A strategy to reduce the dose of multichiral agricultural chemicals: The herbicidal activity of metolachlor against Echinochloa crusgalli.
Agricultural chemicals are normally used as mixtures of several isomers, e.g., enantiomers. In theory, in order to minimize the pesticides dose, it is desirable to use the most target-active isomer. Metolachlor is a typical multichiral herbicide belonging to amide herbicides. An asymmetric carbon atom and a chiral axis yield four stereoisomers. In this study, a novel laboratory method was developed to prepare the S-metolachlor and the four stereoisomers using high performance liquid chromatography. The separated isomers had a purity of >99%, with their absolute configurations assigned by electronic circular dichroism. The enantioseparation by ultra performance convergence chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was also performed for the rapid and sensitive detection of metolachlor stereoisomers. The enantioselective herbicidal activity toward the target weed (Echinochloa crusgalli) was systematically assessed for the first time by measuring the morphology of the weed after treatment with rac-, S-metolachlor and the four stereoisomers, respectively. Among the commercial pesticides, S-metolachlor was more effective in weed inhibition than rac-metolachlor, and to the four stereoisomers, the herbicidal activities were ranked as: SS > SR ≫ RS > RR, and the RR-isomer even had some stimulative effect to the weed growth at lower concentration (1 ppm). Thus, we concluded that in these cases, the chiral carbon feature played a major role in herbicidal activity rather than the chiral axis feature, and the higher bioactivity of the S-isomers was confirmed by more effective uptake and stronger interaction with target enzymes that were involved in the gibberellic acid biosynthesis. Although the SS-isomer shows the highest herbicidal activity, controlling the major chiral feature is still much easier and more economical than controlling two chiral features.


Mitigation of scattering defect and absorption of DKDP crystals by laser conditioning.
The variation of scattering and absorption in DKDP crystals by laser conditioning was investigated by combining light scattering technique and on-site transmittance measurement technique. Laser-induced disappearance of scattering defects was observed, and variation of transmittance was achieved. Using Mie theory, a kind of absorbing defects, aside from scattering defect, was discovered. Moreover, the experimental results demonstrated that the absorption of crystal could be mitigated by laser conditioning.


Comparison of cefotaxime with cefazolin for prophylaxis of vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy.
One hundred fourteen women undergoing vaginal hysterectomy (n = 63) or abdominal hysterectomy (n = 51) were randomly allocated to one of three groups: regimen 1--cefotaxime perioperatively; regimen 2--cefotaxime perioperatively and for 24 hours postoperatively; or regimen 3--cefazolin perioperatively and for 24 hours postoperatively. Febrile morbidity was evaluated with respect to antibiotics, number of doses, type of procedure, operative time, estimated blood loss, and wound bacteriology. Of the patients who underwent vaginal hysterectomy, febrile morbidity occurred in three of 24 on regimen 1, one of 23 on regimen 2, and zero of 16 on regimen 3. Of those patients who underwent abdominal hysterectomy, febrile morbidity occurred in three of 18 on regimen 1, zero of 19 on regimen 2, and two of 14 on regimen 3. There were no significant differences among regimens in the incidence of febrile morbidity after vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy. Findings indicate, however, that febrile morbidity correlates with the type of procedure rather than with any of the other variables studied. Return of vaginal flora (aerobes, anaerobes, or mixed) was similar with all regimens. Cefotaxime was found to be as effective as cefazolin in reducing febrile morbidity.


[Enhanced antibody production by lung lymphocytes after oral immunization with Bordetella pertussis surface antigens].
The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of oral vaccination with Bordetella pertussis surface antigens on the immune response at the site of antigen application. We orally immunized female BALB/c mice on five consecutive days and repeated this procedure after a free interval of 10 days. Lymphocytes of the lung (LL), Peyer's patches (PPL) and lamina propria of the gut (LPL) were isolated and the immunoglobulin secretion rate was measured with time-resolved immunofluorescence. Oral immunization was found to enhance the IgA secretion rate by 69.9% in LL compared to unimmunized animals. The IgG synthesis in LL was increased by 28.1% and the IgM synthesis by 14.1%. In addition, an improvement of 47.8% was observed for the IgG secretion in LPL and PPL. Thus, our results demonstrate a strong local immune response after oral immunization with Bordetella pertussis.


Distinct response to GDF15 knockdown in pediatric and adult glioblastoma cell lines.
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor affecting adults. In pediatric patients, GBM exhibits genetic variations distinct from those identified in the adult GBM phenotype. This tumor exhibits complex genetic changes leading to malignant progression and resistance to standard therapies including radiotherapy and temozolomide treatment. The GDF15 gene codes for a growth factor whose expression is altered in the presence of inflammations and malignancies. GDF15 is associated with a poor prognosis and with radio- and chemoresistance in a variety of tumors. The aim of this study was to compare the response to GDF15 knockdown in adult (U343) and pediatric (KNS42) GBM cell line models. The expression of the GDF15 gene was investigated by qRT-PCR and overexpression was identified in both GBM cell lines. The KNS42 and U343 cell lines were submitted to lentiviral transduction with shRNA of GDF15 and validated at the protein level. To understand the difference between cell lines, RNAseq was performed after GDF15 knockdown. The data obtained demonstrated that the pathways were differentially expressed in adult GBM and pediatric GBM cell lines. This was confirmed by functional assays perfomed after independent treatments (radiotherapy and TMZ). These results demonstrated that GBM cell lines had distinct responses to GDF15 knockdown, a fact that can be explained by the different molecular profile of pediatric and adult GBM.


Comparison of palmolein and olive oil: effects on plasma lipids and vitamin E in young adults.
Twenty-one healthy normocholesterolemic young adults, men and women, completed a randomized 30-d/30-d crossover comparison of the effect of palmolein and olive oil on plasma lipids. The subjects were free-living volunteers who changed to low-fat diets to which one of the test oils was added (used as a spread, for baking, or for frying) in turn. Complete food records were kept throughout: the test oils were compared at 17% of total dietary energy. Under the conditions of this experiment plasma total and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were almost identical with the two oils, so that when the palmitic acid (16:0) in palm oil replaced oleic acid (18:1) in olive oil the expected increase in LDL cholesterol was not seen. These results indicate that 16:0, though saturated, is not always a plasma cholesterol-raising fatty acid. Palmolein is rich in vitamin E, alpha-tocopherol, and especially tocotrienols, but the latter were barely detectable in plasma.


By blocking apoptosis, Bcl-2 in p38-dependent manner promotes cell cycle arrest and accelerated senescence after DNA damage and serum withdrawal.
E1A+ras-transformed rodent fibroblasts are unable to be arrested in the cell cycle and die by apoptosis in response to cytostatics, ionizing radiation (IR), or serum withdrawal. Overexpression of the human antiapoptotic gene bcl-2 suppresses apoptosis and induces reversible cell cycle arrest after IR or serum withdrawal and cell senescence after adriamycin treatment. Bcl-2-sustained adriamycin-induced cell senescence requires p38 MAPK, since the knockout of p38 MAPK abrogated anti-apoptotic and senescence-inducing effects of Bcl-2 in adriamycin-treated cells. Moreover, resistance to apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were not observed in p38-/- E1A+ras+bcl-2-transformants following IR or serum deprivation. However, the pro-apoptotic effect of nocodazole in E1A+ras-transformed cells can not be prevented by Bcl-2 overexpression independently of the presence of p38 MAPK. These results allow us to conclude that p38 is necessary for Bcl-2-induced inhibition of apoptosis, induction of cell cycle arrest and accelerated senescence after DNA damage and serum starvation, but not after nocodazole treatment.


Anomalous scaling, nonlocality, and anisotropy in a model of the passively advected vector field.
A model of the passive vector quantity advected by the Gaussian velocity field with the covariance approximately delta(t-t('))|x-x(')|(epsilon) is studied; the effects of pressure and large-scale anisotropy are discussed. The inertial-range behavior of the pair correlation function is described by an infinite family of scaling exponents, which satisfy exact transcendental equations derived explicitly in d dimensions by means of the functional techniques. The exponents are organized in a hierarchical order according to their degree of anisotropy, with the spectrum unbounded from above and the leading (minimal) exponent coming from the isotropic sector. This picture extends to higher-order correlation functions. Like in the scalar model, the second-order structure function appears nonanomalous and is described by the simple dimensional exponent: S2 approximately r(2-epsilon). For the higher-order structure functions, S(2n)approximately r(n(2-epsilon)+ delta(n)), the anomalous scaling behavior is established as a consequence of the existence in the corresponding operator product expansions of "dangerous" composite operators, whose negative critical dimensions determine the anomalous exponents delta(n)<0. A close formal resemblance of the model with the stirred Navier-Stokes equation reveals itself in the mixing of relevant operators and is the main motivation of the paper. Using the renormalization group, the anomalous exponents are calculated in the O(epsilon) approximation, in large d dimensions, for the even structure functions up to the twelfth order.


Comparison of potency of human carcinogens: vinyl chloride, chloromethylmethyl ether and bis(chloromethyl)ether.
The alpha-chloroether carcinogen chloromethylmethyl ether (CME) and its impurity bis(chloromethyl)ether (BCME) are direct-acting alkylating agents. Vinyl chloride (VC) is an indirect-acting carcinogen but its accepted carcinogenic intermediate, chloroethylene oxide, is also an alpha-chloroether. Both CME-BCME and VC have been in industrial use since about 1950. Hence, they were selected for comparison of potency as human carcinogens using numerous epidemiologic reports. There were 115 deaths due to angiosarcoma of the liver among several hundred thousand VC-exposed workers on the basis of reports from 10 countries during 1955 and 1984. Reports from five countries cited a total of 87 respiratory cancer deaths among only 3024 CME-BCME-exposed workers. If a recent court settlement in the United States is taken into account, the number of respiratory cancer deaths due to CME-BCME rises to 117. On the basis of these numbers of cancer deaths, and the levels and durations of exposure, it is concluded that VC is a weak human carcinogen compared to CME-BCME.


