, some overlap in the concentration ranges for the two actions were observed. Although the nature of the opiate action of ketamine suggested that it interacts with opiate receptors or sub-types of these differently than does morphine, the non-specific action of the drug on the ileal smooth muscle precluded a definitive analysis of differences in the opiate receptor preferences of the drug.


Scheme Variations of the QCD Coupling and Hadronic τ Decays.
The quantum chromodynamics (QCD) coupling α_{s} is not a physical observable of the theory, since it depends on conventions related to the renormalization procedure. We introduce a definition of the QCD coupling, denoted by α[over ^]_{s}, whose running is explicitly renormalization scheme invariant. The scheme dependence of the new coupling α[over ^]_{s} is parametrized by a single parameter C, related to transformations of the QCD scale Λ. It is demonstrated that appropriate choices of C can lead to substantial improvements in the perturbative prediction of physical observables. As phenomenological applications, we study e^{+}e^{-} scattering and decays of the τ lepton into hadrons, both being governed by the QCD Adler function.


Myocardial (iso)enzyme activities, DNA concentration and nuclear polyploidy in hearts of patients operated upon for congenital heart disease, and in normal and hypertrophic adult human hearts at autopsy.
To investigate biochemical characteristics of hypertrophic myocardium of young and adult humans, we analysed myocardial biopsies obtained from 28 mainly young patients undergoing cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease and 41 autopsied hearts from 18 adult normal and 23 hypertrophic human subjects. Myocardial activities of the enzymes creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase were independent of age during childhood, but decreased significantly with hypertrophy at adult age. Myocyte nuclei showed increased polyploidization during childhood which was progressive with age, and in the adult stage polyploidization was correlated with heart weight. Nevertheless myocardial DNA concentration fell under both conditions, which is to be ascribed to the 'diluting' effect of myocyte hypertrophy. Before an age of 8 years DNA concentration in the child heart material studied has reached the value found in adult nonhypertrophic hearts, although at that time polyploidization of myocyte nuclei in child hearts was only half the value found in adult non-hypertrophic hearts. Biochemical measurement of DNA concentration in peroperatively taken myocardial biopsies may contribute to the in vivo diagnosis of ventricular hypertrophy in quantitative terms, in combination with radiology, echocardiography and histology.


[Clinical trial of isaxonine in diabetic neuropathies (author's transl)].
A double-blind survey of isaxonine versus a placebo was carried out with two groups of diabetics on clinical and electrophysiological evidence of nervous system impairment. The active agent showed a particularly favourable effect on sensory disorders (paresthesia, pain, perception sensibility). The clinical results were correlated with the electrophysiological results (electromyograms, motor nerve conduction velocity). Even with a well-balanced glycemic regulation, which was taken into account for each case but which is not sufficient to rule out the development of neuropathy, improvements shown by patients treated with isaxonine were more numerous and of better quality.


Effects of in-office bleaching on human enamel and dentin. Morphological and mineral changes.
The effects of HP-based products upon dental enamel and dentin are inconclusive. To evaluate changes in micromorphology and composition of calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) in enamel and dentin after the application of 37.5% hydrogen peroxide (HP) and 35% carbamide peroxide (CP) METHODS: Crowns of 20 human teeth were divided in two halves. One half was used as control specimen and the other as experimental specimen. The control specimens were kept in artificial saliva, and the experimental specimens were divided into four groups (n=5 each): group 1 (enamel HP for 45min); group 2 (dentin HP for 45min); group 3 (enamel CP for 90min); and group 4 (dentin CP for 90min). The morphological changes were evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), while the changes in the composition of Ca and P were assessed using environmental scanning electron microscopy combined with a microanalysis system (ESEM+EDX). The results within each group and between groups were compared using the Wilcoxon test and Mann-Whitney U-test, respectively (p<0.05). Similar morphological changes in the enamel and no changes in dentin were assessed with both products. Ca and P decreased in enamel and dentin, without significant differences between them or with respect to their control specimens (p>0.05). When bleaching products with a neutral pH are used in clinical practice, both, the concentration and the application time should be taken into account in order to avoid possible structural and mineral changes in enamel and dentin.


[Use of western-blotting technique and computer analysis for comparing cellular antigens of coagulase-negative staphylococci].
Western-Blotting technique and computer programme have been used to analyse cellular antigenic patterns of coagulase-negative staphylococci mainly of S. epidermidis and S. saprophyticus species. It was shown that antigenic pattern among strains of one species was similar. Intra strains differences are mainly quantitative. The qualitative differences concern not quantitatively dominant antigens. The main antigens of S. epidermidis and S. saprophyticus strains were of 28 and 44 kD molecular weight respectively. The antigens of molecular weight around 44, 48, 89 and 105 kD were detected in antigenic extract of strains from different species. Only one of the quantitatively dominant antigen of m. w. 48 kD, was localised in all analysed materials. The method presented here was used for the first time to analyse staphylococcal antigens. Such analysis could be performed not only for bacterial antigens.


The prolactin receptor from the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula): cDNA cloning, expression and functional analysis.
A full length, prolactin receptor cDNA clone has been isolated from the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). This clone encodes a 625 amino acid protein which shares 60-70 and 54% sequence identity with prolactin receptor (long form) sequences from mammalian and avian species, respectively. Sequence similarity was highest in the extra-cellular, hormone-binding domain and in specific regions of the intracellular domain which regulates prolactin receptor signalling in cells. Prolactin receptor mRNA was detected in a wide range of possum tissues and in the mammary gland the PRL-R gene was differentially expressed during lactation with peak mRNA levels being detected during the first 6 days of lactation and after day 115 throughout late lactation. This pattern of PRL-R mRNA expression in the mammary gland is similar to that observed for circulating prolactin in the lactating possum. In CHO cells transiently transfected with the possum prolactin receptor, expression of a beta-lactoglobulin promoter/reporter gene construct was increased 3-fold by adding prolactin. The possum prolactin receptor is therefore capable of binding ovine prolactin and activating the Jak2/Stat5 signalling cascade. This provides evidence for the highly conserved nature of the prolactin signalling pathway in mammalian evolution.


Use of Silver Diamine Fluoride for Dental Caries Management in Children and Adolescents, Including Those with Special Health Care Needs.
This manuscript presents evidence-based guidance on the use of 38 percent silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for dental caries management in children and adolescents, including those with special health care needs. A guideline workgroup formed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry developed guidance and an evidence-based recommendation regarding the application of 38 percent SDF to arrest cavitated caries lesions in primary teeth. The basis of the guideline's recommendation is evidence from an existing systematic review "Clinical trials of silver diamine fluoride in arresting caries among children: A systematic review." (JDR Clin Transl Res 2016;1[3]:201-10). A systematic search was conducted in PubMed®/MEDLINE, Embase®, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and gray literature databases to identify randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews reporting on the effect of silver diamine fluoride and address peripheral issues such as adverse effects and cost. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess the quality of the evidence and the evidence- to-decision framework was employed to formulate a recommendation. The panel made a conditional recommendation regarding the use of 38 percent SDF for the arrest of cavitated caries lesions in primary teeth as part of a comprehensive caries management program. After taking into consideration the low cost of the treatment and the disease burden of caries, panel members were confident that the benefits of SDF application in the target populations outweigh its possible undesirable effects. Per GRADE, this is a conditional recommendation based on low-quality evidence. Conclusions and practical implications: The guideline intends to inform the clinical practices involving the application of 38 percent SDF to enhance dental caries management outcomes in children and adolescents, including those with special health care needs. These recommended practices are based upon the best available evidence to-date. A 38 percent SDF protocol is included in Appendix II.


Forisomes as calcium-energized protein complex: a historical perspective.
Forisomes are spindle-shaped (about 1-3 µm wide and 10-30 µm long) contractile moving protein bodies found exclusively in phloem sieve tubes of Fabaceae (legume) plants. They are composed of ATP-independent, mechanically active proteins with several subunits called "forisomettes" and play important role in plant defence against injury. They expand and contract reversibly independent of ATP in response to changes of concentration of Ca2+ ions and pH or electric field. Although forisomes have been discovered decades ago, but only recently they received broader attention due to their ability to convert chemical into mechanical energy. Forisomes have possible applications as biomimetic smart materials (e.g. valves in microdevices), or smart composite materials for nanotechnological applications. Forisome-based smart materials can be used to synthesize self-powered monitoring and diagnostic systems for health monitoring. Here we discuss precise overview of forisomes from a historical viewpoint. We also enlist the scientific events leading to the identification and characterization of forisomes and their potential applications. The advancements in forisomes research have marked the evolution of new trends in the field of applied 'biomimetics' (means: to 'mimic life').


