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Plant cells are confined by a network of cellulosic walls that imposes rigid control over the selection of division plane orientations, crucial for morphogenesis and genetically regulated. While in animal cells and yeast, the actin cytoskeleton is instrumental in the execution of cytokinesis, in plant cells the microtubule cytoskeleton is taking the lead in spatially controlling and executing cytokinesis by the formation of two unique, plant-specific arrays, the preprophase band (PPB) and the phragmoplast. The formation of microtubule arrays in plant cells is contingent on acentrosomal microtubule nucleation. At the onset of mitosis, the PPB defines the plane of cell division where the partitioning cell wall is later constructed by the cytokinetic phragmoplast, imposing a spatio-temporal relationship between the two processes. Current research progress in the field of plant cell division focuses on identifying and tying the links between early and late events in spatial control of cytokinesis and how microtubule array formation is regulated in plant cells.

The paper considers the relationship between the quality of radiation and biological lesions produced by ionizing radiation. The paper provides a brief review of the modelling of induction of strand breakage, chromosome aberration, revertant mutation in bacteria and Drosophila melanogaster. Experimental data are presented for the relative biological effectiveness of helium ions and alpha-particles for mutation induction and genome lethality in Escherichia coli. The paper examines the relationship between the mutational events and LET. The RBE-LET values for T4 phage, E. coli WP2 and mwh (multiple wing hair) show dependency on LET while the wi (white-ivory) allele mutants show no dependency.

We previously reported that inostamycin, an inhibitor of CDP-DG: inositol transferase, inhibited cell proliferation in normal rat kidney (NRK) cells by blocking cell cycle progression at the G1 phase. In the present paper, we report the effect of inostamycin on the serum-induced activation of Ser/Thr protein kinases that are involved in G1 progression. In quiescent NRK cells mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) and casein kinase II were activated within 15 min after serum addition. Neither activation was affected by the treatment with inostamycin. However, in the inostamycin-treated cell, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) failed to be activated after serum stimulation. Since serum-induced expression of cyclin E was also suppressed by inostamycin, this inhibitor would appear to block CDK2 activation by inhibiting cyclin E expression. Furthermore, inostamycin also inhibited cyclin D1 expression induced by serum; and consequently, hyperphosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRB) by RB-kinases such as CDK4 and CDK2 was abolished, which would result in elimination of functional inactivation of pRB. Thus, early G1 arrest in NRK cells by inostamycin is due to the inhibition of cyclin D1 and E expressions.

(Breast self-examination) BSE was reviewed in terms of effectiveness, accuracy, and acceptability. Evidence on the effectiveness of BSE is inconsistent. Some researches show the effect of BSE for early detection and better prognosis of breast cancer, but others do not. Sensitivity and specificity of BSE has not been determined yet, but they are assumed to be lower than those of the clinical examination and mammography. Education of BSE for women consistently attained an improvement in frequency and skill of BSE practice. BSE may be a useful method for detecting breast cancer at the interval of periodic clinical examination.

<i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i> is an encapsulated, yeast-like fungus that can cause a systemic mycosis, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Disseminated infections typically affect the central nervous system, and osseous lesions are infrequent. Only 5%-10% of disseminated cryptococcosis involves bones. A 69-year-old female presented pain, swelling, and a soft tissue mass in her right lateral hindfoot. Her medical history included a kidney transplant (10&#8201;years earlier) secondary to chronic disease due to IgA nephropathy. The patient underwent an excisional biopsy, surgical debridement, and secondarily negative pressure wound therapy to achieve skin closure. Biopsy revealed a rare <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i> osteomyelitis of the calcaneus. The patient then received IV treatment with liposomal amphotericin B at 3&#8201;mg/kg/d for 25&#8201;days. In conclusion, we present a case of cryptococcal osteomyelitis which, although not a frequent disease, must be considered as one of the differential diagnoses of osteolytic osseous lesions in patients with chronic osteomyelitis. <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i> may be a potential cause of below-knee infection, mainly in immunocompromised patients.

Forty-one bacterial strains isolated from the headbox water of two machines in a Canadian paper mill were associated with the genera Asticcacaulis, Acidovorax, Bacillus, Exiguobacterium, Hydrogenophaga, Pseudomonas, Pseudoxanthomonas, Staphylococcus, Stenotrophomonas based on the sequence of their 16S rRNA genes. The metabolic profile of these strains were determined using Biolog EcoPlate, and the bacteria were divided into four metabolic groups. Metabolic profiles of the bacterial communities colonizing the headbox water of two paper machines was also determined weekly over a 1 year period. The only compound that was not reduced by the bacterial community was 2-hydroxybenzoic acid. Utilization frequency of the other carbon sources in the Biolog EcoPlate ranged from 3 to 100%. The metabolic profiles of the bacterial community did not vary considerably between the two paper machines. However, the metabolic profile varied among the sampling dates.

Influenza A virus matrix protein 1 (M1) is a multifunctional protein that plays important roles during replication, assembly and budding of the virus. To search for intracellular protein components that interact with M1 protein and explore the potential roles of these interactions in the pathogenesis of influenza virus infection, 11 independent proteins, including hTFIIIC102-s protein, encoding a short isoform of the TFIIIC102 subunit of the human TFIIIC transcription factor, were screened from a human cell cDNA library using a yeast two-hybrid technique. The interaction between M1 protein and hTFIIIC102-s was studied in more detail. Mapping assays showed that the N-terminal globular region (amino acids 1-164) of the M1 protein and the five tandem tetratricopeptide repeats (TPR1-5, amino acids 149-362) in hTFIIIC102-s were necessary for the interaction. The interaction was confirmed by both glutathione-S-transferase (GST) pull-down assays and coimmunoprecipitation assays. In addition, coexpression of hTFIIIC102-s with M1 in HeLa cells inhibited the translocation of M1 into the nucleus. Taken together, the present data indicate that hTFIIIC102-s can interact with the structural M1 protein of the influenza virus, which provides a novel clue toward further understanding of the roles of M1 protein in the interactions between influenza virus and host cells.

In this work, we introduce a new customized anti-lung cancer peptide, CB1a, with IC₅₀ of about 25.0 ± 1.6 μM on NCI-H460 lung cancer cells. Using a multi-cellular tumor spheroid (MCTS) model, results show that CB1a is potent in preventing the growth of lung cancer tumor-like growths in vitro. Additionally, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to examine cell surface damage of a single cancer. The mechanism for cell death under CB1a toxicity was verified as being largely due to cell surface damage. Moreover, with a treatment dosage of CB1a at 25 μM, Young's module (E) shows that the elasticity and stiffness of cancer cell decreased with time such that the interaction time for a 50% reduction of E (IT₅₀) was about 7.0min. This new single-cell toxicity investigation using IT₅₀ under AFM assay can be used to separately verify drug efficacy in support of the traditional IC₅₀ measurement in bulk solution. These results could be of special interest to researchers engaged in new drug development.

Space-time correlation functions constitute a useful instrument from the research toolkit of continuous-media and many-body physics. Here we adopt this concept for single-particle random walks and demonstrate that the corresponding space-time velocity autocorrelation functions reveal correlations which extend in time much longer than estimated with the commonly employed temporal correlation functions. A generic feature of considered random-walk processes is an effect of velocity echo identified by the existence of time-dependent regions where most of the walkers are moving in the direction opposite to their initial motion. We discuss the relevance of the space-time velocity correlation functions for the experimental studies of cold atom dynamics in an optical potential and charge transport on micro- and nanoscales.

The progressive loss of pancreatic β-cell mass that occurs in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes is a primary factor driving efforts to identify strategies for effectively increasing, enhancing or restoring β-cell mass. While factors that seem to influence β-cell proliferation in specific contexts have been described, reliable stimulation of human β-cell proliferation has remained a challenge. Importantly, β-cells exist in the context of a complex, integrated pancreatic islet microenvironment where they interact with other endocrine cells, vascular endothelial cells, extracellular matrix, neuronal projections and islet macrophages. This review highlights different components of the pancreatic microenvironment, and reviews what is known about how signaling that occurs between β-cells and these other components influences β-cell proliferation. Future efforts to further define the role of the pancreatic islet microenvironment on β-cell proliferation may lead to the development of successful approaches to increase or restore β-cell mass in diabetes.

Colonic perfusion status can be assessed easily by indocyanine green (ICG) angiography to predict ischemia related anastomotic complications during laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Recently, various parameter-based perfusion analysis have been studied for quantitative evaluation, but the analysis results differ depending on the use of quantitative parameters due to differences in vascular anatomical structure. Therefore, it can help improve the accuracy and consistency by artificial intelligence (AI) based real-time analysis microperfusion (AIRAM).

A hundred and twentynine Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from hospitalized children with gastroenteritis were serotyped by the heat-stable antigen scheme (HS, Penner's method). Isolates belonged to two different periods. Group A contained strains isolated in 1987-1988 and group B contained strains which were isolated in 1998-2000. A variety of serotypes was found. Serotype HS:2 was predominant, followed by the HS:4 complex and HS:1,44. Many clinically important Guillain-Barré Syndrome associated serotypes--like HS:19--were identified. There were no significant differences in the distribution of serotypes between the two periods. The present report provides reference data, as this is the first C. jejuni serotyping study ever made in Greece.

Using classical density functional theory, the liquid crystal (LC)-mediated interaction between a cylindrical nanoparticle and a structured substrate is studied. The surface is structured by cutting a rectangular groove into the surface. In the absence of the nanoparticle, a range of defect structures is formed in the vicinity of the groove. By varying the groove width and depth, the LC-mediated interaction changes from repulsive to attractive. This interaction is strongest when the groove is of comparable size to the nanoparticle. For narrow grooves the nanoparticle is attracted to the center of the groove, while for wider grooves there is a free energy minimum near the sidewalls.