[The Czech Republic Register of Injuries (URCR)--experience with the database management in the Brno Faculty Hospital].
Injuries are the leading cause of mortality in age group of people junior to 45 years. Central data collection is important to survey basic injury causation and trauma care quality. The Czech Trauma Registry was started in 2004. The aim of study was to discover valid statistic analysis from current data collection and its clinical practice contribution. Doctors working in the Centre of trauma care (University hospital Brno) collect and enter data to the Trauma Registry. Data collection is practiced continuously through the hospitalization. Abbreviated Injury Scale and Injury Severity Score are used for injury severity determining. In the University hospital Brno 161 patients (159 patients met validity criterion) were entered in trauma registry. 159 patients were evaluated, Injury Severity Score was 16-75, demographically from 6 regions. Traffic accident was the most frequent cause of injury. Average inpatient age was 43 years. Mortality in our patient file was 10.7%. Investing sum for 1 patient who was returned to Trauma Registry was 209 019 Czech crowns. Authors confront their results with the German Trauma Registry, results in basic parameters are analogous. Data collection should be proceeding correctly. Czech Trauma Registry should be the instrument of quality management and is waiting for its statutory provision. Trauma registry is going to afford plenty information for pre-hospital and hospital care improvement.


Pharmacokinetic interaction between oltipraz and dimethyl-4,4'-dimethoxy-5,6,5',6'-dimethylene dioxybiphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylate (DDB) after single intravenous and oral administration to rats.
The aim of this study was to report the pharmacokinetic interaction between oltipraz (50 mg kg(-1)) and dimethyl-4,4'-dimethoxy-5,6,5',6'-dimethylene dioxybiphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylate (DDB, 10 mg kg(-1)) after single intravenous and oral administration to rats. After intravenous administration of oltipraz plus DDB, the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to time infinity (AUC) of oltipraz was significantly greater (1440 vs 1740 microg min mL(-1)) than that after oltipraz alone. This was not due to slower clearances of oltipraz after oltipraz plus DDB since the total body, renal and nonrenal clearances were comparable between the two groups of rats. It could be due to a decrease in tissue binding of oltipraz by DDB. The apparent volume of distribution at steady state (Vd(ss)) of DDB was significantly smaller (7060 vs 4650 mL kg(-1)) than after oltipraz alone. After oral administration of oltipraz plus DDB, the AUC of olitpraz was also significantly greater (479 vs 583 microg min mL(-1)) than that after oltipraz alone. This was not due to increased absorption of oltipraz from the rat gastrointestinal tract after oltipraz plus DDB but again could be due to a decrease in Vd(ss) of oltipraz by DDB. However, after both intravenous and oral administration, the pharmacokinetic parameters of DDB were comparable between DDB alone and DDB plus oltipraz, indicating that oltipraz did not greatly affect the pharmacokinetics of DDB in rats.


Homogeneous acylation of xylan with 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl in ionic liquid and the adsorption property.
A new xylan ester (xylan 3,5-dinitrobenzoate) as a creatinine adsorbent was prepared by the homogeneous acylation of xylan with 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl chloride in 1-butul-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid. The influences of reaction conditions on the degree of substitution values of xylan esters were discussed. Results indicated that xylan esters with the degree of substitution range from 1.34 to 1.77 were obtained under the given conditions. The FTIR and (13)C NMR spectroscopies provided the evidence of grafting 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl groups onto the backbone of xylan. Moreover, the adsorption properties of the xylan ester for creatinine were also investigated. Isotherm studies showed that the sorption capacities for creatinine were 2.45, 2.08 and 1.86 mg/g for 23, 30 and 37 °C, respectively. Thermodynamic studies performed indicated the sorption process mainly was controlled by the chemical adsorption. Therefore, xylan 3,5-dinitrobenzoate displayed the promising application in the treatment of chronic renal failure by the creatinine adsorption as the new oral adsorbent.


[Secondary prevention of myocardial infarct with anti-arrhythmia drugs and beta receptor blockaders].
Ischaemic heart disease is the main cause of death. Most of these deaths are sudden and occur within the first few hours of onset of symptoms and before the patient reaches the hospital. It is generally accepted, that sudden death is due to ventricular fibrillation. The aim of this presentation is to review the studies of long-term antiarrhythmic therapy and beta-blockade in the prevention of sudden cardiac death. Studies, in which a given antiarrhythmic drug was routinely applied, have universally failed to show any protective effect. However, when effective patient specific drugs are selected during programmed ventricular stimulation, long-term treatment in high risk patients may be beneficial. Recently suggestive evidence has been presented, that long-term beta-blockade is beneficial in preventing sudden death and reducing overall mortality in ischaemic heart diseases although the antiarrhythmic properties of beta-blockers are relatively weak.


Electrooxidation of industrial wastewater containing 1,4-dioxane in the presence of different salts.
The treatment of 1,4-dioxane solution by electrochemical oxidation on boron-doped diamond was studied using a central composite design and the response surface methodology to investigate the use of SO4 (2-) and HCO3 (-) as supporting electrolytes considering the applied electric current, initial chemical oxygen demand (COD) value, and treatment time. Two industrial effluents containing bicarbonate alkalinity, one just carrying 1,4-dioxane (S1), and another one including 1,4-dioxane and 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane (S2), were treated under optimized conditions and subsequently subjected to biodegradability assays with a Pseudomonas putida culture. Electrooxidation was compared with ozone oxidation (O3) and its combination with hydrogen peroxide (O3/H2O2). Regarding the experimental design, the optimal compromise for maximum COD removal at minimum energy consumption was shown at the maximum tested concentrations of SO4 (2-) and HCO3 (-) (41.6 and 32.8 mEq L(-1), respectively) and the maximum selected initial COD (750 mg L(-1)), applying a current density of 11.9 mA cm(-2) for 3.8 h. Up to 98 % of the COD was removed in the electrooxidation treatment of S1 effluent using 114 kWh per kg of removed COD and about 91 % of the COD from S2 wastewater applying 49 kWh per kg of removed COD. The optimal biodegradability enhancement was achieved after 1 h of electrooxidation treatment. In comparison with O3 and O3/H2O2 alternatives, electrochemical oxidation achieved the fastest degradation rate per oxidant consumption unit, and it also resulted to be the most economical treatment in terms of energy consumption and price per unit of removed COD.


Sperm penetration in vitro of human oocytes matured in a chemically defined medium.
Human oocytes were obtained randomly from the ovaries excised from 28 patients at different stages of the menstrual cycle. When 114 oocytes were cultured for 40-40.5 h in a chemically defined medium 80 showed degeneration. When 16 of the remaining 64 oocytes were examined for their maturation, germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) had occurred in 11 oocytes. Another 48 oocytes were inseminated by ejaculated spermatozoa which were washed twice and preincubated for 3 h. When examined 10 h later, 19 (39.6%) were penetrated with an enlarged sperm head or male pronucleus(ei) and its corresponding sperm tail(s).


[Obesity and bone metabolism].
It is well known that obesity is associated with increased bone mineral density. Although this phenomenon has been explained to be attributable to the mechanical burden, there have been increasing evidences indicating that some humoral factor ie. 'hormone', especially adiposity signal such as insulin or leptin, may play a role in disorders of bone metabolism associated with obesity. There have been several evidences suggesting that other hormones such as thyroid hormone, growth hormone, or glucocorticoid may also be involved.


Reversibility of induced bronchoconstriction by deep inspiration in asthmatic and normal subjects.
Five normal and five asthmatic subjects underwent a progressive methacholine provocation study. At each concentration inspiratory pulmonary resistance (RL) was measured, as well as isovolumic maximal flow and residual volume from both partial and complete forced expirations. Results were compared over the RL range of 6-11 cmH2O.1-1.S-1. The reversibility of bronchoconstriction by deep inspiration was quantified as the ratio of the flow increase to potential maximal increase; the reversibility of gas trapping was the ratio of decrease in residual volume to potential maximal decrease. The reversibility of bronchoconstriction did not differ between the groups. In contrast, the reversibility of gas trapping was smaller in asthmatic subjects (21 +/- 17%) than in normals (84 +/- 6%). As gas trapping reflects airway closure, our findings suggest that during induced bronchoconstriction airway closure is more resistant to the effects of deep inspiration in asthmatic than in normal subjects but the reversibility of bronchoconstriction by deep inspiration is not different.


Allergic contact dermatitis for residents.
Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a very common skin disease faced by dermatologists. As residents, it is essential that we learn to appropriately diagnose and manage ACD and utilize helpful resources early on in our training.


[Biological activity of prostaglandin E1 derivative, ONO-802 on smooth muscle (author's transl)].
The effects of prostaglandin (PG) E1 derivative, 16,16-dimethyl-trans-delta-2PGE1 methyl ester (ONO-802) on the rat stomach fundal strip, uterus and ileum were studied. Its substrate specificity for 15-hydroxy prostaglandin dehydrogenase (PGDH) was also examined. Contractions were recorded isometrically by superfusion method. PGE1, E2, and F2 alpha caused maximal contraction of the fundal strip immediately after application and relaxation to the original state within 10 min. Contractile pattern of the fundal strip produced by ONO-802 was quite specific and different from those by classic PGs. Contraction was increased slowly to its maximum in 10 to 20 min after application of ONO-802 and thereafter returned to the original state in 20 to 40 min. Contractive response of the rat ileum to ONO-802 was a gradual increase of the tonus and restoration in more than 120 min after reaching its maximal tonus. The rat uterus responded to 1 microgram of ONO-802 with double maximal contraction amplitude of spontaneous activity, with increased contraction amplitude restored in 90 min. In a combination of ONO-802 with PGE1, E2 and F2 alpha, the contractile response of the fundal strip to ONO-802 was masked by the actions of classic PGs and additional potentiation was not observed. Contractive activity of ONO-802 was not reduced by placental PGDH.


Phylogeny and biogeography of the freshwater crayfish Euastacus (Decapoda: Parastacidae) based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.
Euastacus crayfish are endemic to freshwater ecosystems of the eastern coast of Australia. While recent evolutionary studies have focused on a few of these species, here we provide a comprehensive phylogenetic estimate of relationships among the species within the genus. We sequenced three mitochondrial gene regions (COI, 16S, and 12S) and one nuclear region (28S) from 40 species of the genus Euastacus, as well as one undescribed species. Using these data, we estimated the phylogenetic relationships within the genus using maximum-likelihood, parsimony, and Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo analyses. Using Bayes factors to test different model hypotheses, we found that the best phylogeny supports monophyletic groupings of all but two recognized species and suggests a widespread ancestor that diverged by vicariance. We also show that Euastacus and Astacopsis are most likely monophyletic sister genera. We use the resulting phylogeny as a framework to test biogeographic hypotheses relating to the diversification of the genus.