Effect of magnitopuncture on sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve activities in healthy drivers--assessment by power spectrum analysis of heart rate variability.
The object of this study was to assess the effects of magnitopuncture applied to Dazhui (DU14) point and Neiguan (PC6) points on sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve activities by power spectrum analysis of heart rate variability in healthy drivers during simulated driving. Using power spectrum analysis, the low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) components of heart rate variability can be calculated reflecting the sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. The 40 healthy male subjects were randomly divided into two groups: A (study group) and B (control group). All subjects were required to be well rested before the experiment. The subjects of both groups were required to perform a simulated driving task for 3 h. During the driving, magnitopunctures were applied to the DU14 and PC6 points for A while the subject performed the task for 2.5 h, and for B magnitopunctures were applied to non-acupuncture points which were 1.5 cm away from the two acupuncture points respectively over the same time. Subjective response to a questionnaire was obtained after the simulated task in the two groups. At the end of the driving task the LF component in normalized units (NU) had decreased significantly ( P<0.05) indicating a reduced sympathetic nerve activity and the HF component (NU) increased significantly ( P<0.05) indicating a increased parasympathetic nerve activity for A compared with pre-stimulation while for B no significant differences were observed. There were significant group differences in LF (NU), HF (NU) and LF:HF at the end of the driving task ( P<0.05). It was concluded that a modulating effect of magnitopuncture on sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve activities in healthy subjects was associated with the acupuncture points. The findings represent physiological evidence that magnitopuncture may reduce mental fatigue in healthy drivers.


[Ecological and physiological adaptabilities of earthworm in biofilter under domestication stage].
Ecological and physiological adaptabilities of earthworm in biofilter under domestication stage is presented, as well as related factors. The results show that, due to the coercion of natural and filter environment, the number and biomass of earthworms present a gradual downward trend after added. But once the conditions become appropriate, hatching of larvae could add the number and biomass of earthworm in the filter. With the increase of temperature, circumjacent earthworms gradually move to the water distribution area, 58 days later earthworms distribution become more uniform. Earthworm density and moisture content exist the significant negative correlation. Temperature, precipitation and rainfall don't affect the ecological indicators of earthworms significantly. When temperature is below 15 degrees C, the earthworms' respiratory rate become more sensitive and decline significantly which is not conducive for earthworms treatment of sewage sludge. In a certain range, it's effective for improving the efficiency of sludge treatment to increase the density of earthworms and distribute earthworms evenly.


Biotechnological conversion of spent coffee grounds into polyhydroxyalkanoates and carotenoids.
Coffee is one of the world's most popular beverages and has been growing steadily in commercial importance. Nowadays, coffee is the second largest traded commodity in the world, after petroleum. Hence, coffee industry is responsible for the generation of large amounts of waste, especially spent coffee grounds (SCG). Various attempts to valorize this waste stream of coffee industry were made. This article summarizes our research and publications aiming at the conversion of SCG into valuable products - polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and carotenoids. At first, oil extracted from SCG (approx. 15 wt% oil in SCG) can be efficiently (YP/S=0.82 g/g) converted into PHA employing Cupriavidus necator H16. Further, the solid residues after oil extraction can be hydrolyzed (by the combination of chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis) yielding fermentable sugars, which can be further used as a substrate for the production of PHAs employing Bacillus megaterium (YP/S=0.04 g/g) or Burkholderia cepacia (YP/S=0.24 g/g). Alternatively, SCG hydrolysate can be used as a substrate for biotechnological production of carotenoids by carotenogenic yeast Sporobolomyces roseus. Solid residues after either oil extraction or hydrolysis can be used as fuel in industrial boilers to generate heat and energy. Therefore, entire biomass of SCG can be used for sustainable production of PHAs and/or carotenoids employing bio-refinery approach.


Reoperation for coronary artery bypass grafting: anesthetic challenge.
The problem of caring for patients undergoing reoperative coronary revascularization is one that cardiac anesthesiologists will face with increasing frequency. Many thousands of CABG procedures continue to be performed annually with ever-increasing survival rates. Consequently, the population at risk for reoperative CABG is growing, while surgical intervention necessarily follows apace. As one recent long-term, retrospective study showed, patients surviving 12 years after CABG have a reoperative rate of 17.3%. Physicians caring for these patients must recognize that they are not seeing patients with routine CAD, but with a different entity: coronary graft disease (CGD). These patients with CGD are different in many ways from those with native CAD, and these differences must be taken into account when planning for their perioperative care. Cardiologists have strived to check the growth of CGD by aggressive emphasis on modification of coronary risk factors such as tobacco use, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. In addition, recent interest has been focused on a pharmacologic approach via the platelet-prostaglandin system. Surgeons have also attempted to reduce the incidence of CGD by recognition that significantly improved long-term patency rates can be achieved by the use of the internal thoracic artery as a bypass conduit. Consequently, an expanded role for this vessel in the form of free, sequential, and bilateral ITA grafting is currently being advocated as a surgical solution to the problem of CGD. In contrast, the anesthesiologist probably has little to add to the prevention of CGD, but may be able to contribute to a favorable outcome at reoperation. The medical variables and preoperative characteristics that make reoperative CABG patients different from those presenting for primary CABG should be recognized. A firm appreciation of the nature of graft disease, as well as the surgical intricacies required for correction, can only serve to improve the care offered during these often complex operations. Aggressive, invasive hemodynamic monitoring, constant vigilance for signs of early ischemia, and preparedness for prebypass hemorrhage and postbypass ventricular dysfunction should be made. Furthermore, if anesthesiologists are to contribute to an improved outcome in these patients, strategies must be developed to attenuate cerebral and myocardial damage resulting from hemorrhage and atheroembolic catastrophies that appear to be frequent complications in these challenging surgical patients.


Absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors around the affected vessels of angioma serpiginosum: case report.
Angioma serpiginosum is a disorder of dilated superficial dermal capillaries. The disease is considered by some authors to be a consequence of increasing levels of estrogens. We present a case of angioma serpiginosum in a 46-year-old White woman. The lesions consisting of red-purple puncta were grouped as vaguely annular and angular patches with serpiginous borders, located on the right side of the neck, the right side of the abdomen, and on the left arm. Histopathologic examination revealed clusters of dilated capillaries in the dermal papillae, without endothelial proliferation. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain-positive deposits were noted around the affected blood vessels. However, immunohistochemical analysis revealed the absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors within the involved blood vessels. Hormonal assays were also normal. Our observations suggest that a hormonal stimulus probably plays no role in the pathogenesis of angioma serpiginosum. The significance of PAS-positive deposits as a diagnostic marker for angioma serpiginosum needs further confirmation.


Evaluation and prediction of urea rebound and equilibrated Kt/V in the pediatric hemodialysis population.
The posthemodialysis blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration rebounds for 30 to 60 minutes after hemodialysis in adults. Timing of the posttreatment BUN sample has a significant impact on the calculation of Kt/V. Urea rebound and its effect on Kt/V have not been extensively studied in children and adolescents. We evaluated posthemodialysis urea rebound after 46 treatments in 18 pediatric patients with end-stage renal disease. BUN levels were drawn at 30 seconds and 5 and 15 minutes posttreatment. From these values, a logarithmic regression curve was derived that defined percentage of urea rebound (%UR) = -0.254 + 10.9*log(t), (r = 0.79). Using this equation, we estimated BUN, %UR, and Kt/V at equilibration (50 minutes) for each treatment. Estimated mean %UR was 18.7%. Single-pool Kt/V (spKt/V) and estimated double-pool Kt/V (estKt/V) values were significantly different (P < 0.0001). %UR and percentage of difference between spKt/V and estKt/V did not vary as a function of dry weight, body surface area, or K/V. To test the validity of logarithmic extrapolation, additional BUN levels were drawn at 30 seconds and every 10 minutes for 1 hour postdialysis in six patients. Percentage of difference between estKt/V and measured equilibrated Kt/V was 3.6% +/- 1.7%. Our results show %UR has a significant impact on the calculation of Kt/V in children, does not vary with patient size, and is similar to that seen in adults. We have devised an easy and accurate method to predict equilibrated BUN and calculate double-pool Kt/V in children, which requires only an additional 15-minute posttreatment BUN sample.


Protein kinase C activation by 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate in CG-4 line oligodendrocytes stimulates turnover of choline and ethanolamine phospholipids by phospholipase D and induces rapid process contraction.
Treatment of [3H]-choline- or [14C]-ethanolamine-labelled undifferentiated bipolar and differentiated multipolar CG-4 line oligodendrocytes with 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) to activate protein kinase C stimulated the release of choline or ethanolamine metabolites to the medium over controls. Ro31-8220, a PKC inhibitor, reduced TPA-stimulated release of choline- and ethanolamine-metabolites to basal levels. TPA treatment of both bipolar and multipolar cells caused rapid contraction of processes leaving rounded up cells: this effect was blocked by Ro31-8220. After 12-15 h exposure to TPA, bipolar undifferentiated CG-4 line cells extended short processes again and the cells became multipolar. Nocodozole, an agent which disrupts microtubules and caused CG-4 line cells to round up, caused increased choline or ethanolamine-metabolite release to the medium over basal levels suggesting that some release during TPA-treatment might occur due to process fragmentation. However, the transphosphatidylation reaction confirmed that phospholipase D was active in these cells. Exposure of bipolar undifferentiated CG-4 line cells to TPA resulted in down-regulatation of PKC-alpha and PKC-beta which could not be detected by Western blotting after a few hours; PKC-epsilon was down-regulated much more slowly but PKCs delta, zeta and iota were not influenced by 48 h exposure of cells to TPA. Formation of phosphatidylethanol in the transphosphatidylation reaction was markedly reduced in TPA down-regulated cells indicating a role for PKCs alpha and beta in phospholipase D activation in CG-4 line oligodendrocytes.