Access to lifesaving liver transplantation is limited by a severe organ shortage. One factor contributing to the shortage is the high rate of discard in livers with histologic steatosis. Livers with <30% macrosteatosis are generally considered safe for transplant. However, histologic assessment of steatosis by a pathologist remains subjective and is often limited by image quality. Here, we address this bottleneck by creating an automated digital algorithm for calculating histologic steatosis using only images of liver biopsy histology obtained with a smartphone.

Viral infections, predominantly those of the herpes virus family, account for up to 16% of all clinically significant infections in AIDS patients. Acyclovir has provided successful treatment in AIDS patients suffering from severe herpes simplex and herpes zoster virus infections. Preliminary results are presented on newly developed acyclovir analogues. Desciclovir, an oral prodrug of acyclovir which is metabolized to acyclovir in vivo, allows treatment of virus infections per os, where high serum levels are needed, e.g. in Epstein-Barr virus infections. BW B759U, another analogue of acyclovir, has been used for the treatment of life-threatening or sight-threatening cytomegalovirus infections in AIDS patients. More than 80% of the patients treated for retinitis experienced stabilization or clinical improvement. Antiviral efficacy was demonstrated in 73% of the patients. Azidothymidine, a nucleoside analogue of thymidine, has been developed specifically to treat the HIV infection. Its antiviral activity is based on inhibition of reverse transcriptase. Phase I studies have demonstrated that azidothymidine is well tolerated. Its ability to cross the blood brain barrier makes it an attractive candidate for treatment of HIV. Trials to determine efficacy are in progress.

A silver-enhanced colloidal gold metalloimmunoassay has been proposed for the determination of Schistosoma japonicum antibody (SjAb) in rabbit serum. The adult worm antigen of S. japonicum (SjAg) was adsorbed passively on the walls of a polystyrene microwell and then reacted with the desired SjAb. The colloidal gold-labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG secondary antibody was adsorbed on the walls of the polystyrene microwells through the reaction with SjAb, followed by the silver enhancement process, dissolution of silver metal atoms in an acidic solution, and determination of dissolved silver ions by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) at a glassy-carbon electrode. Assay conditions were optimized, including the reaction time of SjAg with SjAb, the interaction of SjAb with the colloidal gold-labeled secondary antibody, the dilution ratio of the colloidal gold-labeled secondary antibody and the silver enhancement time. The integration of the anodic stripping peak current depended linearly on the SjAb logarithmic concentration over the range of 6.4 ng/ml to 100 microg/ml. A detection limit as low as 3.0 ng/ml SjAb was achieved, which was better than the piezoelectric body acoustic wave sensor (detection limit of 7.2 microg/ml) and the renewable amperometric immunosensor (detection limit of 0.36 microg/ml). Rabbit serum samples with various degrees of infection were analyzed, and the results demonstrate that the proposed method meets the requirements of clinical analysis.

The spillover of viruses from wildlife into agricultural animals or humans has profound socioeconomic and public health impact. Vampire bats, found throughout South America, feed directly on humans and other animals and are an important reservoir for zoonotic viruses, including rabies virus. This has resulted in considerable effort in understanding both the ecology of bat-borne viruses and the composition and associated correlates of the structure of entire virus communities in wildlife, particularly in the context of disease control interventions. In a From the Cover article in this issue of Molecular Ecology, Bergner et al. (2019) set out to reveal virus community dynamics in vampire bats by interrogating factors that affect the structure, diversity and richness of these communities. Due to the linkage of metagenomic sequence data with community ecology, this study represents an important advance in the field of virus ecology.

Ecosystem accounts, as formalized by the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting Experimental Ecosystem Accounts (SEEA EEA), have been compiled in a number of countries, yet there have been few attempts to develop them for the U.S. We explore the potential for U.S. ecosystem accounting by compiling ecosystem extent, condition, and ecosystem services supply and use accounts for a ten-state region in the Southeast. The pilot accounts address air quality, water quality, biodiversity, carbon storage, recreation, and pollination for selected years from 2001 to 2015. Results illustrate how information from ecosystem accounts can contribute to policy and decision-making. Using an example from Atlanta, we also show how ecosystem accounts can be considered alongside other SEEA accounts to give a more complete picture of a local area's environmental-economic trends. The process by which we determined where to place metrics within the accounting framework, which was strongly informed by the National Ecosystem Services Classification System (NESCS), can provide guidance for future ecosystem accounts in the U.S. and other countries. Finally, we identify knowledge gaps that limit the inclusion of certain ecosystem services in the accounts and suggest future research that can close these gaps and improve future U.S. ecosystem accounts.

The Traumatic Injuries Distress Scale (TIDS) is a 12-item self-report tool intended for prognostic risk phenotyping in people with acute musculoskeletal (MSK) trauma. The initial validation study showed good associations with outcomes 12 weeks later in a cohort of 72 acutely injured patients from one region in Canada. This study aims to provide further clinical utility through identification of meaningful cut scores in a larger, mixed geography sample, and expands the prediction window from 12 to 52 weeks.

The presence of diatoms in the lung tissues, internal organs and bone marrow is considered as the supportive evidence in the diagnosis of death by drowning. Generally, the diatoms detected in the lung tissues are regarded as insignificant since these diatoms can be detected in the lung tissues of the postmortem immersion bodies. In this study, we analyzed the relationships between the numbers of the diatoms in the lung tissues and the drowning medium. We made a comparison analysis between the diatoms in the lung tissues and the drowning medium using the ratio of diatom numbers in both samples (L/D ratio), utilizing Microwave Digestion - Vacuum Filtration - Automated Scanning Electron Microscopy method. Our data indicate that the L/D ratios in victims of the drowning group were higher than the postmortem immersion group. A higher L/D ratio provides valuable information about the cause of death in drowning victims. Quantitative diatom analysis in the lung tissues, especially combined with the diatom analysis of the drowning medium, provides supportive evidence in determining if a body recovered in water was due to drowning or not.

Yin-Chen-Hao-Tang (YCHT) is a famous Chinese medicine formula which has long been used in clinical practice for treating various liver diseases, such as liver fibrosis. However, to date, the mechanism for its anti-fibrotic effects remains unclear. In this paper, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF-MS)-based metabolomic study was performed to characterize dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver fibrosis in rats and evaluate the therapeutic effects of YCHT. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) showed that the model group was well separated from the control group, whereas the YCHT-treated group exhibited a tendency to restore to the controls. Seven significantly changed fibrosis-related metabolites, including unsaturated fatty acids and lysophosphatidylcholines (Lyso-PCs), were identified. Moreover, statistical analysis demonstrated that YCHT treatment could reverse the levels of most metabolites close to the normal levels. These results, along with histological and biochemical examinations, indicate that YCHT has anti-fibrotic effects, which may be due to the suppression of oxidative stress and resulting lipid peroxidation involved in hepatic fibrogenesis. This study offers new opportunities to improve our understanding of liver fibrosis and the anti-fibrotic mechanisms of YCHT.

Family planning and reduced infant mortality have led to an explosion in the number of elderly people. There are already 300 million people aged 65 and over and by the year 2000 there will be over 400 million, two-thirds or more of them in the developing countries. Great gaps still exist in our knowledge of health and disease in the elderly, of how best to prevent or treat illness among them, and of how to care for those who become dependent. Although the precise impact of aging on societies awaits clarification, governments will undoubtedly have to develop social and health policies so as to adapt equitably to the forces of change.

This review focuses on the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. It briefly addresses prevalence, diagnostic and differential diagnostic issues specific to adults. Stimulant medication, non-stimulant medication, and psychosocial treatments are thoroughly reviewed. For each class of medication possible mechanism of action, efficacy and side effects are summarized. Special attention is given to the pharmacological treatment for patients with adult ADHD and various comorbidities. In summary, stimulant medications are most effective and combined medication and psychosocial treatment is the most beneficial treatment option for most adult patients with ADHD.

Accurate outcome prediction in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) would allow for better treatment planning, risk adjustment of study populations, and overall improvements in patient care. In the past, prognostic models have focused on mortality using simple ordinal severity of illness scores which could be tabulated manually by a human. With the improvements in computing power and proliferation of electronic medical records, entirely new approaches have become possible. Here we review the latest advances in outcome prediction, paying close attention to methods which are widely applicable and provide a high-level overview of the challenges the field currently faces.

Primary hyperparathyroidism is a common endocrine disorder caused by parathyroid gland enlargement and excessive parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. However, the precise mechanisms of tumorigenesis of the parathyroids are unknown. Here we have investigated the roles of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and menin, the product of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (Men1) gene, in the proliferation and PTH production of parathyroid cells from either patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism or Men1. TGF-beta was expressed in the parathyroid endocrine cells. Addition of TGF-beta to parathyroid cells from patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism inhibited their proliferation and PTH secretion. These responses to TGF-beta were lost when menin was specifically inactivated by antisense oligonucleotides. Moreover, TGF-beta did not affect the proliferation and PTH production of parathyroid cells from a Men1 patient. These results indicate that menin is required for TGF-beta action in the parathyroid. We conclude that TGF-beta is an important autocrine/paracrine negative regulator of parathyroid cell proliferation and PTH secretion and that loss of TGF-beta signaling due to menin inactivation contributes to parathyroid tumorigenesis.

