MRT-2 checkpoint protein is required for germline immortality and telomere replication in C. elegans.
The germ line is an immortal cell lineage that is passed indefinitely from one generation to the next. To identify the genes that are required for germline immortality, we isolated Caenorhabditis elegans mutants with mortal germ lines--worms that can reproduce for several healthy generations but eventually become sterile. One of these mortal germline (mrt) mutants, mrt-2, exhibits progressive telomere shortening and accumulates end-to-end chromosome fusions in later generations, indicating that the MRT-2 protein is required for telomere replication. In addition, the germ line of mrt-2 is hypersensitive to X-rays and to transposon activity. Therefore, mrt-2 has defects in responding both to damaged DNA and to normal double-strand breaks present at telomeres. mrt-2 encodes a homologue of a checkpoint gene that is required to sense DNA damage in yeast. These results indicate that telomeres may be identified as a type of DNA damage and then repaired by the telomere-replication enzyme telomerase.


A complete review of empagliflozin: Most specific and potent SGLT2 inhibitor used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are the latest class of drugs to be introduced for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). They reduce hyperglycemia by increasing urinary glucose excretion and exert favorable effects beyond glucose control with consistent body weight, blood pressure, and serum uric acid reductions. Empagliflozin is a potent SGLT2 inhibitor used to improve glycemic control in adults with T2DM. It has the highest SGLT2 specificity among all the clinically used or currently tested SGLT2 inhibitors. Low risk of hypoglycemia, absence of weight gain and demonstrated cardiovascular risk reduction support its consideration as a first line medication in addition to metformin for patients with T2DM and cardiovascular disease. Mostly reported adverse events are genital mycotic infections, while urinary tract infections and events linked to volume depletion are rather rare. This review covers the complete information on empagliflozin including the history of its development, synthesis, pharmacology and different methods which have been reported for its analysis.


Achromatization of waveplate for broadband polarimetric system.
A broadband polarimetric system with enhanced performance is highly desired in many applications, such as remote sensing. To achromatize a waveplate by combining a stack of retardance plates made of same material with different azimuths, two merit functions are presented in this Letter. The first merit function based on the Jones theorem directly accounts for the equivalent retardance and azimuthal angles of the combined plates. The second one can search for the optimal equivalent azimuthal angles automatically by using the condition number κ2 based on 2-norm or the equally weighted variance EWV, two figures of merit for the full-Stokes polarimeters, as the objective function. Our study within the framework of the simplest full-Stokes polarimeter shows that, for the super-achromatic 131.8° waveplate consisting of seven quartz plates, the root-mean-square errors of the κ2 and EWV are about 0.49% and 0.07%, and the maximum deviations of the equivalent retardance and azimuthal angle are approximately 0.42° and 0.59°, respectively, over the waveband of 0.4-0.7 μm. For the super-achromatic quarter-wave plate comprising seven quartz plates, the maximum deviations of the equivalent retardance and azimuthal angle are only 0.18° and 0.7°, respectively.


[The ophthalmologist B. Adamandiadis and the history of the "Adamandiadis-Behçet syndrome"].
This article presents the scientific and social work of Benedikt Adamandiadis and the history of the "Adamandiadis-Behçet syndrome". The authors also attempt to describe the inestimable contribution to modern Greek ophthalmology. It is not the authors' intention to underscore Adamandiadis' importance as the discoverer of the syndrome - for him, the fulfillment of his duties as a scientist and a human being was always more important than personal fame -, but merely to correct an historical injustice.


Clinical and histopathologic correlation of midge bites.
Many species of files viciously bite humans and animals. I had the opportunity to observe such bites by the gnat Leptoconops torrens during a recent epidemic that occurred in an inland desert area of California. The bite may produce an urticarial wheal, but, more characteristically, it induces formation of a hard, indolent, pruritic papule. In biopsy specimens taken within three days after the bite, the superficial infiltrate was composed or lymphocytes and histiocytes, while eosinophils were the preponderant cell found in the deeper dermis and subcutaneous fat. These clinical and histopathologic findings are similar to those reported for the bite of the blackfly, Simulium.


Novel frameshift variant in gene SALL4 causing Okihiro syndrome.
Okihiro syndrome, Duane-radial ray syndrome or acro-reno-ocular syndrome (OMIM #607323) are alternative denominations describing an extremely variable condition, characterized by several radial defects of the upper limbs associated with Duane anomaly. It is a rare autosomal dominant disorder determined by variants in the SALL4 gene which encodes a transcription factor with eight zinc finger motifs. Here we report a novel heterozygous frameshift variant, c.410dupG, present in a Brazilian family. The five affected individuals exhibit a broad spectrum of phenotypes, ranging from the severe one presented by the index case (grossly shortened and deformed forearm, markedly hypoplastic and appendicular thumb, malformed right foot and ear malformation), to the less conspicuous condition presented by his near relatives (usually only triphalangeal or hypoplastic thumbs, sometimes associated with ulnar deviation); Duane's anomaly, however, was not observed in any of the affected family members. The c.410dupG variant is predicted to result in the translation of a truncated protein with 180 amino acid residues, lacking seven of the eight zinc finger motifs, with the same size of the predicted products of the already reported c.496dupC variant, described in two unrelated cases. However, the phenotypes observed in the three families (the one here reported and other two with c.496dupC variant) are very different. The analysis of cases so far published does not permit to establish a clear or direct genotype-phenotype correlation, but the three more severe foot malformation cases are due to variants predicted to encode truncated proteins lacking seven ZFMs. This might indicate a possible correlation between foot malformation and reduced size of the protein, suggesting that the nonsense-mediated-decay mechanism might not be so effective as to eliminate all SALL4 variants harboring premature termination codons.


Therapeutic effects of astragalus polysaccharides on inflammation and synovial apoptosis in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease, is characterized by pronounced inflammation and cell accumulation within affected joints. Beneficial effects of active ingredients of the astragalus root (Radix astrogali) in treatment of immunological diseases have been previously observed, but the mechanisms are not well understood. This study aims to evaluate therapeutic effects and the mechanisms of astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) in rats. Effects of treatment of AA rats with increasing doses of APS, Tripterygium glycosides (positive control) and saline (negative control) on swelling, arthritic index, synovial cell accumulation, serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), synovial apoptosis and immunostaining for Bcl-2 and Bax were determined. APS treatment reduced cell accumulation, swelling and arthritic index of the joints and serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL1-β in a dose-dependent manner in AA rats. Synovial cell apoptosis was elevated in response to APS treatment and accompanied by increased staining for pro-apoptotic Bax protein and decreased staining for anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein. APS treatment reduced multiple indices of arthritis in rats with AA. Results support further investigation of therapeutic effects of APS in treatment of RA and other autoimmune diseases.


Localisation of rDNA in the Lupinus genome during the cell cycle.
Observations of a specific rDNA locus behaviour during the cell cycle were made by fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) in 12 Lupinus species. Due to the pattern of chromatin de-condensation in that locus, the number of relevant sites in interphase nuclei was twice as high as the number of signals on metaphase chromosomes. The description of successive phases and an attempt of an explanation are given.


[Familial hemifacial spasm: report of 2 cases].
The authors report the clinical and angiographical findings of two cases of familial hemifacial spasm. This is the fifth description in the literature and presents mother and daughter at the ages of 76 and 51 respectively, in whom the left side was affected. They underwent exams of angioresonance that showed dolichobasilar with left side origin in both patients. The exams also demonstrated postero-inferior cerebellar artery very developed and irregularities in the walls of the vertebral and basilar arteries suggestive of arteriosclerosis in the mother and slightly elongated intracranial vessels in the daughter. Literature review and etiology data of the hemifacial spasm are focused.


Evaluation of bone mechanical strenght and fracture risk assessment (Frax) in patients with hip joint replacement surgery.
Fracture risk assessment tools are useful to calculate the long term probability of osteoporotic fracture. However, how it reflects bone quality is unknown. The aim of this study was to correlate the WHO clinical fracture risk assessment tool, FRAX, with bone mechanical properties. Six patients submitted to hip replacement surgery, either due to osteoporotic fractures or to osteoarthritis, were evaluated. Bone samples were collected and the mechanical properties assessed by compression tests. Patients' data regarding the presence of clinical risk factors for fracture were registered. Laboratorial assessment of bone metabolic parameters and a dual X-ray absorptiometry(DXA) were done. Analysis of the load-displacement curves showed that patients with fragility fractures (n=4) had low values of elastic modulus, yield load and energy absorbed until yield point. Osteoarthritis patients tend to have a better biomechanical performance.Femoral neck DXA scan was also performed in 3 patients. Fragility fracture patients had a lower bone mineral density than the patients with osteoarthritis. FRAX algorithm was applied and a positive relation was found between FRAX results and biomechanical parameters. Blood bone metabolic markers were within the normal range for all the subjects. The worse mechanical properties observed in the fragility fracture patients were related to high probability of fracture given by FRAX. These observations, in a very small sample, need further confirmation. However, they suggest that the fracture risk assessment tool, FRAX, may reflect the current mechanical bone behavior of the patient.


Systemic effect of ultraviolet irradiation on non-immunologic immediate contact reactions to benzoic acid and methyl nicotinate.
Systemic effects of ultraviolet irradiation B (UVB) and ultraviolet irradiation A (UVA) on non-immunologic immediate contact reactions (NIICRs) induced by benzoic acid (BA) and methyl nicotinate (MN) were studied in healthy volunteers. NIICR tests with four concentrations of BA and MN in white petrolatum were performed on the skin of the upper back on exposed and non-exposed areas, before and at intervals 1-14 days after exposure to 1) 0.20 J/cm2 of UVB, 2) after the first of daily doses on five consecutive days of 0.04 J/cm2 of UVB, 3) after the first of daily doses on five consecutive days of 20 J/cm2 of UVA, and 4) 1-8 weeks after the first of twelve consecutive doses of 20 J/cm2 of UVA given three times a week over a period of four weeks. After the last of twelve exposures of UVA, stratum corneum was stripped off from both the exposed and the non-exposed skin. Forty minutes after application of the test substances, erythema and edema reactions were observed visually, and changes in the blood flow were monitored using a laser-Doppler flow-meter. All dosages of UV-light inhibited the NIICRs on exposed areas. UVB as given repeatedly inhibited NIICRs to 125 mM BA on non-exposed areas. The twelve doses of UVA also had a systemic inhibitory effect on NIICRs both on stripped and non-stripped test areas. The results indicate a systemic inhibitory effect of UV light on NIICRs.