Knowledge Attributions and Behavioral Predictions.
Recent work has shown that knowledge attributions affect how people think others should behave, more so than belief attributions do. This paper reports two experiments providing evidence that (a) knowledge attributions also affect behavioral predictions more strongly than belief attributions do, and (b) knowledge attributions facilitate faster behavioral predictions than belief attributions do. Thus, knowledge attributions play multiple critical roles in social cognition, guiding judgments about how people should and will behave.


[Operative pelviscopy: notes on the technique].
The authors illustrate the present possibilities of operative pelviscopy with particular regard to its indications and to the surgical technique. The endoscopic technique can today be applied in around 70% of benign affections of the female genital apparatus. Most authors agree that ovarian cysts, adhesions, ectopic pregnancies, and myomas of the uterus are, within certain limits, treatable electively with endoscopic technique; reservations still prevail in the case of hysterectomy and serious doubts in that of pelvic lymphadenectomy. Pelviscopy has proved to be both useful and safe; indeed, out of 372 operations carried out by the authors, only three had to be converted, and no complications were ever observed requiring either a laparotomy or a further pelviscopy.


Albendazole generics--a comparative in vitro study.
We sought to determine whether disintegration and dissolution behavior differs among various albendazole generic formulations obtained from third world countries and to compare them with the innovator's product. Dissolution behavior of various albendazole formulations was studied with USP Apparatus 2 in SGFsp and in a modified SGFsp which contained 0.1% of the nonionic surfactant Triton X 100. Disintegration was tested according to the European Pharmacopoeia. Dissolution experiments in SGFsp showed a wide range in rate and extent of albendazole dissolution. The innovator product released 81 percent within two hours, a profile matched by only one other formulation. For other formulations 32 to 64% was released within two hours. Use of a modified SGFsp, containing 0.1% Triton X 100 to simulate the surface tension of gastric juice, resulted in less discrimination between products. The innovator product again showed the fastest and most complete dissolution, with ninety percent released within two hours. The generic formulations released between 67 and 82%, except for one formulation which achieved only 43% release. The results in SGFsp plus Triton X 100 may be more meaningful than in SGFsp since the surface tension of the medium is closer to the physiological value. All formulations passed the disintegration test according to the European Pharmacopoeia, with disintegration times ranging from 2.5 to 11 minutes. Generic albendazole products vary widely in their dissolution behavior. Differences among products were greater in SGFsp than in SGFsp plus Triton X 100. These differences were not reflected in the disintegration behavior of the products.


[Child and adolescent health in a European perspective--a new WHO-strategy].
In general, children and adolescents in the WHO European Region have better nutrition, health and development today than ever before. However, there are striking inequalities in health status across the 52 countries in the Region with over ten-fold differences in infant and child mortality rates. Inequalities are also growing within countries, and several health threats are emerging. To prevent this, the WHO Regional Office for Europe has developed a European strategy for child and adolescent health and development. The strategy, and its tool kit for implementation, aims to assist Member States in formulating their own policies and programmes.


Recovery of Cyclospora organisms from patients with prolonged diarrhea.
A newly recognized protozoan human parasite, Cyclospora has been incriminated as the cause of prolonged diarrhea. Five patients had episodes of diarrhea accompanied by nausea, weight loss, and/or low-grade fever for 10-45 days. Multiple fecal samples fixed in sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin contained spherical organisms measuring 8-10 microns in diameter; a modified concentration technique was used to detect them. The sediment was examined by direct microscopy and autofluorescence, and the identification was confirmed by acid-fast stain. All patients had visited either Mexico or Thailand. The presence of Cyclospora organisms in these patients shows that these can be etiologic agents of traveler's diarrhea in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts. Fecal specimens from patients with unexplained diarrhea should be routinely examined for their presence.


Calf augmentation--a preliminary report.
An operative procedure has been devised to increase the size of the calf of the leg. This method may be valuable in patients who have thin, spindly legs or disparity of leg size due to previous poliomyelitis infection. The first series of patients on whom the procedure has been carried out, and the complications encountered, are discussed. I wish to emphasize that this is a new procedure and that the best implant has not yet been found.


Comparison of Diuron degradation by direct UV photolysis and advanced oxidation processes.
The rates of Diuron elimination by some advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) such as Fe(III)/UV, Ferrioxalate/UV, Fe(III)/H(2)O(2)/UV, Ferrioxalate/UV/H(2)O(2) and Fe(III)/H(2)O(2) have been compared. Experiments have been conducted at pH=2.3+/-0.1 with a batch reactor equipped with a low-pressure mercury lamp emitting mainly at 253.7 nm. Data obtained under the following experimental conditions ([H(2)O(2)](0)=10(-3)M, [Diuron](0)=5 x 10(-5)M and [Fe(III)](0)=10(-3)M) have shown that rates of Diuron oxidation were higher with the systems Fe(III)/H(2)O(2)/UV and Ferrioxalate/UV/H(2)O(2) than with Fe(III)/UV and Fe(III)/H(2)O(2). On the other hand, Fe(III)/UV was found to be very efficient in mineralization of Diuron solution in comparison to direct UV photolysis. The experimental results showed that radical ()OH is the major pathway in the process of Diuron degradation.


Characterization of reactive sites in supported catalysts by 51V/15N rotational echo double resonance NMR spectroscopy: formation of phenylimido groups at surface-bound oxovanadium sites.
Silica-supported oxovanadium groups were reacted in a gas-solid reaction with aniline at 175 degrees C. The reaction was clean as monitored in situ by UV-vis spectroscopy and resulted in the elimination of water as the principal product of the reaction and the disappearance of the terminal V=O stretch in the Raman spectrum. 15N MAS solid-state NMR spectroscopy showed only a single nitrogen-containing species on the surface. Proton-dephased 15N NMR showed only weak attenuation of its intensity, indicating that there are no protons directly bonded to the nitrogen. The formation of a vanadium-imido covalent bond was characterized by 51V/15N rotational echo double resonance NMR spectroscopy where the quadrupolar 51V nucleus was monitored and the spin-1/2 15N nucleus was dephased.


An investigation of the accuracy of therapists' self-assessment of cognitive-behaviour therapy skills.
The impact of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions in routine clinical practice depends on those interventions being delivered competently. Since direct observation or independent assessment of therapists' skills are typically limited in routine clinical practice, the assessment of competence, and thus of the need for further training and/or supervision to improve competence, rests mainly on the individual therapist's self-assessment. To examine the accuracy of therapists' self-assessment of their CBT competence in relation to supervisors' assessments. Self-ratings on the Cognitive Therapy Scale (CTS; Young & Beck, 1980; 1988) from two groups of trainees on established cognitive therapy training courses (n= 64) were compared to supervisors' ratings of the same therapy sessions. There were moderate correlations between self- and supervisor assessments, and the previously reported over-estimation of CBT skills (Brosan, Reynolds, & Moore, 2008) was not replicated in the current sample. Instead, these groups showed under-estimation of their skills compared to supervisors' ratings, with the less-competent trainees' ratings not being significantly different from their supervisors' and the more competent trainees' ratings being significantly lower than those of their supervisors. Several possible explanations of the results are discussed and recommendations for ensuring the integrity of CBT delivered in routine clinical practice are made.


An error-correcting proofreading exonuclease-polymerase that copurifies with DNA-polymerase-alpha-primase.
A DNA polymerase with a 3'-to 5'-exonuclease that copurified with polymerase-primase from calf thymus was purified and extensively characterized. Its exonuclease degraded single-stranded DNA from 3' to 5' in a strictly distributive manner. On synthetic template-primer junctions, 3'-terminal mispairs were excised with a 10- to 20-fold preference over correctly paired nucleotides. In comparison to the 3'- to 5'-exonuclease the DNA polymerase activity was rather low. The ratio of nucleotides incorporated to nucleotides excised was in the order of 1 to 3 nucleotide insertions per excision, suggesting that net forward DNA synthesis is not the primary role of this DNA polymerase. DNA synthesis was performed with a low processivity in the presence and absence of PCNA. Both the polymerase and exonuclease activities were inhibited to a comparable extent by AMP. Thus, the exonuclease-polymerase might represent a novel DNA polymerase that we tentatively designate as DNA polymerase zeta. Possible benefits of DNA polymerase zeta in the process of error correction and the apparent dichotomy of an built-in proofreading activity for the processive DNA polymerases gamma, delta, and epsilon and an obviously external proofreading function for the less processive animal cell DNA polymerases alpha and beta are discussed.


Defining structural domains of an intrinsically disordered protein: Sic1, the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor Sic1 is an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) involved in cell-cycle regulation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Notwithstanding many studies on its biological function, structural characterization has been attempted only recently, fostering the development of production and purification protocols suitable to yield large amounts of this weakly expressed protein. In this study, we describe the identification of protein domains by the heterologous expression, purification, and characterization of Sic1-derived fragment. Four C-terminal fragments (Sic1(C-ter)) were produced based on functional studies and limited-proteolysis results. The N-terminal fragment (Sic1(1-186)) was complementary to the most stable C-terminal fragments (Sic1(Δ186)). Both Sic1(1-186) and Sic1(C-ter) fragments were, in general, less susceptible to spontaneous proteolysis than the full-length protein. The boundaries of the C-terminal fragments turned out to be crucial for integrity of the recombinant proteins and required two rounds of design and production. Sic1 fragments were purified by a simple procedure, based on their resistance to heat treatment, at the amount and purity required for structural characterization. Circular dichroism (CD) measurements and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of N- and C-terminal fragments confirm their disordered nature but reveal minor structural differences that may reflect their distinct functional roles.