Different G(1) cyclins confer functional specificity to the cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) Cdc28p in budding yeast. The Cln3p G(1) cyclin is localized primarily to the nucleus, while Cln2p is localized primarily to the cytoplasm. Both binding to Cdc28p and Cdc28p-dependent phosphorylation in the C-terminal region of Cln2p are independently required for efficient nuclear depletion of Cln2p, suggesting that this process may be physiologically regulated. The accumulation of hypophosphorylated Cln2 in the nucleus is an energy-dependent process, but may not involve the RAN GTPase. Phosphorylation of Cln2p is inefficient in small newborn cells obtained by elutriation, and this lowered phosphorylation correlates with reduced Cln2p nuclear depletion in newborn cells. Thus, Cln2p may have a brief period of nuclear residence early in the cell cycle. In contrast, the nuclear localization pattern of Cln3p is not influenced by Cdk activity. Cln3p localization requires a bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS) located at the C terminus of the protein. This sequence is required for nuclear localization of Cln3p and is sufficient to confer nuclear localization to green fluorescent protein in a RAN-dependent manner. Mislocalized Cln3p, lacking the NLS, is much less active in genetic assays specific for Cln3p, but more active in assays normally specific for Cln2p, consistent with the idea that Cln3p localization explains a significant part of Clnp functional specificity.

Biomarkers are key tools and can provide crucial information on the complex cascade of events and molecular mechanisms underlying traumatic brain injury (TBI) pathophysiology. Obtaining a profile of distinct classes of biomarkers reflecting core pathologic mechanisms could enable us to identify and characterize the initial injury and the secondary pathologic cascades. Thus, they represent a logical adjunct to improve diagnosis, track progression and activity, guide molecularly targeted therapy, and monitor therapeutic response in TBI. Accordingly, great effort has been put into the identification of novel biomarkers in the past 25 years. However, the role of brain injury markers in clinical practice has been long debated, due to inconsistent regulatory standards and lack of reliable evidence of analytical validity and clinical utility. We present a comprehensive overview of the markers currently available while characterizing their potential role and applications in diagnosis, monitoring, drug discovery, and clinical trials in TBI. In reviewing these concepts, we discuss the recent inclusion of brain damage biomarkers in the diagnostic guidelines and provide perspectives on the validation of such markers for their use in the clinic.

Pore space partition, especially the one using C₃-symmetric 2,4,6-tri(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine as pore-partition agent in MIL-88 type (the acs net), has been shown to dramatically enhance CO₂ uptake to near-record values. The continued advance in property engineering via pore space partition would depend on intelligent design of both framework components and pore-partition agent. Here, we report a new advance in the design of pore-partition agent by demonstrating a symmetry-guided pathway to develop a large variety of di- and trinuclear 1,2,4-triazolate-based clusters for use as pore-partition agent. The use of metal-organic clusters (instead of organic ligands) as pore-partition agent gives rise to many new pore-partitioned materials with huge compositional variety. The full assembly involves the simultaneous formation of two separate coordination architectures (i.e., the 3-D acs framework and 0-D triazolate clusters) and the eventual welding between the acs framework and triazolate clusters. The wide range of new compositions and structures provides a high degree of tunability in gas sorption properties.

The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence and mortality of distal radius fracture among patients 50 years of age and older with diagnosis code (ICD10; S52.5, S52.6) and treatment code using a nationwide claims database from 2008 to 2012. All patients were followed using patient identification code to identify deaths. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) of distal radius fracture were calculated based on age and gender-specific rates in the entire Korean population. The number of distal radius fractures increased by 54.2% over the 5-year study (48,145 in 2008 and 74,240 in 2012). The incidence of distal radius fracture increased from 367.4/100,000 in 2008 to 474.1/100,000 in 2012. The cumulative mortality rate over the first 12 months after distal radius fracture was decreased from 2.0% (968/48,145) in 2008 to 1.4% (1,045/74,240) in 2012. The mean year mortality over 5 years in men (2.6%, 1,279/50,128) over the first 12 months was 1.7-times higher than in women (1.5%, 3,952/257,045). The mean of SMR of distal radius fracture at 1 year post-fracture was 1.45 in men and 1.17 in women. This study using a nationwide database demonstrates that the distal radius fractures are increasing with a decreasing mortality in Korea.

The mechanism of the reaction catalyzed by N10-formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase involves the formation of formyl phosphate as an intermediate which then formylates tetrahydrofolate at the N-10 position. Previous studies demonstrated that the non-enzymic formylation of tetrahydrofolate by formyl phosphate occurs exclusively at the more nucleophilic 5-nitrogen in the reduced pyrazine ring. The experiments described in this report were designed to determine whether N5-formyltetrahydrofolate might be the first product to be formed on the enzyme, followed by formyl transfer to the 10-nitrogen via the cyclic intermediate N5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate. If this were the case, oxygen from solvent H2O would be incorporated into the formyl group of the N10-derivative. By conducting the reaction in a 1:1 mixture of [16O]H2O and [18O]H2O and using 13C NMR spectroscopy we show that no 18O is incorporated into the product and conclude that the reaction proceeds via a direct formylation of the N-10 position by formyl phosphate.

Mice of the inbred strains, C57BL/6 and C57BL/10 (H-2b), are genetically incapable of developing IgE antibody responses to ragweed pollen extract (RE) or its dinitrophenylated derivative, DNP-RE. This nonresponsiveness has previously been thought to reflect the absence of a relevant H-2-linked Ir genes controlling responses of inbred mice to these antigens. However, pretreatment of H-2b mice with either low doses of ionizing X irradiation or cyclophosphamide abrogates the nonresponder status of such animals, apparently by removal of a suppressive mechanism normally inhibiting development of IgE responses to these antigens. The implications of these findings for mechanisms of genetic control of IgE antibody synthesis and the Ir-gene concept are discussed.

In the present work, a simple carboxylated multiwall carbon nanotubes (CMWCNTs) modified glassy carbon electrode was developed for sensitive determination of methyldopa (MTD). The study of modified electrode and MTD electrochemical behavior at its surface was investigated employing SEM, adsorptive stripping voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronocoulometry. These studies show that the oxidation of MTD is facilitated at the surface of GCE which is casted with CMWCNTs and remarkably peak current enhanced comparing to the bare electrode due to its adsorption on the electrode surface. Also, because of the catalytic property of modified electrode onset potential decreased for oxidation of MTD. Under optimized conditions, the calibration curve was linear in two concentration ranges of 0.1-30 and 30.0-300.0 μM with a detection limit of 0.08 μM and relative standard deviation (R.S.D.%) lower than 3.0% (n=5). This modified electrode was used as a sensor for determination of MTD in pharmaceutical and human urine samples with satisfactory results.

The removal effects by PAC-MF integrated system for organic matters, pesticides and ammonia-nitrogen are introduced. The separate contribution of PAC, microorganism and MF in the system are detailed quantitatively. The results indicate that the average removal rates of the integrated process for TOC, UV254, THMFP and HAAFP are 73.56%, 96.75%, 77.64%, 83%, respectively, and 95.1% for pesticides dichlorvos, 98% for ammonia-nitrogen. The results illustrate that PAC significantly reduces the membrane organic burden to 28.32% of the direct membrane filtration without PAC; and carbon layer on the surface of membrane has the removal effect for pollutants. Moreover, the PAC used in high concentration can largely improve its adsorption performance for ammonia-nitrogen, whose removal rate is 44.5%.

In research on early invention and innovation, technological "firsts" receive enormous attention, but technological "lasts"-instances of abandonment and rejection-are arguably more informative about human technological behavior. Yet, cases of technological discontinuance are largely ignored in studies of early innovation, as the lack of robust datasets makes identification and analysis difficult. A large-scale geospatial analysis of more than 4500 gold objects from the Caucasus, an early center of gold innovation, shows a precipitous decline at 1500 BC in precisely the places with the earliest global evidence of gold mining (c. 3000 BC). Testing various causal models reveals that social factors, rather than resource limitations or demographic disruption, were the primary causes of this rejection. These results indicate that prior models of technological rejection and loss have underestimated the range of conditions in which they can occur, and provide empirical support for theories of innovation that reject notions about the linearity of technological progress.

The goal of this research was to examine the effect of jury deliberations on juror's propensity to disregard inadmissible evidence. Extant research is inconclusive; some research indicates that jurors do follow judicial instructions to ignore inadmissible evidence, but other research suggests that jurors do not. Two experiments examined whether jurors were affected by inadmissible evidence. The results revealed that although mock jurors were biased by inadmissible evidence prior to deliberations, the bias was tempered following deliberations. In Experiment 1, post deliberation jurors disregarded incriminating evidence that was ruled inadmissible because of due-process concerns. Experiment 2 replicated these results with less incriminating inadmissible evidence and also revealed that jurors did not accurately gauge the impact that the inadmissible evidence had on their verdicts. Theoretical and judicial policy implications are discussed.