Influence of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma in murine schistosomiasis.
Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice were administered at the time of parasite residency in the lung with recombinant murine interleukin (IL)-2 or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), to evaluate the impact of cytokines in host responses to primary schistosomiasis. S. mansoni lung-stage schistosomula did not affect plasma lipids levels in BALB/c, while elicited significant (p<0.05) increase in free fatty acids (FA) and decrease in cholesterol plasma levels in C57BL/6 and CD1 mice, and stimulated expression of mRNA for Th2 cytokines in BALB/c and Th1 cytokines in C57BL/6 and CD1 mice. Production of specific antibodies was negligible in the 3 strains. Interleukin-2 treatment elicited significant (p<0.001) decrease in triglycerides (TG) in CD1, and decrease in TG and cholesterol plasma levels and down-regulation of TNF-alpha mRNA expression in C57BL/6 mice. Induction of type 2 cytokines and/or IFN-gamma mRNA expression did not lead to increase in percentage of specific antibody responders in any mouse strain. Exogenous IL-2-related reduction in cholesterol plasma levels and TNF-alpha mRNA expression in C57BL/6 mice was associated with significant (p<0.05) decrease in adult worm recovery and egg count. Treatment with IFN-gamma elicited significant (p<0.05) free FA plasma levels increase in BALB/c and C57BL/6 and decrease in CD1 mice. Expression of type 2 cytokines mRNA was stimulated in BALB/c and CD1 mice, yet was not accompanied with increase in humoral responses. Exogenous IFN-gamma-related reduction in free FA plasma levels and IFN-gamma mRNA response, and up-regulation of TNF-alpha mRNA expression in CD1 mice were associated with significant increase in adult worm burden and egg load. The data were discussed in an attempt to define host factors predictive of resistance to schistosome infection.


A mobile health infrastructure to support underserved patients with chronic disease.
Chronic diseases are the global leading cause of death, but the US health system is poorly designed to support patients with chronic disease. Underserved patients report high rates of cell phone use and interest in using mobile technology for health care. A mobile health infrastructure may help transform health care delivery for underserved patients with chronic disease. This study assessed the feasibility of integrating mobile health infrastructure with clinical information systems and the electronic medical record (EMR) to support patients with chronic disease through automated, bidirectional text messaging. Three priority areas of chronic disease management were targeted. Existing self-management support was expanded, and new support for laboratory test scheduling and medication management was created. Adult patients (n=135) with diabetes selected preferred content and scheduling for self-management message prompts. Outreach messages were sent to patients overdue for laboratory tests and medications. Manual review of pharmacy and laboratory outreach data was conducted for quality assurance. Focus groups were held to solicit patient perspectives. Patients sent over 6500 response messages with response rates of 53.7% (blood sugar), 48.8% (step counts), and 31.9% (blood pressure). Laboratory data integration was achieved, but pharmacy data gaps required ongoing manual review. Focus group participants reported improved self-management and information awareness. HIT was used to address dependency on visit-bound disease management in a novel, low-cost way. Use of a mobile health infrastructure was feasible. Text messaging solutions may mitigate barriers to access and enhance support for patients with chronic disease.


Pain resilience moderates the influence of negative pain beliefs on movement-evoked pain in older adults.
Negative pain beliefs are associated with adverse pain outcomes; however, less is known regarding how positive, adaptive factors influence pain and functioning. These relationships are especially important to examine in older adults with pain, given increased disability and functional limitations in this population. We investigated whether pain resilience moderated the relationships between negative pain beliefs (fear-avoidance, pain catastrophizing) and pain outcomes (functional performance, movement-evoked pain) in sixty older adults with low back pain. Higher pain resilience was associated with lower fear-avoidance (p < .05) and pain catastrophizing (p = .05). After controlling for demographic variables, higher fear-avoidance (p = .03) and catastrophizing (p = .03) were associated with greater movement-evoked pain in individuals with low pain resilience, but not among those high in resilience. No significant moderation effects were observed for functional performance. Resilience may attenuate the relationship between negative psychological processes and pain-related disability, highlighting the need for interventions that enhance pain resilience in older adults.


Measurement of membrane potential of endothelial cells in single perfused microvessels.
The membrane potential is an important modulator of calcium ion flux into endothelial cells of venular microvessels. We developed a method to measure the membrane potential of endothelial cells forming the walls of individually perfused microvessels under the same experimental conditions as those used to measure cytoplasmic calcium concentration and microvessel permeability. The membrane potential-sensitive fluorescent dye, bis-oxonol (1 microM), was added to the perfusate and the changes in bis-oxonol fluorescence intensity (FI) were calibrated in terms of changes in membrane potential using the cationic ionophore, gramicidin. FI changes an average of 0.625% per millivolt. The resting membrane potential of endothelial cells measured in single perfused microvessels, each calibrated individually, was 51.6 +/- 4.9 mV (n = 9). In the presence of high potassium Ringer's solutions (57.9 and 100 mM, [K+]o), the membrane depolarized 25 +/- 3 and 40 +/- 5 mV, respectively. Conversely, low potassium solutions (0.1 mM [K+]o) hyperpolarized the membrane by 23 +/- 4 mV. The endothelial membrane was also depolarized when the Na-K-ATPase was inhibited with ouabain. This method provides new data to test current hypotheses describing the role of the endothelial cell membrane potential as a modulator of microvessel permeability.


[Quality of life of the patients with diabetes mellitus and risk factors ].
Quality of life is a comprehensive index for judging individual's physiological, psychological and social function and living condition. There were 143 patients with diabetes mellitus, based on WHO diagnosis standard, hospitalized' in PLA general hospital participated in the study. Investigation instrument included 156 questions (3 aspects) in total. The content of quality of life consisted of 14 items, covering physiological, psychological, social function and living conditions. The results showed that many abnormal changes of quality of life were found in the patients with diabetes mellitus. AMong them the impaired memory and concentration were most obvious. And less important changes were abnormal emotional reactions, reducing of entertainment activities, social adaptation and work ability. The age, degree of education, condition of the illness, complications, social and family background had effects on the quality of life.


"Intracisternal microtubules" in neurons of dog ganglia.
Ultrastructure, age-incidence, and topographic distribution of so-called intracisternal microtubules (ICMT) were studied in neurons of autonomic and ganglia of dogs. Microtubules packed within dilated cisterns of rough ER are about 24 nm in diameter; the thickness of the walls is about 10 nm. These facts suggest that intracisternal microtubules are identical with cytoplasmic microtubules. The ICMT show 12, 13, and 14 protofilaments. ICMT wer more frequently observed in autonomic than in somatic ganglia. In 23 dogs over 7 years old, ICMT was positive in 20 dogs. These structures therefore, seem related to ageing. The mechanism of production has not yet been established, but the cause may be a disturbance of protein synthesis and/or of the protein tubulin transport system.


On the heating of linear conductive structures as guide wires and catheters in interventional MRI.
The interest in performing vascular interventions under magnetic resonance (MR) guidance has initiated the evaluation of the potential hazard of long conductive wires and catheters. The objective of this work is to present a simple analytical approach to address this concern and to demonstrate the agreement with experimental results. The first hypothesis is that a long conductive structure couples with the electric field of the radio frequency (RF) transmit coil. The second hypothesis is that this coupling induces high voltages near the wire ends. These voltages can cause tissue heating due to induced currents. The experimental results show an increase in coupling when moving a guide wire toward the wall of an RF transmit coil, documented with a temperature increase of a saline solution in close proximity to the tip of the guide wire. The coupling of the wire not only presents a potential hazard to the patient, but also interferes with the visualization of the wire. A safe alternative would be the use of nonconducting guide wires. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2001;13:105-114.


Association between the Surgical Apgar Score and Perioperative Complications after Radical Prostatectomy.
To evaluate whether the Surgical Apgar Score (SAS) can identify patients who are at risk for perioperative adverse events (PAE) following radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. At a single academic institution, 994 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy between 2010 and 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. The SAS was calculated from anesthesia records, evaluated to predict PAE within a 30-day time period postoperatively; these events were classified according to standardized classification systems. We observed adverse events in 45.4% (451/994) of patients with a total of 694 events. Overall, 41% (408/994) had low- and 9.9% (98/994) had high-grade events. A lower SAS was identified as an independent predictor of any (p < 0.001) and low-grade adverse events (p = 0.001) for those patients who had undergone open retropubic radical prostatectomy (ORRP). Each 1-point increment resulted in a 24% decrease in the odds of any (95% CI 0.66-0.88) and a 21% decrease in the odds of a low-grade (95% CI 0.69-0.91) event. Adverse events of robot-assisted prostatectomy were not associated with the SAS. Lower SAS values indicate patients at risk for adverse events after ORRP. The SAS might serve as one variable for outcome assessment, reflecting the challenge of mutual surgical and anesthesiology procedure management.


The interaction between ADAM 22 and 14-3-3zeta: regulation of cell adhesion and spreading.
The ADAM family consists of a number of transmembrane proteins that contain disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase-like domains. Therefore, ADAMs potentially have cell adhesion and protease activities. 14-3-3 proteins are a highly conserved family of cytoplasmic proteins that associate with several intracellular signaling molecules in the regulation of various cellular functions. Here we report the identification of a novel interaction between the ADAM 22 cytoplasmic tail and the 14-3-3zeta isoform by a yeast two-hybrid screen. The interaction between the ADAM 22 cytoplasmic tail and 14-3-3zeta was confirmed by an in vitro protein pull-down assay as well as by co-immunoprecipitation, and the binding sites were mapped to the 28 amino acid residues of the C-terminus of the ADAM 22 cytoplasmic tail. Furthermore, we found that overexpression of the ADAM 22 cytoplasmic tail in human SGH44 cells inhibited cell adhesion and spreading and that deletion or mutation of the binding site for 14-3-3zeta within the ADAM 22 cytoplasmic tail abolished the ability of the overexpressed cytoplasmic tail to alter cell adhesion and spreading. Taken together, these results for the first time demonstrate an association between ADAM 22 and a 14-3-3 protein and suggest a potential role for the 14-3-3zeta/ADAM 22 association in the regulation of cell adhesion and related signaling events.