Weekly epoetin alfa maintains hemoglobin, improves quality of life, and reduces transfusion in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
Epoetin alfa administered at 40,000 U once weekly (qw) to anemic cancer patients receiving chemotherapy increases hemoglobin levels, improves quality of life (QOL), and reduces transfusions. The benefit of epoetin alfa in maintaining hemoglobin levels in cancer patients with hemoglobin less than 12 g/dL has not been evaluated. Breast cancer patients (N = 354) receiving chemotherapy were randomly assigned in 1:1 ratio to epoetin alfa (40,000 U qw) or standard of care (SOC). QOL was assessed at baseline and week 12. Hemoglobin responses, transfusion requirements, and prognostic factors for responses were measured. At week 12, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Anemia (FACT-An; mean, 2.16 +/- 12.84 for epoetin alfa v -4.43 +/- 13.42 for SOC) and FACT-An fatigue (mean, 1.85 +/- 10.52 for epoetin alfa v -3.55 +/- 11.14 for SOC) change scores were significantly higher in the epoetin alfa group (P < .0001). Hemoglobin responses defined as mean hemoglobin > or = 12 g/dL or a > or = 2 g/dL increase compared with baseline were significantly higher in the epoetin alfa group versus SOC: 52.0% v 5.1% and 65.7% v 6.3%, respectively (P < .0001 for both comparisons). Percentage transfused was significantly lower in the epoetin alfa group compared with SOC (8.6% v 22.9%). More than 90% of patients did not require a dose increase and 28.7% had a dose reduction. Epoetin alfa administered at 40,000 U qw is effective in improving QOL, maintaining hemoglobin level, and reducing transfusion requirements in breast cancer patients. The high effectiveness observed could be attributed in part to early treatment with epoetin alfa.


External validation of Imamura nomogram as a tool to predict preoperatively laser semi-rigid ureterolithotripsy outcomes.
We aimed to validate Imamura nomogram for prediction of stone free rate in patients undergoing ureterolithotripsy (ULT). From January 2013 to June 2016, patients undergoing laser semi-rigid ULT were prospectively enrolled at our center. All patients were preoperatively assessed with clinical history, blood samples, uranalysis and non-contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT). Treatment efficacy was assessed 1 month later by non-contrast enhanced CT. ROC curve was used to evaluate the performance characteristics of Imamura nomogram. Overall, we enrolled 275 patients. Median age was 55 years (IQR: 46/64), median length of stone was 9.8 mm (IQR: 7.5/12). Pyuria was detected in 6/275 (2.1%) patients. Stones were located at ureteropelvic junction in 55/275 (19%) patients, proximal ureter in 74/275 (26%) patients, middle and distal ureter in 66/275 (24%) patients and 82/275 (30%) patients, respectively. At 1-month follow-up, 209/275 (76%) patients were stone free. Imamura nomogram presented an AUC of 0.67 (95% CI: 0.580-0.761) for the prediction of stone free rate. At the best cut-off value of 75%, sensitivity was 76%, specificity was 55%, positive predictive value (PPV) was 83% and negative predictive value was 45%. We firstly validated Imamura nomogram in a European cohort study. It proved a reasonable accuracy (area under curve: 0.67) and a good PPV (83%). Further studies should confirm our results to support the routine clinical use of Imamura nomogram as a tool to predict ULT outcomes.


Parent and child psychological factors in pediatric syncope and other somatic symptoms.
The authors examined associations among parental and child adjustment, child syncope, somatic, and school problems. Participants were children (N = 56) ages 7-18 years with syncope. Measures included syncope severity, parental distress, and children's internalizing symptoms. For children diagnosed negative for neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS), their fathers' and their own psychological symptoms were positively associated with the severity of syncope, whereas their mothers' functioning was negatively associated with the severity of syncope. Also, for the negative NCS group, fathers' psychological functioning was associated with children's nonsyncope somatic complaints but not with their school problems. For the positive NCS group, few significant father-child associations were found, but several significant positive associations were revealed between mothers' psychological symptoms and their children's syncope as well as somatic and school problems.


Role of the interaction between Lu/BCAM and the spectrin-based membrane skeleton in the increased adhesion of hereditary spherocytosis red cells to laminin.
Lu/BCAM, the unique erythroid receptor for laminin 511/521, interacts with the erythrocyte membrane skeleton through spectrin binding. It has been reported that Hereditary Spherocytosis red blood cells (HS RBC) exhibit increased adhesion to laminin. We investigated the role of Lu/BCAM-spectrin interaction in the RBC adhesion properties of 2 splenectomised HS patients characterized by 40% spectrin deficiency. Under physiological flow conditions, HS RBC exhibited an exaggerated adhesion to laminin that was completely abolished by soluble Lu/BCAM. Triton extraction experiments revealed that a greater fraction of Lu/BCAM was unlinked to the membrane skeleton of HS RBC, as compared to normal RBC. Disruption of the spectrin interaction site in Lu/BCAM expressed in the transfected K562 cell line resulted in a weakened interaction to the skeleton and an enhanced interaction to laminin. These results demonstrated that the adhesion of HS RBC to laminin was mediated by Lu/BCAM and that its interaction with the spectrin-based skeleton negatively regulated cell adhesion to laminin. Finally, the results of this study strongly suggest that the reinforced adhesiveness of spectrin-deficient HS RBC to laminin is partly brought about by an impaired interaction between Lu/BCAM and the membrane skeleton.


Functional recovery of donation after cardiac death liver graft by continuous machine perfusion preservation in pigs.
Grafts from donation after cardiac death (DCD) will greatly contribute to the expand the donor pool. However, these grafts may require the development of the preservation methods because of primary nonfunction and severe ischemic bile duct injury. Porcine livers were perfused with a newly developed machine perfusion (MP) system. Each system for the portal vein or the hepatic artery had a roller pump, a flow meter, and a pressure sensor. The livers were perfused with University of Wisconsin (UW)-gluconate at 4°C-6°C for 3 hours after 2 hours simple cold storage (CS). The portal vein flow rate was 0.5 mL/min/g liver (pressure, 10 mm Hg) and the hepatic artery flow rate was 0.2 mL/min/g liver (pressure, 30 mm Hg). Orthotopic liver transplantation was performed in pigs comparing Group 1 (n = 4) procured after acute hemorrhagic shock preserved by MP, Group 2 (n = 3) procured after warm ischemia time (WIT) of 30 minutes with CS preservation, and Group 3 (n = 4) procured with 30 minutes of WIT and MP preservation. Collected effluent aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in the perfusion solution and serum AST and LDH were significantly lower in Group 1. AST and LDH results were lower in Group 3 than Group 2. Survival rates in Groups 1 and 3 were 3/4, but 0/3 in Group 2. MP preservation was a useful promising preservation mode for DCD liver grafts.


Application of PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism for the identification of mycobacterial isolates.
Conventional identification of mycobacteria is achieved by standard biochemical tests that are time consuming, laborious and is not always conclusive. This study was thus undertaken to standardize a simple, rapid and cost-effective polymerase chain reaction based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using primers coding for the 16S - 23S rRNA spacer region to identify the mycobacterial isolates to the species level. The PCR with primers targeting the 16S-23S rRNA spacer region was standardized using the standard mycobacterial strains and applied on 51 clinical isolates. The PCR amplified products were subjected to RFLP using the restriction enzymes, Hae III, MspI and BstXI. The results obtained were compared with those of conventional biochemical tests. PCR was sensitive to detect 2.5 pg of H37Rv DNA (370 bp for slow grower mycobacteria) and 1.5 pg of M. fortuitum DNA (450 bp for rapid grower mycobacteria). Based on the PCRRFLP products obtained the 51 mycobacterial isolates were classified into 41 slow growers and 10 rapid growers. Among the 41 slow growers, 40 were identified as M. tuberculosis, one as M. xenopi and 10 rapid growers as M. fortuitum. PCR using primers targeting the 16S-23S rRNA spacer region was a reliable tool for rapid identification of mycobacterial isolates into slow and rapid growers within 4 h of isolation and further speciation by PCR-RFLP within 6-8 h.


Proposal for a universal definition of cerebral infarction.
Cerebral infarction is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide but has no uniform international definition. Recent diagnostic advances have revised fundamental concepts in cerebral and cardiac ischemia. Cardiologists, already possessed of a nosologic framework distinguishing myocardial infarction from unstable angina on the basis of tissue state, promulgated a new "universal" tissue definition of myocardial infarction incorporating insights afforded by assays of cardiac troponin, a serum biomarker exquisitely sensitive to myocardial injury. Concurrently, vascular neurologists proposed a new tissue, rather than time, criterion to distinguish transient ischemia attack from cerebral infarction, responding to perspectives provided by diffusion MRI and cerebral blood volume CT, imaging biomarkers highly sensitive to neuronal injury. To complete this conceptual realignment, vascular neurology must now advance a clear, uniform, and operationalizable tissue definition of cerebral infarction. This review proposes cerebral infarction be defined as brain or retinal cell death due to prolonged ischemia. This definition categorizes both pannecrosis and neuronal dropout ("complete" and "incomplete" infarcts in classic neuropathologic terminology) as cerebral infarcts. Making the presence of any neuronal or glial cell death essential yields a definition of cerebral infarction that has high relevance to patients, physicians, and policymakers; is more easily applied in clinical practice; fosters action in acute care; harmonizes with myocardial ischemia classification; and focuses diagnostic evaluation on the cause of brain ischemia and the occurrence of end organ injury. The term cerebral infarction should be used when there is evidence of brain or retinal cell death due to cerebral ischemia.