A new irrigation technique (intracanal aspiration technique, IAT) was developed to minimize the extrusion of root canal irrigant. Fifteen instrumented canals of extracted canines were divided into one control and four experimental groups of 3 teeth each. Each root was fixed in a case and surrounded with colored saline agar to measure the meter value of the Root ZX and to evaluate the extrusion of the irrigant. In control teeth, no irrigation was performed. In Groups 1 and 2, the root canal was irrigated using IAT with an aspiration needle placed 2 or 3 mm short of the apex. In Groups 3 and 4, the root canal was irrigated in a conventional manner with a washing needle placed 2 or 3 mm short of the apex. The file folder of a Root ZX was attached to the aspiration needle in Groups 1 and 2, and to a washing needle in Groups 3 and 4. Each canal was irrigated with 9 ml of 14% EDTA solution and 6 ml of 6% NaClO in experimental groups, and the meter value of the Root ZX during irrigation was recorded. After the irrigation, cleanliness of the canal was evaluated using a SEM and extrusion of NaClO by discoloration of the agar. Irrigation using IAT was more effective for removing smear layer compared to the conventional method and extrusion of the irrigant was minimized. In addition, the Root ZX measurement during IAT could monitor the extent of the irrigant in the apical canal.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) action is influenced by the insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs). Since 1988 eight forms of IGFBPs have been found which differ in molecular weight, amino acid composition, distribution in biological fluids and influence upon IGF activity. An important biological property of the IGFBPs is their ability to increase the halflife of the IGFs in the blood. They are able to act as potentiators of IGFs activity on the cell proliferation. As IGFBPs bind to cell surfaces, they may act either to deliver the IGFs to those surfaces either for the activation of specific receptors or cell responses independently of receptor activation. Posttranslation modification such as phosphorylation, glycosylation and proteolysis of IGFBPs influence their affinity to IGFs. In addition, the IGFBPs may also act as inhibitors to block the activity of the IGFs by preventing cellsurface binding.

Systemic side effects, including sepsis, due to bacille Calmette-Guérin treatment for carcinoma in situ in the bladder, are observed in 15% of the patients. In rare cases, patients have developed systemic infections and mycotic aneurysms. In this case report, a 72-year-old man developed a mycotic aortic aneurysm, and the appropriate tuberculostatic drugs had no effect on his systemic infection. He was successfully treated surgically, replacing the affected aortic segment with an autologous venous graft, resulting in complete remission. A follow-up PET-CT three months later showed no sign of ongoing aortic infection.

Electroreduction of CO₂ based on metal-free carbon catalysts is an attractive approach for useful products. However, it remains a great chemical challenge due to its unsatisfactory activity and poor selectivity. Here, we report a successful case to greatly improve CO₂-to-CO conversion on carbon black (CB) and nitrogen-doped carbon black (N-CB). By introducing fluorine, the faradaic efficiency of CO was increased from 12.8% (CB) and 50.8% (N-CB) to 93.1% (nitrogen and fluorine co-doped carbon black, N,F-CB) at -0.7 V. A partial current density of 4.19 mA cm^-2 remained durable for about 23 h. The superiority of N,F-CB can be attributed to its large catalytic areas and abundant N active sites inspired by fluorine doping. Specifically, the fluorine precursor of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) firstly performs as a nitrogen fixator, protecting the catalyst from more nitrogen escaping during the carbonization treatment. The number of nitrogen sites is about 4.4 times higher than it is for the N-CB. Meanwhile, PVDF as the area extender significantly improves the catalytic area; the specific surface area and the ECSA of N,F-CB are 8.7 and 6.9 times higher than that of CB. This work provides an insight into how heteroatoms can manipulate catalytic activity and selectivity through the catalytic area of carbon materials with more active sites.

We report the results of a social validity assessment that was administered to special education service providers (N = 44) to document the acceptability and effectiveness ratings of several treatment integrity training methods. The participants judged performance feedback as the most likely method to improve their treatment integrity, followed by avoidance (negative reinforcement) of supervision meetings, online training, and financial incentive. Performance feedback was also rank-ordered as most effective among the four training methods. We discuss the merits of social validity assessment in designing programs for enhancing treatment integrity among practitioners within educational and clinical settings.

Fungal peritonitis caused by Lecythophora mutabilis, a mold rarely isolated from humans, is described. A patient on continuous peritoneal dialysis developed clinical, microbiological, and serological evidence for peritonitis due to this fungus. In vitro susceptibility testing of the fungus revealed marked differences in the activities of various antifungal agents. Although initially responding to treatment with oral ketoconazole, intraperitoneal miconazole, and catheter replacement, the patient had a documented relapse. The patient was eventually cured following the removal of a second catheter in association with prolonged imidazole treatment.

In humans and in mice, mutations in the Ostm1 gene cause the most severe form of osteopetrosis, a major bone disease, and neuronal degeneration, both of which are associated with early death. To gain insight into Ostm1 function, we first investigated by sequence and biochemical analysis an immature 34-kDa type I transmembrane Ostm1 protein with a unique cytosolic tail. Mature Ostm1 is posttranslationally processed and highly N-glycosylated and has an apparent mass of ∼60 kDa. Analysis the subcellular localization of Ostm1 showed that it is within the endoplasmic reticulum, trans-Golgi network, and endosomes/lysosomes. By a wide protein screen under physiologic conditions, several novel cytosolic Ostm1 partners were identified and validated, for which a direct interaction with the kinesin 5B heavy chains was demonstrated. These results determined that Ostm1 is part of a cytosolic scaffolding multiprotein complex, imparting an adaptor function to Ostm1. Moreover, we uncovered a role for the Ostm1/KIF5B complex in intracellular trafficking and dispersion of cargos from the endoplasmic reticulum to late endosomal/lysosomal subcellular compartments. These Ostm1 molecular and cellular functions could elucidate all of the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying the wide phenotypic spectrum of Ostm1-deficient mice.

Implication of gold nanoparticles in industrial and day-to-day life products at extensive scale has raised concern about their toxicity to environment and human health. Moreover, quest of new technologies for production of biocompatible nanoparticles increased. This study explores the molecular toxicology of AuNP with enlightenment of their green synthesis using medicinal plant extract as reducing and stabilizing agent. Synthesized CAuNP were characterized for their physiochemical properties by standard techniques like FESEM, TEM, DLS, UV-Vis spectroscopy and FTIR. GCMS analysis revealed the involvement of -OH compounds for CAuNP synthesis. Determined size and zeta potential of CAuNP was found to be 21 ± 08 nm and -24 ± 11 mV with SPR peak at 554 nm. LC50 of CAuNP with zebrafish embryos was 69 ± 12 µg/ml compared to 52 ± 06 µg/ml of AuNP. Gold nanoparticles were found to exhibit concentration dependent morphological abnormalities with acute effect at cellular and molecular level. Experimental and computational analysis depicted the nanotoxicity of gold nanoparticles as a consequence of oxidative stress generation leading to apoptosis due to their influential interaction with Sod1, He1a and tp53 mRNA and proteins. The investigation deciphered the nanotoxicity of gold nanoparticles and suggested the implication of new green methodology for their future productions.

The bone mineral content (BMC) of the third lumbar vertebra was determined in 43 patients with chronic low-back pain. No correlation was found to sex, height, pain experience, functional disability, or alcohol consumption. A positive correlation was found between the BMC and body weight and between the BMC and smoking in men (but not in women). A statistically significant negative correlation was found between the BMC and the overall duration of the back problem, ie, the longer duration the lower the BMC.

We wish to report two cases of methaemoglobinaemia secondary to amyl nitrate use. A 55-year-old male presented with saturations in the mid 80s despite FiO2 of 1.0 and GCS 10 and a 22-year-old female who presented with fluctuating GCS and a slate grey colour. Both were found to have high levels of metheamoglobinaemia on ABG, were treated with methylene blue and made excellent recoveries. These cases illustrate the risk of methaemoglobinaemia secondary to amyl nitrate. Appropriate and prompt management can lead to very good outcomes.

Encephalopsin (OPN3) belongs to the light-sensitive transmembrane receptor family mainly expressed in the brain and retina. It is believed that light affects mammalian circadian rhythmicity only through the retinohypothalamic tract, which transmits light information to the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hypothalamus. However, it has been shown that light penetrates the skull. Here, we present the effect of transcranial light treatment on OPN3 expression and monoamine concentrations in mouse brain and other tissues. Mice were randomly assigned to control group, morning-light group and evening-light group, and animals were illuminated transcranially five times a week for 8 min for a total of 4 weeks. The concentrations of OPN3 and monoamines were analysed using western blotting and HPLC, respectively. We report that transcranial light treatment affects OPN3 expression in different brain areas and plasma/adrenal gland monoamine concentrations. In addition, when light was administered at a different time of the day, the response varied in different tissues. These results provide new information on the effects of light on transmitters mediating mammalian rhythmicity.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) defects are a relatively common cause of inherited disease and have been implicated in both ageing and cancer. MtDNA encodes essential subunits of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and defects result in impaired oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Similar OXPHOS defects have been shown to be present in a number of neurodegenerative conditions, including Parkinson's disease, as well as in normal ageing human tissues. Additionally, a number of tumours have been shown to contain mtDNA mutations and an altered metabolic phenotype. In this review we outline the unique characteristics of mitochondrial genetics before detailing important pathological features of mtDNA diseases, focusing on adult neurological disease as well as the role of mtDNA mutations in neurodegenerative diseases, ageing and cancer.

H7 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) have caused a number of human infections, highlighting the pandemic potential of them. However, the factors that promote their replication in mammals remain poorly understood. Here, we generated mouse-adapted variants of a reassortant H7N1 virus to identify adaptive changes that confer enhanced virulence in mammals. The mouse lethal doses (MLD50) of the variants were reduced >10,000-fold compared to the parental virus. Adapted variants displayed enhanced replication kinetics in vitro and vivo, and were capable of replicating in multiple organs. Analysis of the variant virus genomes revealed amino acid changes in the PB2 (E627K), HA (H3 numbering; E114K, G205E, and G218E), and NA (S350N) proteins. Notably, some amino acid changes have been identified in natural H7 isolates. Our results implicate a number of amino acid substitutions that collectively enhance the ability of a wild bird-origin H7N1 AIV to replicate and cause severe disease in mice.