[Model systems for study of toxic injury of hepatocytes in vitro].
The liver is a common target of toxic effect of a number of xenobiotics, which is in particular a result of its central role in intermediary and energetic metabolism and in biotransformation processes. Ethical, economic, legislative, research and other reasons do not allow testing all of newly-synthesized compounds in in vivo conditions. Hence new methods and approaches for hepatotoxicity testing in vitro have been developing. The most important systems for study of toxicity and metabolic activity in vitro are isolated perfused liver, liver slices, isolated liver cells in suspensions or in primary cultures including co-culture methods and special 3D techniques, various subcellular fractions and stabilised cell lines. These models can be used for cytotoxicity and genotoxicity screening, evaluation of potential hepatoprotective capacity of different compounds, study of toxic injury and characterization of hepatotoxicity mechanisms. Currently there is no an ideal in vitro liver model system for testing of hepatotoxic substances in vitro, nevertheless use of these model systems reduces economic costs and ethic and legislative problems. Model systems in vitro afford opportunity to study in detail mechanisms of hepatotoxicity in comparison with in vivo conditions. Definition of their actual advantages and disadvantages allows choosing a suitable model system for study of particular problem. We cannot imagine current research of liver toxicity without using these model sytems.


Synthesis of p-(di-tert-butyl[(18)F]fluorosilyl)benzaldehyde ([(18)F]SiFA-A) with high specific activity by isotopic exchange: a convenient labeling synthon for the (18)F-labeling of N-amino-oxy derivatized peptides.
The syntheses of different (18)F-labeled peptides using the highly effective labeling synthon p-(di- tert-butylfluorosilyl) benzaldehyde ([ (18)F]SiFA-A) for the development of (18)F-radiopharmaceuticals for oncological positron emission tomography (PET) is reported. The novel and mild labeling technique for the radiosynthesis of [ (18)F]SiFA-A, based on an unexpectedly efficient isotopic (19)F- (18)F exchange, yielded the (18)F-synthon [ (18)F]SiFA-A in almost quantitative yields in high specific activities between 225 and 680 GBq/micromol (6081-18 378 Ci/mmol) without applying HPLC purification. The [ (18)F]SiFA-A was finally used to label the N-terminal amino-oxy (N-AO) derivatized peptides AO-Tyr (3)-octreotate (AO-TATE), cyclo(fK(AO-N)RGD and N-AO-PEG 2-[D-Tyr-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-betaAla-His-Thi-Nle-NH 2] (AO-BZH3, a bombesin derivative) in high radiochemical yields. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed high efficiency of the isotopic exchange, which is predicted to proceed via a pentacoordinate siliconate intermediate dissociating immediately to form the radiolabeled [ (18)F]SiFA-A.


Screening for significant carotid artery disease among a cohort of 1,000 Egyptian patients.
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of significant carotid artery disease (SCAD) in a cohort of Egyptian patients to compare it with matched groups of patients in published data of Western populations. One thousand consecutive patients referred for color flow duplex scanning of the carotid arteries were included. SCAD was defined as carotid stenosis > or = 50% or occlusion. There were 567 males (56.7%), and the mean age was 60.4 years. There were 382 (38.2%) patients presenting with and 617 (61.7%) patients without specific carotid territory symptoms. SCAD was significantly more prevalent in patients aged > or = 60 (13.2%, vs 6.25%; p < .001), in symptomatic patients (16.45% vs 6.32%; p < .001), in diabetics (15.96% vs 7.39%; p < .001), in patients with ischemic heart disease (17.65% vs 7.22%; p < .001), in hypertensive patients (12% vs 7.54%; p = .025), and in patients with dyslipidemia (12.53% vs 6.56%; p < .025). The prevalence of SCAD in this cohort of Egyptian patients was similar to that of matched patients of Western populations. Screening for SCAD in patients with specific carotid territory symptoms is recommended. Screening of asymptomatic subjects could be considered if they are > or = 60 years of age and have three or more associated risk factors.


Injury patterns in traffic accidents and suggested preventive measures.
A short survey is given of the main patterns of injuries sustained in traffic accidents. The following injuries are accounted for: ruptures of the parasagittal bridging veins and gliding contusions of the brain, axis fractures, and aortic and pelvic injuries.


The accuracy of diagnosing Burkitt lymphoma in serous effusion specimen: A cytological-histological correlation with ancillary studies.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of diagnosing Burkitt lymphoma (BL) in serous effusion (SE) specimen and summarise the characteristics of BL in SE. We also assess the utility of a germinal centre-associated marker, LMO2, in the differential diagnosis of BL in SE specimens. Eleven cases of malignant SE caused by BL were reviewed. SE cytology and histological biopsy diagnoses were compared to determine the concordance rates. A uniform population of non-cohesive medium-sized lymphoid cells with frequent apoptosis was found on SE smears or cell block sections. Cytoplasmic and nuclear vacuoles presented in seven cases. Immunophenotyping demonstrated positivity for CD79a (three of three cases), CD10 (seven of 11 cases), BCL6 (nine of 11 cases), MUM-1 (one of nine cases), CD20 and MYC (11 cases). LOM2 was negative in nine of nine cases. Both IGH/MYC rearrangement and MYC rearrangement were identified in four of six cases, and two of six cases carried isolated MYC rearrangement or isolated IGH/MYC rearrangement, respectively. The diagnoses of eight BLs and three B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas were established according to cytomorphology and ancillary studies. SE cytology provided initial pathological diagnoses for eight cases (six BLs and two non-Hodgkin lymphomas). Histodiagnoses were available for eight cases. The concordance rate of cytological-histological diagnosis was 62.5% (five of eight cases). Combining cytomorphology and ancillary studies enables the accurate diagnosis of BL in SE specimens. Furthermore, LMO2 may be a useful marker in the differential diagnosis of BL.


Deposition of cocaine in tissue after lethal and repeated sublethal administration to sheep.
The deposition of cocaine in tissue after lethal administration to sheep was investigated. In addition, the presence of cocaine in tissue obtained from sheep treated for 30 days with a sublethal dose (2.4 mg/kg b.wt.) after 1-day, 1-week, or 1-month withdrawal was studied. The determination of cocaine was performed by radioimmunoassay. The concentrations measured represent the sum of cocaine and its metabolites. The presence of cocaine was also qualitatively proven by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. After a lethal dose administration cocaine was found in all investigated organs. The highest concentrations were present in liver, bile, and kidney. In tissue obtained from the sheep treated daily with a sublethal dose and killed after 1-week withdrawal, the concentrations found were significantly lower. After 1-month withdrawal, cocaine was not to be discovered in tissue.


Elderly patients' participation in discharge decision making: 2.
This article is the second in a two-part series describing a study that explored patient participation in discharge decision making. The study focused on the participatory relationship between older patients and nurses and was performed in two phases. As reported in the previous article (Vol 5(15): 914-16, 929-32) the first phase involved group interviews with primary nurses from two elderly care units. This article reports the findings of the second phase which involved a series of interviews with five elderly patients during their hospital admission. The data from both phases of the study were analysed using the software package Ethnograph. Unlike nurses, the patients in this study had little understanding of the term 'participation'. They were mainly concerned with being given information and reported having unmet information needs. They felt that they did have a role in discharge decision making but were unable to fulfil it, consequently they relied upon nursing staff to take the lead in the decision-making process.


Structural variation induced by different nucleotides at the cleavage site of the hammerhead ribozyme.
The hammerhead ribozyme is capable of cleaving RNA substrates at 5' UX 3' sequences (where the cleavage site, X, can be A, C, or U). Hammerhead complexes containing dC, dA, dI, or rG nucleotides at the cleavage site have been studied by NMR. The rG at the cleavage site forms a Watson-Crick base pair with C3 in the conserved core of the hammerhead, indicating that rG substrates inhibit the cleavage reaction by stabilizing an inactive conformation of the molecule. Isotope-edited NMR experiments on the hammerhead complexes show that there are different short proton-proton distances between neighboring residues depending upon whether there is a dC or dA at the cleavage site. These NMR data demonstrate that there are significant differences in the structure and/or dynamics of the active-site residues in these hammerhead complexes. Molecular dynamics calculations were used to model the conformations of the cleavage-site variants consistent with the NMR data. The solution conformations of the hammerhead ribozyme-substrate complexes are compared with the X-ray structure of the hammerhead ribozyme and are used to help understand the thermodynamic and kinetic differences among the cleavage-site variants.


Complications and associated bacterial coinfections among children hospitalized with seasonal or pandemic influenza, United States, 2003-2010.
Data on the range and severity of influenza-associated complications among children are limited. We describe the frequency and severity of complications in hospitalized children aged <18 years with seasonal influenza (during 2003-2009) and 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) (during 2009-2010). Population-based surveillance for laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations was conducted among 5.3 million children in 10 states. Complications were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes in medical records. During 2003-2010, 7293 children hospitalized with influenza were identified, of whom 6769 (93%) had complete ICD-9 code data. Among the 6769 children, the median length of hospitalization was 3 days (interquartile range, 2-4 days), 975 (14%) required intensive care, 359 (5%) had respiratory failure, and 40 (1%) died. The most common complications were pneumonia (in 28% of children), asthma exacerbations (in 22% [793/3616] aged ≥ 2 years), and dehydration (in 21%). Lung abscess/empyema, tracheitis, encephalopathy, bacteremia/sepsis, acute renal failure, and myocarditis were rare (each ≤ 2% of children) but associated with a median hospitalization duration of ≥ 6 days, and 48%-70% of children required intensive care. Bacterial cultures with positive results were identified in 2% of children (107/6769); Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae were most commonly identified. Complications contribute substantially to the disease burden among children hospitalized with influenza, through intensive care requirements and prolonged hospitalization, highlighting the importance of primary prevention with influenza vaccination.