Leadership. The personal touch.
The government is likely to move from a centralised corporatist form of governance to a more collaborative approach. This will require chief executives to rely on a style of leadership which derives more from personal influence than positional forms of power. It may be time to discuss the future of politically appointed chairs and whether the chief executive should be the sole local leader. The government's commitment to delegating power to regional tiers is likely to have a major impact on the nature of leadership in the NHS.


Differential expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1 beta compared with interleukin 6 in monocytes from human immunodeficiency virus-positive individuals measured by polymerase chain reaction.
Expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) was evaluated in unstimulated peripheral blood monocytes obtained from human immunodeficiency virus-positive (HIV+) individuals using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. In all, 40 subjects were included--13 asymptomatic, 11 with ARC, seven with AIDS, and nine HIV- controls. Of the asymptomatic individuals, 85% were positive for TNF alpha and IL-1 beta compared with only 27% of the ARC and 42% of the AIDS patients. Expression of IL-6 message was observed in lesser proportions, with no significant differences among disease states. Quantitation of IL-1 beta and TNF alpha mRNA from the positive samples fell into two categories, low responders (six of 17), with < 5,000 copies of IL-1 beta and TNF alpha mRNA, and high responders (11 of 17), with > 5,000 copies per 10 pg of total cellular RNA. There was no correlation of mRNA detection or concentration with CD4+ cell number or beta 2-microglobulin levels. However, the levels of mRNA, but not its presence alone, were positively correlated with neopterin levels. The data show differential cytokine regulation in monocytes, observed as an increase in the expression of TNF alpha and IL-1 beta compared with IL-6 in HIV+ patients. Our report also emphasizes the utility of an RT-PCR system in analyzing multiple cytokine transcript levels in small amounts of clinical materials.


Montelukast reverses airway remodeling in actively sensitized young mice.
Asthma is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and inflammation leading to airway remodeling (AR). In children, AR may occur very early prior to the age of 6 years. Treatments to prevent or reverse AR are unknown. We sought to determine (i) whether short allergenic sensitization at a young age in a mouse model may induce enhanced AR and inflammation compared to adults; (ii) the effect of Montelukast on such AR. Immature and adult Balb/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. AHR and AR were measured using cultured precision-cut lung slices and inflammation by bronchoalveolar lavage. Experiments were repeated after administration of Montelukast. OVA-challenged mice developed AHR to methacholine regardless of age of first exposure to OVA. Young mice developed greater thickened basement membrane, increased smooth muscle mass, and increased area of bronchovascular fibrosis compared with adult mice. Cellular infiltrates in BAL differed depending upon animal age at first exposure with higher eosinophilia measured in younger animals. Montelukast decreased ASM mass, BAL cellularity. We provide thus evidence for a greater degree of AR after allergenic sensitization and challenge in younger mice versus adults. This study provides proof of concept that airway remodeling can be prevented and reversed in this case by anti-asthmatic drug Montelukast in this model.


Distinct systemic and central nervous system disease patterns in enterovirus and parechovirus infected children.
Enteroviruses (EV) and human parechoviruses (HPeV) infections are increasingly identified in neonates and young children with sepsis, meningitis and encephalitis. We investigated EV and HPeV viral loads in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) among those presenting with sepsis or central nervous system (CNS) disease to gain understanding of the nature of these infections. Detections frequencies and viral loads of EV and HPeV RNA were compared in plasma and CSF obtained from infected children originally identified on sepsis or CNS screening. Two distinct infection profiles were identified; 11 subjects with CNS disease, showed higher or similar viral loads in CSF than in plasma (median plasma:CSF ratio 0.5), whereas 14 children with sepsis showed low or undetectable viral loads in CSF and high viral loads in plasma (mean ratio 5700). HPeV type 3 and one EV serotype (coxsackievirus B2) were primarily associated with the latter presentation. Simple detection of EV or HPeV RNA in CSF is not predictive of CNS disease, especially in the absence of clinical markers (i.e. pleocytosis). Screening of plasma can identify EV and HPeV RNA in a substantial proportion of sepsis cases, some of which will be missed if CSF samples alone are screened.


[Inner nuclear layer of the retina in eyes with secondary angle-block glaucoma].
Glaucomatous changes have been known to occur in the inner retinal layer all over the fundus and in the deep retinal layer and retinal pigment epithelium close at the optic disc border. This study was conducted to address the question as to whether the middle retinal layers are altered by the glaucomatous process. The study included histological slides of 23 eyes enucleated due to painful secondary traumatic angle-closure glaucoma and 14 nonglaucomatous eyes removed because of a malignant choroidal melanoma. We evaluated the cell count and thickness of the inner nuclear layer via histomorphometry. The inner nuclear layer contained significantly fewer cells and was thinner (P < 0.05) in the glaucoma group compared to the control group. Since this study contains eyes with possible secondary changes due to the initial trauma, further investigations on eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma are necessary to confirm the results. This could be important for psychophysical testing in glaucoma.


Toxoplasma encephalitis in AIDS patients in São Paulo during 1988 and 1991. A comparative retrospective analysis.
We conducted a retrospective analysis of Toxoplasma encephalitis patients from Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, the main AIDS hospital of São Paulo, Brazil, during two different stages of the HIV epidemics, in 1988 (38 patients) and 1991 (33 patients). There were AIDS-related demographic differences, but the clinical presentation and diagnostic efficiency were similar, usually based on tomography and clinical response to therapy, with a clear distinction from other CNS infections, based on clinical and laboratory findings. Specific serologic studies were performed less often in 1991, with a high frequency of therapy change. The direct acute death rate from Toxoplasma encephalitis was high during both periods, i.e. 8/38 in 1988 and 10/33 in 1991. The direct acute death rate for the patients from the two periods as a whole was 25.4% (18/71), related to the time of HIV infection, absence of fever and presence of meningeal irritation at presentation, blood leukocytes higher than 10,000/mm3 and blood lymphocytes lower than 350/mm3. Toxoplasma encephalitis is a preventable disease when adequate prophylactic therapy is used and is relatively easy to treat in diagnosed HIV patients. Unfortunately, this severe and deadly disorder is the HIV diagnostic disease in several patients, and our data support the need for careful management of these patients, especially in those countries with a high toxoplasmosis prevalence where AIDS is concurrent with economic and public health problems.


Pecunia olet: the role of incidental disgust in the ultimatum game.
We address the role of the incidental emotion of disgust in the Ultimatum Game. Participants had to choose whether or not to accept a €2 offer from a €10 pot made by another participant; 120 were in a room where a disgusting smell was released and 120 were in a room with no particular smell. Acceptance rates were higher in the room with the disgusting smell. The effect was mainly carried by the male participants who also reported more disgust with the disgusting smell and judged the offer as less unfair than females. We propose a spontaneous discounting explanation. Acceptance rates were higher in the room with the disgusting smell because participants misattributed the disgust induced by the offer to the ambient disgusting smell.


Comparative genomics on Shisa orthologs.
WNT signaling molecules are implicated in a variety of human tumors, such as gastric cancer and colorectal cancer. FGFR2 gene, encoding FGF receptor 2, is amplified in human gastric and breast cancer. WNT and FGF signaling pathways network together during carcinogenesis and embryogenesis. Xenopus shisa is claimed to inhibit the post-translational maturation of wnt and fgf receptors. Here, we identified and characterized the rat Shisa (Tmem46) gene by using bioinformatics for comparative proteomics and comparative genomics analyses. Rat Shisa gene, consisting of two exons, was located within AC126002.4 genome sequence. Shisa gene at rat chromosome 15p12 was found to encode a type I transmembrane protein (295 aa), showing 99.3, 92.5, 81.7, 40.3 and 38.6% total-amino-acid identity with mouse Shisa, human SHISA, chicken shisa, Xenopus shisa and zebrafish shisa, respectively. The extracellular Cys-rich domain with eight Cys residues was conserved among vertebrate Shisa orthologs. The C-terminal cytoplasmic region was conserved among mammalian and chicken Shisa orthologs, but not in Xenopus and zebrafish Shisa orthologs. Human SHISA promoter and rat Shisa promoter were not conserved well. Function of human SHISA is predicted to be divergent from that of Xenopus shisa due to the protein evolution and the promoter evolution. This is the first report on the rat Shisa gene and on molecular evolution of Shisa orthologs.


[Synthesis of tetrasubstituted porphyrins by interaction of 5-aryldipyrromethanes with 4-substituted benzaldehydes].
Synthesis of tetraphenyl-substituted porphyrins with tret-butyl and methoxycarbonyl groups in meso-aryl radicals is described. It is shown that, during the condensation of dipyrromethanes with substituted benzaldehydes, a rearrangement occurs with the formation of a mixture of isomeric porphyrins. The character of these rearrangements depends on the position of substituents in the starting compounds.