In vitro phosphorylation of cytoskeletal proteins from cerebral cortex of rats.
Procedures for the preparation of high- and low-salt Triton insoluble cytoskeletal fractions from rat brain suitable for studying in vitro phosphorylation by endogenous kinases and phosphatases are described. The high-salt Triton insoluble cytoskeletal fraction is enriched in neurofilament subunits (NF-H, NF-M and NF-L), vimentin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), while the low-salt Triton insoluble cytoskeletal fraction contains detergent insoluble cytoskeletal elements such as intermediate filament subunits and tubulins. One of our approaches is to incubate cerebral cortex slices with [32P]orthophosphate before the cytoskeletal fraction extraction, which allows the in vitro phosphorylation of cytoskeletal constituents in an intact intracellular environment. On the other hand, we also incubate low- or high-salt cytoskeletal fractions previously prepared with [gamma(32)P]ATP. By doing so, we are able to study the direct effects of substances on the kinase and phosphatase activities associated with the cytoskeletal fraction. Moreover by using specific activators or inhibitors of protein kinases and phosphatases we can obtain more detailed information on the alterations provoked by these substances. These approaches are useful for the investigation of the neurotoxic effects of various drugs and metabolites affecting the cytoskeletal-associated phosphorylation system in the brain.


Successful outcome of mismatched hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from a related donor in an infant with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 9;11 translocation: case report and review of the literature.
Although infants with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and MLL gene rearrangements have a poor prognosis, those with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have been shown to have a superior outcome with intensive chemotherapy alone despite the presence of MLL gene rearrangements. We report the case of an ALL infant with t(9;11), a common cytogenetic abnormality in infant AML, who after relapse underwent successful hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from her HLA 2-loci-mismatched mother. Analysis of the outcome among ALL infants with MLL gene rearrangements registered in the Japan Infant Leukemia Study between 1996 and 1999 showed the event-free survival of patients with t(9;11) was not different from that of those with other 11q23 translocations. Most of the patients with t(9;11) described in the reviewed literature also experienced either induction failure or early relapse after achievement of complete remission, but some of them were rescued with subsequent HSCT. These findings suggest that infant ALL with t(9;11) has features distinct from those of infant AML with the same karyotype and that the prognosis among these patients can be improved only with the combination of intensive chemotherapy and HSCT An appropriate strategy for the treatment of ALL infants with different 11q23 translocations must be clarified.


Gender and age differences in chief complaints of acute myocardial infarction (Worcester Heart Attack Study).
We examined gender and age differences for chief symptom complaints in a population-based sample of 881 women (43%) and 1,192 men (57%) hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Women, in particular older women, were less likely than men to have a chief complaint of chest pain associated with AMI. Overall, a large proportion of women and men whose AMI was ultimately diagnosed did not present with chest pain as their chief complaint.


Post-ischemic release of nucleosides and oxypurines in isolated rat hearts. Possible involvement of ventricular fibrillation.
In isolated perfused rat hearts global ischemia for 2, 5, and 15 min was produced. Depending on the duration of the ischemia, postischemic reperfusion led to the release of adenosine and its catabolites, and to more or less severe ventricular tachyarrhythmias. When ventricular fibrillation occurred, a highly significant increase in the purine release was observed compared with non-fibrillating hearts. Prevention of fibrillation by antiarrhythmic drugs decreased the purine release in a highly significant way. After only 2 min of ischemia, reperfusion did not lead to ventricular fibrillation. Electrical induction of fibrillation during the reperfusion in these hearts provoked the release of very high amounts of the purine compounds. A similar effect of electrically-induced fibrillation was also obtained in hearts without a previous ischemic period. The findings suggest that ventricular fibrillation is able to induce the release of purine derivatives from the heart.


"Hear(ing) New Voices": Peer Reflections from Community-Based Survey Development with Women Living with HIV.
The Canadian HIV Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study (CHIWOS) engaged in an innovative community-based survey development process. We sought to provide 1) an overview of the survey development process, and 2) personal reflections from women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; "peers") on their own observations of strengths and short-comings of the process and opportunities for improvement. Guided by the principles of community-based research (CBR) and meaningful involvement of women living with HIV (WLWH), CHIWOS coordinated a national, multidisciplinary research team, and facilitated a community based survey development process. Four key lessons emerged highlighting the importance of 1) accommodating different preferences for feedback collection, 2) finding the right combination of people and skills, 3) formalizing mentorship, and 4) creating guidelines on survey item reduction and managing expectations from the outset. Peers discussed the strengths and weaknesses of participatory methodologies in survey development.


Cervical varix accompanied by placenta previa in twin pregnancy.
Uterine cervical varix is a rare complication in pregnant women and can be the cause of obstetric hemorrhage in the vagina resulting in adverse events for both the mother and fetus. A 34-year-old Japanese woman was hospitalized at 18 weeks gestation because of cervical varix and placenta previa. Prophylactic tocolysis successfully controlled the obstetric hemorrhage. At 27 weeks gestation, emergent cesarean section was performed because of intractable hemorrhage from the marginal placenta previa. Intraabdominal findings revealed no vascular malformation of the uterus, and the operation was performed uneventfully. A speculum examination of the vagina and cervix at 1 month postpartum were unremarkable. It is important to recognize the clinical features and available treatments for cervical varix.


[Primary angioplasty is elective reperfusion therapy in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. Arguments in favor].
Thrombolytic treatment has demonstrated its efficacy on acute myocardial infarction. However, it cannot be used in a significant number of patients and it doesn't achieve adequate reperfusion in a great percentage of cases. Primary angioplasty, a treatment which can be used in the majority of acute myocardial infarction patients, obtains artery patency in more than 90% of cases, with a better perfusion in the infarct territory and fewer reocclusion rates compared to thrombolysis. Consequently, primary angioplasty is associated with a lower mortality rate, and a lower incidence of recurrent ischemia and hemorrhagic stroke during hospitalization. Coronary artery stents and new antiplatelet agents have improved the short-term and mid-term results of primary angioplasty. Currently, when the facilities and trained personal are available, primary angioplasty should be the treatment of choice in acute myocardial infarction.


Predictive diagnosis of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN 1) in four Australian kindreds.
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) is a tumour predisposition syndrome that usually manifests in the first four decades of life. It has an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance which means that any new member of a MEN1 kindred has roughly a 50% chance of developing the disorder during their lifetime. The localisation of the MEN1 gene to a small region of chromosome band 11q13 has led to the development of DNA-based predictive diagnosis for this disease. To establish a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based system, using simple tandem repeat polymorphisms (STRPs), to predict gene carriers in four Australian MEN 1 kindreds. Six STRP markers flanking the MEN1 region of chromosome band 11q13 were used to screen individuals for a common haplotype in order to determine carrier status. The accuracy of prediction was calculated to be > 95% in informative individuals. DNA-based presymptomatic detection of affected members of MEN 1 kindreds could facilitate their care and reduce the inconvenience and expense of repeated testing of unaffected members. However, due to occasional recombination events or uninformativeness of markers in certain individuals, carrier status cannot always be predicted.


Concentrations of serum amyloid A and plasma fibrinogen in horses undergoing emergency abdominal surgery.
To compare the perioperative response of serum amyloid A (SAA) to fibrinogen in horses requiring exploratory celiotomy for colic and to determine if SAA could be used to predict complications and outcome. Prospective observational clinical study. University teaching hospital. Eighteen horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy for colic. Inclusion criteria for the study included survival and anesthetic recovery from exploratory celiotomy, no history of surgery within the past year. Blood was obtained via jugular venipuncture before surgery (time 0) and at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after recovery from anesthesia. Quantitative and semiquantitative fibrinogen, SAA, total nucleated cell counts, and total protein were evaluated at each time point. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess differences at each time point and after grouping horses according to duration of colic prior to surgery, strangulating surgical lesion or not, presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) on admission, and postsurgical complications. Significant (P < 0.05) increases in SAA concentrations occurred in all cases after surgery compared to fibrinogen concentration, which only demonstrated a mild, clinically insignificant increase postsurgery. SAA concentrations were also significantly increased (P < 0.05) in cases identified with SIRS prior to surgery and postoperatively at 48 (P = 0.05) and 72 hours (P = 0.02) in horses that developed complications. Measurement of SAA is a more sensitive indicator of inflammation than fibrinogen in the perioperative period of horses requiring exploratory celiotomy for colic. Serial measurement of SAA at 48, 72, and 96 hours after surgery may be helpful to determine risk of complications and guide postoperative management. Measurement of SAA on admission also allows for quantification of SIRS when it is detected clinically.


Bioelectronic Medicine-Ethical Concerns.
Bioelectronic medicine (BEM) offers exciting opportunities to treat diseases such as movement disorders and refractory inflammatory disease. The many variations of BEM allow for noninvasive aspects of treatment that might eliminate or reduce the need for pharmaceuticals; therefore, the term "electroceuticals" may be suitable. BEM has been effective for movement disorders and improvement of prosthetic devices. Based on this implication, there is an allowance to impact many focus areas that include but are not limited to autoimmune disease, sensory motor conditions, and neurological conditions. There are a wide array of ethical issues that relate to BEM, which include informed consent, research ethics, innovation, academic-industry relationships, intellectual property, and the conundrum that needs to be addressed when altering the brain such as the issues of autonomy and free beneficence and social justice. The major goal is to heighten awareness of ethical issues and facilitate a proactive ethical approach regarding BEM research.


Self-aligned Schwann cell monolayers demonstrate an inherent ability to direct neurite outgrowth.
In vivo nerve guidance channel studies have identified Schwann cell (SC) presence as an integral factor in axonal number and extension in an injury site, and in vitro studies have provided evidence that oriented SCs can direct neurite outgrowth. However, traditional methods used to create oriented SC monolayers (e.g. micropatterns/microtopography) potentially introduce secondary guidance cues to the neurons that are difficult to de-couple. Although SCs expanded on uniform laminin-coated coverslips lack a global orientation, the monolayers contain naturally formed regions of locally oriented cells that can be used to investigate SC-mediated neurite guidance. In this work, novel image analysis techniques have been developed to quantitatively assess local neurite orientation with respect to the underlying regional orientation of the Schwann cell monolayer. Results confirm that, in the absence of any secondary guidance cues, a positive correlation exists between neurite outgrowth and regional orientation of the SC monolayer. Thus, SCs alone possess an inherent ability to direct neurite outgrowth, and expansion of the co-culture-based quantitative method described can be used to further deconstruct specific biomolecular mechanisms of neurite guidance.