The mental health impact of 9/11 on inner-city high school students 20 miles north of Ground Zero.
To determine the rate of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after 9/11 in a sample of New York City high school students and associations among personal exposure, loss of psychosocial resources, prior mental health treatment, and PTSD. A total of 1214 students (grades 9 through 12) attending a large community high school in Bronx County, 20 miles north of "Ground Zero," completed a 45-item questionnaire during gym class on one day eight months after 9/11. Students were primarily Hispanic (62%) and African American (29%) and lived in the surrounding neighborhood. The questionnaire included the PCL-T, a 17-item PTSD checklist supplied by the Office of Behavioral and Social Science Research of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The PCL-T was scored following the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD requiring endorsement of at least one repeating symptom, two hyperarousal symptoms, and three avoidance symptoms. Bivariate analysis comparing PTSD with personal exposure, loss of psychosocial resources, and mental health variables was done and multiple logistic regression was used to identify significant associations. There were 7.4 % of students with the PTSD symptom cluster. Bivariate analysis showed a trend for females to have higher rates of PTSD (males [6%] vs. females [9%], p = .06] with no overall ethnic differences. Five of the six personal exposure variables, and both of the loss of psychosocial resources and mental health variables were significantly associated with PTSD symptom cluster. Multiple logistic regression analysis found one personal exposure variable (having financial difficulties after 9/11, odds ratio [OR] = 5.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.9-9.7); both the loss of psychosocial resources variables (currently feeling less safe, OR = 3.58; 95% CI 1.9-6.8) and currently feeling less protected by the government, (OR = 4.04; 95% CI 2.1-7.7); and one mental health variable (use of psychotropic medication before 9/11, OR = 3.95; 95% CI 1.2-13.0) were significantly associated with PTSD symptom cluster. We found a rate of PTSD in Bronx students after 9/11 that was much higher than other large studies of PTSD in adolescents done before 9/11. Adolescents living in inner cities with high poverty and violence rates may be at high risk for PTSD after a terrorist attack. Students who still felt vulnerable and less safe eight months later and those with prior mental health treatment were four times more likely to have PTSD than those without such characteristics, highlighting the influence of personality and mental health on development of PTSD after a traumatic event.


Virtual and real brain tumors: using mathematical modeling to quantify glioma growth and invasion.
Over the last 10 years increasingly complex mathematical models of cancerous growths have been developed, especially on solid tumors, in which growth primarily comes from cellular proliferation. The invasiveness of gliomas, however, requires a change in the concept to include cellular motility in addition to proliferative growth. In this article we review some of the recent developments in mathematical modeling of gliomas. We begin with a model of untreated gliomas and continue with models of polyclonal gliomas following chemotherapy or surgical resection. From relatively simple assumptions involving homogeneous brain tissue bounded by a few gross anatomical landmarks (ventricles and skull) the models have recently been expanded to include heterogeneous brain tissue with different motilities of glioma cells in grey and white matter on a geometrically complex brain domain, including sulcal boundaries, with a resolution of 1 mm(3) voxels. We conclude that the velocity of expansion is linear with time and varies about 10-fold, from about 4 mm/year for low-grade gliomas to about 3 mm/month for high-grade ones.


Pauci-immune necrotizing glomerulonephritis complicating rheumatoid arthritis.
Necrotizing glomerulonephritis associated with rheumatoid arthritis typically occurs in the setting of frankly apparent systemic vasculitic signs and symptoms. We report two recent cases that differed from this paradigm. Both patients had rheumatoid arthritis and deteriorating renal function due to P-ANCA positive pauci-immune necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis, but minimal systemic symptoms. Delay in diagnosis and institution of appropriate therapy may have contributed to the dialysis dependence of one of these patients. We suggest that heightened suspicion of an aggressive necrotizing glomerulonephritis should be maintained in all patients with rheumatoid arthritis who present with acute renal insufficiency even in the absence of frank vasculitis.


Potassium ion channels operated by receptor stimulation can be activated simply by raising temperature.
Application of either dopamine (DA), acetylcholine (ACh), or histamine (HA) to the identified ganglion cells of Aplysia elicits a K(+)-dependent slow hyperpolarization. When temperature of the bathing solution was raised from 22 to 32 degrees C, these cells were also hyperpolarized with a marked increase in K+ conductance. The warm- and transmitter-induced current responses recorded under voltage clamp were not blocked by either 1 mM Ba2+ or 10 mM TEA. Intracellularly injected guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDP beta S) depressed both warm- and transmitter-induced K+ responses immediately after the injection. Intracellular application of guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) caused a gradual, irreversible increase in K+ conductance of the plasma membrane and occluded both responses. Transmitter-induced response markedly decreased when the temperature was raised from 22 to 32 degrees C, suggesting that the response to transmitter was occluded during the warm-induced response. These results suggested that the G-protein regulating the receptor-operated K+ channels could be activated simply by raising temperature.


[The epidemiological status of Polish Army in the USSR at the time of its dislocation to the south and Iran].
On the basis of the archives from Sikorski Institute in London the epidemiological status during the stay of the Polish Army in the area of Buzułuk in Kazachstan and in Iran is presented. Both malnutrition and poor conditions resulted in cases of typhoid fever and typhus. The danger from the above appeared epidemics of infant contagious diseases. The epidemiological status had been one of the reasons of hastening the evacuation to Iran. This took place in two stages. In Iran the most serious problem was malaria. Hard work of the medical service and improved conditions allowed to control the situation.


Food patterns during an economic crisis among pregnant women in Purworejo District, Central Java, Indonesia.
A cross-sectional study was conducted between 1996 and 1998. Six 24-hour recalls were performed during the second trimester of pregnancy among 450 women in Purworejo District, Central Java, Indonesia. The objectives of the study were to assess the food intake and food pattern among pregnant women before and during the economic crisis. Before the crisis, rich women had the highest intakes of animal foods, fats and oils, and sugar. Food intake among the urban poor and the rural landless poor subgroups was influenced by the emerging economic crisis. Although the price of rice increased, the intake of rice also increased among all subgroups. Rural poor women with access to rice fields increased their intake of rice and decreased their intake of nonrice staple foods (p < .05). There were significant decreases in the consumption of chicken by rich women and rural poor women with access to rice fields (p < .05). Rice was a strongly inferior good and remained an important supplier of energy, protein, and carbohydrate. Nuts and pulses were important suppliers of calcium and iron, and vegetables were an important supplier of vitamin A. Rich women increased their intake of nuts and pulses, vegetables, fats and oils, and sugar when their intake of rice increased (p < .05). The food patterns were based on rice, nuts and pulses, and vegetables, i.e., plant food. All but the rich women decreased their intake of nutritious foods such as meat, chicken, and fruits. The intake of nuts and pulses and of vegetables increased, whereas the intake of cooking oil and sugar remained constant.


Negative energy balance secondary to inadequate dietary intake of patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the energy balance (EB) of patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation, using total energy expenditure (TEE) assessment and total caloric intake (TCI). We analyzed nutrient adequacy and factors associated with it. EB was obtained by subtracting the TCI (obtained by 3-d food record) from TEE, which was measured as resting energy expenditure and physical activity factor calculation. Socioeconomic and clinical data also were evaluated. Univariate and multiple linear regressions were used (P < 0.05). Seventy-three patients were included. The TEE was 2318.5 kcal, and the TCI was 1485.1 kcal, with 81.6% of patients presenting with negative EB. There was no significant association between TCI and socioeconomic variables, medications, and encephalopathy (P > 0.05). Women, less-educated patients, those with ascites, and those who were malnourished presented with lower TCI (P < 0.05). Severity of disease, by Child-Pugh and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores were associated with EB (P < 0.05). Child-Pugh remained significant after multivariate analyses. Energy inadequacy was observed in 91.8% of patients, and protein inadequacy in 72.6% of patients. Polyunsaturated fatty acid (64.4%) and monounsaturated fatty acid (91.8%) and fiber (94.5%) inadequacies also were high. The percentage of adequate intake was less than 10% for vitamins B5 and D, calcium, folic acid, and potassium, and higher percentages of adequate intake (>80%) were found for iron and vitamins B1 and B12. Moreover, 54.8% and 16.4% of the patients had excessive sodium and cholesterol intakes, respectively. Negative EB was highly prevalent among patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation, and was associated with the severity of liver disease. Negative EB was primarily affected by low food intake. The food intake data were characterized by low overall energy and protein intake and inadequate composition of the patient's diet plan, which tended to be characterized by specific nutrient deficiencies and excesses.


Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) in Developmental Toxicology.
The discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by Dr. Shinya Yamanaka and his team has opened up many avenues of research. This includes medical initiatives such as the Precision Medicine and Personalized Medicine initiatives to use patient-specific stem cells to guide medical professionals on the base courses of treatment for various disorders based on the patient's own genetic background, i.e., targeting the best treatment for the individual patient. However iPSC technology has greater potential than disease modeling and regenerative medicine therapies. In this chapter, we will outline how to culture and maintain human iPSCs, differentiate human iPSCs into neurons, and discuss how iPSCs can be utilized for developmental toxicology studies. Furthermore, this chapter will highlight a burgeoning field using iPSCs to examine personalized exposure risks.


An indirect method to measure trimerization constants using surface plasmon resonance.
The ability of surface plasmon resonance to precisely measure kinetic binding constants was exploited here to indirectly evaluate the thermodynamic dissociation trimerization constant (K(d)) of a designed chimeric protein, IZN-23, derived from an isoleucine zipper and a portion of the N-terminal helix residues of HIV-1 gp41. The method uses two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that display different off-rates when binding the monomeric or trimeric IZN-23. A detailed description of the data analysis strategy employed to unravel the K(d) trimerization constant from the observed off-rate kinetic values is presented, and the potential exploitation of this technique in different fields is highlighted.


Sticks and stones can break my bones, but ethnophaulisms can alter the portrayal of immigrants to children.
An archival study examined the portrayal of ethnic immigrants to children as a function of the prevailing cognitive representation of those ethnic immigrant groups in ethnophaulisms. The complexity in ethnophaulisms (and, to a lesser degree, the valence in ethnophaulisms) predicted the portrayal of ethnic immigrant groups. Overall, ethnic immigrant groups characterized in terms of ethnophaulisms of low complexity were less frequently present in children's literature, children from these ethnic groups were described more in terms of physical appearance than in terms of personal traits, fictional child characters from those ethnic groups were portrayed with smaller heads and with lower verbal complexity, and the folksongs attributed to these groups had a more negative affective tone. The implications of these results for approaches to intergroup relations are considered.