[Relationships between MRI image changes of lateral pterygoid muscle, disc position and condylar mobility in Class II patients].
To analyze the relationships between MRI image changes of lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM), disc position and condylar mobility. Twenty Class II patients were chosen and MRI images of LPM were taken. The relationships between MRI image changes of LPM, disc position and condylar mobility were analyzed. The rate of MRI image changes of LPM in Class II patients was about 45%. No significant correlations were found between MRI image changes of LPM, condylar mobility and disc position. MRI image changes of LPM in Class II patients was common but no significant correlations were found between MRI image changes of LPM, condylar mobility and disc position.


Psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a common condition which can have long-term negative effects on quality of life. Nurses can provide patients with information on the disease and its treatment, thereby encouraging compliance and improving well-being.


Electroacupuncture and A-317491 depress the transmission of pain on primary afferent mediated by the P2X3 receptor in rats with chronic neuropathic pain states.
P2X is a family of ligand-gated ion channels that act through adenosine ATP. The P2X3 receptor plays a key role in the transmission of neuropathic pain at peripheral and spinal sites. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been used to treat neuropathic pain effectively. To determine the role of EA in neuropathic pain mediated through the P2X3 receptor in dorsal root ganglion neurons and the spinal cord, a chronic constriction injury (CCI) model was used. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: sham CCI, CCI, CCI plus contralateral EA, and CCI plus ipsilateral EA. The mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were recorded. Furthermore, the expression of the P2X3 receptor was evaluated through Western blotting and immunofluorescence. The effects of EA and A-317491 were investigated through the whole-cell patch-clamp method and intrathecal administration. Our results show that the MWT and TWL of EA groups were higher than those in the CCI group, whereas the expression of the P2X3 receptor was lower than that in the CCI group. However, no significant difference was detected between the two EA groups. EA depressed the currents created by ATP and the upregulation of the P2X3 receptor in CCI rats. Additionally, EA was more potent in reducing mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia when combined with A-317491 through intrathecal administration. These results show that both contralateral and ipsilateral EA might inhibit the primary afferent transmission of neuropathic pain induced through the P2X3 receptor. In addition, EA and A-317491 might have an additive effect in inhibiting the transmission of pain mediated by the P2X3 receptor.


Quantitative transcervical uterine cultures with a new device.
This study was initiated to examine the ability of a new device to take transcervical cultures of the endometrial cavity in the normal and postpartum uterus. Quantitative bacteriologic assessments were made. The results show there is a millionfold increase in the mean concentration of bacteria cultured from the infected puerperal uterus when contrasted with cultures from nonpregnant women and those who have just undergone repeat cesarean section. The authors conclude that the new device obtains cultures transcervically with marked reduction in contamination; however, some method for quantification of bacterial populations must complement the culture so that results differentiate between colonization and infection.


Studies on cyclic nucleotides in the adrenal gland. XI. Adrenergic regulation of adenylate cyclase activity in the adrenal cortex.
Adrenergic regulation of adenylate cyclase activities in the zona glomerulosa (the capsular fraction) and the zona fasciculata-reticularis (the decapsulated fraction) from rat adrenocortical glands has been investigated. Specific binding of [3H]dihydroalprenolol to the membrane from the capsular and the decapsulated fractions was saturable with dissociation constant (Kd) of 4.67 and 5.1 microM, respectively. The receptor density in the capsular and the decapsulated fractions was 230 and 235 fmol/mg protein, respectively. The potencies which isoproterenol, epinephrine, salbutamol, and norepinephrine competed with [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding sites indicted that adrenergic receptors of the capsular and the decapsulated membranes were of the beta 2-type. beta-Adrenergic stimulation of the adenylate cyclase system was observed only in the capsular fraction. This suggests that beta-adrenergic receptors of the capsular membrane are associated with their adenylate cyclase system, but those of the decapsulated membrane are not. Maximum stimulatory concentrations of ACTH and isoproterenol had no additive effect on the capsular adenylate cyclase, indicating that receptors for ACTH and beta-adrenergic agonists are coupled to a common pool of the cyclase.


Radiologic morphology of low-grade primary central nervous system lymphoma in immunocompetent patients.
Primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSLs) are usually high-grade and are rarely low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs). On MR imaging, PCNSLs typically present as contrast-enhancing lesions in contact with the subarachnoid space without evidence of necrosis. We evaluated the radiologic morphology and clinical characteristics of low-grade PCNSLs, hypothesizing that they may differ from high-grade PCNSLs. Records were reviewed from 332 patients screened for inclusion in 3 multicenter prospective trials. MR imaging scans were obtained from all patients and were centrally reviewed by 2 consultant neuroradiologists. Ten patients (3%) with low-grade PCNSLs (7 men and 3 women; median age, 59 years; age range, 19-61 years) were identified. Four patients had one lesion, 2 patients 2 lesions, and 4 patients had multiple lesions. The following radiologic features infrequently seen in high-grade PCNSLs were found in a substantial proportion of patients: location in deep structures or spine (n = 6); lack of periventricular location (n = 5); hyperintensity on T2-weighted images (n = 10); moderate or absent contrast enhancement (n = 6); and heterogeneous contrast enhancement (n = 5). In 8 patients, >2 of these features were present in at least one lesion, and, thus, the radiologic appearance was assessed atypical of high-grade PCNSLs. The atypical radiologic appearance in combination with atypical or mild symptoms resulted in a false or delayed diagnosis. Low-grade PCNSLs may have a variable and atypical radiologic morphology compared with high-grade PCNSLs with the risk of false or delayed diagnosis.


Reactive Oxygen Species Detection in Senescent Cells.
Cumulative evidence suggests that cellular senescence plays a variety of important physiological roles, including tumor suppression, embryonic development and ageing. Senescent cells are characterized by increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mostly produced by dysfunctional mitochondria. Both intracellular and extracellular ROS have been shown to contribute to the induction of senescence. ROS have also been shown to act as signaling molecules during senescence, stabilizing the cell-cycle arrest. In this chapter, we present a detailed description of protocols that allow us to characterize intracellular and extracellular ROS in live senescent cells.


Early application of deep brain stimulation: clinical and ethical aspects.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has proven to be a successful therapeutic approach in several patients with movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease and dystonia. Hitherto its application was mainly restricted to advanced disease patients resistant to medication or with severe treatment side effects. However, there is now growing interest in earlier application of DBS, aimed at improving clinical outcomes, quality of life, and avoiding psychosocial consequences of chronic disease-related impairments. We address the clinical and ethical aspects of two "early" uses of DBS, (1) DBS early in the course of the disease, and (2) DBS early in life (i.e. in children). Possible benefits, risks and burdens are discussed and thoroughly considered. Further research is needed to obtain a careful balance between exposing vulnerable patients to potential severe surgical risks and excluding them from a potentially good outcome.


Formation of alkylacyl- and diacylglycerophosphocholines via diradylglycerol cholinephosphotransferase in rat liver.
We found that diacylglycerol and alkylacylglycerol choline phosphotransferase activities exhibited similar pH optima, thermolabilities and inhibitions by Mn2+, and dithiothreitol. The Vmax of diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferase was higher (approx. 1-2-fold) than the Vmax of alkylacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferase. The Km value for diacylglycerol was somewhat greater than for the alkylacylglycerol, but no differences were found for the Km of CDPcholine with either type of diradylglycerol as the other substrate. Endogenous levels of diacylglycerols in microsomes were 24.3 nmol/mg protein, whereas no detectable amount of alkylacylglycerols was observed. Results from this study indicate that a similar or identical enzyme catalyzes the formation of 1,2-diacyl- and 1-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and that the availability of diradylglycerols and the turnover rate of ether-linked lipids would appear to be important factors in controlling the level (under 1%) of 1-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine in rat liver.


Influence of water activity on growth and activity of Aspergillus niger for glycoamylase production in solid-state fermentation.
Growth of Aspergillus niger and glucoamylase production correlated well with the water activity of the substrate (wheat bran plus corn flour) in a solid-state fermentation. Both were maximal at an initial water activity of 0.936. Glycoamylase reached 550 units/g dry substrate after 96 h.


HIV and gamete interactions.
With the development of combination therapies and their use for the treatment of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the health and life expectancy of HIV-positive patients has improved significantly. As a result, HIV-discordant couples are looking to a future that involves starting a family. However, the potential risks of exposing HIV-infected sperm to oocytes are still being assessed. This article outlines the clinical detection of HIV in semen samples, the relationships between HIV and semen parameters, and HIV-sperm and oocyte interactions. It also considers the implications of introducing exogenous genetic material into an oocyte via intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and the possible implications of this for assisted reproduction.


Light-driven organocatalysis using inexpensive, nontoxic Bi2O3 as the photocatalyst.
The development of enantioselective catalytic processes that make use of sunlight as the energy source and nontoxic, affordable materials as catalysts represents one of the new and rapidly evolving areas in chemical research. The direct asymmetric α-alkylation of aldehydes with α-bromocarbonyl compounds can be successfully achieved by combining bismuth-based materials as low-band-gap photocatalysts with the second-generation MacMillan imidazolidinone as the chiral catalyst and simulated sunlight as a low-cost and clean energy source. This reaction also proceeded with high efficiency when the reaction vial was exposed to the morning sunlight on a clear September day in Tarragona, Spain.