Assessment of lower arm movements using one inertial sensor.
Reduction of the number of sensors needed to evaluate arm movements, makes a system for the assessment of human body movements more suitable for clinical practice and daily life assessments. In this study, we propose an algorithm to reconstruct lower arm orientation, velocity and position, based on a sensing system which consists of only one inertial measurement unit (IMU) to the forearm. Lower arm movements were reconstructed using a single IMU and assuming that within a measurement there are moments without arm movements. The proposed algorithm, together with a single IMU attached to the forearm, may be used to evaluate lower arm movements during clinical assessments or functional tasks. In this pilot study, reconstructed quantities were compared with an optical reference system. The limits of agreement in the magnitude of the orientation vector and the norm of the velocity vectors are respectively 4.2 deg (normalized, 5.2 percent) and 7.1 cm/s (normalized, 5.8 percent). The limit of agreement of the difference between the reconstructed positions of both sensing systems were relatively greater 7.7 cm (normalized, 16.8 percent).


Complications of intrauterine intervention for treatment of fetal obstructive uropathy.
The intrauterine surgical placement of vesicoamniotic shunts in the treatment of fetal obstructive uropathy associated with prune-belly syndrome to avoid such complications as renal damage and oligohydramnios remains controversial. We present a case of an infant born with prune-belly syndrome at 33 weeks and 5 days of estimated gestational age to a mother of two by vaginal delivery after a pregnancy complicated by fetal obstructive uropathy with attempted intrauterine intervention. After sonographic and laboratory diagnostic and prognostic evaluations, an intrauterine procedure was performed in which a vesicoamniotic shunt was placed under ultrasound guidance. Complications included dislodgment of the initial shunt, with a failed subsequent attempt at placement, oligohydramnios, preterm labor and delivery, and traumatic gastroschisis through the surgical abdominal wall defect. His hospital stay was further complicated by chronic renal insufficiency, prematurity, respiratory distress, bowel malrotation, an episode of gram-negative sepsis with Enterobacter cloacae, signs of liver failure, an exploratory laparotomy for severe enterocolitis, and orchiopexy for bilateral undescended testes. At present, it is unclear whether vesicoamniotic shunt placement can provide any significant improvement in the morbidity or mortality for patients with prune-belly syndrome. A large, prospective, randomized trial is needed to determine its efficacy.


Regional differences and secular trends in the incidence of epilepsy in Finland: a nationwide 23-year registry study.
Regional variations and temporal trends in the incidence of new-onset epilepsy are clinically important and may offer clues on how to prevent epilepsy. We examined regional differences and secular trends in the incidence of new-onset epilepsy in the Finnish population based on the nationwide full-refundable antiepileptic drug registry and the population registry in the years 1986-2008. The overall incidence of epilepsy was significantly higher in eastern Finland than in middle [risk ratio (RR) 1.08 (95% confidence interval, CI 1.05-1.12)), p < 0.0001] and western Finland [RR 1.32 (1.30-1.35), p < 0.0001] but it was declining from 1986 to 2008 in all regions [RR 0.83 (0.81-0.84), p < 0.0001]. The mean annual decline was 0.6%. Although the incidence of epilepsy was falling from 1986 to 2008 in childhood [annual decline 1.9%, RR 0.80 (0.75-0.86), p < 0.0001] and in middle age [annual decline 0.8%, RR 0.88 (0.84-0.93), p < 0.0001], it increased significantly in the elderly (age 65 years or older) in all of Finland [annual increase 3.5%, RR 1.25 (1.18-1.33), p < 0.0001], and particularly in east versus west Finland [RR 1.48 (1.42-1.55), p < 0.0001]. As a result, starting with the year 2000, the incidence rate of epilepsy was higher in the elderly than in children for all of Finland. In view of the falling incidence of epilepsy in childhood and middle-age in all of Finland from 1986 to 2008, the significant increase in the incidence of epilepsy in the elderly is of concern. The regional increase of epilepsy may offer clues for allocating resources and, possibly, population epileptogenesis between west and east Finland and for strategies to prevent epilepsy in the elderly.


Identification of sex-associated protein in the preputial gland of house rat (a new insight in rodent pest management).
Our recent findings revealed that the preputial gland of male house rat contains 20 kDa protein, however, the role of androgen in the production of this protein is not known. Hence, the present study was carried out to evaluate the androgen dependency of 20 kDa protein in the preputial gland of house rat (Rattus rattus) and to compare its presence in female clitoral gland. Further, on castration the amount of glandular protein in male was significantly decreased to a certain extent, while testosterone treatment on castrated males showed an increasing trend. The electrophorogram of male house rat showed six different protein fractions with molecular weights of 90, 70, 60, 50, 35 and 20 kDa. However, the 70, 60, 50 and 35 kDa were absent in female. Among the different fractions, 90 and 20 kDa proteins were prominent. On castration, the 20 kDa protein was disappeared; while on testosterone treatment the protein reappeared. Thus, the present study concludes that the 20 kDa protein is a testosterone dependent sex-associated protein. Since urinary protein is found to act as carrier for volatile substances in pheromonal communication. The present study suggests that the glandular protein may bind with the volatile compounds produced from preputial gland. Identification of this carrier protein in the preputial gland explores the possibility of developing pheromonal trap for rodent pest management (RPM).


Bacterial carbohydrate structure database 3: principles and realization.
Bacterial carbohydrate structure database (BCSDB) is an open-access project that collects primary publication data on carbohydrate structures originating from bacteria, their biological properties, bibliographic and taxonomic annotations, NMR spectra, etc. Almost complete coverage and outstanding data consistency are achieved. BCSDB version 3 and the principles lying behind it, including glycan description language, are reported.


Overexpression in Escherichia coli, purification and characterization of Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis elongation factor G with multiple rare codons.
The fusA gene encoding a thermophilic protein EF-G with multiple rare condons was cloned from Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis (TteEF-G) and overexpressed in Escherichia coli by cotransfering a RIG plasmid to overcome the potential codon-bias problem originated from Arg, Ile and Gly. The recombinant protein was identified by MALDI-TOF-MS for molecular mass with approximation of 76 kDa and by trypsin digestion coupled LC-MS/MS for peptide sequence coverage of 61.3%. The in vivo complementary assay indicates that TteEF-G could significantly rescue the E. coli LJ14 (frr(ts)) at the non-permission temperature of 42 degrees C in the bi-transformant of TteRRF and TteEF-G. This study indicated that coexpression of rare codons' cognate tRNA is a useful method for protein overexpression in E. coli.


[Associated Langerhans cell histiocytosis and Erdheim-Chester disease].
Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis with multiple organ involvement affecting middle-aged adults. A case of ECD associated with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is reported herein. A 75-year-old woman presented maculopapular skin lesions on her trunk, associated with constrictive pericarditis and pleurisy present for 1 year. The skin biopsy militated in favour of LCH since it revealed a histiocytic infiltrate with a positive CD1a marker at immunohistochemistry (IHC). The association with ECD was diagnosed on the basis of pericarditis, periaortitis, pleurisy, pulmonary involvement and retroperitoneal fibrosis. The patient was treated with interferon-α2a with good initial results, but died from septic shock a year and a half later, a few months after discontinuing interferon due to poor tolerability. The clinical, radiographic and histological arguments in favour of ECD clearly differ from those for LCH. However, as already reported, the two illnesses may be associated, thus underlining the possible existence of a link between these two histiocytic proliferations emanating from the same medullary precursor. Two hypotheses have been advanced in an attempt to explain this association: the first involves a stimulus that might lead to independent proliferation of the two cell lines while the second suggests the existence of a transformation pathway from one form of proliferation to the other. Screening for associated ECD should be routinely performed in patients presenting LCH with signs evocative of ECD.


A phase I study of enfortumab vedotin in Japanese patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma.
Locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer is an aggressive form of cancer with high recurrence rates and low survival. Nectin-4 is a cell adhesion molecule commonly expressed in several tumors, including high expression in urothelial cancer. Enfortumab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate composed of an anti-Nectin-4 humanized monoclonal antibody linked to the microtubule disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E. In this phase I study (NCT03070990), Japanese patients with locally advanced/metastatic urothelial cancer treated with prior chemotherapy, or ineligible for cisplatin, were randomized 1:1 to receive 1.0 mg/kg (Arm A) or 1.25 mg/kg (Arm B) enfortumab vedotin on Days 1, 8, and 15 of each 28-day cycle. Assessing the pharmacokinetic and safety/tolerability profiles of enfortumab vedotin were primary objectives; investigator-assessed antitumor activity (RECIST v1.1) was a secondary objective. Seventeen patients (n = 9, Arm A; n = 8, Arm B) received treatment. Pharmacokinetic data suggest a dose-dependent increase in enfortumab vedotin maximum concentration and area under the concentration-time curve at Day 7. Enfortumab vedotin was well tolerated across both doses. Dysgeusia and alopecia (n = 9 each) were the most common treatment-related adverse events. Regardless of attribution, grade ≥ 3 adverse events occurring in ≥2 patients were anemia and hypertension (n = 2 each). One patient achieved a confirmed complete response (Arm A) and five achieved confirmed partial responses (n = 3, Arm A; n = 2, Arm B). Objective response and disease control rates were 35.3% and 76.5%, respectively. In Japanese patients with locally advanced/metastatic urothelial cancer, enfortumab vedotin is well tolerated with preliminary antitumor activity and a pharmacokinetic profile consistent with prior reports.


Paget's disease of the breast with underlying carcinoma arising in systemic scleroderma.
A case is presented of Paget's disease of the breast with underlying infiltrating carcinoma arising in a 35-year-old woman with systemic scleroderma. The tumor arose in an area of the skin affected by the systemic scleroderma 4 years after the onset of her systemic disease. The possibility of a causal relationship between these two processes is discussed and a brief review of the literature is presented.