New pattern of brain MRI lesions in isolated complex I deficiency.
We describe a boy presenting at the end of the first year of life with severely delayed motor development and only mild mental retardation. Neurological examination revealed axial hypotonia, mild ataxia and pyramidal signs. Elevated lactate and protein in cerebrospinal fluid were the most prominent laboratory abnormalities. Brain MRI showed severe supratentorial white matter changes. Cerebellar white matter appeared normal whereas the signal of the atrophic cerebellar cortex was markedly increased. In vivo 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the parietooccipital white matter region showed a distinct resonance of lactate. By means of biochemical analysis of respiratory chain enzymes in fibroblasts, the diagnosis of an isolated complex I deficiency could be established in our patient.


Impact of Blended Learning on Dental Students' Performance and Satisfaction in Clinical Education.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a blended learning model with a flipped classroom approach in a clinical dental education setting based on student performance and perceptions. Comparisons were made between blended learning and traditional methods for all fourth-year dental students in two consecutive cohorts in a conservative dentistry course at a dental school in Jordan. The 2016-17 cohort (control group) consisted of 364 students taught with conventional methods. The 2017-18 cohort (study group) consisted of 253 students taught with blended learning using a flipped classroom method. Performance measures were two exams (online and written), two assignments, in-clinic quizzes, and clinical assessment. The study also assessed the number of posts made by students in the study group on an online discussion forum. The results showed that the study group students had significantly better performance on all assessments than the control group students. The students' overall grades in the blended learning cohort were an average 7.25 points higher than in the control cohort. Students who participated in the online forum also had better performance in the course: one participation correlated with 0.697 standard deviations higher score. Overall, students' perceptions were positive and supported the adoption of a blended learning model in the course. These results showing improved student performance provide support for blended learning and use of an online discussion forum.


Vibrio parahaemolyticus endophthalmitis.
A healthy child developed V. parahaemolyticus endophthalmitis after receiving a perforating corneal injury while swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. Peculiar greenish anterior chamber and vitreous exudates were a striking feature of the infection. A history of ocular injury in a salt water environment should alert the clinician to the possibility of infection due to a marine Vibrio, and appropriate means should be employed for the isolation and identification of such organisms.


Injuries from motor-vehicle collisions with moose--Maine, 2000-2004.
Moose are among the largest mammals in North America. Standing up to 7.5 feet at the shoulder and weighing up to 1,600 lbs, they are the largest members of the deer family. Maine's moose population (approximately 29,000) is the biggest in the United States outside of Alaska. During a collision with a motor vehicle, a moose usually is struck in the legs, causing its body to roll onto the hood of the vehicle, often collapsing the windshield and roof. As a result, motor-vehicle collisions involving moose are capable of causing substantial injury to vehicle occupants. To assess motor-vehicle collisions with moose in Maine and evaluate risk factors for injuries from these types of collisions, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services studied collision reports from 2000--2004. The results of that study indicated that collision rates varied by county but had clear patterns by season and time of day. Variables associated with risk for injury were posted speed limit, type of vehicle, and sex and age of the driver. Measures to reduce collisions with moose should focus on improving driver education programs and developing better engineering controls (e.g., removing roadside vegetation to improve visibility for drivers). In addition, herd management (i.e., decreasing moose population size through hunting) is currently being used in areas of Maine with high numbers of collisions, although studies are needed to assess its effectiveness.


Could ivermectin have a synergic effect with albendazole in hydatidosis therapy?
The efficacy of ivermectin (IVM) alone, albendazole (ABZ) alone and a combination of both (IVM + ABZ) against Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices was studied by means of in vitro incubation. The maximum protoscolicidal effect was detected when we used IVM+ABZ in combination. In this case, protoscolex viability dropped to 35% in comparison with 50% for IVM alone and 82.5% with ABZ alone 18 days post-incubation. Only the protoscolices incubated with IVM + ABZ did not develop into cysts following their inoculation into mice. The changes in ultrastructure induced in the protoscolices after the different drug incubations are also described. The incubation of cysts with IVM and IVM + ABZ shows that IVM + ABZ in combination is more effective than IVM alone as only when we incubated the cysts with IVM + ABZ did they completely lose their infectivity to mice. This occurred after only 10 days post-incubation. Cellular alterations were also more marked with IVM+ABZ incubations with: (1) the presence of residual bodies, (2) numerous lipids droplets and (3) vacuoles in the cytoplasm of cytons. However, the truncated microtriches and the nuclei remained unaltered after 10 days.


Long-term subscapularis strength assessment after Bristow-Latarjet procedure: isometric study.
The subscapularis is the strongest rotator cuff muscle. Bristow-Latarjet procedure may impair subscapularis function. The aim of the study is to describe the difference in isometric subscapularis (SSC) strength after L-shape tenotomy versus muscle split in patients who underwent to Bristow-Latarjet procedure. From 2000 to 2006, we enrolled 376 patients for Bristow-Latarjet procedures. We identified 2 groups according to the subscapularis approach. Group A included 264 subjects with subscapularis L shape tenotomy; group B included 112 subjects with subscapularis muscle split. The subscapularis function was assessed with lift-off and belly-press tests. Isometric strength of rotator cuff muscle was assessed at an average follow-up of 45 months in group A and 42 months in group B, recording the maximum isometric peak torque (PT) (N), maximum isometric couple (Nm), relative strength index (N/Kg), strength, couple and external/internal rotator ratio. Constant and Rowe were used as scores. Subscapularis assessment in the overall population showed 33 cases (8.8%) with a positive Lift-off test and 30 cases (8%) with a positive belly-press test. Rowe and Constant scores increased in both groups (P < .01). The mean PT in group A was lower of 24,8 Nw than group B (P < .01); similarly, the max PT values of group A were lower of 26.1 Nw than group B (P < .01). L-shaped tenotomy in Bristow-Latarjet procedure has a weakening effect on the subscapularis and for these reasons we strongly recommend the muscle split approach for an optimal subscapularis function recovery.


Further delineation of eye manifestations in homozygous 15q13.3 microdeletions including TRPM1: a differential diagnosis of ceroid lipofuscinosis.
The 15q13.3 heterozygous microdeletion is a fairly common microdeletion syndrome with marked clinical variability and incomplete penetrance. The average size of the deletion, which comprises six genes including CHRNA7, is 1.5 Mb. CHRNA7 has been identified as the gene responsible for the neurological phenotype in this microdeletion syndrome. Only seven patients with a homozygous microdeletion that includes at least CHRNA7, and is inherited from both parents have been described in the literature. The aim of this study was to further describe the distinctive eye manifestations from the analysis in the three French patients diagnosed with the classical 1.5 Mb homozygous microdeletion. Patients' ages ranged from 30 months to 9 years, and included one sib pair. They all displayed a remarkably severe identifiable clinical phenotype that included congenital blindness and convulsive encephalopathy with inconstant abnormal movements. The ophthalmological examination revealed a lack of eye tracking, optic nerve pallor, an immature response with increased latencies with no response to the checkerboard stimulations at the visual evoked potential examination, and a distinctive retina dystrophy with a negative electroretinogram in which the "b" wave was smaller than the "a" wave after a dark adapted pupil and bright flash in all patients. Clear genotype-phenotype correlations emerged, showing that this eye phenotype was secondary to homozygous deletion of TRPM1, the gene responsible for autosomal recessive congenital stationary night blindness. The main differential diagnosis is ceroid lipofuscinosis.


Capturing changes in dietary patterns among older adults: a latent class analysis of an ageing Irish cohort.
Data-driven approaches to dietary patterns are under-utilized; latent class analyses (LCA) are particularly rare. The present study used an LCA to identify subgroups of people with similar dietary patterns, explore changes in dietary patterns over a 10-year period and relate these dynamics to sociodemographic factors and health outcomes. The 1998 baseline and 2008 follow-up of the Cork and Kerry Diabetes and Heart Disease Study. Diets were assessed with a standard FFQ. LCA, under the assumption of conditional independence, was used to identify mutually exclusive subgroups with different dietary patterns, based on food group consumption. Republic of Ireland. Men and women aged 50-69 years at baseline (n 923) and at 10-year follow-up (n 320). Three dietary classes emerged: Western, Healthy and Low-Energy. Significant differences in demographic, lifestyle and health outcomes were associated with class membership. Between baseline and follow-up most people remained 'stable' in their dietary class. Most of those who changed class moved to the Healthy class. Higher education was associated with transition to a healthy diet; lower education was associated with stability in an unhealthy pattern. Transition to a healthy diet was associated with higher CVD risk factors at baseline: respondents were significantly more likely to be smokers, centrally obese and to have hypertension (non-significant). LCA is useful for exploring dietary patterns transitions. Understanding the predictors of longitudinal stability/transitions in dietary patterns will help target public health initiatives by identifying subgroups most/least likely to change and most/least likely to sustain a change.


Effect of microRNA-135a on Cell Proliferation, Migration, Invasion, Apoptosis and Tumor Angiogenesis Through the IGF-1/PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
This study explored the ability of microRNA-135a (miR-135a) to influence cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis and tumor angiogenesis through the IGF-1/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were collected from 138 NSCLC patients. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of miR-135a and IGF-1, PI3K, Akt, VEGF, bFGF and IL-8 mRNA; western blotting was used to determine the expression levels of IGF-1, PI3K and Akt protein; and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to analyze the expression levels of VEGF, bFGF and IL-8 protein. Human NSCLC cell lines (A549, H460, and H1299) and the human bronchial epithelial cell line (HBE) were selected. A549 cells were assigned to blank, negative control (NC), miR-135a mimics, miR-135a inhibitors, IGF-1 siRNA and miR-135a inhibitors + IGF-1 siRNA groups. The following were performed: an MTT assay to assess cell proliferation, a scratch test to detect cell migration, a Transwell assay to measure cell invasion, and a flow cytometry to analyze cell apoptosis. The expression level of miR-135a was lower while those of IGF-1, PI3K and Akt mRNA were higher in NSCLC tissues than in the adjacent normal tissues. Dual-luciferase reporter assay indicated IGF-1 as a target of miR-135a. The in vitro results showed that compared with the blank group, cell proliferation, migration and invasion were suppressed, mRNA and protein levels of IGF-1, PI3K, Akt, VEGF, bFGF and IL-8 were reduced, and cell apoptosis was enhanced in the miR-135a mimics and IGF-1 siRNA groups. Compared with the IGF-1 siRNA group, cells in the miR-135a inhibitors + IGF-1 siRNA group demonstrated increased cell proliferation, migration and invasion, elevated mRNA and protein levels of IGF-1, PI3K, Akt, VEGF, bFGF and IL-8 and reduced cell apoptosis. These findings indicated that miR-135a promotes cell apoptosis and inhibits cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tumor angiogenesis by targeting IGF-1 gene through the IGF-1/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in NSCLC.