Radiation-induced chromosomal deletions involving the albino locus region of the mouse result, when homozygous, in abnormalities ranging from sterility to lethality at various stages of development. We have utilized two-dimensional electrophoresis to search for polypeptide alterations in livers from newborn mice homozygous for the c14CoS and c3H deletions and also from c3H/c6H compound heterozygote mice. Five-hundred polypeptide spots detectable in normal mouse liver gels were scored. Alterations involving five polypeptides were observed in the various overlapping deletions. A spot corresponding to a polypeptide with a 38,000 Mr was missing from mice homozygous for the short c14CoS and the longer overlapping c3H deletions. Another polypeptide with a 29,000 Mr was missing from c3H homozygotes and c3H/c6H heterozygotes. A third polypeptide with a 62,000 Mr was missing only from c3H homozygotes. Two additional polypeptides were markedly increased in amount in c14CoS and c3H homozygotes. The partial overlap between the three deletions analyzed allows provisional genetic mapping of previously unknown loci for three of the five electrophoretically identifiable polypeptides expressed in newborn mouse livers. The results obtained provide a basis for studying radiation-induced deletions with two-dimensional electrophoresis gels.

The poor selectivity of standard cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens causes severe side-effects in patients and reduces the quality of life during treatment. Targeting cancer-specific vulnerabilities can improve response rates, increase overall survival and limit toxic side effects in patients. Oncogene-induced replication stress serves as a tumour specific vulnerability and rationale for the clinical development of inhibitors targeting the DNA damage response (DDR) kinases (CHK1, ATR, ATM and WEE1). CHK1 inhibitors (CHK1i) have served as the pilot compounds in this class and their efficacy in clinical trials as single agents has been disappointing. Initial attempts to combine CHK1i with chemotherapies agents that enhance replication stress (such as gemcitabine) were reported to be excessively toxic. More recently, it has emerged that combining CHK1i with subclinical doses of replication stress inducers is more effective, better tolerated and more compatible with immunotherapies. Here we focus on the lessons learned during the clinical development of CHK1i with the goal of improving the design of future clinical trials utilizing DDR inhibitors to target replication stress in cancer.

In rats with polyvinyl rings implanted under the dorsal skin, the formation of granulation tissue was found to be stimulated by application of brain extract with fibroblast growth factor (FGF) S3 activity which had been obtained from cattle. This stimulating effect on wound healing proved to depend on doses and was detectable in rats aged two and six months on the third and seventh postoperative days. The desired action could be induced only by repetitive administration of FGF S3 or by coupling of the latter to SYSpur-derm, a synthetic dermatoplastic material. More fractions with potential action upon formation of granulation tissue proved to be obtainable from further biochemical separation of FGF S3. One of such fractions was successfully concentrated to a potentiality by which one tenth of the normal dose yielded the same effect as the full dose. Hexosamine and hydroxyproline levels were measured, at the same time, and found to stimulate fibroblasts. The findings are discussed.

We present an experimental study of magnetization in lambda-DNA in conjunction with structural measurements. The results show the surprising interplay between the molecular structures and their magnetic property. In the B-DNA state, lambda-DNA exhibits paramagnetic behavior below 20 K that is nonlinear in an applied magnetic field whereas, in the A-DNA state, it remains diamagnetic down to 2 K. We propose orbital paramagnetism as the origin of the observed phenomena and discuss its relation to the existence of long range coherent transport in B-DNA at low temperature.

In 15% of patients with complete hydatidiform mole (CHM), disease progresses to post-molar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) after curettage. Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are essential in overcoming disease in many tumors. Infiltrating lymphocyte composition and density may influence trophoblast regression and development of post-molar GTN. We analyzed immune cell composition and density in curettaged endometrium of patients with CHM which spontaneously regressed, and of patients with CHM which progressed to post-molar GTN.

The brain is constantly bombarded by stimuli, and the relative salience of these inputs determines which are more likely to capture attention. A brain system known as the 'salience network', with key nodes in the insular cortices, has a central role in the detection of behaviourally relevant stimuli and the coordination of neural resources. Emerging evidence suggests that atypical engagement of specific subdivisions of the insula within the salience network is a feature of many neuropsychiatric disorders.

Radioresistance is a major hurdle in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Here, we report that concomitant treatment of HNSCCs with radiotherapy and mevalonate pathway inhibitors (statins) may overcome resistance. Proteomic profiling and comparison of radioresistant to radiosensitive HNSCCs revealed differential regulation of the mevalonate biosynthetic pathway. Consistent with this finding, inhibition of the mevalonate pathway by pitavastatin sensitized radioresistant SQ20B cells to ionizing radiation and reduced their clonogenic potential. Overall, this study reinforces the view that the mevalonate pathway is a promising therapeutic target in radioresistant HNSCCs.

The "plight" of the public hospital in the United States is examined from the point of view of its relationship to the "plight" of the cities. Fifty-five large cities are examined and for 38 of these cities that have such hospitals the relationships of levels of public hospital services to local demographic, government fiscal, and tax structure conditions are analyzed. The principal findings point to the existence of some strong relationships and the implications for public policy of these associations are discussed.

Three patients, one male and two females, in whom the diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) was made in early childhood were studied. The two females were treated with cortisone acetate from the age of 2 and 4 years, respectively, and later they both proved to be fertile. The male patient was only treated sporadically with cortisone acetate until the age of 33 years. He also became fertile when a more consistent treatment with prednisolone was started. The two female patients had a slight hypertension in childhood before the treatment was initiated but became normotensive on treatment. The male patient revealed a blood pressure of180/130 mm Hg at the age of 33 years. In this patient the treatment with prednisolone produced a moderate decrease in the blood pressure, but additional treatment with antihypertensive drugs was needed to make him normotensive. All three patients were originally thought to have a 21-hydroxylase deficiency and the correct diagnosis of an 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency was first established between the age of 26 and 33 years. It is concluded that an early diagnosis and an uninterrupted treatment with glucocorticoids are important in order to prevent hypertension and infertility problems.

In comparison to the middle of the 80th, the group of patients who are addicted to legal and illegal drugs and are treated in special forensic hospitals, has significantly changed. Polyvalent dependence is the predominant diagnosis. There has been an increase in violence of index delinquency. In the middle of the 80th, most of the patients were committed because of criminal offences against the BtMG (German law to sentence drug abusers). Today, robbery turns out to be the "classical" index delinquency. The problem of defining "false admission" to a forensic hospital has to be considered in a multidimensional way.

We recently reported that H-Lys psi (CH2NH)Lys-Pro-Tyr-Ile-Leu-OH (JMV 449), a pseudopeptide analogue of neurotensin-(8-13) with a reduced CH2NH bond in position 8-9, was about 3 times more potent than neurotensin in binding to mouse brain membranes and in contracting the guinea-pig ileum, and was markedly more resistant to degradation than neurotensin when exposed to rat brain membranes. In the present study, we compared the time courses and dose-response relationships for the ability of i.c.v. injected neurotensin and JMV 449 to elicit hypothermia and analgesia (tail-flick test) in the mouse. The results show that the pseudopeptide analogue behaved as a highly potent and long-lasting neurotensin agonist in these two in vivo bioassays. The analogue should prove very useful for studying the effects of chronic neurotensin receptor stimulation in vitro and in vivo.

Since it has been demonstrated that spatial cognition can be affected in visually impaired children, training strategies that exploit the plasticity of the human brain should be early adopted. Here we developed and tested a new training protocol based on the reinforcement of audio-motor associations and thus supporting spatial development in visually impaired children. The study involved forty-four visually impaired children aged 6-17 years old assigned to an experimental (ABBI training) or a control (classical training) rehabilitation conditions. The experimental training group followed an intensive but entertaining rehabilitation for twelve weeks during which they performed ad-hoc developed audio-spatial exercises with the Audio Bracelet for Blind Interaction (ABBI). A battery of spatial tests administered before and after the training indicated that children significantly improved in almost all the spatial aspects considered, while the control group didn't show any improvement. These results confirm that perceptual development in the case of blindness can be enhanced with naturally associated auditory feedbacks to body movements. Therefore the early introduction of a tailored audio-motor training could potentially prevent spatial developmental delays in visually impaired children.

Policy Points As Medicaid programs grow in scale and complexity, greater consumer input may guide successful program design, but little is known about the extent to which state agencies are engaging consumers in the design and implementation of programs and policies. Through 50 semistructured interviews with Medicaid leaders in 14 states, we found significant variation in consumer engagement approaches, with many common facilitators, including leadership commitment, flexible strategies for recruiting and supporting consumer participation, and robust community partnerships. We provide early evidence on how state Medicaid agencies are integrating consumers' experiences and perspectives into their program design and governance.

Preclinical efficacy and safety studies, especially chronic studies, can be difficult to perform when the candidate therapeutic agent is a human protein due to the specificity of these molecules for the human target. The main issues are: i) the human protein or target may not be pharmacologically active in rodents or dogs, the standard toxicology species; or ii) the therapeutic agent may be so immunogenic in these species, that longer duration studies are not possible due to the formation of neutralizing antibodies. Thus, preclinical safety testing of biotherapeutics poses a particular challenge in selecting a relevant animal species for use in toxicology studies.

The ongoing search for effective treatment of Acne vulgaris is concentrated, i.a., on natural peptides with antimicrobial properties. The aim of this work was the development of new amino acid derivatives with potential activity on dermal infections against selected microorganisms, including the facultative anaerobe <i>C. acne</i>. The peptides P1-P6 were synthesized via Fmoc solid phase peptide synthesis using Rink amide AM resin, analyzed by RP-HPLC-MS, FTIR, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and evaluated against <i>C. acne</i> and <i>S. aureus</i>, both deposited and non-deposited in BC. Peptides P1-P6 presented a lack of cytotoxicity, antimicrobial activity, or antioxidative properties correlated with selected structural properties. P2 and P4-P6 sorption in BC resulted in variable data, i.a., confirming the prospective topical application of these peptides in a BC carrier.