A graphical-mechanistic approach to spatial resource competition.
Ecological communities are structured by processes operating at multiple spatial scales, which results in an often daunting complexity. Here we present a simple graphical theory to study the interaction of two fundamental community processes: resource competition at the local scale and dispersal at the regional scale. We consider a metacommunity model with two habitat patches in which consumer species compete for a spatially distributed resource. We introduce a graphical construction of the equilibrium metacommunity composition, analogous to traditional competition theory for two resources. As in the nonspatial case, the zero net growth isoclines (ZNGIs) play a central role in the analysis. We show that a consumer species' ZNGI depends on its dispersal characteristics, and this dependence leads to a unification of various dispersal-based coexistence mechanisms. We illustrate this unification using four specific mechanisms: species-specific dispersal rates, spatially asymmetric dispersal, resource-dependent dispersal, and competition between habitat specialists and generalists.


Membrane ion-exchange chromatography for process-scale antibody purification.
The large-scale production of recombinant monoclonal antibodies demands economical purification processes with high throughputs. The potential for ion-exchange membrane adsorbers to replace traditional ion-exchange columns was evaluated. Breakthrough capacities of commercially available cation-exchange membranes were determined as a function of flow-rate and layer number. Due to economic and process restrictions, cation-exchange membranes may not currently be advantageous for process-scale antibody purification in a bind and elute mode. However, anion-exchange membranes in a flow-through mode may provide a reasonable alternative to columns for the removal of low levels of impurities such as DNA, host cell protein, and virus.


Stromal anti-apoptotic androgen receptor target gene c-FLIP in prostate cancer.
The tumor microenvironment significantly influences prostate cancer progression. Androgen receptor exerts its effect through downstream target genes to regulate prostate cancer cell proliferation. The c-FLIP gene was recently shown to be an androgen receptor target gene. c-FLIP is an inactive homologue of caspase-8 and, thus, it inhibits the death receptor mediated apoptosis pathway. c-FLIP over expression was shown to accelerate the progression of prostate cancer cells to androgen independence. We evaluated the role of c-FLIP expression in stromal cells in prostate cancer development. We examined c-FLIP expression in 53 androgen dependent and 21 androgen independent prostate cancer stromal cells by immunohistochemical analysis. The effects of c-FLIP over expression in stromal cells on the growth and invasion of LNCaP and PC3 prostate cancer cells were determined in indirect coculture systems. At the androgen dependent stage the stromal c-FLIP level was increased in prostate cancer tissue. The expression level of stromal c-FLIP was associated with tumor differentiation. However, stromal c-FLIP expression was not increased in androgen independent human prostate cancer. c-FLIP over expression in stromal cells stimulated the growth and invasion of prostate cancer, including LNCaP and PC3 cells in vitro. These results indicate the over expression of stromal c-FLIP and its function for promoting prostate cancer growth and invasion.


A bone biopsy procedure for neonatal pigs.
Neonatal pigs were used to develop a surgical biopsy procedure to remove bone tissue from the ilium of small animals, with potential application for infants and small children. While the neonatal pig was under general anaesthesia, a scalpel was used to make a punch incision down to the ilium. Then a Craig Biopsy Trephine was used to remove a core sample of the bone. The samples ranged from 5 to 15 mm in length and 2 to 3 mm in diameter, with an average dry weight of 34.4 mg. The samples were adequate for mineral (calcium and zinc) analysis in our laboratory and may be equally suitable for histological or biochemical analyses. Surgical trauma was minimal, which permitted each pig to be biopsied every 7 days for 5 weeks without adverse consequences.


Remote intracerebral haemorrhage post intravenous thrombolysis: experience from an Australian stroke centre.
Remote intracerebral haemorrhage (rICH) is defined as intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) post thrombolysis in brain regions without visible ischaemic changes. There is uncertainty that clinical outcomes and risk factors for rICH are different to those for local ICH. We investigated the morbidity, mortality and factors associated with rICH. We hypothesised that a previous history of cerebral ischaemic events is associated with increased risk of rICH. We included consecutive acute ischaemic stroke patients from 2003 to 2012 who were treated with intravenous thrombolysis. Clinical data included demographics, stroke classification, vascular risk factors and laboratory results. Clinical outcome was defined by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months. Baseline and follow-up CT scans were analysed for all ICH, and further dichotomised to rICH and local ICH. Clinical outcomes between rICH and local ICH were compared after adjustment for confounding factors. Four hundred and two patients were included in the study. The median age was 71 (interquartile range 60-79)years, and 54% were male. ICH (local ICH and rICH) was detected in 21.6% (87/402) of all patients post thrombolysis. The incidence of rICH was 2.2% (9/402). Most rICH were classified as haemorrhagic infarct category 2 (HI2) (p = 0.002). The proportion of patients with previous transient ischaemic attacks was significantly higher in the rICH group (33.33% versus 2.56%; odds ratio [OR] 18.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.06-114.38; p = 0.007). The proportion of mRS scores 0-2 at 3 months was significantly higher in the rICH group (50% versus 28%; adjusted OR 10.469, 95%CI 1.474-74.338; p = 0.019). The 3 month mortality rate was 22.2% (2/9) in the rICH group and 36% (27/75) in the local ICH group (OR 0.53, 95%CI 0-2.51, p = 0.703). rICH was an infrequent complication after intravenous thrombolysis in our series. The clinical outcome of rICH was significantly better than local ICH. Of note, previous episodes of transient ischaemic attack were significantly higher in the rICH group, suggesting previous ischaemic injury as an underlying mechanism.


Frantz's tumor (solid and cystic tumor of the pancreas) with liver metastasis: successful treatment and long-term follow-up.
A rare case of Frantz's tumor with liver metastasis is reported. An 11-year-old girl had local resection of a Frantz's tumor in the head of the pancreas. Ten years later, she had a recurrence in the pancreatic head, and two liver metastases were also disclosed at reoperation. Pancreaticoduodenectomy and enucleation of metastatic lesions in the liver were performed. Six years after the second operation, she is well and free of disease. A review of 174 cases of Frantz's tumor disclosed that metastatic disease in the pediatric age group is extremely rare and yet the prognosis is favorable. On the other hand, the outcome in older patients, especially those over 40 years old, is very poor.


Interleukin-1 alpha stimulates the release of prostaglandin E2 and phospholipase A2 from fetal rat calvarial cells in vitro: relationship to bone nodule formation.
We have shown previously that interleukin-1 (IL-1) has biphasic effects on the formation of bone nodules in long-term cultures of fetal rat calvarial (RC) cells (Ellies and Aubin, Cytokine 2:430-437, 1990). To determine the role of arachidonic acid metabolism in this process, we have examined the release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) from RC cells under conditions that allowed concomitant analysis of the formation of bone nodules. Recombinant human IL-1 alpha (rhIL-1 alpha) stimulated PGE2 and PLA2 release in a time- and dose-dependent manner. PGE2 release was highest in preconfluent cultures (days 1-6) and was stimulated up to 8.5-fold in response to 50 U/ml of rhIL-1 alpha. In contrast, extracellular PLA2 activity was maximal in postconfluent cultures, with 50 U/ml of rhIL-1 alpha causing a 20-fold increase by day 15. PLA2 release by RC cells was not significantly affected by PGE2, the glucocorticoid dexamethasone, or the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. Indomethacin partially blocked the inhibition of bone nodule formation caused by rhIL-1 alpha, and exogenous PGE2 reversed this effect. Addition of group I PLA2 from Naja naja venom to RC cells had no effect on bone nodule development; however, group II PLA2 from Crotalus adamanteus venom inhibited the formation of bone nodules in a dose range similar to that induced by rhIL-1 alpha. These results indicate that PGE2 release does not have a direct temporal correlation with increases in PLA2 activity. In addition, the data show that only part of the inhibition of bone formation seen with rhIL-1 alpha is mediated by PGE2 and suggest that extracellular PLA2 also accounts for part of the inhibition.


Virulence associated plasmid and R-plasmid curing in Yersinia enterocolitica by some tricyclic compounds.
The virulence plasmid which confers calcium-dependent growth in Yersinia enterocolitica and the R-plasmid of a Y. enterocolitica strain were eliminated by several, tricyclic psychopharmacons, e.g. promethazine, imipramine, and (+) and (-)-butaclamols.


[Cyanides--treatment beneath the shade of terror].
Although the use of cyanides as warfare agents has not been documented since the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, there are rising fears of cyanide being used by terrorists. An Al-Qaeda terror plot to use cyanide gas in the London Underground was foiled in 2002. The threat of similar events becomes more imminent in light of the terror attacks in our country and worldwide, accompanied by statements and threats by fundamentalist leaders to employ chemical weapons. Therefore, mass-intoxication with cyanides is not merely a hypothetical scenario. The treatment of cyanide poisoning is under constant evaluation and there is no international consensus on the subject. The medical treatment of victims at the scene and in hospitals should be rapid and efficient. Current treatment dictates establishing an intravenous line and a slow rate of administration of antidotes. Both demands are not feasible in this specific mass casualty event. The clinical signs of cyanide poisoning are complex, variable and not necessarily obvious for the medical team. There is great interest in reconsidering the existing treatment protocols for cyanide intoxication in light of current research. This review describes the mechanisms of cyanide toxicity, clinical signs of exposure, and current treatment protocols in use worldwide. On the basis of this evidence we suggest a medical treatment protocol for a mass casualty event caused by cyanide.


Palliation of advanced head and neck cancer with radiofrequency hyperthermia and cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Fourteen patients with recurrent malignant tumours of the head and neck were treated with radiofrequency hyperthermia and chemotherapy after conventional therapy had failed. After 2 to 11 treatment courses and a follow-up of 30 weeks, the neoplasms in three patients had completely regressed and one had a partial response. Of eight patients who died, two had partial responses initially; a third patient died of complications relating to surgical resection of the tumour after a partial response. Three of five patients whose tumours were unresponsive to methotrexate responded when this drug was given with radiofrequency hyperthermia. There were seven minor skin burns in six patients. Further studies of radiofrequency hyperthermia and chemotherapy for palliation of head and neck cancer are planned.