Redescription of the kiwi tick Ixodes anatis (Acari: Ixodidae) from New Zealand, with notes on its biology.
Ixodes anatis Chilton is of veterinary and conservation importance in New Zealand due to its association with the threatened kiwi (Aves: Apterygidae: Apteryx spp.). Since the tick's description in 1904, there has been debate regarding its correct taxonomic position and nomenclature. Herein all life stages of this species are redescribed and accompanied by electron micrographs and drawings. The systematics, host preferences, distribution, disease relationships and conservation biology of the species are also discussed.


Evaluation of AUDIT Consumption Items New Adaptation to Improve the Screening of College Students Binge Drinking.
The strong presence of Binge Drinking (BD) amongst university students, as well as the consequences associated with the same and the changes taking place over recent years regarding its conceptualization make it necessary to examine the usefulness of screening instruments used to detect this drinking pattern. This study examines the usefulness of a briefer adaptation of the AUDIT proposed by Cortés, Giménez, Motos, and Sancerni (2017a).College students self-administered the AUDIT, the revised items 2 and 3 (A2r and A3r), and completed a weekly self-report of their alcohol intake. BD was classified according to the amount consumed and the frequency of that consumption over the past six months. The AUDIT, AUDIT-C and items A2r+A3r (AR2I) were examined. The results obtained from a sample of 605 college students (18-21 years old/55.2% female) indicate that 449 meet the BD criteria. Items A2r and A3r, adapted to the most consensual definition of BD, were found to identify 98% of BD college students when using a cut-off point of ≥ 3 in females and ≥ 4 in males with optimum levels of sensitivity and specificity. The new adaptation, which includes fewer items, identifies BD college students more accurately. This confirms the need to adjust both consumption items from the model according to the pattern of consumption in college students to detect BD more precisely and as soon as possible.


Spinal fluid profile following surgery in the subarachnoid space.
Neurotologic and skull base procedures that include dissection within the subarachnoid space carry with them the potential for meningitis. Postoperative aseptic leptomeningitis occurs more frequently than purulent bacterial meningitis. Differentiation between these two conditions early in the postoperative period is important to avoid delay in or unnecessary treatment. The definitive diagnosis is made with cerebral spinal fluid culture. Early differentiation between postoperative aseptic leptomeningitis and purulent bacterial meningitis on the basis of results of cerebral spinal fluid profile before cerebral spinal fluid culture would result in earlier appropriate therapy.


eHealth adoption factors in medical hospitals: A focus on the Netherlands.
Despite strong policy interest in eHealth, actual adoption in many European hospitals is low. This study develops and tests in a preliminary way an organisational eHealth adoption model rooted in several adoption frameworks to improve understanding of this phenomenon. The model is explored through a survey among hospitals in the Netherlands using a Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) approach. Specific attention is paid to measurement of organisational readiness and to adoption as a process including different stages. Our results suggest a sharp decrease in the adoption process by hospitals after the stage of interest/commitment. Adoption tends to be significantly affected by size of the hospital, organisational readiness including technical aspects, and top management support. eHealth adoption tends to be not a linear process nor a linear function of contextual antecedents. Organisational readiness is an important antecedent for eHealth adoption. The paper concludes with organisational strategies and policies to foster eHealth adoption in hospitals and suggestions for future study.


Fat, carbohydrate, and calories in the development of diabetes and obesity in the C57BL/6J mouse.
We have previously shown that the C57BL/6J (B6) mouse will develop obesity and diabetes if raised on a high-fat diet. Because high fat feeding is associated with hyperphagia, the present study was designed to separate the effects of fat from those of excess caloric consumption in this animal model. B6 mice were fed a low-fat diet (LF group) diet, high-fat diet (HF group) diet, or high-fat-restricted diet (HFR group), in which intake animals were pair-fed a high-fat diet to caloric level consumed by LF for 11 weeks. Within 3 weeks, HFR were significantly heavier than LF and, after 11 weeks, weight and glucose levels, but not insulin, were significantly increased in HFR when compared to LF. Body composition analysis showed the weight increase in HFR arose from an increase in percent fat consumed. We conclude that reducing the number of kilocalories consumed from a high-fat diet attenuates but does not prevent the development of type 2 diabetes and obesity in the B6 mouse.


Maternal exercise reduces hyperthermia-induced apoptosis in developing mouse brain.
Hyperthermia-induced apoptosis is mediated by mitochondrial pathway, and is temporally correlated with alterations in mitochondrial morphology in neuroepithelial cells. In addition, regular exercise up-regulates heat shock proteins (HSPs) that inhibit apoptosis. However, embryo-protective effects of maternal exercise against heat exposure during pregnancy have not been fully understood yet. To investigate the role of maternal exercise in protecting embryos from hyperthermia, we measured apoptosis-related factors and HSPs in Hsp70 knockout mouse embryos. Pregnant mice were divided into control, exercise, hyperthermia-after-exercise, and hyperthermia groups. Where appropriate the swimming exercise was performed for 5-10 min/day from embryonic day (ED) 1 to ED 8, and hyperthermia (43°C, 5 min) was induced on ED 8. To characterise the effects of maternal exercise on apoptosis-related factors and HSPs, we performed western blotting and transmission electron microscopy. Caspase-9, -7, -3 and Bax were down-regulated in the hyperthermia-after-exercise group and Bcl-2, Hsp27 and Hsp110 were up-regulated. The number of apoptotic cells was markedly reduced in the hyperthermia-after-exercise group. Maternal exercise plays an important role in inhibiting apoptotic cell death in embryos against hyperthermic exposure during pregnancy.


Hints of hidden heritability in GWAS.
Although susceptibility loci identified through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) typically explain only a small proportion of the heritability, a classical quantitative genetic analysis now argues that considering together all common SNPs can explain a large proportion of the heritability of these complex traits. A related study provides recommendations for the sample sizes needed in future GWAS to identify additional susceptibility loci.


[Change in nucleic acid metabolism in patients with acute purulent processes].
In 127 patients with purulent-inflammatory processes of different location, the DNA concentration in the blood serum increased at the period of pronounced local manifestations of an inflammatory process and intoxication of an organism, in elimination of a focus of inflammation--decreased sharply. RNA concentration in the blood serum increased after the operation in intensive development of granulation tissue. The level of inorganic phosphorus decreased. Concentration of the uric acid changed inconsiderably. This evidenced in favour of intensity of the regulatory mechanisms, which control the nucleic metabolism.


Benign versus chronic progressive multiple sclerosis: magnetic resonance imaging features.
The extent of disease as detected by magnetic resonance imaging was compared between 32 patients with benign multiple sclerosis (MS) and 32 patients with the chronic progressive form matched for age, sex, and disease duration. Computer-assisted quantitation of magnetic resonance images revealed a higher mean lesion load in chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (CPMS); however, in approximately 20% of benign MS patients the lesion load was higher than that in the CPMS patients. CPMS patients had a higher number of infratentorial lesions, yet similar numbers of supratentorial lesions, when compared with benign MS patients. The degree of confluency of lesions and the clinical expression of infratentorial lesions were typically higher in the CPMS patients. Benign MS was characterized by a lower degree of confluency and a higher number of asymptomatic infratentorial lesions. Thus, magnetic resonance imaging shows characteristic differences in magnetic resonance-detected changes between MS patients with different clinical courses.


Termination and suppression of multifocal atrial tachycardia with verapamil.
Multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT) is an ectopic atrial tachyarrhythmia most commonly observed in very ill, elderly patients with hypoxia due to chronic pulmonary or cardiac disease. We have described a patient with recurrent MAT whose paroxysms of arrhythmia were promptly terminated with intravenous verapamil and were ultimately prevented by orally administered verapamil.


Regulating the electrical behaviors of 2D inorganic nanomaterials for energy applications.
Recent years have witnessed great developments in inorganic 2D nanomaterials for their unique dimensional confinement and diverse electronic energy bands. Precisely regulating their intrinsic electrical behaviors would bring superior electrical conductivity, rendering 2D nanomaterials ideal candidates for active materials in electrochemical applications when combined with the excellent reaction activity from the inorganic lattice. This Concept focuses on highly conducting inorganic 2D nanomaterials, including intrinsic metallic 2D nanomaterials and artificial highly conductive 2D nanomaterials. The intrinsic metallicity of 2D nanomaterials is derived from their closely packed atomic structures that ensure maximum overlapping of electron orbitals, while artificial highly conductive 2D nanomaterials could be achieved by designed methodologies of surface modification, intralayer ion doping, and lattice strain, in which atomic-scale structural modulation plays a vital role in realizing conducting behaviors. Benefiting from fast electron transfer, high reaction activity, as well as large surface areas arising from the 2D inorganic lattice, highly conducting 2D nanomaterials open up prospects for enhancing performance in electrochemical catalysis and electrochemical capacitors. Conductive 2D inorganic nanomaterials promise higher efficiency for electrochemical applications of energy conversion and storage.


Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis with atypical brain changes on MRI.
A young girl with antibodies to the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor presented with a clinical syndrome suggestive of dyskinetic encephalitis lethargica with neuropsychiatric features at presentation, movement disorder, mutism, sleep disorder, and seizures. Persistent lesions in the white matter and pons were observed in magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, findings that have not been described previously in N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibody encephalitis.