Crop yield improvement requires optimization of shoot architecture, and can be facilitated by understanding shoot apical meristem (SAM) development. Maize, as one of the most important cereal crops worldwide, is also a model system and has significantly contributed to our fundamental understanding of SAM development. In this review, we focus on recent progress and will discuss communication between different meristem regulators, including CLAVATA receptors and ligands, transcription factors, small RNAs and hormones, as well as the importance of communication between different SAM regions.

Nitroxyl-iron(II) (HNO-Fe(II)) complexes are often unstable in aqueous solution, thus making them very difficult to study. Consequently, many fundamental chemical properties of Fe(II)-bound HNO have remained unknown. Using a comprehensive multinuclear ((1)H, (15)N, (17)O) NMR approach, the acidity of the Fe(II)-bound HNO in [Fe(CN)5(HNO)](3-) was investigated and its pK(a) value was determined to be greater than 11. Additionally, HNO undergoes rapid hydrogen exchange with water in aqueous solution and this exchange process is catalyzed by both acid and base. The hydrogen exchange dynamics for the Fe(II)-bound HNO have been characterized and the obtained benchmark values, when combined with the literature data on proteins, reveal that the rate of hydrogen exchange for the Fe(II)-bound HNO in the interior of globin proteins is reduced by a factor of 10(6).

Intramuscular electromyographic (EMG) signals are detected with needles or wires inserted into muscles. With respect to non-invasive techniques, intramuscular electromyography has high selectivity for individual motor unit action potentials and is thus used to measure motor unit activity. Decomposition of intramuscular signals into individual motor unit action potentials consists in detection and classification, usually followed by separation of superimposed action potentials. Although intramuscular EMG signal decomposition is the primary tool for physiological investigations of motor unit properties, it is rarely applied in clinical routine, because of the need for human interaction and the difficulty in interpreting the quantitative data provided by EMG signal decomposition to support clinical decisions. The current clinical use of intramuscular EMG signals relates to the diagnosis of myopathies, of diseases of the alpha-motor neuron and of the neuromuscular junction through the analysis of the interference signal or of the shape of some motor unit action potentials, usually without a full decomposition of the signal.

The profile of infection and pattern of bacterial resistance in Eastern Europe is distinct from that observed in other parts of the world. Several Polish investigations have reported that environmental pollution may increase the risk of respiratory disease. Studies from Hungary and Romania have documented a dramatic increase in the proportion of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains resistant to antibiotics. In comparison, resistance to these agents amongst Polish pneumococci isolates is lower, although these pathogens and Streptococcus pyogenes have displayed increasing tetracycline resistance. 20% of Polish Haemophilus influenzae isolates and a high percentage of Moraxella catarrhalis strains exhibit ampicillin resistance. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been found to constitute 22% of Polish S. aureus strains. Two major clones of MRSA have been identified in Poland which differ in their degree of antimicrobial resistance. The pattern of antimicrobial resistance amongst Polish respiratory pathogens is undoubtedly a reflection of management policies and the use of these drugs. It is hoped that the economic and political changes taking place within Eastern Europe will provide the information and resources to establish more efficient infection control and antibiotic policy and thus delay and limit the appearance of bacterial resistance.

Multimodal optical coherent tomography grows popularity with researchers and clinicians over the past decade. One of the modalities is lymphangiography, which allows visualization of the lymphatic vessel networks within optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging volume. In the present study, it is shown that lymphatic vessel visualization obtained from the depth-resolved attenuation coefficient distributions, corrected for the noise, shows improved contrast and detail in comparison with previously proposed approaches. We also argue that the two most popular approaches for lymphatic vessel visualization, namely simple intensity thresholding and vesselness calculation based on local Hessian matrix eigenvalues, imply different definitions of the lymphatic vessel's appearance in the OCT volume and lead to the different networks.

Clients with chronic disability often define themselves in terms of their sick role. Today, many healthcare professionals and laypersons alike prefer to view the individual as a unified whole striving toward high-level wellness. Thus, a client may be diagnosed with a physical illness, a chronic illness, or a disability but may still work to attain high-level wellness by functioning in an integrated way with the environment. This article describes the client with chronic disability in relation to high-level wellness and provides techniques nurses can use to facilitate a client's positive adjustment.

The factors affecting patterns of benthic [seabed] biology and chemistry around 50 Scottish fish farms were investigated using linear mixed-effects models that account for inherent correlations between observations from the same farm. The abundance of benthic macrofauna and sediment concentrations of organic carbon were both influenced by a significant, albeit weak, interaction between farm size, defined as the maximum weight of fish permitted on site at any one time, and current speed. Above a farm size threshold of between 800 and 1000 t, the magnitude of effects at farms located in areas of elevated current speeds were greater than at equivalent farms located in more quiescent waters. Sediment concentrations of total organic matter were influenced by an interaction between distance and depth, indicating that wind-driven resuspension events may help reduce the accumulation of organic waste at farms located in shallow waters. The analyses presented here demonstrate that the production and subsequent fate of organic waste at fish farms is more complex than is often assumed; in isolation, current speed, water depth, and farr size are not necessarily good predictors of benthic impact.

A new improved technique of erythrocyte autotransfusion is described. Autologous blood aspirated from the operative field is centrifuged, washed and reinfused in 5-10 minutes. The systems is composed of a centrifuge and vacuum pump built into the machine. The disposable set is very easy to assemble, and cost-effective. Preliminary data of 19 patients operated as emergency cases are shown. None had postoperative bleeding. Platelet count and function did not change. Even in the cirrhotic patients there were no changes in coagulation two hours after autotransfusion. The system seems easy to use, cost-effective and particularly indicated in emergency surgery.

We have evaluated changes in the expression of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and its tyrosine kinase C (TrkC) receptor in the neuromuscular system as a result of voluntary physical activity. We assessed changes in the mRNAs and proteins for NT-3 and TrkC in the lumbar spinal cord and associated soleus muscle following 3 and 7 days of voluntary wheel running. We used quantitative Taqman RT-PCR to measure mRNA and ELISA to assess protein levels. NT-3 mRNA and protein levels increased in the spinal cord to reach statistical significance after 7 days of exercise compared to sedentary control rats. Immunohistochemical analyses localized the elevated NT-3 to the substantia gelatinosa (SG) and nucleus of the dorsal horn. TrkC mRNA levels were significantly elevated in the spinal cord after 3 and 7 days of running. In the soleus muscle, NT-3 mRNA levels and its receptor TrkC were elevated after 3 days, while NT-3 protein levels remained unaffected. The results demonstrate that voluntary exercise has a differential effect on NT-3 as well as its receptor TrkC in the neural and muscular components of the neuromuscular system, and emphasize the role of voluntary activity on the spinal cord and muscle.

Although Alzheimer's disease has long been considered mainly a cognitive disorder, behavioral and psychological symptoms are present from its onset and at all the stages of the disease in most patients. They must be identified from the beginning because they orient the diagnosis. They include affective and emotional disorders, delusions and hallucinations, disorders of instinctual behavior and behavioral problems. The best tool for assessing them is the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). They are generally related to neurobiological aspects of the disease but may, especially when acute, have multiple etiologies: somatic, iatrogenic, psychological and environmental. They condition the course of the disease. As a source of suffering and reduced quality of the life and as the primary cause of distress for the caregivers and hence of hospitalization and institutionalization, they increase the costs of care. The challenge today is to learn more about them and thus improve their treatment and especially their prevention.

Breast enlargement in prepubertal boys is a rare condition. This case report describes an otherwise healthy 3-year old non-obese boy who developed a large unilateral cystic breast mass measuring approximately 9 × 6 × 4 cm. The mass was initially treated as a lymphatic malformation, and sclerotherapy with Picibanil (OK-432) was attempted without any detectable effect on size. The mass was later excised. The pathological examination revealed mammary gland tissue suggestive of idiopathic gynecomastia. FISH revealed 47, XXY mosaicism in the abnormal breast epithelial cells, but not in peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Oral surgical procedures are a great challenge in cancer patients, especially those with pancytopenia, given the risk of both hemorrhage and opportunistic infection. Thus, we report herein a case of a patient with refractory acute myeloid leukemia, severe pancytopenia, and some episodes of febrile neutropenia, who presented asymptomatic, bilateral lesions on the tongue, requiring excisional biopsy. Considering the high risk of bleeding, surgical intervention was proposed with a high-power laser (HPL) at the bedside. There was no considerable bleeding and stitches were not needed. Within 48 h postoperatively, the patient reported neither pain nor further bleeding and her tongue presented normal function. The patient was under a follow-up period of about 8 months, with no lesion relapse. The HPL seems to be of great value for preventing excessive bleeding and late infection in patients with pancytopenia submitted to minor oral surgeries.

Congenital aneurysm or enlargement of the right atrium is a rare condition. Two children operated on at the age of 14 months and 11 years old for congenital aneurysm of the right atrium are reported. Both presented cardiomegaly and symptoms of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Diagnosis was established by echocardiography. Surgical resection was successful. Both patients are free of symptoms and their chest X-ray and echocardiogram are normal. The first patient is now in her 17th postoperative year. The patients' evolution suggests that the surgery is a curative procedure.