Reconstruction of the naso-orbital-ethmoid (NOE) complex using the osteocutaneous radial forearm flap (OCRFF).
Describe the utility of osteocutaneous forearm flaps in reconstruction of naso-orbito-ethmoid (NOE) defects. Case series with chart review. Tertiary medical centers. The study was conducted on patients treated between the years 2000 and 2014 undergoing NOE resection with reconstruction using the radial forearm flap. Decision making, technical feasibility, need for revisions, and patient disease outcomes were included to assess the durability of reconstruction over remaining survival period. Fifteen patients underwent NOE reconstruction in the timeframe studied. Five recent patients reported poor nasal airway but no diplopia or immediately clinically evident enopthalmus after NOE reconstruction in mean follow-up of 17.3 months. One-third of patients succumbed to disease in the study period, 3 without revision, and all but 2 surviving patients required revisions. Osteocutaneous radial forearm flap (OCRFF) is a cosmetically acceptable method of reconstructing NOE defects. Though a 1-step reconstruction can be serviceable without multiple additional procedures, longer surviving patients frequently receive revision surgery as with more traditional planned staged procedures.


Effects of cimetidine administered in cytoprotective and antisecretory doses on the membrane-bound ATP-dependent energy systems in the gastric mucosal lesions induced by HCl in rats.
CFY strain rats (both sexes, 180-210 g) were fasted for 24 hr. Different doses of cimetidine (2.5, 10 and 50 mg X kg-1 i.p.) were given 30 min prior to the gastric mucosal lesions induced by the intragastric application of 0.6 M HCl. Animals were sacrificed 1 hr after the administration of the necrotizing agent. The number of gastric lesions was determined and their severity scored. Samples from the gastric fundic mucosa were taken for biochemical analysis. The tissue levels of adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP), adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP), adenosine-5'-monophosphate (AMP) and L-(+)-lactate were determined enzymatically, while the tissue contents of cyclic 3',5' adenosine monophosphate were measured by radioimmunoassay. The values for adenylate pool (ATP + ADP + AMP)-1 were calculated. All biochemical results were computed for 1.0 mg mucosal protein. We found that (1) the levels of ADP and lactate rose significantly, while ATP, AMP, cAMP, ATP X ADP-1 and energy charge decreased during the development of gastric lesions induced by HCl: (2) cimetidine decreased dose-dependently the number and severity of lesions: (3) the levels of ATP, ADP X ADP-1, and energy charge were increased dose-dependently by cimetidine, while AMP and lactate were decreased: (4) the levels of ADP, adenylate pool and cAMP did not change significantly by cimetidine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Concentrations of perfluoroalkyl substances in foods and the dietary exposure among Taiwan general population and pregnant women.
This study quantified five perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) and two perfluorosulfonic acids in cereals, meats, seafood, eggs, pork liver, and milk in Taiwan using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and evaluated the dietary exposure of the general population and pregnant women using per capita consumption and a questionnaire, respectively. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and PFCAs of 10-12 carbons were found in almost all of the samples in considerable concentrations in rice and pork liver, reaching as high as 283 ng/g (PFOA in pork liver); the levels are two to three orders of magnitude higher than previous reports. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), the most frequently mentioned perfluoroalkyl substance, was rarely detected in many food items (detection frequencies <20% in rice, flour, pork, chicken, salmon, squid, eggs, and milk) at <0.4 ng/g, except for beef, pork liver and some seafood (detection frequencies: 100%, GMs: 0.05-3.52 ng/g). Compared to populations in Western countries, people in Taiwan are exposed to much more perfluorohexanoic acid, PFOA, perfluorodecanoic acid, and perfluoroundecanoic acid (11.2, 85.1, 44.2, and 4.45 ng/kg b.w./day, respectively), mainly due to the higher contaminations in food. The exposure of 8.0 μg PFOA/person/day in the 95 percentile of pregnant women was due to their frequent consumption of pork liver.


SLAP lesions: a retrospective multicenter study.
A retrospective analysis of 530 glenohumeral arthroscopies performed by three independent Belgian arthroscopists revealed the presence of 32 SLAP lesions, which represents an incidence of 6%. Since this is exactly the same percentage as found by Snyder et al., we report our data in this article. We classified 23 of the SLAP lesions using Snyder's classification, 7 needed the additional classification of Maffet et al., and 2 lesions were considered to be anatomic variations; 53% of the lesions were of type II. Concerning the mechanism of injury, we found comparable percentages of traction (22%) and compression (28%) injury as reported by Snyder, but also a high number (25%) of overhead sports activities as described by Andrews et al. Associated lesions were in close accordance with Snyder's data, but a relatively low incidence of rotator cuff injuries (10%) was present. Comparison of treatment regimens showed that the same percentage of lesions (34%) was fixed arthroscopically in both series. Only SLAP II, IV, and V lesions must be considered as unstable and in need of fixation. We confirm that patients' complaints and clinical symptoms are vague and inconsistent. Imaging, using computed tomographic arthrography or magnetic resonance, was performed in a minority of cases. Advantages and pitfalls of both techniques are discussed. Anatomic variations causing an extra-large sublabral hole are shown, and we warn about potential diagnostic and therapeutic errors in these cases.


[The electrocardiographic anomalies and 2D-echocardiographic findings during the recovery phase of the stress test in the postinfarct patient].
The appearance or the increase of repolarization abnormalities in the EKG during post exercise (ET) recovery phase (R) is considered a marker of ischemia. In order to evaluate the real meaning of these changes we compared the EKG data with eventual modifications of left ventricular kinesis analyzed by 2D-ECHO. 10 male patients with previous myocardial infarction, mean age 50 +/- 4.8 y, underwent exercise testing on a treadmill (Bruce's protocol) and continuous 2D-ECHO observation from the end of exercise along the whole R. Patients were divided in two groups: Group A (6 patients) and Group B (4 patients), all free of symptoms. Group A showed ischemic EKG markers during exercise which increased during R; Group B showed ischemic EKG markers only during R. The 2D-ECHO showed in Group A an impairment of left ventricular kinesis at peak exercise without increase or extension during R (WMSI at rest 1.32; peak ET 1.60; R 1.60); in Group B the kinetic alterations appeared only in R (WMSI at rest 1.33, peak ET 1.42; R 1.80), strictly related to EKG markers. The data suggest : 1) that the increase of EKG abnormalities already present during exercise do not seem to imply more severe ischemia; 2) that EKG changes appearing during R are markers of ischemia which occur in the R.


MR of pulmonary hamartoma: pathologic correlation.
We describe the magnetic resonance (MR) appearance with pathologic correlation of six pulmonary hamartomas. All six tumors showed intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Four of the six tumors showed a lobulated appearance separated by septa on precontrast T1-weighted or T2-weighted images. Gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images showed marked enhancement of the septa that separated the tumors into less well enhanced lobules; this was seen in all six tumors. Comparison between MR images and pathologic specimens showed that the regions with less enhancement corresponded to core cartilaginous tissue and septa; areas of marked contrast enhancement corresponded to cleft-like branching mesenchymal connective tissue that dipped into the cartilaginous core. MR images correlated well with the surgically resected tumors.


The macrosomic infant: a high risk complication.
A retrospective analysis was made of 110 macrosomic infants in an effort to detect predictive factors which may influence the management of labour and delivery of such infants. Clinical suspicion of a macrosomic infant by the obstetrician was the most constant predictive factor antenatally. Measures to reduce the increased maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality in the delivery of such infants are discussed.


Outcome of children with opsoclonus-myoclonus regardless of etiology.
Within the past 11 years, 11 patients with opsoclonus and myoclonus, with or without a history of neuroblastoma, have been admitted to Children's Memorial Hospital. Eight of the 11 children had an occult neuroblastoma. Eight children have had subsequent delayed development with motor incoordination and speech delay (7 with neuroblastoma, 1 without). Nine of 11 children initially were treated with ACTH, 1 child was treated with prednisone, and 1 was not treated. Nine of the 10 children who were treated had recurrences of symptoms during the gradual withdrawal or discontinuation of ACTH. Often the ACTH had to be restarted or increased, although several times the episodes were self-limited, not requiring treatment after ACTH was withdrawn. We found prednisone was ineffective in controlling opsoclonus-myoclonus regardless of etiology. The majority of children with opsoclonus-myoclonus, regardless of etiology, have developmental delay, more severe and at a higher rate than previously reported. When a neuroblastoma was present, tumor removal did not improve symptoms. Although limited in size, our study indicates patients with opsoclonus-myoclonus without an associated neuroblastoma have a better chance for normal neurologic development (2/3 versus 1/8).


Expression of ICAM-1 in distant metastatic thyroid carcinoma.
Distant metastasis from follicular thyroid carcinoma developed in a 48-year-old woman 11 yr after the resection of the primary tumor. Distant metastasis consisted in invasion of the left infraspinatus muscle by malignant thyroid cells. After its surgical removal, in the following 6-8 months multiple metastasis to distant skeletal muscle and brain appeared, and despite chemotherapy and local radiotherapy, the patient finally died. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), a single chain transmembrane glycoprotein, was detected on the surface of cells of the metastatic tissue. Although ICAM-1-positive staining has been recently described in primary tumors such as papillary adenocarcinoma, and metastatic tumors from skin, brain, thymus, liver, adrenal gland and prostate, to our knowledge its expression on distant metastasis from thyroid carcinoma has not been previously reported.


Fabrication and modification of wavy multicomponent vascular grafts with biomimetic mechanical properties, antithrombogenicity, and enhanced endothelial cell affinity.
A mismatch of mechanical properties and a high rate of thromboses are two critical challenges of creating viable artificial small-diameter vascular grafts (SDVGs). Herein, we propose a method to fabricate wavy multicomponent vascular grafts (WMVGs) via electrospinning using an assembled rotating collector. The WMVGs consisted of a wavy silk/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) inner layer and a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) outer layer, which mimic the structures and properties of collagen and elastin in native blood vessels, respectively. Attributed to the wavy structure and the combination of rigid silk/PLA and elastic TPU biomaterials, WMVGs are capable of mimicking the nonlinear tensile stress-strain relationship and "toe region" of native blood vessels. In addition, they have sufficient mechanical strength to meet implantation requirements in terms of tensile strength, suture retention, and burst pressure. Further modification of silk/PLA fibers with dopamine and heparin gave the grafts antithrombogenic properties and greatly enhanced endothelial cell affinities. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured on modified silk/PLA showed high viability, high proliferation rate, and favorable cell-substrate interactions. Moreover, HUVECs were able to fully cover and freely migrate upward on the lumen of the modified WMVGs without needing a special circulation bioreactor. Therefore, the modified WMVGs possessed biomimetic properties, antithrombogenicity, and enhanced endothelialization, making them a promising candidate for SDVGs. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 2397-2408, 2019.