Oligoalginate recognition and oxidative burst play a key role in natural and induced resistance of sporophytes of laminariales.
Forty-five species of brown algae (Phaeophyceae) were surveyed for their capacity to respond by an oxidative burst to challenges with alginate oligosaccharides. Intertidal frondose brown algae (Fucales) constitutively released high quantities of peroxide. The capacity to recognize oligoguluronates and to react with an oxidative burst was confined to alginate-rich taxa with complex thallus morphology, epitomized by the sporophytes of Laminariales. When kelp sporophytes were impaired in their capacity to perform an oxidative burst by the NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodonium, they were readily degraded by their bacterial epiflora. Thus, in these algae, the oxidative response is an essential element of natural resistance. We also report on the establishment of a well-defined experimental system for investigations on kelp immunity, with Laminaria digitata as the host and its phaeophycean endophyte, Laminariocolax tomentosoides, as the pathogen. We found that an alginate-triggered oxidative burst significantly induces resistance in Laminaria digitata against infection. From these findings we infer that oligoalginate signals are important cues in the interaction between laminarialean kelps and potential pathogens.


Conductivity imaging of canine brain using a 3 T MREIT system: postmortem experiments.
Magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) has the potential to provide conductivity images with high spatial resolution and accuracy. Recent studies using various conductivity phantoms showed that the spatial resolution could be similar to that of conventional MR images as long as enough current is injected. Before we try in vivo animal imaging studies using a small injection current of less than 5 mA, we have performed MREIT conductivity imaging of postmortem canine brains using 40 mA injection currents. The primary goals were to produce high-resolution conductivity images of white and gray matter in situ and to accumulate experimental techniques to undertake in vivo animal imaging studies in the near future. Reconstructed conductivity images of two canine brains with a pixel size of 1.4 x 1.4 mm(2) showed a clear conductivity contrast between gray and white matter. Considering the anisotropic conductivity of white matter, we interpreted reconstructed conductivity images as equivalent isotropic conductivity images. Estimated conductivity ratios of white to gray matter were between 1.13 and 1.20 depending on the choice of a region of interest in reconstructed images. A higher conductivity value of white matter compared with that of gray matter stems from the fact that the reconstructed equivalent isotropic conductivity value of white matter reflects a high conductivity of white matter in the direction parallel to its fibers. We expect that this kind of postmortem animal imaging can provide conductivity information on tissues in situ to be utilized in numerous modeling studies.


Ultrafast excited-state dynamics of copper(I) complexes.
Bis-diimine Cu(I) complexes exhibit strong absorption in the visible region owing to the metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions, and the triplet MLCT ((3)MLCT) states have long lifetimes. Because these characteristics are highly suitable for photosensitizers and photocatalysts, bis-diimine Cu(I) complexes have been attracting much interest. An intriguing feature of the Cu(I) complexes is the photoinduced structural change called "flattening". Bis-diimine Cu(I) complexes usually have tetrahedron-like D2d structures in the ground (S0) state, in which two ligands are perpendicularly attached to the Cu(I) ion. With MLCT excitation, the central Cu(I) ion is formally oxidized to Cu(II), which induces the structural change to the "flattened" square-planar-like structure that is seen for usual Cu(II) complexes. In this Account, we review our recent studies on ultrafast excited-state dynamics of bis-diimine Cu(I) complexes carried out using femtosecond time-resolved optical spectroscopy. Focusing on three prototypical bis-diimine Cu(I) complexes that have 1,10-phenanthroline ligands with different substituents at the 2,9-positions, i.e., [Cu(phen)2](+) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), [Cu(dmphen)2](+) (dmphen = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline), and [Cu(dpphen)2](+) (dpphen = 2,9-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline), we examined their excited-state dynamics by time-resolved emission and absorption spectroscopies with 200 fs time resolution, observed the excited-state coherent nuclear motion with 30 fs time resolution and performed complementary theoretical calculations. This combined approach vividly visualizes excited-state processes in the MLCT state of bis-diimine Cu(I) complexes. It was demonstrated that flattening distortion, internal conversion, and intersystem crossing occur on the femtosecond-early picosecond time scale, and their dynamics is clearly identified separately. The flattening distortion predominantly occurs in the S1 state on the subpicosecond time-scale, and the precursor S1 state retaining the initial undistorted structure appears as a metastable state before the structural change. This observation indicates that the traditional understanding based on the Jahn-Teller effect appears irrelevant for realistically discussing the photoinduced structural change of bis-diimine Cu(I) complexes. The lifetime of the precursor S1 state significantly depends on the substituents in the three complexes, indicating that the flattering distortion requires a longer time as the substituents at 2,9-positions of the ligands become bulkier. It is suggested that the substituents are rotated to avoid steric repulsions to achieve the flattened structure at the global minimum of the S1 state, implying the necessity of discussion based on a multidimensional potential energy surface to properly consider this excited-state structural change. After the flattening distortion, the S1 states of [Cu(dmphen)2](+) and [Cu(dpphen)2](+), which have bulky substituents, relax to the T1 state by intersystem crossing on the ∼10 ps time scale, while the flattened S1 state of [Cu(phen)2](+) relaxes directly to the S0 state on the ∼2 ps time scale. This difference is rationalized in terms of the different magnitude of the flattening distortion and relevant changes in the potential energy surfaces. Clear understanding of the ultrafast excited-state process provides a solid basis for designing and using Cu(I) complexes, such as controlling the structural change to efficiently utilize the energy of the MLCT state in solar energy conversion.


Increased functional connectivity within mesocortical networks in open people.
Openness is a personality trait reflecting absorption in sensory experience, preference for novelty, and creativity, and is thus considered a driving force of human evolution. At the brain level, a relation between openness and dopaminergic circuits has been proposed, although evidence to support this hypothesis is lacking. Recent behavioral research has also found that people with mania, a psychopathological condition linked to dopaminergic dysfunctions, may display high levels of openness. However, whether openness is related to dopaminergic circuits has not been determined thus far. We addressed this issue via three functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiments in n=46 healthy volunteers. In the first experiment participants lied at rest in the scanner while in the other two experiments they performed active tasks that included the presentation of pleasant odors and pictures of food. Individual differences in openness and other personality traits were assessed via the NEO-PI-R questionnaire (NEO-Personality Inventory-Revised), a widely employed measure of the five-factor model personality traits. Correlation between fMRI and personality data was analyzed via state-of-art methods assessing resting-state and task-related functional connectivity within specific brain networks. Openness was positively associated with the functional connectivity between the right substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area, the major source of dopaminergic inputs in the brain, and the ipsilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a key region in encoding, maintaining, and updating information that is relevant for adaptive behaviors. Of note, the same connectivity pattern was consistently found across all of the three fMRI experiments. Given the critical role of dopaminergic signal in gating information in DLPFC, the increased functional connectivity within mesocortical networks in open people may explain why these individuals display a wide "mental permeability" to salient stimuli and an increased absorption in sensory experience.


Treatment options for prostate cancer.
The reader of the prostate cancer literature is often stunned by the lack of evidence of efficacy of one form of treatment over that of others. Indeed, information suggests that "no treatment" may be an effective option. Analyzing the available literature that reports the results of treatment versus observation for prostate cancer, Fleming et al. from the Prostate Patient Outcomes Research Team found that in most cases, treatment offered less than a 1-year improvement in quality-adjusted life expectancy. Using less optimistic assumptions, the authors also found that treatment could actually reduce quality-adjusted life expectancy. The decision of what form of treatment to offer the individual patient requires considerable discussion with the patient concerning his priorities and goals of therapy. For the younger patient with localized disease, the prevailing trend in the United States is toward radical prostatectomy. As the patient approaches the age of 70 years, the advantages of treatment versus observation alone evaporate. Because the disease is often of low biologic potential with a long doubling time, the option of observation initially with serial determinations of PSA is not unreasonable. If a slow rate of rise is noted, some patients may elect observation. However, with more rapid rises in PSA, a more aggressive stance may be appropriate. Because of the uncertainties inherent to treating this disease, it is imperative that the patient be brought into the treatment planning through education and through extensive discussions with health care providers and with family members. Only through such informed and deliberate discussions can a plan for treatment be reached with which the patient will be comfortable.


Quality of care and development of a critical pathway.
The current study reports on the first step towards developing quality of care for stroke patients at a hospital in western Sweden. A general critical pathway from the patient's perspective was developed by a multidisciplinary group. The aim was to investigate quality of care and the effectiveness of a critical pathway. The study should be classified as a case study. Patients (n = 22), next of kin (n = 63) and staff (n = 91) make up the research group. Data collection was carried out through questionnaires on quality of care before testing the critical pathway. Data on the critical pathway were collected during the testing period. The respondents valued some aspects of care as good, but there were some deficiencies as regards patient information and the patient's participation in his/her own care. Next of kin were less positive than the patients. The analyses of the critical pathway showed that the key events need to be more specific and that the number of key events should be reduced. By additionally developing the critical pathway, it should be possible to further improve the quality of care for stroke patients.