Intraperitoneal chloroprocaine is a useful adjunct to neuraxial block during cesarean delivery: a case series.
Use of intraperitoneal local anesthetic to treat intraoperative pain during cesarean delivery has not been described previously. The aim of this study was to determine if intraperitoneal chloroprocaine may be useful as an adjunct to neuraxial block in reducing the proportion of patients with severe intraoperative pain that requires conversion to general anesthesia. Intraperitoneal chloroprocaine was administered during cesarean delivery as a potential alternative, when the anesthesiologist considered performing a general anesthetic due to severe intraoperative pain. A keyword search for "chloroprocaine" was performed for patients on labor and delivery between November 2013 and March 2017. Patients were included if cesarean delivery was initiated with neuraxial anesthesia and there was documented intraoperative intraperitoneal instillation of chloroprocaine. Among 2479 patients who had cesarean delivery with neuraxial anesthesia, 32 received intraperitoneal chloroprocaine (mean dose 11.8 mg/kg). No patients exhibited signs of local anesthetic systemic toxicity or required conversion to general anesthesia. Among the 32 patients who received chloroprocaine, 17 had improved pain scores documented after instillation. Intraperitoneal chloroprocaine may be useful as part of a multimodal approach to managing intraoperative pain during cesarean delivery.


Complement-dependent cytotoxic antibodies in the course of cervical carcinoma.
Complement-dependent cytotoxic antibodies to three cervical carcinoma cell lines (Me-180, SW-732 and HeLa) and to Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)-infected cells were determined in a long-term study of women with cervical carcinoma. Cytolysis of surface antigens differed significantly between the cervical carcinoma cell lines and HSV-2. Regression of the tumor during treatment was accompanied by decreasing cytolysis in the cervical carcinoma lines, while tumor bearers and patients who became severely ill had high or increasing cytotoxic antibodies, The opposite was noted for the antibody response to HSV-2 infected cells: patients with less advanced cancer had significantly higher cytolytic activity than those who were severely ill or had advanced cancer; long-term survivors demonstrated high, stable lysis of HSV-2 infected cells. As a control of the cervical carcinoma cell lines, cytolytic activity was tested also on a lung carcinoma cell line, A-549. No significant differences were found between the patients with cervical cancer and the control women. Tumor bearers and patients treated for advanced cervical cancer showed a slight but non-significant increase in cytolytic activity on the A-549 line.


MEASUREMENTS OF AIRBORNE CONCENTRATIONS OF RADON AND THORON DECAY PRODUCTS.
Liquid scintillation counting (LSC) is a measuring technique, broadly applied in environmental monitoring of radionuclides. One of the possible applications of LSC is the measurement of radon and thoron decay products. But this method is suitable only for grab sampling. For long-term measurements a different technique can be applied-monitors of potential alpha energy concentration (PAEC) with thermoluminescent detectors (TLD). In these devices, called Alfa-2000 sampling probe, TL detectors (CaSO4:Dy) are applied for alpha particles counting. Three independent heads are placed over the membrane filter in a dust sampler's microcyclone. Such solution enables simultaneous measurements of PAEC and dust content. Moreover, the information which is stored in TLD chips is the energy of alpha particles, not the number of counted particles. Therefore, the readout of TL detector shows directly potential alpha energy, with no dependence on equilibrium factor, etc. This technique, which had been used only for radon decay products measurements, was modified by author to allow simultaneous measurements of radon and thoron PAEC. The LSC method can be used for calibration of portable radon decay products monitors. The LSC method has the advantage to be an absolute one, the TLD method to measure directly the (dose relevant) deposited energy.


Delayed isolated hemothorax caused by temporary pacemaker: a case report.
An 81-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with dysarthria. Electrocardiogram revealed complete atrioventricular conduction block and then temporary pacemaker was performed. Nine days later, massive hemothorax was presented, but not pericardial effusion existed by echocardiography and chest computer tomography findings. Being a rare complication of transvenous temporary pacemaker insertion, we discussed the delayed hemothorax without associated pericardial effusion.


High prevalence of anal human papillomavirus infection and anal cancer precursors among HIV-infected persons in the absence of anal intercourse.
Anal cancer and its precursor lesion, anal squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs), are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Anal HPV infection and anal SIL are common in HIV-positive men who have sex with men; receptive anal intercourse is presumed to be the mode of acquisition of HPV. To assess the prevalence and risk factors for anal HPV infection and anal SIL in HIV-positive men with no history of anal intercourse. Cross-sectional study. Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou outpatient clinic, Paris, France. 118 HIV-infected men. 50 HIV-positive heterosexual male injection drug users with no history of anal intercourse and 67 HIV-infected men who had sex with men were evaluated by using anal cytologic, anal histologic, and anal HPV DNA testing. 23 of the 50 heterosexual injection drug users (46%) had anal HPV infection. Low-grade SIL (LSIL) was found in 8 patients (16%) and high-grade SIL (HSIL) in 9 patients (18%). Among the 67 men who had sex with men, anal HPV infection was found in 57 patients (85%), LSIL in 33 patients (49%), and HSIL in 12 patients (18%). In univariate analysis, risk factors for abnormal anal cytologic or histologic findings in injection drug users included CD4+ cell counts less than 250 x 10(6) cells/L (odds ratio, 5.7 [95% CI, 1.6 to 20.4]), plasma HIV RNA viral load greater than 1.7 log copies/mL (odds ratio, 8.9 [CI, 1.1 to 76.0]), previous AIDS-defining event (odds ratio, 4.3 [CI, 1.2 to 15.6]), and anal HPV detection (odds ratio, 5.7 [CI, 1.6 to 20.4]). Risk factors among men who had sex with men included having more than 10 lifetime receptive anal intercourse episodes (odds ratio, 5.6 [CI, 1.6 to 19.8]) and anal HPV detection (odds ratio, 8.7 [CI, 1.9 to 39.0]). Anal HPV infection and anal SIL may be acquired in the absence of anal intercourse in HIV-positive men. The prevalence of HSIL is high among HIV-positive injection drug users. All HIV-positive men with CD4+ cell counts less than 500 x 10(6) cells/L, regardless of history of anal intercourse, should be considered for anal cytologic screening; however, additional studies are needed to determine the efficacy of this procedure to prevent anal cancer in these populations.


The inhibitory effect of diazepam on conditioned defensive burying is reversed by picrotoxin.
The ability of picrotoxin to reverse the effect of diazepam was studied using the conditioned defensive burying paradigm. Although picrotoxin alone had no detectable effect on the conditioned defensive burying response of rats, picrotoxin was able to reverse the usual inhibitory effect of diazepam on defensive burying. These results suggest that the anxiolytic effect of diazepam may depend upon the integrity of GABAergic neural systems.


Abdominopelvic vascular injuries.
The clinical records of 25 patients with 32 abdominopelvic vascular injuries were reviewed. Sixty per cent of patients sustained blunt trauma and 40 per cent sustained penetrating trauma. Nineteen patients (76%) were in shock on arrival, 2 of them underwent ER thoracotomy when they first arrived in the emergency room. Nine patients (36%) had signs of lower extremity ischemia. The Injury Severity Score (ISS) ranged from 16-50, mean 29 +/- 10.0. Nineteen patients (76%) had 35 associated injuries. Of the 32 injured vessels; 8 were external iliac artery, 5 were renal vein, 4 were abdominal aorta, 3 were common iliac artery, common iliac vein, external iliac vein and inferior vena cava, and 1 was superior mesenteric artery, superior mesenteric vein and median sacral artery. Treatments included: 13 lateral repair, 4 prosthetic grafting, 4 nephrectomy, 3 ligation, 3 reversed saphenous vein grafting, 2 end to end anastomosis, 1 internal iliac artery grafting, 1 intravascular shunt and packing and 1 perihepatic packing. Nine patients (36%) died. High mortality was observed in injuries to the abdominal aorta (75%), inferior vena cava (66.7%), common iliac vein (66.7%) and associated major pelvic fractures (50%). Factors significantly associated with mortality were the presence of shock on arrival, associated injuries and high Injury Severity Score. The author concludes that short prehospital time, effective resuscitation and proper surgical decision making are important for survival in these critically injured patients.


[Percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus: short term results].
To evaluate short term results of percutaneous patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure in a cohort of pediatric and adult patients following closure with the Amplatzer Ductal Occluder (ADO-1 and ADO-2) and Amplatzer Septal Occluder (ASO) devices. A total of 48 patients (17 male and 31 female; range 3 to 39 years) were included in this study. All patients were evaluated with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) before intervention. Percutaneous closure was performed under fluoroscopy through anterograde or retrograde route. Aortagraphy was performed to measure and classify the ductus arteriosus. Residual shunt through ductus was controlled by aortography at the tenth minute and by TTE 24 hours and three months after the procedure. The released device was ADO-1 in 25 patients (51.2%), ADO-2 in 22 patients (45.8%), and ASO in one patient. Mean follow-up was 13.2 months. In 97.9% of patients, the occluder was placed into the ductus without any complication. In one patient, the device embolized to the left pulmonary artery during implantation. Aortography performed ten minutes after the procedure showed complete closure in 38 patients without residual defect. TTE revealed trace amounts of residual shunt within the device in two patients, flow around the device in two patients 24 hours after implantation, and residual shunt in only one patient three month after intervention. Transcatheter closure of PDA with ADO-1 and ADO-2 devices has low morbidity and mortality with high rates of success in selected patients.


The RTK/RAS/BRAF/PI3K pathways in melanoma: biology, small molecule inhibitors, and potential applications.
The discovery of mutations in the BRAF signaling molecule in a large proportion of cutaneous melanomas immediately suggested the prospect of effective therapies for this disease. The most appealing initial target has been BRAF itself, as most mutations involve a single residue in the kinase domain of the protein. But the identification of the high mutation rate in this signaling intermediate also suggests that other molecules up- and downstream of BRAF might be productively targeted. Indeed, several receptor tyrosine kinases, as well as RAS, are mutated in a small number of melanoma cases. Moreover, genetic alterations in the phosphotidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, especially in PTEN, suggest that this route also poses opportunities for therapeutic exploitation. We will review here the genetic evidence suggesting the utility of targets on these pathways. We will also summarize the recent clinical data that have accumulated from initial trials designed to test BRAF inhibition and targeting of other molecules. Finally, we provide an overview of molecules entering the clinic and soon to be tested in clinical studies, as well as strategies for their employment as monotherapy and in combinations.