Improve the prediction of RNA-binding residues using structural neighbours.
The interactions between RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) with RNA play key roles in managing some of the cell's basic functions. The identification and prediction of RNA binding sites is important for understanding the RNA-binding mechanism. Computational approaches are being developed to predict RNA-binding residues based on the sequence- or structure-derived features. To achieve higher prediction accuracy, improvements on current prediction methods are necessary. We identified that the structural neighbors of RNA-binding and non-RNA-binding residues have different amino acid compositions. Combining this structure-derived feature with evolutionary (PSSM) and other structural information (secondary structure and solvent accessibility) significantly improves the predictions over existing methods. Using a multiple linear regression approach and 6-fold cross validation, our best model can achieve an overall correct rate of 87.8% and MCC of 0.47, with a specificity of 93.4%, correctly predict 52.4% of the RNA-binding residues for a dataset containing 107 non-homologous RNA-binding proteins. Compared with existing methods, including the amino acid compositions of structure neighbors lead to clearly improvement. A web server was developed for predicting RNA binding residues in a protein sequence (or structure),which is available at http://mcgill.3322.org/RNA/.


Oncogenic ras stimulates a 96-kDa histone H2b kinase activity in activated Xenopus egg extracts. Correlation with the suppression of p34cdc2 kinase.
We previously showed that purified, bacterially expressed oncogenic human rasH protein blocks or delays the progression of the embryonic cell cycle into M-phase in activated Xenopus egg extracts. This block correlates with the suppression of the activation of p34cdc2 kinase (Pan, B.-T., Chen, C.-T., and Lin, S.-M. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 5968-5975). In an attempt to identify kinases that are involved in mediating the effect of oncogenic Ras on the cell cycle, we assayed aliquots of activated Xenopus egg extracts, which were incubated at 25 degrees C for various times in the absence and presence of oncogenic Ras, for their kinase activities toward a calf thymus histone fraction (Hf1). We find that the suppression of the histone H1 kinase activity of p34cdc2 by oncogenic Ras correlates with a simultaneous stimulation of a histone H2b serine kinase activity. Using a histone H2b in-the-gel kinase assay, we further show that the stimulated histone H2b kinase activity is attributed mainly to a 96-kDa kinase and slightly to p42mapk. Although Xenopus p90rsk is also activated by oncogenic Ras, we demonstrate that activated p90rsk is not responsible for the 96-kDa histone H2b kinase activity. The identity of the 96-kDa kinase remains unclear. Our data suggests that the 96-kDa kinase may be involved in mediating the effect of oncogenic Ras on the embryonic cell cycle of Xenopus.


Successful treatment of thoracic actinomycosis with ceftriaxone.
We report the case of a 38-year-old woman who had pulmonary actinomycosis that involved the pleura and the pectoral muscles. The patient was initially treated with intravenous ceftriaxone once a day on an outpatient basis. After 3 weeks of treatment, a computed tomogram showed resolution of the initial findings. This result suggests that ceftriaxone may be an effective and convenient therapeutic agent for the initial parenteral treatment of actinomycosis.


LSG: An External-Memory Tool to Compute String Graphs for Next-Generation Sequencing Data Assembly.
The large amount of short read data that has to be assembled in future applications, such as in metagenomics or cancer genomics, strongly motivates the investigation of disk-based approaches to index next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. Positive results in this direction stimulate the investigation of efficient external memory algorithms for de novo assembly from NGS data. Our article is also motivated by the open problem of designing a space-efficient algorithm to compute a string graph using an indexing procedure based on the Burrows-Wheeler transform (BWT). We have developed a disk-based algorithm for computing string graphs in external memory: the light string graph (LSG). LSG relies on a new representation of the FM-index that is exploited to use an amount of main memory requirement that is independent from the size of the data set. Moreover, we have developed a pipeline for genome assembly from NGS data that integrates LSG with the assembly step of SGA (Simpson and Durbin, 2012 ), a state-of-the-art string graph-based assembler, and uses BEETL for indexing the input data. LSG is open source software and is available online. We have analyzed our implementation on a 875-million read whole-genome dataset, on which LSG has built the string graph using only 1GB of main memory (reducing the memory occupation by a factor of 50 with respect to SGA), while requiring slightly more than twice the time than SGA. The analysis of the entire pipeline shows an important decrease in memory usage, while managing to have only a moderate increase in the running time.


The monocyte tumor necrosis factor-alpha production in patients with acute leukemia in complete remission.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production by unstimulated and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated peripheral monocytes has been studied in 17 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, 54 AML patients in complete remission (AML-CR), 9 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients and 13 ALL patients in complete remission (ALL-CR). TNF-alpha production by the unstimulated monocytes in ALL patients (n = 6, mean: 6.6 +/- 4.9 u/ml) was higher than that of normal controls (n = 13, 0.9 +/- 0.7 u/ml), AML patients (n = 14, 2.0 +/- 2.1 u/ml) and AML-CR patients (n = 21, 1.4 +/- 1.2 u/ml). TNF-alpha production by the LPS-stimulated monocytes of the AML-CR patients (n = 54, 12.4 +/- 13.4 u/ml) was significantly higher than that of the normal controls (n = 21, 3.5 +/- 2.5 u/ml) and the AML patients (n = 17, 2.6 +/- 2.4 u/ml), p < 0.01, but there were not any significant differences among the AML-CR patients and the ALL patients or the ALL-CR patients. We separated the AML-CR patients into 3 groups, depending on the length of their remission, and found that AML-CR patients with longer than 6 months (M) but less than 60 M (n = 21, 15.7 +/- 16.9 u/ml) and the patients with a remission longer than 60 M (n = 11, 18.2 +/- 15.9 u/ml) had significantly higher TNF-alpha production than that of the controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Abnormal cytology during pregnancy--a retrospective analysis of patients in a dysplasia clinic.
The incidence of abnormal cytological results in pregnant women is as much as 7%. Often there is need to advise pregnant women with an abnormal cervical cytology result and monitor them throughout pregnancy, without endangering the mother or child. We retrospectively analyzed all pregnant women with an abnormal cervical cytology or condyloma in our dysplasia clinic between 01/2008 and 12/2011. Classification of the cervical cytological results was performed according to the Munich II nomenclature and a biopsy was obtained from most patients. Groups were defined in order to assess regression, persistence and progression. Particular attention was paid to the mode of delivery and the postpartum consultation. A total of 65 pregnant women were treated in the dysplasia clinic. The reason for referral was Pap IIID in 46.2%, Pap IVa in 40% and Pap III or Pap II with condyloma in 6.2% patients. Only one patient presented with a Pap IVb finding. The pregnancy was continued in all but one cases. Postpartum, a total of 40% of cases, were in remission. A partial remission occurred in 4.6%. Persistence of the abnormalities was observed in 26.2%. Progression was documented in 3% and 71.1% were able to have a vaginal delivery. A caesarean section was performed in 22.2%. A total of 4.4% suffered a miscarriage, which was not caused by the colposcopy. The distinctive feature of the present study is the high number of follow-up examinations, which showed that even women with highly dysplastic changes in pregnancy, who are regularly monitored can be advised to continue pregnancy. Vaginal delivery is possible in most cases.


[Effects of ferulic acid on FSH, LH and prolactin levels in serum and pituitary tissue of male rats (author's transl)].
The existence of substances in corn germ, which induce a positive response in pigeon crop test, has been previously reported by Okamoto and Takahashi in 1974. Following this first experiment, one of these substances was identified as ferulic acid by purification. In the present experiment FSH, LH and prolactin levels in the serum and the pituitary tissue of castrated male rats and EP (estradiol benzoate and progesterone) treated male rats were determined by radioimmunoassay at 5 to 180 min. after intravenous injection with 1 mg of ferulic acid. It was noted that FSH release only was promoted significantly at 5 min. after the injection, whereas LH and prolactin releases were inhibited at 5 to 10 min. after the injection. A rebound effect was noted in LH and prolactin releases after the injection.


A 4-week repeated oral dose toxicity study of fucoidan from the Sporophyll of Undaria pinnatifida in Sprague-Dawley rats.
Fucoidan is extracted from brown seaweeds, which can have anti-coagulant, antithrombotic, antitumor, and antiviral activities. However, detailed studies on the toxicology of fucoidan have not been performed. Here we tested the toxicity of fucoidan in Sprague-Dawley rats. Fucoidan (1350mg/kg bw/day for 4 weeks) did not induce statistically significant differences in groups matched by gender with respect to body weight, ophthalmoscopy, urinalysis, hematology, and histopathology. Fucoidan did not change prothrombin time or activated partial thromboplastin time, indicating an inability to change blood clotting. This study demonstrated that fucoidan is not toxic under this administration paradigm.


Short report: Failure of the OptiMAL rapid malaria test as a tool for the detection of asymptomatic malaria in an area of Thailand endemic for Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax.
We evaluated the efficacy of the OptiMAL assay in a cross-sectional malaria survey in western Thailand from April to August 2001. Expert microscopy of Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood films was used as the gold standard. Positive control lines were evident in 99% (1,128 of 1,137) of the assays tested. However, 34% (384 of 1,128) of assays produced an aberrant result (a positive P. falciparum-specific line and a negative panmalarial line). False-positive panmalarial and Plasmodium falciparum-specific lines occurred in 25.9% (270 of 1,042) and 60.3% (628 of 1,042) of microscopy-negative samples, respectively. Due to the preponderance of false-positive test results, it was necessary to develop subjective criteria for test positivity based on line intensity. For determination of assay performance during this study, we therefore considered all test lines that were scored as intermediate or strong as positive and lines that were faint as negative. Using these criteria, we determined that the sensitivity of the OptiMAL assay for P. falciparum was 25% with > 500 parasites/microl and 10.5% with > 100 parasites/microl, while for P. vivax, the sensitivity at the same parasite rates was 100% and 41.7%, respectively. Further studies are required to determine whether the problems we identified are limited to this particular lot of OptiMAL assays.