Immunoprecipitation of cell lysates with RAP-5 does not specifically detect ras oncogene product p21.
In the process of developing accurate quantitation of the ras protein (p21), we have screened available anti-ras antibodies for their utility in immunoprecipitation. Immunoprecipitation with the anti-ras antibody RAP-5 consistently failed to precipitate p21 present in two different cell lines (HSIC-5 and MCF-7), but did precipitate numerous other proteins present in these cell lines. Specificity in immunoprecipitation could not be achieved by varying the concentration of RAP-5. In addition, immunohistochemical staining of the nuclei of occasional polymorphonuclear leukocytes is seen, further supporting the contention that RAP-5 is binding to proteins other than ras p21. We conclude that while RAP-5 may recognize an epitope present on the ras protein, this epitope also appears to be present on a wide variety of other cellular proteins and, as such, RAP-5 is of no use in the immunoprecipitation of p21.


Structural changes in the heart due to mechanical perfusion.
Acute myocardial damage such as epicardial, intramural and subendocardial haemorrhages and oedema are known to occur after mechanical perfusion. The results of animal experiments showed that local circulatory disturbances (hypoperfusion, hypoxia) due to mechanical damage of the blood (erythrocyte aggregation, denaturation) and or lasting hypoperfusion (microcirculatory hypoxia) are responsible for the acute lesions. In addition, the results offer a morphological explanation for the postperfusion heart failure.


Transport abnormalities from single-breath dynamics of Ar, CO2 and O2.
A model framework is developed for analyzing non-invasive measurements of Ar, CO2, O2, and lung volume during a single exhalation from healthy and diseased lungs. The objective is to distinguish ventilation inhomogeneity from gas-exchange limitations associated with alveolar-capillary transport and processes within the blood. Several practical, quantitative indices are compared to provide distinction and physiological interpretation in terms of rate-determining transport processes. Some indices arise from a model in which the composition in the alveolar space differs from that of the exhaled gas. Other indices are computed from the effective dead-space volumes for Ar, CO2, and O2. Ventilation inhomogeneity is accounted for by the Ar dynamics. Values of these indices were computed from experiments with human subjects having normal lungs, restrictive pulmonary disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These three groups are clearly distinguished by a pair of indices: one reflects ventilation inhomogeneity, while the other reflects dysfunction associated with the alveolar-capillary transport and capillary blood flow and distribution.


Note: genetic and biochemical characterization on nisin Z produced by Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis UL 719.
The bacteriocin produced by Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis UL 719 was purified and characterized. Two peaks exhibiting antimicrobial activity were obtained after purification. Primary structure of the peptide of major peak 2 was identical to that of nisin Z when determined by Edman degradation and confirmed by DNA sequence analysis. The molecular mass as determined by mass spectrometry was 3346.39 +/- 0.40 Da for peak 1 and 3330.39 +/- 0.27 Da for peak 2, which suggests that peak 1 may correspond to an oxidized form of nisin Z. The two purified peaks exhibiting antimicrobial activity appear to correspond with oxidized and native forms of nisin Z.


Laparoscopic gastrectomy for patients with a history of upper abdominal surgery: results of a matched-pair analysis.
The safety and feasibility of laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) for patients who have undergone previous upper abdominal surgery (PUAS) remain unclear. A matched-pair analysis was conducted to compare the short-term outcomes of LG between patients with gastric cancer who had undergone PUAS and those who had not. A matched-pair analysis was performed to compare the short-term outcomes of LG between 22 patients who had undergone PUAS and 66 who had not (control group). To compare the outcome to that of open gastrectomy (OG) following PUAS, a total of 143 consecutive OG patients treated during the same study period were also reviewed. Cholecystectomy was the most common type of PUAS, followed by gastrectomy. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the length of the operation, blood loss, and the number of retrieved lymph nodes or the rate of conversion to open surgery. The postoperative morbidity in the PUAS group (3/22, 13.6 %) was comparable to that of the control group (7/66, 10.6 %, P = 0.6981). There was no mortality within 30 days in either group. When compared to OG following PUAS (n = 23), LG was performed with significantly less blood loss with an equivalent postoperative outcome. LG following PUAS is considered to be a safe and feasible surgical modality. PUAS should therefore not be regarded as a contraindication for LG.


First return to work following injury: does it reflect a composite or a homogeneous outcome?
To test whether return to work as a binary (yes/no) outcome that includes all persons who returned to work regardless of mode of return reflects a composite or a homogeneous outcome in a cohort of workers who have sustained acute orthopaedic trauma resulting in hospitalisation. Prospective cohort study. One hundred and sixty-eight participants were recruited and followed for 6 months. The study achieved 89% follow-up. Baseline data were obtained at study recruitment and participants were further surveyed by phone at three timepoints during the study. Polytomous logistic regression was used to simultaneously examine the association between potential predictors and different modes of first return to work (RTW). A test of the equality of the ORs associated with the independent predictor variables was also undertaken. Of the 152 participants with full follow-up, 46 (30%) returned first to full duties, 58 (38%) returned first to modified work and 48 (32%) did not return to work during the study period. Significant determinants of the two modes of return to work were different. A test of the equality of ORs indicated that the relative ORs for the difference in the slope coefficients for five of the 10 independent factors in the two polytomous logistic regression sub-models corresponding to each mode of return to work were statistically significant. This raises the likelihood that first RTW reflects a composite rather than a homogeneous outcome. The study provides evidence that RTW may reflect a composite outcome when it includes different modes of first RTW. The identified predictive factors appear to exert different mechanisms of action depending on the mode of RTW. The findings suggest that the different modes of RTW may need to be considered independently. The results of the study have potentially important implications for research and insurance practice.


Metamaterial coatings for broadband asymmetric mirrors.
We report the design and fabrication of nanostructured metal-dielectric mirrors with high reflectance asymmetries in the visible spectral range. Applying dispersion engineering principles to model a broadband and large reflectance asymmetry, we obtain a dielectric function for this metamaterial, closely resembling the effective permittivity of disordered metal-dielectric nanocomposites. Coatings realized by using disordered nanocrystalline silver films on glass substrates confirm the theoretical predictions, exhibiting symmetric transmittance, accompanied by large broadband reflectance asymmetries.


A case report on metastatic pancreatic tumor from pulmonary adenocarcinoma that difficult to differentiate from primary pancreatic ductal carcinoma.
A woman was admitted to our department for lung adenocarcinoma and she was treated with left upper lobectomy. The carcinoembryonic antigen level had increased. Enhanced computed tomography showed a hypovascular tumor in the pancreatic tail and in the extension of the distal main pancreatic duct. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) clearly showed a low echoic lesion, and histological examination revealed adenocarcinoma. On immunostaining, the lesion was diagnosed as metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lungs. The patient was treated with chemotherapy for lung cancer and survived for 4 years after diagnosis. Differentiating a metastatic lesion to the pancreas from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is very important. Accurate diagnosis enables administration of appropriate treatment. In this case, EUS was especially useful for assessing the tumor in the pancreas. When patients with a history of extra-pancreatic cancer present with a pancreatic lesion, pancreatic metastases should be considered, regardless of the time elapsed since occurrence of the primary cancer. EUS-fine needle aspiration (FNA) with histological examination is the best method for definitive diagnosis of pancreatic disease in this group of patients. This approach has very high sensitivity and accuracy for the diagnosis of pancreatic metastases.


A personal formula for motivation.
Have you ever wondered why some colleagues or subordinates are outstanding in their work while others are less so? Training and experience are extremely important factors but, by themselves, they will not ensure outstanding performance. The pivotal factor that activates all others is motivation. And underlying motivation is the fact that we all have needs that we desire to have fulfilled and that we make choices regarding the course of action or strategy to fulfill these needs. As managers, we do not typically create the "products" of the organization but rather must rely on subordinates. It is incumbent upon us to obtain from our employees desired behavior that will fulfill organizational goals. Indeed, it has been asserted that "one of the most basic responsibilities of the health service organization manager [is] motivating constructive participation of other organization members."


IL-1 family in breast cancer: potential interplay with leptin and other adipocytokines.
Obesity is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. interleukin-1 (IL-1), a pro-inflammatory cytokine secreted by adipose tissue, is involved in breast cancer development. There is also convincing evidence that other adipocytokines including leptin not only have a role in haematopoiesis, reproduction and immunity but are also growth factors in cancer. Therefore, IL-1 family and leptin family are adipocytokines which could represent a major link between obesity and breast cancer progression. This minireview provides insight into recent findings on the prognostic significance of IL-1 and leptin in mammary tumours, and discusses the potential interplay between IL-1 family members and adipocyte-derived hormones in breast cancer.


Comparison of female attractiveness and male response among populations of Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris) in western and eastern U.S. apple orchards.
Female obliquebanded leafrollers, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris), collected from Oregon, Michigan, and New York were deployed in delta traps in Michigan apple orchards to compare their relative attractiveness to Michigan males of the same species. Females originating from Oregon attracted more males than females originating from New York during both generations of leafroller flight in Michigan. Also, females from Oregon attracted more males in Michigan than did "native" Michigan females during the first generation of flight. Analysis of gland extracts from the three populations revealed significantly more of each pheromone component in females originating from Oregon (approximately nine-fold more pheromone per female overall) than those from Michigan. However, there were no significant differences in the relative amounts of each pheromone component between Oregon and Michigan females. A 100:4:5:2 blend of Z11-14:OAc, E11-14:OAc, Z11-14:OH, and Z11-14:Ald was optimal for catching males in Michigan with no added or detrimental effect of Z11-14:Ald, confirming previous studies. However, 100:1 ratios of Z11-14:OAc relative to either E11-14:OAc or Z11-14:OH (also containing 2% Z11-14:Ald) captured more males in Oregon apple orchards compared with 100:4 and 100:10 ratios of Z11-14:OAc relative to either E11-14:OAc or Z11-14:OH. Addition of increasing amounts of Z11-14:Ald relative to Z11-14:OAc (range, 0-8:100) into a blend also containing 4% E11-14:OAc and 5% Z11-14:OH increased male catch in Oregon but not in Michigan. Our results suggest that pheromone blend quantity rather than blend quality may explain greater attractiveness of western compared with eastern female C. rosaceana to males in Michigan. Also, an optimized generic blend for monitoring male C. rosaceana across North America should contain Z11-14:Ald as has been previously shown, but should not exceed 4:100 ratios of both E11-14:OAc and Z11-14:OH relative to Z11-14:OAc for optimized catch of males in the western United States.