The expression of X-linked genes in females heterozygous for X-linked defects can be modulated by epigenetic control mechanisms that constitute the X chromosome inactivation pathway. At least four different effects have been found to influence, in females, the phenotypic expression of genes responsible for X-linked mental retardation (XLMR). First, non-random X inactivation, due either to stochastic or genetic factors, can result in tissues in which one cell type (for example, that in which the X chromosome carrying a mutant XLMR gene is active) dominates, instead of the normal mosaic cell population expected as a result of random X inactivation. Second, skewed inactivation of the normal X in individuals carrying a deletion of part of the X chromosome has been documented in a number of mentally retarded females. Third, functional disomy of X-linked genes that are expressed inappropriately due to the absence of X inactivation has been found in mentally retarded females with structurally abnormal X chromosomes that do not contain the X inactivation center. And fourth, dose-dependent overexpression of X-linked genes that normally "escape" X inactivation may account for the mental and developmental delay associated with increasing numbers of otherwise inactive X chromosomes in individuals with X chromosome aneuploidy.

Overexpression and activation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is associated with multiple diseases and can serve as a stimulus to activate nanomaterials for sensing and controlled release. In order to achieve autonomous therapeutics with improved space-time targeting capabilities, several features need to be considered beyond the introduction of an enzyme-cleavable linker into a nanostructure. We introduce guiding principles for a customizable platform using supramolecular peptide nanostructures with three modular components to achieve tunable kinetics and morphology changes upon MMP-9 exposure. This approach enables (1) fine-tuning of kinetics through introduction of ordered/disordered structures, (2) a 12-fold variation in hydrolysis rates achieved by electrostatic (mis)matching of particle and enzyme charge, and (3) selection of enzymatic reaction products that are either cell-killing nanofibers or disintegrate. These guiding principles, which can be rationalized and involve exchange of just a few amino acids, enable systematic customization of enzyme-responsive peptide nanostructures for general use in performance optimization of enzyme-responsive materials.

Temperament involves stable behavioral and emotional tendencies that differ between individuals, which can be first observed in infancy or early childhood and relate to behavior in many contexts and over many years.¹ One of the most rigorously characterized temperament classifications relates to the tendency of individuals to avoid the unfamiliar and to withdraw from unfamiliar people, objects, and unexpected events. This temperament is referred to as behavioral inhibition or inhibited temperament (IT).² IT is a moderately heritable trait¹ that can be measured in multiple species.³ In humans, levels of IT can be quantified from the first year of life through direct behavioral observations or reports by caregivers or teachers. Similar approaches as well as self-report questionnaires on current and/or retrospective levels of IT¹ can be used later in life.

Neuro-Behçet's disease shows various neuropsychiatric symptoms, but chorea has rarely been reported. We report a case of neuro-Behçet's disease in a 67-year-old woman with depression and chorea that occurred 22 years after the onset of intestinal Behçet's disease. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) sequence demonstrated lesions more clearly than did T2-weighted MRI. Some of the lesions appeared as small ring-like foci, i.e. low-intensity spots rimmed with remarkable hyperintense signals, in the periventricular white matter and basal ganglia. A review of the literature revealed that the onset of chorea in cases of Behçet's disease varied from the time of onset of Behçet's disease to 31 years after onset of the disease. Psychiatric manifestations have often been associated with neuro-Behçet's disease. In the present patient, treatment with prednisolone resolved the chorea, suggesting that the chorea was caused by an autoimmune mechanism. It seems likely that the long-term development of vasculitis in patients with Behçet's disease results in the formation of these particular brain lesions on FLAIR MR images. Chorea should be taken into consideration as one of the manifestations of Behçet's disease, even many years after remission of the disease.

The 3'-->5' exoribonucleases, RNase II and polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase), play an essential role in degrading fragments of mRNA generated by prior cleavages by endonucleases. We have assessed the ability of small RNA substrates containing defined stem-loop structures and variable 3' extensions to impede the exonucleolytic activity of these enzymes. We find that stem-loops containing five G-C base pairs do not block either enzyme; in contrast, more stable stem-loops of 7, 9, or 11 bp block the processive action of both enzymes. Under conditions where enzyme activity is limiting, both enzymes stall and dissociate from their substrates six to nine residues, on average, from the base of a stable stem-loop structure. Our data provide a clear mechanistic explanation for the previous observation that RNase II and PNPase behave as functionally redundant.

Chicken histone H5 is an H1-like linker histone that is expressed only in nucleated erythrocytes. The histone H5 promoter has binding sites for Sp1 (a high affinity site) and UPE-binding protein, while the 3' erythroid-specific enhancer has binding sites for Sp1 (one moderate and three weak affinity), GATA-1, and NF1. In this study we investigated whether trans-acting factors that bind to the chicken histone H5 promoter or enhancer are associated with adult chicken immature and mature erythrocyte nuclear matrices. We show that NF1, but not Sp1, GATA-1, or UPE-binding protein, is associated with the internal nuclear matrices of these erythroid cells. Further, we found that a subset of the NF1 family of proteins is bound to the mature erythrocyte nuclear matrix. These results suggest that in chicken erythrocytes NF1 may mediate an interaction between the histone H5 enhancer and the erythroid internal nuclear matrix. NF1 was also present in the internal nuclear matrices of chicken liver and trout liver. The observations of this study provide evidence that NF1 may have a role in a variety of cell types in targeting specific DNA sequences to the nuclear matrix.

A 9-year-old boy with classical features of Sjogren-Larsson syndrome was reported. He had had diffuse dry skin with ichthyotic scales since birth. The skin biopsy was compatible with ichthyosis. At the age of two he was unable to walk normally and also had learning problems. Neurological examination revealed spastic paraparesis, macular degeneration and mild mental retardation. MRI of the brain and spinal cord revealed subcortical white matter and corpus callosal lesions as well as focal cerebral atrophy and diffuse spinal cord atrophy.

Darmstoff describes a family of gut smooth muscle-stimulating acetal phosphatidic acids initially isolated and characterized from the bath fluid of stimulated gut over 50 years ago. Despite similar structural and biological profiles, Darmstoff analogs have not previously been examined as potential LPA mimetics. Here, we report a facile method for the synthesis of potassium salts of Darmstoff analogs. To understand the effect of stereochemistry on lysophosphatidic acid mimetic activity, synthesis of optically pure stereoisomers of selected Darmstoff analogs was achieved starting with chiral methyl glycerates. Each Darmstoff analog was evaluated for subtype-specific LPA receptor agonist/antagonist activity, PPARgamma activation, and autotaxin inhibition. From this study we identified compound 12 as a pan-antagonist and several pan-agonists for the LPA(1-3) receptors. Introduction of an aromatic ring in the lipid chain such as analog 22 produced a subtype-specific LPA(3) agonist with an EC(50) of 692 nM. Interestingly, regardless of their LPA(1/2/3) ligand properties all of the Darmstoff analogs tested activated PPARgamma. However, these compounds are weak inhibitors of autotaxin. The results indicate that Darmstoff analogs constitute a novel class of lysophosphatidic acid mimetics.

The burden of dental diseases is increasing in the Chinese population. However, the development of the dental industry falls behind the average development level of medical industry in China. The emergence of digital dental technologies has created significant opportunities for the development of the dental industry in China. This article explores the innovative development background of the Chinese dental industry, describes the current innovation status in Chinese medical colleges and enterprises, highlights key problems faced by the nation, enterprises, and hospitals, proposes solutions to these issues, and puts forwards a new concept of building an open and collaborative service system, a transformation path, and a whole-chain support system for innovations in dentistry.

The influence of a double bond in the middle of an otherwise flexible hydrocarbon chain on the melting of such assemblies has been investigated by comparing the melting behavior of zinc stearate and zinc oleate. By monitoring features in the infrared spectra that are characteristic of the global conformation of the hydrocarbon chain, it is shown that the double bond effectively decouples the thermal evolution of conformational disorder in the chain segments on either side of the double bond and the melting of each of these segments in the assembly occurs as independent events.

Phenolic acids are the major secondary metabolites and significant bioactive constituents of the medicinal plant Salvia miltiorrhiza. Many enzyme-encoding genes and transcription factors involved in the biosynthesis of phenolic acids have been identified, but the underlying post-translational regulatory mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the S. miltiorrhiza Kelch repeat F-box protein SmKFB5 physically interacts with three phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) isozymes and mediates their proteolytic turnover via the ubiquitin-26S proteasome pathway. Disturbing the expression of SmKFB5 reciprocally affected the abundance of SmPAL protein and the accumulation of phenolic acids, suggesting that SmKFB5 is a post-translational regulator responsible for the turnover of PAL and negatively controlling phenolic acids. Furthermore, we discovered that treatment of the hairy root of S. miltiorrhiza with methyl jasmonate suppressed the expression of SmKFB5 while inducing the transcription of SmPAL1 and SmPAL3. These data suggested that methyl jasmonate consolidated both transcriptional and post-translational regulation mechanisms to enhance phenolic acid biosynthesis. Taken together, our results provide insights into the molecular mechanisms by which SmKFB5 mediates the regulation of phenolic acid biosynthesis by jasmonic acid, and suggest valuable targets for plant breeders in tailoring new cultivars.

Alternative splicing and alternative polyadenylation (APA) of pre-mRNAs greatly contribute to transcriptome diversity, coding capacity of a genome and gene regulatory mechanisms in eukaryotes. Second-generation sequencing technologies have been extensively used to analyse transcriptomes. However, a major limitation of short-read data is that it is difficult to accurately predict full-length splice isoforms. Here we sequenced the sorghum transcriptome using Pacific Biosciences single-molecule real-time long-read isoform sequencing and developed a pipeline called TAPIS (Transcriptome Analysis Pipeline for Isoform Sequencing) to identify full-length splice isoforms and APA sites. Our analysis reveals transcriptome-wide full-length isoforms at an unprecedented scale with over 11,000 novel splice isoforms. Additionally, we uncover APA of ∼11,000 expressed genes and more than 2,100 novel genes. These results greatly enhance sorghum gene annotations and aid in studying gene regulation in this important bioenergy crop. The TAPIS pipeline will serve as a useful tool to analyse Iso-Seq data from any organism.