Morphological and molecular data argue for the labrum being non-apical, articulated, and the appendage of the intercalary segment in the locust.
Our analysis of head segmentation in the locust embryo reveals that the labrum is not apical as often interpreted but constitutes the topologically fused appendicular pair of appendages of the third head metamere. Using molecular, immunocytochemical and retrograde axonal staining methods we show that this metamere, the intercalary segment, is innervated by the third brain neuromere-the tritocerebrum. Evidence for the appendicular nature of the labrum is firstly, the presence of an engrailed stripe within its posterior epithelium as is typical of all appendages in the early embryo. Secondly, the labrum is innervated by a segmental nerve originating from the third brain neuromere (the tritocerebrum). Immunocytochemical staining with Lazarillo and horseradish peroxidase antibodies reveal that sensory neurons on the labrum contribute to the segmental (tritocerebral) nerve via the labral nerve in the same way as for the appendages immediately anterior (antenna) and posterior (mandible) on the head. All but one of the adult and embryonic motoneurons innervating the muscles of the labrum have their cell bodies and dendrites located completely within the tritocerebral neuromere and putatively derive from engrailed expressing tritocerebral neuroblasts. Molecular evidence (repo) suggests the labrum is not only appendicular but also articulated, comprising two jointed elements homologous to the coxa and trochanter of the leg.


Effect of Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil, nisin, and their combination on the production of enterotoxin C and alpha-hemolysin by Staphylococcus aureus.
The effect of different concentrations of Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil (EO; 0%, 0.005%, and 0.015%), nisin (0, 0.125, and 0.25 microL/mL), and their combinations on the production of staphylococcal enterotoxin C (SEC) and alpha-hemolysin (alpha-toxin) by Staphylococcus aureus at different inoculation levels (10(3), 10(4), and 10(5) cfu/mL) in brain heart infusion broth during storage at 35 degrees C for up to 43 days was evaluated. The SEC production was significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited and the hemolysis due to alpha-toxin was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by EO concentration at levels 0.015% and 0.005%, respectively. Significant (p < 0.05) inhibitory effect of EO on SEC production at level 0.005% was observed when it was used in combination with nisin = 0.125 microL/mL. The significant (p < 0.05) synergistic effect of EO = 0.005% and nisin = 0.125 microL/mL was also observed as more reduction of hemolysis due to alpha-toxin than EO = 0.005% alone. Further, EO significantly (p < 0.05) prevented SEC production by S. aureus during the manufacturing process of a traditional Iranian white brined cheese (as a food model) even at its lowest concentration (5 microL/100 mL), in this study.


PBDE-47-induced oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis in primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons.
2,2',4,4'-Tetrabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-47) causes developmental neurotoxicity in animal studies, but the mechanism remains poorly understood. This paper investigates the mechanism by studying the effects of oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis induced by PBDE-47 in cultured primary rat hippocampal neurons at different PBDE-47-concentrations (0, 2.06, 20.6, and 41.2 microM). The results showed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, percentage of apoptosis, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) level and the lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage rate were affected by exposure of cells to 41.2 microM PDBE-47 (P<0.05), but not to the lower concentrations tested (20.6 and 2.06 microM). Reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and increased DNA damage (tested by a comet assay) were affected at all concentrations tested in a dose-related manner (P<0.05). These results suggested that PBDE-47 could induce oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis in primary rat hippocampal neurons. Whether or not this concentration response pattern indicates that ROS leads to DNA damage and/or apoptosis must be confirmed with further experiments.


Driven inelastic Maxwell gases.
We consider the inelastic Maxwell model, which consists of a collection of particles that are characterized by only their velocities and evolving through binary collisions and external driving. At any instant, a particle is equally likely to collide with any of the remaining particles. The system evolves in continuous time with mutual collisions and driving taken to be point processes with rates τ(c)(-1) and τ(w)(-1), respectively. The mutual collisions conserve momentum and are inelastic, with a coefficient of restitution r. The velocity change of a particle with velocity v, due to driving, is taken to be Δv=-(1+r(w))v+η, where r(w)∈[-1,1] and η is Gaussian white noise. For r(w)∈(0,1], this driving mechanism mimics the collision with a randomly moving wall, where r(w) is the coefficient of restitution. Another special limit of this driving is the so-called Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process given by dv/dt=-Γv+η. We show that while the equations for the n-particle velocity distribution functions (n=1,2,...) do not close, the joint evolution equations of the variance and the two-particle velocity correlation functions close. With the exact formula for the variance we find that, for r(w)≠-1, the system goes to a steady state. Also we obtain the exact tail of the velocity distribution in the steady state. On the other hand, for r(w)=-1, the system does not have a steady state. Similarly, the system goes to a steady state for the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck driving with Γ≠0, whereas for the purely diffusive driving (Γ=0), the system does not have a steady state.


[Reducing the Feeding-Tube Obstruction Rate in Esophageal Cancer Patients With Jejunostomy].
Patients with esophageal cancer experience chronic dysphagia. This condition typically necessitates the use of a jejunal feeding tube to provide the patient with adequate nutrition. Obstruction of the jejunal feeding tube is common in clinical practice and results in malnutrition in most patients and mortality in the most serious cases. An analysis of the status of jejunostomy-tube use in our unit found that these tubes were obstructed in 27.6% of the cases. The causes of this obstruction were: tube bending due to tight suturing, small inner-tube diameter, the absence of adequate jejunal-feeding standards, and failure to implement relevant training strategies. These findings motivated us to attempt to reduce the incidence of jejunostomy-tube obstruction at our center. This project was designed to reduce the incidence of jejunostomy-tube obstruction in esophageal cancer patients from 27.6% to ≤ 3%. Clear strategies, including modification of the stitching method used at the implantation end of the central venous catheter-type jejunostomy tube, establishment of feeding standards, creation of educational guidelines and leaflets, classroom teaching, and technical examinations, were used to reduce the prevalence of obstruction incidents. The jejunostomy-tube obstruction rate was reduced from 27.6% to 6.7%. While the study objective was not achieved, the magnitude of the reduction was still significant at 75.7%. Cross-disciplinary collaboration, continuous education and training, and the promotion of standards of practice were used to significantly reduce the jejunostomy tube obstruction rate in esophageal cancer patients. This result substantially increased the nutrition and quality of care received by this patient population.


[Inflammatory ointment from shea butter and hydro-alcoholic extract of Khaya senegalensis barks (Cailcederat)].
In a former study, it was proved that the alcoholic solution of hydro-alcoholic extract of Khaya senegalensis barks had an anti-inflammatory activity on animals after a local application. In this work, ointments made from the same extract and three different excipients (vaseline, lanoline and shea butter (crude and refined)) have been prepared and tested by the method of the croton oil inhibited ear oedema. Results showed inhibition percentages of the ear oedema of 58.8%, 66.7% and 75.4% when the hydro-alcoholic extract was tested at respective doses of 1%, 2% and 3% in shea butter. The two other excipients, (vaceline and Lanoline) tested at the dose of 3% showed between 52% and 58% of inhibitions. The interest of this study was to demonstrate the possibility to maintain the anti-inflammatory activity of Khaya senegalensis barks by using them in a galenic form, easy to prepare and which is, in addition, more adapted than the extract to possible clinical trials.


Early postnatal development of the mandibular permanent first molar in infants with isolated cleft palate.
Based on measurements on dental casts, smaller permanent teeth in children with cleft palate have previously been reported in the literature; however, the early maturation of teeth and the size of the follicles and crowns have not been investigated. The maturation of the mandibular permanent first molar (M1(inf)) is delayed, and the mesiodistal diameters of the follicle and crown of M1(inf), respectively, are reduced in children with isolated cleft palate (ICP). Retrospective, longitudinal. Cephalometric X-rays were available for 2 and 22 months old children with clefts (64 children with ICP, and a control group of 38 children with unilateral incomplete cleft lip). The width of the follicle and the crown of M1(inf), and the maturation of M1(inf) were assessed. Intra-observer error was acceptable. M1(inf) maturation was delayed in children with ICP at both 2 and 22 months of age. The mesiodistal diameter of the crown of M1(inf) in the ICP group was reduced. Thus, the two hypotheses could not be refuted. Children with ICP showed smaller dimensions of the M1(inf) , and in addition, the maturation of M1(inf) was delayed.


Porcelain laminate retained fixed bridge: two case reports.
With the recent introduction of new high strength dental porcelains, laminate veneers and all porcelain crowns, inlay and onlay restorations are becoming increasingly popular. Because these materials possess such high strength and hardness, it is possible, in certain carefully selected clinical situations, to construct short-span anterior fixed bridges by incorporating a pontic with two modified laminate retainers. Two clinical cases are presented to illustrate how this technique can be successfully utilized to achieve an excellent esthetic and functional result in a truly conservative manner.


Antioxidant properties of some hydroalcoholic plant extracts with antiinflammatory activity.
The hydroalcoholic extracts of Calendula officinalis, Hypericum perforatum, Plantago lanceolata and Glycyrrhiza glabra which exhibited different anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated for the possible mode of action by studying their antioxidant potential. In the present study we investigated if standardized hydroalcoholic extracts of plants such as Calendula officinalis, Hypericum perforatum, Plantago lanceolata and Glycyrrhiza glabra produced by Hofigal Stock Company could modulate the respiratory burst of human activated neutrophils, as a consequence of their antioxidant capacity. Their antioxidant properties were measured using a colorimetric assay (Total Antioxidant Status kit). We demonstrated that Hypericum perforatum and Calendula officinalis hydroalcoholic extracts possessed a significant antioxidant activity while Plantago lanceolata and Glycyrrhiza glabra hydroalcoholic extracts had a minor antioxidant status. Using reactive oxygen species-generating systems (OZ-activated human PMN neutrophils), Calendula officinalis and Hypericum perforatum extracts showed strong reactive oxygen species scavenging property, Hypericum perforatum extract exhibing the highest scavenging activity. These results confirm the potential of Calendula officinalis and Hypericum perforatum investigated hydroalcoholic extracts as medicinal remedies to be used in different inflammatory/allergic diseases. These extracts could be a useful tool for obtaining new antioxidant/anti-inflammatory agents.