Biodynamics of biofilm formation on nasogastric tubes in elderly patients.
We previously reported on the high propensity of pathogenic oral flora in the oropharynx of nasogastric tube-fed patients, and subsequently showed biofilm formation on the NGTs of these patients. There is a close relationship of biofilm and oropharyngeal colonization with pathogenic bacteria, aspiration pneumonia and antibiotic resistance. To investigate the time relation between the insertion of a new NGT and formation of the biofilm. We examined sequential samples on NGTs that were forcibly pulled out by the patients themselves during any of the 7 days after insertion. Scanning electron micrography and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used for biofilm detection. Biofilm was identified on 60% of the five samples of day 1 and on all the samples of the following days, by both microscopic methods. Biofilms form within a single day on most NGTs inserted for the feeding of elderly patients with dysphagia. Further research should be devoted to prevention of biofilm formation on NGTs.


Physical mechanism for flat-to-lenticular lens conversion in homogeneous liquid crystal cell with periodically undulated electrode.
A convertible lenticular liquid crystal (LC) lens architecture is demonstrated using an index-matched planarization layer on a periodically undulated electrode for the homogeneous alignment of an LC. It is found that the in-plane component of the electric field by the undulated electrode plays a primary role in the flat-to-lens effect while the out-of-plane component contributes to the anchoring enhancement of the LC molecules in the surface layer. Our LC device having an index-matched planarization layer on the undulated electrode is capable of achieving the electrical tunability from the flat surface to the lenticular lens suitable for 2D/3D convertible displays.


Effect of solid-state NaOH pretreatment on methane production from thermophilic semi-dry anaerobic digestion of rose stalk.
The effects of solid-state NaOH pretreatment on the efficiency of methane production from semi-dry anaerobic digestion of rose (Rosa rugosa) stalk were investigated at various NaOH loadings (0, 1, 2, and 4% (w/w)). Methane production, process stability and energy balance were analyzed. Results showed that solid-state NaOH pretreatment significantly improved biogas and methane yields of 30-day anaerobic digestion, with increases from 143.7 mL/g volatile solids (VS) added to 157.1 mL/g VS -192.1 mL/g VS added and from 81.8 mL/g VS added to 88.8 mL/g VS-117.7 mL/g VS added, respectively. Solid-state NaOH pretreatment resulted in anaerobic digestion with higher VS reduction and lower technical digestion time. The 4% NaOH-treated group had the highest methane yield of 117.7 mL/g VS added, which was 144% higher compared to the no NaOH-treated group, and the highest net energy recovery. Higher rate of lignocellulose breakage and higher process stability of anaerobic digestion facilitated methane production in the NaOH-pretreated groups.


[Two cases of vocal cord dysfunction and bronchial asthma indicated contrary course of bronchial responsiveness based on astography].
We encountered two cases of patients who showed vocal cord dysfunction and bronchial asthma. By using an ++astograph , we found that bronchial responsiveness of these ailments differed. In the case of vocal cord dysfunction, bronchial responsiveness to methacholine indicated a false high level by adduction of the vocal cord. Therefore other evaluations including pulmonary function and bronchoscopy were required to distinguish it from bronchial asthma. On the other hand, in the case of bronchial asthma, bronchial responsiveness to methacholine was mild, but life threatening asthmatic attack occurred after inhalation of methacholine. Psychological factors were not neglected in considering both of these cases. Therefore we must consider these results and psychological factors when evaluating bronchial responsiveness.


Development of chitin cross-linked enzyme aggregates of L-methioninase for upgraded activity, permanence and application as efficient therapeutic formulations.
In this study, L-methioninase (METs) was precipitated from Pseudomonas putida MTCC 9782 and was cross-linked with a cross-linking agent glutaraldehyde to obtain a catalytically active insoluble enzyme. Among the various precipitants tested, ammonium sulfate displayed the highest precipitating (80%) efficiency. A double-response statistical concept, software that provides 20 different runs, was employed to assess the role of precipitant, concentration of cross-linking agent, and duration of cross linking. From the different 20 runs performed, the highest enzyme activity was observed in run 6 (88.17 U): the aggregate size was 11.57 μm, the concentration of saturated ammonium sulfate was 80% and glutaraldehyde 2 mM, and the incubation period was 12 h. R2 values of 0.9754 (enzyme activity) and 0.9203 (aggregate size) were obtained, which showed an enhanced association between the experimental and predicted values of enzyme activity. Enzyme molecules covalently cross-linked with chitin beads showed increased activities compared to free enzymes and enzymes cross-linked with glutaraldehyde. FTIR spectra confirmed the secondary structural alterations between CLEA-METs and chitin-cross-linked CLEA-METs. Thermal stability assays showed that chitin cross-linked CLEA-METs and CLEA-METs retained maximum enzyme activities of 95% and 80% at temperatures 55 °C and 60 °C, respectively. Storage stability assays showed that CLEA-METs retained 65% of their initial activity and chitin-immobilized CLEAs retained 88% of their activity. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and high content screening imaging technique revealed that chitin-immobilized CLEA-MET microspheres showed good monodispersity and mesoporous structure with the amorphous clusters of CLEA with few pores. Cytotoxicity analysis demonstrated that chitin-immobilized CLEA-MET significantly inhibited the proliferation of A549 cells up to 96.66% compared to free enzyme (72%) and CLEA-METs (76%).


Production of cytokines and stimulation of resistance to viral infection in human leukocytes by Scutellaria baicalensis flavones.
Extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis display a wide spectrum of antiviral activity. It was of great interest to check the effect of baicalein and wogonin preparations on two important mechanisms of innate immunity: the secretion of cytokines and the natural resistance of human leukocytes to viral infection. To study the effect of S. baicalensis extracts on interferons (IFNs), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin (IL) production and virus replication, uninfected and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-infected human peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) were used. Four pulverized preparations obtained from roots of Scutellaria and a Sigma-Aldrich preparation of purified baicalein were used in the study. RPMI extracts containing different amounts of baicalein and wogonin were used to study the effect on VSV replication in PBLs. PBLs express ex vivo individually differentiated cytokine-dependent resistance/innate immunity to viral infections. The degree of resistance was estimated on the basis of VSV replication in PBLs. The results obtained indicate that baicalein- and wogonin-containing extracts modulate cytokine production, that is inhibit IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma and stimulate TNF-alpha and IL (IL-12, IL-10) production. They also augment the resistance of PBLs to VSV. Extract from S. baicalensis containing baicalein and wogonin regulates the innate antiviral immunity by modulation of cytokine production and stimulation of human leukocyte resistance.


Accuracy of autotitrating CPAP to estimate the residual Apnea-Hypopnea Index in patients with obstructive sleep apnea on treatment with autotitrating CPAP.
Autotitrating continuous positive airway pressure (auto-CPAP) devices now have a smart card (a pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits which records data from the CPAP machine such as CPAP usage, CPAP pressure, large leak, etc.) which can estimate the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) on therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of auto-CPAP in estimating the residual AHI in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who were treated with auto-CPAP without a CPAP titration study. We studied 99 patients with OSA from April 2005 to May 2007 who underwent a repeat sleep study using auto-CPAP. The estimated AHI from auto-CPAP was compared with the AHI from an overnight polysomnogram (PSG) on auto-CPAP using Bland-Altman plot and likelihood ratio analyses. A PSG AHI cutoff of five events per hour was used to differentiate patients optimally treated with auto-CPAP from those with residual OSA on therapy. Bland and Altman analysis showed good agreement between auto-CPAP AHI and PSG AHI. There was no significant bias when smart card estimates of AHI at home were compared to smart card estimates obtained in the sleep laboratory. An auto-CPAP cutoff for the AHI of six events per hour was shown to be optimal for differentiating patients with and without residual OSA with a sensitivity of 0.92 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76 to 0.98) and specificity of 0.90 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.95) with a positive likelihood ratio (LR) of 9.6 (95% CI 5.1 to 21.5) and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.085 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.25). Auto-CPAP AHI of eight events per hour yielded the optimal sensitivity (0.94, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.99) and specificity (0.90, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.95) with a positive LR of 9.6 (95% CI 5.23 to 20.31) and a negative LR of 0.065 (95% CI 0.004 to 0.279) to identify patients with a PSG AHI of > or = 10 events per hour. Auto-CPAP estimate of AHI may be used to estimate residual AHI in patients with OSA of varying severity treated with auto-CPAP.