Colon carcinogenesis represents a stepwise progression from benign polyps to invasive adenocarcinomas and distant metastasis. It is believed that these pathologic changes are contributed by aberrant activation or inactivation of protein-coding proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. However, recent discoveries in microRNA (miRNA) research have reshaped our understanding of the role of non-protein-coding genes in carcinogenesis. In this regard, a remarkable number of miRNAs exhibit differential expression in colon cancer tissues. These miRNAs alter cell proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis through their interactions with intracellular signaling networks. From a clinical perspective, polymorphisms within miRNA-binding sites are associated with the risk for colon cancer, whereas miRNAs isolated from feces or blood may serve as biomarkers for early diagnosis. Altered expression of miRNA or polymorphisms in miRNA-related genes have also been shown to correlate with patient survival or treatment outcome. With further insights into miRNA dysregulation in colon cancer and the advancement of RNA delivery technology, it is anticipated that novel miRNA-based therapeutics will emerge.

Hormone therapy (HT) was widely prescribed in the 1980s and 1990s and has been controversial since the initial results of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) trial in the early 2000s suggested that it increased risk for breast cancer and coronary heart disease and did not prolong life. However, more recent data and reexamination of the WHI results suggest that HT is safe and effective for many women when used around the time of menopause. Two experts debate the 2017 Hormone Therapy Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society, which recommends HT as first-line treatment of vasomotor symptoms, and apply it to the care of Ms. R, a 52-year-old woman with severe hot flashes, sleep disturbance, and irritability.

We study the effect of a non-Gaussian noise on interstate switching activated primarily by Gaussian noise. Even weak non-Gaussian noise can strongly change the switching rate. The effect is determined by all moments of the noise distribution. It is expressed in a closed form in terms of the noise characteristic functional. The analytical results are compared with the results of simulations for an overdamped system driven by white Gaussian noise and a Poisson noise. Switching induced by a purely Poisson noise is also discussed.

The system of producing long chain dicarboxylic acid (DCA) by Candida tropicalis is an aerobic and viscous fermentation system. A method to overcome the gas-liquid transport resistance and to increase oxygen supply is by adding hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) to the fermentation system. Here we report that the H(2)O(2) not only can enhance the oxygen supply but also change the metabolism by inducing cytochrome P450, the key enzyme of a, o-oxidation. When C. tropicalis was cultivated in a 3-L bioreactor using the combination of aeration and H(2)O(2) feeding, DCA production rates increased by about 10% after a short period of decrease at the beginning. Furthermore, the experiments showed that the maximum activities of P450 could be induced at 2 mM H(2)O(2), and the inducible mechanisms are also discussed. Moreover, we suggest that alkane might be oxidized through the "peroxide shunt pathway" when H(2)O(2) is present. By adding H(2)O(2), the DCA yield in a 22-L bioreactor could increase by 25.3% and reach 153.9 g/L.

The pathological diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is often difficult because biopsy material may not contain pathognomonic features, making distinction between Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and other forms of colitides a truly challenging exercise. The problem is further complicated as several diseases frequently mimic the histological changes seen in IBD. Successful diagnosis is reliant on careful clinicopathological correlation and recognising potential pitfalls. This is best achieved in a multidisciplinary team setting when the full clinical history, endoscopic findings, radiology and relevant serology and microbiology are available. In this review, we present an up-to-date evaluation of the histopathological mimics of IBD.

Membranous fat necrosis (MFN) a distinct degenerative process of adipose tissue, is characterised by the presence of membranocystic lesions (MCLs) superimposed on a background of typical traumatic-type fat necrosis. MCLs are cysts, of varying size and shape, that are lined by an eosinophilic, crenulated membrane, having the staining properties of ceroid. Although MFN has been documented in varying systemic adipose tissue sites and in tumours, the pathogenesis of this pathological curiosity is unknown. To date, an ischemic basis for MFN has been the most proximate, and atherosclerosis and venous insufficiency, due to large and medium vessel disease, have been the most popular underlying clinical disorders. Although systemic vasculitis has been quoted as the underlying ischemic disorder in some patients, vasculitis has not been commented on nor demonstrated in tissue sections in association with MFN. In,reporting vasculitis-induced MFN, we document the occurrence of MFN in association with uncommon causes of vasculitis, namely: 1) Granulomatous vasculitis in a post-herpetic zosteriform scar; 2) Cytomegalovirus-induced vasculitis in the clinical setting of systemic lupus erythematosus; and 3) Lymphocytic vasculitis in a tetanus toxoid immunization site reaction.

Since the prognosis for visual acuity after polychemotherapy or superselective intra-arterial chemotherapy (SIACT) is doubtful, studying retinal function in children with retinoblastoma by means of clinical electroretinography (ERG) is a relevant issue. The latter enables objective post-treatment assessment of retinal function and evaluation of possible infusion-related retinal toxicity. This review analyzes ERG findings in children with retinoblastoma treated with chemotherapy, including SIACT.

The photoluminescence properties of 9,9-bis[4'-(9''-carbazovinylene)phenyl]fluorene (F-CZV) formed by Heck reaction of 9,9-bis(4'-iodophenyl)fluorene (F-IP) and N-vinylcarbazole have been carefully studied. The results show that the compound emits blue light and the dimolecular excimer is formed with gradual increase in concentration of F-CZV. The results also indicate the interaction between F-CZV and electron donors (N,N-dimethylaniline) or electron acceptors (dimethylterephthalate, fullerene carbon nanotubes) can be efficiently generated where the processes follow the Stern-Volmer equation. Moreover, when dimethylterephthalate (DMTP) or carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is gradually added into the solution of F-CZV, the emission intensities of fluorescence are unusually increased. But when concentration of dimethylterephthalate or carbon nanotubes beyond a certain scope, the emission intensities of fluorescence are gradually decreased.

In this issue of the Biomedical Journal, we highlight a review revealing that the effect of autophagy, reactive oxygen species, and antioxidants in cancer may be a question of timing and context. We also discuss original research showing that the prevalence of cleft lip with or without palate in Taiwan has declined over the past 20 years, and what this might mean in terms of trends in abortion. Finally, we also learn about risk factors for recurrent hospital-acquired infection with multi-drug resistant bacteria, and the value of dental screening for patients with tinnitus.

<i>Fucus spiralis</i> that was collected in the four seasons was submitted to an extraction with ethanol:water (crude extracts Et80), followed by a liquid-liquid fractionation with organic solvents (fraction He from n-hexane; aqueous fractions AQ1, AQ2, AQ3 and AQ4; ethyl acetate fraction EA), with the aim of obtaining phlorotannin-enriched extracts. All the extracts (Et80, He, AQ1, AQ2, AQ3, AQ4 and EA) that were obtained for the <i>F. spiralis</i> of the four seasons were evaluated for their antioxidant capacity and total phenolic compounds. The summer extracts presented the highest contents in polyphenols (TPC), as well as the highest ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), when compared to the samples from the other seasons. The reductive percentage of the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate) compound was similar between the seasons. For all the seasons, the EA extract showed the highest polyphenol content (TPC), and the highest antioxidant capacity (highest ferric reducing power (FRAP) and lowest concentration needed to reduce 50% of the DPPH compound), which is in agreement with a phlorotannin-enriched fraction. This study revealed that the polyphenol content and antioxidant power of the <i>F. spiralis</i> extracts are influenced by the time of harvest, as well as by the solvents used for their extraction.

The Coffea arabica BURP domain-containing gene plays an important role in the response of transgenic Arabidopsis plants to abiotic stresses via regulating the level of diverse proteins. Although the functions of plant-specific BURP domain-containing proteins (BDP) have been determined for a few plants, their roles in the growth, development, and stress responses of most plant species, including coffee plant (Coffea arabica), are largely unknown. In this study, the function of a C. arabica BDP, designated CaBDP1, was investigated in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. The expression of CaBDP1 was highly modulated in coffee plants subjected to drought, cold, salt, or ABA. Confocal analysis of CaBDP1-GFP fusion proteins revealed that CaBDP1 is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum. The ectopic expression of CaBDP1 in Arabidopsis resulted in delayed germination of the transgenic plants under abiotic stress and in the presence of ABA. Cotyledon greening and seedling growth of the transgenic plants were inhibited in the presence of ABA due to the upregulation of ABA signaling-related genes like ABI3, ABI4, and ABI5. Proteome analysis revealed that the levels of several proteins are modulated in CaBDP1-expressing transgenic plants. The results of this study underscore the importance of BURP domain proteins in plant responses to diverse abiotic stresses.

Injections of the selective D2 dopamine agonist bromocriptine (5.0 mg/kg, IP) produced progressively stronger locomotion over 10 days of repeated testing. Concurrent treatment with either the D1 antagonist SCH 23390 (0.01 or 0.1 mg/kg, IP) or the D2 antagonist raclopride (0.1 or 1.0 mg/kg, IP) suppressed bromocriptine-induced locomotion on treatment days and attenuated or blocked the progressive increases in locomotion that accompanied repeated injections of bromocriptine alone. The fact that D1 and D2 antagonists each block the acute actions of bromocriptine and attenuate the development of bromocriptine sensitization is suggested to imply a striatal rather than a ventral tegmental mechanism for the sensitization produced by repeated treatments with direct dopamine agonists.